Journal Entry: October 24, 1915
Bertincourt

Hauptmann von Schoenebeck is dead. I lost my mentor, my leader, and my friend today all because of those schweinehund naval pilots. The Hauptmann and I were ordered to fly another artillery shoot down near Peronne and this time we would have an escort of three Fokkers. I felt certain that with three of them present they would finally behave as men, I was wrong once again. Two Nieuports appeared as we were flying to our job and the three Fokkers turned as one and fled. One of the Frogs focused on me and the other engaged the Hauptmann. I put our old crate through her paces and eventually I was able to place Hans in a position where he could successfully engage the Frog. After a few bursts, the Nieuport dove away and I saw it crash in No Man's Land. I frantically searched the sky for any sign of the Hauptmann, but it was to no avail. I returned home and reported on my engagement. We anxiously awaited any news in the Hauptmann's office, finally, we received a call from Ballonzug 65 informing us that they witnessed an Aviatik engaging a Nieuport and that the Aviatik was seen plunging to earth. They recovered the two bodies and Hauptmann von Schoenebeck had been shot in the head, so thankfully he felt no pain. As if the day could not get any bleaker, I received a call from Major Friedel, our Flieger Battaillon Kommandeur, informing me that I am to take command of Fliegerabteilung 32 until such time as he can choose a permanent Kommandeur. This has always been my greatest fear, but I can't let the men see any weakness. I will perform my duties to the best of my abilities and I will make Fliegerabteilung 32 the best unit in the Luftstreitkräfte.

Journal Entry: October 26, 1915
Bertincourt

We buried Viktor and Paul today. They were ordered to fly an artillery shoot up near Arras and they never came back. Finally, after calling all of the Ballonzugs in the area I found out what had happened. It seems they were set upon by a pair of Nieuports and fought bravely, but what could they do against two of them. Their bodies were burned horribly and I didn't let the other men view them, what would be the point? I wonder if those Nieuports were the same that attacked us while we were doing our job? Manfred, Wolfgang, and I were ordered to take photographs of the lines in the Guillemont area. We had an escort but we don't pay attention to them anymore since they never perform their duties. Anyway, I saw two Nieuports approaching from the east and signaled the flight to prepare themselves. I assume the escort ran because I never saw him again. On came the Nieuports, I noticed one had singled out Wolfgang and the other was making a play for Manfred. I turned and pursued the frog attacking Wolfgang and I managed to close the range sufficiently for Hans to fire a couple of telling bursts. Almost immediately the Nieuport flipped over and started spinning towards the earth. I watched the frog suspecting a ploy, but he spun all the way in, Hans must have hit the pilot. I turned and saw that the second Nieuport was at that moment diving for home. After we had reformed, Manfred gave me the dud machine signal and turned for home, while Wolfgang and I completed our job. Upon arriving at our aerodrome, I noticed that Manfred had crashed upon landing but he and August were fine. I now get to write to Viktor and Paul's families and say what, that they died gloriously for the Fatherland, or maybe they died like sheep at the hands of wolves. No, I can't speak the truth, better to speak of the glories of war and the Fatherland. I desperately need a leave. By the way, my claim for today was rejected.

Great stories Banjoman. It seems the war is getting real!

Sgt Arthur Much, RFC 16. February 23rd 1916.

Well, we had a bit of a dust up with some Hun 2-seaters today! Really quite ridiculous that we were even chasing them in the first place, if you ask me. We practically landed on their airfield in the process! Well, of course I get all gung-ho and end up rather too close to one of the blighters. His observer fills my old bird with holes and I'm lucky to be able to limp back over the lines and put down. Not so for poor old Stevenson. He bought it I'm afraid. Posthumous credit for one aircraft awarded him. Fat lot of good that'll do him now.

I'm actually sick of this place and I'm not comfortable in this damned Airco thingy. I feel like I'm wide open to getting shot in the bonce! I've put in a transfer request to join my old pal Bertie over in RFC 1. Says he flies a Parasol or some such thing. I thought that was an umbrella! Rum business when you have to start flying about in umbrellas! Oh well, we shall see what's what when we get there. I suspect I'll have to wait a few days for the transfer to come through, but Bertie assures me they are in dire need of some new pilots over there. Not entirely sure that's good news. Oh well, tally ho!



Closing in on an Avaiatik...about to get riddled!

Sorry to hear you don't like the DH.2, it's one of my favorites. It's a very nimble plane with great visibility.

Thanks, Banjoman. I suspect it's my lack of flying skills that's the problem, and not the DH2

Harry, give the old girl a chance. She is my choice flying for the Brits at this time in the war. She does take some getting used to.

It Is with great sadness I report the death of Archie Toombz of Kasta 2 while on patrol over enemy front lines.... shot down by unknown pilot of RNAS 1 flying a Nuieport 10, both pilot and observer were killed.

Bad business there Seb! Sorry about your 1st pilot. Crank up your "B" pilot and let her rip.

Thanks Mfair, condolences gratefully received! The Toombz is Dead, Long live the "Von Toombz"

Seb, just a quick tip in fighting in the Aviatik C.I. I'm having good success when I turn into the attacking Nieuports. I think it confuses the AI and it will sometimes allow you to get on their tails and it that position the C.I can be very deadly.

Good luck with the Aviatik, Seb!

Thanks for the encouragement, MFair. Already submitted the transfer request, so no turning back now. I'll give the DH2 another go at some stage.

H

Banjoman and HarryH I'm grateful of the tip, and the encouragement. Sadly I lost my 'B', too in an Aviatik 3 Missions in to Nui and my 'c' 2nd mission to ground fire while bombing!! If I hope to survive I'm going to have go very cautious and high! I'm having a lot of fun though with my intrepid flyer though Nui 10c1.

Seb, be sure to enter the info for your 'B' and 'C' pilots because I have a chart for the lost pilots that I display once a month.

Here is the latest status report.

Heads up everybody, apparently WOFF doesn't handle the 1916 leap year correctly so the game will skip the 29th and we will all get tomorrow off from flying.

Long weekend!

Journal Entry: November 2, 1915
Bertincourt

Today I finally got to fly one of those cursed Nieuports that have been harassing us constantly. Manfred and I were given a artillery spotting job up near Arras and we had just reached our operating altitude, when along came a lone Nieuport to attack us. I signaled to Manfred and we attacked him instead, which threw him into confusion. The sheep aren't supposed to attack the wolf, but these sheep do. The poor Frenchman was being shot at from all directions and eventually he dove for home. As we reformed for our job, I noticed that he put down about 5 miles from our aerodrome. I marked the spot on our map and we continued with our work. As soon as we returned, Manfred and I jumped into the squadron car and raced over to view our kill. When we arrived there was a small group of the local garrison guarding the Nieuport and the wounded pilot. We pushed through the crowd and found the Feldwebel and informed him that we would be taking possession of the aeroplane. We had no trouble with him, he seemed relieved to have this burden removed. We spoke to the pilot, who had a nasty wound in his leg, and told him that we had vanquished him today and the war for him was over. Manfred, who always carries Schnapps, gave him something to drink for the pain and our conversation soon turned to flying. Manfred's French is better than mine, so he naturally led the conversation. He asked a few questions regarding the Nieuport which of course, the Frenchman wouldn't answer. After awhile, the transport that the Feldwebel had arranged for the wounded pilot arrived, and we said our goodbyes. As soon as the Frenchman left, Manfred turned to me and said, "You know comrade, since I was the one that shot him down I should have the first go with that Nieuport." I smiled and said, "You are right, but you are forgetting one thing." He said, "What's that?" I said, "I am your commanding officer and therefore I get to fly it first." Sometimes being the CO really does have its benefits. He smiled and went to the front of the aeroplane to prepare for my takeoff. The engine started at once and after a few minutes of warming the engine I was off. I have never experienced an aeroplane taking off like this Nieuport, it seemed to literally leap up into the air. This aeroplane is so light on the controls and skittish that I was floundering around for a few minutes, but eventually I became accustomed to how she handled. What joy, this aeroplane soars like a bird and flits around like a butterfly. I was stunting all the way back to our aerodrome. It lands like it regrets leaving the air, our Aviatiks land like they are thankful to be back on the ground. When I landed, I told all of the pilots that they would each get a chance to fly the Nieuport and then I would arrange transportation back to headquarters.

Banjoman, you scoundrel, pulling rank like that! Great story.

Adalwolf Becker has had a great 2 days. While escorting some 2 seaters over the lines for recon, he turned his head just in time to see a Frenchie parked squarely on his tail! But, he prevailed in the end. Today he and 2 others were patrolling the lines when he spotted 2 FE's below sneaking across the lines. Too bad for one of them. He was then promoted to Oberluetnant.