The continuing service of Albert "Mushroom" Ward:

27 Jan 1918 @ 09h08 Patrol to Etrun aerodrome north west of Arras

We were advised to expect winds of 8 kn from the west and medium dense cumulus from 1500 to 8000 ft.

I lead “B” flight composed of Dunstan on wing and Durrant. “A” flight sent Jarvis, Parry, Junor, Johnson and Walkerdine to assist. As usual we formed up north of the field and attained an altitude of 9900 ft placing us above the cloud cover, at which point we headed North towards La Bellvue. It was a quite flight to this point at which we diverted NNW towards Etrun. I had circled back to allow “A” flight to catch up and in so doing placed them at the head of the mission. Flying behind them I concentrated scanning our port, starboard, read and the land below for enemy craft. Just SW of Etrun I picked up some of our flak below us on our port side attempting to box in three specs. I waggled my wings to indicate we were going in and commenced a dive towards those specs, taking Dunstan and Durant with me. As we closed I could make out they were Albatros DV types and I singled out one man who had swung wide as they circled to engage. I chased him for a bit but noticed one of his companions closing on my six and so I banked hard to port coming in on his tail. I hit him several times in the engagement and watched him go in landing hard but not cracking up. I scanned for the other two and my mates. Not seeing anyone, I headed towards Etrun confident that they had continued on to land there. I arrived with them circling the base to land. Being lower, I headed in first and awaited their arrival. Dunstan confirmed he saw my Alb go in. Durrant on the other hand had lost sight of the opposition and Dunstan flying my wing did not see where they had gone either. We reported in to the RO indicating one Hun down but possibly alive. A patrol was sent out to find the Alb and within a couple of hours it was reported back that the craft was down in relatively good shape but the pilot was dead, slouched over in his cockpit, a bullet through his brain. I was hopeful that we would have a guest for dinner at Etrun, but my hopes had been dashed. I thought to myself, if you have to go that is the best way, quick and painless. I suspect that the fact his craft had landed so safely was purely a quirk of fate. The craft bore the markings of Jasta 22.

YouTube Video:


28 Jan 1918 @ 09h00 Balloon attack south of St. Quentin east of Tergnier

At briefing we were told he wind would be 3 kn from the SSW with occasional clouds but mostly clear with a haze on the horizon. Clouds were between 5000 and 7000 ft.

I lead “B” flight composed of Bowman, Durrant, Jarvis, Johnson, Parry and Mealing.
“A” flight sent McCudden, Dunstan and Walkeredine.

We formed up north of the field at 11900 ft. and turned towards Peronne, arriving there at 9h42 passing over Etang de Haut. We continued on towards Flez aerodrome arriving there at 9h46. We made good time and crossed the lines at 10h37. I could see the unnamed oval lake which was directly between us and the intended balloon. We dropped down to 4000 ft and it was then I spotted 5 enemy scouts heading towards the same Balloon at 2500 ft approx. I waggled my wings and veered in behind them keeping our height advantage. Durrant, Jarvis, and Bowman made their attack on the balloon and I was able to see Durrant take it down. The five enemy specs turned out to be Albatros DV types. Two of them were climbing up towards me. Jarvis chased one off and I saw him down it. “A” flight turned and retreated. I was puzzled and looked over my shoulder to see 5 more enemy specs some distance off behind me. I maintained altitude and watched as the rest of my flight made for our lines and I was quickly behind them. I caught up to “A” flight over Peronne and circled there waiting for my flight to form up. Durrant did not make it to join us. I later discovered that he put down at Flez, lightly wounded from his engagement with the balloon. We all made it back to Baizieu safely.
For Jarvis is was quite the exercise as he had lost the tip of his starboard wing due to flak and had to abort his first landing due to handling problems. He finally came in safely.
We all reported in to the RO. Jarvis had a confirmed kill witnessed by Bowman and myself.


SPECIAL NOTE: at 13:13 minutes into the vid one of the AI aborts landing attempt due to damaged starboard lower wing tip. He makes second attempt and lands safely. Great example of intelligent AI !!

YouTube Video:

Quade McGregor
Sgt, Rfc
B Flight, 41 Sqn
Lealvillers, France.

Jan 30, 1918.

Aerodrome Attack

T/O: Dawn
B Flt: 6 SE,s
Load: Machine gun ammo.


Results: A bloody Mess no target damage.

Remarks: Hq sent us Down Town today. Our six a/c flght lined up and made one pass because as we pulled up we went straight thru a flight of 5 DFW,s and tangled up with their escort 3 Albatros DIII OAW Scouts. I fired at 100 meters into a 2 seat type ( a fellow pilot said it went down,but I didna see it) then switched target to a D-III on a mates tail. My Lewis jammed after 114 rds so held down on the Vickers. I got good hits all over the e/a then shot pass him. Looking back I saw a hole in the ground and dust. Turning around, We flew into a flock of Albatross D-V,s. That was enough for me, I want away from Douai and the Bee Hive of e/a .So full power and home.

Sqn Rpt: 4 SE,s damage ( mine had 12 holes) 1 Forced down POW? 1 Destroyed Pilot KIA.

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Ah Carrick, a rats nest of activity I see!! Good to see Quade did so well and appropriately judicious to get "out of town" when he did!

Sgt. James O'Shaugnessy
RFC-9, RAF R.E. 8
January 30, 1918


Along with being a quiet bunch much given to staying out of the way and letting the war run its course, we're not a very active group either. That's why we're not winning this war you know. Moving as slow as damned English food through your intestinal tract. If I was leading this fight we'd have won by now.

Still, it's a chance to get to know my new mates, not that there's much to tell. I have mentioned the two sergeants who dislilke me intensely: Ogden and Alden. I also have a champion, Adams, who tells me not to mind them so much. I suppose I don't mind much: They're Englishmen. I don't expect much.

Sergeant Ericson is on the fast track to promotion at least: Command confirmed his second kill, and wait it came a summons to London for a military cross.

Our flight on the 30th was much like the one on the 27th: Tightly scripted and ultimately fruitless. Lieutenant Bennett led the flight again: 6 of us with 7 Camels for support. This time we bombed the airfield at Lille. Once more by bombs missed, though Mr. Iverson, my observer, let me know that at least one of the other bombs hit cratering a hangar and lighting up the aircraft beneath.

It's quiet here so far. No one challenged us on the way back and we landed in more or less perfect order. I suppose that's well, though I still hope for a chance to show these Englishmen what I'm made of before this is over.

Mr. Wiggins: The area around Douai and Roulers always seem to stir up a Hornets Nest of Flack and E/A whenever I go thru there. Most of the Time. If I stick around, I dont come back.

This week has been a quiet one for MFJ II. Only one combat encounter took place, this time with the deadly SE.5a's of the elite British No. 56 Squadron. Niemann pursued one enemy scout, but the British pilot took full advantage of his plane's higher speed and managed to retreat behind the safety of his own lines. Leutnant zur See Carl Kuring managed to score the only victory of the battle. The unlucky enemy pilot crashed into a small wood and was killed by the impact.



Kuring's victory.



Current situation. Niemann received a copy of his Sanke card photograph that nicely shows the Pour le Mérite and has attached the pic in his pilot's book.

Excellent reports from everybody, as usual! I'm too busy right now to comment them all individually, but I always read them thoroughly. I see Abner has not yet made a move to winning the heart of Mary Pickford!

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Hasse, Robert, Raine, MFair, Maeran, Banjoman, Carrick, CatKnight – wonderful, wonderful stuff as always gents. The great videos and stories; the superb screenshots; the historical interlacing of actual facts with virtual reality; the poignant “this is to inform you” letter, juxtaposed with the laugh-out-loud shot of canine destruction of claims forms, (the dog ate my homework, I swear). It was a most enjoyable hour of catching up with all your adventures. Many thanks for sharing. I did notice though that we’ve seen no reports from Olham as of late. Hope you can post something soon my friend.

Despite RL keeping me far too busy right now, Lt. Colonel Burroughs was able to get in a handful of flights over the last week or two; a few with the squadrons of the 41st Wing, and a couple on his own to investigate more closely the effectiveness of the bombing sorties on the Hun war effort. He will likely head back to London in a fortnight or so to give his initial evaluation of the situation to Trenchard. We shall see what the war, the weather, and fate has in store for the young Red Tab.

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Well observed, Lou - and yes, I will fly at least 1 sortie today.
I have mostly been flying online with a friend recently, against other human pilots,
which is VERY challenging. That friend has some free weeks now, before he will enter
a new job; then we won't have time for that so often anymore.
I still need to get back into my single-player campaign flying - something I cannot
force; it has to come back to me. And I guess it will.

Good to hear from you Olham, As Lou has stated, your absence has been missed. I'm glad you are getting some flight time in on the other sim though.
By the way, did you happen to see the great flying by the AI in my last video. WOFF continues to amaze me!

Only for online hunting human simmers, Robert - for a good single-flyer campaign, nothing beats WOFF IMHO!


Not yet, but I'll watch it with my dinner.

Damnid! I have made one of my rare airstart sorties - and then the joystick
wasn't recognised! I had to quit quickly, cause there were also SPADs
raining down on us!
So I rebooted the machine, checked the stick in the hardware manager,
and went back to WOFF - only to find that the previous mission had been
the only one for 31. January. And, as if that was not enough, they have
equipped me with the Pfalz D.IIIa.
Me - "Albatros-Man"...! Tch!

The Pfalz will keep you alive.

In the heat of battle, you can trust it to endure the harshest of manoeuvers and the steepest of dives without losing structural integrity. I never have such a feeling of security when I fly the Albatros D.III or D.V. You also have great visibility from the Pfalz cockpit - as good as the Albatros, if not better. The Pfalz has a better climb rate than the Albs, and if you need to make a quick evasive action by diving, there's no better fighter than the Pfalz in the German side of the lines for that purpose.

The only advantage the new Entente fighters have over the Pfalz is speed. You won't be able to catch the SPADs and SEs, but then you can't do that with the Albatros either.

Herr Olham in a Pflaz ? Bet thats a sight to see lol.



Hasse: Great looking skin on Ur D-III

Quade McGregor
Sgt, Rfc
B Flight, 41 Sqn
Lealvillers, France.

Jan 31, 1918.

Intercept over the lines

B Flt: 6 A/c

E/a: 6 Rumplers

Loc: Over Lens.

Remarks: I bagged a 2 Seat this morning. Only 4 of B flight,s SE,s got off on this one and I was tail end. Over the lines, Flt Leader spotted specks over Lens so we went for a look see. After a head on pass, we separated 2 e/a form the pack. I shot last after taking 15 hits in the wings. I dove and zoomed to get a belly shot. The 2 seat caught fire then the wings fell off.

Sqn Rpt. Losses: 1 pilot wnd. + 3 damaged. Claims 1 2 seat Confirmed.


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Yeah, I know - but it's like to marry an unattractive girl, just because she can cook
and darn socks and keep the house tidy... Sigh!


I guess they are much the same there, that's true.


Hmmm... - I hardly ever DO make evasive actions...


Hmmm... - I guess I will request a transfer soon... People are laughing about me already...

Herr Carrick, I envy you for that fast Scout Experimental!

Sgt. James O'Shaugnessy
RFC-9, RAF R.E. 8
January 31, 1918

(Gents: Sorry, I have to edit better. I seem to have picked up this awful habit of repeating myself. '..who tells me not to mind them so much. I suppose I don't mind much .... I don't expect much.'? Yikes.)


Gentlemen: Today was our wake up call.

No pictures I'm afraid. My squadmates would have struck me down if I tried. They're in a tizzy and perhaps so am I.

Today we were to bomb the German troops north of Diksmulde: Five of us led by 2Lt. Dixon and escorted by our usual assortment of Camels, followed by four under Lt. Bennett aiming for an artillery battery just beyond the lines.

Our inbound flight was the same monotony we've 'enjoyed' thus far. It's a strange winter: Cold of course, and blustery, but very little snow. I can see the deadened grass beneath me as we fly, and there are even a few farmers or laborers trying to get a head start on chopping up the ground for spring training. You almost wouldn't know there was a war on...until no man's land of course.

We did our duty in making some Kraut soldiers miserable. Lieutenant Iverson, my observer, even complimented my aim this time saying I'd landed both of my bombs directly in trenches and inflicting great harm. Dixon circled for a bit then signaled for us all to form up and head up.

That's when the flight of Pfalzes decided to do their duty.

They came out of the ice blue sky above us, almost directly from the sun. For the first time in my life I heard the quite alarming sound of a gunner's weapon chugging behind my ear as Iverson turned to engage the flight.

It wasn't much of a battle I suppose. Most of the Pfalzes disappeared, as did our Camels, and I can only assume they separated to take care of their own business. One of them stayed however, and slowly gained on Sergeant Alden at our rear peppering his craft with bullets.

I swung to our right, hoping to give Iverson a clear shot while the rest of our flight stuck to the tried and true doctrine of level flight. It didn't work: Before I could quite make it Alden slowly fell out of formation with the Pfalz in pursuit.

We landed with heavy hearts somewhat brightened when we learned that Alden, although badly punctured with two bullet holes and having lost his observer, managed to come down on our side of the lines. Then we learned of Bennett's flight:

First, Bennett didn't make it to his objective. To hear them tell it, white vapor abruptly covered his engine, exploded, and he went down like a fiery javelin. Only the ground could extinguish him and we have now lost our commander.

The others, though shaken, tried to finish their mission. Mistake: None of them were in any condition to fight when the Pfalzes, having apparently eluded our Camels, descended on them. Sergeant Baker did a fair imitation of a lawn dart as he slammed into the British lines but at least will live to tell the tale to his grandchildren. The other two took wounds.

In one day our eleven man squadron took one killed and four wounded. Tonight 'we' are a somber bunch, the hope of quietly outlasting the war quite shattered. We also have no commander: 2Lt. Dixon is the natural choice, though who knows who command will send. If Dixon does accept the post than perhaps Sgt. Ericson can trade in his Military Cross for a commission.

All that is for tomorrow though. For tonight it is a cold night, though still clear. The stars offer no comfort though: Tomorrow we have a funeral to arrange. Could ours be next?

The continuing service of Albert "Mushroom" Ward:

29 Jan 1918 @ 10h05 attack on Gonnelieu aerodrome

At briefing we were advised we would have excellent weather for our mission. Wind was 3 kn from the west with clear skies and no haze.

I lead “B” flight composed of Dunstan on wing and Jarvis. We carried 4 25lb bombs on each of our aircraft for the mission. “A” flight was to provide top cover and was composed of Bowman, Durrant, Junor, Irwin and Walkerdine.
We followed the usual procedure and formed up north of the field attaining an altitude of 5100 ft. We then set course for Courcelette. “A” flight seemed to be dragging its heels and when we arrived at Courcelette, I elected to circle and wait for “A” flight to catch up. Once they arrived we continued on our course directly for Gonnelieu. The flight was quiet with no flak as we crossed the lines, nor was there any greeting as we approached Gonnelieu. Dunstan, Jarvis and I loosed our bombs on the airfield was considerable success and only then did the flak begin. It was at this time I noted 7 Pfalz DIIIa’s of Jasta 22 coming into range and I suspected we would have a melee. I turned to engage one that appeared on my six and only then discovered that they seemed to be entering a landing pattern. I swung onto the tail of that Pfalz and gave him a long burst causing him to smoke heavily and swing into a dive. I did not wait to see if he crashed. I turned away to join the rest of my flight above me. While searching for “A” flight’s whereabouts, I spotted 5 more scouts well above in a delta formation. The odds were getting rather heavy against us and I hoped that the Pfalz were too low on fuel to engage because they did not break from their landing pattern. The other 5 specs turned out to be Albatros DV types and they seemed intent on watching us. I pressed hard to join “A” flight and not become a straggler. I almost obtained my objective when I noticed one of the DV’s break away and come down on my six. I had no alternative but to turn into him. We danced for awhile and I was lucky to find that his mates did not come down to play. My luck was holding out. He handled his craft well but ultimately gave me a chance burst into him when he changed direction in a pass and launched himself across my path. It seemed enough to discourage him and he broke for Gonnelieu. I let him go and continued to head west and crossed our lines. I thought it best to not press my luck. Once there I waited for Dunstan and Jarvis who did not show, but “A” flight did and we returned to base together. Dunstan and Jarvis showed up later after we had landed.
I asked if either of them had seen whether my Pfalz had crashed but they were unable to confirm it so I didn’t put a claim in. The RO declared the mission a success as reports came in of the damage to Gonnelieu. I went back to my quarters and entered a note in my log. “300+ hours” as of today. It seemed incredible. I didn’t dwell on it. It would not be good karma to do so.

YouTube Video:

Wow, I never witnessed this before - this is simply amazing!

Yes! Isn't it. I felt exactly the same way when I saw it happen.

Quade McGregor
Sgt, Rfc
B Flight, 41 Sqn
Lealvillers, France.

Feb 1, 1918.


All flights Cancelled today due to weather. With the Rumpler confirmed, I am high man on the scoreboard. The sgn is down to 8 pilots The Flight Lt. has 2 victories while 3 other pilots have 1. everyone else has Zero. With my 5 confirmed, I became the Sqn Ace.