I'm not playing just posting here for others. I'm aware of the rule though, you can generate as many names as you like until you get one that starts with "A", it's free.
Let's pretend I got the BWOC badge to embed here.
Wenn ihr sieg im deine Kampf selbst gegen, wirst stark wie Stahl sein. "The best techniques are passed on by the survivors." - Gaiden Shinji
April 13, 1917 Today our flight took a trip east of Verdun to patrol the front near St. Mehiel. Maurice Camplan, Phillipe Taxieres and myself made up the patrol. We were only just arriving when Maurice spotted 3 enemy scouts below us. Albatros DIIIs with their noses painted solid blue. He motioned for me to hold altitude and he and Phillipe dove into the attack. The skirmish was over in just a few brief moments, with the boche machines making a run for their lines. I dropped down and rejoined my wingmates and we made for home.
April 14, 1917 Today we were tasked with escorting a flight of 3 Sopwith strutters from RNAS 3 who were flying a recce patrol over the lines west of Verdun. Lucien Belocq was leading our flight of 4, Maurice, Phillipe and myself. We caught up with the British two seaters just west of our field and headed for the front lines. The weather was finally agreeable for flying but the Hun were not so agreeable. Very shortly into the patrol, Lucien signaled that the recce flight was in trouble. Sure enough, a pair of Albatros scouts were harassing our British comrades. Without hesitation, all three nieuports dove into the attack and in a blink the fight was on. I was a little slow in engaging and as I started my dive I noticed another group of German scouts joining the fight. I picked one out and followed him down. His craft had a distinct emblem painted on it's side. A black and white symbol swirling around itself. I put my nose down and gave him a long burst. He peeled off his attack and dove away. By now the fight had spread itself all over the sky. Everywhere I looked there where planes buzzing around each other. I picked a group and headed toward them. It was a lone nieuport being pursued by three albatros DIIs. But before I could reach them to lend a hand I was buzzed by a Hun two seater...a roland! Where did HE come from. No time to wonder. I whipped my craft toward him and we passed nearly head on, both of our guns blazing away. Somehow we managed to miss each other but it was enough for him to decide to head for home. I desperately scanned the sky for any sign of that lone nieuport. "Where has he GONE?" I was screaming, knowing no one was listening. Off to the south I spotted two lone aircraft, flying together and heading for our side of the lines. I pointed myself in their direction and caught up with them quickly. Two of the British strutters were making for home. With no sign of any other machine, friend or foe, I joined up with the two recce craft and made for home. Upon arriving at the field, Phillipe Taxieres was waiting for me. "Thought you might have bought it." he said almost half surprised to see me. "Maurice got pretty banged up. His engine gave out just our side of the front lines. Made a pretty ugly mess of his nieuport, They took him to the aid station, besides a nasty scar he should be good to go in a couple days. Lucien wasn't so lucky. Picked up three enemy machines while trying to save one of those blasted British chaps. Saw him go down over no mans land. No mistaking it..." Before I could even get a word out Phillipe looked back up and said, "but I hear you bagged your first Hun!" Congrats on the paperwork newbie! Before he left for the aid station, Maurice said he saw you put an albatros into the ground, said it had some fancy emblem painted on it. Don't spend too much time filling out your claim...we go back up in a few hours."
Here is the latest status report for last week's action. Make sure you guys say hello to the new guys that have joined us, finally the status report is filling out.
Last edited by Banjoman; 04/16/1706:10 PM.
Member and provider of banjo music for the Illustrious BOC
Drago Duntz Jasta 1 Vaviase Airfield, Marne April 16, 1917
My mood is very low. It has become perfectly clear that most of the pilots in the Jasta cannot fly! Twice a day we are sent out to patrol and one or two never come back. On the 13th I bagged a Nieuport in the morning and another in the afternoon, both confirmed. I should be in high spirits but my last mission has put me in a dreadful funk. Having taken it upon myself to try and protect my squad members we took off today for balloon defense southeast of St. Mard. While circling at about 11,000' we were attacked by Spads. It was 4 against us 3. My last meeting with with the Spad, also my first, I gained a lot of respect for it. I was on defense the whole time. This time was no different. One latched on two me and the dance was on. Lower and lower we went. I finally got a telling burst on him and he started to leave a vapor trail. Got his fuel tank! I dove in for the kill and oil splattered on my windscreen. In all the excitement I had not enriched my mixture! I hit full rich and gave him a burst. Parts flew from his machine but he kept on flying. I cannot print the words that exploded from the cockpit as I turned north and watched my prey fly south.
I landed near an army base east of St. Mard in the rain. Returning to my field I learned both of my flight had been killed. We are at half strength now.
Dudley Duckett RNAS8 Vert Galland Dec. 19th, 1916 Most of our missions have been quiet lately. Yesterday we escorted a BE to bomb Riencourt. As soon as the eggs were dropped our flight leader dove on a lone DII and I followed. Pulling in behind it and giving it a long telling burst it rolled over and crashed. Climbing up i spotted my wingman and as we were forming up we were attacked by DII's. I got behind one and he went down but i did not follow. Alone, I headed for home. No one from my flight returned. We learned 2 had landed with shot up planes but were ok. My wingman, Kincaid, made it to a friendly field but was in a bad way. He died that night. I put my claim in anyway. Today was a balloon busting mission. All went well and returned to hardy congratulations from the CO. I also learned that Kincaid had confirmed my Albatros before he died. I should feel good but it was a bitter sweet victory.
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!
Today after being called into the office, I was informed that since I had a background and practical experience with vickers and Lewis guns, had already completed the observers course previously and had some practical flying experience, I was informed that I would be participating in the Advanced Pilot Training course. “Just what exactly is that Sir?” I asked. “Things have changed considerably since you were last here Godfrey. In essence we have discovered that the previous training was somewhat inadequate in many areas. I shant cover them all, but basically here is the gist of the more important factors.
New to the curriculum are three hours of practical and three hours of in-class training dedicated to bombs and bombing techniques.
The in-flight minimum requirements are twenty hours of solo time, composed of two solo landings, one cross-country flight of at least sixty miles, and the ability to climb to 8,000 feet, descend, land, and then bring the aircraft to a stop in a circle fifty yards in diameter. I doubt this will be a problem for you and your instructor will evaluate just how extensive this training needs to be.
Similarly, all those flying Sopwith Pup and Vickers aircraft (classified as scouts) require twenty eight hours in their aircraft of choice. This is because it is thought that pilots require additional time in these aircraft before heading overseas because of their powerful engines, their increased manoeuvrability, and the dangers associated with scout flying versus observation. One practical feature is that one must learn to use his craft as a weapon and the fixed machine guns require you to learn how to point your craft to shoot effectively. So, on that note you can get yourself over the the Advanced Pilot Training course and begin. You are dismissed”.
I snapped to attention, saluted, and left the office. I was already calculating in my mind, 48 hours practical training, possibly 8 days there, plus the other training material possibly another 8 days. Barring any inclement weather cancelling the flights I figured I could be back in France in 16 to 20 days, or so I hoped.
I sauntered over to the Advance Pilot Training hut and introduced myself to one of the instructors, asking specifically if there was any manuals for the basic training. I wanted to brush up on what might have changed since I went through the course. He handed me a revised course manual which I took to my billet to peruse. I noted the following changes:
It was after basic flight training that a pilot.s regimen in 1916 began to differ from the instruction of earlier years. After being certified in basic aerial operations, a potential pilot was now sent to the advanced flying schools, also called gunnery schools. These advanced schools were established in 1916 to accommodate the expansion of the RFC and the changing nature of the war in the air. Recon Photo sim., Gun Camera for machine gun practice in shooting enemy., Stunt flying (turns, loops, dives…)
The first requirement was that a pilot pass a series of written exams, as in earlier years. These written exams included six papers on the following subjects: the rotary engine, the stationary engine and signalling, rigging, theory of flight, and instruments, crosscountry-flying, meteorology, astronomy, artillery direction, bombs, and photography.
I noted there was no mention of combat training or defensive/offensive manouvers. Something that the pilots back at RFC-25 were always discussing and sharing their hard gained knowledge. I suspected that the front line experience was not making it back into the training program.
I put down the manual and decided to have a nap before lunch and the beginning of my first class in the afternoon.
Last edited by Robert_Wiggins; 04/17/1706:22 PM.
(System_Specs)
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It has been a rather Hectic eleven days. I thought I had it made when the instructor was satisfied to have me do a single takeoff, circle the field and land, upon which he stated “that’s fine Godfrey, We can dispense with any further solo and orientation work. The fact that you made it here by air from St. Omer, gives me confidence in your standard flight and orientation skills, but since you have armourer skill with Vickers and Lewis guns, you will be able to provide very useful tutorage in the basic training course. You can volunteer your time there until the next phase of this course which will be familiarization with the Scout planes.”. So from the 10th to the 18th my time was split between giving and receiving training. I learned much about the Sopwith Pup which I grew to love for it’s characteristics, and I spent many hours in the craft learning all it’s handling idiosynchracies, of which there were few. We all practiced gunnery and dropping practice bombs onto a ground target circle. I much preferred the guns to the bombs. Accuracy with bombs was proving somewhat challenging and I couldn’t see that 4 twenty five pound bombs would do much damage. Nevertheless, I was determined to pass all the tests and worked hard on my weaknesses of sighting on the target and judging the distance before bomb release. Visual acuity and allignment was difficult when the target disappeared under the fuselage. I was however having more success with the bombs than most of the men.
While exploring the base one day, I spotted what I deemed to be a new scout plane being tested. It had a stationary engine and a rather squarish snout on it. It was not a particularly pretty profile by my judgement. It was the latest product of the Royal Aircraft Factory and Major F. W. Goodden was assigned as the test pilot. I was not able to get close to the scout as it was under extreme security.
I closed my personal logbook, shut out the light and turned in for the night.
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
I suspect the Albatros pilot was Heinrich Kroll of Jasta 9. He has an emblem that seems to match your description.
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
April 15, 1917 Phillipe is dead. It happened so quickly. One minute we were in formation, dropping in to put some lead into a boche aredrome, the next minute he was slumped over in his seat before smashing his nieuport into a german hangar. I can't be sure, but I think it was a good few minutes before I even acknowledged what had just happened. I have been with the escadrille less than a week and already two of the men who had once greeted me so warmly and took me in as one of their own are gone...and it happens so quickly...
April 16, 1917 We were tasked with escorting another group of British two seaters over the lines today. With the loss of Lucien, Phillipe and with Maurice still on leave due to his injuries, I was instructed to lead B flight today. "Stick close to "A" flight and you will do just fine." I was told just before climbing into my nieuport. The problem was, it was so blasted cloudy today. High, towering cumulous clouds, as far as the eye could see. For a brief moment I spotted our charge, a flight of 3 strutters. But then I lost them in a cloud bank. When I turned to see what A flight would do, I was horrified to realize that I had lost them too! Tristian and Claude were sticking tightly to me. Any tighter and I felt like we would risk colliding. I signaled that I had lost visual on the strutter craft and decided that I would fly a patrol of the designated route in hopes that I could spot them again amongst the clouds. SUCCESS! I spotted a group of three craft, in tight formation, heading along the planed scouting patrol route. I signaled to my wingmates and made due haste to link up. Then...three more craft appeared out of the cloud bank just behind the original three aircraft. "A" flight was only a pair of nieuports...this can't be them...I froze...and realized that these aircraft were not heading towards the German lines, but FROM the German lines. Albatros! To my guilty relief there were not six, but three, and they were harassing a group of strutters! I imagined the two seater pilots screaming "Where is our bloody escort?" To which I replied "On our way boys!" I signaled the attack and dove in to the melee. Blue noses! The same group that Maurice had tangled with just days prior. With the fresh memory of Maurice bloodied and the loss of two of my comrades I pressed my attack with unrelenting tenacity. My first pass scored hits and one of the Albatros scouts broke away and dove North for his side of the lines. A second scout passed directly in front of me following a strutter whose engine was belching black smoke. I lined up directly behind my prey and emptied my machine gun. The Hun bucked and kicked, rolled over and burst into flames as he plummeted to the ground below. Totally alone in the sky now, I made my heading due south and set down at Souilly. Tristian and Claude were already at the field waiting for me. They had returned with the other two british two seaters. I got word from one of their observers that the strutter I spotted with the smoking engine had made a successful landing near one of the reserve camps and was telling the tale of the flight of 3 nieports who materialized out of thin air to fight off the Hun. Hopefully he can also corroborate my second victory as well!
Nice stories Robert and Macleroy. I appreciate your time with the stats Banjoman, great Job!
Just a pic from Drago's last mission. He thought he saw a spec low over one of our airfields but could not see it again. He saw two more and they disappeared. It dawned on him it was Archie! Down he went and got behind a Tripe with a good burst. Barrel roll and behind it again and it was over in seconds.
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!
Thanks for the compliment MFair. Re the bout with the tripe. Good thing you didn't get into a turn fight with it!!
(System_Specs)
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Thanks for the compliment MFair. Re the bout with the tripe. Good thing you didn't get into a turn fight with it!!
At this point in the war the DII is getting a little long in the tooth already. Pups, Tripes, and Spads can fly circles around me. Or maybe I don't know how to fight with an Albatros but Drago is holding his own at the moment. I came down like a rocket on the Tripe and had all intentions of high tailing it out of there but got a good burst on him and crippled it. The second pass was a piece of cake. Just glad he didn't have some mates around.
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!
Thanks for the compliment MFair. Re the bout with the tripe. Good thing you didn't get into a turn fight with it!!
At this point in the war the DII is getting a little long in the tooth already. Pups, Tripes, and Spads can fly circles around me. Or maybe I don't know how to fight with an Albatros but Drago is holding his own at the moment. I came down like a rocket on the Tripe and had all intentions of high tailing it out of there but got a good burst on him and crippled it. The second pass was a piece of cake. Just glad he didn't have some mates around.
Yeah, that's the trick of it! Use the DII as an energy fighter. Dive, hit, and climb away. Of course the SPAD plays the same game but with the SPAD you have a turning advantage in your bag of tricks.
Best Regards;
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
Thanks for the compliment MFair. Re the bout with the tripe. Good thing you didn't get into a turn fight with it!!
At this point in the war the DII is getting a little long in the tooth already. Pups, Tripes, and Spads can fly circles around me. Or maybe I don't know how to fight with an Albatros but Drago is holding his own at the moment. I came down like a rocket on the Tripe and had all intentions of high tailing it out of there but got a good burst on him and crippled it. The second pass was a piece of cake. Just glad he didn't have some mates around.
Agreed, they're a death sentence after 1917 if you ask me and subsequent variants offer nothing terms of improved performance either.
I grew to loathe the Albatros while flying it, it's slow, sluggish, heavy and insolent at the worst possible times during turns. So far as I can tell the only difference between a D.II and a D.III or D.V is the added weight from the extra paint it takes to add a "I" or a "V" to the airframe. Switching to the Pup afterward almost felt unfair, it was like turning on God Mode. The only good thing I could say about the Albatros in general (and this goes for the ones in Rise of Flight too) is that its' utter mediocrity makes it just barely good enough to keep you alive if you know what you're doing in it.
Unfortunately Ze Germans don't have many options in 1917. You can always try your luck in a two seater until the Fokker D.VII arrives I guess.
Let's pretend I got the BWOC badge to embed here.
Wenn ihr sieg im deine Kampf selbst gegen, wirst stark wie Stahl sein. "The best techniques are passed on by the survivors." - Gaiden Shinji
I awoke today to heavy rains. So far this month we had rather unsettled weather for the first week. Very cold with mostly overcast skies and some snow on the second week but after the 17th, it became milder again and quite wet.
The coke stove was blazing hot thanks to my roomie and I quickly washed, shaved and dressed to join the men in the mess for breakfast.
Flight time today was cancelled so I spent most of the day in classroom training, as an intructor’s assistant, demonstrating the dismantling and reassembly of the Vickers and Lewis guns, with particular attention paid to the loading and unjamming of the breach.
After evening mess, I went back to my billet to go over my notes, paying particular attention to my personal observations of my performance on the practice bombing field. Tommorow, if the weather holds out, I will have my final run in bombing practice, after which I will be assigned a Nieuport scout to practice combat tactics in. We have been studying the operational aspects of the Nieuport 17 for some days now. I am anxiously looking forward to it. The light was fading quickly, so I put my notes away and prepared for turning in early.
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4