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#4389725 - 11/14/17 11:04 PM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: MadKerbal]  
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Raine Offline
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MadKerbal, you're supposed to start on two-seaters on the first go-around. Personally, I don't think anyone's going to have an existential crisis if you don't. But if you decide to, try the Bristol Fighter for the UK or the Rumpler for the Germans. The former is a first-rate fighter and the latter can fly high enough to avoid many Entente machines until you're on your way home.

#4389734 - 11/14/17 11:50 PM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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Jeffery Vickers
Sgt, Rfc
55 Sqn, Tantonville A.F.
Verdun, France.


Nov 14, 1917.

Bollicks, more Bumps -a- daisy's upon landing. My riggers are having a fit. Finally got in on the 3rd pass from a Recon of the lines.

Attached Files CFS3 2017-11-14 15-29-15-26.jpg
#4389735 - 11/14/17 11:52 PM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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MadKerbal: Welcome

#4389738 - 11/15/17 01:05 AM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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New Zealand
Sergeant Arthur Edwards
57 Sqn RFC
Transfering to Boisdingam, Flanders.

15th November 1917
Somewhere off the French Coast
Water splashed over Arthur's goggles as the DH4 lumbered through a cloud, he took a glanced at the compass again and made sure it was working with a reassuring tap, 'should see France any minute now
' he thought, hoping that somehow the war hadn't disconnected it from Europe and sent it floating into the Atlantic, Arthur dropped down a few hundred feet, and looked over the side of his new mount to see fields, he leaned back in his seat and breathed a sigh of relief now to find Boisdingam he said to a flock of birds a hundred or so feet below, reaching for his map, With a woosh of wind the DH4 dropped and the map fluttered clear of the cockpit and disappeared against the clouds above.

Damn

At least he was heading the right direction...

Right?
Arthur circled, looking for an airfield, a army base, anything!, yet nothing appeared, he fell back into the chair leting the plane drift for a minute, he could swear he was already going insane, he could have sworn he heard an engine, he stuck his head over the side JACKPOT! [Linked Image]
beneath sat a large airfield, with hangers and workshops and...and MAPS! they can tell me where Boisdingam is! he yelled over the engine, bringing the DH4 in a lazy spiral towards the airfield, planting it down and bringing it to a sliding halt.
A mechanic vaulted over to the machine however before he could ask anything Arthur quickly shot out "hellodoyouknowwhereboisdingamispleasei'mratherlostmymapgotblownoutbythewindandithoughtyoucouldhelp?"

The Mechanic looked at Arthur dumbfounded and pointed off in the direction Arthur had just came "Erm...sure...it's a few kilometres that way."
A few Kilometres 'that way'...the way he came... Arthur was well out of his depth, from an Otago farm to a 375hp biplane...
He was screwed.


(just realised I may have got my dates a little mixed with time zones and all, hope this is all OK.)

#4389756 - 11/15/17 02:26 AM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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Raine Offline
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Good to see a Kiwi pilot in the mix, MadKerbal. Best of luck.

#4389836 - 11/15/17 04:39 PM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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Jeffery Vickers
Sgt, Rfc
55 Sqn, Tantonville A.F.
Verdun, France.


Nov 15, 1917.


I say, Bit of a bore around here. Up to the lines for an Arty Shoot then back for Tea.

Attached Files CFS3 2017-11-15 08-24-59-99.jpg
#4389841 - 11/15/17 05:02 PM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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Jeffery Vichers

Note Book: We had a travailing Circus come by so watched the Wrestling mach..

https://giphy.com/gifs/bWgmBzoXmzmGk/fullscreen

https://giphy.com/gifs/wrestling-meet-the-spartans-l2QEdQ8XItZm0Toys/fullscreen

Last edited by carrick58; 11/16/17 03:16 AM.
#4389885 - 11/15/17 10:22 PM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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Good story, MadKerbal. Now I know why there were so many accidents. Everybody kept losing their bloody map!


"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys,
The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain,
From out of my arse take the camshaft,
And assemble the engine again."
#4389892 - 11/15/17 11:47 PM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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Raine Offline
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Diary of 2/Lieut. Geoffrey Corderoy, RFC
Part 12: 9-14 July 1917

9 July 1917 – Calais


The rest of the squadron had gone from Bruay, ferrying their Pups to England by way of St-Omer or Calais. I left at 6:30 a.m. in a tender bound for Calais along with three men from the squadron stores, the drums of fuel we’d used to send off the final few aircraft, various crates, and a pile of tentage.

The leave boat left Calais at 1 pm so I had little time for lunch before boarding. I limped about the few blocks nearest the dock looking for an estaminet where I might eat quickly, but every establishment was full to bursting with hungry sailors and soldiery. At length a young urchin approached me and, with much gesturing and a little pidgin English, asked me if I was hungry and whether he could sell me some food. He carried a burlap sack on his belt. I gave him a few francs and he burrowed into the sack and emerged with a small package of biscuits and some bully beef which he fairly threw at me before running off. I noted with amusement that both items were British Government issue. The biscuits, I am sure, came over in 1914.

The leave ship was nothing of the sort. I was booked passage on the SS Stockport, a merchant steamer that had finished unloading stores that morning. There were not many passengers, so I was able to find a couch in the small lounge to stretch out on and grab a quick nap. I awoke only after we were at sea. The Stockport was flanked by two destroyers and thrummed its way across the Channel to Dover at a steady twelve knots. By 3:30 I was stumping down the platform and squeezing into a busy second-class carriage bound for Victoria Station.

The strangeness of London after a month of war flying cannot be described. The station was a sea of khaki, but as soon as I stepped outside to hail a cab it struck me that among the thousands of people milling about, scarcely a handful had any comprehension that a war of mud, blood, and lice was raging scarcely 200 miles away. A young woman passed by, looking at my limp with a mixed expression. I’ve been back in England twice since I left in June 1915; each time I’ve brought back a little bit less of my left knee!

After a quick stop at Charing Cross to get sorted at Cox’s, we were off to Fenchurch Street. [1] I had an hour to wait at Fenchurch Street Station before catching the next train so I sent a telegram from the station telegraph office to my parents to announce that I was back home and bought a first-class ticket to Romford, near Hornchurch in Essex. Then I headed outside and a few doors down the street to a tea room where I enjoyed a proper cream tea for the first time in months. Here I discovered I was wrong about Londoners not be aware of the war. Last month a Gotha had dropped its load and one or two bombs had blown down a tall building on Fenchurch Street, close by the station. [2]

[Linked Image]
Fenchurch Street Station, 1917

It was nearly 8 p.m. before I dropped my bag in the squadron office at Sutton Farm. Major Babington greeted me warmly and asked about my trip and whether my parents knew I was in England.

“Better be quick on that front, old boy. The chaps have taken every spare room in the county for parents, wives, and girlfriends. Some, I daresay, have housed all three.” The Major laughed heartily at his own joke.

Sutton’s Farm is a joy after Bruay. We have fine wooden buildings with solid roofs, a proper mess, and a smooth and wide field.

Time for a quick bite and bed. More to follow tomorrow.

10 July 1917 – Sutton’s Farm aerodrome, Hornchurch, Essex


We are on constant standby in case of a raid by the giant Gotha bombers. They were last over three days ago and fairly put the wind up the Cabinet, so that explains our hasty departure from Bruay. We are to spring into action on a phone call from Home Defence Group and then patrol from just north of here down across the Thames and back.

Major Babington is newly energised and we are in the air several times daily, practising formation work and diving attacks on Gothas. Between these flights we have lectures and engage in energetic discussions about the best way to knock down the big Hun bombers.

Received a telegram from Mummy. She is coming on the 12th and asked me to find her a place. My father is working in the city, attached to the General Staff. This is news.

11 July 1917

Permitted to explore the area this afternoon under the guise of a navigation exercise. I flew down the Thames and back over the city. Great fun.

[Linked Image]
Flying past the Royal Observatory at 1 pm, checking my watch against the drop of the time ball

There are no accommodations available in the local area. Sergeant Norris, who has been my lead mechanic since Sgt Purchase’s last leave, has put up his mum at a farm about a quarter-mile off. He says she has a large room with two beds and that it would be good company for her if my mother wants to stay there. Not sure how it will go over, but I have no choice.

12 July 1917

Mummy arrived today and moved in at Stoneway, the farm house where Sgt Norris’s mum is. I see her tonight.

More formation work today, plus a barrier patrol for two hours which I got to lead. Scott and Joske came along and it was topping to be flying the streamers with them looking on.

Was permitted off base after dark and met my mother and Mrs Norris at a public house in Romford. Sgt Norris turned up, a little nonplussed to find me at table. We got off to an awkward start, but Mummy went on so about how she and Mrs. Norris have ever so much in common and how wonderful it is to have a roommate and who would have thought that two women would be off having adventures at our age. Sgt Norris and I were both laughing so hard at the two of them that rank was soon forgotten. We enjoyed good beer (for wartime) and sausage and egg pies – pure heaven! We were there until closing at ten and enjoyed the walk back to the field. The good sergeant’s name is Ambrose! We resolved to dress in mufti next time we joined the ladies.

14 July 1917

The Kaiser seems to have called off the air war. Not a Gotha to be found anywhere. Perhaps they’ve heard that 46 is here and decided to stay abed. Mother left today. We caught up on so much over the past few days. Father is working at Whitehall on a new infantry doctrine, under a general who was his company commander in South Africa. He is enjoying it thoroughly. Something about taking the shackles off operational planning, but of course Mother had no details.[3] She brought a basket of sweets and fancy foodstuffs, one for me and (I think) a larger one for her darling Ambrose Norris, with wishes that the good sergeant “keep my machine in proper running order.”

Off with the lads to London tonight!

NOTES

[1] Cox & Co. of London served as agents to the British Army from 1758 to 1923, processing cheques and handling insurance and other financial matters for British officers. Their Charing Cross office was open around the clock during the Great War to cash officers’ cheques on arrival in London. Corderoy would have been in need of sterling once he was back in England, and presumably had been issued a cheque in British currency before leaving Bruay.

[2] No 65 Fenchurch Street was hit in the Gotha raid of 15 June 1917. It was a five storey building of offices, shops, and flats. The front of the building collapsed, killing many.

[3] LtCol Corderoy was part of a group working on SS.143 Instructions for the Training of Platoons for Offensive Action. This 1917 publication set out new platoon organisations and drills for tactical training and was the first pamphlet published by the British Army that clearly explains the role of the platoon in the attack. It established doctrinal procedures that remain current to the present day.

Attached Files Greenwich.jpgFenchurch Street station.png
#4389909 - 11/16/17 03:18 AM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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Wonderful detail.

#4389936 - 11/16/17 11:15 AM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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Great stuff as always, Raine. Welcome to the war Madkerbal!

Ive found myself over in Blighty for the last three weeks for work. Unfortunately, Ive had no time for exploring, but I did get to visit an airfield that No 203 sqn (RNAS 3 Sqn) occupied for a time in the early 2000s. It is neat to touch that kind of history.

I should be back up in the cockpit soon. See you in the (un)friendly skies!

#4389959 - 11/16/17 02:48 PM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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Robert_Wiggins Offline
BWOC Survivor!...So Far!!
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Nice read! Thanks Raine. I needed that. I sorely miss flying DiD but I should be up as soon as my new monitor arrives. I'm waiting for a G-sync to arrive.


(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper
PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt
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Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered
CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler
Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB
OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD
Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L
Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4

#4389980 - 11/16/17 05:03 PM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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Jeffery Vickers
Sgt, Rfc
55 Sqn, Tantonville A.F.
Verdun, France.


Nov 16, 1917.

Up to the lines twice today, the 1st was a Recon then a Arty Spot. I did manage to get down on the Field with the second go around. Improved a bit wot ? Additionally, put in for Scouts.

Attached Files CFS3 2017-11-16 08-39-24-08.jpg
Last edited by carrick58; 11/16/17 05:04 PM.
#4390111 - 11/17/17 01:26 PM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: carrick58]  
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Robert_Wiggins Offline
BWOC Survivor!...So Far!!
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Originally Posted by carrick58
Jeffery Vickers
Sgt, Rfc
55 Sqn, Tantonville A.F.
Verdun, France.


Nov 16, 1917.

Up to the lines twice today, the 1st was a Recon then a Arty Spot. I did manage to get down on the Field with the second go around. Improved a bit wot ? Additionally, put in for Scouts.


Carrick, see if you can get Jeffery into a Pup as it is much more forgiving. Particularly on landings!! biggrin


(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper
PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt
MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme
Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered
CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler
Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB
OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD
Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L
Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4

#4390164 - 11/17/17 04:51 PM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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Mr. Wiggins: LOL Its the Trees around the field or maybe the high landing speed ? I generally , manage to get in on the 2nd or 3rd try. Maybe, I need a Helicopter for that AF. In the mean time hope my transfer comes in before I have a really bad landing.

#4390166 - 11/17/17 04:55 PM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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Jeffery Vickers
Sgt, Rfc
55 Sqn, Tantonville A.F.
Verdun, France.


Nov 17,1917.

Up to the lines for a Recon. No enemy a/c ever seem to be around although Intell says there are 2 Jasta's + Numerous Recon units in the Army II Corp area.

Attached Files CFS3 2017-11-17 08-37-00-50.jpg
Last edited by carrick58; 11/17/17 04:56 PM.
#4390226 - 11/17/17 10:44 PM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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Jeffery Vickers
Sgt, Rfc
55 Sqn, Tantonville A.F. ( Flown early due to busy day tomorrow. )
Verdun, France.


Nov 18, 1917.

Another Milk Run, The Sqn dispatched 2 of us for a photo Op of the Enemy side of the lines. It didnt take too long and we had 3 French N-24's for Escort. I managed to Land on the 1st go around, but the Bumps -a-Daisy 's were enough to make U weep.

Attached Files CFS3 2017-11-17 14-38-14-27.jpg
Last edited by carrick58; 11/17/17 10:48 PM.
#4390257 - 11/18/17 01:57 AM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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MadKerbal Offline
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New Zealand
First Entry
18 November 1917
Journal of Arthur Edwards
57 Squadron RFC

I'm finally here! France at last!
I'm flying these two seat jobs called DH4s, remind me of the Tin Sheds on the Farm back home, roll's about as well too, but it has a gun on the front and another in the back, so I can't really complain too much.
[Linked Image]
My observer is a Welshman by the name of Ronald Stephens, seems a nice enough bloke but has unfortunately led to a number of jokes regarding sheep from the rest of the squadron.
First flight was on the 16th, went for a few circuits of Boisdingam, Not getting lost over France again that's for sure! However a few white blobs on the ground caught my attention, I decided to circle in low and caught a snapshot on my camera, They were BLOODY SHEEP even in France I can't escape the daft animals.
[Linked Image]
Anyway, The next day I was to follow the CO to the front lines and then turn back home, I followed the chaps out and was thoroughly unprepared for the mess of Trenches, craters mud and whatnot, how anyone can fight in such a mess is anyone's guess.
[Linked Image]
I arrived back about 9:00, was up for a good hour, saw nothing, caught a good shot of our flight heading over Jerries lines though, so there's that.
[Linked Image]
First flight is later today, Part of me is looking forward to it, and if anyone asks that's what I shall say, but to be honest I'm scared as hell, who knows what will happen when I face the Hun, will I be able to front up to his Fokker in my flying Tin Shed?

Here's hoping it doesn't come to that.


Last edited by MadKerbal; 11/18/17 05:12 AM.
#4390311 - 11/18/17 01:50 PM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: CatKnight]  
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Robert_Wiggins Offline
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Marker ball

Very nice first report Sir! Welcome to the fray.


(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper
PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt
MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme
Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered
CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler
Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB
OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD
Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L
Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4

#4390387 - 11/19/17 01:37 AM Re: DiD Centenary Challenge [Re: Robert_Wiggins]  
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Fullofit Offline
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Ajax, ON
Originally Posted by Robert_Wiggins
Marker ball


Heh heh, Robert! That darn autocorrecting!

Raine, another one of your well developed and detailed stories. I've enjoyed the read. I'm rooting for your pilot to get one of the Gothas, maybe even a Zep! Just don't lose any more of your kneecap.

MadKerbal, looking forward to more of your stories. Perhaps we can read more about the sheep?


"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys,
The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain,
From out of my arse take the camshaft,
And assemble the engine again."
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