Albert, well done! Finally Jimmy’s hard work bears fruit. Congrats on the two confirmed victories.

Lou, no more Droglandt, good weather and a confirmation. Doesn’t get any better than that.

25 March, 1918 14:40
Fontaine-Uterte, Flanders Sector
Jasta 19, JG II
Leutnant Rudolf Emil Fuchs EK1, HHO, PLM
56 confirmed kills

Jasta 19 first mission from the new location was ground forces support along the sector between Gonnelieu and Mossy Face.
Rudi took his Schwarm south toward St-Quentin first to pick up some altitude before swinging back north and back over their new aerodrome then continue further until they reach Gonnelieu. As they were nearing Fontaine-Uterte they spotted a fight in progress above. Enemy SPADs were mixing it up with some Albatrosen. Fuchs was hoping for the furball to descend to their level and his wish was granted. He picked a SPAD that was ineptly chased by two V-Strutters. He engaged immediately and took the French machine out.

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He then found another one and did the same.

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Once the second SPAD went down he continued north until they’d reached Gonnelieu and turned west, following the front lines. They didn’t find any enemy activity over Mossy Face, loitered for about half an hour and returned right back home.

Albert, there's nothing wrong with Rudi (yet) just voiced my concern that he's also been visited by the Gong Fairy and things could happen. You never know, one day you get a medal, the next a wooden cross.

Phew! I know you're on the other side of the craters and all that but I had a sense of loss.

Glad to see you're very much up and flying, although I doubt those two SPADs agree with my sentiments.

2nd Lieutenant James Harrison
103rd Aero
La Noblette Airfield
26th March 1918

2 confirmed kills

Major Thaw took the briefing again today.

"Gentlemen, this morning 'A' flight has another escort mission. They are taking some Strutters over to the lines and back"

"'B' flight, and I'm leading it, will cover Chalons and Somme-Vesle airfield. They've had some raids over there recently. Keep your eyes open, the weather looks good again so we should spot anything up there. Go get ready, take off in 15 minutes."

James and the rest of 'B' flight took off on another glorious early spring day. High visibility was a good and bad thing of course, it made spotting the enemy easier, but made surprise virtually impossible.

They climbed up to 3500 meters and used Chalons and the Marne river to guide them. As they made their way over towards Somme-Vesle airfield suddenly Jimmy, who was rear and right today in formation, saw the lead aircraft surge upwards. He and the rest of the formation followed cautiously and then saw a number of aircraft circling above the airfield, considerably higher than they were and judging by the flak, they weren't friendly. The formation levelled off again.....why were they waiting? Jimmy could see now they were Rumplers.

Jimmy could now see bombs dropping on the airfield itself and he decided to act. He throttled up and headed towards the Rumplers again. He looked back and finally the rest of the formation were now following.

The Rumplers now saw what was approaching and started to run for home.

Jimmy stayed with them however but still had height to make up. Eventually he got up there and and went after the Rumplers, he looked behind as the rest of the formation followed.

The Rumplers were now in a triangle formation with the leader at the bottom. Jimmy went after him. He stayed below and beneath right up until the last moment. Then he came up close behind and blasted the unsuspecting Rumpler hard. The enemy aircraft started trailing thick smoke. Jimmy looked behind and saw the Rumpler now losing speed and height.

He came around again. This time the Rumpler tried to evade so Jimmy ducked under and came around. All the time the Rumpler was losing height. He looked up and saw the rest of the flight now dealing with the remaining Rumplers.

Jimmy looked down, the Rumpler was losing height, but Jimmy was not going to let this one float across the lines, he throttled right back and came up behind the Rumpler. He put a long burst into him. Finally the Rumpler lurched over and went into the ground near the lines north of Chalons.

Jimmy now had company, he saw more SPADs coming to join him. They climbed back up, formed up and made their way home.

Once landed Jimmy and the others made their reports, all three Rumplers had been destroyed, a SPAD had been lost but the pilot had got out alright and another was damaged.

Major Thaw himself confirmed Jimmy's claim. "No doubts about that one Jimmy, I saw it go in myself"

Jimmy thought he might get a roasting for breaking formation, but not a word. 'Well he did say I can pick my own fights I guess' he thought to himself as he saluted and left.

A good day all round for the 103rd.

The Gong Ferry is a high scorer Hes up there with the Red Baron on the Tally Sheet.

Fullofit, Albert and all the others.....

These are impressive reads! Congrats in your confirmed Kills! Tally ho Chaps!🍻

Walter Ludwick Spatenbrau
Unteroffzier,
Jasta 8
Bohain, Flanders.

1 Victory

March 26, 1918.


After processing from the Aid tent at Sanitats Kompagnie Pronounced fit enough Then assigned a nurse at Oberkommsndo IV for my 48 hr check and a soo- ing Job on my face. She said holes would end up looking like like dimples. I would be in Bed 8 Room 3.

Albert, Jimmy is a menace to those poor Huns, who are trying to ply their craft and are prevented at every opportunity by this plucky Yank, who can spot the enemy from miles away. Congrats on another confirmed victory. Soon the Gong Fairy will come a’knockin’.

LtCasey, glad you’re enjoying. Why not join us? We could always use another Hun swooping out of the sun and sweeping those Rotkäppchen out of the air.

26 March, 1918 10:50
Fontaine-Uterte, Flanders Sector
Jasta 19, JG II
Leutnant Rudolf Emil Fuchs EK1, HHO, PLM
57 confirmed kills

Only one of the SPADs went to Rudi.
Tybelsky was pawing Rudi’s Blauer Max in front of the full size mirror and attempting to strike a distinguished pose, but his gut was always in the way making him look rather comical. Like one of those fat dignitaries covered from head to toe in decorations they certainly did not deserve.
The bell started to ring outside and all the pilots dropped whatever they were doing and raced to their machines. They watched with dread while little dots approached from the west surrounded by Flak. Rudi’s Dreidecker was first to lift off. He clawed at the air to climb higher and higher. He was at 2000 meters when the bombs began to fall and hit the ground around the airfield. One of them hit one of the tent hangars. There were secondary explosions and a black column of smoke began to rise above the field. Fuchs could now recognize the silhouettes of the intruding planes.

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Strutters! He continued to climb in hopes of catching the dastardly fiends. The Strutter closest to him noticed the Dreidecker coming towards him and broke off his attack to retreat across the lines. Rudi followed. He would eventually catch him, but for now he was still climbing west. Fuchs looked ahead to be faced with an entire Kette of enemy scouts. The Strutter flew by them, most likely laughing that the Hun was tricked into an ambush. Rudi couldn’t care less. Eight SPADs were better than one Strutter, right?
Fuchs allowed them to come to him. They dove at him full of confidence.
First one, after diving on Fuchs went too low and the Dreidecker was on him in seconds. Firing from further out and continuing to do so as the distance reduced. The SPAD went down in a spiral followed by another triplane. Fuchs then saw another SPAD chase after a Dreidecker and he engaged. One warning shot and the Frenchman disengaged. Rudi continued to track him and fired when possible. The SPAD decided to climb, but that was his fatal mistake. Fuchs opened fire into the open cockpit. The French machine completed its loop and went into an uncontrollable dive.

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That was it. Rudi was then turning back to Fontaine-Uterte, when he spotted a fight below. A SPAD and a Dreidecker were locked in combat. Fuchs watched from above and when the time was right, he swooped down and attacked the Franzose. The enemy pilot put his plane into spin to get out of the situation, but Rudi was wise to this ruse and continued to track him. The second triplane attempted to engage, but ended up just barrel-rolling out of the way. Fuchs took over and terminated his adversary. Last he saw him was making lazy spirals toward the ground.

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He was now approaching his home field when the Flak made him aware of more intruders nearby. He spotted the enemy flying just below and was on him soon enough. This SPAD was not posing much opposition and Fuchs had him explode mid-air.

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Fuchs was now ready to land when he realized the aerodrome Flak batteries haven’t stopped. There were more SPADs to be had. He found one overflying the airfield. He took a clumsy shot at the approaching machine and then went after it. This one had more will to live and put up a good fight. They sparred and after a series of scissors, Rudi managed to get behind and send a burst into the cockpit. The enemy plane lurched and flipped upside down, then dove for the ground. It had a problem staying in the upright position and ended up smashing into the field below.

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Fuchs was now in desperate need to land. He was sure he was left with only a handful of bullets in his Spandaus. He landed without any problems and saw Tybelsky already disembarking from his machine. Rudi began to laugh. Tybelsky was still wearing his PLM.

Another fiver! Rudi is en fuego!

@Fullofit

I would really love to fly a DID campaign on the hun Side, but I simply dont have the time atm.
My Lafayette campaign is with all the whithles and pipes of a DID, except for the Date and target range. So I can fly whenever I have an hour or so. This might change over the summer.

Bob, Rudi on fire? Oh dear, that’s not good, with all this wood and canvas it’s a sure recipe for a disaster.
The problem is everyone is too busy to witness his claims, and the boy ends up empty handed.

LtCasey, looking forward to the time when you have more free time to join us. We’ll keep a brand new and shiny Fokker D.VII all fuelled, armed and warmed up just for you.

Carrick, wow if I do happen to come down in enemy territory with mentionable injuries I'm coming to THAT hospital

Fullofit, Rudi earned his PLM again with that show, great effort (and film btw). You'll have a Jagdgeschwader named after you at this rate. As for that Tybelsky, he can dream, but good job he didn't lose it. Although it wasn't unheard of, Boelcke lost his once, but not because he'd let someone else try it on.

As for Jimmy, he's making hay while the sun is shining (literally). The skies are very busy up there.

LtCasey, yes definitely try and find the time. It's good fun.

.

LtCasey - I echo the others here in saying that you should try to find the time to join us in the DID Campaign if you can. It’s a blast, and you would be a most welcomed addition.

Buckeye Bob - Rudi is en fuego? Quick, grab the extintor de incendios!

Fullofit - Well that’s a relief, Rudi is in fact not en fuego. His is however quite imparable in that DR.1 of his, even if he isn't being given full credit for his many victories. And how rude, and stupid, of those Strutters to bomb his home sweet home. What were they thinking? Brill vids as always.

Carrick - Hallooooooo Krankenschwester! I would normally say I hope your man recovers quickly, however in this situation …

Albert - The 103rd did well to bring down all three B/R buses while losing only one Spad. And Jimmy did a fine job of keeping himself out of the crossfire. A single Rumpler can be quite a handful, let alone three. One more on his tally sheet too.


Glad you all enjoyed the song. Now if we could just get the wonderful woman from Wales, Shirley Bassey, to record it for us, eh?


As to Freddy and his crew, they’re all busy packing as they have been ordered to move, again! This will be the third time in little more than a week. Why can’t HQ just make a plan and stick with it?

.

Wonderful stories this morning to go with my cup of Java.

I will! Jasta 5 greentails....Just goto do flight training. I will send my pilot once this is done.
Am I allowed to Post my combat reports in german language, for the Immersion?

Btw....will we restart DID once the War is over?

@Fullofit thanks for the offer, appreciated! We should fly in the same squadron in the new campaign.

LtCasey - Great news, link in with Raine with any info you need and special requests etc. Send him a PM.

2nd Lieutenant James Harrison
103rd Aero
La Noblette Airfield
27th March 1918

3 confirmed kills.

Today's mission was a patrol over to the lines between Chalons and Verdun once more. Major Thaw gave us the lowdown, 'A' and 'B' flight both flying, climb up to around 4500 meters before heading out to the lines.

Jimmy was in 'B' flight and take off was at 10.30am.

Jimmy and the rest of the 103rd took off in lovely Spring weather once more although there was more cloud than previous days, visibility was otherwise still excellent. They saw nothing as they climbed and once at around 4200 meters they started off for the lines north of Chalons. Jimmy was rearmost in the formation and had his eyes open throughout but saw nothing for some time. The flight was thirty minutes old when Bert Hall at the front of the formation put his nose down. The rest of 'B' flight followed including Jimmy. Bert had spotted a formation of enemy two seaters coming over the lines below them. On seeing the Americans several of the Germans broke and ran for home but the 103rd carried on their attack.

Jimmy checked nothing else was around before pressing his attack. He had to wait his turn though as the rest of 'B' flight had their turn. One of the DFW's burst into flames and nosed down straight away. A few moments later and a second DFW plunged down. Jimmy dived onto the third DFW and put a burst into him scoring several hits, the DFW did not fall however. As he came around for another pass he watched as the DFW plunged down, 'A' flight had now joined the battle and one of their number had put the German to the sword.

Several of the SPADs had received hits and made for home. Jimmy followed and stayed above them to ensure they got back ok.

On landing Jimmy went over to congratulate the other pilots. Paul Baer, Charles Biddle and Todd Morse put claims in for the German two seaters. One SPAD had been destroyed on landing but the pilot was ok and three more damaged.

It was another fine day for the 103rd and the pilots enjoyed themselves that evening!

Albert and Lou, thank you for the compliments on the vids. I do try to show the more interesting bits.

Albert, a JG named after Rudi? Only if there were Great War 2!
Fuchs doesn’t mind Tybelsky ogle his gong, he owes him a lot. (I know, that didn’t sound right to me either)
Another productive day for the Yanks. Jimmy was wise to stay above damaged SPADs while escorting them home. 103rd has reason enough to celebrate tonight.

Lou, in my professional opinion, which it isn’t, the Dreidecker should be outlawed - it’s too easy to bring down the opposition. It’s like cheating.
What!? Freddy’s moving again? And they call Jasta 11 circus.

LtCasey, great news! Glad you’ve decided to take the plunge. We’ll be waiting for your pilot to join us.
As to the reports done in German, I have a feeling not too many people will be able to understand and thus not be able to comment (me included - I don’t speak German)
Also, will there be another DiD after November? Unsure. It will depend if there will be enough interest to start another campaign. We’ll have to wait and see.

27 March, 1918 09:45
Fontaine-Uterte, Flanders Sector
Jasta 19, JG II
Leutnant Rudolf Emil Fuchs EK1, HHO, PLM
58 confirmed kills

Only 1 out of the 5 machines brought down yesterday have been credited to Rudi. Everyone else was too busy to see anything and Flak batteries claimed the ones over the aerodrome.
Today Rudi and his Kette were tasked with escorting a Hannover from Ss-32 on a reconnaissance of the Front lines over Mossy Face.
Some low hanging clouds littered the area, but clear skies ruled at altitude. They hooked up with the Hannover without any problems and continued to the patrol area. Rudi felt like they were on top of the world. No enemy in sight at this altitude and no enemy would be foolish enough to approach them. They were truly the Lords of the skies at this very moment.
It was an uneventful flight apart from enjoying a spectacle some distance away when a pair of Strutters returning from their sortie was chased away by Schwarm Eins. Fuchs observed as one of the Dreideckers attacked one of the two-seaters and brought it down in flames. Unfortunately the German machine was also damaged during the fight by the rear gunner and had to separate from the rest of the Schwarm, trailing a tail of dark smoke. There were no further contacts with the enemy and the remainder of the mission was relaxing, considering the circumstances.

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@Fullofit

Regarding the Reports.......I will translate them to english, of course. Depends of the length and detail I will use Google Translation and correct it. Great Action in your vids!

LtCasey, I see. That makes more sense. I don’t see why not. It will be interesting to see the reports from the “other” side. Why should the anglophones have all the fun, right?
Thank you, will you be posting action vids as well?

Fullofit, a relatively quiet jaunt for Rudi. I'm not surprised though there can't be a SPAD left within miles of him after the last few runs.

Lou, I feel sorry for the poor Corporals in your squadron, constantly lugging suitcases all over the place. They must have arms like Popeye. Let's hope the brass make a stand sooner rather than later.