"See - vee are nott half as aggressive as everyone says, mein Herr!"


Even better: never get carelss unless you have landed again.

Isn't it asthonishing how a good supply of finest rum can turn a bunch
of immusical fellers into a song-thirsty community?
Nice story, Lou!

Hee Hee!! Good one Lou!

PILOTENBUCH
Hauptmann
Oberleutnant Harms

Jasta 17, St. Quentin-le-Petit, 26. April 1917

Commanded by general Niville, the French troops continue their advances along the Chemin-des-
Dames despite their heavy losses. Our own troops are fighting back the pushes, suffering heavy
casualties. It seems, as if we can hold most of the terrain, despite strong French reinforcements.

I flew 3 sorties today, leading 6 - 8 Albatros. First was a balloon defense south of Craonne;
then at 11:30 h we had to fly a defensive patrol over Marchais and Sissone airfields.
No enemy contact in both sorties.

But during the evening patrol, we got under attack from 3 new British two-seaters: Bristol F2b.
North of Sissone, they suddenly dropped out of the sun from higher up, and immediately the fighting
spread out. Sachsenberg, Walz, Landing and Eberle drove 2 British craft off ; the Bristols ran
south-westerly and got away.
I had a rather fierce fighting with one craft, and with my own guns - I had no less but 3 jams.
The Englishman showed a fine performance - the big bird behaved almost like a fighter craft, and
the defensive rear fire from twin guns was very dangerous.
But at last, when we were alread down to less than 1000 Meter, I hit the Bristol so hard,
that it rolled over the left wing and went headover into the "Bois de Bénicourt" forest.
Unfortunately I didn't have a witness for my deed.

But I had been rewarded in advance another way: during our lunch at 2 h, the Staffelführer
told me, that I had been promoted to Hauptmann.

[the fighting had been so "white-knuckle" that I forgot to take screenshots - sorry...]

Congrats on the promotion

Good reading this morning and congrats to all on Staying alive in WOFF and Promotions.

Excellent reading, everybody!

Another busy week for MFJ I! The Entente forces keep launching attacks against the strong defensive positions of the German army, and the flying troops of both the Army and the Navy are doing their best to support the infantry fighting in the trenches.

The British aviators in particular have suffered very heavy casualties, but still they keep coming in large numbers, just as stubbornly as the Tommies on the ground. MFJ I has been flying defensive patrols every day over friendly positions with each member of the Staffel doing his best to try and shoot down as many enemy two-seaters as possible.

Early in the week, Niemann managed to bring down a Fee near Ceurne airfield. Unfortunately the claim was not confirmed, even though the two-seater crashed down behind German lines.

Fortunately Niemann had better luck on Sunday:





This Tripe from RNAS 10 belonged to a flight of five Sopwiths which were ambushed by the whole Staffel near Ypres at a high altitude (over 3000 metres). Niemann managed to damage the Sopwith early in the fight, which seemed to seriously affect the Englishman's ability to manouver. The Tripe still managed to put up a good fight and dragged Niemann down with him close to the trenches, until it finally turned over and smashed down neatly on its back near the German reserve line.



Current situation. I've had several obvious kills denied, which is a bit frustrating. C'est la guerre!

Nice reads with my egg biscuit this morning...

Olham, congrats on the promotion and I like the picture of the German trench.

Hasse, I just joined and now I have to watch my back and run if I see your kite....

Olham, congrats also on the promotion and I must say I like the inclusion of the map and the front line troops photo. That map will come in handy in my challenge campaign where I am flying the DVII out of Chery-les-Pruilly.

Hasse; Very nice report and I like the second photo of the Tripe because of the highlighting of the clouds.

Say help to Bob:


But wait; what happened to Aaron Aardvark, who I was getting ready to go? They put him on a Be2, and he was yet another statistic aver Arras. (How is no one being arrested for the crime of sending them still, in 1917?!?)

Carrick and Olham, congratulations on your promotions.

Hasse, was the triplane confirmed then?

Cadogan West has been having a run of ground attack runs lately. The repetitiveness doesn't make for good storytelling I'm afraid.

Chambry Aerodrome
26th April 1917


Mon cheri:

I have good news for you, and bad news. It seems God has fated me to survive this awful war. That said, it will be some time before I return to Compeigne.

We flew two patrols on the 26th. The first was to observe for artillery against the same men who we bombed yesterday. We hung about for some time, and though I thought I saw some aircraft in the distance none came for us. Perhaps our escorts, SPADS from a nearby field, scared them off.

In the afternoon we went to bomb Chambry. Our bombing was ineffective, and the aerodrome's defenders rose up to meet us. It was a horrible battle. I fancy we were holding our own. A few stray shots hit my wings, but nothing telling and other than sporadic fire from my observer we seemed alone. I zeroed in on one of their aeroplanes determined to make short work of him, and that was my undoing.

He executed a lazy right hand circle which allowed me to close the gap. I saw his mate pass over my wings, but figured he was busy elsewhere or perhaps Leutnant Privat would deal with him. In both counts I was wrong. In the same moment I opened fire on the lead, and this Boche shredded me from behind.

One of their men very nicely drew this sketch of how my fight looked. He is quite talented - for a German.



I was wounded, dearest Claire, though not seriously. My fuel tank was punctured however, which is a very dangerous situation. Ultimately I ran out of fuel, and rather than suicide myself into the trees west of Chambry I chose to land at their field.

They have been quite hospitable so far, though once I recover I am away to one of their prisoner camps, and perhaps then the story grows darker. Nonetheless, this war cannot go on forever and there is always the chance of exchange.

I am, madame, your servant:

- Georg




Grrrr!

Hasse, Jasta 15 also ran into Tripes today.

Ham/Eppeville
May 8, 1917

Pa,

Sorry you haven't heard anything from me for the last 12 days but I was winged in our last mission. Now, don't go getting yourself worked up, it was just a flesh wound. I've been hurt worse before and plus it was caused by my own stupidity. Let me explain to you what happened. Flight B, which is my flight, we were assigned to attack this Hun railyard. We were supposed to fly over there and shoot up the place and just generally make a huge nuisance of ourselves. When we arrived at the railyard, I noticed there was an observation balloon right next to the railyard and I thought to myself, "Why don't I just mosey on over there and destroy that as well". Which I did and here is the picture to prove it.



That wasn't when I got into trouble, that happened a little later. Remember when I was smaller and I would take way too much food at the church socials and you would make me eat it all and I would get sick, well this is a lot like that. After I destroyed the Hun balloon, I noticed there were some Hun aeroplanes that were landing and I thought, "Well lookey there, that sure looks like shooting fish in a barrel". So I flew over and was fixin to fire on this Hun aeroplane, when all of a sudden bullets are zipping right past my head. Pa, I broke the most important rule of air fightin', you have to always look around before you commit to doing something. I never saw the Hun that shot at me and it was only cause the good Lord was looking out for me that I'm still here. Boy, I don't have to tell you that I've learned my lesson and I'll never make that mistake again. Anyway, I flew on back to our airfield and Capt. Thenault let me have it. I thought you could yell, but you don't have anything on Capt. Thenault. He sent me to the hospital to rest and get better and I just got back this evening. Someday Pa, I'll tell you about how pretty these nurses are. Don't read that last line to Ma, she wouldn't understand. When I got back, Capt. Thenault told me that my balloon was confirmed so that gives me 3 victories. I need only two more and then I will be an ace, maybe I'll get my name in the papers.

Your son,

Abner

Sorry Olham, but you know me and my questions. I was wounded in the last mission and the game advanced time until May 9, so does that mean I can't fly a DID mission until May 9?

April 27, 1917
No. 10 Sqn. RNAS
Furnes Aerodrome

FSL Nash led B flight on an offensive patrol at 0600 from Nieuport to Ostende. Visibility was reported as a few miles in haze, and no enemy aircraft were seen.




Furnes aerodrome surrounded Abbey Farm Ten Bogaerde. Adam lived in one of the Nissen Huts on the west end opposite the drainage ditch.




Adam was glad to read that the Americans were giving money for the war effort and that our troops were holding their own on the front.
News from across the pond (I'm closing my eyes and pretending it's from one of the European newspapers as I couldn't find any free English European papers)



Adam had already collected a pound and a few shillings and planned to spend some of it at Furnes tomorrow after he’d arrange for a motorbike to take him.

Although I am now able to get back to flying WOFF, I will not be able to comment the time needed to fly DiD. I am enjoying reading all the AAR and vidios - gents my hat off to you all.

Watch the sun!

Although I am now able to get back to flying WOFF, I will not be able to comment the time needed to fly DiD. I am enjoying reading all the AAR's and I am running out of space on my wall for you the pictures - gents my hat off to you all.

Watch the sun!