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Banjoman, I am so glad Aldi doesn't have to deal with double-MG Tripes yet. Single-gun Tripe is already a handful.

2 April, 1917 Halluin
Jasta 18

It was another beautiful day to conduct a line patrol west of Menen. With a few clouds for variety the sun ruled over the skies. With such great visibility Aldi had no problems locating enemy formation flying over the Front. He quickly directed his flight their way and begun to climb. On the way he attempted to identify his query but all he could make out from this distance is that it could be one of the Sopwith's creations. Either a Strutter, or a Pup. They looked almost the same, except one was smaller and from distance size was difficult to judge. When they eventually came closer it became obvious that the machines were Strutters. He came to this conclusion not because of their size, but how they behaved. Instead of meeting the German flight in combat, like the Pups would do, these machines turned toward British lines and ran. Aldi picked one of them and ordered the rest of his flight to go after the other craft, which have split off from the main group. He was still below, but gaining. Schwarzkopf decided to remain low below the enemy craft and avoid drawing any unwanted attention from the rear gunner. He followed him into enemy territory, being aware of the increasing chances of being captured if something goes wrong.



"I'll turn back if I lose the sight of the Front." Aldi promised himself as he was getting closer and closer to his target. He finally was in range and ready to bring the enemy plane down, still keeping his eye on the Front.



One long burst from his Spandaus stopped the Strutter's engine and set it on fire. The rear gunner, who had no opportunity to return fire was now being crushed against the side of the cockpit by the centrifugal forces as the dead pilot slumped in his seat released the controls and set the plane into a deadly spin.



Aldi couldn't watch. He turned his Albatros around and plotted his course for home. He eventually made his way to the front lines and noticed some specks dancing around each other. He went to investigate and as he got close enough he realized another Strutter was on the tail of a red and blue Albatros. Oberleutnant Grieffenhagen was desperately trying to shake the Englander off his tail, as he was attempting to land at Menen with an ailing engine. Aldi made a long range shot to distract the enemy plane before he had the chance to down his Staffelführer. It worked, the two-seater banked and began to descend in a spiral. Aldi dove after him to give chase, but to his amazement the English pilot kept spiraling down until he hit the dirt just a short distance from the airfield. Aldi brought his machine down at Menen aerodrome and joined his C.O. for much needed drink. Grieffenhagen was buying.

Fullofit, You are laying waste to the RAF! Beautiful screen shots as always.

Robert, Always enjoy the vids and stories. Bishop was a character. I noticed you average almost 2 hours of flight for each mission. That's very accurate if my limited knowledge is correct.

Banjoman, Thanks for the summary of pilots. Good to see you are getting your pilots back in the air.

Carrick, Be careful Hoss! Ye be spending way to much time in the ward. But, if the nurses are pretty, what the hey.

Flight Commander Edgar Everheart
Auchel in Flanders
March 31, 1917

Today I was to lead B Flight to hit Loos Junction. Weather was horrid. Our flight of 3 made it to the target and began our attack. Compston waved off with engine trouble. Great, two machine guns to hit a rail yard. Coming in I was shocked to see trucks and piles and piles of boxed equipment ready to be loaded. On the first pass I was met with a hail of bullets but everything still seemed good. Turning to make my fifth pass on the burning carnage on the ground I noticed my engine was smoking. Breaking off the attack and firing flare I started climbing for home. Sears joined up and at 4000' we leveled off. Just crossing the lines my engine sputtered and quit. I signaled to Sears that I was going down, not that he could not see it with his own eyes, and hope I had the altitude to make it.

I landed on a road just our side of the lines behind the trenches, Sears circled once and headed home. Back a base we were told we had done a lot of damage with our attack. Compston had come down like myself and had made it back. Drinks all around.

Helmut von Hammer
Jasta 4, JG 1.
Marcke, Flamders.



Aug 1, 1917.


Got back to the Jasta only to fine all flights canx due to weather. Bummer.

MFair, don't forget - Bloody April is here!
You, on the other hand, could use another gun on your bus!

News of the World for the month of March - Intrepid Fliers:

March 1
The British hospital ship Glenart Castle was damaged by a mine whilst en route from Le Havre to Southampton.
Arz von Straussenberg replaced Conrad von Hotzendorf as Commander-in-Chief of the Austro-Hungarian army.
March 2
A Russian offensive reached and occupied Hamadan in western Prussia.
March 4
The Armed Ship Bill was filibustered and defeated in the US Senate.
March 5
US President Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated for a second term. President Wilson's Democratic Party controlled the House of Representatives while the Republicans dominated the Senate.
March 6
On the Western Front the British line extended south of the Somme to the neighbourhood of Reims- twice the length of a year before.
March 7
British and Indian forces crossed the Diyala in pursuit of the Ottoman forces towards Baghdad.
March 8
Police fired into crowds as protestors and striking workers took to the streets in Petrograd.
March 10
British troops captured lrles near the Ancre on the Western Front.
March 11
After a two year campaign, British and Indian forces captured and occupied Baghdad.
March 12
The Russian Revolution began and a Provisional Government was formed.
President Wilson ordered the arming of American merchant vessels in the war zone.
March 13
The Russian Premier Prince Golitsyn and Minister for War General Byelyayev were removed from office by the Revolutionary Party.
March 14
German forces began their withdrawal from the Somme sector to the Hindenburg Line.
March 15
Tsar Nicholas II abdicated in favour of his brother Michael.
Prince Georgy Yevgenyevich Lvov replaced Prince Golitsyn as Prime Minister of Russia.
March 16
Nicolas' brother refused the throne until a Constitutional Assembly was formed to invite him formally.
A mutiny broke out in the Russian Baltic fleet after the sailors received word of the Revolution in Petrograd.
March 17
On the Western Front the British occupied Bapaume and nearby villages; French forces advanced to reoccupy Roye.
A public disagreement with members of his cabinet over war policy precipitated the resignation of French Prime Minister Aristide Briand. He was succeeded by Alexandre Felix Joseph Ribot.
March 18
German destroyers fired on Ramsgate and Broadstairs on the Kent coast of England.
British troops occupied Peronne in the area evacuated by the Germans while the French occupied Noyon.
March 19
The French battleship Danton was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Sardinia while en route to aid a blockade.
March 20
The first meeting of the British Imperial War Conference was held to co-ordinate governance of the British Empire during the war and prepare for the post-war situation.
March 21
The British hospital ship Asturias was attacked and torpedoed by a German submarine on her way to Southampton after landing her wounded at Avonmouth.
March 22
The Provisional Government in Russia was recognised by Britain, France, Italy, USA, Romania and Switzerland.
March 25
Forming part of the Samarrah Offensive, the Battle of Jebel Hamlin saw a British-led force attempt to encircle 15,000 Turkish troops retreating from Persia.
March 26
The First Battle of Gaza was fought during the first attempt by the Egyptian Expeditionary force to invade the southern region of the Ottoman Empire territory of Palestine during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. Fighting took place in and around the town of Gaza on the Mediterranean coast but the attempt to capture the city failed.
March 27
The Petrograd Soviet (workers' council) issued a proclamation in favour of self-determination and peace.
March 28
The British steamer Cannizaro was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-24 on its way from New York to Hull.
March 30
The Russian Provisional Government acknowledged the independence of Poland.
March 31
The United States formally took possession of the Danish West Indies. Renamed the Virgin Islands, America purchased the islands from Denmark because of their strategic location in relation to the Panama Canal.

(From The Great War - Unseen Archives by Robert Hamilton)

News of the World for the month of July - Warbirds Rising:

July 1
Russian troops, under the command of General Brusilov, began an offensive against Austro-Hungarian and German forces in Galicia, pushing toward Lemberg.
July 2
British and German representatives signed an agreement at the Hague for the exchange of combatant and civilian prisoners of war.
July 3
The British steamer SS City of Cambridge was sunk by the German submarine UC-67, 10 miles northwest of Jijelli on a voyage from Alexandria to London.
July 4
A concerted German submarine attack on United States transport vessels was defeated.
July 6
The Battle of Aqaba was fought for the Jordanian port of Aqaba. The attacking forces of the Arab Revolt, led by Auda ibu Tayi and T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), were victorious over the Turkish defenders.
July 7
In a sustained German air raid 22 Gotha bombers attacked London and Margate in Kent.
July 8
US President Woodrow Wilson ordered an embargo on the exportation of food, fuel and war supplies.
July 9
The British battleship HMS Vanguard suffered an internal explosion and sank whilst at anchor at Scapa Flow.
July 10
After intense bombardment German forces gained ground near the mouth of the Yser and destroyed parts of two British battalions.
July 12
Austen Chamberlain resigned as Secretary of State for India following inquiries into the failure of various British campaigns in
Mesopotamia including the loss of the British garrison at Kut.
July 14
German Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg resigned and was replaced by Georg Michaelis.
July 15
The Constitutional Democratic Party (Kadets) walked out of the Russian Provisional Government, threatening the Mensheviks and the Socialist Revolutionaries with the breakup of the governing coalition.
July 16
Militant soldiers, sailors and factory workers began spontaneous demonstrations in Petrograd.
T.E. Lawrence and the Arabs liberated Aqaba in Jordan after crossing the Nefu desert, and opened the route north for the Arab Army.
July 17
King George V issued a Royal Proclamation changing the name of his family from the German Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to the English Windsor due to anti-German sentiment in Britain.
July 18
The uprising in Petrograd collapsed. The government arrested several Bolshevik leaders and Lenin went into hiding.
July 19
The German Reichstag passed a resolution regarding their war aims.
July 20
The Corfu Declaration was signed on the island of Corfu by the Yugoslav Committee of exiled politicians from Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. The agreement called for the unification of a Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
July 21
Alyeksandr Fyodorovich Kerensky replaced Prince Georgy Yevgenyevich Lvov as Prime Minister of Russia.
July 22
Siam declared a state of war with Germany and Austria-Hungary.
July 23
The British armed merchant cruiser HMS Otway was torpedoed and
sunk off the Hebrides by German submarine UC-49.
July 24
German and Austro-Hungarian forces captured Stanislau and Tarnopol in Galicia.
July 25
An Inter-Allied conference met in Paris to discuss the Balkan situation with regard to a possible Russian collapse.
The exotic dancer Mata Hari (Margaretha Geertruida Zelle) was sentenced to death by a French court for spying on Germany's behalf.
July 27
British troops occupied a section of the abandoned German front line at Ypres.
July 28
The British Tank Corps was established, replacing its predecessor the Heavy Branch of the Machine Gun Corps.
July 30
German and Austro-Hungarian forces recaptured Zeleszczyki in Galicia.
July 31
The Battle of Passchendaele (the Third Battle of Ypres) began along the Western Front for control of the ridges south and east of the Belgian city of Ypres in West Flanders.

(From The Great War - Unseen Archives by Robert Hamilton)

Fullofit, Thanks for the World News update. Always a good read to let us see the "Big Picture." As for needing 2 guns. Oddly enough, Edgar's accuracy is 37%. How he is not knocking everything out of the sky I do not know. Hitting a lot of canvas I suppose. My last German pilot, Drago Duntz, rest his soul, only had a 19% accuracy rate with 2 guns. Go figure!

MFair, Close call and neat to hear about all the activity at the railyard. I wonder if those boxes were full of ammunition. Would have been interesting to set them off.

Fullofit, great pics as usual. You are a master! Thanks for posting the world news, do you have the "April" edition available for intrepid flyers? I would love to see that.



Albert Earl Godfrey

4 Apr 1917 @ 04h21 All flights cancelled due to heavy rain

5 Apr 1917 @ 10h05 Rail yard attack on Epinoy Junction

At briefing A and B flights were advised of wind at 8 kn from the SW and to expect heavy cloud from 3000 to 9000 feet, and some rain with chances of clearing later.

“B” flight was tasked with the primary attack on Epinoy Junction with their Le Prieur rockets. The flight was lead by Molesworth, accompanied by Lloyd, Godfrey, Horn and Hall. “A” flight was tasked with providing top cover and was lead by Scott with Caldwell, Pidcock and Young accompanying.

The flights took off in light rain to form up north of the field as usual, and upon attaining a height of 11,300 ft at 10h16, the headed ESE towards the lines.

Upon reaching the lines at 10h23 they were at 8600 ft and began a gradual descent towards Monchy. Now down well into the range of cloud cover, they passed over Monchy at 10h25 cruising at 6900 ft. Visibility was poor and they had to rely pretty much on compass readings for bearings.

At 10h33 and flying at 3400 ft., they were promptly greeted with extensive flak as they became bracketed by the ground gunners of Pronville and Brayelles aerodromes. The heavy cloud cover was a saving grace, making it very difficult for the ground gunners to zero in on the flight. Molesworth turned “B” flight ENE towards Epinoy Junction. So far no enemy scouts had come by to harass them and the cloud cover helped considerably.

At 11h01, The flights arrived over Epinoy and each craft peeled off into an attack, loosing their rockets on the facilty, each in order. The Engine storage sheds were heavily damaged in the attack, along with the two out buildings, and the flight made multiple passes with their Vickers to ensure maximum damage. Godfrey peeled off climbing to a height of 2000 feet and circled about watching for any enemy scouts intent on spoiling the party. “A” flight now engage Epinoy and loosed their ordinance upon the facility. After a time, “B” flight began to form up with “A” flight doing the same and all returned to Filescamp safely. Young was the only one to receive any damage to his craft and that would be set right in 2 days.

The attack was considered a success and all headed to the mess to rejuvenate.

Robert, thank you for the complement. I do try to get a nice photo from time to time.
Yes, April edition was out 1st of May (real time) for Warbirds Rising. Intrepid Flyer's edition will come out at the end of the month, but we all know it's the same thing. Here's the "reprint":

5 April, 1917 Halluin
Jasta 18

The sunny weather turned into a rain festival in the past two days and dark clouds invaded the clear skies. Aldi was glad their airfield defence mission will take them high above this lugubrious cover and he will enjoy a few moments in the sun. Upon arriving on station Schwarm Zwei settled into a large circle patrol pattern over the Cuerne aerodrome. It didn't take long before the enemy planes arrived high above their formation and dove on them guns blazing. The N23s swarmed around like flies and Aldi had difficulty trying to pick a victim. He finally decided on an easy target: just below and just in front.



He latched on and proceeded to make a sieve out of the French scout. The small, nimble machine dove to avoid more holes, but Aldi was able to keep up. He nearly had it when he was hit from behind. Another pair of Nieuports was following and taking turns at bringing Aldi closer to Heaven.



Aldi dove immediately into a thick bank of clouds, but not before losing all feeling in his left arm and getting blood splattered all over his goggles. He knew he must land right away, but can't leave the safety of the clouds. Aldi was losing blood and decided to take a chance. He came out of the bottom of the cloud, ready to fly back at a moment's notice in case there were enemy planes present. Fortunately they must have lost interest and returned to base. Aldi found his bearings and turned towards nearest aerodrome. He was nearly there when he noticed another one of those pesky Nieuports pursuing his good friend Ltn von Bülow. With great difficulty he aimed his damaged craft at the enemy and pulled the triggers. It must have been enough.



Walter was free and the French scout dove down and settled on the field below. Schwarzkopf, half alive, mustered all his strength to guide his Albatros to the nearby aerodrome with von Bülow at his side. They landed as one. Aldi switched the magnetos to "Auf" positon, when everything started to get blurry. He could see a figure rushing toward him. It was getting darker now despite early morning. He heard his friend's frantic voice: "-Quick, help me get him to the hosp..."

Uh oh

Albert Earl Godfrey

7 Apr 1917 @ 05h09 Deep Observation Patrol tp Pronville

At briefing we were advised to expect winds of 8 kn from the SSW with dense cloud cover from 3,500 to 10,000 ft. and some clear periods

“B” flight was composed of Scott, Lloyd, Caldwell, Godfrey and Clinton on wing. “A” flight was composed of Bishop, Fry, and Hall and was to provide top cover.

The flights formed up north of the field as usual and had attained an altitude of 11,300 ft by 05h28, at which point they set out directly for Pronville.

By 05h31 they were over Neuville Saint Vaast. By 05h34 they were at 12,500 ft and over the lines. They arrived at Monchy around 05h36 cruising at 12,900 ft. and not far from Pronville.

Arriving at Pronville they ran into a schwarme of Albaross DII’s and DIII’s and the party began in earnest.

Scott took down two Huns, receiving light damage to his craft that would require 2 days repair; Caldwell accounted for another Hun and Godfrey put down 2, receiving light damage to his craft requiring 1 days repair.

Bishop of “A” flight accounted for another Hun and Hall of “A” flight was lightly wounded and destroyed his craft while landing at Bapaume airfield.




8 Apr 1917 @ 11h51 Intercept west of Lens

At briefing we were advised to expect winds of 8 kn from the West and solid cumulus cloud cover from 2,200 ft to 11,000 ft. with prevailing low mist.

“B” flight was lead by Scott, and composed of Godfrey, Clinton on wing, Rutherford (the new man), Fry and Hall. It was to be a single flight mission as “A” and “C” flight were already out.

The flight formed up north of the field and upon attaining an altitude of 11,000 ft at 12h11, they headed NE towards Bethune climbing.

At 12H15 they arrived over Bethune and turned east towards Lens, arriving there at 12h20 at an altitude of 13,500 ft. They circled in the area for a good 20 minutes, seeing no sign of the incoming enemy craft that had been reported as in the vicinity. Scott turned the flight SW on a course back to base at Filescamp.

At approximately 12h48 while flying at 11,400 ft in the vicinity of Camblain l’Abbe airfield, Godfrey caught sight of two enemy 2 seaters off his starboard side. He waggled his wings and broke to investigate the pair. One of the pair broke right in an attack on Godfrey with moves that characterized the capabilities of a scout aircraft. It wasn’t long before it became evident that it was a Roland CII in the hands of an expert pilot. Godfrey knew he had his hands full as this pilot was extremely adept. The rear gunner of the Roland was seen to be bracing himself as a result of the pilots extreme manouvers and this was a saving grace for Godfrey as the gunner was unable to man his gun and bring it to bear on the Nieuport.

Godfrey was only able to get fleeting shots at the Roland before it dived away. Godfrey gave chase and found an opportunity to send several volleys at it as it began to level out. He must of managed a few lucky shots as the pilot banked steeply, dove away and then went into a spin, hitting the ground below with such force that it sent a billow of smoke and dust into the air.
The remains were found 1.2 miles south of Camblain l’Abbe.

Godfrey pulled up looking for the rest of the flight and not finding it close by, headed for Filescamp alone. The rest of the flight came in later.
Scott had heavy damage to his machine requiring 3 days repair, from his attack on the other Roland. Rutherford suffered light damage requiring 2 days repair but managed to finish off the Roland when Scott was forced to break off his attack. The enemy craft was found 4 miles north of Camblain l’Abbe. Clinton, Fry and Hall all came back unscathed. Two claims were put in and two were granted as confirmed.

Good stories and vids

Helmut von Hammer
Jasta 4, JG 1.
Marcke, Flamders.



Aug 6, 1917.

Finally , after days of rain. The Jasta launched everything we had. Unfortunately, the enemy did too. Morning Patrol: Ran into a bunch of Spads. I got in close only to see them dive away. The schwarm did get 2 of the e/a for 2 Albatross Scouts damaged + a pilot wnd. Another Patrol in the very late afternoon and more e/a. This time N-24's I got a few hits on one and saw him go into a tail spin then nosed over and ran from the ones on my tail. My Claim was rejected.

Here is the status report for last week's action.

Edgar Everheart
8RNAS

We have been doing a lot of ground strikes at rail junctions along with escort missions. Edgar was lucky enough to down a DIII and a 2 seater on his last 2 missios. Both were confirmed which brings his tally to 13.

Herman Hienze
Jasta 11
Always did want to fly with the Baron! Hermqn earned his silver cup with a victory over a D5 which went down in flames. He then promptly got winged by a lucky gunner in a BE. Hospital for 9 days.

Fullofit: Red is not a nice color for the Windscreen

Helmut von Hammer
Jasta 4, JG 1.
Marcke, Flamders.

Aug 7, 1917

Morning mission: Balloon Defense: A bust no contact. Then back over the field, the propeller goes off balance.

Afternoon: Our 6 a/c schwarm got jumped by Sopwith Camels . I spotted one zooming in on a flight-mate so banked and fired off two 40-42 rds bursts. No hits but he dove away. I picked up one on my tail so had to dive and run for home Afer landing, only counted 5 machines so we loss one.
no claims.

Carrick, better red than dead ... oh, wait. It's the other way around. Isn't it?

Albert Earl Godfrey

9 Apr 1917 @ 05h00 Intercept east of Bethune

“B” flight was scrambled for a quick briefing before an intercept of enemy craft sighted by Forward Observation troops east of Bethune on the lines.

At briefing they learned that they would have winds of 8 kn from the SSW, accompanied by Rain, very overcast skies with dense cloud cover, above 2500 ft. It was a rather quick rundown by Major Scott who would be leading “B” flight himself, and composed of Molesworth, Godfrey, Clinton on wing, Pope and Young.

The flight formed up north of the field as usual, attaining only a height of 1900 ft at around 05h13, before turning north towards Bethune in the heavy rain. They could not ascend to a decent height for a time due to the low cloud cover, but by 05h19 upon reaching the outskirts of Bethune the clouds lifted and the search light east of the town could be seen scanning the skies up to a good height.

Godfrey broke formation and flew through the search light with the thought of announcing “B” flights arrival to the guns below. He no sooner had done that and turned back to the formation, when he noticed Scott waving frantically and point well up above them to two faint specs drifting in and out of the cloud and mist. It was 05h19 when “B” flight began an earnest climb in hopes of intercepting the two craft above them. At 05h21 it became evident that the two craft were making a b-line for the lines and there was no doubt now that they were enemy craft. Godfrey broke out in the lead, out climbing his mates, and by 05h35 he found he was only a thousand feet below what he could clearly make out as 2 DFW C.V.’s.

He continued to climb and close in staying low below the leading DFW until he was close enough to climb out and strafe its belly, and he continued to fire as he came level with it’s tail. Godfrey received some shots to his tail for his effort, and quickly dropped down to get out of the line of fire.
There was no time to waist as they were quickly approaching the front lines.

Godfrey continued this tact until the first DFW broke left and went into a spin. There was no sign of serious damage to the enemy craft and Godfrey assumed he had hit the pilot severely enough to cause him to lose control of his machine. There was no luxury of time to watch it descend to earth as the second DFW was within striking range and he wanted to greet it equally as well.

He continued his tact on the second DFW with ardor but it was more stubborn and it took some time to bring it down. It too, appeared to have been put out of control by damaging fire to the pilot. Godfrey took note of the fact that they were approximately over no mans land and hoped that the second DFW would fall on his side of the lines.

Following the downing of the two DFW’s Godfrey and the rest of “B” flight formed up and headed for the nearest base at La Gorgue.

Godfrey claimed the two DFW’s. Both Pope and Young had destroyed their mounts in forced landings on the way to La Gorgue. Both had suffered engine failure but were only shaken up. Scott confirmed the demise of the first DFW and the downing of the second. Both fell within sight of the British front lines.
Godfrey had hopes that the front line troops would confirm both kills. There would be celebration in the mess that night brought on by the realization that the two DFW’s would not be reporting anything that they may have observed. Now it would be a waiting game to determine if the claims would be granted.