Lets see how the campaign goes and how long my pilot will stay alive.

Albert, I wish this were true. I'm tired of shooting down same type of plane all the time. Maybe that's their strategy?

LtCasey,

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LtCasey - I look forward to your man’s reports in both German and English.

Albert - Yes, it’s the Other Ranks that are bearing the brunt of all these moves. And this latest one is a pip as you shall soon see. Jimmy’s fast becoming an old hand at those two-seater attacks, though it sounds as if several others in his outfit were less than cautious in their own approaches. Maybe he needs to give them some pointers, eh what?

Fullofit - I don’t know that I’d go so far as to outlaw the DR.1, though in the hands of someone like Rudi it is certainly a game changer. But will it be a war winner? And what a nice break for your man to have a quiet outing. Good catch on that attack in the distance. Isn’t that one of the great things about this sim, all the action going on everywhere.

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28 March 1918
65 Squadron R.F.C.
Somewhere in France


"Conteville, Gentlemen. Fly due south from here about twenty-two miles and you should find the spot, just beyond Fruges along this meandering north-south road”, Major Jack Cunningham stabbed his finger at the large map on the wall in front of him as he spoke to the pilots of the squadron. ”You'll be looking for a small collection of buildings clustered around an intersection that forms a cross. The Royal Engineers have prepared a field for us in the southwest quadrant of that cross. It's a new set-up so things may be in a bit of a jumble, but it should all get sorted out soon enough."

Captain Frederick Abbott would be leading ‘B’ Flight, Captain Tommy Williams would handle ‘C’ Flight, and Captain Alfred “Ack Ack” Leitch would head up ‘A’ Flight. The original idea was for all flights to leave together just after morning tea, however some minor engine run-up issues with planes in both ‘B’ and ‘C’ Flights resulted in ‘A’ Flight leaving some twenty minutes ahead of them. The weather had gone dud the day before which had curtailed all sorties. Just as well as it afforded everyone time to pack up their kits and get things ready for the move. And this morning the low clouds and rain were still with them, while the winds had tapered off late last night. It would be a wet, and thankfully brief, hop to the new digs.


Better late than never, 'B' and 'C' Flights prepare to leave Clairmarais amid the clouds and rain. 'A' Flight, having gotten away on time, was probably at Conteville by now.



Flying southward, the river Lys comes into view midway along the route. This move would certainly put them closer to the latest Boche push and the actual fighting.



As the town of Fruges slips past his starboard side Freddy starts searching for the new field which should now be directly ahead, provided Major Cunningham’s directions were correct.



After some searching of the area, Abbott spots a row of Camels tucked in next to a collection of farm buildings and houses. In addition, there is a trio of bleached canvas army tents in a nearby copse of trees and a fleet of trucks parked next to the southernmost farm building, said tents and trucks likely belonging to the Royal Engineers. Is this really supposed to be an aerodrome? He gives the signal and the two flights descend and begin circling the makeshift field.



Freddy does a fly-over to assess the situation. It looks abysmal, despite old Sol's best efforts to break through the clouds and dapple the place with sunlight.



Open shell holes were scattered all along the treed edge of the field, and fresh muddy brown patches directly in the landing area marked where the R.E.s had filled in the more hazardous craters.



Abbott waited until everyone else was down safely then circled once more, glided over the road at the east end of the field, settled onto the uneven wet ground, and bounced to a stop next to the trees and shell holes.



Directly in front of him stretched a row of telegraph poles as well as a fence line. Landing hazards everywhere but not a single hangar nor hut to be found. Planes and men alike would be spending the night in the rain from the looks of it. What a cock up, moving to an aerodrome that wasn’t even built yet!




NOTE: The majority of the description of Conteville on the day of 65 Squadron’s arrival was gleaned from 2nd Lt. Guy Mainwaring Knocker’s diary and letters. Further descriptive information was also found in Bill Lambert’s “Combat Report”. Layout information came from a Royal Engineer’s sketch made at the time of construction, a copy of which was provided me via a circuitous route involving Epower, Shredward, RedToo, and Gunner Bailey, (thanks all). And the new collection of various sized shell holes are courtesy of our in-house 3D model builder Fullofit, (a big thanks to you as well Sir).

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Great read Lou!

Are these shots taken of WOFF: PE?

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Thanks Casey! Yes, they are of WOFF PE. The aerodrome at Conteville, (or rather lack of one), is a custom facility I quickly put together for this particular move.

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Very good reads Gents. Welcome to the war Lt. Casey!

Soooo Lou? Can I assume you will be submitting an upgraded Conteville to the Consolidated Airfields mod??

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Robert, at this point I have at least seven different custom aerodromes in various stages of build, all waiting for the release of BHaH II before I move ahead with them. And then of course there are the ones already completed that will need to be updated as well. But yes, eventually Conteville will be a contender for the Consolidated Facilities Mod.

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LtCasey, looking forward to your tales.

Lou, wow that place makes Droglandt look like St Omer. A trip made more miserable with all that rain. Nearer the hell of battle in a hellhole of an airfield. Great story btw.

2nd Lieutenant James Harrison
103rd Aero
La Noblette Airfield
28th March 1918

3 confirmed kills

Charles Biddle was going to lead today's sortie and lead the briefing. "Major Thaw and 'A' flight have already departed on another escort mission as you know", "We have been tasked with patrolling the skies around Chalons and Somme-Vesle airfield again as the Germans keep sending bombers over to disrupt our supplies coming through the town".

"The skies are full up there at the moment and I don't see that changing any time soon so keep your eyes open at all times" he finished.

Jimmy took off with the others at 9.30am. It was another wonderful sunny spring day in north eastern France. The skies had cleared again and visibility was virtually perfect.

The formation climbed using the Marne river as a guide and Jimmy could feel the warmth of the sun on his face as he came around again with the others. As he focussed his eyes he suddenly froze, up above them were several aircraft and judging by the flak up there they weren't friendly. Jimmy felt really uncomfortable as he realised these could dive down at anytime, but thankfully it didn't look like Jimmy's flight had been seen yet.

They continued to climb and Jimmy signalled his finding. Jimmy kept his eye on those enemy aircraft, if they dived down he could be in trouble, but they didn't.

The SPADs were now only a little below the enemy aircraft, now identifiable as Albatros scouts. Surely they'd seen the SPADs now, it was almost like a stand off, who was going to break first.

Suddenly Jimmy saw one of the Albatros scouts break and come at him. He avoided the clumsy attack and began a circling duel with the enemy. After several turns Jimmy got a bead on the Albatros and put lead into him. The German lurched over, dived and ran for home. Jimmy checked around, nothing else nearby, he dived onto the Albatros and put a burst into him. The German tried to roll away but Jimmy had throttled right back and went with him firing all the time.

The German nosed down and smashed into the trees north of La Cheppe airfield.

As Jimmy levelled off he saw more SPADs nearby and joined with them. One was Charles Biddle who pointed towards home.

On landing Jimmy found Biddle had shot one down and only two SPADs had been damaged.

Charles Biddle was also able to confirm Jimmy's claim as he'd seen the whole thing. "You tied him in knots Jimmy, good job" confirmed Biddle as they went to file their reports.

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Albert - Too true about Droglandt in comparison. Freddy was wishing to be shed of the place when he was there, but now, well, be careful what you wish for, eh?
Jimmy is pulling out the stops, no doubts there, and I imagine he's impressed more than a few of the veterans in the squadron. Nice write-up and screenies, I particularly like number four. Also, if you've not read it, Charles Biddle's "The Way of the Eagle" is one you really must get to. It should be available online for free but if not I have a public domain PDF of it if you need it.


EDIT: Just located it on line as a free e-read: "The Way of the Eagle" by Charles Biddle

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Ahhhhhhhhhh, Another great read and cup of coffee.

Lou, let’s put it this way: Luftstreitkräfte didn’t win the war, but they didn’t lose it either. Just you wait Herr Fokker gets his butt in gear and starts to roll out his latest creations!
It is lovely to witness these little gems of brilliance. A dogfight here, a barrage there, tanks trundling way over there and somewhere over England there could even be a Zeppelin hovering. Not to mention that down there, somewhere in the complex network of German trenches there is a certain Feldwebel contemplating to shave off the tips of his handlebar moustache and shape it into a Charlie Chaplin’s Rotzbremse.
Another dismal airfield. That Droglandt doesn’t look so bad now when compared to this shell hole infested patch of dirt. And ... you are very welcome.
Can I assume Rudi will soon see some Camels invading his airspace?

Albert, very odd those Albatroses, giving away their advantage like that. And look at Jimmy holding his own in the flying brick in a turn fight. Hopefully he can keep his cool once those Dreideckers arrive.

28 March, 1918 08:45 morning mission
Fontaine-Uterte, Flanders Sector
Jasta 19, JG II
Leutnant Rudolf Emil Fuchs EK1, HHO, PLM
58 confirmed kills

Only Schwarm Zwei has been selected to patrol over Mont St. Martin aerodrome. There were five of them. Fuchs led Scheller, Jumpelt, Korner and Rienau. They’ve lost Rienau to engine failure very early on. They’ve decided to continue without him regardless.
Rudi saw them first, flying lower close to the airfield. He gave the signal and dove. He quickly acquired a target and fired. He didn’t hit him that hard, just one burst, but the SPAD went into a spin and crashed near the airfield. He then engaged another French machine that was flying nearby. Rudi remembered to check his rear and it was a good thing he did. There was another SPAD coming down, ready to strike. They began the dance. The Frenchman looped his plane, so did Rudi. When they levelled out, Fuchs’ Fokker was sitting behind the SPAD. The German ace began his fusillade and soon found his enemy spinning all the way down to crash near the first wreck.

YouTube Link



Rudi turned back to see another SPAD chasing one of his wingmates. He went them after and prayed the Dreidecker driver has enough sense to drag the Franzose his way. That’s exactly what he did. He could see the SPAD clearly, he aimed and sprayed the aeroplane as it was flying by. The enemy disengaged from pursuit and was about to run for home, but Fuchs was already behind and firing. This SPAD cartwheeled down to crash near the aerodrome. It was time to turn back and get ready for the afternoon show.

YouTube Link

Lou - Jimmy is in awe of these guys, most of them have been over in France since 1915, some earlier than that and if he is earning their respect, that's enough for him. Jimmy has had to deal with a lot of frustration over the previous few years when he was prevented from becoming a pilot, but he kept a lid on it and did his job, very well.

Now he's flying, he's a having to deal with a whole new set of pressures, but using that same cool, methodical, level headedness. It's bearing fruit at the moment at least.

Thanks for the link, I'll definitely have a read of it when I get a chance.

Fullofit - another very successful sortie (and very good viewing) Rudi is simply in prime form at the moment, a bit like Manfred von Richthofen was in March and early April 1918 or Mannock in April, May, June 1918 .......quite unstoppable.....until they were stopped of course.

As for those Albatros scouts, it was strange, for about two minutes we seemed to circle each other like we were ranging each other up, but by then they'd already lost most of their height advantage. The only thing maybe was we had one more aircraft, but even so, five Albatrosse diving down at full pelt at us, even if they just damaged some of us and then ran. It would have been hard for us to challenge them as we'd have been all over the place.

I enjoy flying the SPAD, the trick with it for me is using the throttle. If you can time throttling back and forward as you turn you can sneak a few more degrees of turn which can make all the difference in getting a burst into your target. Once he dives for home, given the SPADs speed, he's a goner.

Albert, Rudi is definitely past his expiration date. It may as well happen at any moment, such is war. There are too many ways to die in this sim to expect anything else, especially with the new release coming soon. We’ll have to learn to fly again.
Trick flying in a SPAD, that’s something else. Just don’t attempt any of it at low alt.

28 March, 1918 15:45 afternoon mission
Fontaine-Uterte, Flanders Sector
Jasta 19, JG II
Leutnant Rudolf Emil Fuchs EK1, HHO, PLM
58 confirmed kills
Awaiting 3 claim confirmations

In the afternoon they were sent to support ground forces efforts west of St-Quentin.
As Rudi was gaining altitude towards the next waypoint he spied a formation of enemy planes approaching, then something strange occurred. He saw a SPAD plummeting down to earth just in front of him. Was he shot down? Was there a battle going on overhead that they’ve been oblivious to all this time? He began to scan the sky around him and found another SPAD falling down in a similar fashion as the first except this wreck was trailing a ribbon of black smoke behind. It then dawned on him, that the two SPADs must have collided with each other while stalking the Schwarm. They were so well hidden that they didn’t even see each other. There was no time to ponder what might’ve been. More SPADs were descending. Fuchs made a point to continue to track one of them. It seemed to maneuver like none of the others. Rudi went after him. He kept his target below him and took potshots until the enemy was damaged enough not to pose any more threat. Fuchs closed in and began to punish the French machine with his Spandaus. This crate took inordinate amount of damage before exploding mid-air. Rudi was sure he expended most of his ammunition stores.

YouTube Link



Another SPAD showed up to his starboard. It was being chased across the mud by another Fokker. It was obvious to Rudi the Dreidecker would never catch up to him, so he decided to intervene. He cut off the escape route and began to reel his prey in. Even by taking a shortcut he found himself behind the SPAD and being outpaced. He fired a long range burst and caught the Frenchman’s attention. The SPAD climbed and made an about turn, barreling straight at the Dreidecker. Fuchs thought to himself: “- You should have just kept on going. You’d have lived longer.” With that, he commenced his own attack and brought the Franzose down much easier than the previous SPAD.

YouTube Link

War Journal of Flight Commander George Ewan MacAlister, DSO, DSC
8 Squadron, RNAS
Bray Dunes, France

Part 32


"My second burst killed the pilot and the machine fell out of control."

Before we settled in our cabins at Serny, we were on the move again. We learned at dinner that we were to return to Teteghem the next morning. We were placed into reserve and had to give up three of our Bentley-engined Camels to another squadron. The whole affair was a colossal cock-up. Half of our squadron had missed out on leave only to find ourselves doing circuits and training flights around Dunkirk. On top of that came the news that the merger of the Royal Naval Air Service and RFC was imminent, most appropriately scheduled for 1 April.

We were awakened in the early hours of 21 March 1918 by a thunderous booming in the east. Certainly this was the long-awaited push by the Hun. The air rumbled and rolled without cease, the sound like an endless procession of fully-laden lorries clattering over a grade crossing. The sky danced with the reflected flashes of gunfire. I stood outside with White, smoking under an umbrella and shivering in greatcoats over pyjamas. We shook our heads and commiserated with the poor sods on the receiving end of so much hate. Where was the attack? Arras or Albert? Or everything in between? What was certain was that this was a push unlike anything that had gone before on either side. The Hun was about to throw all his forces from the eastern front against us with the intent of knocking us out of the war before the Yanks could get their army knocked into shape.

We were up early and ready for action, but no orders came. We fell into the same reserve pattern of maritime defence flights and formation flying exercises for the newer pilots. I suggested to Squadron Commander Draper that we visit the Admiral of the Fleet and leave our calling cards so that he would remember we existed. The post was confused for a couple of days but I was able to get off a few lines to Bronwyn and received a lovely letter from her. At the bottom of her letter she signed off with the word “fondly,” which she then struck through and replaced with the word “love.” I took the letter back to my bed space and hit it away in a drawer, from which I withdrew it to reread several times each day.

Finally, on 27 March, orders came that we were to move up to the field at Bray Dunes. It was only a few miles to the east but from here we should become fully operational again, although in a quieter sector. It appears that we are still considered a unit in need of rest. Bray Dunes had been a naval air station for years now and we found it a most comfortable billet. We were housed in Nissen huts and enjoyed a spacious wardroom. On Thursday, 28 March, I flew our first patrol from our new home. The compass stations reported several two seaters over our lines north of Ypres and we took off shortly after eight to chase them off – Fowler, Draper, Gerrard, Dennett, and a new man named Ross. We climbed to 14,000 feet before approaching the lines and spotted some two seaters in the distance. I circle to the south to put the sun at our backs, but the Huns were alert and scrambled away to the east. Then we spotted a cluster of small dots headed in our direction. A flight of Pfalz scouts emerged, and we quickly began a tangled melee. I spotted a Hun on Fowler’s tail and attacked him, only to find another Hun on mine. I rolled underneath him and shook him off. I saw a Pfalz trying to leave the fight and got on its tail. My second burst killed the pilot and the machine fell out of control. The fight was still above me, so I climbed immediately to rejoin but by the time I regained my lost height everyone had scattered. I searched the sky for a while and headed toward home. After several minutes, Draper and Fowler formed up on me and we returned together. I claimed my Pfalz and Fowler claimed another. Unfortunately, Wing was not as certain that I killed the pilot as my claim went unconfirmed.

Ross, despite orders to stay out of a scrap, must have got caught because he is missing and we think he must have been shot down in the first minute or two as no one remembered seeing him.

News from the front is not good. The Hun has attacked on both sides of the River Somme and his troops have infiltrated our positions and pushed more than five miles back. The entire front in that sector is in disarray.

Lou – not just a singer but a songwriter too! Thanks for the great laugh. I like your aerodrome at Conteville. A long day on the road and the Mrs wants to save money by staying at Econodrome!

Albert – I like your comment about working the throttle on the Spad. I can attest to the fact that it is easier said than done. It is far too easy to lose your speed advantage and turn the machine into a flying brick! I'm enjoying your accounts.

LtCasey – welcome to our obsession and best of luck with your new pilot.

Carrick – once again, you are finding ways to make hospital the best part of a DiD campaign!

Thank you Raine,

We will see what kind of pilot Arnold "Arnie" Gärtner is.

Für Kaiser und Vaterland!

Raine - George returned to the fight in fine form thanks to that letter from Bronwyn it seems. One word is all it takes as they say. An awful lot of moving around going on with the RFC and RNAS units. I know the German push had started, but even so, the Flanders roads must have been full of lorries loaded with airfield equipment going this way and that.

Bad luck with that claim, gone are the days when you simply landed by your kill and hacked a bit off it.

Poor Ross too, hardly time to unpack it seems, not a place for beginners this war now.

Fullofit - Two more fine claims that first one certainly didn't want to go down. I think the opening sequence of the falling SPADs is part of the new French tactics devised specifically to deal with Rudi's success.......'smash them ourselves before he gets there and try to hit him with the debris', although the French being the French they give it the more elegant title of 'le choc des têtes'. Devised by a Colonel Francois de Bite en Main, by all accounts.

LtCasey - good name, although you know what his nickname is going to be don't you.....kinder.

Ähmmmm..... didnt thought about that 😂


But....I'll be back!

2nd Lieutenant James Harrison
103rd Aero
La Noblette Airfield
29th March 1918

4 confirmed kills

"We've been given a real doozy today Gentlemen" confirmed Major Thaw.

"We're going to attack an enemy balloon opposite Verdun. On the east side of the Forêt d'Argonne. The French are still finding it really hard to bring any supplies into the lines without getting hammered and believe it's down to this balloon" he continued.

"You all know the drill for balloons. Don't get too close and keep your eyes up top. There's nearly always a formation of scouts up there waiting".

Jimmy and the others were ready a few minutes later, engines roaring. They climbed away and made for the lines.

Remembering yesterday's shananigans Jimmy nervously checked the skies above but thankfully found nothing.

The weather was perfect again, lovely spring sunshine with only a handful of clouds.

As they made their way across the lines Jimmy could feel the sun on him and it reminded him of Summers spent as a child fishing on Lake Erie. Suddenly Jimmy was abruptly brought back from thoughts of home by flak bursts as they neared the German lines.

They could now see the dark green baize ahead indicating the Forêt d'Argonne and they started descending gently.

All the time Jimmy kept his eyes open but thankfully there was nothing but the increasing puffs of smoke from the flak bursts.

They could now clearly see the Aisne river and the thick forest beyond. The flak bursts were really heavy now and suddenly David Peterson broke formation. He seemed to wobble in the air for a few moments and then settle again. Clearly he'd either been hit or had engine trouble and he made his way towards Verdun.

They could now see the stumpy shape of the balloon ahead as they descended and drew closer.

Jimmy checked up top, thankfully the sky was clear and he dived onto the balloon. He put a good burst into it and as he pulled away and looked back he saw others doing the same. Suddenly the balloon burst into red flame.

Jimmy smiled and started to move away but then felt his aircraft shudder like a wounded animal contorting. He checked his wires and they were fine. He checked the engine and it was fine. He climbed quickly and formed up.

Clearly he'd not been the only one that had been hit as Major Thaw signalled to head for Verdun.

Jimmy couldn't help but look out across the desolated ruins of Verdun as he crossed over. He then saw the seemingly untouched forts on the west side of the town.

On his approach to Lemmes he flew over one such fort, designed by a Monsieur Louvert apparently he was to find out later on.

As he landed he saw another aircraft landing nearby and was amazed to see an American roundel on it and the Hat in the Ring insignia on the side of the Nieuport 28. He looked behind and saw a whole flight of them coming in.

The 94th were in town!

Jimmy and the others stayed around and talked with the boys from the 94th whilst their SPADs were refuelled and repaired. Jimmy even found another guy from Ohio, Rick Backer or something like that anyway.

They eventually made their way home. All pilots and aircraft accounted for and Bill Thaw himself claimed the balloon.