screen cap

Recon this morning by St Quentin. Escort was by Jasta 6 with Albatross Scouts. One of our flight of 3 crashed on the way back reasons un known. Interview with the C.O. He gave me a pass to think over my request for Fighter duty with Jasta 20. I will spend the time touring Sedan,but my mind is made up.

Hussah! Salut, MudWasp! Well done!
If Jasta 17 wasn't a great bunch already, I'd gladly transfer over to Jasta 15.


One day Jasta 17 will come up north, and until then you better wipe that smirk off yer clock!

Carrick, you seem to be on full duties now - how did you like the DFW C.V ?
And where is Jasta 20 right now - seems we'll see you there soon?

lederhosen,I do enjoy your report form. MudWasp,though you all have reason to celebrate, remember, tomorrow is another day! Robert, nice vid and thanks for the map. Olham,I smell revenge from the east. Carrick, where might you be going? Nice reports folks.

Feb. 4, 1917
Gabby Hayes

Myself, Wrigly, Wilbert, with Ackers leading, head off for Arty Spotting east of Ypres at Dawn in a blinding snowstorm. Nearing our spotting area I notice 6 machines to the south. No Archie is meeting them so I assume they are Huns. While staying formation and watching them at the same time, bullets come ripping through my machine.. I pull up an left. I see 2 Halb. Scouts. Bullets rip into my machine again and I go into a westward dive as steep as I dare. My gunner opens up and drives him off. Over NML at 2000' I level off. It seems we are clear. The wind is really whipping and with my machine full of holes we head to La Lovie which is the closest aerodrome.

I have thier CO call our field and let him know where I am. I am told that my transfer is approved and to fly to Furnes. One other thing the CO says, "I was told to tell you that he hopes you live long enough to learn to fly." By the way, he adds, " the rest of your flight has been reported as missing." I was not feeling very cheerful on my flight to Furnes.

The continuing service of Albert "Mushroom" Ward:



4 Feb 1917 @ 08h56 Patrol of enemy front lines near Loos

We spent the previous day going over area maps and familiarizing ourselves with the local topography, particularly taking note of road and rail line networks for future orientation. Of course our billets took precedence and much time was spent on making our tents reasonably comfortable until the permanent nissen huts are erected. We had the work on the Nissens started immediately as we were expecting more of our boys to arrive from St Pol Sur Mer today and I could hardly wait to chat with Cam since I had heard through the grape vine things had been stirring up between him and Pierce. We had a couple of lectures on the third but I was tied up with affairs setting up the camp. Red Mulock stopped by and related an incident that occurred during one of the lectures. It seems a Lieut Commander from the Fleet, running the lecture, asked the assembly “How would you define acceptable casualties?”. Apparently Cam offered a reply something like “A busload of Flight Commanders driving off a bridge” and in the process not particularly endearing himself to the instructor. I have to admit I do love Cam’s forthright attitude however I hope he curbs it some. Red said he was watching out for him and I thanked him for that. Don’t want to see a good pilot unduly disciplined when it can be avoided.

Today we were up for a patrol of the enemy front lines near Loos.. I lead the flight with Pierce, Rochford, Travers, Whealy and Beamish accompanying. “A” flight sent up Mack, Fall (a new guy), Mulock and Malone (also a new guy). We had wind at 8kn from the South and it was bitter cold with heavy cumulous from 6000 to 16,000 ft. Shortly after we took off we encountered a small snow squall and stayed low until we passed it. We then bagan to circle to our intended cruising altitude of 14,000 ft. We then turned North West towards Loos and dodged in and out of cloud cover until we reached the lines. We began a circuit over the lines and no sooner started than I spotted 4 flecks coming south west at 1500 feet below us. I signalled by pointed down to them and we began to circle for position. Two of the enemy craft turned back but the other two were hell bent on mixing it up with us. “A” flight was far behind and of no aid but seeing that we had 6 to 2 odds we were not too concerned. I gave a quick glance around for any more enemy craft lurking about and then I went down to take on the trailing enemy craft which was a Halb DII. Suddenly it seems the whole flight wanted in on the fun. Having made a concerted effort to stay on the enemy six, I saw out of the corner of my eye, Pierce cutting in from low and starboard directly into my line of fire so I had to pull up. Pierce overran the target so I dropped back in and finished off the Halb. I climbed back up checking my six and saw the second Halb trying to get position on me and he was quite competent as a flyer. He gave me a good run for it but I managed to cut inside his turn and he also went down smoking. I looked around noticing my flight somewhat scattered but in view and I waggled and signaled to rejoin. As we got our flight together I noticed that Pierce was falling behind and then I saw him turn south west heading for the nearest base I assumed. Either he had engine problems or was hit. The thought passed my mind that he might have taken some of my rounds when he cut in front of me. I made a mental note to have a chat with him when I got back to base. I lead the flight for one more circuit over the lines and then we returned to Vert Galand . Upon landing at the base we all gathered in front of the C.O.s office. Whealy’s craft had taken light damage and would need 2 days repair, Rochford had had a forced landing on our side of the lines due to engine failure, Pierce craft had taken light damage and would need 2 days repair. Whealy had downed one of the Halbs that originally had bugged out for home but then had come back to play. I had downed 2 of the Halbs. “A” flight had seen nothing and had a clean run. I separated Pierce from the men, put my arm around his shoulder and quietly said I would like to have a talk with him in my tent after I finish reporting to the C.O.. He replied, “Yes Sir”, put his head down and headed to the mess.

YouTube Video:

Carrick; Will he go or will he stay? The suspense is killing me!
MFair; Geez that was a close call! Transfer has come through (Happy moment), Mates are missing (Sad moment)! The highs and the lows come way too fast back to back!

Lots of action in the DiD campaign as of late!

Lederhosen: If you do transfer out of Esc76 or retire your pilot you will be missed sir. The French ranks are already quite thin.


Adjutant: Ashton Maclareux
Esc 76
Rosnay Airfield: Marne Region

February 3, 1917
Finally back in my nieuport 17 after a 14 day stint in the medical bunk. I was chomping at the bit to get up in the air again. The boys had welcomed a few new faces to the escadrille while I was away and the weather had finally cleared up and was quite suitable for flying.
We were tasked today with patrolling the enemy lines. The enemy activity had picked up in the region and we now had the pilots and the machines to go on an offensive patrol. 4 craft from B flight would patrol at 3000meters while 3 machines in A flight flew a top cover patrol. We lifted off from our new field at Rosnay at dawn. (the field at Fismes had become a front line field and so many other squadrons had moved in we were forced to relocate)
It didn't take long to run into the enemy. Just a few kilometers north of the lines near Laon we ran into a flight of 5 enemy halberstadt machines. The engagement was short, maybe just a few short minutes. Two enemy machines went down and after we returned home we noticed that one of the new chaps Adolphe Desquenne had not returned. We found out later that his craft was shot down. Although he survived, his nieuport was a total loss and he was badly wounded.
Both Geoffrey Desramee and I claimed enemy machines destroyed but both claims were rejected out of hand as everyone was too busy with their own business to take notice.
If this weather holds we could be in for a busy month!


Dawn patrol: Ashton Maclareux, Esc 76. February 3, 1917

Maclroy very nice screenshot! Nice to see your report on activity in the Marne area.

Not many Huns out today, but a few selfy's taken.

Great Escadrilles, great screenshots, MackIroy and Lederhosen!
Keep them coming!

Yes, great stuff everybody!

The French really do have the best-looking squadron emblem designs.

Still four days left of Oberflugmeister Niemann's hospital stay. Then he can finally fly the DFW!

If we were a smart man, he'd apply for transfer to the infantry. It's easy in the trenches compared to life in MFFA 2...

Bachmeier, his rottenflieger Franz, and Udet escorted three DFWs just over the southern frontlines to bomb an enemy airfield. Once the airfield was in sight and the DFWs on target, Bachmeier pulled out his spyglass to watch the attack.

That is when he noticed Nupes on the airfield apparantly "on the ready". They were just starting to roll forward on the field when one of the DFW's bombloads crippled two of the Nupes! The other DFWs targeted hangers.

Feb. 4th, 1917
Furnes Aerodrome
Sub Flt. Lt. Gabriel Hayes

After the mechanics made repairs to my machine at La Lovie, I flew to Furnes to report to my new station. I reported to the CO. He informed me that I would fly tomorrow to get the feel of my new machine, the Sopwith Triplane.

Myself and 3 others took off at first light to patrol southwest to Clairmarais. This was to be a soft mission to familiarize ourselves with the Triplane. Shortly after takeoff with broken clouds, I lost all sight of my flight! (actually I was admiring all the wonderful effects of the enhanced shaders). "Well Gabby" I said to myself, "this is not a good start!" I decided to fly to Clairmarais and meet up with them there. Approaching Clairmariais I notice 6 machines ahead and above. As they get closer I can see they are Albatross scouts but they keep heading east and either do not notice me or do not care. Giving a sigh of relief I turn my head forward and notice Archie ahead and above. There are 6 more bloody Huns! One of these breaks formation and dives down. I do the same and disappear in a cloud. When I come out he is nowhere in sight. I have passed my target so gain altitude as I head back to Clairmarais. I circle the field for about 15 minutes and decide I had better head back.

On my way back to Furnes I spot 4 machines headed west. At first I thought is was my flight but then it should only be 3. It is Halberstadts. They are not interested in me but one has to wonder why the whole Hun airforce is so far behind the lines. A few miles more and there are 4 Hannover's following the scouts. This is just all too much for me all alone so I make a bee line for Furnes and land.

On landing I reported to the CO and told my story. He sat in silence for a while and told me to "wait here" and left.

He returned after the longest 30 minutes of my life and sat down. "Hayes, Clairmarais confirms your story. They said a lone Tripe circled their field for a while about an hour ago. Your log to date does not bode well for you I must say and this little incident does not help your standing. Do you understand?"

"Yes Sir" I replied. There was not much else to say really.

"Tomorrow is another day" the CO said. "Lets hope you have a better go of it."

Mmuahahahahaaa!!! Good one!


*** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Seems you also received a dressing down, MFair?

That some tuff returns for the compassion, Olham

MFair , have fun in the Tripe !

This is just a little ramble so if you want an exciting, or boring DID report, please skip it.

When I first started flying OFF I used labels, TAC, and any other thing I could throw up on the screen. I was slowly weaning myself off of these aids when the DID campaign started. Wanting to fly with the "A" pilots I figured this was the time to take the plunge.

Never in my life could I have realized how much more fun, immersive, challenging, stick your description here, this sim could be for me. Trying to fly in formation and staying found in real time, all the while trying to spot someone trying to flame your butt is a challenge in itself. Which brings me to the last ingredient for total immersion. Making sure you stay alive. In the past I would dive in against odds just because. If I died, just make a another pilot and drive on. Now I want to survive, though doing poorly at that at the moment. This last ingredient is what brought it all together. There will be enough chances for victories, only if I live long enough.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this campaign. You sure have made this child smile.

PS: No, I do not think anyone using labels, TAC, ect. is a lesser pilot than me, I know better. Circumstances in real life dictate how some can fly, or, as I often say, some like blondes, some like brunettes.

Thank you for this ode on the "DiD Campaign"; you expressed the very spirit of it so well, MFair!

Me, I want to thank you for print "The Golden Triumvirat", a (far too expensive IMHO!) present from you
for me, for this campaign. Your lines confirm, that it came from your heart, and that you really enjoy it!
Still though, death won't make any exceptions on your pilot - take care, Mark - thanks again!

Hear Hear! Well said MFair.

A dull escort mission today; no action, but the observation that the weather is turning bad again.
It's my fault chaps, I booked next week off on holiday. I can only hope that the weather remains flyable.

Great reports here folks. I have been away all day so these threads have been my only entertainment.

Best Regards;