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

Thanks for the report Bud, it is greatly appreciated! Back to your story question, if I had a pilot to last that long, writers block would be the least of my worries. Congratulations on such a long career.

Thanks, I actually am working on something that I hope to post either tomorrow or Tuesday, totally different from anything I've done before, so we'll see how it turns out.

Banjoman: Do hope it works out. I was thinking of starting a 2nd Pilot flying for France in 1915 ,but cant find St Inglevert on the game map. I do know that it near the Pas de Calais area. or can I just start him at the assigned time on his assigned Recon unit ?

Edgar Everheart
8RNAS
April 28, 1917

It is a sad day for Edgar. Edward Sears has been his wingman for the past 4 months. Today he never returned from a balloon busting mission. After busting the sausage the 5 of us formed up and started climbing out west. Just on our side of the lines we ran smack into a furball of Albatros scouts and Pups. I had a dance with one and found myself alone so headed back to Auchel. 3 more of my mates came in shortly. Word came in a Triplane went down over NML.

Carrick, just start him with the correct unit and have him fly his three training flights and that should be enough.

Henri Dupont
Sergent
Training Sec
Aircraft Depot
Breuil-e-sec, France.


28 Aug 1915.

Logged my 1st Operational training flight after completing flight school. The landing a bit bumpie, but ye can walk away from it. My Observer acted as Guide. Only 2 more then a posting to an Esc. Rumor has it that it be a morane equipped unit.

Great shot Carrick! I'm considering jumping into an early war campaign myself. how are you enjoying it so far?

Cpt Sopwith:

The 1st time around a little slow, but this time knowing the ropes pure enjoyment

Henri Dupont
Sergent
Training Sec
Aircraft Depot
Breuil-e-sec, France.

Aug 29, 1917.

Finished up with 2 hops. I used a British machine pure joy going up and down, but turning ? or side slipping ? I was to afraid to do a barrow roll or loop de lou.

Carrick, starting a pilot in 1915 isn't what I meant. It's certainly ok, but I'm trying to figure out how to report on him since he is out-of-sync with everybody else's pilots. Do you want me even to bother with keeping track of him in the status reports?

Some good flying here. Robert, Albert has much better fortune with claims than my guy, it seems. I think I chase my enemies too far and often end up without witnesses. MFair, sorry about your wingman. I've seldom held onto one for so long. Fullofit, you're an artist! Carrick, how on earth do you get so much stick time in? One pilot is enough here.

And a special hats off to Banjoman for all you do for this campaign.

The Holzhauer Papers

Part 3: 27 April – 1 May 1917

On Sunday we were led or pushed outside onto the lawn for a church service. The minister was a fearsome old coot, with a countenance of an Old Testament prophet: pointed long beard, fierce moustache, and white hair rising in wisps above a face withered and wrinkled like a walnut. He preached Vaterland, duty, honour, and death to the French. A true man of God, this one, he called on the little children to come unto him so that he could put a Gewehr 98 into their hands and point them at the front. Von Brederlow the Earthbound, our adjutant, had left me a few cigars. I lit one during the service to the great annoyance of his Righteousness, who pointed at me from his pulpit (the bed of a lorry, actually) and consigned me to the depths of hell. It didn’t bother me. I had seen hell from above and it seemed too muddy to burn.

Sunday night I received my papers to return to the Staffel. A car would be sent for me in the morning. I could get about fairly well and was back to eating properly, so I wandered down the road to a little estaminet and dug into some eggs and chips. I had a good night’s sleep, bolstered by a great deal of banter about my distain for the minister.

I was back at St-Quentin-le-Petit by noon. The tender dropped me off at the field. The hut I had shared with Ehms was empty. Apparently it was now a parts storage and any trace of my existence there had been erased! All our aircraft were out but after a few minutes of cursing and confusion on my part, a senior mechanic met me with the excellent news that two more rooms had become free at the nearby chatêau that was serving as the pilots’ main billet and Kasino. I telephoned to the Staffel office and was told a car would pick me up.

The ride took only a couple of minutes. The place was not in St-Quentin proper, but in a little hamlet just the other side of the fields we used. Magellan couldn’t have found it unaided, for it lay in a courtyard at the end of a labyrinthine laneway flanked by grey stone walls overgrown with ivy. The building was modest as chatêaux go, more of an apprentice manor than the real thing. Still, it was marvellous. I was shown by a corporal to my own room with a large bed with an ornate carved headboard and, joy of joys, an adjoining bathroom with hot and cold running water and a large tub. Unfortunately, I was under orders not to immerse my wound for several more days. [1]

Downstairs there was a large dining hall and two salons, one of which was set up as a bar and lounge. It lacked only a billiard table. There were shelves lined with books in French and English. Tables were littered with playing cards and ashtrays and dirty magazines. A gramophone stood on a corner stand. I gave the crank a turn or two, and it gasped out a weak rendition of “Ich bin ein lustiger Student.” [2]

Off this room there was a small conservatory, lush with well-tended ferns and some splendid orchids. We had done well for ourselves, indeed. Someone had moved two armchairs here, so I sat in the sun and was soon asleep.

The crashing of the front door and excited babble of familiar voices woke me. They were teasing Wolff, the old man, who had claimed a Caudron. It had been rejected, it seems. Julius Buckler was up to six now, and had claimed our first balloon the previous day. Rittmeister von Brederlow welcomed me back and suggested a party. Everyone threw in some money for “extra messing,” and Ehms was dispatched to find some hefty French farmwife to prepare a grand meal.

I shall spare the description of the excellent evening, for I still was not getting tremendously hungry and found that I was very tired.[3] I retired soon after nightfall, for I was to accompany the Rittmeister on an early patrol

We were in the air shortly after five the next morning, greeting the rising sun with bursts of machine gun fire as we warmed our guns. It was to be a barrier patrol from Guidnecourt to Sillery. Just as we reached the limit of our patrol zone a group of white Nieuports met us head on and we had a wonderful scrap. I stayed high and dashed down twice to fire at Frenchmen who were on the tail of a comrade. Another Kette of our boys arrived and joined in. I saw a Nieuport on the tail of an Albatros and dived a thousand metres onto his tail. He never saw me. A hundred rounds spat out and the French machine tumbled lower and lower, hitting the ground just behind the French lines. I climbed to the north and eventually met up with Günther for the trip home. Freiherr von Brederlow made numerous calls, but our fellows on the ground had not paid attention to my exploits and the kill went unconfirmed.

I flew again that afternoon, an uneventful escort to Rosnay. My side was quite comfortable, except when I got in or out of the machine. Two of the Type III machines were returned with new, stronger spars. My DII, though, still had to serve me.

On 29 April 1917 we escorted two DFWs to photograph the lines from Pontavert to Maizy. I fought an inconclusive round or two with a Nieuport who was surprisingly keen. In the afternoon I got to lead another escort to Rosnay. The sky was full of French machines of all shapes and sizes this time, but Monsieur Blue-Blanc-Rouge was in a peaceful frame of mind, content to let us get about our tasks. I had a job to do, so I did not go seeking glory. The bearded minister would have certainly disapproved.

The following day we took off at first light. There were reports of heavy French air activity over our lines. I led the patrol and wasted no time circling for altitude, but headed due south climbing all the way. We were up to 3000 metres by the time we passed the Forêt de Prouvais on our left. Ehms, on my left wing, suddenly pulled in front a caught my attention. He pointed and began climbing to the east. I turned and took the lead back, straining for altitude. I had not seen them against the backdrop of the sunrise on an ice-blue morning – seven scouts. As we gained on them from behind the distinctive bend of the wings told us they were Nieuports.

Our hopes of a surprise were dashed when we were still a kilometre away. The Frenchies turned on us and the dance began. As much as I wanted to stay high I was drawn down by the sight of an Albatros – I think it was Wolff – with a Nieuport close on its tail. The two machines flashed in front of mine, diving hard. I followed and soon had the Nieuport in my sights. He broke away from the Albatros and climbed. Nieuports could easily outclimb the DII type Albatros. I followed for a while but the Frenchman was heading home and would make the lines before I got in range. Now I was low and alone so I turned back and regained some height.

Off to the left a light blur appeared against the forest below. This was a target. I scanned the sky above to see if the solitary Nieuport had friends. He did not and I was on him in a flash, firing more than 150 rounds. The little scout shuddered and tumbled into the trees below where it disappeared. There was no fire, just a cloud of dust and earth where it hit. Unfortunately the kill was not witnessed, and the crash site was too remote for a confirmation. The Rittmeister questioned me in detail about the claim and pronounced that he was personally more than satisfied with my claim. Regardless, I would have to be satisfied with his buying me a brandy in the Kasino.


"The little scout shuddered and tumbled into the trees below where it disappeared."

Editor’s notes:

[1] I have been unable to find the exact building used by Jasta 17, but one in the nearby hamlet of Sévigny-Waleppe is a likely candidate.

[2] This tune was written by noted pianist and professor of music Carl Reinike (1824-1910). He taught Grieg and Albéniz, among others.

[3] Food shortages hit the German civilian population badly beginning in 1916. By April 1917, the shortages were beginning to be felt even by front-line soldiers, who had fared comparatively well until then. It was starting to become difficult for German fighting men to send money home, as they needed their income to supplement their rations.

Marvelous story, Raine. I enjoyed it immensely, although I do have to say, in defence of your stern minister, that shouldn't your spiritual health be even more important than your physical health? Perhaps your pilot has become jaded from all the senseless loss of life. I suggest a request for leave, pronto!

Ah, Buckeye, Franz is a true Berliner. He was born a cynic. I wonder what he'll be like in a few months (should he live so long).

Raine, as we in the south say, "Holzhauer is feeling a bit bloody ain't he." I feel your pain on the claims. Half of mine are rejected. Even knocked an Albatros out of the sky above a friendly aerodrome which exploded and nobody was looking, or the greedy Archie gunners claimed it for themselves.

Edgar Everheart.
8RNAS
Auchel
April, 1917

Finally, a patrol! For a week had been doing escort duty or attacking Rail Yards. Not that we liked DOP's but it was better than the former. Crossing the lines north of Lens we went about 10 miles into Hun territory and turned north. Approaching Lille I spotted some machines to the east on the opposite tack and below us to the east. I turned our 3 man patrol in a long sweep east to investigate. They turned out to be 6 Hun scouts and with better judgement turn back west with the odds being 2 to 1. I knew they could not climb up to us in our Tripehounds. After a few miles I made a slow turn so as to see if they were following us and to my surprise, at that moment, 2 of them collided sending on down in a ball of fire and the other turning away in bad trim. 3 on 4 I thought to myself! With Little and Booker, both aces and very good pilots with me I figured we could take on 4 Huns any day! I turned the flight around and dove.

It did not take long to realize my judgement to leave them alone at first was correct. These boys were excellent flyers and out for blood. I found myself twisting and turning and still one would be on my tail in an instant with bullets slamming into my machine. Lucky nothing vital was hit. Most of the machines were mostly red and I wondered if one was the Baron himself! I finally found myself tag teaming one with Little. We had gone from 10,000' to treetop level. Little finally overshot and and I slid in behind the red Albatros and gave it a long burst. It nosed over and went down. I climbed out to altitude and seeing no one else headed back home. Little and Booker had landed at a forward base with damaged machines. I put in my claim for the red colored Albatros. Word came in that i had downed the German ace Kurt Wolff but that he had survived the crash and we would most likely meet again one day.

Raine: I just have a lot of time on my hands for now.

Out of sync. Its cool Banjoman. I will just keep track of him. Maybe, A Flight Log set up ? Flew such an a/c how long missions, vic damage Ect. on a flight by flight tally.

Albert Earl Godfrey

27 Apr 1917 @ 05h00 Patrol the lines from Athies to Monchy

At briefing CO Scott announced the wind was 8 kn from the NE with towering cumulus from 3600 to 11000 ft.

“B” flight, lead by Godfrey and composed of Clinton on wing, Molesworth, Lloyd, Horn and Pope “A” flight was to provide top cover and composed of Fry, Rutherford and Young.

The flight turned out to be a waste of time. The cloud cover was so dense that the flights were barely able to stay on course with no visual confirmation of the lay of the land below. At one point when they were able to determine they were over the front lines Godfrey turned south in the direction of Monchy but was never able to confirm his position visually. When he had estimated that sufficient time had gone by, he turned the flight west and entered a small piece of clear sky. He glanced down in hopes of confirming the flights location but not seeing anything recognizable he scanned the skies and just noticed two aircraft heading east. There was no time even to guess as to the type before the flight was again immersed in billowing dense cloud cover.

Godfrey took the flight back to Filescamp and it wasn’t until they had descended to 1000 ft that they were able to make out where they were. Surprisingly they were not far off the track as they spotted Etrun airfield just ahead of them.

They all landed safely and reported a scrubbed mission due to weather.

Raine, that is one detailed report! It just oozes of it. I have no patience for details, hence my reports are so rushed.
MFair, you can't judge a plane by its paint job.
Robert, hope the weather improves soon. Hunting Hun in the cloud is o fun!

1 May, 1917 Halluin
Jasta 18

Aldi could easily guess what their new mission will be. Balloon defence between Lens and Douai was the order of the day. Something had to be up if the enemy was targeting the German eyes in the skies all these days. A new offensive was surely about to start. They have reached their patrol area just in time to witness "Spuds" attacking Schwarm Eins. Aldi could count only 2 of them. He has heard of them but never seen them in action. Despite all the reports they seemed very maneuverable to him. Aldi followed one once they've reached Schwarm Eins to help by coming out of the sun.



His target was a slippery one and kept on diving in corkscrews.




Aldi nearly went cross eyed from following him, but was able to land some lucky hits.



The"Spud" then simply straightened out, picked up speed and allowed Aldi a view of his silhouette receding in the distance. Aldi was sure the enemy crate got away, but then something unexpected happened: the plane begun to corkscrew again for no reason, but this time it continued to do so until it hit the ground below near Vimy. Did the pilot lose control? Aldi would never know. He gathered his flight and returned home pretty sure his job as a Flieger in Luftstreitkräfte has just gotten much more difficult.

Great action, Fullofit! MFair, the pain continues...


The Holzhauer Papers

Part 4: 2 May 1917

From all reports, the French were running out of steam in their offensive along the Aisne. We were seeing fewer of their machines flying over to our side of the lines so the Rittmeister decided we should occasionally cross over and leave our calling cards. On 2 May, my job was to lead a formation of six machines – Ehms, Shuster, Shräder, Buckler, Günther, and yours truly – over the lines to patrol from Pont-à-Vert down to Reims. I was rousted out of bed by our old Putzer [1], Eberhart, at 3:30 and was easing myself from the ladder into cockpit of the Albatros at 3:55 am. The sun was just tinting the night sky to a pale purple as we took to the air.

It was a bracing ride. The sky was clear and the first sunlight gilded the landscape. The cattle in the fields were glittering bronze, the shadows of trees stretched out across the fields, and the church steeples of every hamlet shone like torches. My old comrade Ehms closed up on my left, Shuster’s white DIII on my right, and the others in echelon behind. The fellows liked it when I led because my old crate could never outpace them. I was happy “Bull” Buckler was with us. He was a fearless fellow and a great shot, and I felt safer with him back there.

I’d nearly gotten into a fight with Buckler shortly after I arrived at the Jasta. We were both NCOs, but he knew my father was with the Foreign Service and I knew he was a roofer, the son of a roofer, and a damned good one by all accounts. I respected him, but he didn’t know that yet, and with a brandy too many in me I had made some joke about our secret weapon being a Fokker Dachdecker.[2] It cost me a few drinks to calm him down, and we were just getting good again.

We reached 3000 m by the time we hit the front around Pont-à-Vert. There were no Frenchies about. We turned southeast towards Reims. After a few minutes I spotted two aircraft heading south. We were at 3500 and they were about 700 m higher. I tried chasing them but soon gave up. We turned due east and almost immediately two Sopwiths flew over us. They were only a thousand metres away, and we were on them in a minute or two. One machine turned towards me. It was not difficult to stay behind it, although I was now very cautious about letting an observer get his gun on me. I got one burst in. The Frenchman turned and I dived in the opposite direction and pulled back under his tail for a second crack. There was no return fire. I closed on the fellow and fired again. Only then did I notice that there was only one man in the machine. We’d been told that there was a single-seat bomber version of this machine. This was the first I’d seen. From there on it was simple. I got within 20 m for the last long burst and the Sopwith broke up in the air.


"I got within 20 m for the last long burst and the Sopwith broke up in the air."

I circled for a few minutes looking for the others. A lone machine was heading north some distance away, and two machines were far too low over Rosnay aerodrome, probably chasing the other Sopwith. I fired red flares – our pre-arranged signal to regroup. The two below me didn’t see it, but headed home together anyway. I set out for breakfast all by myself, very satisfied with my morning’s work.

Unfortunately the red flare wasn’t the only thing my friends missed. No one had witnessed the Sopwith I claimed and it remains unconfirmed.

Editor’s Notes:

[1] “Cleaner,” technically an orderly corporal.

[2] A pun. “Dachdecker” = roofer

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


Aug 29, 1917.

I was off with a flight of 5 machines for a little bit in heavy cloud 7-8/ 10ths cover with a vis of 5-7 miles in haze. We spotted 1 e/a that popped out of the clouds then back in. Never saw anything else in that bumpy ride.