Raine, your man is in the thick of it now. Let’s keep our mind on the job,

Fullofit, it seems the move has not slowed Rudy one bit.

RT, looking forward to Emmons adventure and welcome to the fray.

2nd Ltn Jeremiah Johnson
41 RFC
March 16, 1918

Johnson’s flight was up for a balloon busting mission at 10. Another beautiful day for flying, “or dying” Johnson laughed as he pulled the SE airborne. He was flying tail end of 7 machines and watched the first 3 dive and take out the balloon. They circled once and joined up to head back over the lines at Monchy. Johnson could see 8 specs heading west high above and assumed they were a friendly flight. In another minute he was proven wrong. As his flight scatter to the four winds, black and white striped Triplanes dove among them. Johnson found himself with 2 on his tail and not a lot of air between him and the ground. Contrary to what he had heard he seemed to be able to turn with the Huns but they were keeping the advantage of height. One finally disengaged and Johnson dove on him and fired a burst, immediately pulling up to find the other coming down on him. He rolled and went into another merry go round with the Triplane. The second one gave up also and Johnson pounced. He gave a long burst at the fleeing Hun and saw pieces flying off his machine when “click!” His guns had jammed. He pulled up and cleared the jams but was now now alone and cursing himself for letting him get away. He climbed west, spotting one of his flight, ahead. Just as he crossed the mud he saw a silver Phalz below headed home. He dove immediately. The Hun never knew what happened. As Johnson fired the Phalz exploded in flame and fell behind friendly trenches. As he pulled up and reversed he could see the men in the trenches waving and cheering. He waved back and flew home.

After the recent deaths, today was what the squadron needed 3 claims on enemy aircraft and 1 balls with no loses. At dinner, Bowman clicked his glass with his spoon to demand attention. “I’m happy to say I just received word from our boys at the front! Johnson’s Phalz has been confirmed!” The squadron cheered and Major Bowman quieted everyone again and raised his glass, “Drinks are on American today boys!” What could Johnson do.

Walter Ludwick Spatenbrau
Unteroffzier,
Jasta 8
Wassigny, Flanders.

March 16, 1918.


Tit for tat over No mans land. The Jasta was up with 4 machines on Escort. My Kette was on the field as standby when the phone rang. Arty was reportin a/c sounds over the lines and heavy Arty raining down in IV sector. Off the 3 of us went followed by 2 Old Hands to keep us company.
Over the lines we spotted and attacked from a slightly higher position 3 two Seats. One went down trailing smoke and followed by my wing mates. my target e/a held steady then turned for home. I fired over and over till one Mg jammed and the other ran out of ammo, the e/a just flew away.
Score 1 e/a for 0 losses.

RT, so another Yank is joining the war. Good luck!

MFair, congrats on the confirmed Pfalz. Looks like it was a successful mission. Hopefully many more will follow.

Carrick, looks like Walter could use some lessons in gunnery.

16 March, 1918 10:50
Guise, Flanders Sector
Jasta 19, JG II
Leutnant Rudolf Emil Fuchs EK1, HHO
47 confirmed kills

Both SPADs from last mission have been confirmed.
Rudi was still getting used to the new Kasino. He was missing his usual spot at the old aerodrome. Despite new arrangements held already made himself at home with Tybelsky at his side.
“- We were on an escorting a Hannover from Ss-30b on a recon of front sector between Saint-Quentin and Tergnier. As soon as our Schwarm arrived over No-Man’s Land, a gaggle of SPADs attacked. They came at us from our right flank. I immediately latched on to one of the Rotkäppchen and introduced myself. He went down like a sack of bricks. I didn’t follow him down, there were too many other victims still high up. I found another SPAD without a dance partner and came to keep him company. He was a shy one and decided to run away. I kept with him and soon watched him go down spiralling into the No-Man’s Land. I then returned to the party and caught one of the Franzosen sneaking away without permission. This one had to be punished. I followed and opened fire. The French machine didn’t seem to want to fight back. It made it easy to bring him down. I saw him go down flipping upside-down over the Front.”

YouTube Link



“- We were now returning home. I spotted Schwarm Eins dealing with some strugglers. When I came closer, I realized it was the strugglers that were dealing with Schwarm Eins. I was soon behind one SPAD chasing after a Fokker. It took some medium-range hits to bring the Franzose down and falling out of control over the mud. There was no time to watch, there were still some enemy machines in the air. I found another biplane chase after two Dreideckers. The pilot was too focused on the pursuit to notice me. Even after I began to shoot at him, he continued to follow the two Fokkers. I then saw the two Fokker’s collide, probably blind from fear. What a shame. The French pilot only noticed me after his machine was too damaged to fight on. He attempted to get away, but the only way for him was down. I watched him continue to spiral down into the ground.”

YouTube Link

Introducing 2nd Lieutenant James Aaron Harrison.
Born in 1892 in Rosewood, Ohio.
103rd Aero, March 1918

He grew up with his parents where his Father ran a small Carpenters and machine store. They lived quite near to where the Wright brothers came from and Jimmy witnessed several flights. This background stoked an interest in aviation and engineering.

At the outbreak of war Jimmy stayed working on his Father's now rapidly expanding business but in 1916 he volunteered to join the Escadrille Lafayette. Due to his engineering and woodworking prowess however he is not sent for pilot training. Over the next 12 months however he does manage to get some practice in.

When the Americans join the war and start building their pilot training center at Issoudun, James is commandeered over there. Whilst there he badgers his superiors (one of whom is Raoul Lufberry who was one of the old Lafayette pilots who helped him get flight time back in 1916) to allow him to get full pilot training and this is granted in the Autumn of 1917.

He passes with flying colors and is then assigned, in a quirk of fate, to the only operational USAS formation available, 103rd......the old Lafayette!

This is his story........

Let's hope I get off the ground with my first go at this

Albert - Welcome to you and Jimmy! Sounds like your man had some good teachers. Looking forward to Jimmy's adventures.

Walter Ludwick Spatenbrau
Unteroffzier,
Jasta 8
Wassigny, Flanders.


March 17, 1918.


Dawn Patrol: No Contact

Balloon Defense: Off with 4 a/c + 3 Cover machines. The kette spotted and dove on 5 Sopwith Englisher. Wild mix up with Barking Mg's on both sides. I picked my target and cut loose but no hits banked and got a bead on a 2nd England-er only to have another a/c cut in and finish the Kill. 1 Camel destroyed 3 of my kette wih small amounts of damage Balloon was hauled down no damage.

Albert, oh no! Not another one of the cowboys entering the ring. Hopefully his flying skills will keep him alive long enough to see more of his countrymen stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

Carrick, it would be lovely if Walter could carry an extra Spandau, or two on his Albatros.

17 March, 1918
Guise, Flanders Sector
Jasta 19, JG II
Leutnant Rudolf Emil Fuchs EK1, HHO
48 confirmed kills

Only one SPAD could be confirmed in the mess of yesterday’s mission.
No flying today. Heavy rain and strong winds prevented Kaiser’s finest from performing their duty.

See the stream of this flight at:

(Skip to 30 mins to bypass my navigation discussion)

https://www.twitch.tv/us93_talbot/v/953387203?sr=a

Thanks for the welcome guys, I hope I can do them justice.

Carrick, nothing worse than having someone jump in when you have one in your sights, I hope you gave them 'daggers' over the dinner table that evening.

Fullofit, well as you know RT has joined the fray too, you know what they say, you wait so long and then two come along at once......like (Greyhound) buses , You're man is doing very well it seems, be careful they don't pluck him off to a staff post.

RT, we must have been at Issoudun at the same time, but then it was enormous. Good luck with your jaunt with the 94th.

2nd Lieutenant James Harrison
103rd Aero
18th March 1918

'Report to Major William Thaw, 103rd Aero, La Noblette Aerodrome'. Jimmy glanced at his orders again and then returned his gaze to the French countryside as the car they were travelling in bobbled along.

He'd first met Bill Thaw nearly two years previous when he'd arrived in France having volunteered for the Lafayette escadrille. Bill was already very well known at that point, the 'de facto' leader of the Americans within the Escadrille, organizing recruitment and training of new arrivals alongside the French commanders.

Jimmy was a top notch engineer, beside working in his Father's business he'd studied engineering at college, so when he arrived at the Lafayette. The French immediately decided to use him as an engineer in the workshops and on the aircraft themselves. Jimmy accepted this but all he ever wanted to do was fly.....and he'd volunteered to fight.

Over the next months Jimmy got on with his new job and the French were really impressed, even promoting him to Sergent. But all the time he hankered after flying and the American pilots knew this. There was an old Morane parked up on the airfield, it was airworthy, Jimmy used to use what spare time he had sitting in it and starting it up. He'd read all the books and manuals, he knew what he was doing, he just needed to fly the #%&*$# thing.

His thoughts drifted back to that first time, when he'd started up, checked everything and then....throttled up....and up...he was in the air...10ft...20ft...best put her back down now.

He remembered there was almost an almighty stink when the French adjutant wanted to know what the hell he was doing......"it was Bill Thaw who had sorted it out for me"....he thought to himself.

From then on he'd managed to get a little flight time with various pilots, but mostly with Raoul Lufberry who'd actually allowed him to solo in his Nieuport around the airfield...........

........the sudden slowing of the car woke Jimmy from his thoughts.

"We're here sir, said the French driver", "if you would like to report inside I will get your things".

"2nd Lieutenant James Harrison reporting for duty sir". Jimmy saluted.

"Well, well if it isn't the man who wished he could fly" replied the officer facing away from Jimmy towards a large map on the wall. 'That was a bit cold, even a bit spite....' Jimmy thought, but before he could finish that thought the officer turned around with broad grin on his face.

"How are you Jimmy?" "Tired and thirsty I guess after that journey" said Major Thaw, "at ease by the way".

"I'm good thank you Major, I'm pleased to be here as a pilot finally that's for sure".

"I bet you are" Thaw said as he went through Jimmy's file, "you sure as hell waited long enough for it. You know Raoul speaks very highly of you".

"I'm honoured Major, I wouldn't be here now if it hadn't been for those practice flights back then" Jimmy said.

"Well, you might feel like you've missed out Jimmy, but you're sure as hell going to make up for it now let me tell you. We're only about 12 km from the front here. The Germans have been bringing in reinforcements all along the line for months now and are planning something big which could go off at any moment" said the Major.

"Things are already far hotter up there than they ever were in 1916, and when we go up we're going to be going up as a squadron" he remarked.

"For now though, go and unpack your stuff and get something to eat. When you're done visit the adjutant he'll give you your assigned aircraft number, by all means go and look her over, I know what you mechanics are like", Major Thaw said with a sarcastic smile.

"You can have your first practice flight this afternoon..............and Jimmy......glad to have you with us" the Major smiled and returned to his papers.

"Thank you sir" said Jimmy as he saluted and left.

@albert tross

https://us3pg.enjin.com/recruitment

Just reading these reports whilst sat in my digger having a brew and a cig..great stuff lads. Il have a nosy at your twitch later R.Talbot.

Very interesting RT is that a Multiplayer group page you have going or something?

Haha Adger, don't let your brew go cold...sacrilege!



2nd Lieutenant James Harrison
103rd Aero
18th March 1918

Once I'd settled in and found my bearings I grabbed some food. Then in the afternoon I checked out the hangers and found my aircraft which was being readied for my practice flight. 'This was it' I thought to myself, 'you got your own aircraft now, no more bumming flight time off of aces for you Jimmy'.

I'd be lying if I said a plague of nerves didn't just hit, not nerves about flying, but nerves about finally being here, and not wanting to let anyone down.

I pulled myself together and went to get my flight gear on as the mechanics began moving the aircraft towards the airfield.

As I got to my room the adjutant caught up with me. "Report to the Major once your ready Lieutenant".

"Come in Jimmy, this won't take long, how are you feeling?" Asked the Major as I entered his office.

"I'm fine sir, ready for the off" I replied.

"Well, no fun and games on this one. Just take her up to about 1000 meters until you can get a good view of the airfield and surrounding area and then do a couple of circuits and then come back down. Nothing else do you understand?" Major Thaw ordered.

"You know the drill, check the wires and struts, check the gauges and how the engines running. Get a good view of the airfield from the air, that's important. Then back down".

"Understood sir"

I took my leave and left the office.

A few minutes later I was in my aircraft and buckled up. The engine started smoothly, I checked my controls and I was away.

The SPAD being a powerful beast the climb to 1000 meters seemed to take seconds, I scanned around at the view and what a view it was. For a few moments I allowed myself to dream, then I pulled myself together and reminded myself there was a bloody war on and I was being watched down there. I continued around the area of the airfield, taking in the local terrain, and the airfield itself of course, making note of the angular shape of the hangar buildings.

As I came around for my second lap I allowed myself the luxury of putting the nose down a bit. The SPAD fairly ripped through the air and around the airfield once more, then it was done. I throttled back and descended down to land.

As I parked up near the hangars, switched off and climbed down, I could see Major Thaw striding over.

"Pretty flying Lieutenant, I take it everything went well?" asked the Major.

"Couldn't be better" I replied.

The Major smiled, "glad to hear it, tomorrow you can head out towards the lines and back" "that's as long as this #%&*$# weather doesn't get us first" he looked to the skies as he spoke, which had started to look threateningly cloudy. "Anyway, see you at dinner Lieutenant" and with that the Major left.

"Thank you sir" replied Jimmy who with a final look around the airfield realised he was finally here....a pilot!

R. Talbot:: Great Intro with a good follow up story. Well done.

Tross: Good opening

Walter Ludwick Spatenbrau
Unteroffzier,
Jasta 8
Wassigny, Flanders.

March 18, 1918.

Intercept: Nailed a Camel.. Dark and heavy clouds bad flying weather U good hide JG 1 and JG 2 in those clouds. Arty called report flying contraptions dropping leaflets on them a drawing of the Kaiser kissing a swine. ( typical English Behavior } The commandant ordered the Jasta aloft to extract Vengeance After the 1st way point we lost the Cover a/c (5) in the clouds. that left 4 of us . I dont know how in that dark weather , but the Schwarm leed found 3 Camels below us in a hole between clouds . Down we went Spandau's chatting . I lined up with a twisting ,turning ,rolling Camel and held down the triggers. I got hits as it turned in front of me then it just spun into one of our Inf positions in Sector A 414, Score 2 Camels for 1 Albatross.

Albert, Rudi is doing just fine, in fact he feels invincible in his Dr.I.
So, Jimmy is a flyboy now and chums with the Major. Sounds like easy life to me. Not to mention all those joyrides. Hopefully weather holds to allow him some more air time and to see the front lines, maybe even bag an Albatros?

Adger, you know you’re not supposed to look at your phone while behind controls of a vehicle. Glad to have you sneaking a peek in here.

Carrick, fingers crossed that Camel gets confirmed.

18 March, 1918
Guise, Flanders Sector
Jasta 19, JG II
Leutnant Rudolf Emil Fuchs EK1, HHO
48 confirmed kills

No flying today. Heavy rains have been replaced by sleet.

Carrick, That doesn't surprise me, dropping leaflets of the Kaiser, he always did the say the English are as mad as March Hares. Congratulations on the Camel.

Fullofit - I think Jimmy's more in awe to be chums with anyone at the minute. He just needs some flight time to calm himself down which is a real shame because.........

2nd Lieutenant James Harrison
103rd Aero
La Noblette Airfield
19th March 1918

James woke early, he'd not slept particularly well, too much excitement and nerves definitely and perhaps a little too much bourbon last night although he'd kept it in check he thought. It had been a pretty good evening all told, even the ribbing aimed at him had been funny.

Major Thaw had been there for a short while but had had to make his apologies early as he had to leave early this morning for a meeting with the local French brass at Romilly.

The talk had been about home life back in the States and then the war here in France and Jimmy couldn't help feeling a distance between himself and the other pilots who'd been flying out here since 1916, even though he'd been out here since then himself.

'Only one thing was going to change that' he thought to himself as he got up to look out of the window "flight time" he muttered as he drew back the dusty curtains. The view cut his thoughts off quickly, the skies were dark grey and the window sill was already an inch thick with snow!......"#%&*$#" he muttered. He could see snow flurries continuing to fall as he went back to his bed.

Later on that morning it was confirmed that all flying was cancelled for the day.

Jimmy spent the day around the hangars.....old habits.

Albert, same story on the other side of the mud.

19 March, 1918
Guise, Flanders Sector
Jasta 19, JG II
Leutnant Rudolf Emil Fuchs EK1, HHO
48 confirmed kills

No flying today. Sleet turned into snow.

Check out this video "94th Aero Campaign" https://www.twitch.tv/us93_talbot/v/954568156?sr=a

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New recruits to the DID Campaign, and both Yanks, about time America got into the fight! Welcome aboard R.Talbot and Albert Tross, glad to have you with us, and wonderful starts to both your pilot adventures. Fingers crossed Roger Emmons and James Harrison will each enjoy long and illustrious careers.

Carrick - Sorry to see the fall of Thorpe, another one bites the dust. But here’s hoping Unteroffzier Spatenbrau survives the madness. So the beer his family produces, can one assume from the name that after an evening of drinking said beer one wakes up the next morning feeling as if they’ve been hit in the head with a shovel?

MFair - I’m glad to see that Johnson is having better luck than his squadron’s replacements are. Poor Whidman. So with his recent victories what is Jeremiah’s tally now? Feels like he’s about due for some bling.

Fullofit - Despite that one tricky S.E.5 pilot Rudi had quite the run there before the dud weather descended. On the upside, no flying will give him time to get his chachkies arranged in his new digs. Fine videos as always.

Adger - Nice to see you dropping by. Stay a while, have a pint of Spatenbrau.

Raine - Ah yes, budding romance at the squadron dance. Mac, despite his fumbling, appears to have turned the head, and heart, of Miss Bronwyn. He’s lucky those AckEmmas were quick to get him back in the air or he could have missed his chance entirely. Love the old recording.

Epower - So Clarissa is now really back in the picture. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Oliver best watch his six, that woman is far more dangerous than any air Hun.

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19 March 1918
65 Squadron R.F.C.
Poperinge, Belgium

Captain Frederick Abbott’s ankle has at last healed and he’s back up and about at full speed, unfortunately the weather has now gone foul so he still can’t get back into the air. Add to that orders came through today that the squadron was to pack up everything, planes and all, and move by road away from the front five more miles, west to the field at Droglandt. Something big was clearly coming, and coming fast if they couldn’t even wait until the weather cleared to fly the Camels to their new home. Freddy was no great military tactician, far from it, but even he could sort out that such a move likely meant that where they were currently sitting might well be shelled into oblivion by the Hun big guns in preparation for a spring push. God knows the Boche now had plenty of troops for such a push, after Russia ceased hostilities at month’s start, allowing Fritz to move everything from the Eastern Front. Things were about to get nasty by the looks of it.

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