28 January, 1918 08:45
Saint-Loup-en-Champagne, Marne Sector
Jasta 19
Offizzierstellvertreter Rudolf Emil Fuchs
15 confirmed kills

The SPAD from two days ago was denied, but the two SPADs from yesterday have been confirmed. The Strutter remained unconfirmed.
The two pilots walked into Kasino after what should have been a simple patrol over enemy front lines above Sillery, but instead became free for all over their own aerodrome.
“- You saw it all, didn’t you!” Fuchs was speaking loudly. A sure sign he was excited.
“- I sure did! It was a massacre, you really did a number on those SPADs when they came over our ‘drome!” Tybelsky was just as loud. A sure sign he was excited as well. The two excited men sat at their usual table to revel in the events of past hour.
“- I saw them coming our way while we were still sitting on the start line. Two of them collided and went down before any shots were fired.” Rudi grabbed his forehead in disbelief. “- Then another one clipped a tree and cartwheeled across our airfield as I was turning around.” Tybelsky shook his head.
“- Two were chasing after one of the Albatrosen barely off the ground. I went after one of them and soon had him crashing into the ground. Then I noticed another SPAD. This one was chasing after you. You saw how quickly I caught up with him and sent him to hell.” Rudi was proud of himself.
“- That I did, and thank you for looking out for me. I was in a spot of trouble with that Franzose on my tail.” Tybelsky put a grateful arm on Rudi’s shoulder. “- I had to land right after that. The engine was sounding very rough.”

YouTube Link



“- Well, then I started to search for the rest of our Schwarm but instead I spotted another SPAD retreating south. I was soon close enough to open fire. I was pitiless. You should have seen it! The French machine went down quickly.”

YouTube Link



“- I was then able to rejoin my flight and continue with the mission. After an uneventful patrol, we were coming back and that’s when we encountered the Bréguets.” Rudi made his eyebrows dance across his forehead building up the suspense.
“- Well, let’s have it! Spill!” Tybelsky was full of anticipation and not overly amused the young pilot was making him wait.
“- At first it was chaos. I didn’t know which one to go after, but Lady Luck smiled on me again and one of the large bombers presented itself right in front of my nose. I didn’t waste any time and brought the crate down on fire. I didn’t bother checking if it really went down. The aeroplane was on fire, after all. Heh, heh! Soon I noticed movement below. It was another one of the Bréguets mixing it up with one of the Albatrosen. I decided to join the fun and was soon shooting at it from behind. I forced the bomber down but then it crashed during attempted landing in No-Man’s Land. It was good thing that he crashed when he did because I ran out of ammunition, so turned back to base. I could still see two Albatrosen battling the last of the French bombers. Hopefully they took him out.” In his usual manner Fuchs “dusted” his hands at the end of the story.

YouTube Link

J.K. Thorpe
Sgt, Rfc. M.C.
41 Sqn
Lealvillers, Flanders.
3 Victory
5 Unconfirmed


Jan 29, 1918.

Lost 3 SE's today from A Flight. Mixed it up with V struts over the lines 8 or 9 machines. I made a lot of snap shots but mostly tried to stay away and reloaded my Lewis then back to it. Chased a bloke down to the deck and hit his motor so he was forced down by a Church. I was kinda lost so couldnt mark the location in the enemy's rear area. Claim was of course rejected.

29 January, 1918 08:45
Saint-Loup-en-Champagne, Marne Sector
Jasta 19
Offizzierstellvertreter Rudolf Emil Fuchs
19 confirmed kills

Two of the SPADs and both Bréguets have been confirmed.
Jasta 19 was sent to defend the airfield at Saint-Remy-le-Petit.
They found the enemy over the aerodrome, just where they were supposed to be. Rudi tangled with one that was attempting to get on his tail but somehow miscalculated and ended up below the Albatros. No one had to tell Fuchs twice what to do next. He easily climbed on the enemy’s tail and promptly shot him down. Rudi watched the Franzose tumble all the way down.

YouTube Link



He then found another SPAD merrily flying around. A few Spandau bursts later and this Frenchman was also falling to his death.

YouTube Link

30 January, 1918 10:50
Saint-Loup-en-Champagne, Marne Sector
Jasta 19
Offizzierstellvertreter Rudolf Emil Fuchs
21 confirmed kills

Both SPADs have been confirmed.

“- How was the flight?” Tybelsky asked Fuchs after the two men sat down at their usual table. There was an empty chair.
“- The mission was a total success!” Rudi smiled. “- We were tasked with supporting ground forces over the front sector north of Reims. It was all quiet until we found three Bréguets hiding in the clouds. We caught them just in time, before they were able to drop any bombs on our troops.” Fuchs watched the older man light up a cigarette. “- I brought one down near Courcy, but not before the gunner nicked my arm. Look, right there.” He extended his bandaged forearm to be examined.”
“- Rudi, you need to be more careful. Those rear gunners aren’t playing around.” Tybelsky expressed his concern while taking a look at the bloodied band of bandages around Rudolf’s arm.
“- It’s nothing. Der Krankenwärter told me this won’t even leave a scar.” Rudi picked at a loose strand of his dressing.

YouTube Link



“- Anyway, we were then returning home after all the bombers were taken care of. I could see our aerodrome and then Flak started to go off all around. We were bounced by SPADs. The stinkers were waiting for us. I tangled with one of them and almost had him, but then his buddy showed up and I had to break off the attack and avoid him. Hard rudder and I was on him. The devil pulled off a hammerhead in front of me and was going in the opposite direction and back home. I’d never catch up to him.”
“- Ja, that’s the way they fly. Put a few holes in their wings and they get the wind up and that’s the last you’ll see them.” Tybelsky agreed.

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“- You know what we did? We followed them all the way back across the mud!”
“- No!” Tybelsky was shocked.
“- Ja! We caught them with their pants down when they were landing. Ha! We thought we’d give them a taste of their own medicine. One of them spotted us and came at me. I thought he’s going to ram me. I ducked inside the cockpit for a second, heh heh! We sparred for a while and in the end I managed to fill it full of lead. The poor sod disintegrated mid-flight. They’re probably still picking up pieces of him from the ground.”
“- Please stop. I haven’t eaten yet!” Albert was repelled.
“- Sorry old man, we still had one more kite mixing it up with Rienau above our machines. I was just waiting for that last SPAD to come down. The three of us were on him like ticks on a mutt. I think I brought him down, but it’s possible Rienau finished him off. We’re still waiting for the confirmation.” Fuchs looked at the full glasses still standing on the table. “- Are we going to drink, or what?”

YouTube Link

31 January, 1918
Saint-Loup-en-Champagne, Marne Sector
Jasta 19
Offizzierstellvertreter Rudolf Emil Fuchs
23 confirmed kills

The Bréguet and one of the SPADs have been confirmed.

“- Rudi, start packing. New orders came in last night. We’re moving to Cuirieux.” Tybelsky entered young pilot’s room without knocking.
Fuchs who was about to start writing a letter to his sweetheart, looked out the window.
“- How are we going to get there? It’s snowing outside. We can’t fly?”
“- Don’t worry about that. We’re taking the train. The rest will come by road on the back of the lorries.” This was not Tybelsky’s first transfer.
“- Where is this place anyway?” Rudolf was starting to get excited. He was looking forward to a change of scenery.
“- Further north-west.” Tybelsky pointed in the direction of the new aerodrome. “- Closer to Paris.” He winked at Rudi.
Fuchs put his pen down. The letter would have to wait.

End of Month Stats:

Zygmunt Dolf Hahn EK2 EK1 HHO PLM AO RA
Jasta 19
Saint-Loup-en-Champagne, Marne Sector
Albatros D.Va
218 missions
169.03 hrs
123 victories
222 claims

DECEASED


Offizzierstellvertreter Rudolf Emil Fuchs
Jasta 19
Saint-Loup-en-Champagne, Marne Sector
Albatros D.Va
22 missions
18.68 hrs
23 victories
36 claims

Theres No Stopping Fullofit. I am beginning to think that he's a Cyborg sent by Cyber net to destroy air machines.

https://youtu.be/XPtVZ69lomk

J K. Thorpe
Sgt, Rfc. M.C.
41 Sqn
Lealvillers, Flanders.
3 Victory
5 Unconfirmed

Jan 31, 1918.

End of the month Status report.


22.27 hrs
38 Missions.

Flying Machine type SE 5A

Carrick, your man is doing well in his SE. It's a good machine for this campaign.

Fullofit, I agree with Carrick – your man is a cyborg!

Month-end stats


Flight Commander George Ewan McAlister, DSC
8 Squadron, RNAS
Mont-St-Eloi , France
Sopwith Camel, 130 hp Clerget
63 missions
46.22 hours.
29 victories
53 claims


War Journal of Flight Commander George Ewan MacAlister, DSC

8 Squadron, RNAS
Mont-St-Eloi, France

Part 18


" I picked out one of the Pfalzes and fired a long burst."

The wardroom supplies being low, we made a pilgrimage to Hairy Legs’ café in the village for a modest binge in celebration of my five claims, three of which had been confirmed. It was midnight before we headed back to the field arm in arm, singing “O’Reilly’s Daughter” at the top of our lungs.

The next morning I led a distant offensive patrol down towards Cambrai. Confident and full of energy, I felt invincible. That, I have learned, is too great a temptation for the gods of war. We were on the fourth and fifth beat of our patrol when I spotted them – seven or eight Albatri low over Marcoing. Everything was in our favour, altitude, wind from the south-east, sun at our back. Then it all went wrong. We each took a Hun but none of us knocked our prey out of the fight on our first pass. Then another seven or eight Albatri joined in from God knows where. The sky was full of machines twisting and turning, and most of them with black crosses and blacker temperaments. I found myself with two Huns on my tail. They seem to be flying in an elliptical pattern, crossing over one another so that if I turned away from one I turned into another. Their Spandaus were chattering away and knocking great chunks of canvas from my wings and fuselage. I could not begin to make myself small enough in the cockpit. The fight was down to treetop level and I was thankful that the front was barren of treetops. Again and again bullets smacked into my Camel.

It was Jordan who saved me. He swatted an Albatros off my tail and I had only a moment to turn west. I raced for home at full throttle, inches above the barbed wire below. Startled Hunnish faces looked up at me and machine guns rattled away, punching even more holes in my poor machine. The engine began to sound odd. A bit of rough field showed up ahead and I switched off, stalling harshly into the mud. I scrambled clear of the machine, pausing only to remove the watch. I raced for the nearest trench, and found I was the guest of fellow Scots – Gordons. My machine was out of sight of the German lines but the enemy had a good idea where I came down and within twenty minutes had obliterated it. Our recovery team would be saved a long drive.

The company commander was a Captain Gorman. He was a prim Sandhurst type who had found his home in a Highland regiment. He seemed well respected by all ranks and drank whisky with the best of them. He offered me hospitality and we spoke for a couple of hours before she arranged for a guide to take me to the rear where I could reach the telephone. I asked to have a quick nap before trudging off. A couple of glasses of Old Pulteny had calmed my nerves but I was overwhelmed with fatigue. I laid down on a cot in the dugout and Gorman went to inspect his lines. I woke to discover that the day had passed and night had fallen. Gorman said I had been quite incapable of being roused.

The walk back was interminable. I finally found a telephone near a regimental aid post that was set up in a ruined village hall. Draper quickly took over the telephone and told me to stay put until morning, when he should have a tender pick me up. One of the RAP medical officers let me use a cot in the basement where he was billeted. By morning I felt wretched. I had, it seemed, smashed my face against the butt of a Vickers gun and the padding saved my bones but still allowed the gun to give me two of the blackest eyes ever seen. Quasimodo stared back from my shaving mirror.

I was excused flying for three days after returning to Mont-St-Eloi. Our recording officer was given leave and I took his place for a while. It was an enjoyable task and I gave myself over to the administrative trivia of the squadron. I would retire to the squadron office after dinner to clean up small tasks and listen to the piano from the mess deck across the field. We had been here long enough to make the place a real home.
The next morning was 1 February 1918. It was obvious by now that the Huns would mount a major offensive as soon the weather broke. It would not be long now. Orders came the evening before and I was once again cleared to take to the air. I would lead a patrol of seven machines far to the south near Cambrai.

Light snow was falling when we took off. On days like this it was unusual to run into enemy machines. Even if the Huns were up and about they would be difficult to see. This morning proved to be an exception. As we headed south past Arras, Sneath spotted four machines down low. We dived on them – two Albatri and two Pfalz. I picked out one of the Pfalzes and fired a long burst. It stood on its right wing tip and simply slipped away into the ground below. Bowne signalled his confirmation and I was later able to claim this machine is my thirtieth victory.

Later in the patrol we scrapped with some Albatri. I was unable to get a good shot at any of them but Price claimed two.

Carrick and Raine, that’s sweet. Thanks!

1 February, 1918
Cuirieux, Marne Sector
Jasta 19

Liebe Berta,
I hope you are doing well and are in good health. From the return address you will deduce that we have moved to a new aerodrome. It is located near the Devs Ponds, north east of Laon. Albert and I are planning to visit the city once the weather improves and we have time. By now you will have heard that Oberleutnant Hahn is dead. I write this with heavy heart. He was my friend and the French are going to pay for his death over and over. We now have a new Staffelführer who joined us at our new base. With a name like Konrad von Bülow-Bothkamp he’s supposed to be some sort of an aristocrat, I think, and he acts the part. You should hear him talk down to the rest of us. I don’t think anyone likes the man. But enough gossiping.
Please write soon how you are dealing with your mother’s sickness. And if you can, please send more of your homemade smoked pork belly. Please?
I hope this war ends soon and we can be together again.

Your loving,
Rudi

2 February, 1918 08:45
Cuirieux, Marne Sector
Jasta 19, JG II
Offizzierstellvertreter Rudolf Emil Fuchs
23 confirmed kills

The new Jastaführer announced this morning Jagdstaffel 19, along with 12, 13 and 15 has become part of Jagdgeschwader II ‘Tutschek’. They should be able to match any enemy force with ease now.
Their first mission at the new aerodrome was to patrol over friendly aerodrome at Chery-les-Pouilly.

“- What happened to you?” Tybelsky was sitting down at Rudi’s table in the Kasino. “- I saw you leave the formation right after take off.
“- Hello Albert, the radiator went kaputt! Scheiße!” Fuchs was none too happy. “- How did it go?”
“- Oh, you know. Go there, circle the area for 25 minutes, come back here. The usual.” Tybelsky waved his hand in display of annoyance.
“- So I didn’t miss much?” Rudi was relieved.
“- Nah, you’ll still get your chance to tour this godforsaken corner of French woods.”

Raine: U seem to be doing well. Can Ur man make it till the End ?

3 February, 1918 09:45
Cuirieux, Marne Sector
Jasta 19, JG II
Offizzierstellvertreter Rudolf Emil Fuchs
23 confirmed kills

What a disaster! They were jumped by the enemy planes while en route to rend support to ground forces in the sector north of Soissons. Rudi saw them coming, but was hit during the initial attack. The Franzose was a marksman extraordinaire. He found and hit Fuchs’ Albatros at will. Rudi realized his machine developed a petrol leak and had to land soon, but the SPADs hounded him all the way to the nearest aerodrome. Thankfully he was able to land intact despite his plane falling apart all around him. Teufel!

YouTube Link

J.K. Thorpe
Sgt, Rfc. M.C.
41 Sqn
Lealvillers, Flanders.
4 Victory
5 Unconfirmed


3 Feb 1918.

As the lines were changing the PBI found the wreckage of a Hun Scout at where I said may have been the shoot down spot. As we claimed up on Sqn Patrol spotted bombs exploding at a near by base, Up jr. bird-men but couldn't catch the rotters .

Good day gents! Glad to be back in the fray. I started to catch up and someone mentioned Eva Green and I had to excuse myself. Here be my new feller.

Sgt. Jerimiah J. Johnson
RFC 41 Lealvillers aerodrome

Feb. 1st, 1918
Sgt. Johnson had arrived the evening before at the aerodrome. His introduction to Major Powell was brief. "How many hours in an SE Sgt.?" he had asked. "15 Sir" Johnson had replied, to which the Major had rolled his eyes. "So do you think your a good pilot Sgt.?" The Majors question were rapid fire. Johnson felt more like he was being interrogated than welcomed to the squadron.He answered the Majors question as they were asked, short and to the point. The Major looked again at his file. "So you served in the cavalry in America?" Sgt. Johnson brightened up and replied, "Yes Sir! From 1914 to 1916. That is where I had my first experience in the air, Sir." The Major stood up, "And how is that Sgt.? Jumping fences is a far cry from 14000 ft.!" Sgt Johnson replied, In the campaign against Poncho Villa the U S Air Service needed an observer to go up in one of the machines and I volunteered Sir. Our Air Service said I did not have the education for them so I resigned and joined the RFC in Canada." Johnson was getting a bit peeved at this questioning and replied. "And to answer you question Sir, No, our horses can't jump that high." As the Major set the file down on his desk and crossed his arms and looked at the Sgt. "Well, lets hope you are smart enough to survive here. It is proving rather difficult. Especially with new pilots." At that he called for the Corporal to take the Sgt. to his quarters adding, "You will be with C Flight, Capt. Chappell. You will be up at 900 hours. Dismissed."

Johnsons would share a tent with Sgt. Knight. He was a quiet fellow, 27 years of age, a bit older than Johnsons 23 years. He had flown 15 missions and had 2 confirmed kills. It was clear to Johnson the man was not very social at the moment so he stowed his gear and tried to get some sleep for his first mission.

The next morning he was greeted on the flight line by Capt. Chappell. The Captain gave him a short brief of the mission. They were to patrol enemy lines NW of Bapaume to the mouth of the Somme. "Sorry we can't break you in slow Ol boy but we have a war to win. Pay attention to my signals and at the first sign of trouble, head home. Understood?" Johnson replied in the affirmative. It was cold and snowing but Johnson did not care. He was now a pilot on his first combat mission! They climbed through the clouds and began their patrol up and down the lines. The front looked to him like a big brown snake covering the landscape. As they made the turn south for the second time the machine to his left pulled up and reversed. He was confused! "Do I follow or stay the course" he thought. He made up his mind and pulled up into a reverse to follow. As he continued his climbing turn to follow the machine in front, tracers flashed by his cockpit. He immediatly slipped and dove. Nothing on his tail. He turned to climb and saw the sky was full of machines! There was no mistaking the black crossed on the sleek looking enemy machines.A DV crossed in front of him and he fired as he pulled the SE into a steeper climb. He stalled and went into a spin. This was all happening so fast! He recovered from the spin and a DV was directly in front of him going in the same direction. He fired again and the Hun went into a spin. Johnson, thinking of his training, did not follow. He looked around and the sky was emptly! He looked all around but he was totally alone. He was sweating despit the cold and his hands were shaking. Then the Captains words rang in his head, "at the first sign of trouble head home". He laughed to himself. "Well its too late for that!" He checked is bearings and headed west. He looked down for a landmark as if he knew what to look for. It was his first flight! He started to panic but got control of himself. "Your over your own lines, your ok. Calm down and think!" He was lost for sure! Then he spotted a machine off to the right going in the same direction. He slowly closed with it and soon recognized it as an SE. It was a load off his mind! Once closer to it he could see it was one of his flight and fell in to station on his right. It was not long before they were over their own aerodrome and his SE touched down. Johnson gave a big sigh. He had survived his first flight!"

As he climbed from his machine he was met by Capt. Chappell. "What in god's name were you thinking Johnson!" The Sgt. gathered himself. "To be honest Sir, I didn't know what to think! It all happened so fast, Sir!" The Capt. relaxed a bit. "In the future Sgt. Follow MY signals! Is that clear!" Johnson was still in a bit of a shock with all that had transpired. "Yes Sir." he answered. The Capt. looked at him and smiled. "Don't feel to bad Sgt. You gave a good account of yourself." Johnson stood still as the Capt. walked away. "Not a bad start" he thought.

Welcome back MFair! Hope you had a nice break from flying and kept your feet planted firmly on the ground.
So, a new chap volunteering for the meat grinder, eh? Looks like Major Powell doesn’t like him much. Let’s see if something can be done about that in his new shiny S.E.5.

4 February, 1918 10:45
Cuirieux, Marne Sector
Jasta 19, JG II
Offizzierstellvertreter Rudolf Emil Fuchs
23 confirmed kills

Rudi was more stirred than shaken after yesterday’s sound ass whooping he’d received from the SPAD drivers. He was lucky to be alive. Even luckier to walk away without a scratch. He’ll have to do better!
As the Schwarm was forming up on their merry way to the Front, they were quickly able to spot a single Strutter near the aerodrome being chased around by Flak. The brave pilot attacked the entire Schwarm on his own. Rudi felt sorry for the Frenchman who was being cut to ribbons by a combined firepower of the Albatrosen. The Strutter then dove down followed closely by Jumpelt. Fuchs watched from above and thought to himself: “- He’s got it” but then he saw the Albatros botch it and let the Sopwith get away. “- He don’t get it.” Rudi dove after the silver Strutter and fired. The two-seater banked to port and crashed. The flight reformed and continued with the mission. There was no activity over the lines so they turned back and returned home.

YouTube Link



It was during the final approach that the Flak became active again. A formation of SPADs hoped to catch the Germans at their most vulnerable. They nearly succeeded were it not for Rudi’s alertness. He tangled with one and soon had him on the ropes. Were it not for his wingman harassing Fuchs from the rear, he would have had him, but instead he had to abandon his attack and defend, while his original target was getting away. The first SPAD was lucky, but not this one. Rudi eliminated him and was soon chasing after others.

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He caught up to one that was oblivious to the German pilot’s presence. Fuchs was able to sneak up onto the very tail of the French biplane and opened fire, keeping the triggers pressed until both guns jammed. In retrospect it was not the smartest idea. The SPAD was not destroyed by the fusillade but would not be able to run away either. Rudi was able to clear the jam and continue to track his target. Few more bursts and the SPAD was falling to its doom in flames.

YouTube Link



There were more targets to be had and one of them was spotted ahead flying erratically. Fuchs followed, sending a few volleys its way. The SPAD seemed to not be affected by the gunfire from the Albatros, but after another series of erratic maneuvers near the ground, it crashed. Perhaps the pilot had been hit earlier and lost consciousness or simply the damage was much more serious than it appeared and the pilot lost control of the aeroplane. It was convenient where the enemy had crashed as it happened to be on the outskirts of the aerodrome onto which Fuchs was able to float down and settle with ease.

YouTube Link

Fullofit, Fuchs has picked up with Ziggy left off. He makes swatting those French machines look effortless.

Carrick, four victories now. Keep it coming!

MFair, wonderful to have you back and a hearty welcome to Mr Johnson!

George McAlister has a new toy…


War Journal of Flight Commander George Ewan MacAlister, DSC

8 Squadron, RNAS
Mont-St-Eloi, France

Part 19



"To my utter surprise, the Hun machine spouted black smoke and began to nose down."



I doubt that I have ever seen Squadron Commander Draper as happy as he was shortly after dawn on 2 February 1918. Outside, the snow swirled in waves around the corners of buildings, streamed in gossamer veils across the stubble, and the wind pounded against the sash of the wardroom windows. Flying was out of the question, but rehearsal, by God, rehearsal… We had gained hours.

Tonight was the night of nights to Draper, the night of the Naval Eight concert party. Weeks in the making, engaging all ranks, this was the Skipper’s own night. Draper had dabbled in the London stage before the war and it was clear that the Royal Navy was the ugly sister to his beloved footlights. Invitations had gone out to the neighbouring camps and casualty clearing stations. The performers, known as the “Eight Navels”, readied themselves nightly. An unused Bessonneau Was Fitted with a stage and curtains and rigging for raising and dropping painted scenery. Chairs were conjured from throughout the supply system. We were ready for the West End as long as the gale did not carry the whole rig away.

Night came and the hangar filled with men in greatcoats clutching flasks and puffing on pipes. The canvas walls rippled and snapped in the gusts and the rumble of the guns pressed through the whistle of the wind. Frosted breath rose like a cloud, shimmering in the footlights which threatened to go out with each gust. A gentle bell would not have been enough to coax people to their chairs. Instead, a klaxon announced the beginning of the show. The Eight Navels came on with a welcoming song, to be followed by the great Draper himself singing the “Tin Gee Gee”, a silly little song about a toy soldier on a horse who feels unworthy because the pretty doll beside him in the store has a higher price tag. Draper could make you cry over something like that! He followed with “If the Wind Had Only Blown the Other Way,” my personal favourite. It is a tale of a girl whose clothing became too windblown. The chorus tells the story succinctly:

“If the wind had only blown the other way
I might have been a single girl today
I'd not be pushing paregoric
Into twins who've got the colic.”

Cooper sang “a Policeman’s Lot.” A couple of the lads from the lower deck did a hilarious spoof about mind reading. But the most enjoyable part was the repartee between the performers and the audience, especially the many Canadians in the audience who were well lubricated and vocal. Johns joined in from the footlights with a long harangue about why Canada is not a real place that had the entire audience doubled in laughter. We retired to the messes and got to bed long after three in the morning, safe in the assurance that the weather would not break before noon.

The following day did us that favour and another to boot. As soon the roads were clear, I went with two others to Dunkirk where we took delivery of the first Bentley-engined Camels. I spent until late evening in the sheds going over this machine with the mechanics.

There was no time for test flights in the morning. Orders were to fly a distant offensive patrol north of Lille. I led the Squadron on takeoff, listening closely to the unfamiliar buzz of the powerful engine. The machine was light and responsive but clearly more robust than our old machines. I turned north and throttled back waiting for the others. Just as I turned to check on their progress, tracer rounds flashed past my head. At least three Albatri had dived on me while I was separated from the rest of the flights. For three or four minutes I flew low and defensively. A nearby balloon positions dotted the sky with shrapnel bursts. They endangered me as much as the Hun! Gradually the others joined in and the fight broke into a series of one-on-one engagements. I spotted a lone Albatros heading east and dived on its tail. Despite my more powerful engine, the German machine was still faster and was rapidly pulling out of range. I lined it up in my Aldis and fired from very long-range, probably 500 yards. To my utter surprise, the Hun machine spouted black smoke and began to nose down. I closed in on it quickly, still firing. It crashed a mile east of Mont-St-Eloi.

Half the machines had already returned to base so I turned back myself, low on ammunition.

J.K. Thorpe
Sgt, Rfc. M.C.
41 Sqn
Lealvillers, Flanders.
4 Victory
5 Unconfirmed

Feb 4, 1918.


Posted as acting Element Leader in C Flight. Flew on a Line Patrol and got into it with Black Tailed Vee Struts. They came High off the starboard side firing as they pass thru us. The flight claimed 3 destroyed for just holes in all but 1 a/c. My Chap fell on me tail so had to Buster till the sod ran into Archie Then I would circle back and shoot, Then Buster in the other direction, Repeat. Finally the e/a's Prop stopped and he was forced down. I didnt claim him as Archie may have hit him., But did give the chap a scare by firing the last of my Vickers in front of his down a/c.

J.K. Thorpe
Sgt, Rfc. M.C.
41 Sqn

Mess.



One of our New Replacements is from the Wild West named Sgt JJ. My word , it was said that he reported in wearing a Six Gun I remember when my Uncle Lord E. V. Evans- Smyth went Hunting out there sent back some pics.

Raine, congrats on the new toy. It looks like George put it to a good use already. So, does it feel that much different from a regular Camel?

Carrick, cut the new guy some slack. They’re used to bear arms.

5 February, 1918 09:45
Cuirieux, Marne Sector
Jasta 19, JG II
Offizzierstellvertreter Rudolf Emil Fuchs
26 confirmed kills

The Strutter and two of the SPADs from yesterday have been confirmed.
The Schwarm was sent to patrol enemy front lines between Fismes and Courcy. They couldn’t find anyone to play with, so they decided to stray a little deeper into the enemy territory. There was some commotion around Rosnay aerodrome and the flight decided to investigate. As they were approaching, Rudi spotted a solitary Strutter on his starboard. He went after it and shot him down in flames. It was back to base after that.

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