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I have had that same thing happen in a Spad. Low, Slow, Stalled and fell out out the sky of course being too low to recover didnt help at all.

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


May 10, 1917.

Hq had the Esc 2 a/c bombing the lines today from 1500 meters. The bombs fell all over and I dont think they hit anywhere close to the target. One machine was forced down Eng ? Shell fire ?. After landing, the C.O. said here's your orders to Report to Spa 81 of GC 15 a N-23/ Spad Esc.

Triple-J, this is the most logical explanation I've heard so far.

Albert Earl Godfrey

11 Jan 1917 @ 09h10 Balloon attack west of Lens

The morning was very cold and Albert noticed the partly cloudy sky giving him home for less dreary times ahead. The sun was breaking through periodically as he and the others headed towards the morning briefing.

The squadron commander indicated “B” and “A” flight would be up for an attack on a Hun balloon just west of Lens. “B” flight was tasked to take out the balloon while “A” flight kept watch from above to fend off any Hun scouts that might come to hamper the operation. We were advised that we would encounter broken cumulus clouds from 4000 to 9000 ft. but generally operational weather conditions. The wind was rated as 6 kn from the west, a slight bonus in time to reach the balloon, and as usual, a hindrance on the way back.

Albert remembered to properly grease up for the flight and make sure his sidcot was properly fitted to keep out the biting wind.

“B” flight was lead by Hill, with Meintjes, Pidcock, Sawrey, Godfrey and Bennet in tow. “A” flight was composed of Graves, Caldwell and Fry.

The flights formed up just north of the Savy field, attaining a height of 8500 ft after having climbed in and out of cloud cover during the process.

At 09h18 the flight headed east and were soon south of Loos at 09h23, and approaching the lines. Hill began the descent and crossed the lines at 09h28 at approximately 4500 ft. The Hun archie was quiet and it appeared we had gone over un-noticed.

Albert could see the vague outline of the gas bag in the distance and kept glancing over towards Hill’s N17, looking fof the signal to go in. That gas bag loomed larger and larger and Albert was beginning to think Hill had not sighted it. No sooner had Albert thought this, than he noticed Hill raise his hand to signal the attack run. Albert did not hesitate and quickly pushed his stick forward. He soon was ahead and making the first pass on the balloon. He fired a few tentative rounds and then loosed his Le Prieur rockets at the bag. Quickly pulling up into a climb, he banked to port looking back to see Sawrey’s rockets connect. He watched the bag smoke heavily and then burst into flames, sinking quickly below. Checking his watch, he noted the time as 09h30.

“B” flight formed up again during a wide circuit of the balloon site , and headed towards home at approximately 2500 ft. and climbing for altitude.

Scanning the skies, Albert noticed a couple of specs on the port side, high and at 9 oclock. They appeared to be in a dogfight with three other craft and he suspected that “A” flight might be involved as they were nowhere closer to his flight. Albert made a mental note that if indeed it was “A” flight up there, we would make sure that they got their just rewards back at the mess that evening.

At 09h38 they were crossing the lines at 6000 ft. with no interference from enemy scouts and only the occasional burst of Hun archie. “B” flight landed at Savy at 09h44 with all craft accounted for. Sawrey had taken some light damage that would require two days to repair and was probably the result of Hun archie during his attack on the balloon.

Approximately 20 minutes later, the sound of three N17’s approaching, caused the men to rush out from the reporting office and just in time to see Graves, Caldwell and Fry returning. Everyone rushed out to the field to greet the returning flight. Albert noticed a few holes in Graves and Caldwell’s crafts and it became clear very quickly, when both men announced that they had dispatched three Albatross DIII’s from Jasta 18. Graves claimed two and Caldwell the other. Fry had in fact been more the observer than the antagonist on this mission and had confirmed all that had occurred. It seemed that Albert would in fact me buying some rounds this evening, as would the rest of “B” flight.
He suspected that Graves, Caldwell and Fry would be a little worse for wear the next morning.

Murphy's Law struck again!! During some video captures while creating the "Green Girl" for the Alb pics I posted, I must have deleted my previous capture of Albert's mssion. When I decided to post it today with this report, it was nowhere to be found! Ahhhh!

Robert, no one Aldi knows personally I hope?

Sorry about the video cock-up. I feel partially responsible.

Dominique Urbain's replacement arrived today. Sergent Etienne Valois from Le Mans isn't one to mince words. He got right to business. Climbed into the rickety N23 that was assigned to him and followed all the rest of the flight on a patrol. The N23 was left far behind the SPAD's but that suited Etienne just fine. Loner on the ground just as much as in the air. He noticed a fight breaking up ahead of him between his flight and a Kette of Albatros D.III's. By the time he and his wingman got there the fight was coming to an end. The SPAD's were returning home as were the Albatrosen. One or two were straggling behind and that was just the prey Etienne was counting on. He swooped down on one of them, introduced himself to the German with a few well placed bursts of his Vickers and waved "Good-bye" as the Hun was spiraling down towards the earth. His wingman witnessed the entire encounter and the first victory has now been confirmed.

I have no idea who was flying in the DIII's, and the error was all mine for sure and in no way related to work I was doing on the green girl. I failed to pay appropriate attention to what I was doing> Kind of like failing to check six!! Human error!!

Gilbear du Bassy
Esc 81
La Noblette Ferme,
Verdun, France.



May 11, 1917.



I took a spare N-23 up for area orientation. a nice little ship as long as you dont dive steep. During the 2nd time up, my section ran into 3 Albatross Scouts and we banged away at them. I shot off 200 rds of Vicker's and never hit a sausage. My flight claimed 1 destroyed. The commandant said that I would be given a Spad 7 to fly as the N-23's are being turned in.

Fullofit, sorry to read of Dominique's passing. Best of luck to Etienne. He's off to a fine start. Robert, great reading. I'm looking forward to meeting Bishop and getting your take on his personality. Carrick, best of luck with the N23!

Here is Colin Urquhart's latest. He had a close call on the 11th.

A journal of the Great War – By an Anonymous Aviator

Part 21

From the 7th to the 10th of January the weather closed in again: intense cold, high wind, and driving snow. The poor fellows in the trenches have it much worse than us, of course, but the forced idleness made us morose and very sorry for ourselves. We have had a few casualties and four days of sitting about and playing cards and talking about the war did us no good at all. Commander Bromet did his best to keep us busy with lectures and sports and such, but we were getting rusty and we knew it.

Finally on 11 January we had a fine morning. I was assigned the job of taking a patrol of six Pups up to the lines just north of Arras. It was a splendid morning. I decided to forego the usual routine of gaining altitude near Doullens before heading for the lines. Instead we climbed steadily all the way from Vert Galant to Arras, reaching 10000 feet before we arrived there. The morning sun was blinding against the snowy fields, and visibility to the south was difficult. My neck was beginning to ache from search the clear blue sky when, over our lines to the southwest, six or seven specks appeared. I turned towards them.

The unidentified aircraft turned south. If they were ours they would likely be heading to a field, but they were over showing no signs of heading for an aerodrome. I angled to the east to cut them off from home if they were Huns. We were within a mile when suddenly they turned to meet us – seven Halberstadt scouts. I climbed and slipped away as they approached, machine guns blazing.

For some reason, three of the Huns managed to occupy our entire patrol except me. I was a little ahead of the others after the chase, and I ended up with four Halberstadts all to myself! My little Pup twisted and turned, and I got the odd quick burst away. But every few minutes I would have to turn away from three Huns while a fourth peppered poor “Sheila.” Two rounds smashed my instrument panel. One likely hit the interruptor gear, for the Vickers seemed to fire slowly and erratically. With every hit the little Pup handled a little more sluggishly.


"I ended up with four Halberstadts all to myself!"

I panicked. None of the Huns were tiring, and I thought that another good burst would do me in. I threw the Pup into a spin and prayed it would hold together. We were close over our trenches. The machine did not at first respond when I tried to come out of the spin and for a terrible three or four seconds I saw the ground approaching and knew I was dead. Then, for no clear reason, the Pup slowly began to respond, one wing down. I picked the nearest snow-covered field and put down, smashing the undercarriage and port lower wing but thankfully not turning over. As luck would have it, I was close to one of our forward emergency fields and soon had a guard from 8 Squadron at La Bellevue and a ride back to their comfortable mess. They insisted on pouring whiskey into me and I gratefully obliged.

PO Dawson and his fellows worked through the night to repair my Sheila, and on the following morning I joined Colin MacKenzie’s flight on another line patrol, but shortly before reaching Arras there was an almighty bang up front and the LeRhône began to shake. I shut off and began a long glide to Soncamp Farm field.

On the 13th I made the third unscheduled landing in as many days. I was again given the chance to lead a flight, Compston’s, but a connector rod broke and I dropped in to visit La Bellevue again.

Rumour has it we are to be relieved from our detached duty in early February. There is great speculation that the squadron could be split up into its original components, but most agree that we will likely remain a formed unit with a formal designation.

I have acquired a semi-permanent companion – a white, black, and brown wirehaired terrier who wandered into the aerodrome one day and took up residence in our cabin. He has taken to sleeping on my bed, burrowing under the fine Hudson’s Bay blanket I received from home. He is muddying the creamy white wool of the blanket, but it is a fair price to pay for his skill as a ratter. Our Nissen was crawling with vermin, but now it quite free of them as long as the dog is about. I have named him “Pincher” and the others have agreed that the name suits him. Kris McNaughton, one of our newer fellows and a Manitoban, has acquired some blue twill, brass buttons, and braid. He plans to make a jacket for Pincher and kit him out as a flight lieutenant.

Gilbear du Bassy
Esc 81
La Noblette Ferme,
Verdun, France.

May 12, 1917.


The Bosche was out in force today. Both flights mixed it up with Rumplers and Albatross Scouts. No score for me, I am firing to far away ? The flight claimed a Rumpler. I can only say that I saw one smoking then go into a sprim, but I did not see a crash. The flight had 3 machines damaged.

Great story Raine, looking forward to a picture of Pincher one day, also you should have a talk with your mechanic. All those break downs seem suspicious. Is he perhaps spending too much time with the French widow?


- "It is mine! I shot it down!" Aldi was furious and Oberleutnant Grieffenhagen was not phased by it, not one bit.
- "Flak battery claims it was them, who shot down that Niueport 12. It is your word against theirs and the pencil pushers will believe many over one. Don't worry, you will still have your Ehrenbeher." Aldi insisted something be done about it.
- "But that's outrageous! I demand justice. I ..."
- "OFFIZIERSTELLVERTRETER SCHWARZKOPF! Are you an officer of the Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel or should I call the wet nurse in here to calm you down? I will have order either way!" Oberleutnant's authority in this moment was indisputable.
- "Now sit down, calm yourself and start from the beginning." Oberleutnant lit his pipe and looked at Aldi the way his father used to when he needed consoling.
Aldi sat across from Grieffenhagen, who was in the process of adjusting his rigid posture and making himself comfortable behind his desk, the way one does when getting ready to read his favorite book.
- "Well, as Herr Oberleutnant knows, this morning we finally had a clear break in weather. I was assigned patrol duty along with Ltn von Bülow, Ltn Strähle and Uoffz Mondschein.



Visibility was excellent and we were on our last leg of patrol flying along the NML when we noticed a flight of Nieuports crossing over. We gave chase and each of us picked one victim. Mondschein was there first not realizing these were 2-seaters and he was damaged right away. He turned back to base and that was the last we saw of him."
- "Yes" Grieffenhagen interjected "the poor sod crash-landed it at our field. There wasn't much to pick up. Continue."
- "Once we realized these Nieuports fought back we came up from below. Ltn von Bülow got one on the first pass. I took a position behind one and made sure the observer couldn't aim at me from where I was. When I was very close, I pulled up and open up with both guns. The wing came off and he spiraled down among bursts of Flak. I know I got him!"
- "Now, don't start that again. Keep performing as you have up until now and you are certain to be rewarded with a confirmed kill. Now, go get something to eat and then rest. You'll be flying soon. We have to take advantage of this good weather."

.

Fullofit, I had a few moments this A.M. to locate that fairy artwork I put together for OFF a number of years back. If you are interested in using it just let me know.


Gents, I have to run for now but I will be back to catch up on everyone's latest adventures. Cheers!

Gilbear du Bassy
Esc 81
La Noblette Ferme,
Verdun, France.

May 13, 1917.


2 section's 5 a/c flew a close escort for 2 Sopwith's over the lines this morning. no contact for us but high and off to the East our cover flight played with 3 Huns. No Claims but we had 2 damage. The afternoon Patrol by 2 section was Glorious We mixed it up with 2 Two seat a/c and shot down both. I finally got close but couldn't fire. The e/a was already going down so left it alone.

Lou, many thanks for looking. I will be using the image I've posted previously, but before that happens Aldi needs to get some kills on the score board. We'll see if he survives that long. The skies are not friendly. (Besides, your fairy seems to be overdressed )
Carrick, looks like you have your hands full. Good luck!

.

No problem Fullofit, just thought I would put it out there. Condolences on the loss of Dominique. And I just caught up on your other pilots' latest exploits, very enjoyable. But I don't know how you manage to run multiple fliers in a DID campaign, it's all I can do to find the time for one.

Carrick, I see Gilbear is keeping busy and staying on the good side of the sod. I hope he can continue to do so.

Robert, Albert did not make the same mistake twice about greasing up - smart lad. I don't envy him that balloon attack, even with rockets. Tricky business no matter how you go at it. Too bad about the loss of the video.

Raine, Colin is having quite the rough patch. I hope his "Sheila" can continue to hang together and that his luck will improve. Perhaps "Pincher" will turn out to be a charm for him.


Wonderful reading as always Gents, many thanks for sharing. Capitaine Tremblay has managed a couple of sorties despite the uncooperative weather. This morning's outing was actually quite a treat with blue skies and high clouds, albeit bitterly cold. Here are a few pictures to recount the mission.

(right-click on an image and open it in a new window to view it full size)


A break in the weather at last, Capitaine Tremblay of Esc N81 prepares to lead B Flight on a morning patrol of the front lines between St-Quentin and Pinon.



Climbing into a beautiful winter sky as an icy Gibbous moon hangs amid the clouds.



Over the lines, near the rail yard at Vivaise, Allard spies a low pair of Halberstadts and signals his crew to dive in and attack.



The Bosch are woefully outnumbered and outmatched and are quickly split up.



Capitaine Tremblay latches on to one of the poor fellows as he attempts to run away.



Two short bursts into the enemy plane and Allard watches as it suddenly spits a trail of black puffs then tumbles to earth. This will be the Capitaine's first claim since returning to combat.



The patrol is completed with no further excitement and the victorious French fliers return to Sacy-le-Grand.



Allard parks his mount in front of the hangar, happy to be back in the action.

Hey Lou, as Homer would say: I don't know.
I'll try to keep up. After a day's work and the commute, WOFF keeps me sane. It's therapeutic and cheaper than any other treatment, including booze. We'll see.
Very nice photo-report. Keep them coming.

Lou. glad to see you squeaked one in! Take care mate!

Raine, nice touch adding in Pincher! I do believe he will provide some interesting highlights to your stories. Can't wait to see a pic of his new suit!!

Carrick, some tough luck getting so close and still not being able to bag one! It will undoubtedly come.

Fullofit, some really nice pics there. Thanks for posting!

I have one more mission under my belt but no time yet to process the vid and post the story...

Wow, good stories and pics.

Gilbear du Bassy
Esc 81
La Noblette Ferme,
Verdun, France.


May 14, 1917.


Posted as the wingman to the C.O., the Section of 5 flew high. No e/a spotted. However, on landing the #4 a/c landed short of the field the machine was a write off. The pilot a Lt. de Berry was mortally hurt. I was off during the rest of day so painted my machine.

Gilbear du Bassy
Esc 81
La Noblette Ferme,
Verdun, France.

May 15,1917.


Attacked a Rail Yard deep into the enemy side of the lines and tangled with 2 Albatross Scouts. I stayed high with the leader while the other two machines shot up the target. I banded away until my gun jamed and stayed in the fight till the leader was shot down. Then it was time to say Au revoir After
we lost 2 a/c that day for Zero enemy machines.