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#4537213 - 09/16/20 12:38 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) ***** [Re: Raine]  
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Raine Offline
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Fullofit, Hahn is tearing up the Western Front. He has another week to go before Vogel is back in the air and I fear his lead will be insurmountable. I’m really surprised by how quickly that transfer came through. Best of luck with Jasta 36.

Lou, congratulations to Freddie and passing the 100 hour mark! I’m finding that playing the Germans makes it tough to rack up hours as the missions all tend to be shorter. Vogel has only recently passed 60 hours. Mind you, I think Freddie should have the Ack Emmas fit a larger windscreen on his Bristol – otherwise his poor face is going to stay that way.

Lederhosen, your story is only too familiar. It seems like every time I have a few days when I will not be rushed to get my flights in, my fellow winds up in a casualty clearing station. Sorry to see Willi out of action for a while.

MFair, talk about laying out a buffet table! You had a Caudron and then a DH5. Glad to see Jasta 12 is treating you right. Great photos, too! And then it gets followed up by three straight confirmations and a promotion to Leutnant. You must be living righteously.

Epower, lovely job with the montage, although I did notice that Eliza has blue eyes and one picture and another shows brown eyes. The matron wouldn’t happen to have brown eyes, would she? Oliver’s hospital looks rather homey, a little like the Palm Court at the Regency Palace Hotel. It could, however, do with some Sleep Number beds.

Robert, good to see you here is always. Perhaps your life will calm down enough that you can join us before it’s all over next year.



Tagebuch of Oblt. der Res. Hans-Dieter Vogel, PLM. HHO, EK1, EK2


Jasta 12, Roucourt, France

Part 36

15 September 1917


They closed the wounds fully yesterday and supplied me with a bag full of dressings, ointment, and some rather interesting pills. I have strict orders to stay on the ground for another week so I make a point of heading straight to the field on my arrival at Roucourt. Grier, the Werkmeister, rushes his team to ready my Albatros. I swing my leg carefully over the cockpit coaming. Everything feels like it is pulling apart but gradually I am able to lower myself into the seat. Unfortunately, the edge of the wicker seat catches the wound on my right leg in exactly the wrong place. I depart the machine quickly and with much cursing. Then Grier and his boys really go to work. Within half an hour they have fashioned a padded leather seat cushion and converted an old sheepskin jacket into a sort of saddle blanket. I try it again. It is still far too uncomfortable to make me want to rush my return. In another week, this arrangement should make flying tolerable.

The Kasino is welcoming as always. We have two new pilots and one of them has contributed a record collection of American ragtime music. A couple of the follows were acting disdainfully but they have been shouted down by the rest.

Mueller brings me the news of the squadron’s successes in the past week. We have downed three more enemy machines for the loss of one. And the best news is that Ivan Immer has bagged all three of them! Mueller also suggests that he is due for a couple of days off whenever there happens to be a stray officer about with nothing to do but paperwork. I dutifully sign a leave pass for him to go to Brussels and the fellows immediately prepare his shopping list.

In the meanwhile, I settle into my work and immediately become distracted by a report on the new triplane scout that Fokker has built. It is the first truly promising news about new machines we have received in a while.

#4537216 - 09/16/20 01:17 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Raine, another week? That seems like a pretty big setback. Vogel will have to work overtime to catch up. I think it’s doable. All he needs is a streak of successful claim confirmations. It’s not unheard of - just look at Der Wolf.


"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."
#4537231 - 09/16/20 05:00 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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epower Offline
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Fullofit - Another sweeping of German skies by Ziggy. Well done, sir. Will Ziggy's expertise in the air extend to matters of the heart? Do we have a name for this custodial siren? Recall that power is the ultimate aphrodisiac but flowers work nearly as well.

Raine - Ouch. Stray wicker stabbing into the wound. Deeply unpleasant. I think you may need to calibrate your monitor if you're seeing blue eyes in the fever dream collage. Oliver described Eliza's eyes as light brown so upper left could be our girl. Lower right is of course the incomparably lovely Baroness, or is it the divine Mme de Rochefort before the war? I don't remember... As for the Matron, green eyes.

#4537266 - 09/16/20 01:26 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Epower, I think I was looking at the Baroness. That's not a bad way to spend one's time.

#4537300 - 09/16/20 07:06 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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carrick58 Offline
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Marcel Jules Gilbare
ESC. 15 GC 13
Senard, Verdun
1 Victory
3 Unconfirmed


Sep 16, 1917.

Starting to get the aerodrome back to gather with replacement a/c being Hauled in by truck and Horse Cart. Weather is closing in so doubt if we will get up over the next 2 days

#4537352 - 09/17/20 12:40 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Epower, it should all work out in the end. Ziggy sweeps the skies. The custodial siren sweeps the floors. A match made in heaven. Unfortunately Ziggy does not know her name yet. It’s not like they wear name tags. He will have to discreetly obtain this information from Müller and let’s not forget the language barrier. Perhaps those flowers you spoke of could help in that department?

16 September, 1917 04:50 morning mission
Ceurne, Flanders Sector
Jasta 36
Oberleutnant Zygmunt Dolf Hahn EK2 EK1 HHO PLM
46 confirmed kills

Both Nieuports from yesterday afternoon have been denied. Something about the fog ...
Ziggy wasn’t happy with his performance yesterday and had asked Feldwebel Blasen to help him zero in the guns. They’ve spent good half hour of the early morning diagnosing the gun alignment. Blasen tried everything without success. Out of frustration he slapped one of the guns with his open palm and it made a rattling sound. It became quite clear at that very moment that the gun’s mount had gotten loose. It was an easy fix after that and the anemic mechanic could finally rest. All this was done just in time as the alarm bell began to ring. It was another raid!
They were able to gain enough altitude before the carnage started. Zygmunt was looking around to spot the approaching enemy. He saw the aerodrome. He saw Schwarm Zwei circling nearby and then something flashed ahead of him, then another. Nieuports were raining down upon them. He was able to avoid their initial attack, but was hit a few times during the following battle. Finally Hahn found an opening and latched onto one of the French machines. He had the sesquiplane going down in flames soon enough and soon after found himself at the back of a second Nieuport. He began to fire, but one of his guns jammed. He continued to fire the one good gun while pounding with his hand at the breech of the faulty one. In the end, the Nieuport went down after suffering enough damage from just one Spandau.

YouTube Link



Zygmunt was returning to base still trying to unjam his gun when he spotted a pair twirling around near the aerodrome. He could now see one of the Nieuports chasing after his wingman. In that instant the gun jam was cleared and Zygmunt threw his machine in pursuit. He fired a deflection shot that connected and dissuaded the Frenchman from his pursuit. He was now running, but it was too late. Hahn had him in his sights and firing both guns. The silver plane was soon heading down to crash near the airfield. It looked like it was the last of them. They all landed their Albatrosen at the airfield.

YouTube Link



16 September, 1917 12:15 afternoon mission
Ceurne, Flanders Sector
Jasta 36
Oberleutnant Zygmunt Dolf Hahn EK2 EK1 HHO PLM
46 confirmed kills
Awaiting three claim confirmations

They were sent balloon hunting in the afternoon. Zygmunt took his flight near Armèntieres, but could not locate the gasbag. While searching he was located by two Strutters who decided he was a fair game. Ziggy tangled with one of them and soon began to damage it. He continued to fire and soon the two-seater was on the run but Hahn wasn’t about to let them go. He continued his assault when something unexpected happened. He saw the gunner jump or fall out of the plane! Then the pilot and right after the other pilot. The remaining pilot and gunner stayed with the ship until the end. Zygmunt was shocked to see this. After the plane went down he gathered the rest of his wingmen and returned to base. He remained perturbed by the event for the rest of the day.

YouTube Link



"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."
#4537429 - 09/17/20 03:19 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Fullofit, excellent videos! Love the mornings sky but those enemy planes can sure be hard to spot. A Strutter carrying passengers! What are they up to.


Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from either end.
BOC Member since....I can't remember!
#4537491 - 09/17/20 09:06 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Fullofit Offline
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MFair, I didn’t expect to be raining men (Hallelujah!) that day.

17 September, 1917
Ceurne, Flanders Sector
Jasta 36
Oberleutnant Zygmunt Dolf Hahn EK2 EK1 HHO PLM
49 confirmed kills

Bad weather. Zygmunt can finally catch up on his paperwork.
Two Nieuports and the Strutter have been confirmed.


"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."
#4537633 - 09/19/20 01:07 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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carrick58 Offline
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Marcel Jules Gilbare
ESC. 15 GC 13
Senard, Verdun
1 Victory
3 Unconfirmed

Sep 19, 1917.


Dawn Railyard attack: Put holes in crates and roof. , Broke off on the lines and spotted 2 e/a on the low headed deeper in Hun land. Swooped down and gave Zee e/a 40 rds then just kept going for home and a wine and biscuit breakfast. Landed with 108 rds left in the Gun and 40 % Fuel.

Attached Files CFS3 2020-09-18 17-49-57-26.jpgCFS3 2020-09-18 17-51-19-62.jpg
#4537637 - 09/19/20 01:56 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Ajax, ON
18 September, 1917
Ceurne, Flanders Sector
Jasta 36
Oberleutnant Zygmunt Dolf Hahn EK2 EK1 HHO PLM
49 confirmed kills

Urgent orders from HQ: Transfer immediately to Houplin aerodrome. This was a blow for Zygmunt. It was another transfer for him in such a short time. He hasn’t even settled in properly yet. He didn’t even find out the name of the girl. He was crushed. The weather continued to be uncooperative so they had to use the roads 35 km south. Their planes would arrive tomorrow. They were packed and ready by noon. He bumped into the girl as they were leaving the office. He smiled at her, but all he got in return was a confused look, perhaps one of surprise. He screwed up his courage and said: “- Auf Wiedersehen!” She said nothing. She gripped tighter the white cleaning cloth she was holding. He left. Zygmunt was sitting in the back of the staff car. Müller was driving.
“- Herr Fürher, you better check your six.” Müller jerked his head backwards. Hahn didn’t understand. He saw Müller was looking in the rear view mirror. He turned around. There in the distance, barely visible through the rain was the figure of the girl waving her rag in goodbye. Ziggy smiled.


"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."
#4537672 - 09/19/20 12:36 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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L'Etoile du Nord
.

Fullofit – Was she waving goodbye or good riddance? At the rate he's going, if Ziggy gets a break in the weather he should have no trouble racking up 50+ victories before Vogel is even able to sit in a plane again.

Maeran – Very sorry to see that Robert Lindley has joined the Choir Invisible. He will be sorely missed. Hope you won’t wait too long before getting back into the fight with a new character.

Raine – Too bad Vogel is still on the mend. Much as he wants to return to the skies and best Ziggy, he probably should not be pushing it as that may well set him back even further. At least there are some decent records to listen to while he’s sitting about. As for Freddy looks staying that way, afraid that’s a given, in particular when Invisalign is still a hundred years out.

MFair – Ivan is out for a few weeks!? Man, this war is getting downright dangerous. Good luck with the fall planting.

Carrick – Good to see Marcel is still alive and healthy and keeping up the pace, despite the destruction of his aerodrome. We need someone around here able to push on.


Horrid weather settled in on La Bellevue and the surrounding area on the 16th and has yet to lift, so Lt. Frederick Abbott and the rest of 11 Squadron having been busy doing nothing. There is a report that the rain and wind may move out by tomorrow morning – fingers crossed!

.

#4537693 - 09/19/20 02:17 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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A toast , to whoever shot down that Devil Ivan Immer

Attached Files dawnerol fynn.jpg
#4537721 - 09/19/20 06:04 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Fullofit Offline
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Lou, you’re wrong on both counts. She was actually running after the staff car waving the unpaid cleaning bill!
50 victories sounds nice, but with the transfer, the weather, dirty office, things can turn on a Pfennig.
Looks like terrible weather settled in over most of Flanders and Freddy is excelling at yet another thing - doing nothing. Ah, to be 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."
#4537748 - 09/19/20 10:04 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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carrick58 Offline
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Marcel Jules Gilbare
ESC. 15 GC 13
Senard, Verdun
1 Victory
5 Unconfirmed



Complete de moralization. Went up two times today and scored but both rejected.

Patrol: My flight was able to cut out 2 Recon types from their Escort who were just turning for Hunland. I got behind Zee Big e/a and banged away with 20-40 rds a string finally, The boche just rolled over and crashed . Rejected due the crash was on the other side of the lines and my mates were busy knocking down one. Landed with 17 rds left.

Scramble; Our 4 machines had been down just a few hours when a bunch of e/a were spotted coming over. We had to climb under the e/a then down they came must have been a whole Jasta. Snap and shoot no hits, turn and twist or Burn, Soon 2 e/a were on me firing, but even as I went into a tail spin a Bullet shot away my Pinkie Finger, Down low and headed home, I spotted a Hun flying erratically so closed and fired off my remaining Ammo He smoked then crashed. Rejected The Hun Ace was seen flying amid Archie above the AF so they got the Kill.

Attached Files CFS3 2020-09-19 14-02-08-91.jpgCFS3 2020-09-19 14-06-44-94.jpgCFS3 2020-09-19 14-07-23-90.jpgCFS3 2020-09-19 14-24-51-92.jpgCFS3 2020-09-19 14-35-50-44.jpgCFS3 2020-09-19 14-36-08-51.jpgCFS3 2020-09-19 14-36-20-90.jpg
Last edited by carrick58; 09/19/20 10:08 PM.
#4537859 - 09/21/20 12:48 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Fullofit Offline
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Ajax, ON
20 September, 1917
Houplin, Flanders Sector
Jasta 36
Oberleutnant Zygmunt Dolf Hahn EK2 EK1 HHO PLM
49 confirmed kills

Jasta 36 was settling in their new digs. Zygmunt’s new office was cramped, gloomy and damp. His mood did not improve any more after Müller reported his plane was damaged during the transport, but he was assured Feldwebel Blasen would have it back to working condition by the end of the day. He would be back in the air tomorrow after what seemed like a week of being grounded.


"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."
#4537865 - 09/21/20 04:20 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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epower Offline
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Carrick - Mon Dieu! Marcel is dismembered! Alas, poor Pinkie. Could have been worse though. Many have given more precious organs for France. Unfortunate how your men are all of them despised by the Claims Gods. It ain't fair! Playing with 2-seaters again I see. Lot of that going around. Well done keeping Marcel alive. When does he get a new ride?

MFAir- More trauma for poor Ivan and then he must work in the fields during rehab. Liofe sounds very NOT FUN over in Hunland. Best of luck with the Fall planting.

Fullofit - A missed opportunity with the Hienemakkefrauleine but now that Ziggy is a Staffelfuhrer things might get more interesting romance-wise. Unfortunate about the new office though. That mold smell is just the worst. Good luck in the new digs.

Raine - Kinda quiet from Vogel. Is he spending all his time look at Sanke cards of the Baroness? Hope he's back at it soon.

Robert - Always good to see you dropping in. Time to embrace your inner Captain Picard and "Make it So!" with the DID Campaign. yep
True, Winter is Coming and so is WOFF 2020 but that's not for a bit.

Lou - What mischief is Freddy up to now? Doing nothing?! Are we really expected to believe that? What beckons I wonder


Fair warning - a longer one here. Might need two cups of Coffee.



À la Recherche du Temps Perdu - Part 23 of many




9 August 1917
56 Squadron RFC
Estrée-Blanche, France

Grandpa Marson sent a tender for me. Sloppy ride back to the Aerodrome in torrential rain. Went down to the hangars to check on B35. Flight Sergeant Pickett and the men of A Flight all greeted me enthusiastically. It was good to be back. Moody and Allyn couldn’t wait to show me the modifications they’d made to the newly refurbished B35. A Sopwith spade-type joystick top! Push button triggers again. No more fumbling about with that idiotic brake handle trigger. So much easier to hold with the left hand when changing the Lewis drum. Why this isn’t standard kit I cannot possibly imagine. R.A.F! I may start using that as an expletive.

[Linked Image]

An idle afternoon in the mess. Turnbull was reading ‘Batchelor’s Button’s’, which has made its way round the squadron. He burst out laughing several times. Ping Pong, cards, chess, and a catch up on the stack of outdated newspapers and magazines. Considerable chatter about a piece in the July 31st edition of the Times (which we received only yesterday)

“Here’s some bally cheek,” said Emerson.
“What’s that?” asked Taylor.

“This Sassoon, his statement was read in Commons if you can believe it.”
Quote

“I am making this statement as an act of willful defiance of military authority because I believe that the war is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it.”


Emerson slapped the paper down in disgust. “I can’t read this treasonous rubbish,” he said.
“Let’s hear it all,” I said.

Emerson shook his head but picked up the paper and continued:
Quote

“I am a soldier, convinced that I am acting on behalf of soldiers. I believe that the war upon which I entered as a war of defense and liberation has now become a war of aggression and conquest. I believe that the purposes for which I and my fellow soldiers entered upon this war should have been so clearly stated as to have made it impossible to change them and that had this been done the objects which actuated us would now be attainable by negotiation.

I have seen and endured the sufferings of the troops and I can no longer be a party to prolong these sufferings for ends which I believe to be evil and unjust. I am not protesting against the conduct of the war, but against the political errors and insincerities for which the fighting men are being sacrificed.

On behalf of those who are suffering now, I make this protest against the deception which is being practiced upon them; also I believe it may help to destroy the callous complacency with which the majority of those at home regard the continuance of agonies which they do not share and which they have not enough imagination to realize.”


“Sounds like a bloody Lack of Moral Fiber,” sniffed Emerson indignantly.

Sassoon. Royal Welch Fusiliers.

Memories of a long-ago naming in the 54 Squadron mess. Hadrill was so disappointed the name was taken. This was the man. “Mad Jack!” I exclaimed aloud.

“You know this fellow?” asked Emerson.

“I’ve heard of him. Almost had his nickname. He’s no craven by any means. MC, should have had a DSO. Practically suicidal. Word is he took a trench last July single handed in daylight. Went over with a bunch of bombs and scattered 50-60 Huns. Then he sat down to read poetry! Held up the advance on Mametz Wood for two hours. Brigade thought there were friendly patrols out when it was Sassoon reading poems in a German trench he’d just captured. The Colonel was apoplectic, said he would have got him a VC if he’d had the sense to call up reinforcements.”

“He’ll be court-martialed and shot!” cried Emerson.

“No, he won’t,” interjected Nash. “A military tribunal would only cause a scandal and put the government on trial, which is what he wants. No, they’ll ship him off to some faraway hospital for Neurasthenia or some condition of ‘Not Yet Diagnosed.’ Maybe a lunatic asylum if he keeps making trouble.”

Sassoon put his name to what half the country, not to mention the PBI, might be thinking privately. Is he correct? Are we now fighting a war of conquest?

Rain let up in the early evening. I took B35 up for a test flight and some gunnery practice. Chest still sore but it doesn’t impact my controlling the machine. Shooting much improved with the Sopwith grip.




10 August 1917
56 Squadron RFC
Estrée-Blanche, France


5.00 LP over the Menen Road. 3 Albatri dead ahead at our altitude.

[Linked Image]

Two short bursts from close in sent the Hun down. I broke away high left, then heard and felt the horrid ripping crunch of a collision.

[Linked Image]

Right wing missing outward of the struts. Hoidge! The SE still answered despite pulling hard to the right. Hoidge pulled alongside with a wave to see if I was OK. His undercarriage appeared undamaged.

[Linked Image]

Landed at La Gorgue. Major H. S. Walker, OC No. 15 Squadron, proved an enthusuastic host, although I had to decline his offer of liquid refreshments. Major Blomfield wanted me back for the afternoon patrol so after a fine late breakfast, Major Walker’s personal chauffeur drove me back to Estrée-Blanche.

Hoidge was apologetic on my return. It was an accident, I let it go. We were both a bit too keen.


3.45 Orders to intercept incoming Hun raid near Ledegen. One DFW.

[Linked Image]
Smith closed in for the kill...

[Linked Image]
...then ran right up the back of the Hun!

I followed Smith down, but his wings were gone and fire engulfed his plane. I hope the collision knocked him out before the flames took him.

[Linked Image]

Went home, trying to put the image of Smith out of my mind. Thinking I was safe well over my own lines I looked back and there he was, 600 yards behind, creeping up slowly. Around we went. White Snake! I’ve fought him before. How was he still alive?
He fell into the deepest part of the Fôret Imperiale. I doubt this will be confirmed.


Wing confirmed the morning Hun but not the White Snake Hun Albatros. Predictable. Thirty-two.



11 August 1917
56 Squadron RFC
Estrée-Blanche, France

6.00 Deep Offensive patrol to Masny Aerodrome. Mayberry, Rhys-Davids, Maxwell, Hoidge and Muspratt.

[Linked Image]


Single Albatros west of Avelin. What madness drove him to attack a flight of six?

[Linked Image]

Followed the keen flamer down and found another. He too fell thunderously.

No afternoon show today. Talked to Allyn about making me a heavy bag.

The evening dispatch rider brought no news about today’s two claims.



12 August 1917
56 Squadron RFC
Estrée-Blanche, France

7.00 Escort 2 R.E.8s from RFC-9 on their bombing run east of Monchy-le-Preux. Maybery, Maxwell, Hoidge, Rhys-Davids and Barlow. Hoidge dropped out with a dud engine soon after takeoff.

[Linked Image]
Albatri in!

[Linked Image]

The Alb fled low and the SE followed. No escape from the Royal Aircraft Factory’s latest abomination. North of Riencourt aerodrome the Hun’s life and strength were scattered.

[Linked Image]

Circling I saw Hoidge chasing an Alb low. Another Hun turned to drop on Hoidge. I fired from long range to clear Hoidge then closed too quickly. I only landed a few rounds before the overshoot. Still not used to how fast the SE accelerates. My next firing pass killed his engine. He glided down to a field but carried too much speed and went through the trees, tore his wings off and the Alb broke apart.



2.00 Attack Awoingt aerodrome. Near Marcoing, the same Archie battery that put me in hospital sent up another calling card.

[Linked Image]

I’m never going this way again! Five minutes later the Hispano commenced a horrific clattering. It sounded like a broken rod. I gave the dud engine signal and left the formation, one eye nervously focused on the rising temperature gauge. Crossed NML near Mossy face and made it safely to Lechelle.

A long day. Didn’t get back to Estrée-Blanche until 10.00. “Grandpa” Marson had some good news. All four outstanding claims were confirmed. Thirty-six now.





13 August 1917

56 Squadron RFC
Estrée-Blanche, France

A Flight were on standby starting at dawn. At 6.45 the phone rang, and we were off to intercept Huns NE of Ypres. C Flight flew top cover. Right on schedule we flew into a pack of Albatri. After a few inconclusive snapshots I latched onto one, landed 15-20 rounds then broke off as he turned.

[Linked Image]

Muspratt followed in and finished the Hun.

While circling over NML to reform the flight, something exploded in my engine, followed by a steaming hiss. Hispano radiator failed again for the second straight day!


[Linked Image]
I made for our lines waving a long tail of coolant.

Revs dropped quickly and after a minute the engine quit. I’d cleared the lines and picked out a nice field next to a balloon battery.

[Linked Image]

Back to the squadron in time for the late afternoon show, a line patrol from Mossy Face to the Peronne-Cambrai road. West of ProNville, an inconclusive scrap with 4-5 Albs scattered the flight. After circling the RV point alone for 15 minutes, I returned to Estrée-Blanche.

[Linked Image]




Attached Files Soldiers declaration.jpg
Last edited by epower; 09/21/20 04:49 PM.
#4537868 - 09/21/20 06:12 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Member

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Posts: 737
À la Recherche du Temps Perdu - Part 24 of many




14 August 1917

56 Squadron RFC
Estrée-Blanche, France

Morning – Hun bombing raid. No damage to aerodrome. We scrambled all flights but as usual, the enemy were long gone. Uneventful afternoon Line Patrol south of the De Blankaart. No e/a sighted.

Captain Henderson leaves for HE tomorrow. His replacement, name of McCudden, takes command of B Flight.

“Winningstad. Late of 54 Squadron? I thought I recognized the name,” he said. “I went to visit Strugnell at Leffrinckhouke some three weeks back. You were on leave then I think. Good man, Struggy.”

“The best,” I replied.

McCudden and Struggy were old friends having gone to school together as youngsters. Both were born to Khaki and enlisted at age 15.

22 Sqn relieve No. 19 today. I shall go and see Captain Clement.


15 August 1917

56 Squadron RFC
Estrée-Blanche, France

Pouring rain. Normally a joyful occasion but not today. My brand-new S.E.5a is ready. B35. 200HP Hispano, newly re-tooled carburetor. Sopwith joystick. Morning in A flight hangar going over B35, serenaded by incessant gunfire from the range. McCudden was sparing no effort aligning his guns.

McCudden’s extensive gun test drew some hooting from the gallery at lunch. He took it in stride and returned to work in the hangar soon after the meal.

“I did the same thing my first day,” I said. “Why does McCudden deserve such a ragging?”
“You bagged 30 Huns with 54,” said Nash. “Half the squadron here have more Boche than he does, and we don’t’ spend half the day in the gun butts firing off hundreds of rounds. A bit showy, don’t you think?”

“No I don’t,” I replied.

McCudden had a mechanics’ attention to detail. This one bore watching.

No. 22 Squadron were our guests at dinner tonight. Few of the old hands remained. When 22 converted to Bristols, all had the choice of staying, going to HE or transferring to a Fee Squadron. Nobody chose the third option. J.H. Butler, J.C. Bush, Clement and his Observer R. B. Carter were the only ones I knew. Carter and Bush greeted me as “Ripper” which drew some looks from my new mates in 56.

“Are you still abusing that great bloody sandbag?” asked Carter.
“Not lately. Soon though. The stitches just came out,” I replied pointing to my chest.

“We’ll have to wrestle when you’re match fit again,” said Clement.
“Steve’s always looking for new victims, Ripper. Still smarting from the thrashing Helliwell gave him last October, I’ll wager.” said Butler with a wink.

Some hours talking with Butler, Clement and the fellows of 22 Squadron. In all the time we spent sharing aerodromes we’d never socialized much. I’d always held Captain Clement in something like superstitious awe. It was a difficult habit to break. “Call me Steve, will you?” he said at last. After that we were just comrades having drinks and talking about flying.



16 August 1917
56 Squadron RFC
Estrée-Blanche, France

More rain. Caught up on correspondence. I tried to write Eliza but ended up with nothing more than a score of crumpled sheets in the bin. I’ve no idea what to say to her. Spent the afternoon playing poker with the Canadians of 22 Squadron. Boy, am I rusty. Lost nearly £10.



17 August 1917
56 Squadron RFC
Estrée-Blanche, France

Rain continues but no rest for the PBI. Yesterday they had another go at Langemarck. Grandpa Marson went on leave today. Captain C. B. Dick-Cleland of 55 Squadron assumed temporary duty as Recording Officer. Headed over to 22 Squadron mess. My overly polite neighbors to the North took another £8 of my money. Behind cheerful, self-effacing demeanor these northern chaps can be frightfully cunning.



18 August 1917
56 Squadron RFC
Estrée-Blanche, France

Rain unabated. Trying to stay occupied lest my mind wander to Eliza. Some of the fellows were heading into Lumbres and wanted me along. Cherchez la Femme was their game and that didn’t suit me. Decamped to the mess where Maybery gave me a savage thrashing at Ping Pong. I have little talent for that game, and he is nothing short of a savant. To be fair, he does everything well and with an effortless ease. Thankfully, he’s humble almost to a fault or he’d be impossible. Slunk off to lick my wounds and get some of my money back from the card sharps of 22. Vengeance was mine! Finally remembered how and returned to Fortuna's good grace. I won my money back and more. Discovering Carter's bluff tell certainly helped.
Steve, Butler and Bush got to telling war stories about life in Fees. Their matter of fact account made the tale all the more horrifying.



19 August 1917
56 Squadron RFC
Estrée-Blanche, France

On standby all morning. Message came through at 10.15 with orders to deal with Huns over Vimy Ridge. At 11,000 feet, an inconclusive scrap with 3 DVs who all dove into the clouds and fled. Horrendous marksmanship on my part. I suspect the sights are off.

On short final at Estrée-Blanche my radiator blew! Coolant everywhere. Landed safely.

Just the one patrol today. Allyn and Moody installed a new radiator by lunch, so we spent the afternoon on the range sighting in the guns. I walked back from the butts, pleased with the work we’d done. 22 Squadron in their Bristols were taxiing out for the evening patrol. Steve and Carter both waved as they passed.

After dinner Cpl. Harris entered the mess and handed a note to Major Blomfield.

Clement is dead. He and Carter fell in flames to anti-aircraft fire. That’s the only way they could have killed him. The Huns couldn’t defeat him in honorable combat, so they turned to Paris’ cowardly arrow to bring him down. He survived a year in Fees. Front line service straight thru since the Somme Battle last July.

I needed to be with 22 tonight. I’d shared an aerodrome with them for most my time in France. Chipilly, Flez, and these last few happy days at Estrée-Blanche where I’d finally gotten to know Steve, if only a little. I went to pay my respects, unsure of what to expect. 22 Squadron were giving the man a proper send-off.

“Ripper!” they shouted and waved me forward. I was home among friends and planned to get stinkingly drunk. We sang for much of the night.

We stand beneath resounding rafters,
The walls around us are bare,
They echo back our laughter,
It seems like the dead are still there.

So stand to your glasses steady,
This world is a world full of lies
A toast to the dead already,
And hurrah for the next man to die!


A man I didn’t know bumped into me. “No empty chairs, neh?” he said.

“Balls to General Trenchard and his ‘no empty chairs’!” I snapped. “An Achilles died today. Does the General Officer Commanding think we’ll forget Steve Clement because we can’t see his empty f**king chair! If there were any decency remaining the war would stop for 12 days of funeral games!”

“Hear, hear,” echoed a few voices. Men I recognized now but didn’t know by name.

I was on the verge of letting myself go completely but some small part of me knew that if I did, I’d go much farther than I intended. Butler came to my rescue.
“You’re blotto, Ripper,” he said, putting an arm around me. “It’s a fine idea though.”

I'd wept for Pixley and Grevelink and the others too. Even now I felt their loss but Clement’s death cut much deeper. There was something here of when the heroes die, of myth shattered and a diminished world for those of us who remained.

No man in the RFC came close to his 384 combat hours or 13 continuous months of frontline service. He was mentioned in dispatches but for all he’d done he wore no British medal, only the Croix de Guerre. I sometimes felt uneasy standing before him with the MC and DSO ribbons on my chest, while he had no decoration from his King. Steve bloody well should have had his MC (and a Bar!) Not to mention a DSO. Fourteen victories, 8 of them flying a Fee. Barely a week ago he killed 4 Huns in the space of half an hour. I had my MC after 6 Huns and that flying the best fighter the RFC could provide. Did England not see his worth? Had his Commanding Officer, Major Learmont, failed to recommend him? Was it malice, incompetence or plain indifference at work here? Disgraceful in any case. Infamous! Infamous! I staggered back toward my tent, pausing against a hut to vomit the evening’s libations. My mind cleared. I turned and walked the length of the landing ground. Grief extended her hand to an icy fury who joined along beside..

[Linked Image]




20 August 1917
56 Squadron RFC
Estrée-Blanche, France


“Rage - Sing Goddess the rage of Peleus’ son Achilleus
and it’s devastation which puts pains thousandfold upon the Achaeans,
hurled in their multitudes to the house of Hades strong souls of heroes...”


5.50 Offensive patrol from Zerkegem to the coast. McCudden and B Flight would provide top cover. Allyn and Moody did their magic with the engine yesterday. B35 had plenty of power today and showed no indications of an overheat.

My head hurt but I was grateful or the pain. It helped me focus on the task at hand.

10 miles east of Estrée-Blanche 2 DFWs flew right over the top of our formation, heading west. We chased. B Flight got there first and sent both Huns crashing to earth.

Heading back toward our patrol area I took the flight higher than usual. At 15,000 ft. over Ghistelles, 6 Albatri converged at our altitude.

[Linked Image]
Red noses. Jasta 11! The Baron’s men. I’ve fought them before...

Two Huns took an unhealthy interest in me. Some hot minutes dodging their double attack. These weren’t new men looking to make their reputation, this bunch were the first team. They shot some holes in B35 but hit only canvas. I was on the verge of diving out when Jeffs got onto one and leveled the odds. When the other Hun fled low, I covered Jeffs who soon had his Albatros well in hand. As their combat descended, I found a new target.

[Linked Image]
Did the Baron himself come calling this time?

[Linked Image]
Too much speed! A few hits then I overshot. I went high, and rolled in again

[Linked Image]
He countered my roll, breaking high right. My vision greyed as I pulled hard to match him.

[Linked Image]
After a brief rolling scissors the red Albatros dove

[Linked Image]
I’m not flying a Pup today, my dear Baron.

[Linked Image]
Wild evasives thwarted my shooting, but I finally landed a solid burst. Then a longer one.

[Linked Image]
“He fell, as when an oak goes down or a white poplar,
or like a towering pine tree which in the mountains the carpenters
have hewn down with their whetted axes to make a ship-timber.”


Clement lies now not unavenged...

Arthur was right there with me, circling the crash. The red Albatros appeared mostly intact but I saw no sign of movement. Arthur was grinning hugely and giving me the thumbs up as we climbed to gather the flight.

Was it Von Richthofen? I began to question the possibility. He flew well, but not brilliantly so. True, I had the advantage from the start but surely the Baron would have found a way to thwart me. Did he think he could outrun me? Did I wound him on my first high-speed pass?


1.00 Deep Offensive Patrol from Passchendaele to the Roulers Rail Junction. Ackerman, Hoidge, Maybery, Jeffs and Barlow. Approaching the Roulers rail junction, three red nosed Albatri attacked from above. As the fight continued, I stayed high until spotting 7-ship flight 4-5000 feet overhead. I descended quickly and covered Jeffs and Ackerman who were spraying lead all over Hunland to no effect.

[Linked Image]

I’d lost sight of the high flight and needed to end this. Dropping in I fired 30 rounds from close range. The Alb carved downward, seemingly under control but continued spiraling all the way into the ground near Rumbeke. No friendly aeroplanes in sight. Returned home. Maybe the artillery observers saw the crash, but I wasn’t hopeful.

Quite a day for 56 Squadron. Major Blomfield was most excited. Seven aircraft destroyed. Two each for McCudden, Barlow, one for Sloley and my two Albatri.
The Rumbeke Alb was rejected but Wing confirmed the all-red Albatros. Thirty-seven.

Could it have been the Baron? Capt. Dick-Cleland was noncommittal.
“It was all-red, you say?” he asked again.
“Entirely,” I answered. “Even the struts. Bright, bright red.”
“One never knows with these Hun machines."

Arthur in his enthusiasm wouldn’t let it go. "You're rather sedate for a man who might have got Von Richthofen.” he said.
I shrugged indifferently.
“I bear no ill will against the Baron," I said. "He’s not the Hun I want.”
"This sounds personal. Have one in mind do you?” he asked
“Voss. I would send Voss to the Death God.”









Last edited by epower; 09/21/20 05:30 PM.
#4537932 - 09/21/20 06:34 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6,659
carrick58 Offline
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carrick58  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6,659
Great Stories to go with my morning Java

#4537934 - 09/21/20 06:38 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6,659
carrick58 Offline
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carrick58  Offline
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Posts: 6,659
Marcel Jules Gilbare
ESC. 15 GC 13
Senard, Verdun
1 Victory
5 Unconfirmed

Sep 21, 1917.


The Esc was able to put up 6 a/c to Escort 2 Sopwiths on Recon. No E/a seen just ground fire.

Attached Files CFS3 2020-09-21 11-24-53-54.jpg
#4537941 - 09/21/20 08:51 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,696
Fullofit Offline
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Fullofit  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,696
Ajax, ON
Epower, Oi! Just out of the hospital and already causing trouble. That SE.5 of yours has no original parts left on it.
Too bad about Smith. Too keen, as they say.
Good going with the White Snake. One of those days he’ll catch you napping. Keep your head on a swivel!
Well done on all those confirmed kills. Oliver is on a roll. All the Huns will have to keep an eye on this one.
Wonderful send off for Captain Clement. Very touching.
Ah, so the Red Baron is dead! I knew those Australians shot down an imposter. And more Huns fall to Winningstad’s guns how many confirmed in total?
Wonderful catch-up. Few more like that and you’ll be current and present. Way to go!

Carrick, you need a SPAD. I’m going to repeat that until someone gives it to you.

21 September, 1917
Houplin, Flanders Sector
Jasta 36
Oberleutnant Zygmunt Dolf Hahn EK2 EK1 HHO PLM
49 confirmed kills

Ziggy could only shake his head after reading latest orders from HQ. It appears the orders to transfer to Houplin were sent out in error. Jasta 36 was ordered to transfer back to Ceurne. Normally Hahn would object, but in this case he was rather pleased.


"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."
Page 218 of 366 1 2 216 217 218 219 220 365 366

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