homepage Forums Air Combat & Civil Aviation Wings: Over Flanders Fields DiD Centenary Challenge

Thanks Banjoman. Thought we lost you.

Nope, I'm not that easy to get rid of, think bad penny.

Bruce Wayne could not fly even once this week. The weather is still terrible. One more week and 1916 will be here.

Achille Renard did not fare much better with poor weather in April. He managed to fly only 3 days out of the entire week, but it did not stop him from scoring a confirmed kill.

Banjoman, all. So sorry, haven't had any time to fly in weeks. Just getting back to it now but my pilots have gone terribly stale, so I'm going to kick off afresh I think. Do I have to start in 2-seaters?

H

All you need to do is fly from the depot to your airfield and then fly your training flights.

Ok thanks!

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Well folks, after many months of captivity Allard Tremblay was able to make good his escape and return to the friendly side of the mud. After some much-needed R&R he was assigned to Escadrille 67 and promoted to Lieutenant. He is loving the Nieuport 11 and is making some good friends at Brocourt-en-Verdun, one of which is Jean Navarre. Allard's most recent mission was his 100th and in celebration he had his mount done up in the livery of his old Morane.



By the way, Verdun is lovely in the spring, too bad the war is making such a mess of rather large swatches of the local countryside.

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Yea! It's great to see Allard back in the saddle. The Centenary DID needs your wonderful writing.

Here's the latest status report. We had a lot of activity this past week, so guys keep it up. I really enjoy seeing how everyone is progressing. If you haven't flown in a while it's not too late to join us, we would love to have you.

Hey Lou, I like the subtle camo modification on your N11.

Achille Renard is having more fun with the poor Aviatiks:

Welcome back Lou! I hope Monsieur Tremblay enjoyed the turnips while in German captivity. Oh, and the skin is still looking great, even though it's on another crate.

Journal Entry: December 28, 1915
Bertincourt

It looks like the rain and snow have finally stopped. Gustav and I flew up to the front to see what was happening and we had the skies to ourselves. Even Archie obliged us and didn't pester us during our pleasant flight along the front. I'm sure if the weather holds then this pause in the war will end all to quickly.

We had a very enjoyable Christmas celebration featuring all of the delicacies that we each love so much. I don't know where Hans found the goose and the other treats but he certainly outdid himself with our Christmas feast. Even though we had a joyous celebration it was still rather subdued because Christmas has a way of focusing one's mind on thoughts of home and loved ones. I don't know how the men found out that yesterday was my birthday, but they had Hans bake me a small cake and they surprised me with it after dinner last night. As if the cake wasn't enough then the men gave me a fine Waterman fountain pen. I have no idea where the men found a Waterman, but I was deeply touched by their generosity. I am amazed at what a tight knit group of men we have become, and I am reminded daily what a honor it is to lead them.

Journal Entry: April 27, 1916
St. Pol-sur-Mer

Today we escorted the lads from RNAS 5 down to the Loos area for a photo recon job. RNAS 5 is flying the new Sopwith Strutter and it is a real pleasure to escort. The Sopwith seems to be as fast as our Nieuports and according to the pilots it is much more maneuverable that the old Quirks. It's armed fore and aft with machine guns and should be more than capable of defeating anything the Huns have in the air at the moment. As a matter of fact, we encountered a flight of Fokkers and as soon as they recognized the Strutter they turned and fled. Between the Fee and the Strutter escorting jobs are becoming bearable.

Today Capitaine Achille Renard led a balloon busting mission. After destroying the sausage his flight jumped a pair of Eindeckers. After some time and an exchange of fire he was able to bag one.



When it was all over the rest of his flight was already on their way home. He was on his own and damaged. Before reaching friendly lines he was attacked by a returning flight of Fokkers. He was low on ammo, but still able to fight. The turn fight started and it's then when it happened. His lower wings weakened by the bullets from the previous battle gave way and Achille plummeted down towards the ground. The fight started at low altitude so there wasn't far to go.



He survived the impact and was taken to the hospital but died the next day. R.I.P. Achille.

Fullofit, we've lost an Eagle today. I've been following his exploits and I've been getting nervous because he was such an aggressive pilot.

Banjoman, he had it easy. All those unarmed planes in the early stages. Biggest worry was his own engine failing. Times have changed.

Fullofit, sorry to hear of your demise. Somehow reminded me of "On a wing and a pray." Look forward to your next adventure.

Another ace falls! Better luck with your next pilot.

Excellent screenshots, by the way.