Wulfe, finally some news of the boys at Esc. 31! Lemoine is his usual self, as always and look at that, Little Devienne finally has his kill. That scar will definitely increase his chances with the ladies.
Too bad about the denied claims/system crash. Take comfort in the fact that Fullard can mix it up with the best of the Boches and come up on top.
Well, well. First Voscadeaux, now Nungesser. James appears to get around, don’t he? What’s next? A duel with von Richthofen? Great stuff, can’t wait to read about that “dinner”. I wonder who’ll come back with a broken nose? To be continued ...
As for Gaston and the big 50. At the current rate of confirmed claims ... it may take a while.


10 July, 1916 06:40 morning mission
Cachy, Flanders Sector
Escadrille N37
Capitaine Gaston A. Voscadeaux
48 confirmed kills

The ‘B’ flight was in luck when they ran into a solitary Roland near Courcelette. He appeared to be going on the offensive, but soon changed his mind and decided to run instead. Gaston was on his tail instantly and a vicious dogfight ensued. Voscadeaux nearly had him, when he noticed an Eindecker creeping up on his rear. Gaston was forced to abandon his attack and pick a new fight. He knew he only had a few rounds left and his fire was more to ward off his adversary rather than destroy. The E.IV was on the ropes and as Gaston predicted, his ammo has ran out. Voscadeaux disengaged hoping that would give the Boche incentive to leave, but instead the Fokker pilot was emboldened and came after Violette. The French pilot immediately turned into the Hun to let him know he will allow no such thing. This time the German understood and turned for his lines. Gaston finally was able to return home. No claims were made.



10 July, 1916 14:40 afternoon mission
Cachy, Flanders Sector
Escadrille N37
Capitaine Gaston A. Voscadeaux
48 confirmed kills

Patrol over enemy airfield of Athies. The sky was overcast and Voscadeaux was not amused with the Rain Gods. As he was taking off he raised his eyes towards the sky to display his displeasure when two Fokkers came into view, diving on the French formation. Gaston changed his course and begun to circle with the enemy. He saw the pair trying to get on his tail and he barely avoided smashing into the airfield after a mild stall. The N16 was clawing at the air to get away from the ground. Higher and higher, foot by foot. One of the Boches fired at him, but the deflection shot was unsuccessful and the rounds went by harmlessly. Voscadeaux was more lucky and when he fired his gun, the bullets must have found its mark, because the monoplane broke off and started to gain height in the eastern direction, away from Cachy. Gaston followed, making sure the other Fokker is preoccupied with the rest of the Nieuports. He knew it was the E.IV with the more powerful engine, but his mount was no slouch either. They punched through the cloud layer. It took a while to catch up, but he was in range when they passed the Villers-Bretoneux factories. He aimed and fired. Round after round hit the Eindecker and eventually one of his bullets found the back of the German pilot. He slumped in the cockpit with his right arm dangling out of the cockpit limply as if to point where he wanted to go. The stricken machine obeyed the command and dipped its starboard wing, spun and hit the ground below. Gaston observed the Fokker's ultimate dance from above and when he saw the dust cloud below turned his plane to continue with the mission. He would have to complete it by himself. There was no sign of his flight anywhere. He could see the dirty smudge of No-Man's Land now. He kept searching the skies for his wingmen. He was sure they were close by. Somewhere. Instead he noticed something else. It was another E.IV returning from the raid. Gaston didn't waste any time. He was on him and firing within a minute. The Fokker dove to avoid Gaston's fire. Voscadeaux watched the Hun's every move and dove on him again, inflicting more damage as he fired. The Boche dove once again and Gaston repeated his attack one more time. This time he continued to fire until he ran out of ammunition. They were close to the ground and Voscadeaux followed the flight path of his crippled opponent. The Boche glided over the French trenches and set down right in front of them, practically gift-wrapped for Les Poilous. The German had no choice, he disembarked and came out with his hands up. Gaston barrel rolled his plane and turned back to Cachy. Boillot and de Geuser have also claimed one Fokker each. The rain continued to come down.



"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."