It seems to occur less and less with new aircraft. I see it very rarely in the N10, or the Bristol Scout.

That's true.

Journal Entry: June 26, 1915
Bertincourt

Another week of flying in the books and not really much to show for it. I must admit that while the flying so far has been peaceful it has also become rather routine. I guess I can't complain in light of what I learned in the mess this evening. The other gentlemen were discussing what can only be described as three cold blooded killers operating up in northern Flanders. One of these killers is called Der Sensenmann, the other doesn't have a name but does fly an all gray aeroplane, and really nothing is known about the third pilot. These three Tommies have taken it upon themselves to single handedly kill every German they come upon. This is war, but these men seem to take great pleasure in killing unarmed enemies. I shudder to think what would happen to me if I met one of these killers. The great question in my mind, is why haven't our leaders armed our aeroplanes? It boggles my mind that our leaders will send unarmed men up into the air knowing there are men who will take great pleasure in killing them. I can only hope that they have good reasons for how we are fighting this air war.

Journal Entry: October 24, 1915
St. Pol-sur-Mer

Blast it all, I've had this wonderful new machine since the 20th and I haven't seen a blasted Hun. I'm dying to know how this kite will measure up against the new Hun monoplane and the new armed Aviatik. Oh well, tomorrow is a new day and maybe I'll get my chance then. I did have Corp. Tomlinson work his magic on my new kite and here she is in all of her glory. I never imagined that Tomlinson even knew who John Donne was and much less had read anything written by him. I really must stop prejudging the enlisted men - makes me look rather like a fool.

at least one time too often, I'd say!

Basil Brush almost got himself a Hound today. Fox hunting he calls it.

Almost There



10 24 17.


Up on a Airfield Bombardment Mission our bombs missed. so I went low to let my gunner rake the planes on the airfield after the 2nd pass i spotted other game. A convoy of trucks easy pick-ins. On the 3 rd Low level pass ( I hit the map button by error before I could drop it) I flew into the ground. Pilot Deceased end of career. Bummer.

Carrick, sorry to hear that. Pilot error.

Dang, that's two in one day. I guess we better start getting used to pilots dying now that things are starting to heat up.

The wife did me in one time. She had a honey do so I got up to help out came back and my Pilot was Destroyed.

I believe it's called force majeure.

Here is the latest status report.

Journal Entry: October 25, 1915
St. Pol-sur-Mer

Finally, I didn't think I would ever get to test my new kite against the enemy and the funny thing, it wasn't even an offensive mission. Roderic and I were just ordered to fly around the area and test the new rigging adjustments that the riggers had made to our kites. We had just taken off and were climbing to gain some altitude when I spotted two of the new Aviatiks bombing just a few miles to the south of us. I signaled Roderick and we both began climbing like crazy to reach the Huns. Once again, I was amazed at the performance of our machines and how fast they can climb. In our old Moranes we would have chased them halfway back to the front before we would have reached their altitude, but in our Nieuports we reached them while they were still forming up after their bombing work. The tricky thing with the new Aviatik is the armed observer in the back. I had been pondering exactly how I would attack them ever since I saw that first about a month ago. It seems to me that the only safe avenue of attack is to attack from below and behind. It worked like a charm for the two Aviatiks that we met, but I know that two tests can't, by any stretch of the imagination, be called a conclusive test. Only time will tell, but I'm pleased with how my kite performed in its first combat.

(That was a scary ride - I figured when the engine blew, it was curtains for Ambrose. I'd read a few months ago that Hellshade had managed to put out an engine fire with a dive, so I thought it was worth a shot - I was high enough that I had a little breathing room in the dive, but not so high that the sustained dive would, indeed, tear off the wings. Landed at around 100 mph in a field, which was also pretty scary. Was at 50% health when I hit Q, but oddly only got 6 days in the hospital - I've had 80% health in other campaigns put me in the hospital for 10-12 days, so I guess it's random. Decided superficial second degree burns on the hands fit the time in hospital. Of course, once he's back, he's going to have to whine about the pain and tightness of the skin

Since both he and Alvin will be going on leave for a week starting next Saturday when I go on "leave" for a Florida roadtrip, he should be feeling better when he gets back - that may even be a good reason for them to give him some leave...)

Hey Carrick, shouldn't your new pilot's name have started with a 'B'?

Journal Entry: October 26, 1915
St. Pol-sur-Mer

I had another chance to try out my tactics for attacking the new Aviatik this afternoon. Roderic and I were ordered to fly a line patrol up near Lens and we arrived without incident. It wasn't long until I spotted a flight of two Aviatiks. I signaled Roderic and we both dove to attack. I led us around until we were approaching the Huns from the stern. I didn't begin to climb until I was around 200 yards from my target. This worked out rather well because I was climbing from below and could attack the Hun unmolested from either machine. In quick fashion, the Aviatik began to turn on its back and spin to Earth. Roderic attacked his Aviatik in like manner and when I checked, his target was spinning earthward as well. I know this is only the second test, but I'm beginning to think this might be the most successful tactic for attacking these Hun machines. By the way, Roderic and I make a good team, we seem to know what the other is thinking when we are flying.

Damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn U R Right. I will have to push him under a Bus.

Hahaha

New Pilot:


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Esc 15
Savy , A.F.
Sgt, Bessieres


3 A/c Patrol of lines

Remarks: Spotted and attacked 2, 2 seat enemy machines over NML . My wing mates doubled up on one e/a and she smoked then spun out of control. I fired on the second e/a but too far to hit. Change the drum and made a second pass the bursts went to high then Empty.


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