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

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Thanks Raine, I feel the same way about your wonderful stories!

MFair;

Nice touch pulling Colin into your story. I enjoyed the read immensely! Maybe next time, if opportunity presents itself, Dudley can stip the tail canvas off of his kill and send it in with his claim!

Fritz von Tralenheim
visefeldwebel
Rumbeke. Aerodrome
Schwarm Zwei. Jasta 8.


May 4, 1917.

Mission: Balloon Defense
Alt: 2000 meters
E/A 9 Sopwith Pups.


Remarks: The Jasta's 8 machines chased 2 Englander machines and engaged. It was during the fur ball that 7 or more English machines joined the fight. I saw 2 of ours fall. I dove on one and his motor stopped forcing him down. The Jasta claimed 3 kills on that flight One is mine.

It's a cruel world Herr Hauptmann, you said so yourself!

Fritz von Tralenheim
visefeldwebel
Rumbeke. Aerodrome
Schwarm Zwei. Jasta 8.


May 5, 1917.


Up 2 times today. Chased by Sopwith Pups then by Tri planes. The Jasta claimed 1 each time with a pilot wounded.

Albert Earl Godfrey

6 Jan 1917 @ 10h05 Recon escort duty to Lines west of Lens

Today we were called to briefing with a request from RFC-42 to escort 3 of their BE2c’s to the lines west of Lens. Although it was very cold with snow expected and considerable cloud from 2000 to 7000 ft, it was expected to have clearer skies over he lines, with light winds of 8 kn from the north.

Graves led “B” flight with Bennet on wing, Sawrey, Pidcock, Hill, and Godfrey.
“A” flight was composed of Caldwell, Fry and Meintjes providing top cover support.

Both flights formed up north of the field and at 4900 ft began heading to the intercept point for the BE2c’s. At 10h20 they were spotted just ahead and above “B” flight. Following some jostling for position, all flight began the run toward the lines west of Lens, climbing to 7100 ft. Visibility was less than desirable and keeping formation strenuous as they climbed in and out of the clouds. They reached the lines at 10h30. True to the forecast, the cloud cover had some significant breaks in it and the BE2c’s began their run south along the lines towards Athies. It was damned cold and Albert kept rubbing the exposed portions of his face with the fur pads on the back of his flying gloves, trying to stimulate the circulation. He cursed himself for having forgot to grease up his face before the flight. There was no sign of the Huns about, but their archie sent some greetings, periodically.

Looking down one could make out the patchwork effect of snow and earth below, and the dark ominous clouds floating in the grey skies did not help to keep the spirits up.

The BE2’s did not waste any time hanging about, and that suited “A” and “B” flight to no end. It wasn’t long before the BE’s headed back across the lines to home, and the Nieuports were right with them all the way.

“A” and “B” flights parted ways with the BE’s just over Mount St. Eloi, and there was much hand waving as they separated. The BE’s made their way north to Bailleul Town airfield.

“A” and “B” flights arrived at Savy at approximately 10h57 and all aircraft landed safely.

Everyone huddled together heading for the R.O. to report a successful mission. Following that there was a hearty soup and hot tea for lunch. “Albert reflected on his time at Savy and considered himself lucky to have survived this far. He was learning the ropes and felt quite familiar with the territory. His Nieuport 16 was untested in combat and he hoped that it would quickly be replaced with an N17 before things got too hot.

Fritz von Tralenheim
visefeldwebel
Rumbeke. Aerodrome
Schwarm Zwei. Jasta 8.


May 6, 1917.

Up today on Airfield Defence, None for me. Our Schwarm tangled with 2 N-23,s knocked down 1 for no losses although I got shot up.

Hang in there Fritz!

No flights for Albert until the 11th, due to heavy snows.

I had high hopes for Dudley Duckett but it was not to be. He was last seen on the tail of a DII giving it what for when the Alb went nose up and Dudley collided with it. His Pup went down in a fireball near Arras.

Another empty chair to contend with!! I wll mis Dudley's reports!

Offizierstellvertreter Aldi Schwarzkopf
Jasta 18, Halluin
Jan. 5, 1917.

The snow has not stopped falling ever since Aldi arrived on Jan. 1. It gave him a perfect opportunity to get to know all the personnel on the base. He literally was this much from a hart attack when he accidentally ran into Walter von Bülow who was walking his dog. They spoke on numerous occasions and Aldi got to hear all the stories from the man himself. He found out Walter was the eldest of the 3 brothers at the estate of Bothkamp in Holstein. He speaks fondly of his younger brother Konrad, who one day, he says, will join the Staffel. He told Aldi all about his tour of England, describing how English differ from Germans, let alone Prussians. He heard how after the war began he joined one of three famous "death's head" hussar regiments - the Braunschweigisches HusarenRegiment Nr 17. He then transferred to FFA 22 in the Champagne, after being promoted to leutnant. He was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class after downing a French Voisin and a Farman the next day in October of 1915. In 1916 von Bülow achieved 2 more victories while flying as part of the expeditionary Pascha I Corps supporting Turkish Suez Canal offensive. At the end of 1916 he was posted back to the Western Front and this is how he arrived at Jasta 18. Aldi couldn't get enough of the stories Walter was recounting. With 4 victories under his belt he was the highest scoring pilot of the Staffel. It'll be a tall order to match this achievement Aldi thought to himself as he watched von Bülow walking his dog again near the choicest stumps, cart wheels, posts and bushes.



Finally the weather cleared enough to make a test flight in their new machines. The flight was led by the Staffelfuhrer Oberleutnant Grieffenhagen, himself, Aldi's wingman Unteroffizier Paul Mondschein and ... Leutnant Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp! This will be a treat, thought Aldi. The mission was the near balloon defense. So off they went into the snow bearing clouds mostly covering the grey sky. The front was so close to the aerodrome that some of the enemy soldiers took pot shots at them as they were gaining altitude. The mission proved to be thankfully uneventful as they all had their hands full just trying to stay in formation due to the heavy gusts throwing their crates left and right. Finally it was time to get back when Grieffenhagen gave signal and started descending trying to gain as much speed as possible. Aldi looked around and noticed some specs descending on them at an alarming rate. 6 or 7 Nieuports 17's (as he learned later) were about to pounce on them. Aldi followed the rest of the Kette trying to get away, but the Nieuports were upon them in a matter of seconds. They had to fight from a disadvantaged position. Thankfully the little French machine gathered so much speed that it was simple to evade him as he overshot the Albatros and continued chasing the rest of the flight in front. Aldi could not believe his luck, something happening to him very often lately. He aimed and squeezed the triggers. The two Spandaus shook the entire airplane and Aldi could not tell if any of the shots connected with the foe in front. He had no time to find out as bullets started flying all around him. In his excitement Aldi forgot to check his six, which now was occupied by another Nieuport. By now everyone was scattered with Paul - his wingman nowhere in sight. It was just him and the Frenchman behind. Aldi yanked the control column in a desperate attempt to lose his pursuer. The lead kept coming and only luck saved Aldi's hide from certain demise. It was von Bülow, who during all this frantic maneuvering was able to keep up with the two of them and positioned himself perfectly behind the enemy. His guns started singing and the pursuing Nieuport had to evade. Aldi made sure he gave von Bülow enough space to continue his fight and tried to match their moves. The French pilot realized that he is now outnumbered and outgunned, decided to make a run for it. With a sudden turn that surprised both Germans, the Nieuport was heading towards the lines and extending the distance between himself and the Albatrosen. Von Bülow and Schwarzkopf attempted to follow but were being outdistanced. Aldi kept an eye on the Nieuport and the other one on his friend. First sign von Bülow makes a break and starts his way home, he will do the same. As soon as he finished this thought von Bülow was turning and heading in the opposite direction. Aldi followed. They both landed at the base with everyone else standing and waiting for them. When his engine stopped, Aldi realized he was wet all over. The sweat was now chilling him to the bone. He quickly dismounted, made a few steps, kneeled near the tail section and started to retch. This will be the flight he'll never forget.



Staffelfuhrer Oberleutnant Grieffenhagen led the flight

Nooooo!

No! Rotten luck.

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MFair, say it ain't so! Sorry to learn of Dudley's fate, his stories will be missed here.

Fullofit, great entry for Aldi, and a gripping account of the go round with the Nieups. Well done.

Robert, it's unfortunate that in January of 1917 Albert should still find himself saddled with an N16. He must have cheesed off someone in charge.

Carrick, whose white Alb is that in Fritz's zwei?

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Snow and wind has kept flying to near nil for the last couple of days at Sacy-le-Grand so time has been spent getting things squared away at the new squadron. The poor weather also gave Capitaine Tremblay time to sort out his personal livery. He changed it a bit from his last mount as Escadrille N81's group emblem is the greyhound and his own is a cat, and he wanted to use the two together. He was quite pleased with the final design he came up with.

Fritz von Tralenheim
visefeldwebel
Rumbeke. Aerodrome
Schwarm Zwei. Jasta 8.



KIA D E C E A S E D K I A D E C E A S E D K I A

The kette ran into a Flight of N-24's so it was a 5 against 7 fight. After the 1st turns a N-24 dove on Fritz. The Albatross got hit and went into a uncontrolled Spin . Eating Dirt.
I guess empty chairs run in pairs.

RAF Louvert:

Hi there good to see ya back. The White Albatross belonged to Walther Gottsch of Jasta 8.

Fullofit;

Nice report with supporting historical photos Sir, very enjoyable read. I finally had some time to catch up.

Lou, very creative logo and I like the font choice.

Gilbear du Bassy
Sgt, C-104
Rosnay, Marne.



May 7, 1917.


I arrived to the Bombardment Esc on the 5th. Had an Orientation flight up to the lines with 3 other Caudron G-4,s I went home they went on to recon and never came back. The Commandant said we will have replacement machines by the 9th t hen I will be posted to combat.

Carrick, sorry to hear about the demise of your pilot.
Lou and Robert, thank you for the kind words.

- "Here, drink this" said Oberleutnant Grieffenhagen pushing a green looking drink in a glass across the desk he was sitting at. Aldi looked around and realized he was sitting in the Staffelfuhrer's office and still could taste the vomit. The drink tasted of anise and was very strong.
- "Better?"
- "Yes, Herr Oberleutnant!" he lied. He was still feeling queasy, but the stiff drink started to warm the pit of his stomach right away.
- "Not bad for your first fight." Griffenhagen continued. "when I looked back and saw that Nieuport on your tail I was sure we'll be soon scraping you off that frozen landscape below, but you didn't lose your head and didn't freeze like most neophytes do. I've seen it over and over again." He looked at Aldi and smiled. "Off you go, we'll make a Jagdflieger out of you yet!"

That night Aldi dreamt of a green girl with butterfly wings and very little else to cover her femininity. In the morning he made a mental note to ask the Staffelfuhrer the name of the drink.
The weather held and the mission for today was aerodrome defense. There was no contact with the enemy apart from a flight of Vickers high above. Von Bülow, who led the flight didn't even attempt to chase them. They were simply too high up. There was a bit of commotion during landing as the enemy shells started to fall very close to the aerodrome. Who knows how long they will be able to hold on to this position? Only time will tell but for now snow started to fall again.



Oberleutnant Grieffenhagen with MvR