The 15th of January 1916 sees us tasked with another reconnaisance over the Hun lines. Once again, 'A' Flight is putting up a Bristol Scout in general support. I decide to accept the accompaniment of a second BE. It's pilot is no less that Frencis 'Ferdy' Waldron, one of the pilots who came to France in August 1914 with the first RFC contingent. The real Ferdy Waldron later commanded the famous 60 Squadron and though not supposed to fly, believed in leading from the front. He was killed in July 1916 when shot down in a Morane by a Fokker while on a diversion for BEs bombing St Quentin, Trenchard observing ruefully that Waldron was 'One of the best men we ever had.' One of the reasons I prefer being on my own is that more 2-seaters just seems to mean more casualties. But this time I decide to have Ferdy come along. It was after all in early 1916 that the RFC ordered recce aircraft to be accompanied by others from the same squadron, for mutual protection after a period of increased losses.

Here's the three of us lined up on the grass at Hesdingneul. The weather isn't good; decidedly murky, in fact.



We waste no time in getting off the ground...



...and on our way to the front. As in real life, I aim to be at about 5-6,000 feet for a reconnaisance mission, unless the cloudbase forces me lower.



We've hardly reached the Lines nor gained enough height, when we are suddenly set about by three Fokkers. There's no point pressing on across the Lines; we'll have to fight for our lives, where we are.



This time, I try to give my observer a steady firing platform, only throwing my BE about when an attack seems imminent...



... or is in progress. This makes it easier for Ferdy to keep up, of which he does a fine job.



Spent casings fly as the fight rages.



So far, we're holding our own, but with three Fokkers against two BEs, I fear the worst.



...to be continued!

Suddenly, our fortunes are brighter. One of the Fokkers is hit and falls earthwards!



The Hun pulls up at the last moment but seems to have lost interest in further fighting. I use the opportunity to make a dash back to our side of the lines, hoping ground fire will help us drive off our remaining assailants.



At least one Fokker is still after us so I try to lose him in some nearby cloud.



However, the cloud is thin and I'm soon out the other side. Ferdy is soon back in formation; he's certainly above average and I'm now rather glad I brought him along. We race for home. Unaccountably, the Fokkers seem to have let up, but Archie is banging away at us.



At this point, I notice that steam seems to be flying off my observer's Lewis Gun.



There's no sound, so it takes me a while to realise that the gun firing animation is running away, out of control. It dawns on me to shift to the observer's seat, at which point, swinging the gun, the firing stops.



One of the Fokkers is above us and to our left rear, but well outside my arc of fire. He seems uninterested in resuming his attacks, however.



I soon realise why, as the Fokker starts dogfighting with a Bristol Scout - 'A' Flight's machine, no doubt. Our salvation is complete! I contemplate joining in, but the Fokker gives up and turns back to the east.



But we're not out of the woods yet!

...to be continued!

33Lima which version of OFF is that ?

It's Between Heaven & Hell II. I had WoFF 1.47 before that so the improvements are very apparent.

Thought so 33 Lima guess it's time to upgrade a bit.Impressive screenshots.Thanks

We have a final scare when a second Fokker cuts between my machine and Ferdy's BE, but this Hun too is only interested in returning to his own side of the Lines.



A few minutes later, I'm lining up for landing back at Hesdingeul. Suddenly, gouts of earth are thrown up by explosions around our hangars!



Having noticed no other aircraft, my first reaction is that we're being shelled by long-range artillery. But no, we're being bombed by several machines from a few thousand feet up.

I'm tempted of course to chase after the bombers, who seem to have finished. But I quickly decide not to push any further my already stretched good fortune. With Ferdy coming in behind me, I'm able to complete my approach, half expecting another bomb to go off at any second.



The landing is uneventful. I steer carefully past the bomb craters in front of our sheds. It would have been just too ridiculous to get myself killed at my own airfield after all we've been through on this show.



I've now completed seven operational sorties since arriving at the squadron ten days ago, which period includes a couple of days when bad weather prevented any flying. I've probably been rather lucky to survive my encounters with the Fokkers, but the point is, I've survived - so far!

Cracking Stuff. Hope your luck holds.

Thanks - I hope so too - I think this is much the longest 2-seater career I've managed, so far!

Good stuff.

The CO must have decided I don't mind getting up early for we're on the slate for another show at sparrow chirp the next day. Three BEs are detailed but I decide to leave one behind (by cutting his fuel load to 5% in the Loadout screen). So Ferdy Waldron gets to sit this one out; instead, the other BE will be flown by Lt Greg Falkland. I also take advantage of the ability to shift waypoints at the briefing map, to give us a less dog-legged route to our recce objective, which is an area of the enemy reserve trenches to the south-east.

Off we go! Today, the weather is much better.



I think that's Ferdy, down there on my left. He'll soon loop back to Hesdigneul and if he's any sense, be back in his bed.



The cloudscapes in the early morning sunlight make it almost worth getting up so early.



Time to check the map...



...then it's back to admiring the scenery, while my observer keeps watch for any sneaky Hun early birds.



Greg is keeping up nicely...



...so I can open the throttle and climb for height, as we track south-east towards the Lines...and whatever's waiting for us down there.



...to be continued!

I've moved my 'initial point' waypoint to our side of the Lines, so I can cross at right angles and then track back north over the enemy's reserve trenches to complete my recce. Soon, the shelled area comes up to my left.



Then I make my short dash across the Lines - not that a BE can be said to dash anywhere.



Thottling back on my turn so that the other BE can keep up, I turn north and get to work. I'm at just over five thousand and concerned that I'll have to go lower to keep the ground in view, but I'm in luck. A gap in the clouds stays open long enough for us to make the run.



It's only when we turn for home that Archie raises an objection to our presence. It would be a shame to be shot down just as we'd completed the show!



But the firing dies away as we reach our own side of the Lines. And the Fokkers have left us alone.



Toggling through the Labels setting on the way out when it didn't matter anymore, I did notice one Fokker engaged with one of a pair of Nieuports some miles off, but that was it, apparently. We're soon back safe and sound at Hesdigneul, to the relief of all concerned, no doubt.



'Boring', you might think, but I'm not finding it so. Knowing the risks I'm taking in going to war in a BE in 1916, the tension alone is enough to keep the missions interesting. And I'm managing to contain my disappointment, when the Fokkers don't show up!

A new day dawns and I'm still there to see it, now with eight more-or-less successful shows to my credit. I'll be an old hand at the game if this keeps up - which I hope it will, need I say!