DC and Maeran, I agree with Fullofit. My hat is off to you two. Fantastic stories to boot,

Robert, the weather does suck right now!

Carrick, welcome back to the front. Does it burn when you pee after your hospital stay!

Raine, another stellar yarn from the master.

Fullofit, I raise a glass to your pilot.

MFair: LOL

Luthor Linderman
Underofficer, Zwei Flight
Wynghene, Flanders.
Jasta 3
4 Victory's

March 17, 1918.

Posted to Escort a Dfw on a Recon mission. Our flight had 5 of the 8 pilots left in the Jasta and all the fuel since none has come up from the rear area. Over the lines, we spotted a flight of camels high and coming down. I flew over and warned the 2 Seat to flee. However , I was low and slow so missed the fight. The flight claimed 1 destroyed for 1 lost and 2 damaged by enemy fire.

Carrick, he was flying the Marne sector.


Robert, the Flak (in this case Archie, or whatever the French call it) seems to be able to fire too low for my liking. Sometimes I can see it hitting the ground around me when I'm forced to land in enemy territory. Perhaps Jara would be able to code Flak with minimum operational ceiling in his multimod?

16 November 1917
Jasta 18, Harlebeke

Days are definitely getting shorter ... and damned colder! Aldi was sitting in his Pfalz at 3500 m altitude circling the Erkegem-Oostkamp field on the aerodrome defence mission along with the rest of his flight. Schwarm Eins could barely be seen on the opposite side of the circuit they were making. The skies were overcast and an ambush could come from any direction. Schwarzkopf lost count of the number of loops they’d completed over this place, but according to his watch they still had five more minutes to go. He checked his gauges, not that there was much to check, but anything to avoid boredom. Everything checked out. Four minutes and forty eight seconds to go.
Another circuit complete, everything clear. Three minutes to go.
He was right over the aerodrome and quickly came up with a plan. Aldi was always curious what would happen if he were to spit and it dropped from such a great height. Would it just disperse into mist, or would it freeze and fall down as an icicle? He was about to find out. He quickly formulated the largest loogie he could muster and was ready to hock it when enemy planes suddenly appeared out of the clouds. His throat instantly felt dry despite a large spitball stuck in it. The Schwarm dispersed as enemy scouts buzzed from above. French Nieuports! Aldi was weaving furiously to avoid collisions and getting hit. The nimble French machines were difficult to follow and somehow there was always one behind him. Aldi was wishing he could fly large circuits above the aerodrome again instead of these insanely tight, gut wrenching circles. His Pfalz was dropping lower and lower. This wasn’t great for his energy conservation, but on the other hand, it separated him and his opponent from the rest of the furball. At least now he could concentrate on this single adversary. He had to reach deep into his bag of tricks to turn the tables and get on his tail, but eventually he did after taking advantage of the Frenchman’s blunder. Aldi was now sitting on his six and attempting to line up a shot.



The Nieuport was squirrelling around in every direction to avoid being hit, but the two Spandaus eventually were able to find him.



The enemy scout was slowing down from taking damage and Aldi found it hard to stay behind without overshooting.



He had to bank and go around to get back on his tail. Take a few shots and bank and go around. Shoot, bank and ... Gunshots!
Donnerwetter! Did he just get jumped by another Nieuport?
He quickly looked around but couldn’t find any attacking enemies, however “his” Nieuport was now coming down in flames. Just behind him was Turck, the Staffelführer. Aldi was furious! Gott Verdammt! Another certain victory stolen by this poor excuse for a leader! Were all his claims achieved with cheap kills? Aldi was disgusted and was certain Turck will rub it in by trying to convince him that he saved him from a certain doom. Schwarzkopf turned his machine around and headed for the aerodrome without forming up behind his leader. He didn’t care.

Can't wait to hear how Aldi handles this one back at base!

Fullofit, great screen shots as always.

Jerod Jackson
43 RFC
Auchel.

Nov. 18th, 1917

Jackson sat in his Camel exhausted. Looking left and right he looked over the bullet holes and torn canvas on both wings. He felt lucky to be alive. 2 hours earlier A and B flights consisting of 5 machines made an attack on Haubourdin. Approaching the target there were 5 V strutters circling above. One dove and came straight at Jackson. This Hun was good and twice he sent bullets tearing through Jackson's Camel. The fight went lower and lower and soon Jackson realized he was taking a tremendous amount of ground fire from Haubourdin. He was in a real fix. He finally managed a telling burst on the DV. Jackson was content to break off as the DV dove for cover. As he pulled up he could see the lower wing of the DV was shredded. Gaining altitude and looking back he saw the DV crash into the ground near the airfield.

Breathing a little easier he could see some of his squadron attacking the airfield and turned to make a pass. Picking a hanger for his target he let loose 3 long bursts and pulled up. Another machine was coming in at his level. He kept climbing thinking it was another Camel. As he went over the other machine more bullets slapped his Camel. It was a Rumpler! Where did he come from. He lost sight of the Rumpler and seeing 2 Camels forming up in the distance decided to call it a day. Approaching the formation he saw another machine closing behind him. At first he thought it was another Camel forming up but soon could see the hawk like appearance of DV coming up on his tail. Jackson headed west but the DV was gaining. Still in Hun territory Jackson turned to engage as he had no other choice. Around and around they went. This one put a burst into Jackson's machine but with no critical hits. Jackson got a good burst on the Hun and he dove away. Jackson was content to let him go and fight another day. He flew back to his base alone.

At debriefing he was informed his DV from the day before was rejected. Jackson shrugged his shoulders and left for a drink.

MFair, great report. I like Jackson’s approach to the denied claims.

I wasn’t going to dwell any further on Turck, but since Robert asked ...

16 November 1917
Jasta 18, Harlebeke
Later that day ...

Aldi was still raging after a rough and careless landing. Turck was still in the landing pattern above. Aldi looked up and wished the Staffelführer a nice Damenlandung (ladies’ landing) - turned over upside down. He went quickly to the Kasino to look for something to make Turck suffer. Something that would be humiliating. He couldn’t find anything appropriate and his frustration was growing. Strähle! Strähle will have something for sure. He stormed off to his quarters, flung the door open, Paul was reclining on his cot reading latest Berliner Tageblatt. Schwarzkopf lunged at his roommate’s ornate large wooden chest at the foot of the bed. Strähle looked on with interest, but hasn’t said a word. He knew Aldi was on a mission. Many odd and strange objects were contained within the box and Aldi couldn’t decide if he preferred something sharp or blunt. He was emptying the chest by discarding objects that would have no use to him. Many were strewn around the room. A lot more under the bed.
“Aldi?” Strähle finally broke the silence. “Can I talk to you?”
Aldi’s response was silence with only his hand raised, visible above the chest’s lid, with his index finger extended up, signifying that he will need one more minute. Finally Aldi sprung to his feet holding something in his hand.
“I’m leaving.”
Aldi froze, a bucket of ice in his stomach. He knew Paul didn’t mean leaving the room. Revenge on Turck instantly forgotten.
“Are you going to leave me here alone?” Aldi sat on the edge of the cot.
“They gave me a Jasta to command. It is a great honour, I couldn’t refuse.”
Aldi was numb. First Walter, now Paul.
“When are you leaving? Which is the unfortunate Jasta to get you? Do I know them? Come, let’s have a drink.” Aldi got up to his feet.
“No, you don’t know them. They’re just forming and need a C.O. with experience ...”
“And that would be you?” Aldi tried to make a joke, but Paul looked at him disapprovingly, all serious.
“Jasta 57 won’t be operational until January. I still have some time. Are you going to use this?” Paul was looking at the object Aldi was holding in his hand.
Schwarzkopf just realized he was still clutching this thing.
“What exactly is this, Paul?”
Strähle grabbed his friend by the shoulder and smirked as they were walking out of the room.
“It’s a long, but interesting story. Ask me some time when you come to visit.” Paul responded closing the door behind them.

Fullofit, you have only fuelled my curiosity more, with that last story!

And the plot thickens!

geat stories to go with my cup of java.

Luthor Linderman
Underofficer, Zwei Flight
Wynghene, Flanders.
Jasta 3
4 Victory's

March 18, 1918.

Alarm ! 2 Seat Bombers reported over the line. The Jasta put up all 7 pilots in two flights. The Bombers turned out to be Spads and well above us. We got scattered as they fell on us and I went from fighting one group after another. I guess the 3rd time was the charm because I got one. He just fell apart under my twin machine guns then Fire. The E/a crashed on our side , but dont know if anyone saw him.

Good stuff Carrick. You go get them!



Captain Edward Nygma is now a permanent fixture of the scenery. Attacked by a Schwarm of Albatrosen during take off. Was doing well when an unexplained phenomenon occurred. He simply fell down, as if there was no lift. He had all wings attached, motor working and was right side up, but instead of flying forward, he was simply falling straight down until the ground stopped it. A bit of a riddle.

Albert Earl Godfrey

17 Nov 1917 @ 08h00 Patrol to St-Andre-Aux-Bois airfield

What was to be another routine flight behind our lines turned out to be quite an adventure. The results were 9 downed enemy aircraft at the expense of the death of Askew, “B” flight’s wingman.

Having formed up north of the field at 08h24 at 10151 ft., the flight headed SSW towards Artois, in very cloudy heavy cumulus. The flight was uneventful all the way to the Foret d’Hesdin. Suddenly seven flecks appeared out of the clouds at 10 oclock and getting closer. They were Albatros D types. Two of them broke to engage “B” flight while the others continued east bound.

“B” flight broke up to engage those Huns who stayed to play. It was a short furious fight that ended as quickly as it had begun and the two Huns went down into the dirt.

“B” flight reformed and began to climb out on the way to St-Andre-Aux_Bois.
Within 5 minutes Godfrey spotted two high flying aircraft that looked like Hun two seaters headed east. They were 1500 ft or so above and “B” flight gave chase. As they approached the Foret d’Hesdin for a second time, Godfrey had managed to position himself directly under the leading DFW C.V.
Pulling back he climbed out and sent volleys into the crate and as quickly dropped down into a safer position under it. He repeated this several times until with his last attack he observed the DFW lose its upper starboard wing and go down. Hamersley and Soden had finished off the other DFW and the flight rejoined again.

Godfrey took the flight once again on course for St-Andre-Aus-Bois, but missing Askew and wondering what had become of him. Cruising at just over 12000 ft they arrived there and then set course for home.

Back at base, claims were put in. every member of “B” flight laid a claim and none knew for sure what had happened to Askew. Jenkins stated he had seen Askew terminate his attack on the DFW and break away but didn’t seem to look as though he was in trouble. Askew’s body was found with the wreckage of his SE near the road passing west of the Foret d’Hesdin. It was surmised from his wounds that he had been badly hit in the chest by return fire from the DFW.

“A” flight who had been trailing, had given chase to the Albatros scouts and caught up with them near Fruges where a melee began that saw all of the Hun scouts downed.

This is extremely strange. Did he possibly stall out?

Robert, I think Fullofit will tell you that what happened to his pilot will most likely remain a bit of an E. Nygma.

Great stories again, gents. Keep 'em coming!

Here is the latest status report.

Luthor Linderman
Underofficer, Zwei Flight
, Flanders.
Jasta 3
5 Victory's

March 19, 1918.

Jasta Status: 6 pilots of 14 authorized
A/C 12 + 1 flyable in Res. Albatross D-Va
Fuel stocks Low.

Morning formation; I received the Kreuz 1 Klasse. and my Spad was confirmed by some riggers at one of our airfields that saw a ball of fire fall out of the sky. Besides the C.O. and X.O. I am the only other Ace in the Jasta. Posted to afternoon Escort of a Dfw to Monchy on a photo op. Spotted enemy flights all about ,but no fight developed. Trnsfered to new A.F.

Banjoman, thanks for the stats!
Carrick, congrats on the SPAD!
Robert, good shooting! How do you keep the rest of the squadron away from your target?
Also, it felt like Edward stalled and with DH.5's you can never tell, with the wings being backwards and all that.

Thanks Fullofit. The Riggers said my burning Spad looked like this

https://giphy.com/gifs/comet-9V3e2rzwR0kagQMYKM/fullscreen

Luthor Linderman
Underofficer, Zwei Flight
Briastre, Flanders.
Jasta 3
5 Victory's


March 20, 1918.


The Jasta put up 5 a/c to Escort a Rumpler to Peronne. As we acted as High Escort an SE 5 slipped in low and took out our Rumpler before we could intervene . I dove but couldnt line up till he was 500 yds away fired off 112 rds, but no hits then he was gone. The C.O. and Army Corps was not happy.