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#4584924 - 11/10/21 11:55 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) ***** [Re: Raine]  
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epower Offline
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Raine - Most amusing that Fergie is now based at the infamous ProNville, a place which figures so irritatingly in Oliver's past. Ripping yarns you say? Look no further:



I do believe young Tomkinson made an appearance in Oliver's Tale.

I've heard the name of Bulldog Drummond but never dug deeper until your recent mention. Some similarities of circumstance although I think Eliza and most certainly Clarissa to be waaaaaay more capable than the hapless Phyliss Benton. Interesting that Cecil Day-Lewis, author of gentleman detective Nigel Strangeways, described Drummond as an "unspeakable public school bully". I must read these tales over the Winter Break and see for myself.

On that subject, I will also be taking some time to decompress even as I stand at the ready to assist the CM, Great and Terrible.

As for Fergie, it's the thought that counts sometimes as far as communications with the female of the species...far deadlier than the male, I heard someone say. A sporting chance Fergie gave that Hun, but the man didn't know he was beaten. "Would you? Would I?"
No sense taking chances now that the end is near. Good job getting home in one piece.

Lou - Freddy keeping a low profile and getting sent to very quiet parts of the front. Good show letting those Huns scurry back to their holes. Being such a fundamentally decent chap, Freddy does a much better job than Oliver in taking counsel with better angels of his nature. I wonder when or if the two friends will meet again.

Fullofit - Death is light as a feather, duty as heavy as a mountain and Klaus is doing his, however there must be limits to one's commitment to a lost cause. Might be time for Raben to start looking out for #1 now that der Kaiser has hiked up his skirts and bolted. Klaus sure isn't going quietly. The Entente pilots in his sector will know they've paid the Iron Price when all is said and done. Extra careful now.

Albert - A strong morning for the Jasta. Seven SPADs for no losses. H&B!
What a nice ceremony for Werner. A pleasant respite and grateful acknowledgement from his sovereign for all the blood and toil...Was ist los? Gott Im Himmel! Wilhelm cravenly fleeing to Holland. Shameful. Werner has the right idea looking to the future. Things are gonna get bad methinks.

Carrick - Cecil is going to be a ...Pimp? Naw. Say it ain't so. I see Cecil living a club man's lifestyle after the war.

BB - Yes, Oliver went to Holland under cover of special clouds and weather.

NR & TWK - Hurrah for the next man! Won't be long now. Good to know you'll be with us.

#4584925 - 11/10/21 11:55 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Fullofit Offline
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Raine, you are right there. He could use one or two more days to get his score to that nice round number, but this will have to suffice.
Looks like Fergie is in a bit of a bind, first with that letter to Edie, then about his future. All he know is war, but even that is about to end. What will become of him?

Albert, Klaus is beyond anger. He just wants to kill. Hopefully when all this is over, there will be a place for him somewhere, where he can feed that rage.
At least Werner knows where to go after the war, but first duty calls. Those SPADs didn’t know what hit them. It was lucky the Jasta had enough fuel and enough bullets to take on the enemy.

Lou, I have a feeling he knew exactly how this would end. Just look at the Tzar. Looks like he was the smart one.
Speaking of which, Freddy was a smart man to stay away from it all. Who needs that extra bullet hole now that everything is almost over? It would definitely interfere with having a nice drink.

NR, good to see you around. Klaus is going to miss all this, especially flying. Perhaps he could find a job somewhere in Africa, ferrying explorers?

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

The episode in which Klaus meets green Americans.

Two of the SPADs from yesterday have been confirmed. The orders to repeat the ground support mission thankfully did not come in. In fact, no orders arrived at all and August had to improvise. He decided to Send the Jasta on patrol of friendly front lines between Thiaucourt and Pont-à-Mousson. It seemed like a safe thing to do …
The flight climbed above the towering clouds and was about to begin their patrol when a hostile flight was spotted above. The enemy seemed to have a problem with deciding how to approach the Fokkers. They went this way, then that way. In the confusion of all this maneuvering two of the enemy machines collided with each other, letting Klaus know it was not a crack unit and most likely a bunch of green pilots on their first outing. In the next instant one of them dived right in front of Klaus. He could see now they were American Aircos. Raben went after him and commenced his attack. The enemy went into a dive. Klaus observed from above and when his target levelled out he went after him. He resumed his attack and was now following behind. The rear gunner of the machine ahead had gotten over his shock and returned fire. He was lucky and a fragment of the bullet that ricocheted of a spar hit Raben’s goggles. There was a crack in the glass and a stinging on the side of his head, but nothing serious. Klaus continued his attack until the D.H.4 caught on fire and went down. Raben looked around and spotted another Fokker chasing another target, which after a while had it’s engine knocked out and the enemy began to trail a long tail of black smoke. As it corkscrewed down it happened to fly in front of Raben’s machine guns. He opened fire and registered some hits but it wasn’t enough to bring the enemy down. The flightpath was erratic and Klaus had difficulty keeping with the bomber. He finally lined himself up, but at that very moment shots rang out from behind. He looked back, there was a SPAD diving on him with his guns blazing. Klaus knew right away it had to be the escort. The enemy overshot the Fokker and continued to dive. Klaus couldn’t keep up with him at these speeds. He banked to get a better look where the enemy had gone, but it was a lost cause. The SPAD completed his one and only slashing attack and continued on to the south. Klaus stayed high and also had his Fokker flying in the same direction. After a while the SPAD came back up ahead of him and Klaus took a few long range shots. It looked like it was working and he was soon on his target. He continued to fire and was soon right behind the SPAD. A few more rounds and the engine caught on fire and one of the wings went flying off. Raben watched his prey crash into a copse below. It was time to get back to base.

YouTube Link



"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys,
The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain,
From out of my arse take the camshaft,
And assemble the engine again."
#4584926 - 11/11/21 12:01 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Fullofit Offline
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Epower, just missed your post while the video was uploading. I think Klaus is flying for himself not the Kaiser anymore. It must have happened at the same time the Strutters and the Breguets gotten aggressive. It is an obsession. Killing in the air is not the same as killing on the ground. He will surely be looking for more after it is all over.


"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys,
The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain,
From out of my arse take the camshaft,
And assemble the engine again."
#4584927 - 11/11/21 01:00 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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epower Offline
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Fullofit - It sure does seem personal between Klaus and those 2-seaters. Yoikes, some very rash attacks there on the last day but your man survives once again. Bravo. The prospect of peace has many uneasy on all sides. Not to worry on that score. There will be plenty of wars for those who want them for the next 30 years and more.

#4584928 - 11/11/21 01:21 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Fullofit Offline
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Epower, definitely more wars to follow, as if they didn't have enough of the one that has just ended.


"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys,
The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain,
From out of my arse take the camshaft,
And assemble the engine again."
#4584929 - 11/11/21 01:45 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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epower Offline
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À la Recherche du Temps Perdu - Part 113



1 November 1918
24 Squadron RAF
Busigny France

Bloom is back from leave today. Even better, our new Recording Officer Lt. Reginald Douglas Bridgewater arrived today. Huzzah!

To the bad, Menzies has been unwell for two days. Not sure if it’s influenza or a problem with his ear tubes. He’s dizzied and feverish. I sent him off to hospital this morning.

We’ve lost 12 men in October. Two thirds of the entire squadron. The new men are green as grass.

Sterling – killed
Carpenter – missing, presumed killed
Rose – to 205 Sqn
Lawrence – to Hospital with the Clap
Crossen – to Home Establishment
Allanson – injured in flying accident
Wren – to hospital with Influenza
Hazell – to 203 Sqn
Farrant – to hospital
Southey – to Home Establishment
Wales – to hospital
Menzies – to hospital

Colonel Cairnes came by for drinks before dinner and brought incredible news. The Turks are out of the war! Yesterday they signed an armistice aboard HMS Agamemnon. It can’t be long now before it’s over.

The offensive scheduled for tomorrow is postponed. The French aren’t ready. Why am I not surprised by this news?



2 November 1918
24 Squadron RAF
Busigny France

2.15 Up with C Flight on the afternoon job. A Patrol of enemy lines, Landreces south to La Groise. I flew with Palmer and C Flight. Turning north on our second circuit a solitary Fokker attacked.

His fuselage bore the wide black and white bands of Jasta 26. A Magpie!

“Who among mortal men are you, good friend?
Since never before have I seen you in the fighting where men win glory,
yet now you have come striding far out in front of all others…”


[Linked Image]

One against six. Was it madness drove him thus, or something greater? He flew as more than a mortal man. Some god’s hand guided his own. For 10 minutes he had all of us chasing our tails and trying not to collide.

My thoughts returned to a long-ago September Evening and Voss...

[Linked Image]
He met the same fate, but not by my hand. Seymour swept into the fighting.

[Linked Image]
He made no vain cast.

Is this what Germany expects of her fighting men now? Noble suicide? D@mn the Kaiser and his Generals for sending such men as this one to a useless death.



3 November 1918
24 Squadron RAF
Busigny, France

3.30 Fourth Army goes forward again tomorrow morning. XIII and IX Corps will breach the Sambre Canal while IV and V Corps attack through the Mormal Forest. Both prospects sound suicidal, most especially attacking across that blasted canal.

I write this entry by candlelight as I huddle in a trench with the rest of the squadron. Thirty minutes ago, we awoke to the Huns shelling us with a small high velocity gun. They’ve not hit anything vital yet but we shall have no sleep tonight.

8.00 I think the wretched Boche are out of ammunition, or perhaps they’ve simply gone to breakfast. Shelling stopped. We have work to do if we’re to get the 10.30 patrol off on time. All hands filling shell holes. Damage to only five of our machines.

9.30 Colonel Cairnes telephoned relaying an urgent request to deal with a balloon in the Bois de Flines. The scheduled 10.30 patrol was a full squadron job supporting ground attacks so I only poached Evans and Creswell.

[Linked Image]
With Creswell to starboard we set the gasbag on fire then made haste for our lines

Most of the shell holes filled when we returned to Busigny.

I left my name off the Combat Report hoping Creswell might get his first victory.

Just stepping out of the Squadron office after making my report when things got very warm indeed. A bloody great 15-inch opened fire and dropped five right in the middle of us without doing any damage whatsoever. A moment of terror then it was all over before anyone had time to react. We moved everything mobile over to 46 Squadron and hunkered in a trench as the shells rained down again. The Huns continued their performance until nightfall.

RAF HQ denied the claim, awarding the balloon to another squadron operating in the area. Bloody Red Tabs!



4 November 1918
24 Squadron RAF
Busigny France

Fourth Army continue the advance. Entire squadron up this morning with bombs to see the Huns off east. Roads choked with traffic. The German army teeters on the edge of rout. Scruffy went down after a horse drawn battery and bombed it to pieces. He later teamed with Bissonette to strafe two other batteries into the roadside ditch. Horrible sight to see the horses killed like that. How odd that I can machine gun infantry without the slightest remorse but can’t bring myself to shoot at horses. Fortunately, the chaos of the retreat provides other targets.

[Linked Image]
Two of the Kaiser’s lorries - kaput!

F5459 shot full of holes again but the Boche only hit her fabric. These ground attacks do wear on the nerves.



5 November 1918
24 Squadron RAF
Busigny France

Low clouds and rain all day. Two patrols went up and groped about. No Huns to be found.

Guy Fawkes Day today. After a few too many drinks we fired a volley of very lights to commemorate the occasion.

“The only man who ever entered Parliament with honorable intentions!” intoned Harries to a chorus of whistles and hooting.

The evening dispatch rider brought bad news. I kept it to myself so as not to put a wet blanket on the celebration. The Huns dropped a message confirming that Larabee is alive and a prisoner. Miller is dead. So is Carpenter.

I struggle so to write these blasted letters. I barely knew Miller and Carpenter but this will be all their families will have from the Commanding Officer and I must make a proper job. Of all the duties of command, I hate this the most.



6 November 1918
24 Squadron RAF
Busigny France

8.45 The squadron would attack Harmignies aerodrome. Carruthers took A Flight and half of C Flight on top cover. I went with Longton and the rest in the strike group.

Arrived at Harmignies to find a Schwarm of Fokkers recently landed. The German pilots quite sensibly bolted for the nearest trenches as we began our attack.

My bombs landed between three Fokkers. I went back twice more and set two on fire.

[Linked Image]

Two burning and one sans wing. No point in sending claims forward. The aircraft were parked and the cockpits empty.



7 November 1918
24 Squadron RAF
Busigny France

Escort 5 R.E.8s of 52 Squadron on a bombing run east of Le Cateau. No Huns sighted.

[Linked Image]
We bade farewell to the Harry Tates and made for Busigny.

Colonel Cairnes telephoned tonight with news that Hun delegates crossed the lines this afternoon at La Capelle some 20 miles SW of us at 3 p.m.



8 November 1918
24 Squadron RAF
Busigny France

8.00 Full squadron up on Line Patrol: Le Quesnoy to the Mormal Forest. We flew as one unit, Captain Carruthers of A Flight taking the lead. Turning back southeast of Le Quesnoy after our second loop we overflew a great gaggle of Huns. Carruthers circled the squadron like a flock of vultures, waiting for the correct moment.

[Linked Image]
The Huns turned as we circled above them. When they were strung out, we attacked.

[Linked Image]

Twelve on twelve. Single combat. I fought their leader down to 2000 feet. He was an Alte Hare and flew very well. I finally got his engine smoking and he set down in a field. The machine flipped over and broke in half but it didn’t burn. I flew back again and waved. I thought I saw movement in the cockpit.

Weather closed in for the afternoon patrol. Low clouds, mist and rain. Scruffy and Evans, working at 300ft. in the rain, got as far as Chimay on reconnaissance.

News from Colonel Cairnes. We are to leave 22nd Wing and head north to reinforce another. No details as yet. He had better news as well. Captain Walter Hunt ‘Scruffy’ Longton has a bar to his DFC! We must celebrate while there’s still time. I invited the Colonel to dine with us this evening. Colonel Cairnes is one of the best, always looking after the squadrons under his command. I shall miss him when we go north.



9 November 1918
24 Squadron RAF
Busigny France

8.15 Orders last night to attack Baiseux aerodrome, far to the north. Something didn’t feel right about this. I pressed the matter with Colonel Cairnes but he remained firm regarding the importance of the strike. Why now? I’d not order another to take this one. I led the mission myself.

No opposition crossing the lines. Weather foul, rainy and cold.

[Linked Image]
Zeus father! An entire Jasta!


“…then the father balanced his golden scales, and in them
he set fateful portions of death, which lays men prostrate,
for Trojans, breakers of horses, and bronze-armed Achaians,
and balanced it by the middle. The Achaians death day was the heaviest.
There the fates of the Achaians settled down to the bountiful
earth, while those of the Trojans were lifted into the wide sky;
and he himself crashed a great stroke from Ida, and a kindling
flash shot over the people of the Achaians; seeing it
they were stunned, and pale terror took hold of all of them."


I tried to deliver my bombs on a hangar and made hash of it. I swung back around and caught the last of the Fokkers taking off.

[Linked Image]
My guns tore into trailing Hun. He fell thunderously and burst into flames

[Linked Image]
The second fell soon after

The Redwings scattered in all directions. Six would fall before we made our way home.

[Linked Image]
“And now the son of Kronos caught up the betasseled
glaring aegis, and shrouded Ida in mists. He let go
a lighting flash and a loud thunderstroke, shaking the mountain…”


The dispatch rider brought excellent news: Palmer is promoted Captain. In addition, Wing confirmed all six claims, two of which were mine. Two Hundred eight.

Our new destination is Bisseghem, near Courtrai. We hear that the Kaiser and Crown Prince have abdicated and that armistice is threatened for 11 am on the 11th.

Prussian cowards! They should face justice for what they’ve done.



10 November 1918
24 Squadron RAF
Bisseghem, Flanders

Woke early and gave the bag a good going over, then off to breakfast. I’ve grown sick of eggs. Not a good thing, but when there’s a bacon butty to be had things could be worse.

Another perfectly fine day and we are not allowed on the lines! Bloody Hell!
After an uneventful defensive patrol we packed up and flew to Bisseghem. We’re now with 11th Wing, 2nd Brigade.

No 108 Squadron kindly hosted us for dinner. Afterwards we heard that a wireless message had been picked up saying the Huns had accepted armistice terms.

Pandemonium! The whole country here is one great mass of cheering and fireworks. The war ends tomorrow. I don’t know what I feel. What dismal news…I should rejoice and the better angels of my nature do exactly that, but some wild part of my soul feels a stabbing pang of loss.





Last edited by epower; 01/19/22 04:49 PM.
#4584941 - 11/11/21 06:54 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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MFair Offline
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DID Prize Announcement
Gentlemen, it’s been a long war. A few weeks ago I contacted Raine and told him I would like to make an engraved platter for whoever he deemed the “best pilot” of the campaign. At the time I mentioned who I thought it was but would keep “opinions to myself”. Raine was of the opinion that because the whole purpose of the campaign, besides having a boatload of fun, was to immerse one’s self historically so the story and pilot skill should both be judged. He told me his pick and it seems we were both like minded.

Wood turning is one of my many hobbies. I have turned out an Elm Platter that is now at the engravers for “Best DID Campaign Contributor 2018-2021”

EPower, you may take a bow. Though all the stories were great, I don’t think anyone will contest the outcome. Epower’s stories were epic and as far as his last pilot, what a score!

Also, and I did this on my own, I have tuned two more, one for Raine, “The Ringmaster” and one for Lou, “Gong Master”. These two I will use my burning tool and dedicate them on the bottom of the platter. These were necessary in my opinion. Without Raine, it would not have happened, and Lou added a whole new dimension to the immersion being the Gong Fairy.

I will post pictures when the main one gets back from the engraver.

Congratulations EPower and thank you George and Lou!


Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from either end.
BOC Member since....I can't remember!
#4584942 - 11/11/21 07:34 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Albert Tross Offline
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Fullofit - What a crazy sortie. When is an attack not an attack? When it's an undirected shambles. What those enemy aircraft were doing above Klaus and Ko I have no idea. "After you, no after you, no I insist.....oops....ouch. Then a SPAD gently falls right in front of Raben's guns, like a leaf in autumn. Crazy, Raben took some chances for sure, but seeing as he was presented with such gifts I'm not surprised. A fleischer wound is his final souvenir of the war. As for Werner, a good ending, another confirmation would have been nice to give him a round 50, but 49 in a little over a month is a decent total.

Epower - A busy week for Oliver back in the saddle now. Ground pounding is a difficult task to be sure and a costly one. Too bad for the losses, bad enough at any time but when they're green and unknown....it makes letter writing even more unpleasant. Finally some air action for Oliver and he knocked down two of the Fokkers, in fact it was a good day for the rest too. 208 confirmed, wowzers. So the armistice nears and not before time for our hero. What will peace bring? As for Werner, he's served his country and his Kaiser, now he's doing it for himself.

Mfair - An excellent idea. Congratulations to all of the winners, they are most worthy.


"A great deal of an aeroplane could be holed without affecting its ability to fly. Wings and fuselage could be—and often were—pierced in 50 places, missing the occupants by inches (blissfully unaware of how close it had come until they returned to base). Then the sailmaker would carefully cover each hole with a square inch of Irish linen frayed at the edges and with a brushful of dope make our aircraft 'serviceable' again within an hour."
#4584943 - 11/11/21 08:08 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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trustworthykebab Offline
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I joined in late, but it's been great to go through it with you all o7

#4584944 - 11/11/21 08:39 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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VonS Offline
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Congratulations to all DiDers of the last few years - and to ePower for a fine series of adventures and a well-deserved award. Very nice to see that Oliver is heading towards the 1920s - perhaps some barnstorming across the U.S. or a spell at a flight training school in the far east? The possibilities are endless.

Hopefully I'll be able to find time to join you for the next series of DiD campaigns - although, depending on work duties, I will have a better sense of my schedule towards the end of this year.

A polite suggestion for the next round of DiDing, or to at least to think about the possibility - maybe to start in Jan. of 1915 instead of at the beginning of '16 - although that may be too hardcore and '15 may prove to be a real sleeper, but flying early Parasols and Eindeckers sure sounds dainty. Maybe OBD will pop a Morane-Saulnier Type N into the mix by then, too - or at least the pedal-powered contraption from Da Vinci's drawings? We have the latter in FE2 --- but it never really took off. smile2 smile2

Cheers all,
Von S

Last edited by VonS; 11/11/21 08:40 AM. Reason: Edited post.

~ For my various FM/AI/FPS/DM Mods. for First Eagles 2, WoFF, RoF & WoTR, and tips for FlightGear, recommended is to check over my CombatAce profile (https://combatace.com/profile/86760-vons/) and to click on the "About Me" tab while there. ~
#4584945 - 11/11/21 08:44 AM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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trustworthykebab Offline
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VonS, in all honesty 1915 flying is what I'm dying for wink
Will be great if you'll manage to join us for next round smile

#4584964 - 11/11/21 02:05 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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L'Etoile du Nord
.

MFair - You Sir are aces. Thank you very much for your thoughtful and much-appreciated prizes, and I am in full agreement on Epower for the win hands down! Now I look forward to receiving my Elm Platter!

Epower - Congrats to you on taking the grand prize, and on getting fully caught up by the cessation of hostilities, well done! As for Ripper and Freddy getting together again in the future, it appears there may be trouble brewing in Poland in the not-too-distant future and they may well be in need of some experienced pilots to deal with those nasty Bolsheviks. I hear Warsaw is a lovely city.

Raine - Congrats to you as well on your prize, and thank you again for serving as Grand Poobah, your time and talents are always most appreciated. And Fergie is certainly welcome to join Freddy and Ripper in any future adventures they may find, the more the merrier!

Fullofit and Albert and TKB - Your fliegers would be wise to all head off somewhere far from the madding crowds and let things cool down a bit before going back to the Vaterland. And Trusty, I'm with you, I'd love to have the next DID Campaign start in January 1915, being a big fan of the early war years as well.

Carrick - Your man will do just fine in his post-war career, of that I have no doubt.

NR - Glad to see you plan on jumping in again in the next go-round.

VonS - I sincerely hope you will be able to join us for the upcoming campaign, we'd love to have you.


And so it ends gentlemen. The Central Powers have been defeated and the Entente has won the day. For pilots of the latter it means several more months of hanging about while things are sorted out in France and Belgium, while fliegers of the former must now decide if they wish to go home to a country in upheaval and poverty, or strike out for new and more promising horizons. An entire world awaits those who are bold.

.

#4584966 - 11/11/21 02:24 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Congratulations to all of the dedicated DiD denizens of BHaH2!

So many kills, conquests (romantic and otherwise) and ripping tales! I truly enjoyed them all, from Albert Tross (I see what you did there), to trustworthykebab, and everyone in between.

A special shout-out to Raine, for putting it all together and his wonderful stories; Lou for his awards and hairy-looking Gong Fairy; Fullofit, for his combat flying skills and videos; and epower's epic tales (if you aren't a professional writer, sir, you should be)!

I look forward to reading more of everyone's exploits in the near future. Hopefully, they will have a new set of challenging weather conditions to deal with, as well.

Good show!


“With Major Lawrence, mercy is a passion. With me it is merely good manners. You may judge which motive is the more reliable.”
#4584977 - 11/11/21 03:46 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
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Posts: 1,743
Congrats to the winner and all the people who made it till the end! And special thanks to the Gong Fairy and the management of the DID campaign. I just spent a while reading the first reports of three years ago. It literally feels like a different era and another lifetime to me! So much has happened in real life since then.

I suppose starting in early 1915 still has the same issues as three years ago - that is, not enough content available in the sim yet for that particular time period.


"Upon my word I've had as much excitement on a car as in the air, especially since the R.F.C. have had women drivers."

James McCudden, Five Years in the Royal Flying Corps
#4584987 - 11/11/21 06:00 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,696
Fullofit Offline
Senior Member
Fullofit  Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,696
Ajax, ON
Epower, so it is the end for Oliver. He can now look for one or both women, or as Lou suggested continue his love of the hunt and transfer to eastern front and fight the Bolsheviks. Congrats on the final score and being named the DiD-er (DiDler?) of the campaign. Well deserved and MFair will make sure that it gets immortalized in Elm.

MFair, so that’s what you’ve been doing instead of flying winkngrin
I hope you’re not attempting to turn in wood one of the planes in 1:1 scale.

Albert, this whole war was crazy, not just that last sortie, but having the enemy trip on each other helps. I was hoping for that one more confirmed kill for Werner to make it a cool 50. Congrats, we’ve survived the Bréguet scourge!

Lou, and this is why we need the Eastern Front - continue the war and keep the Reds at bay, or is it the Whites? I’m confused.

BuckeyeBob, Kebab, VonS and Hasse, I expect you to join the ranks on day 0. Those planes will not fly themselves.

Congrats to all fellow fliers, to those that have lost and those that think they've won.

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

The episode in which it all comes to an end.

All three claims from yesterday have been confirmed.
August Raben addressed the gathered in front of him Jasta pilots. It was obvious. The war was over for them, but they could proudly keep their heads up high. They’ve never been beaten. They’ve been betrayed by those peasants in Berlin. Even the enemy knew they were still much of a threat and demanded all their aeroplanes be handed over. Their last order was to fly their machines to the enemy depot and leave them there. Many pilots objected and instead wanted to burn their mounts right there at the airfield before disbanding. Raben’s officer’s honour would not allow it. They all took to the air for the last time along with many other pilots from other Jastas to form one large Geschwader. One final show of force.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Attached Files End of War.jpgJasta 18.jpg

"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys,
The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain,
From out of my arse take the camshaft,
And assemble the engine again."
#4584989 - 11/11/21 06:06 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 145
SebToombs Offline
Member
SebToombs  Offline
Member

Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 145
UK
Well done all! Super sounding prize and congratulations to Epower. Thanks to all who have made it possible, the hairy gong fairy and George. I'm hoping to re-enlist when we restart ...

For the Fallen
By Laurence Binyon


With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

#4584990 - 11/11/21 06:18 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,105
Raine Offline
Member
Raine  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,105
New Brunswick, Canada
MFair – I've said before and I will say it again: your generosity is only exceeded by your talent. Thank you so very much for creating these beautiful engraved platters as a memento of the campaign, and congratulations to Epower for this richly deserved recognition. Epower and I have corresponded throughout the campaign and have taken turns sending each other down historical rabbit holes. His dedication to the campaign and to Oliver's story were, in his own words, obsessive. His award was earned many times over, but it is only thanks to you that it is real. Hats off to you, pard! MFair, I am truly looking forward to flying with you in our next instalment (working title – "DiD it again").

Epower – Thank you for the clip from "Ripping Yarns." I had never seen that before. That's a bit of offensive, the Huns firing a fifteen inch gun at your aerodrome so close to the end of the war. Almost dampens the sympathy for them. I laughed out loud at the line about Guy Fawkes. The splendid fight on 9 November was a great last turn.

Fullofit – Klaus did himself proud in his final patrol. I wonder what is next for him? Perhaps he'll move to the States, in which case I hope none of the immigration officials used to fly Spads. Also, just before posting this I saw your final chapter of the war. It must have been an incredibly difficult time for the Kaiser's pilots.

Albert – Hope you're on board for the next one. I absolutely loved your tales.

VonS – It would be terrific to have you with us on the next go around. If real life is hectic, it won't affect you that badly in the early war when it wouldn't be too ahistoric to skip the odd day. Besides, we do this for fun and you can always assume that the days you skip were filled with uneventful patrols, even if they were actually filled by SWMBO's job jar!

TWK – Another vote for 1915! I want to confer with Epower, but I'm thinking that we may conduct a poll in this thread before setting up the new campaign. The one thing I'm pretty certain about is that all involved need a little break until after the Christmas season.

Lou – As always, you are most gracious. Thank you once again for your unfailing devotion to the campaign. There were times when you had so much on your plate in real life that this can't have been easy. But you were always there, Gong Fairy wand in hand, sporting singlet and tutu, to hand out the goodies!

Buckeye Bob – Thank you for your kind comments and for your "challenging weather conditions"! It is always good to see you here.

Hasse – Thank you for recognising all who contributed to the campaign. I recall fondly your beautifully-written contributions back before Covid-19 stole all your time. With luck, we can do it all again together. When we wrap this up, I too would like to re-read the stories we told of training in England in late 1915 and of our first experiences in France in 1916. Lou, MFair, and I coordinated the tales of our three characters right up until the Somme battle.

A note to all participants: if you have the time, it would be wonderful to write a final chapter that lets us know what became of your character after the war. I recall fondly that we did that after the second DiD campaign, and those stories were some of the best in the entire series.



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

Part 25


[Linked Image]
32 Squadron preparing for takeoff from Pronville

Rumours of peace talks intensified and took on substance. On the evening of 8 November 1918, our Wing Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Holt, visited us and over dinner shared the latest news. He confirmed that the Germans had sent a delegation to Foch to discuss an armistice. Our reactions to this news were mixed. On the one hand, we began to think about coming out of this thing intact and getting on with the rest of our lives. On the other hand, and I believe this was the dominant sentiment, we were annoyed at the Huns and hoped that Foch would tell them to go to hell. After all, we had been kicking their behinds all the way from Amiens to Valenciennes and now the mighty Imperial German Army was faced for the first time with the need to rally and prevent disaster – a situation we had been in back in 1914 and again in the spring of 1918 – but rather than pull together, they were chucking it in. Our consensus was that this was some sort of trick, a ploy to delay our advance until the snows came. They would never beat us or hold us, of course. But if they could make a final assault into Germany more costly, they could perhaps negotiate better terms.

We discussed what little we knew of the domestic situation in Germany. The papers had already reported the naval mutinies and there were rumours of a Bolshevik uprising and other civil unrest. The population, it was reported, were going hungry and the coming of winter would only worsen their predicament. It was an odd way to end four years of fighting. Still, the war wasn’t over yet. Even as we spoke, the guns punctuated our conversation with their eternal rumble.

I flew only once 9 November – a defensive patrol leading B Flight to provide cover for our troops advancing along the line of the Escaut toward Valenciennes. My good pal Bud Hale came with us just for fun. We returned a little over two hours after leaving Pronville, not having seen a single German aircraft.

That afternoon we received wonderful news. John Donaldson, who was shot down over Hunland in September and whom I replaced as B Flight commander, had escaped! Apparently, he had made it to Holland in October and was now in England preparing to move over to the United States Air Service.

On 10 November, we had an unusual task. Our target was further north than any we had been assigned – a railway depot north of Menen in the Ypres sector. A glance at the latest marked maps showed that this depot was extremely close to the front lines so we expected that we would need to endure heavy ground fire. B Flight, with the addition of Captain Zink, would be fitted out with Cooper bombs and have the honour of doing all the low flying. Hale would lead a composite flight above and behind us to provide cover.

It was a miserable morning. Takeoff was set for nine o’clock, and I shivered in the cockpit and listened to the icy rain drum on the upper wing while I waited for the shout of “contact.” Finally, engines up to temperature, we began to roll and climbed into the grey sky. We headed north directly as we had plenty of time to reach altitude. I decided to stay below the clouds despite the filthy weather. With so many machines in close formation and the war nearly done there was no point in risking collisions by trying to punch through such a dense layer. We passed over Lille with its unmistakable Vauban fortress. From there I watched for the line of the Lys River. We crossed the river and, with Menen in sight, I picked up the rail line and followed it to the depot. I could see the buildings looming up ahead. Something looked odd. A locomotive and two carriages lay on the sides and a crowd of soldiers milled about. There was something about the lackadaisical attitude of the men on the ground that didn’t make sense. Any ground Huns I had seen recently were moving quite smartly towards the east. These fellows were souvenir hunters. Then I began to make out the khaki uniforms.

The other SEs in the formation were intently lining up to drop their bombs. I scrambled to pull out my Very pistol and a white flare. This was normally our washout signal. I fired it and immediately began a slow climbing turn to the right, waving an arm in a signal to follow me. To my relief, the boys did the right thing and stayed in their V formation behind me. I headed east in the direction of Courtrai, looking for a target to expend our bombs. The aerodrome at Ceurne lay just ahead. I noticed grey clad soldiers on the roads below. And then to my surprise I saw that three Hun aeroplanes were lined up on the field. Whether they were operational or abandoned I did not know, but I was certain that we were going to blow them up. I waggled my wings and began a shallow dive toward the aerodrome. Suddenly, there was a deafening bang and smell of cordite. Archie! I smelt petrol. The engine began to make an odd clattering noise. I immediately let my bombs loose and broke formation. There were two aerodromes close behind us, Bissighem and Menen. I was losing revs but still able to climb. Whether Bissighem was in our hands was uncertain; I was confident we had Menen. The Wolseley held together long enough that I could approach the aerodrome from the north into the wind. I switched off and glided in for a perfect touchdown.

[Linked Image]
"I immediately let my bombs loose and broke formation."

A party of Royal Engineers was working on the field and arranged for me to call the squadron. They sent a lorry with a completely new engine and had the repair to the petrol tank done and the machine ready to go by two in the afternoon. The weather had cleared a little and the flight home was pleasant. I wandered into the village of Pronville around four o’clock to take tea at the mess. Now the rumours had it that an armistice could come as early as the following day. Major Russell had sent a runner to camp to bring all the officers to the mess for a briefing at five. Hale and Lawson both bought me drinks as a thank you for noticing that the rail depot was in friendly hands. The thought of bombing our own men on one of our last flights of the war was horrifying.

At five, the Major gathered us about him in the anteroom and told us we could smoke if we chose. He then confirmed that an armistice seemed imminent, although so far there was nothing certain or official. He stressed that it was business as usual and that he hoped we would have enough sense not to take silly chances. With that, he said that he had posted flight orders for tomorrow. There would be only one flight on 11 November, a squadron show. Takeoff was 0915, and we were to marry up with a squadron of DH4s and a squadron of Camels for a raid on Charleroi. This was new territory for us and we needed to study the maps. My first thought was that we would be a long way into Hunland. But a quick glance at the blue lines drawn on our maps showed that we were already up to Mons. Charleroi would be a skip and jump over the lines from there.

The guns continued to rumble. Corporal Grierson woke Hale and me at seven. As always, he brought a mug of tea – dark and sweet as I preferred it – and some biscuits. A little later he returned with some warm water to wash and shave. We donned sweaters and tunics. Our flying gear and fug boots were in the hangar. Then we made our way to the mess for breakfast. As usual, there were hard-boiled eggs and a few questionable sausages. I promised myself that when the war ended I would never eat another hard-boiled egg. A tender brought us to the hangars, where we donned our flying kit and where Zink, who would lead the show, reviewed his orders with us. There was time for one last cigarette and a wee behind the Bessonneau before mounting. Scarcely had I swung my right leg over the cockpit coaming when Major Russell sauntered up with a piece of paper in his hand. A few of the engines were starting up, and he bellowed and gestured to cut power. I stood in the cockpit to listen.

“It’s over, lads. Armistice is signed. Hostilities cease at eleven o’clock. Your show is cancelled. Everyone is holding their present position. There will be no flying over the lines unless ordered. There is a very strict directive to avoid all fraternisation. Sergeant, leave the guns loaded until eleven, then unload them and make them safe. Other ordnance can be stored away now.”
We all froze where we were and looked at each other. It was Zink who broke the silence. “Peace?” he exclaimed. “Peace? That’s the thing with women and jobs and gas bills to pay. Who came up with that bloody idea? Bloody French, most likely.”

I sat in the cockpit for a couple of minutes. When would I ever again have a loaded Vickers and Lewis gun at the tip of my fingers? But the ack emmas were getting on with their jobs and I got out.

We gathered back in the mess. There would be champagne at eleven. Until then, the atmosphere was like a bad family New Year’s Eve gathering at your great-aunt’s house – mumbled conversation and a sense of waiting for the big moment when really nothing would happen. Yet I suppose we had not had a moment when nothing would happen in four years. The minutes ticked down. The guns kept rumbling. If anything, the firing was more intense. I suppose that the gunners knew they’d have to do load any shells remaining onto lorries. Then the hour came. The guns roared for a second or two, then coughed sporadically. There were one or two distant pops. And then came a silence like none we had ever known. I heard a bird singing and a dog barking, and I walked outside. The countryside lay still. The war had passed it by, leaving wreck and rubble in its wake. The people who lived here were gone. They would perhaps return, but not yet. It would be a new world.


The Imperial War Museum had a graphic tape from sound ranging equipment on the front lines as the hour of the Armistice approached. This video has been reconstructed from the graphic tape, allowing you to listen to the sounds of the guns as we approach 11 AM that day.

Attached Files Blast damage over Ceurne.jpgPreparing for our last patrol.jpg
#4584995 - 11/11/21 07:01 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 246
trustworthykebab Offline
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trustworthykebab  Offline
Member

Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 246
Oberleutnant Albrecht Bernhard Schutzmeier
Köln, 11th November 1918

It's over. The war is over. I could still hear faint artillery until 11AM, then silence. A silence I hadn't heard for months. I sent a mail to mom. I'll go pick her up at Rudsenheim, then we'll see where to go. I just know I need to get away from Europe, for the time being. Maybe the United States? I could go study at a university, make something out of myself, more than an overbored kid in a flying machine. We'll see.
I'll miss my dear Fokker. She saved me so many times. I asked about her and all I know is it was burned down to not leave it to the British. Too bad I'll be the only one ever to be spoiled by her.

Last edited by trustworthykebab; 11/11/21 07:15 PM.
#4585003 - 11/11/21 08:43 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 238
NotRelevant Offline
Member
NotRelevant  Offline
Member

Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 238
Epower - Not long indeed. Curious to see how it shall all turn out.
Despite the last ditch efforts of the Huns, Oliver made it it would appear, congratulations and what an amazing story you've written with all this. I agree with the sentiment that you oughta be a writer.

Fullofit - Yup, still around and intend to stick around! Well, that is certainly one possibility. That, or as epower said, plenty of wars more to come in the future. Especially for the Germans..
And so it seems like Klaus manages to get himself some last minute action, so to speak, before that one grand finale. And oh is it grand. All leading up to this final moment. At least it seems those airmen and Klaus still hold on to their pride, which is good.

MFair - Certainly a creative idea, and most certainly deserved.

RAF - Of course! Given just how entertaining this war. Must again agree, early war is quite interesting. Much slower though I'd say, eh?

Raine - Good on Drummond also living to see victory. Must've been rather unlucky to get rattled by Archie like that though! At least it didn't turn out too bad.
And what a recording, that one.

Kebab - Evidently, Albrecht oughta become an EDUCATED overbored kid in a flying machine.

Despite not being here from the start, it really is good to see just far this journey has come and all the amazing tales and stories that came from it.
And of course, for the day that today is. Lest we forget.


"Those who survive a long time on the battlefield start to think they're invincible.
I bet you do, too, Buddy."
#4585010 - 11/11/21 08:49 PM Re: Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018) [Re: Raine]  
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 795
Albert Tross Offline
Flight Sim Nut
Albert Tross  Offline
Flight Sim Nut
Member

Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 795
UK
Fullofit - A strong end to Klaus's tales, he for one certainly did not fail his Kaiser or his country and I hope he found solace in whatever path he chose. Great picture of the mass of Fokkers.

Raine - Fergie had the fright of his life when that Archie pranged him, now is not the time to get taken out, with the church bells about to ring. After a difficult start trying to prove himself in those Bristol Fighters, he dug out a great few months of fighting. Some great tales with wonderful details as always, topped off by that sound recording....remarkable and very very poignant. I'm glad you enjoyed my tales and I'll certainly be back for the next DID jaunt.

Lou - Congratulations on Freddy's success and survival. Such a strong character and great stories, backed up by a wealth of historical detail....not to mention your work on those MODs, brilliant. Thank you for all your work on the gongs....they are very well done and if only the sim itself did them that well.

Epower - What can one say, Oliver's tale deserves to be in print. His success speaks for itself, he'll have Hollywood moguls begging at his door and has at least two beauties fighting over him. Fantastic tales and all backed up by painstaking details. Our paths crossed on occasion and it was a pleasure getting an insight into how you compose your episodes.

TWK - Sad to see those wonderful DVII's having to be burned. Glad you're man survived to tell his tale.

Carrick - Cecil survived and after his time in the south of France, is probably the only one of us with a tan. Some fine fighting and funny stories.

NR and MFair - Enjoyed your tales a lot during my time on here and very much looking forward to reading more next time around.

Bob - All's fair in love and war winkngrin

To the rest of you, I sincerely hope you are all able to take part in the next version.

Starting in 1915 is an interesting twist, at least we'd all earn our transfers to scouts later on by putting in the time on two seaters first. I'll leave it to the decision makers but I don't mind either way...1915 or 1916.


"A great deal of an aeroplane could be holed without affecting its ability to fly. Wings and fuselage could be—and often were—pierced in 50 places, missing the occupants by inches (blissfully unaware of how close it had come until they returned to base). Then the sailmaker would carefully cover each hole with a square inch of Irish linen frayed at the edges and with a brushful of dope make our aircraft 'serviceable' again within an hour."
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