Though I've not been around here for nearly as long as most others here, and I am somewhat late with this but I'll offer this much. Raine, I am sincerely saddened and sorry to hear, and much like others here, my thoughts and hopes are with you.

Tross - Congratulations on the marriage!

To others, just mere days left then. What a journey, huh?

Indeed, NR, glad to meet you again! Here's to another campaign, shall it be as fascinating and eccentric as this one!

Albert, Klaus definitely had a lovely time with the enemy planes over their home base. He did learn not to do it again.
As for Werner, he’s on a rampage. Put in a claims report? Why bother? We all know they’re already confirmed. How many confirmations does it make in a row now? 20? The only thing that could stop Rendel in his tracks is the ammunition shortage.

Epower, Klaus made it, but just. I believe rat gruel was served for lunch. He did miss that.
Oliver didn’t miss the binge though and what a shindig it was. Then Tennyson has his own party and Oliver is the guest of honour. Ah, the cruel fate, but Winningstad prepared himself well for the mission ahead and executed it flawlessly.

Raine, there is a saying: lucky at cards, unlucky in love. Perhaps the same goes for luck with the Huns? It is a gamble to go up against them each day. Have another drink and forget the nurses.

8 November, 1918 08:45
Montingen, Verdun Sector
Jasta 18
Rittmeister Klaus Gustav Raben LO RAO AO PLM HHO EK1 EK2
Fokker D.VII
189 confirmed kills

The episode in which the SPADs look for payback.

Four of the claims have been confirmed.
Klaus and the rest of his Schwarm were sent to support ground forces between Thiaucourt and Pont-à-Mousson. As the Schwarm was approaching Tronville Woods they were met by two flights of SPADs. The enemy were hovering menacingly above, biding their time for a perfect strike. Klaus was getting antsy and wanted to get it over with already. His wish was granted and he was greeted by fire from a diving SPAD. The fire was inaccurate and Raben avoided it easily. Another pair came down right at him. He was able to dodge those two as well. His Schwarm finally engaged the enemy and Klaus was suddenly in the middle of a furball. With the SPADs now receiving proper attention, Klaus was able to get to work and selected one of the hostile aircraft. He could now see it was an Amerikaner and Raben immediately thought they were here to settle the score from yesterday. Not today, not now, not over German territory. Klaus would not allow it. He shot at the SPAD as it was flying towards him and despite not hitting it, he was able to spook it and force it to dive for cover. Klaus wanted to follow, but there were too many unfriendlies behind that would quickly put a bullet in his back if he followed the American pilot. He lost him anyway while he looked back to check his six. He turned around and quickly found another target. This Yank was too busy to see Raben right behind him. The SPAD pulled up as Klaus opened fire and the two planes came very close together. Klaus was sure the enemy was close enough to touch him. Somehow they avoided a collision and Raben switched to another target, which was now tumbling down to the ground. He was certain he had hit the enemy pilot with his barrage. The next SPAD was levelling out of a dive and the Fokker could easily keep up with his prey in a turn. Klaus could see this one was a Frenchman, who currently entered a dive to lose Raben, but this was easier said than done. Klaus was able to keep up and opened fire. He continued to pummel the enemy until the starboard wing came flying off. The Franzose followed it down to earth. Klaus didn’t. He looked around, but by now the enemy planes were on their way back south to get back home.

YouTube Link



Klaus thought about following them back to base, but was quickly reminded of yesterday’s attempt. There was no need, he looked back to find a bogey on his rear. He couldn’t tell if it was a friend or foe and turned his plane around to investigate, but something else caught his eye below. There was movement and it wasn’t red and white. A SPAD trying to sneak by below was a perfect opportunity to increase Raben’s tally. He immediately lunged at the prey which in turn was doing some acrobatics to shake off another Fokker. Klaus waited for the enemy to level out and stop his shenanigans. He then approached the SPAD from behind and let his Spandaus introduce his arrival. The Franzose spiralled down to avoid more fire. Raben could see dark smoke following his target. He came after him and fired again. The starboard wing, which flew off the SPAD hit his own wing, but did no damage. The same could not be said about the French machine, which tumbled down to the ground. Klaus quickly scanned the skies for more targets while he continued to fly south. He never intended to cross the frontlines, only to go as far as the Front and hopefully encounter more targets of opportunity trying to get across from the recent battle.

YouTube Link



Such target of opportunity presented himself on Raben’s port side just a few minutes later. Klaus was flying higher and had little trouble getting on his target’s rear. He calmly aimed and fired. The SPAD in front wobbled and tried to avoid more fire by a shallow arc to the right. Klaus went after the enemy and aimed and fired again. This time the enemy scout went into a spin and crashed soon after. Klaus made about-turn and went back to base. He was on his own now and didn’t fancy meeting another flight of angry SPADs.

YouTube Link

NR - Good to see you swinging by, and yes after 20 months it's been on amazing journey, perhaps even a long strange trip...I can't imagine what it's like for those who were here in the beginning nearly 3 years ago.

TWK - The withdrawal is strong with this one. Soon my friend. Soon.

@BuckeyeBob - The weather was fine. Ok, actually it was rainy and nasty but the clouds sure were purdy once the sun rose. Same with the ones you'll see below.

Fullofit - Whew! A double dose of fortune for Klaus both staying alive and missing out on Rat Tart.
SPAD slaughter continues I see. That last SPAD tried the Hartmann escape - stuff everything into the corner no matter how much it hurts. Didn't have enough altitude to pull it off and Klaus nailed his derriere.
A solid days work. Shame there's nothing good to celebrate it with. 189 with Three pending? It ain't out of the question but the Claims Office will need to play ball.
___________________________________

À la Recherche du Temps Perdu - Part 112



26 October 1918
No. 24 Squadron RAF
Athies, France

No rest for the wicked nor the righteous. Tomorrow we move northeast to Busigny which will have us 10 miles behind the lines. The rapid advance these past three weeks put us 33 miles to the rear here at Athies. No 46 Squadron will go as well. Lt Young arranged for a common mess for the first two days. I watch in amazement and the logistical dance begins anew.

Low clouds and mist but the weather is flyable. I led an escort of Brisfits from No. 20 Squadron on a reconnaissance over Favril.


Lovely clouds. Like a painting.


Above the low clouds the skies were clear

No Huns sighted.



27 October 1918
No. 24 Squadron RAF
Busigny, France

Weather clearing at last. All pilots to Busigny without loss. We’ve arrived at yet another of Von Richthofen’s old haunts. The Huns decamped east in late September but the place is largely intact.

Dinner with 46 Squadron tonight. A fine evening but one tinged with disappointing news. Lt. Allen, our RO departs tomorrow for Fifth Army. A bad time to lose my strong right hand.



28 October 1918
No. 24 Squadron RAF
Busigny, France

Weather excellent this morning. Huns active. A and C Flight had a huge scrap with about 15 Fokkers. A few driven down damaged but no decisive combats. All aircraft returned safely.

Settling into our new home. Thoughts of Clarissa and Eliza now invade my daily thinking. I’m on edge. I feel a growing unease. I’ve not been in a fight in 10 days. The lack of combat does no good for my Clarissa addled mind. Flight Sgt. Fisher informed me after lunch that the bag, happily suspended in the back of A Flight Hangar, awaited my attention. I vented my growing frustration on the sand-filled monstrosity.

Tomorrow I’m back in the air.


29 October 1918
No. 24 Squadron RAF
Busigny, France

11.30 Patrol of our lines south of Le Quesnoy. Up with Longton and B Flight. Carruthers and A Flight flew top cover.

Thirty minutes of empty skies over the patrol area then 7 Fokkers came out of the sun. From the West! Rather slippery, these Boche.

Hit one very hard and got him smoking. A second burst tore into his cockpit.


“He fell thunderously and this armor clattered about him.”

With the fight well in hand, I watched the Fokker all the way down. Looking again I saw two silver shapes against the mud below.


I sent one of the Fokkers to the death god. The other fled east and I followed.

Peppered the Hun, who didn’t do much in the way of maneuver. Either his controls were damaged or he was new. The Vickers clicked to a stop. Empty. I had at most half of my last Lewis drum remaining and I was suddenly alone and well over the lines.

Broke off and made my exit to the west.

A strong day for No. 24 Squadron when the final tally was complete. Longton with 2, Harries, Palmer, and Evans each with one confirmed. Ten Huns driven down damaged as well. Probable kills but classed as indecisive combats.

Both my claims confirmed. Two Hundred four.




30 October 1918
No. 24 Squadron RAF
Busigny, France

8.30 Offensive patrol Favril to Le Quesnoy. Up with B Flight again, Scruffy leading a mixed group: Harries, Bissonette, Evans, Creswell, Seymour and Fuller.

South of Le Quesnoy a full Jasta of Fokkers met us at our same altitude.


The Luftstreitkräfte came up in force!


I worked my way above the fight, then swooped down.

More and more aircraft arriving on scene. I dove back in fired and climbed back above the fight, looking to clear an SE in trouble. Scored a number of hard hits and knocked 3 out of the fight but I didn’t stay down long enough to finish them.


His engine dead, the Fokker glided down under control. I declined to follow


Evans was in big trouble. I closed to 80 yards and fired both guns.

The Fokker tumbled down, spinning out of control. I watched him fall suspecting a ruse until he crashed in a great explosion of earth.
Formed with Evans whose machine was well holed. The fight raged above. Not a place to be this low. I led us west and being down to my last Lewis drum I escorted Evans back to Busigny.

So many fell on both sides. Shattered aircraft littered the landscape and from their burning remains funeral pyres rose by the score.

Of the squadrons seven claims Wing confirmed only my solitary Fokker and Scruffy’s two Huns.

Two Hundred five.



31 October 1918
No. 24 Squadron RAF
Busigny, France

Almost no air activity after the savagery of yesterdays combat.

I thought back to the fight. Stacks of flights all storming into the melee. I’d never seen so many aeroplanes. Then Huns put up what was sure to be a determined last stand. A bloody, bloody day for friend and foe alike.***

“There no more could a man who was in that work make light of it,
one who still unhit and still unstabbed by the sharp bronze
spun in the midst of that fighting, with Pallas Athene’s hold on
his hand guiding him, driving back the volleying spears thrown.
For on that day many men of the Achaians and Trojans
lay sprawled in the dust face downward beside one another.”



_________________________

***67 German aircraft destroyed.
47 British aircraft lost, with 3 killed, 8 wounded and 26 missing.
To date the highest single day loss in RAF history, surpassing even September 15, 1940, the climactic day of the Battle of Britain. On that day in 1940 the Germans lost 60 aircraft, the RAF 26 (13 killed)

EOM stats October 1918

Major Oliver Alden Winningstad, VC, DSO & 2 Bars, MC, Ld'H
24 Squadron RAF
Busigny, France
SE5a Wolseley Viper

437 missions
547.87 hours
205 victories
290 claims

Thank you again for the wedding well wishes as for the next DID, I'm still trying to finish this one in one piece.

Raine - Fergie is in fine form, 36 confirmed kills now. Shame about the losses but pretty much inevitable now. So a letter from Edie but not quite what he was hoping for. Maybe she's still being coy, feeling the ground before commiting fully. Will Fergie's letter back be more open. We shall see. As for Werner, yes hes in good nick at present, but time's running out.

Epower - Another fine tale with which to sip my cuppa. The practice clearly paid off for Oliver and the night flying went as well as could be hoped for. A near miss in that field and poor Jan took the brunt of it. Tempting though that strafing run was Oliver made the right choice. So the Bristol proved the perfect mount and held together wonderfully. Thank the maker this wasn't 1916 and trying to do it all in a BE2, he'd have been still flying now. Then back to normal duties for Oliver, he was craving a fight, he'd lost the smell of battle from his nostrils and the stress of the past few days had him hungry and he made those Huns pay. As for Werner, those Breguets are tough cookies so bagging any is nice, several is wonderful.


Fullofit - Klaus is still piling them up. That initial SPAD attack was great to watch, some proper booming and zooming going on there, but again, Klaus's patience paid off. He nailed them in the end although that first one took an inordinate amount of damage first. As for Werner, I think it was 13 on the bounce before that rejected claim. He's more pleased with the amount of Breguets amongst them. A Breguet a day keeps the war news blues at bay.

.

Albert - Congrats on tying the knot! Malta sounds like a wonderful spot for a honeymoon, and probably hard to come home from. Congrats as well on Werner’s well-deserved bling and to his continuing success in the skies above his retreating countrymen. He remains victorious even if the Vaterland is losing the war.

Fullofit - Congrats to you too on the shiny new medal. Like Albert’s man, Klaus continues to fight the good fight. Despite all the shortages and losses, not to mention the obvious direction things are going for the Kaiser and his lot, Raben soldiers on. But then that’s what heroes do.

Epower - And speaking of what heroes do, Ripper had quite the covert assignment. A brill return and rescue of Clarissa only to have her leave once more. Classic stuff! Now back to finishing up with these hostilities, eh what.

Raine - I will consider handling the job of GF in the next campaign, so let’s revisit that after the holidays. And as before my friend, my thoughts and prayers go with you as you contend with the curve ball life has hurled your way. Keep on keeping on, much like your Fergie does! As for Edie's less-than-romantic note, who knows - women are a mystery wrapped in an enigma, (to paraphrase Churchill).

Carrick - Cecil had to give up his lovely beachfront I see, and take up the torch once more. King and Country and all that.

TKB - A wounding and hospital for your fellow until it’s all over. Well at least we know one of our fliers here will survive the madness.

Shredward, Maeran, MFair, BB, Hasse, and NR - Great to see all you gents stopping by! The liquor is where it’s always been so help yourselves. And stick around, I believe cook is bringing in a tray of fresh scones soon.

.

Now as for Freddy and the rest of the lads at 43 Squadron, they found a bit of action at last yesterday some thirty-five miles east of camp where they got in a go-round with a Jasta of eleven D.VIIs. After dispatching two of the Fokkers immediately, Major Abbott decided to help some of his boys get a claim or two as well. So he spent the rest of the time softening up the remaining enemy planes then leaving them to the lads to finish off. Truth be told the Hun did not put up much of a fight, and in fact one quickly ducked out and landed his kite intact and was quickly captured. It was learned shortly thereafter that he’d only been given a hundred rounds of ammo which he quickly spent. After that he saw no reason to die for a losing cause. From the looks of the retreating Boche on the ground this appears to be the generally held feeling by all of them.

.

Lou - Thanks for the well wishes and you're right Malta is a beautiful place. So Freddy finally finds some action and downs a pair of Fokkers. Then he sportingly helps his comrades get kills by softening up the opposition for them. That German pilot sums up the situation quite well and is out of it now. As for Werner he'll keep going until the end and that end is very very nigh.


Lt Werner Rendel, EK1
Jasta 78b
Buhl Lorraine airfield

43 confirmed kills

7th November 1918

The news of Werner's impending award had reached the other pilots and yesterday evening was a pleasant one, albeit a rather subdued affair. Not only due to the continuing news reaching them of the troubles at home, riots, looting, not to mention reports of a mutiny by sailors in the northern ports, but also the fact the beer was rationed to a bottle each, although a bottle of schnapps magically appeared too.

Today's outing was to be ten machines in one large kette, making their way down to the south east of Luneville.

The weather was as good as a mid November day probably could be as Werner set off and climbed up to 12000ft before heading out.

As they neared the front, Werner saw shapes ahead, twisting and buzzing around like a nest of excited wasps.

On investigating, it was an ongoing melee between some Breguets and some DVII's. Just at that moment, out to his left, Werner spotted more aircraft heading towards them. It was a formation of SPADs. Now the fun started in earnest.

Werner was attacked by a Breguet from below and swung down to attack in turn. The French machine took hits and rolled right. He dived down with his gunner trying to pepper Werner with fire.

Werner followed but just as the Breguet levelled out, Werner dived down and blasted the enemy machine with a burst which had smoke and flames billowing from the now stricken aircraft.

The Breguet went into a shallow falling dive which ended when it smashed into the ground.

Werner now latched onto a SPAD who'd taken an interest in proceedings. A few twists and turns and Werner had him in his sights. He hammered the Frenchman with several accurate bursts. A final flurry had smoke pouring out of the SPAD and it twisted into a spiralling fall and went into the ground.

Werner now saw a final enemy aircraft ahead and managed to get a burst into the fleeing SPAD which made him turn and come at Werner, who smiled knowingly.

He hammered the Frenchman as he flew past and swooped around onto his tail. Another burst must have cut some control wires as the SPAD lurched over and went straight into the ground.

No further enemy aircraft where nearby so Werner formed up and headed home.

8th November 1918 (awaiting two confirmations)

Today's sortie was a trip down to Luneville once more. Werner led the flight and thankfully the weather remained decent as the seven Fokkers took off and headed south west.

As they made their way, Werner spotted a flight of SPADs above and to the left. The SPADs clearly fancied their chances as they dived into the attack.

Werner avoided the enemy and after some twisting and turning, got the better of one of the French machines.

He poured bullets into the SPAD who tried to roll away but Werner was on him instantly and another good burst had the French machine spinning down where it smashed into the ground below.

The other SPADs had been downed and as a couple of Fokkers had taken hits, Werner decided to head home.

Alfred Osterreicher crashed on trying to land his damaged Fokker and was killed instantly as it toppled over and the top wing collapsed.

His body was recovered and buried that evening near the airfield. Leutnant Schmid confirmed two of Werner's claims, the Breguet from yesterday and today's SPAD. The two SPADs from yesterday had been rejected. These brought Werner to 45 confirmed kills.

Lt Werner Rendel, EK1
Jasta 78b
Buhl Lorraine airfield

45 confirmed kills

9th November 1918

General Johannes von Eben was due in the afternoon and preparations were pretty much complete. Another truck full of aviation fuel arrived early in the morning and this allowed a relatively full sortie to take place.

Eight Fokkers were to fly to the north of Luneville and patrol around. The weather had closed in once more and thick clouds and rain were unwelcome accompaniments as Werner led the enlarged kette out west south west.

They'd reached roughly halfway and had just come through an enormous cloud formation when bullets pinged around from above. Werner instinctively rolled and saw several SPADs diving down towards them.

Werner caught one enemy aircraft flying across his sights and let an accurate if brief burst go into the SPAD who rolled and dived.

Werner went with him and continued peppering him with bullets. The Frenchman was skilled and try to zoom climb away, but Werner managed to stay with him although the Fokker was groaning it's disapproval. He hammered the SPAD with a long burst and this seemed to slow the enemy aircraft down.

Another burst and the SPAD fell past Werner and the next he saw was a cloud of debris and smoke where it had plummeted into the ground.

Werner saw another SPAD ahead and went hell for leather after him. He had some height to use and used it well, he got withing range and pulverised the SPAD who tried to climb. This just presented more of the enemy aircraft to Werner who obligingly blasted the Frenchman who lurched over and went spiralling down into the ground.

That seemed to be it for enemy aircraft and as at least two Fokkers had been damaged, he headed home.

Leutnant Reimann congratulated Werner on his double as he had seen everything. Seven SPADs had been downed without serious loss.

Leutnant Schmid was able to confirm both claims for Werner, taking him to 47 confirmed kills.

At 4pm General von Eben's entourage arrived and the pilots and ground crews tightened their attention.

The General stepped out of the car and was met by Leutnant Schmid. The pair talked for a short while and then walked to a position in front of the ranks of men.

"Leutnant Rendel, please step forward." said Schmid and Werner marched over to the General.

"Ah Leutnant Rendel, this is an honour, and a rare pleasure in such trying times for our country." said the General.

He took the proffered award from his adjutant and placed it around Werners neck.

"Your record brings honour to you and your unit Leutnant, congratulations." finished the General.

Werner saluted and made his way back to his place. The General started to speak.

"Meine herren, these are trying times for our country. We face danger from without and within. Our people are war weary and restive, but it is at this supreme moment of danger that we, the proud army of our beloved Reich must stand firm. We....." the General's speech was cut short by the Adjutant calling him to the phone urgently.

The General went into the office and took the receiver....."What?........Are you sure?.........Gott in himmel!! What am I supposed to do?" Eventually the General reemerged looking rather sheepish and despondent. He spoke briefly with Leutnant Schmid and got back into his car. The entourage then left.

Leutnant Schmid went to speak to the adjutant in the office. "What was all that about?" asked Schmid.

"Best keep this to yourself for now but......the Kaiser has abdicated." said the adjutant.

Epower, shooting down the enemy planes is not a problem for Klaus, it’s getting them confirmed. All his wingmen always look the other way.
As to Winningstad, that’s a long time without downing a Hun. All work and no play makes Oliver something something. The constant thought of one woman or another doesn’t help much either. It is only a large scrape with the enemy that keeps him sane and satisfied.

Albert, it looks like Klaus and Werner are doing most of the Luftstreitkräfte work. How long can they keep it up with little food and materiel shortages?
So, a series of catch up stories from Werner. He continues to swat enemy planes out of the sky like annoying flies. As long as his fuel and ammunition stores will allow, he will keep the enemy at bay (probably because of that Bréguet a day). Shame about Osterreicher - so close to the end. At least Werner received his medal before everything went tits up. It will be a difficult end.

Lou, Klaus soldiers on while everyone else is picking up their toys and going home. Can’t tell if he’s that dumb or naive. The writing’s on the wall.
So, Freddy gets his fill and then goes around and pads his pilots’ tallies. What a swell guy, but we all know that already.

9 November, 1918 08:00
Montingen, Verdun Sector
Jasta 18
Rittmeister Klaus Gustav Raben LO RAO AO PLM HHO EK1 EK2
Fokker D.VII
191 confirmed kills

The episode in which Klaus had to do it again.

Two of the SPADs from yesterday have been confirmed.
The HQ wasn’t particularly happy with the fact that yesterday’s mission was a failure and ordered a rerun. Klaus wasn’t particularly happy about these orders either, but orders are orders and he will follow them to the bitter end and that end appeared to be imminent and exceptionally bitter.
The two Schwärme were piercing through the heavy clouds and freezing rain as quickly as their mounts could carry them. A bit of sun and dry conditions were beckoning. Finally, once over the muck the mission could continue, but there was something odd. Schwarm Eins was not right behind them but instead flying erratically. Klaus couldn’t see why, but decided to see what the commotion was all about. When he got closer he realized they were pursuing an enemy plane. Raben scanned the skies but couldn’t see any more hostiles. He decided to go after the single enemy. He looked up above again and sure enough more enemy planes appeared out of the clouds. Klaus was already on his way to the original target and decided to ignore the new arrivals. He would deal with them next, but the SPADs behind him had other plans. A staccato of machine gun fire from behind hit his starboard plane and Klaus was forced to abandon his own attack. Instead, he concentrated on the foe that dared to interrupt his hunt. He had to be taught a lesson. Raben’s Fokker tracked his new target with ease and after a well aimed burst had the SPAD spinning to his death. Klaus quickly picked up another target closely followed by another Fokker. Other Fokker had a similar idea and was also in hot pursuit. They were chasing each other close to the ground, affording Klaus perfect position to strike from. Spindler swooped down and fired on the Franzose but without success. It was Raben’s turn. He opened fire and continued to track his prey. Others joined in and he could see the SPAD caught in crossfire. Klaus continued to punish the enemy until he was sure his foe was going nowhere else but down. The SPAD hit the field below soon after. Klaus spotted another pair duelling nearby. He could see SPAD was getting away and Raben was too far to catch him either. He attempted long range shots regardless and to his surprise caught the enemy with his third burst, clipping part of the wing and sending the enemy plane spinning into the ground. Apart from the heavy clouds, the skies were getting clear, but there was still one more fight going on close by. Klaus decided to join in. The enemy was flying high and he tried to get him from below, but all he managed to accomplish was to stall his plane. After recovering he could now see the entire Schwarm was hounding the last Frenchman. Klaus kept his distance, waiting for an opening. He found it after all the other Fokkers have given up their pursuit. Klaus was not really catching up but fired a few volleys to get the enemy interested in a more personal battle. The enemy seemed only mildly interested and Klaus had to persuade him with more fire. He finally had him damaged badly enough to be able to catch up and then with a final long burst sent the SPAD down to crash into a field among all his other compatriots. It was time to turn back and face the music again. Klaus was certain he would have to repeat he mission tomorrow again.

YouTube Link

Cecil P Fawnsworth, DFC MC. .MM. WOFF Wound Stripe.
Lt , Rfc, 54 Sqn
B Flight Leader
Nov 10 , 1918.

12 Victory Confirmed
7 Unconfirmed

Offensive Patrol : No Contact

I heard from my Uncle , known for hanging around Fast Women and betting on slow Ponies, He has a situation lined up for me after the War. Its analyzing athletic endeavors by Individuals against each other. Its to be done in an Open Air environment while observing each persons ability
I say, It looks spot on in my imagination

https://youtu.be/fgOVZ_QTtUM

Carrick, somehow, I imagined mud wrestling!

Oh well, to each his own!

@BB - what? No comment on the purdy clouds?

Clouds? What clouds?

Oh, those clouds! Yes, they look spectacular! Where did you get them, pray tell?

BTW, did you create a custom mission with custom weather for your story?

Not relevant – Thanks for the good thoughts. Wonderful to see you back and we hope to have you with us again in the New Year.

Fullofit – Raben is being smiled upon by the claims gods. He has certainly worked hard enough to deserve it! He is so close to the magic 200 mark that you must be wishing the war would go on for even one more week.

EPower – What can I say? Another Ripping Good Yarn from Oliver with a bit of Bulldog Drummond derring-do rescuing fair Clarissa in a night mission to Holland. A bit of neat flying there, and a bit of good fortune in getting through the German lines as the sun was coming up. Now your man is up to 205 with an impressive ratio of victories to claims. It's nearly time for him to retire to his Greek texts and garden, but I suspect the man is working on a plot to marry both Eliza and Clarissa.

Albert – I hope you had a wonderful time in Malta. My daughter-in-law goes there often for work and tells me it is beautiful. Congratulations to Werner on his decoration. That one got past the Kaiser's desk just in time.

Lou – We're almost at the finish line. I don't blame that Hun pilot for putting his machine down where he did. I would do the same in his place.

I am delighted to announce that Epower has committed to tag teaming the campaign moderator role with me for another DiD campaign in the New Year. Stay tuned for further announcements.


Journal of Captain Robert Fergus Drummond, DSO, DFC
32 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Pronville, France

Part 24


"This time a large section of his upper wing tore away and the machine fell to its destruction."

I would put my letter to Edie in the post that evening. Several whiskies in, I retired to my tent, lit my lantern, and sat for several minutes at the end of my cot waiting for inspiration. I affected a bluff, manly, “hail fellow well met” tone that frankly didn’t suit me or my feelings for Edie all that well. I’d had a topping time, I wrote. The tour of London was eye-popping. And wasn’t that fellow playing the piano in the River Room splendid? War should be over soon, and then what? Don’t feel much like going back to Canada – maybe I’ll stay on in the RAF. If I am posted close to London, perhaps we can see each other. Wouldn’t that be swell?

If I sounded like an idiot, at least it matched how I felt writing the bloody thing. Besides, if one of the fellows had to censor our mail, there wouldn’t be anything to snigger at.

I returned to the mess, abuzz with the latest rumours. The Germans, it was said, were looking for a ceasefire. Half of the officers were sceptical, saying that it was a ruse to give the enemy a breather. We’ll fight through the winter and cross the Rhine in the spring. The other half were either morose or gleeful. The morose ones I understood. We had passed directly from boyhood to being fighting pilots. We knew nothing else and loved nothing else. We cared only for where we were and what we were doing. Civilian life was a vague and unsettling concept.

“So Fergie, what will you do if the Huns throw in the towel?” It was Bogart Rogers.

“You write that movie script about the air war and I’ll fly in your picture,” I told him. What I really wanted to do was buy some good boots and go walking until my money ran out. Perhaps I’d go to Spain. The smoke hung heavy in the room of the farmhouse where we had made our mess. One of the new men was pounding out a ragtime tune on the piano. Lawson came up to the bar where Rogers and I were talking. I’d never seen him tiddly before, but he was slurring his words. He signed a chit for three whiskies and stayed to tell us what a great bunch we all were.

The next morning, 7 November, we were all in the air by eight o’clock. There is something about the freezing air at altitude that provides the world’s greatest hangover cure. I led the flight north to do a Close Offensive Patrol along the lines south of Lille. We were close to the end of our patrol time when Zink, who had joined us, spotted a group of Fokkers a little below us off to the north. We dived on them and had a wonderful scrap. Like many of the Huns these days, this lot did not have the stomach for a long fight. As it began to break up, a brown Fokker with the letter “G” on the fuselage flew in front of me. A quick burst caused the enemy machine to begin smoking. I flew alongside the Hun and signalled for him to turn back west, but he simply shook his head and pointed eastward. In a few seconds, I slipped behind him and fired again. This time a large section of his upper wing tore away and the machine fell to its destruction. I cursed that Hun pilot all the way home. He was confirmed as my 37th victory.

We flew a defensive patrol the next day, encountering nothing. On 9 November, we patrolled east of Douai towards Ath. On our third beat of the patrol route, we encountered a very large formation of Fokkers and had our hands full. Several times I managed to close in behind one of the enemy machines, but on each occasion, bullets began flashing past my head from yet another Hun. In the end I disengaged and raced homeward at treetop height. A second large group of Fokkers emerged from a cloud bank and no fewer than six of them chased me. They did not give up the pursuit until I was nearly back in Pronville.

Rumours of a ceasefire continued. Now there was talk of mutinies and riots in Germany. It sounded like Bolshevik-inspired propaganda. No one knew anything for sure.

Fullofit - You're right there, we seem to be the only two fighting on. Talking of fighting on, that was a good show Klaus put on there. That attack by the first SPAD seemed to trigger something in Klaus. I sensed anger as he threw the Fokker around and caught the faster SPAD up with his flying and he made him pay. Then more followed. As for Werner, he's waiting to see what orders come from on high now the Kaiser's gone.

Carrick - Interesting, Cecil's thoughts are clearly on his post war career.

Raine - Malta is very pretty with bags of history of course. I'll certainly be heading back there at some point. So to Fergie, an honest response to Edie's coyness, without sounding desperate, let's see what response it brings. Talk of what happens next is inevitable and happening on both sides of the lines. Hiking in Spain sounds idyllic, a touch of the Hemingway's perhaps. It was business as usual as far as the flying went with that Hun being dispatched with aplomb. As for Werner, yes, thankfully the phonecall happened after he was presented otherwise he'd have had it thrown at him judging by the haste that the General scarpered.

Well done and thanks Epower, looking forward to DiDIV.

.

Raine - Fergie had to bravely run away, eh. Smart man. Just bad luck running into a whole gaggle of air Hun who wanted to take him down with them in their impending defeat, the sore losers.

BB - hee hee, nice try, but you Sir, unlike Joni Mitchell, really do know clouds.

Epower - Well done on stepping up and agreeing to share the lead on the next DID show, you’re a prince.

Carrick - Cecil’s one of the lucky ones, already has a gig lined up after this bloody mess has ended. Nice work if you can get it.

Fullofit - Hardly seems fair does it. While Klaus and his men are told to go out and do it again, the Kaiser slinks off to Holland for a seaside holiday, rather than hanging around to see how it all ends, (and if his angry countrymen had their way he would most certainly be ‘hanging’ around).

Albert - Your man too, ordered to keep on slugging it out with the enemy while Willy Number 2 bails on the whole affair. Even General von Eben was caught flatfooted by it all, and right in the middle of his pep talk too, insult to injury that was.

.

10 November 1918
43 Squadron RAF
Bouvincourt-en-Vermandois, France

Major Abbott led his men on a brace of long flights today, despite the cold, wet weather - eighty plus miles round trip both times. They could just as well have stayed in camp and warmed themselves by the fire as there were no Huns who wanted to engage them. One group of seven Fokkers was spotted well east of Lens but they scarpered as soon as they caught sight of the Snipes. Apart from that the only other enemy seen were the thousands of troops on the ground moving back towards Germany as best they could. From the looks of it most had abandoned their weapons and equipment and were simply walking away from it all. Freddy considered harassing them but decided it really wouldn’t be sporting as they were clearly broken and beaten.

.

BuckeyeBob : Mud Wrestling Now there's a Dirty Business.

Lou - So Freddy leads a fruitless couple of long patrols. At least all survived and can maybe look forward to heading home at some point in the near future. As for Werner, it was surreal at that presentation that's for sure. It's going to be a weird few days for him and the Jasta.



Lt Werner Rendel, GMVK, EK1
Jasta 78b
Buhl Lorraine airfield

47 confirmed kills

10th November 1918

Leutnant Schmid had asked for confirmation on the news he'd received before telling anyone. A phonecall from the local area commander at 7am gave him that confirmation.

As for orders, for the moment they remained the same, defend the ground installations and troops.

Schmid called a briefing for 7.30am with all present. He announced the news of the Kaiser's abdication and that a German delegation was now in conference with the allies to bring about an armistice.

Once the furore had died down, the questions started. "What were our orders?", "Where had the Kaiser gone?", "What happens if there's an armistice?". Some questions were obvious, some unanswerable, but one drew a fearsome response from Leutnant Schmid.

"What are we to do now if we meet the enemy?" asked Feldwebel Leipner. Leipner, from Soest, had clearly not phrased his question properly but Schmid, as unsure and nervous as the rest of the pilots, snapped.

"Your duty Feldwebel!! Shoot them down!!! Until we are told otherwise, you shoot them down!!!" shouted Schmid.

This brought an end to the briefing except for the murmurs and mutterings. Schmid dismissed the throng and stated the mission briefing would be at 8.30am.

Schmid took the briefing and confirmed the Jasta would be heading to the front to the south west once more.

The weather remained very poor as the aircraft took off and began climbing up. They'd not gotten far when Werner spotted flak up above and then saw what they were shooting at. A formation of SPADs high above. The Frenchmen saw the Fokkers down below and started circling down but took an age to decide to commit to the attack.

When they finally dived down it was in dribs and drabs. Werner avoided them with ease and swung around onto a passing SPAD as it levelled out.

A decent burst had the SPAD diving down and Werner went with him. The Frenchman tried all the tricks but Werner was simply too good for him. He stuck on him like glue and put another accurate burst into the enemy aircraft. The SPAD visibly wobbled and a final flurry had the enemy aircraft heading straight into the ground.

Werner levelled out and spotted another enemy aircraft nearby. He went after the SPAD and blasted him with a long raking burst which tore chunks out of him. The Frenchman simply had nowhere to go. Another burst and the SPAD lurched over and went spiralling down into the ground.

Werner now looked around. The murk didn't help him but there was something ahead and to the left. He headed over there and sure enough it was another SPAD trying to run home. He wasn't going very quickly however, probably already damaged. Werner would help quicken his end.

He pulled up behind the enemy machine and hammered it. Smoke started spewing out from the machine and another accurate burst had the SPAD nosing down and racing to it's end.

Werner now headed home and landed safely along with the rest of the Jasta.

Later Leutnant Schmid confirmed two of the three claims. No-one had seen the last SPAD. This brought Werner to 49 confirmed kills.

"Sit down Werner, we need to talk." said Schmid. He took a half full bottle of schnapps from his desk and poured two decent measures.

"This is coming to an end, it could even be tomorrow. We need to decide what we're doing." said Schmid.

"What will they order us to do?" asked Werner.

"Probably surrender and I don't want to spend the next year in a POW camp." continued Schmid.

"Me neither, won't they send us to fight the insurgents?" asked Werner.

"It depends what's left of High Command to issue any orders. We need to stick together though, as a top ace and an officer, you'll be high profile, which is a blessing and a curse." said Schmid.

"I'm thinking of heading north, towards Schleswig-Holstein." said Werner, letting Schmid into his innermost thoughts.

"That's a good idea, as far away from the western front as possible and a place to maybe get our heads down and see what transpires." finished Schmid.

Werner nodded and sipped deeply.

Kebab - Likewise! Here's hoping indeed, I'm sure it will be.

Fullofit - Ah, great to see that Klaus is consistently killing off SPADs all the way through to the end of the war. And what a mighty fine score is he working up for himself there with those kills too. Alas, that end is very much imminent.

Epower - Gotta agree there, can't imagine how much more of a journey that'd be to stick with it from the very start. And on that note, well done on that, excited to see how the next one will turn out!
Some eventful days for Oliver as the end draws near. Just mere days.

RAF - Can't turn down on some liquor and scones.
Abbott is getting on just fine then, killing off what fokkers remain and then getting to take in the sights of the impending surrender. Smart move on the part of that hun too, eh. Some might scream of a lack of loyalty but to such a hopeless end, what good would loyalty do to him.

Tross - Good job to Werner with the kills and managing to fight on through the shortages and evidently the news. Valiant fighting to the last, and even earning himself a medal. Alas, a shame about Osterreicher, to die in such a manner and just days away from the ceasefire.
Things evidently keep unraveling. Seems like Schmid and Werner have quite the right idea...

Carrick - Well, Cecil has himself something to do once this is all over at least!

Raine - Of course. And I most certainly do intend to join in the new year, provided of course matters of academia don't become a war of their own, hah.
A valiant fight for Drummond ending with a timely escape. Far better a move than risking death or injury at the last possible moment, I'd say.