homepage Forums Air Combat & Civil Aviation Wings: Over Flanders Fields The "DiD Campaign Revival" - Intro, Rules, Reports & Records Chart

Olham, Lt Casey nice shots and reports! Thanks for the reading material. That was a close one Olham!!

Carrick, that was a mission to make you change your underwear!!

The continuing career of Albert "Mushroom" Ward:




13 Aug 1916 @ 06h22 Railyard attack at Roulers Junction

Escort of 2 Nieuport 11’s from RNAS-1 out of Furnes

I lead the flight with Hervey, Soar, Shook, Mesurier, and Huskisson accompanying.
We had rain most of the flight with heavy cumulous. The flight to the railyard was uneventful . We had a direct hit on the railyard and did considerable damage. On the way home we were chased by two EIII’s and Mesurier and Shook collided resulting in total write-off of their strutters and the death of both observers. Both Shook and Mesurier were lightly wounded. I turned on the EIII’s and drove them off and then returned to base. I suspect both Shook and Mesurier were distracted by the EIII’s but that was a total waste to lose two good men that way.

YouTube Video:


13 Aug 1916 @ 14h44 Artillery Spotting and Troop postitions recon south of Diksmuide.

I lead the flight with Booker and Soar accompanying. “A” flight sent three strutters piloted by Hervey, Parsons, and Huskisson to follow. The flight to the lines was uneventful other than verey heavy cumulous from 4000 to 7000 feet but we found a clear patch to do our obervations. Upon beginning our circling we encountered three EIII’s below us coming to party. I shot down one and Soar got the other. The third one disappeared east.
Upon arrival back at Coudekerque we discovered that both Parsons and Huskission of “A” flight were lightly wounded and had their observers killed and their aircraft destroyed.

YouTube Video:

August 13, 1916
Flight Sub-Lieutenant Dudley Doorite
RNAS-5, Coudukerque


I recovered from my week in the hospital just in time for an afternoon sortie led by Flight Lieutenant Parker, with Sub-Lieutenant Whiling completing our threesome. We took off in the pouring rain, with cool grey strattus clouds hanging low and all but blotting out the sun.

Despite this it felt good to be back in action, and after the obligatory take off run and some semblance of formation we flew southeast. Our target: Haubordin aerodrome, where we'd kiss the Hun with some bombs and fly home.

We headed southeast therefore, and to be honest I didn't navigate. I was content to let Parker have the honor, while I practiced staying close enough for mutual support, while far enough to avoid any 'accidents.' We were flying over - I'm going to guess Abeele, though I can't be sure. There was definitely a friendly aerodrome below me, when I heard engines behind me. I spun: Four aircraft - I didn't zoom quickly enough to be sure what kind - in formation. They ignored us and vice versa, so I assume they were friendly.

Then I turned back. My flight was...gone. Look up right, down right, up left, down left.... gone. I banked sharply to improve my sight lines...nothing. Were they behind one of these thick grey clouds? Was I wrong about the foursome and they'd turned to engage? I doubt the latter - they were definitely biplanes, and I can't see Rolands or Aviatiks just peacefully ignoring us ...

Decision time. I pulled out Lou's maps and found my target. I had a rough idea where I was, and by turning straight south I soon ran into the largish forest south of Baileul. Once there I could look east and find Armentieres. Once THERE I sighted the Lys river, and so proceeded south more or less confident I was on target.

After flying over no man's land for several minutes heading dead south, I began to wonder about my navigation and spun east to get on the German side of the border. As it so happened, I was close - as an Eindecker was patient enough to explain to me.

I didn't see him until near the end: He'd come up behind me, and my observer, Captain Stevenson, let him have it. He soon fled or was destroyed (see below). After a bit of hunting around I found an observer balloon, and near that an aerodrome. I could identify the latter by its proximity and the nearby clump of trees: Avelin. I headed there with the intent of a final course correction, when Eindecker # 2 lazily drifted in front of my path.

His back was to me, as if he wanted to practice formation flying. I wanted to practice gunnery instead and fired a short burst into his fuselage. He climbed. I followed, firing. This was a bit of a mistake as I almost stalled out, but I managed to hold it and was just lining up on the pilot...

....when Eindecker # 3 struck from behind!

Stevenson must have been taking a nap, because here he was filling my stabilizer with holes. I may have shot #2 down - I'm not sure. Either 1 or 2 fell since we would get a claim when this is all over, but # 3 followed me into a dive. NOW Stevenson woke up and scared him off.

The tear of fabric usually means it's time to go home. Avelin aerodrome was handy, so I let them have the bombs instead with a hastily written note to "Please deliver to Haubordin." Then I turned for home. The German balloon was just sitting there, asking to be shot down, so I obliged and dove on it.

Too steeply. Over speed warning. Over G warning. After firing a good volley into it I broke off, planning to lazily turn around, bleed my speed and finish him.

That's about when I noticed that, even with full right aileron, I was banked about 45 degrees to the LEFT. And not stabilizing. CRAP! Time to run.

Over the next thirty seconds or so, once I steadied on a direct west course, I managed to stabilize my craft, but only with nearly full aileron and in sluggish, jerking motions. My rudder still worked, but with my ability to control my bank uhm.. shot, I tried not to rely on it.

The plan now was to sprint across the line, locate the city of Bethune, and from there to Chocques aerodrome. Nothing wrong with my wings, I slowly climbed from 2,000 to 5,000 feet over No Man's Land. Relaxing my grip on the joystick meant a hard left bank, and though keeping hold of the joystick didn't take much physical effort I could easily imagine my pilot grunting, wrestling with it.

And that's when Eindecker # 3 returned!

He dove on me from God knows where. Scattered shots to my left wing. Stevenson fired back and, as I crossed into friendly lines, he turned for home.

Bethune spotted: A little off course, but fixable. Aerodrome spotted. Now I allowed the plane to bank and cut the engine, pulling out of a shallow dive at about 1,000 feet and on the wrong end of a copse of trees east of the field. Oddly the plane stabilized easier this time - perhaps the faster airflow under the wings helped. Regardless I steadied on course and passed over the forest at tree top level to land.

I forgot to take a picture, but my stabilizer looked like Swiss cheese. Though the model didn't directly reflect that, I could easily imagine some of the wires controlling the control surface having been cut, explaining my disability.

No injuries, one pending claim, and the mechanics will need a few days to patch up my crate as well as give me a ride home.

Thanks for the maps, Lou! They saved my butt.

Congrats on the medals, Eastwood and Mardling

Looks like things are starting to heat up out there with all the wounded pilots. And for us Entente pilots the Albatros is soon to come

My C.O. stopped by the hospital to see how Capt. Bouckaert and I were doing. I spoke to him about a transfer to a scout squad, or anything better at fighting than the Farman and he said he would see what he could do. With my short service time and lack of experience he wasn't sure what other squad C.O.s would think, but as I have been wounded he said he would be willing to let me go if he could find an opening in another squad.

But he warned me that I may be jumping from the kettle into the fire!

That was a nail biter, CatKnight

I was almost expecting to read you were back in the hospital at the end...lol

Great job of taking the fight to the Huns and getting your plane down in one piece!

Cat, Wow, you are a lucky One!

Great to have you back, and seeing, that the Strut saved your lifes. It can take a real punishment.

Regards,

Welcome back theultimate (Arthur White RNAS)

Slight change to the web site is that 'times wounded' has been removed as it is not reported on by Olham.

I notice that although the top ranker is Albert Ward RNAS as Squadron Commander (major) the top points scorer is Artemus Burroughs with over 2000 points at 2096.10

And the lowest points scorer is ME (Although I have the highest hours for a dead pilot at 30.04)

I see the instructions on how to fight in the 1½ Strutter is to have less than full tanks. Should I try it at 75% or so....?

After Catknights flight I feel a lot happier about flying the strutter. (It seems to work better in WOFF than it did in RL but who am I to complain?)

The Strutter can fly for hours, I take off from Coudekerque with 80% on long missions over the front near Lens and usually land back with still more than 50%. I take 70% on shorter ones, although not needed I like to have some fuel in case of leaks after a fight.

I found 50% in the Strutter is plenty for all but the super long missions. The fuel leaks I've had drain the tank so quickly that 25% more makes no difference.

Tanks in those days were not self-sealing, and often used handpumped air pressure
to bring the fuel into the supply line - so one hole, and the pressure is gone.

.

Pursuant to the guidelines set forth by le Bureau de Guerre Belgique, (België oorlog kantoor), Sergeant Achille Coppens is hereby authorized to wear the Soldat Belge Hors Combat for the duration of his recovery and recuperation.



The people of Belgium respectfully thank you for your patriotism, your loyalty, and your sacrifice.

.

And the lowest points scorer is ME sigh (Although I have the highest hours for a dead pilot at 30.04) skullhead

I see the instructions on how to fight in the 1½ Strutter is to have less than full tanks. Should I try it at 75% or so....?


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Jim, I do appreciate you taking over the "best of the dead" from me! But, with more than a few pilots nearing the 30 hr. mark I am sure you will not have that distinction for long. I might even take it back myself.

Interesting. I have heard of 'hors de combat' which I think means that you are out of it, but not this one. I could ask my French-speaking wife but I don't think she is good at this sort of thing!

So what does Hors [de] Combat mean in French. Come in Corsaire!

But I do understand "België oorlog kantoor" (Belgian War Office) because it would be the same in Afrikaans

If I recall correctly, this batch means:

"This soldier is out of combat, injured,unable to continue"

Mr Wiggins: If I have to back on a mission like St Vasst, I'll have to change the pilots name to Skid Mark Snodgrass

Guys, thank you all for your interesting reads, pics, videos and bits.
I wished I could answer to all posts, but they are coming in like jet planes on a highway!
Maybe soon the forum moderators will ask us to slow down, so the forum doesn't explode?

Action report of August 13.1916

Dawnpatrol: Raiding Thiencourt Airfield

Thenault, Johnson, Johnson(me), and Lufbery were tasked to raid said airfield. Eventless, until 2 aviatiks showed up and were inbound to land. We attacked them, but today we were not able to put one down, they managed to emergency land at the airfield. This shows the disadvantage of the Nuieports, the lack of ammuntion.
We emptied our ammodrums and head back for breakfast. The airfield remained untouched.

Afternoonpatrol:Recon Abschnitt VF8177

Eventless, due to heavy weather and very low visibilty. Lost Prince, Johnson, and McConnell at Turnpoint 2. Proceeded, went up to 3000m as ordered, and saw nothing due to heavy clouding. Dived down to about 1000m just to see...nothing. Heading for Behonne thinking of a warm tub and a hot plate for dinner, and landed the kite safely. I wll never get used to the landing characteristics of the "Bebe".

We had no losses, so we have had a dinner with all 12 chaps, when Thenault raised his glass, and said, that my 1st victory was confirmed. So, this day will end at the bar, having drinks on me.

P.S. Thanks for these "out of game" medals, Lou...they are great!

I found this definition on the "Soldat Belge Hors Combat" medal: "It was given to Belgian soldiers on convalescence leave in France. Purpose was to easily recognise this category of soldiers and not mistake them for deserters. So unlike the SWB which was to avoid public scorn this badge was meant to avoid the MP's."

So now when I sneak out of the hospital at night for a few medicinal beers I'll not be arrested

adult photo sharing

13 Aug 1916.

Caught 2 flights today, I am hoping to hit 50.0 hrs flt time by weeks end.

Recon to Arras 0640 departure. Arrived over target with 6 a/c due to cloud cover the mission was a wash out.

Afternoon Patrol St Vasst. 5 a/c, I flew as number 4. Broken clouds all over no aircraft spotted RTB.

Sqn Status: Pilots 11 ( 3 New ones arrived last night) A/c 6 + 2 Res and 1 in repair.
Supply states more a/c on the way maybe 2 weeks. ( Hand me downs from other Sqns)


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My congrats to Lou also, Hes doing a find Job.