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#4542292 - 10/26/20 04:57 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 have to ask the God of War what this thing about Turkey is. I have a feeling it’s another one of those Steinmesser’s ideas to keep Vogel ahead of Hahn.

MFair, you know, “right behind you” - your comment after Marcel kicked the bucket. I was expecting the worst from Immer.

Ace, welcome to the fray (again).
Hope young Friedrich will cope with the rigours of flying, now that cold weather is about to make itself known. Looking forward to his exploits in the sky. Gott mit uns!

26 October, 1917
Ceurne, Flanders Sector
Jasta 36
Oberleutnant Zygmunt Dolf Hahn EK2 EK1 HHO PLM AO
78 confirmed kills

Both Tripes have been confirmed. Hahn was only two kills away from an even 80, but bad weather settled over the area preventing him from achieving this goal any time soon. It was the second day of inactivity at Ceurne and boredom settled in. Zygmunt was at his desk looking at the latest spare parts request for the Dreideckers from his chief mechanic Fw Blasen. He was rereading the same paragraph for the tenth time and falling asleep each time he was only halfway through. Nadette was in his office again dusting or cleaning something behind him. How much dirt does he produce that she is tidying his office every day? The rain behind the window only compounded his lethargy. He yawned and suddenly had the uncontrollable urge to stretch. He leaned back in his chair, his legs straightened at the joints and at the same time his arms reached behind his back as far as they would allow. In the same instant his hands felt grabbing something firm, yet supple and Nadette made a high pitched yelp. Ziggy quickly realized what has just transpired and pulled his hands away, but it was too late. As he turned around to apologize, Nadette’s hand was already in motion and about to connect with his face. He felt it strike the side of his head, a bright light, or was it stars that started dancing in front of his eyes. His recent concussion exacerbated the result of the blow. He tried to express his regret, but she stormed off out of his office before he could react. He hasn’t seen her the next whole day. He could only blame himself. The rain continued to piss down complementing his melancholic mood.


"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."
#4542317 - 10/26/20 09:45 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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AceMedic88 Offline
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Thanks for the warm welcome, all. It looks like I arrived at the tail end of a storm, so the beginning of Friedrich's story is rather uneventful flight-wise.

26 Oktober 1917
Feldwebel Friedrich Baldwin Eberwein
Jasta 35b


The entire journey to the Jasta was cold, wet and miserable. The rain didn't stop, and no matter how hard I tried to cover my face, the wind found a way to blow it through any opening. An open, two-man truck was the only way to finish the last few hours of the journey by road from Roulers, and it would be through the night. The bug-eyed driver talked to himself the entire time, answering his own half-sensible ramblings. A few times we stopped for a while as troops and wagons found themselves stuck in the mud that seemed to engulf them to their torsos. When light began to appear, we stopped again for a poor, chocolate colored thoroughbred, watching it cry for help as it sat submerged. The soldiers doing what they could to no avail to get the beast free to continue pulling the carts. There was no way it was going to get out. I heard a shot once we passed and could only shutter at the thought and removed it from my mind.

[Linked Image]
The roads lined with issues from all the rain and mud

We approached the small village of Aertrycke and the slosh fields sporting the most depressed looking cows. A bit down the road to the northwest was the airfield. A row of fabric-covered hangers and the bustle of moving mechanics. I happened to see a DFW take off as we pulled down the roadway to the cluster of buildings. I had to remind myself that they said a Jasta flying single-seaters, not a two-seater posting. There were a DFW's, Albatri, Pfalz, and Rumplers scattered in hangers and on the field. No one had mentioned what I was going to be flying when I left, but I couldn't help but think any of those would be an upgrade over the trainers, though I did pray for the DV.

The driver slammed the breaks, nearly throwing me over the front of the vehicle, as he began yelling at short, chubby mechanic, asking where he could find Jasta 35. The mechanic lazily pointed to one of the two buildings, and I jumped out. Before I could say thank you for the interesting ride, my bag was tossed at my feet and the mud kicked up as he peeled out of the area. I was glad. I was never good at 'goodbyes.'

I group of Leutnants stood smoking outside of the building, all looking exhausted. I stood at attention as saluted, stating my name and where I was to report. Three of them turned to the one furthest from me, smirking. "Well, Ludwig," one said to him. "It looks like your replacement is here." The three walked away and left the two of us. The Leutnant nodded and I dropped my salute. He eyed me up and down and tossed his cigarette on the ground, sizzling in the mud at his feet.

"We were expecting you yesterday," said Lt. Hanstein. "I'm Hanstein, your commanding officer. Welcome to Jasta 35. Please come in. He turned around and walked up the steps into the remnants of a small cottage. Inside, a fire was burning and the scent of coffee and cigarette smoke were strong. I couldn't remember the last time I had coffee. He pointed to the man sitting at the table, telling me to hand him my bags. I did, and Hanstein took a seat at his desk, rubbing his eyes. His desk was a mess, an ashtray full of butts. A map behind him had markings that I couldn't quite make out yet, but it was then that I realized how far north I was in Belgium. It looked as if I could hop the Channel and be London by lunch. What a welcome I'd receive. The crazy thought was quickly jarred from my mind as Hanstein noticed my attention to the map and interjected.

[Linked Image]
Leutnant Ludwig Hanstein

"Our area of operations is primarily Ostend to Menen. We rarely go any further south, and I suggest no one ever venture out to sea. It bad weather such as this it all looks the same and you'll be inhaling water before you know it. Plus, we let our navy's finest take that." He let out a small chuckle, the smile changing the entire orientation of his face to almost look like he had been sleeping without stress. "Where are you from, Eberwein?"

"Würzburg, Herr Leutnant."

"Ah. I'm glad to see a Bavarian Jasta receiving Bavarian replacements finally."

He told me to meet with his main mechanic Martz, who happened to be the same chubby mechanic from earlier. Hanstein and Martz took me to the second hangar. Hanstein explained that the aerodrome was shared with Jasta 7, 29, 35, and two other recon units with two-seaters. The Jasta was housed in a larger cottage on the outskirts of the field, which looks rather large compared to everything else I had seen. I was introduced to my new craft, a DV that didn't look like it was in too bad of condition. Hanstein asked if I had any flight time with the DV. I felt embarrassed to say no, but he seemed more irritated at the trainers than myself. He told me once the weather cleared up I could go for a quick flight around the field to familiarize myself with the machine. This is when I was bombarded with information. Hanstein, Martz, and two other pilots that just happened to be there gave me the long list of do's and don'ts. Always turn left, rarely right. Keep the nose level or just below level in a turn. Don't ever match a Camel, Spad, or Tripe in a right turn. Don't land too hard, you're break the undercarriage. Don't use the brothel down the road, three pilots from all the units contracted some bad symptoms. Before I knew it, it was almost noon, and they had me escorted to the stone building that acted as our mess.

Inside there was more cigarette smoke, but the fire wasn't able to keep the chill out of this one. Men ate bread, some potatoes, a few sausages. No one minded me any attention as we ate. I sat at the end of the table. I could see a few Feldwebel's, fewer Offizierstellvertreter, but a few Leutnants were at the head of the table. Hanstein wasn't there, but his chair at the head remained empty. Eventually, a gentleman by the name of Zanthier began chatting me up. After a few moments it was discovered that he was from Schweinfurt, only a short distance north of me. We tried to see if we had any acquaintances but it didn't appear so. He told me I would be rooming with him at the cottage. He seemed well enough.

Just before 14,00, Hanstein reappeared with Martz, calling for me to follow him with my gear. Leutnant's Kaiser and Dalwig, two other flight-leaders, tagged along. As I dressed at the hangar, all three Leutnants gave me the rundown (again), this time emphasizing more don'ts of takeoff and landing. I nodded and agreed with everything said without really realizing what was being thrown at me. The next thing I knew, my engine was running and the chocks were pulled,

I took the moment to catch my breath and regain focus. The engine purred. It was a majestic sound. The vibrations of the crate seemed perfect, and smooth as I revved to prepare to lineup for takeoff. Once I knew it was clear, I went full throttle and started the takeoff. It sped up quick, and the tail came up at right at 95 kph. I could almost feel the crate want to lift off and it wasn't too long after that I was in the air. Take off was perfect. While the rain had cleared enough for flight, visibility was atrocious, so I did some circles around the field to see if I could see anything in the distance for familiarization. There wasn't much, and was met with cloud cover at 800 meters. I did notice the roads and railways and made a note. After about 10 minutes I came back down, I circled the field and made sure it was clear to land. As I came in to land, I touched down but realized that I hadn't bled enough speed. There was no way I was going to slow down in time, so it was a touch-and-go. I played it off as if it were on purpose and turned left around the field to try again. This time, I dropped speed further out in hopes it wouldn't happen again. This time, my wheels touched almost halfway down the field. It was still too fast! I had completely underestimated this engine compared to the trainers at flight-school. After this touch-and-go, I made an even larger circle and bled the speed as best as I could. I kept the engine level, sometimes pulling up just a bit to slow down. Third time was perfect. As I came up to the hangar, Hanstein had a look on his face. I explained my reasoning of "testing touching the field and taking back off," but he saw straight through it. While not a complete embarrassment, it could have certainly gone better.

The rain picked back up again and I was told I would take a flight to the lines tomorrow with some of the experienced pilots. Zanthier met me outside of HQ and told me we were walking to the cottage. Once inside, a few of the other pilots were already there, smoking, drinking, nibbling on what appeared to be leftovers. I was handed a small plate of bread and what I think was pork, along with a large glass of brandy. Zanthier talked my ear off, about Schweinfurt, about the war, but mostly about flying. He had only been there two weeks and said it could be quite an experience up there, especially when Tommy comes over with their Camels and Tripes. I smoked a bit, had small talk with few of the other enlisted.

I'll finish writing this up, as it just came that I'd be doing the line flight in the morning, so I need to sleep. Hopefully the brandy helps. but for now, I'll lay here awake in anticipation, listening to Zanthier snore.



Last edited by AceMedic88; 10/27/20 12:55 AM.

I got fired as the door man at a sperm bank.
Apparently it's in poor taste to tell leaving customers "Thanks for coming."

Former U.S. Army Medic - SGT.
#4542332 - 10/27/20 01:05 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Raine Offline
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So much happening these days!

First, let me wish a speedy recovery to Robert Wiggins. Good to hear that you have upgraded your processor.

And Hasse, it's lovely to have you drop in after such a long absence. As a doctor, you have had your hands full in these trying times. We salute you!

Carrick, I was very sorry to see Marcel go, but you have a wonderful way of picking up where you left off! Best of luck with the new man.

Fullofit, you are right about triplanes being too much confusion. I believe I have had three DiD pilots lost to collisions in or with Sopwith triplanes. They are just too nimble and jittery.

MFair, good on Ivan for sorting out Herr Immer. I'll look forward to seeing him back at the front.

AceMedic88, excellent back story for Feldwebel Eberwein. If you want to drop by Jasta 12 with the case of Riesling, will see if Steinmesser can't drum up some lobster and mussels to wash down with it! Your description of the cottage that housed the squadron office was first rate!


Tagebuch of Oblt. der Res. Hans-Dieter Vogel

Jasta 12, Roucourt, France


Part 47

23 October 1917



Morning line patrol with Joerke, Ewers, and Neckel. A fine, cold day. We climb steadily as we fly north to where we join the line above Lens. We see several formations and “make enquiries”, but every time they prove to be either enemy heading back over the lines or friends returning home. On our fourth circuit as we turn back north over Vimy Ridge and spot a lone two-seater flying south-west. He does not see us and flies past us less than a kilometre away and slightly below – an RE8! I signal the attack.

Joerke is first to open fire and attracts all the attention of the English observer. While Joerke weaves to avoid his fire, I can aim patiently and fire a long burst from 150 metres away. Small pieces scatter behind the enemy machine and it immediately begins to stagger and spin downwards. I watch it fall 2500 metres until I lose sight of it against the background of mud and water-filled shell holes. Both Joerke and I are sure it is gone but neither sees it crash. I put in a claim. Despite Mueller’s best efforts to obtain confirmation, it is rejected.

We are beginning to have difficulty with the supply system. Every day there seems to be a deficiency of some basic item. Today it is spark plugs. It would be a critical problem, except that every other day Steinmesser produces the missing item.

This afternoon I receive an angry telephone call from the equipment officer at Jasta 4. Von Richthofen has returned to command his Geschwader today and inspected all his squadrons. It seems the poor fellow phoned Steinmesser in a panic yesterday because he needed two Albatros rudders before the inspection and Steinmesser agreed to lend him two of our spares in exchange for a supply of good cigars for the Kasino. Now the man is screaming at me on the telephone because the rudders he received from Steinmesser already had the numbers of two Jasta 4 Albatrosen painted on them! I was aware that Steinmesser has led the occasional “foraging party”, but I fear this time he might have been caught out. I suggest that our maintenance chaps were very good to anticipate Jasta 4’s need and to prepare the rudders accordingly. And to show our good faith I promise to send along a young pig from our growing farm, provided of course that I have assurance that the matter is resolved.

Steinmesser is very angry with me and believes the pig was far too generous an offer. A fine pheasant would have been enough, he says. I have not seen any pheasant in the area yet and fear for the peacock that struts about the back garden of the château. The pig will be fine, I assure Steinmesser, and direct him to have it dressed and transported north immediately.


24 October 1917

The task this morning is to defend our balloon line west of Cambrai. Only three machines are available: mine, Neckel’s, and Schobinger’s. At the last minute, Schobinger must be assigned to another patrol. It is unpleasant these days to putter about over the front with only two machines. Fortunately we do not encounter the enemy until we are ready to return and then it is in the form of two ancient French Sopwith “B” type single-seat bombers. It smells of an ambush, but a careful search of the sky above reveals no waiting group of scouts. So it is off to bag some Sopwiths. I pick mine and Neckel picks his and the fight is on. It does not last long. My Sopwith receives a long burst and begins to trail a thin stream of black smoke. It dips downwards, gently at first and then steeper and steeper. I watch as it crosses the lines and crashes several hundred metres beyond the enemy first-line trenches.

[Linked Image]
"My Sopwith receives a long burst and begins to trail a thin stream of black smoke."

Neckel has disappeared. His Sopwith managed to hole his petrol tank and he put down at Pronville. I report my Sopwith but it was not witnessed and the claim is rejected. This makes seven claims rejected in five days.

Attached Files Smoking Strutter.jpg
Last edited by Raine; 10/27/20 01:07 AM.
#4542333 - 10/27/20 01:08 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Rupert Harkonen
Underofficer
Jasta 33
Wynghene, Flanders

Oct 26, 1917


My schwarm was up on balloon defense. No contact We are flying Uprated Albatros D-V machines. Not unlike the Albati D-1 that I flew in flight school in the last few days

Attached Files CFS3 2020-10-26 17-52-09-99.jpgAlbatros_D.I.jpg
Last edited by carrick58; 10/27/20 01:23 AM.
#4542349 - 10/27/20 10:31 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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AceMedic88 Offline
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Fullofit, two from 80?! Richtofen, eat your heart out.

Raine, thanks for the kind words. I'm sure he could have one family send up a case for Steinmesser. Supply shortages seem to be a trend, changing times.

Carrick, not a bad machine to be allocated. The DV is quite a gem compared to the ancient flight school models!


I got fired as the door man at a sperm bank.
Apparently it's in poor taste to tell leaving customers "Thanks for coming."

Former U.S. Army Medic - SGT.
#4542461 - 10/28/20 01:07 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Ace, oh yes! 2 away from 80. The anticipation!
Now as to Fw Eberwein, willkommen im Jasta 35. Very lucky you didn’t get bamboozled into flying those two-seaters.
“Don’t use the brothel down the road” a classic. It’s like warning him not to drink the water down the steam. Looking forward to that first encounter with the enemy.

Raine, I wouldn’t mind the Dreideckers if they didn’t have the tendency to fly sideways. I probably could control one better in reverse gear.
That is a dry spell Vogel is experiencing with his claims. The “borrowed rudders” incident doesn’t help the matters either. I’m afraid Vogel has created a monster.

Carrick, Jasta 33. Any aces flying with Rupert?
Wait ... Rupert?! Whatever happened to Jean Kaplan De Villers???


"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."
#4542463 - 10/28/20 01:17 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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FULLOFIT :FELL OUT OF THE TRUCK AND BROKE HIS NECK ( Run time errors and list of missing way points in the game for that ESC.

#4542466 - 10/28/20 01:23 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Rupert Harkonen
Underofficer
Jasta 33
Wynghene, Flanders
Oct 27, 1917.

AF Patrol: My schwarme shooed away some Spads. I lined up one and fired my Spandau's till they Jammed but He just dove away. We had one pilot wnd for 0 e/a. Herr Jasta Fuhrer said I could paint my machine if I could find the paint. No problem, My uncle the Baron has blockade runners with the shipping Guild. They smuggle Spice from the islands.

Attached Files CFS3 2020-10-27 17-59-11-61.jpgCFS3 2020-10-27 17-59-56-08.jpgCFS3 2020-10-27 18-02-14-79.jpgCFS3 2020-10-27 18-02-33-92.jpg
Last edited by carrick58; 10/28/20 01:33 AM.
#4542467 - 10/28/20 01:30 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: carrick58]  
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Fullofit Offline
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Originally Posted by carrick58
FULLOFIT :FELL OUT OF THE TRUCK AND BROKE HIS NECK ( Run time errors and list of missing way points in the game for that ESC.

Turnip trucks are the worst!


"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."
#4542506 - 10/28/20 04:02 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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AceMedic88 Offline
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Niagara Falls, NY
27 Oktober 1917
Feldwebel Friedrich Baldwin Eberwein
Jasta 35b


It took me a while to fall asleep my first night. It was a combination of anxiety for my first mission the next morning and being in a new room. Zanthier snored away. It must have been late night/early morning when I finally passed out. I was startled awake from a deep sleep by violent shaking of my upper body. When I came to I was face to face with a child, no more than the age of eleven, frail, with light eyes holding a lantern. He was wearing the standard German grey uniform, but his accent was broken, foreign...perhaps Belgian. He told me that I was needed for the mission briefing. I could hear the sounds of engines outside, the distinct pur of an Albatros. My watch said 0615. I began to panic. Had I slept in? Was I late to my first mission? Frantic, I began to gather my things and get dressed. Zanthier was already awake, his hair disheveled, he lit a cigarette and puffed it slowly. His eyes not even fully open, he looked at me and began to chuckle.

"Don't worry, Friedrich," he said between puffs. "We have time. They're only warming engines. Take your time."

I calmed myself a bit, caught my breath and focused on getting dressed. We left the cottage at the same time and began walking the road to hangar. I lit my own cigarette and remained quiet. Zanthier appeared to still stumble, perhaps still asleep. I wondered how he could remain calm before a flight while I was anxious, even a bit frightened. Zanthier had me stop inside the mess with him, as we grabbed a little bit of coffee (if you could call it that) and some stale pastry of some sort. He shrugged his shoulders, saying it was the best they can get around here, courtesy of the farmer's wife and two daughters.

Entering the hangar, Leutnant's Gondermann,. Lausnite and Kaiser were up front, smoking and talking. Offizierstellvertreter Justinus and Feldwebel's Wendland and Lemmerer were seated, discussing something. Everyone nodded to one another, not speaking outside of their groups. Hanstein finally entered around 0715 to brief us.

We were to fly in two groups, with Gondermann leading Kette Eins, and Kaiser leading Kette Zwei. I was to fly in Kette Zwei along with Lausnite and Zanthier. A call had come in the multiple British two-seaters were over the lines just West of Menen. We were to fly up and scare off anyone there. Once the briefing was done, Hanstein, Kaiser and Justinus pulled me aside and gave me another reminder of the basics. "Turn left only." "Stay above them." "Always look behind you." It was beginning to sink in and I felt sick to my stomach, but I held it all in.

The weather was nice. The air was humid with clouds when we had woken up, but the sky had cleared. It was still cold as hell, though. We got into our machines, started them up, and the mechanics had us line to take off.

Takeoff and forming up was easier than I thought. The four of us flew in a diamond, with Zanthier in the rear and closer to me. We headed north and turn a large U-turn towards the West to gain speed. Kaiser wanted to give me a view of the lines, so we approached the lines south of Ostend and followed in south to Menen, gaining considerable height as we did so. I was transfixed to the balls of orange and yellow lights that appeared over the front. The shells were almost beautiful from this height, but my admiration of the fireworks ceased when the cold began to cause great discomfort in my right knee.

Kette Eins flew above and behind us. We approached the area and circled, zig-zagging and looking for the two-seaters. Some specs were below us from time to time, but they always took of West. After a good while, we returned. My landing considerably better than my attempts the day before. Once inside the mess, Kaiser reminded me that this was probably the easiest flight a new pilot will ever have. No British scouts to fight or to compete with.

The day was rather uneventful, as I remained in the hangar with Justinus as he showed me a poster with the silhouettes of Entente machines. Some looked the same, but some were distinct. I realized that the RE8 two-seater that the British use is probably the easiest to identify, so I have one I could feel confident in spotting.

Leutnant Haase had a confirmed kill in his afternoon flight so dinner had champagne and brandy provided. There was excitement, but I sensed that most of them were tired and fatigued. They all had dark circles, and wrinkles when they smiled. Most couldn't have been older than me, but they all almost looked 40.

I decided to try to go to bed early.

28 Oktober 1917
The young Belgian boy, whose name I learned was Georgi, woke me up at 6,30 again. Zanthier remained asleep. I felt jealous. I got dressed and reported to the HQ office. Hanstein looked at me confused as to why I was in there. He reminded me that I needn't to be at HQ unless instructed. He then told me to go eat something and get to the hangar by 730. Breakfast was bread, milk, and a some cold sausage.

I went to the hangar and found only six of us in there. We were going to be taking off shortly after 8,30 to head southwest to the lines between Diksmuide amd Passchendaele. More reports of two-seaters and scout escort. Gondermann led Lausnite, Justinus, myself and Wendland. Hanstein tagged along and tucked himself behind me, I assumed this was a gesture to make sure I didn't mess up.

We gained altitude and found ourselves over the lines. I kept my head on a swivel, even with our commanding officer behind me. A few two-seaters were seen but, like the day prior, they all headed West the second we saw them. There was a moment when I thought we would have to engage, but it was a trio of DFW's. The observers waved at us as we passed.

We returned home without any issues. However, Gondermann and Hanstein were talking about the Camels that they saw, wondering why they hadn't engaged us and chose to turn home. There were Camels? I hadn't even noticed them. Thank god they hadn't attacked. I wouldn't have known it.

Flights for the afternoon were few, but I wasn't chosen to participate. Dinner was, again, a rather quiet affair. The men talked quietly between themselves, never over a whisper. The officers seemed to stick together mostly, but occasionally would bring in Justinus or the other NCO's for a quick conversation. I listened to music and smoked, looking out the window at the fields full of sad, depressing looking cows that looked too tired to eat. The sky was clear and the sun was setting. The low rumbles of the front line could be heard, but felt half a world away. I sipped on some brandy and wrapped the blanket around me tighter. This wasn't such a bad war for me now.

Last edited by AceMedic88; 10/29/20 12:02 AM.

I got fired as the door man at a sperm bank.
Apparently it's in poor taste to tell leaving customers "Thanks for coming."

Former U.S. Army Medic - SGT.
#4542542 - 10/28/20 07:24 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Ace, I had forgotten what a fine writer you are. Excellent story Sir! thumbsup


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!
#4542555 - 10/28/20 10:06 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Ace, great storytelling. I like that touch with little Georgi. I’m sure at some point Friedrich is going to throw a boot at him for waking him up this early. And the enemy seems to go easy on him for now as well, staying away while he learns the ropes. I’m sure he’s anxious about his first combat encounter.

28 October, 1917 08:45
Ceurne, Flanders Sector
Jasta 36
Oberleutnant Zygmunt Dolf Hahn EK2 EK1 HHO PLM AO
78 confirmed kills

Balloon busting east of Armentières. The gas bag didn’t stand a chance against the mighty German machine gun bullets.


"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."
#4542574 - 10/28/20 11:49 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 586
AceMedic88 Offline
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AceMedic88  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 586
Niagara Falls, NY
Mfair, Fullofit: Thank you both for the kind word. Friedrich definitely isn't taking the two quiet sorties lightly. He knows what's up.

And Fullofit, Good job on the balloon bust. Sometimes I wonder if having the flak mod on for 17-18 is worth the risk...maybe I'll let others volunteer for that


I got fired as the door man at a sperm bank.
Apparently it's in poor taste to tell leaving customers "Thanks for coming."

Former U.S. Army Medic - SGT.
#4542579 - 10/29/20 12:14 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,105
Raine Offline
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Raine  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,105
New Brunswick, Canada
Carrick, best of luck with Rupert. It seems that there are a lot of us currently flying German campaigns. Maybe we all want a crack at those triplanes.

AceMedic88, another really evocative instalment! Very nicely done.

I think the claims gods are related to the golf gods in that they dole out just enough success to keep you coming back but not enough to let you really rejoice!


Tagebuch of Oblt. der Res. Hans-Dieter Vogel

Jasta 12, Roucourt, France

Part 48

26 October 1917


Today is the second day of rain and high wind. I feel claustrophobic – a walk would do me good. But the cutting chill and sheeting blasts of rain, stinging and at the very edge of ice, persuades me otherwise. The Kasino is no refuge. Horster and Jobmann argue over cards. The dogs Rollo and Ruprecht chase each other from room to room and one has soiled the carpet. Someone has acquired a pet rabbit. It has chewed through the new boots Ewers bought on his last leave. Only Immer brings calm. He has set himself down by one of the tables in the anteroom with sheets and sticks of wood, glue, and knives. He will build a model of something. As yet it is too early to say what is in his mind. Schobinger sits at the piano and begins to play something by Brahms. Or so he tells us. He is not skilled and receives many sarcastic comments before quitting in anger and stomping upstairs.

I go to find Steinmesser. He is in one of the outbuildings supervising the storage of hay for the winter. He has no time to spare for a wet walk. I wander into the village and find a place to have a glass of wine and a smoke. There is a small theatre in town and an entertainment has been laid on for the soldiers in our sector. The idiots in charge believe their purpose is to instil high culture into the men. The playbill shows that there is a scene from Faust and several operatic arias. Only two brief humorous acts are included, and I am sure they will be grim. I spoke of this show yesterday to the pilots and none wanted to go. I even suggested we put on our own show. Some of the officers thought that the other ranks would be afraid to joke around too much in front of us and would play it safe with their skits. So far the idea has no date associated with it.


27 October 1917

The day becomes clear as the morning mist burns off. We are bound for the British balloon line near their forward aerodrome at Mont-Saint-Eloi. It is a short hop. We cross the lines about ten kilometres from our target and I begin a long, fast, shallow dive. The British balloon is easily visible in the morning light. I swerve to the north so that I may attack the Himmelwurst from the side. I am first in, firing all the way from 300 metres until point-blank. There is no mistaking this kill – the balloon ignites before I break away and my nearest comrade is still well behind. I have four witnesses to my fifty-eighth victory.

The enemy Flak is thick and accurate, so I swerve left and right as I climb away to the east. The others are milling about. It is clear that they have lost sight of me. I fire a flare as a signal to regroup. Still, they circle about. The English gunners are determined to get me. I decide to continue my climb eastward over the lines. Here I circle and climb higher, looking for my comrades. Finally, after ten minutes, I decide to head home. I am about nine or ten kilometres from Roucourt in the vicinity of Vitry-en-Artois when I spot a lone SE heading in my direction. He does not see me and I drop onto his tail. I cannot match his speed and must fire from more than a hundred metres behind. My first burst does little or no damage in the Englishman zooms up. Now the fight starts. I can turn tighter, but he has more power and speed and can gain a little height even while turning. I let him get behind and roll out of his sights just as he fires. Now he overshoots and I get a crack at him. It is a long shot, probably 250 metres. I fire a long burst. The SE continues westward as if nothing has happened. I am resigned to failure.

Just as I am about to turn east again, I notice that the English machine has begun to nose downwards. Its engine is still going flat out. As I watch, the SE dips into a steeper and steeper dive. In seconds it is nearly vertical. It must be doing 300 kilometres an hour when it smashes into a field north of Vitry. The crash has already been phoned into Mueller by the time I land. He has chalked the number “59” beside my name on the board in the office.


28 October 1917

We are flight of six machines this morning, bound for the sector over our airfields northwest of Cambrai. The day is fine with large islands of cumulus across the sky. We have barely arrived at our destination when a large formation of French Spads emerges from behind a mountain of cloud. The enemy machines are well-handled and we have our hands full. I decide to fly defensively and wait for an opportunity if one presents itself. Twice I have a chance to get behind a French machine. But this morning the air is bumpy and it is difficult to hold one’s aim. Two Spads escape.

I see a lone Spad approaching the lines below me. If I judge my angle of descent correctly, I might just be able to catch him before he is over his own trenches. He is too low to follow into enemy territory. Two minutes later I level out behind him but he is getting away. I fire seventy-five rounds and begin to turn away. To my surprise, the Spad enters a spin. I watch and wait for the French pilot to level out and run for home – the oldest trick there is. Instead, the Spad continues its unsteady turning fall and crashes just beyond the enemy lines.

[Linked Image]
"...the Spad continues its unsteady turning fall..." Vogel clearly did not see, or perhaps he did not know the significance of, the Indian head insignia on the side of the Spad.

I file a claim, but unfortunately I have no witness and my victory remains unconfirmed. Leutnant Mann, one of our newest pilots, does not return.

Attached Files Falling Spad.jpg
#4542580 - 10/29/20 12:16 AM 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
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, 3 wings

#4542658 - 10/29/20 07:10 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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Rupert Harkonen
Underofficer
Jasta 33
Wynghene, Flanders

OCT 29, 1917.

Posted to the afternoon Defensive Patrol of 4 a/c. Ran into Spads ? Lost 2 D-V's.

Attached Files CFS3 2020-10-29 11-49-55-80.jpgCFS3 2020-10-29 11-56-45-68.jpgCFS3 2020-10-29 11-56-57-10.jpg
#4542661 - 10/29/20 07:17 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
Raine, wow, almost 60 kills. That can only mean one thing: Steinmesser will have to make another trip into the cellar. At least you get to play with the enemy. My flight is avoided by all like the plague. Congrats on the latest victories.

Ace, the Flak mod may look interesting but it definitely makes your pilot’s life span much shorter.

29 October, 1917 15:00
Ceurne, Flanders Sector
Jasta 36
Oberleutnant Zygmunt Dolf Hahn EK2 EK1 HHO PLM AO
78 confirmed kills

Ziggy’s flight was ordered to intercept enemy machines heading for the friendly aerodrome at Harlebeke.
They were waiting. They were ready and circling over the aerodrome but the tea and crumpets never showed up. Hahn was very annoyed that the English were late. Once back on the ground after the patrol, Zygmunt heard one of the pilots unlikely explanation: “- Perhaps they counted all of our wings, decided they were outnumbered and turned back?”
Hahn could only hope.

[Linked Image]

Attached Files 1917-10-29.jpg

"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."
#4542669 - 10/29/20 08:21 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,105
Raine Offline
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Raine  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,105
New Brunswick, Canada
Fullofit,

Wow, that is one gorgeous sunset photograph. Good job remembering to capture that scene. Too often I find myself back at base glad to be alive but having forgotten to take any screenshots at all! As seen like this one makes you think – we occasionally read of someone saying, "Oh WOFF, that is such an old game engine. It can't possibly stand up to other sims these days." Just show them this screenshot and walk away…

#4542680 - 10/29/20 11:15 PM 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
Thank you, Raine.
After an uneventful mission like this, it was only fitting. To be honest, I've taken a whole bunch of pictures and picked the best, so it's the pick of the litter, but it doesn't change the fact that WOFF is ... pretty. Some girls stay pretty.


"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."
#4542685 - 10/30/20 01:13 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,105
Raine Offline
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Raine  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,105
New Brunswick, Canada
Tagebuch of Oblt. der Res. Hans-Dieter Vogel

Jasta 12, Roucourt, France

Part 49

29 October 1917


We are back to patrolling north-west of Cambrai this morning. It is a short flight and a pleasant but cold day. I am thankful for my lovely sheepskin-lined English flying boots! We approach the neighbouring aerodromes of Pronville and Bayelles and find we do not have to wait for our first customer. A pair of French Sopwiths are circling overhead. One sees us and immediately heads west but the other has dreams of glory and dives his antiquated turnip-wagon to fight us. Our biggest challenge is sorting out whose turn it is to shoot the Sopwith full of holes. We have a new man with us, Horster. He is staying close by me and I wave him on. He does a creditable job but scares me. For a moment I believe he is not going to break away. It is too easy to become hypnotised by one’s target and to collide with it. Now at last I get a crack at the Frenchman. My first burst causes his right upper wing to break away. The machine crashes only 500 metres north of the aerodrome at Brayelles.

Horster has watched the whole affair and, to my delight, the French machine becomes my sixtieth victory. Back at Roucourt, my comrades talk of a grand celebration. I tell them I want Steinmesser to begin conserving the output of our little farm for Christmas. If the fellows insist on a celebration, we will go into Douai and do it up properly at a restaurant, but I say we must wait for the next day of poor weather so that we are not too tired. If the weather is to stay poor, we can have a properly rowdy evening and if it is due to improve, we can dine early so that we can sober up by morning.


30 October 1917

We have orders to defend some new balloons south of Monchy. I take Horster, Joerke, Ewers, and Becker in the morning. Schobinger will take a patrol in the afternoon. We take off and fly a little south to form up and gain altitude and then head north-west to Oppy, where we turn south along the lines until we see our balloons.

There are fluffy mountains of cloud here and there on this fine day and we pick our way through them ever higher. Emerging on top at 3500 metres, all of Flanders is spread out below us. The ragged stain of the front ripples under shell fire, and beyond the lines on both sides lie green fields where French farmers go about their daily chores, dully oblivious to the raging storm about them. Or perhaps not totally oblivious. We have smashed their barns, taken their straw, eaten their chickens, and stolen their horses. Still they carry on.

We had a fine discussion in the Kasino after dinner last night. There are rumours of peace proposals being discussed in Berlin. Every man had a different opinion. As things became heated, Jobmann announced that if he were advising the Kaiser he would reject any proposal that limited use of the Flemish coast as that would affect the Navy badly and “we shall have to begin preparing for another war against England in a few years.” This inflamed the whole room and I was compelled to shout that I would forbid discussion in the mess of religion, politics, or sex. It was Steinmesser who had the last word. He said, “Just once I will violate all three restrictions – My God, Jobmann is our new Chancellor – we are screwed!”

As I am chuckling to myself at the memory, I am startled by the sight of Horster and Joerke suddenly throwing their Albatrosen into climbing turns. Camels are on us! I roll downwards just in time to avoid a burst from close range. The English machines are everywhere. There must be a dozen of them. For five minutes I twist and turn about, trying to avoid letting the nimble Sopwiths get a good shot. At first I have one partner, a particularly skilled and aggressive Englishman. If I can keep up this dance, perhaps he will run low on fuel and have to break away. But then a second Sopwith joins him. It is small consolation that this allows me two or three very short bursts from long range as one or the other Camel turns in an opposite direction to try to work his way onto my tail.

It may be as much as fifteen minutes before I see an opportunity. My first dance partner rolls under me to take a quick shot at Neckel. The other Sopwith is a long way off. Now I can turn and dive behind the first one. I cannot get close, but my burst clearly hits the English scout. He spins away and I can turn to engage his assistant. This fellow is easier to work with and soon loses his nerve. I get behind him and fire from close range. I see the pilot fall forward over his controls and the Camel lurches downward to crash just a few kilometres east of Monchy.

[Linked Image]
"I see the pilot fall forward over his controls..."

I turn to search for a friend or another target. Several aeroplanes are circling high above. My eyes are attracted to movement – a brown Sopwith heading west above the ruins of Monchy. This does not take long. The trenches are close together here and I close behind the Sopwith as he approaches the enemy line. The ground fire is light because the Sopwith is masking me. My first burst results in a long ribbon of flame bursting from the right side of his cowling. The Camel falls trailing thick black smoke.

Now I climb, zigzagging to avoid ground fire. No other machines are visible. I estimate that I am down to about 150 rounds in each gun. I do not want to be out over the lines all by myself and set course for Roucourt. When I am still six or seven kilometres from our field, a lone Camel dives on me. It bears a squadron marking with a white circle on its fuselage, so it must be a straggler from the same formation as our former opponents. Our fight takes several minutes and involves three or four head-on passes. In one of those passes, I must score some hits because the Englishman quickly breaks away and heads towards his home. I catch him before Monchy. My burst of fire shatters his upper wing and he falls.

[Linked Image]
"My burst of fire shatters his upper wing and he falls."

Three Camels in one patrol! I celebrate by shaking loose the roof tiles of our château, rolling over its chimney tops before landing on our field.

[Linked Image]
"I celebrate by shaking loose the roof tiles of our château, rolling over its chimney tops before landing on our field."

The first and the third Sopwith are quickly confirmed but the second was seen only by me. Still, Mueller’s chalkboard now shows me with sixty-two victories.

Attached Files Kill 61.jpgKill 62.jpgRoll above the château 2.jpg
Page 231 of 366 1 2 229 230 231 232 233 365 366

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