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#4485005 - 08/03/19 03:40 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) ***** [Re: Raine]  
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Fullofit Offline
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Harry, I’m not sure if Konrad should be sad or happy for his fallen comrade. On one hand he despised the man, on the other ... nah, definitely happy. Congrats on getting rid of Strunze. Don’t worry about the engine fire. It was probably a case of too much lead in petrol.

1 August, 1916 05:20 morning mission
Proville, Flanders Sector
Kasta 17
Feldwebel Otto B von Kenobi
2 confirmed victories

Karl-Albert Gunther and Obi von Kenobi were walking in their flight gear to their plane for their first mission of the day. Leutnant Thiede stepped in front of them.
“- Gunther, you’re with me.” Thiede jerked his thumb pointing at his plane. Obi and Karl-Albert both looked at each other in puzzlement. Gunther pursed his lower lip and shrugged his shoulders in a universal response. “- I don’t know.” They all approached their machines. Another figure was already waiting. Thiede stopped and introduced the new man.
“- This is Walter Kolb. From now on he will be flying with you, von Kenobi. Show him the ropes.” Obi could detect a smirk on Thiede’s face. “- Verdammt! Why me?” Obi was not happy. Walter extended his hand to shake von Kenobi’s. “- I’m Walter. Pleased to meet you.”
“- Kolb, huh? How many hours on Rolands?” Otto was all business.
“- Erm, none. I’m fresh out of flight school.”
“-Scheiße! Das Rauhbein. That’s perfect. Just perfect!” His day was about to get interesting. “- C’mon let’s go. You sit in the back.”
They were going to bomb enemy factory near Arras, but first they needed to rendezvous with the Eindecker from KEK 1, which would escort them over the lines. The engine was running smoothly. Otto checked all control surfaces. There were no problems. He looked to his left. Thiede’s machine was starting to roll. Von Kenobi opened the throttle fully, the exhaust fumes were blasting right into his face. His Roland lurched and started to trundle down the airfield. They were airborne. Their leader was ahead and further ahead three dots emerged from a grey cloud above.
“- Didn’t we just leave this party?” Obi knew these were Nieuports, even though his first reaction was to dismiss them as Aviatiks. They were still very low over the airfield when the French leader made a dive on them. Then the two wingmen followed. The leader flew overhead while the wingmen went straight for Thiede. One of them misjudged and harpooned into the ground.
“- Well now, that’s more like it! The odds are even now.” Otto watched the Nieuport following Thiede, while Walter opened up on the one behind them. Von Kenobi had the Frenchman in his sights and fired. It must have been a shock for him and he immediately disengaged. Now Thiede flew close to the Nieuport following Obi and Gunther was in position to fire on him as well. Obi continued to evade, but the French scout had him pinned. Bullet holes appeared beside Obi and he dove close to the ground. He saw the aerodrome in front and went straight for it. Walter continued to fire but missing completely. Finally the airfield defences scared off the Nieuport. Obi could now concentrate on landing his crippled Walfisch. This was another disaster. Their planes were shot to pieces. The mechanics will have to work through the night to get them airworthy again for tomorrow’s show.



"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."
#4485006 - 08/03/19 03:47 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Fullofit]  
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Originally Posted by Fullofit
Harry, I’m not sure if Konrad should be sad or happy for his fallen comrade. On one hand he despised the man, on the other ... nah, definitely happy. Congrats on getting rid of Strunze. Don’t worry about the engine fire. It was probably a case of too much lead in petrol.



Yeah, happy. And the new guy is going to be fun to mess with smile

Crikey that was quickly over with! Hope Obi's new fellow can improve his aim quickly, looks like he'll need to!


System: i5 8600K @ 3.6GHz,16GB DDR4 @2666MHz. RTX2080, MSI Z370 mobo, Dell 27" G-SYNC @ 144Hz. 2560x1440

#4485011 - 08/03/19 04:35 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Harry, can’t wait to see how von B is going to mess with his head. The possibilities are endless. As to the new guy, Obi isn’t impressed at all. I suppose at school he excelled at observing, not shooting.


"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."
#4485035 - 08/03/19 09:10 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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2 August, 1916 06:45 morning mission
Proville, Flanders Sector
Kasta 17
Feldwebel Otto B von Kenobi
2 confirmed victories

They have just dropped their third bomb on the enemy army camp west of Arras. Otto could see his old observer, Gunther ahead manning the gun in the lead plane piloted by Thiede. Obi followed Thiede in a bank for the final bomb run. They were facing sun. That was their way out after they drop the bombs. That was also where a trio of Nieuports showed up. It was a familiar sight, except that now Obi had a completely inexperienced gunner, who couldn’t hit a barn door with a cow. How did it come to this? He elbowed the back of his “apprentice” to get his attention.
“- Get ready, Junge!” Obi wanted to yell in the boy’s ear, but it wouldn’t make any difference. His jab with the elbow would have to suffice. He watched the enemy approach from high up. The leader screamed past by with one of his wingmen, while the remaining one went after Gunther. That’s right! Gunther was in that plane ahead. Not Thiede, not his Kettefürher. Obi couldn’t give a tiny rat’s ass about his backstabbing leader. He was placing his machine in danger because of Gunther. He followed the pale blue two-seater with a brown-green scout on his tail. Otto aligned the French scout with his gunsight and fired. Hit! The Nieuport dove away, but another Nieuport took his place instantly. Otto looked back, the French leader was now on his tail. He performed a split S, losing his pursuer temporarily. Where was the other Roland? Just above and coming about. Obi fired again spooking the other Nieuport. Gunther’s tail was clear, but Otto picked up two Frenchmen in exchange.
“- Fire, Got verdammt! Fire!” von Kenobi raged at his gunner. Walter’s gun was silent. The youth was cowering with his arms shielding his face and his mouth twisted in a panicked caricature. Obi was in trouble. The Nieuports were right on top of him and firing. Fabric was getting shredded, wood splintering from the fuselage. Otto dove. A train station flashed beneath. Von Kenobi dropped his last bomb without taking aim. Bullets slapped his machine again. Obi jerked the control yoke, but there was no response. The control cables have been severed. There was nothing he could do. Another burst of enemy fire. He found it difficult to breathe. Blood soaked the front of his coat. He turned his head to look at his gunner. Walter's head was lolling lifelessly. The plane was listing into a dive. The ground came fast at him.



"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."
#4485037 - 08/03/19 09:42 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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That did not look good for v. Kenobi. frown

Will he become more powerful than I can ever imagine?

#4485045 - 08/03/19 11:11 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Fullofit Offline
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Definitely, in a galaxy far, far away. lightsabers


"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."
#4485097 - 08/04/19 07:19 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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lederhosen Offline
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Germany
4.Aug 1916
Bertincourt
KEK Nord (Jasta 1)

The crews sat around their hangers. General duties had ceased. The two Halby's were due back by now. All ears were staining to hear the motor noise of the returning pilots. Every one knew that
„Sausages“ were quite dodgy to attack. Ltn's Willi Rosenstein and his wing-man Sturm had left about 1 hour ago to do just that.

Finally one man raised the alarm, waving and then pointing to some point in the sky. No one made a noise, all listening in that general direction. Then another man confirmed the first. The motor was quite clear now...but something was wrong. The sound of only one aircraft could be heard. Everyone knew this must mean bad news. Eventually the Halby came into sight. It was black and had a white heart; Willi had made it back but on his own.

Men rushed about to get ready for the landing. Everyone wanted to know what had happened. The Halby turned and landed quite neatly, Pilot and machine seemed well enough. Willi gave some throttle to turn around and park his aircraft. The mission was over. With a big grin on his oil stained face, Willi stepped out of his office to make his report.

Everyone who could gathered around Willi. The Hptm moved through the gaggle and Willi jumped to attention. “Herr Hptm, Ltn Rosenstein reporting the destruction of one British Sausage at Agny.”

“Good, but you forgot someone. Where is Sturm Willi?”
“Sturm is very well Herr Hptm, I didn't see what happened to him but after our first run he turned away and flew for the nearest airfield. I finished the job and ran after him. He waved me off and gave the thumbs up, so he must have been having engine trouble. We both cleared the lines so my guess is that he made it too.”

“Well next time make sure and land with him. I take it by the happy face of yours that you got the bugger.”

“Wasn't easy I can tell you that much. I almost called the thing off. As we neared the lines at 1000m we had 3 Morons sweeping south to north at our height. They weren't combative and allowed us to cross over. No wonder, there were 3 N16's just above the Balloon Herr Hptm. I thought it best to move back and see if they followed. They did for a brief moment and then turned South as two Be2's arrived, so I'm guessing they were to be escorts. Finally they moved off and away. That was what I had hoped for. So quick as you like we turned and dived for the position. Pure madness. The Ballon was being hauled in fast. Flak and MG fire was all around us. The 2nd and last run was at 450m. We fired all we could and then I saw Sturm turn sharp left and a sudden, thick black cloud break open from the Balloon Herr Hptm. I hope the spotters were able to see our success this time.”

“Danke Willi, I'll get on the blower and find out. Ltn Sturm should of called in by now I should think. Well done, carry one then.”

Attached Files 1.jpg2.jpg3.jpg4.jpg5.jpg
Last edited by lederhosen; 08/04/19 07:23 PM.

make mistakes and learn from them

I5 4440 3.1Ghz, Asrock B85m Pro3, Gtx 1060 3GB
#4485111 - 08/04/19 10:13 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Fullofit: Darn it, that was over too quickly. Obi was a good 'un. So hard to survive in 2-seaters as the war progresses. Commiserations, onto the next!

Lederhosen: Balloons are fun but they present their risks. Glad you two made it out ok.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN - A NEW BOY ARRIVES, BALLOON DISPUTE

Konrad Berthold von Blumenthal
August 2nd, 1916. Sivry-sur-Meuse, Verdun.
Fokkerstaffel Sivry

Days passed with little excitement. Routine patrols and no enemy aircraft to be found. On the morning of August 2nd, Konrad was woken from an afternoon nap by a knock on the hut's door.

"Enter", he growled, annoyed at having his rest disturbed. He wasn't due back up for another couple of hours. The knob twisted and the door was opened cautiously. Konrad looked over from his cot and saw the fresh, youthful face of Gefreiter Horst Leipner peering nervously into the room.

"Oh dear, I do I hope I didn't disturb you", the young pilot stammered, turning beet red in the process.

"Yes you did!", barked Konrad in reply. "What the bloody hell do you want? Are you the new orderely?".

"No no"" said Horst, alarmed, "I'm, er, I'm your new wingman! The name's Horst, er, Horst Leipner, sir. I am very sorry to have disturbed you, but I was, er, ordered to my new billet, so here I am.

"Yes, here you are," sneered Konrad, sitting up, "how wonderful". Horst wasn't convinced that his new room mate was being entirely sincere. "Have you actually ever flown before?".

"Oh, yes sir! I've actually been in service for four years, but only recently transferred to aircraft. I have thirteen flying hours already!".

"Oh I see! So I have the honor of flying with the next Max Immelman I take it? Wonderful stuff. Ever flown over the front lines?".

"Not yet, sir."

"Well, we'll fix that this afternoon. We're going south to Verdun to pick off one the French observation balloons. You'll fly the EIII I'm guessing. Try to keep up, there's a good fellow. Otherwise you might find yourself taking a trip into the mud below". Konrad snorted and lay back down. Horst took that as his queue to start unloading his personal belongings and get settled into his new home.

At 16:42 hours, B flight had already passed the city of Verdun and were approaching thier target, an observation balloon close to a nearby French airfield. The new chap had managed to keep in formation. Konrad had already decided he was going to go in for this particular balloon before any of the Halbs did. Pastor Loezer was leading and he was a pretty lenient fellow. Konrad though that, as long as he didn't mess things up, Loezer would be fine with it. Konrad could see the airfield ahead and in front of it the shape of a pale colored balloon became increasingly clear. He readied his guns and pushed his craft forward. As he got closer he noticed an ominous plume of grey smoke rising upward. It could have been a fallen craft, but no. #%&*$# them, thought Konrad. Mallencrodt and his boys must have already had a crack at it! They were supposed to be providing top cover, not taking out the target! He pushed forward anyway, letting off two salvos. The second burst definitely appeared to have done the job, as the balloon exploded instantly. Good enough for a claim, thought Konrad, eyeing Loezer over to his right. I'll have the boss vouch for me. His smile soon left his face as ground fire ripped into his craft. Konrad executed evasive manouvers and turned for home. No serious damage.

A day later word came through that the balloon had been awarded to Mallencrodt. Konrad was disgusted.

"Note well, Horst Face", he said to his new room mate. "Even when you do the job they want you to do, you don't always get the credit you deserve."

"Well, it did seem as though it was already hit, sir", Horst ventured. Konrad turned and clipped the young airman hard on the side of his head.

"Stupid boy! Not a word more from you tonight, unless you want to feel the back of my hand once more!"



System: i5 8600K @ 3.6GHz,16GB DDR4 @2666MHz. RTX2080, MSI Z370 mobo, Dell 27" G-SYNC @ 144Hz. 2560x1440

#4485148 - 08/05/19 11:39 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Harry, that was a proper welcome for the new arrival. I wouldn’t expect anything less from von B. Too bad about the balloon though. It looked like the wildly inaccurate fire COULD have hit it from that far away. Konrad should definitely be upset about that.


"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."
#4485167 - 08/05/19 01:56 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Fullofit]  
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Originally Posted by Fullofit
.......It looked like the wildly inaccurate fire COULD have hit it from that far away. Konrad should definitely be upset about that.


Hah, not impressed with Von B's shooting abilities, eh? I'll have you know his hit % is a whopping 8% right now! A regular marksman by my standards smile


System: i5 8600K @ 3.6GHz,16GB DDR4 @2666MHz. RTX2080, MSI Z370 mobo, Dell 27" G-SYNC @ 144Hz. 2560x1440

#4485171 - 08/05/19 02:25 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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I wouldn’t dream of disrespecting Konrad’s marksmanship, but he did concede defeat quite quickly when it came to claiming the kill. Was he not sure of his final blow, or a meagre balloon is not worth the fuss?


"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."
#4485261 - 08/06/19 12:22 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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lederhosen Offline
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Crappppppp

Now the N17 has arrived. KEK Nord, 8x Halbs, bumped into 5x N17's.
Result 3 shot down, 2 badly damaged...all Halb's.

Gott #%&*$# it, we need better aircraft Herr Kaiser !!


make mistakes and learn from them

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#4485291 - 08/06/19 03:28 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Fullofit: He's a rotten shot. But he thinks he's the bee's knees smile

Lederhosen: Too true! The Halb is not a match for the Nieups. I prefer the EIV and even then I try to stay away from scouts. Hoping to survive until new equipment appears!

A quiet start to the month of August, so far. Lovely weather. Von B. did have a rather scary moment the other day when he lost his engine and had to dead stick into a crosswind. Still not certain how he managed it without smashing it to pieces!



System: i5 8600K @ 3.6GHz,16GB DDR4 @2666MHz. RTX2080, MSI Z370 mobo, Dell 27" G-SYNC @ 144Hz. 2560x1440

#4485323 - 08/06/19 11:02 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Raine Offline
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Maeran, it's great to see Stanley back. That was a near run thing, though.

Fullofit, Obi we hardly knew ye. I hope you're working on a bio for Feldwebel Tscheubacha.

Lederhosen, your lot will have the Albatros too soon for my liking. Hold in there!

Harry, great story-telling again.

I am finally able to do some flying and have nearly caught up, assisted by Collins's week away from the front. He's been out 7 months and has more than 220 hours. He's due for a rest soon, so I'm planning a change.

An Airman’s Odyssey – by Lt James Arthur Collins, MC

Part Fifty-Two: In which I enjoy a week of forced idleness


Candas. French for boredom, I believe. I was supposed to go and train new boys in the pilots’ pool on How To Stay Alive Over Hunland. After my morning patrol on 24 July 1916 I packed by kit bag and climbed aboard a tender bound for the commissary store in Doullens. We passed a Rolls on the way, which looked very much like General Trenchard’s. We stopped briefly in Amiens and I was able to get lunch at a fine little spot near the station. Then we proceeded north on the straight road past Vert Galant, where the DH2 boys live. A little farther up the road we turned off to the west and crested a high plateau studded with wheatsheaves. Several BEs circled languidly overhead. We quickly passed through Candas proper, emerging onto a broad plain where a railroad line twisted alongside us as it curved around the town to the cluster of huts and bell tents and sheds in the distance. Here, in a bleak kingdom of dust and oil and noise, was No. 2 A.D., my temporary home.

I reported to the orderly room where I sat and smoked for half an hour before the bespectacled corporal manning the counter was able to reach an officer by phone. From there I was instructed to present myself to the Training Officer in Building 12. No one could tell me clearly where Building 12 was, so I wandered about looking at bits of aeroplanes and towering piles of crates. Finally, I stumbled quite accidentally into the correct building, where the Training Officer, a captain, expressed annoyance at my existence. He demanded to know why I was here, who had sent me, and why he knew nothing of me. I presented my orders, signed off by Wing, and told him that I was dismayed that my reputation had not preceded me. The man had no sense of fun, I learned.

He was jabbing his pipe in my direction for emphasis. “Well, I have had no notice of all this and my pilots’ days are already fully accounted for. I can’t just have people popping up with orders to teach them God knows what.”

“It seems you can, sir,” I ventured. Before he could explode, I added, “But if my presence is an inconvenience, I should appreciate your recommendation about how I should spend my time here. My orders are quite specific, sir, and I’m supposed to be here for the next week.”

“I don’t give a #%&*$#,” said the Training Officer. “Just stay out of my sight and make sure the Orderly Room knows where to find you if I have any use of you.”

I saluted and left, and returned to the bespectacled corporal, who now had a little drawing showing me how to find the wooden hut where I had a bed. He then demanded seven shillings for the mess fees and gave me a chit for the steward to say I was to be fed from time to time.

There was nothing to do that day or the next, so on the 26th I bought two bottles of champagne and made my way on foot to nearby Fienvillers. RFC headquarters was now established there and I owed Captain Baring a thank you for helping me extricate myself from a premature return to Home Establishment. The good fellow was out, but returned in time for a late lunch. He confided that Major Harvey-Kelly thought highly of me but was determined to send me home for some rest at the first opportunity. I told him of my forced idleness at Candas and he said he might be able to help.

Two days later I began a series of lectures on the offensive tactics of Fokkers and Rolands, together with proper responses. I had the new boys go up in a BE2 and I attacked them in a Morane Bullet. Only 60 Squadron had this machine, I think, and I disliked it intensely.

Before long, my little interlude was over and I found myself back at Lahoussoye. Sergeant Wilson was up for leave, he’d learned, but did not know when he’d be off. We vowed to enjoy every flight in our Parasol, “Mother Goose.” Portal had officially taken over my flight, but good chap that he is, he deferred to me as often as was decently possible. It was an easy week as July eased into August and the slaughter below continued in fits and starts. We flew a number of artillery ranging patrols and, fitted with bomb racks, harassed the Huns in their front-line trenches. Only once did we run into any air-Huns. On 2 August we were returning from a contact patrol near Thiepval when we were attacked by a lone Roland, very keen. We were three: my machine, the Major’s, and Lewis’s. Our escorting DH2 was soon on him as well.

[Linked Image]
"Our escorting DH2 was on him as well."

The Hun had trouble avoiding a cross-fire and in our eagerness to get him, we overlooked a Fokker who dived on us. The Hun was new, for he opened fire far too early and Wilson chased him off with a long burst. Both hostile machines dived away before we could do any serious damage.

Attached Files Roland attack.png
#4485329 - 08/07/19 01:06 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Fullofit Offline
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Harry, he may not be the greatest shot, but he is one lucky Hurensohn with a landing like this one.
Raine, unfortunately it’s time for the opposite side to suffer now. PM sent with the next pilot’s bio.
I have a feeling Collins is about to get an upgrade. Having friends in high places (and I don’t mean altitude), has its advantages.


"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."
#4485441 - 08/07/19 11:25 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Raine Offline
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After seven months at the front, Collins is due for a short break...

An Airman’s Odyssey – by Lt James Arthur Collins, MC

Part Fifty-Three: In which we bid farewell to Lahoussoye


I was back, but life was no less pointless. On 3 August we flew contact patrol near Thiepval. Two hours of being buffeted by our own shells, a few flights over Corps HQ with messages, home for breakfast. Same routine in the afternoon. No Huns about.

4 August began much the same. We were dropping some Hales bombs on a rail junction north of the main battle area. A few Hunnish specks off in the distance, but the enemy were uninspired. We loosed our bombs and headed west for Arras. Even the German Archie, normally so accurate and irate at us, were listless. It must be the heat, I thought. We crossed our lines and I led the formation (Whistler’s and Lewis’s machines) south-southwest for home. The engine hummed. The sun rose higher. We were down to 4000 feet and sweat began to trickle down my back. Bellevue appeared in the distant haze off the left side. And Wilson opened fire...

“When you hear shooting, don’t look about. Turn!” I’d just been drumming this into the new boys’ heads at Candas just a few days ago. Now I looked about. A nasty yellow Fokker was slipping down behind us and Wilson was already changing drums. At last I turned about. By now I was convinced that a Morane, properly handled, could out-turn a Fokker. I decided to go after the Hun. But our escort, a new kind of machine from the R.A.F. called a BE12 – a glorified Quirk, really – was on them. I chased in vain, but the Huns (there were two of them) turned for home and ran. I found myself laughing. They needed tuning, this lot of Germans.

[Linked Image]
" I chased in vain, but the Huns (there were two of them) turned for home and ran."

In the afternoon we drew the short straw and we to bomb the aerodrome at Bertincourt. We expected a hard time and had an escort of DeHavillands. In the end, we had only Archie. Some Fokkers appeared in the south, but turned away. I was looking forward to tea.

It was not to be. I landed at Lahoussoye and was met by the Major. “Pack up and pay your mess bill, Collins. You’re off to HE.” I was not expecting it so soon. Sergeant Wilson was to report to the sergeant-major. He had also been posted to the technical school at Hythe. I was off in the morning and Wilson in two days’ time.

There was a binge to see me off. I’d like to say it was memorable, but really everyone was too tired. The Major mixed up a terrible brew of liquors and we all soaked each other with soda siphons. Around ten, I slipped out into the night and threw up behind a midden. As a consequence of my drinking too much, I missed seeing Wilson off. I should have to make it up to him.

Awakened at six, for the second time I bid a sad farewell to the Poidevins. The tender was outside and the driver, as they all do, talked too much. The trip to England was of little note. I was driven to St-Omer, from which I flew as an observer (sleepy passenger, actually) in a defunct FE2 to Farnham. My orders were to report to 39 Squadron at Hounslow, where I’d spent a few weeks in the spring. Major Higgins was still in charge and welcomed me like a prodigal son, meeting me at Farnham and wondering aloud if I was back for a proper stint this time. He was driving the little 10 hp Singer I’d sold to my old chum Tubby Chilton. Poor Tubby was laid up after a crash, and wouldn’t be back for a good while. Fred Sowrey and Billy Robinson were at Hounslow, he told me.

I found the place astir. The squadron was preparing to move to Essex to protect the northeast approaches to London. The OC and HQ would be at Woodford Green, northeast of the city. The flights would be separated, spread out from the HQ like fingers pointing eastward – A Flight at North Weald Bessett, near Epping; C Flight at Hainault Farm, north of Romford; and B Flight at Sutton’s Farm, south of Romford.

I was to take charge of A Flight until a permanent flight commander was appointed. In the meanwhile, I was to do a night flying course in our new machines – the same BE12 type as had escorted us a few days earlier. It was still essentially a BE2, but with a much larger 150 hp engine. But to my delight, it sported a Vickers gun with an interrupter gear to fire through the propeller. I couldn’t wait.

[Linked Image]
"It was still essentially a BE2, but with a much larger 150 hp engine."



Attached Files Chasing Fokkers.pngFirst flight BE12.png
#4485452 - 08/08/19 01:54 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,696
Fullofit Offline
Senior Member
Fullofit  Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,696
Ajax, ON
Oooooo, Raine, that BE 12 sounds like a proper upgrade. It also sounds like you’ll be able to find some proper entertainment now. Collins’s been without female companionship for how long now?


"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."
#4485453 - 08/08/19 02:05 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6,659
carrick58 Offline
Hotshot
carrick58  Offline
Hotshot

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6,659
Great storiesGuys. Real life is interfering with my WOFF time.

#4485511 - 08/08/19 03:00 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,340
HarryH Offline
Member
HarryH  Offline
Member

Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,340
Carrick: Real life is such a nuisance smile

Fullofit: Looking forward to hearing about your new fellow. Just keep him away from Verdun!

Raine: Night flying is a certainly challenge. Hope it goes well for Collins and that he enjoys Blighty!

I just went through a fairly major reorganization of my PC setup which has resulted in a much more ergonomically sensible flying / driving position. I've been somewhat distracted from WOFF by Project Cars 2 running in triple screen mode with TrackIR (what a blast) and a complete reinstall of GPL with the '65 mod. However, WOFF is so good that I will find the time for it, and Konrad will be up again later today.


System: i5 8600K @ 3.6GHz,16GB DDR4 @2666MHz. RTX2080, MSI Z370 mobo, Dell 27" G-SYNC @ 144Hz. 2560x1440

#4485519 - 08/08/19 04:46 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: HarryH]  
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,105
Raine Offline
Member
Raine  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,105
New Brunswick, Canada
Originally Posted by HarryH
... and a complete reinstall of GPL with the '65 mod.
'

Harry, have you tried the '67 Sports Car mod with the Targa Florio yet? And as for night flying, I might wait until we get to North Weald. The forests near Hounslow come up quickly in the dark!

Last edited by Raine; 08/08/19 04:48 PM.
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