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Raine;

I am somewhat miffed on the point of claims as well. Albert has not yet had a rejection. I guess he should be shooting craps at the tables in Vegas at this rate!

Henri Dupont
Sergent
C-17
Toul, Aerodrome.



Flight Log. 30 Aug 1917. Mission # 1 Orientation Flight up to the lines and back. Remarks: HQ has assigned to to a 2 Engine Bombardment Esc. What are they thinking ? The ADJ showed me the taps saying just do everything Twice because you have 2 engines.

Carrick, you are a brave man flying those French death traps!
Banjoman, when are we going to be able to read your Magnum Opus?


2 May, 1917 Halluin
Jasta 18

It was a great day to conduct a patrol of friendly area over Wasquehal. Anything was better than yet another balloon defence. Aldi and Co. reached the designated point no sooner than a flight of 7 Pups swooped down on them and initiated a hairy fur ball.



After isolating one of the Sopwiths Aldi fought a protracted battle but was finally able to take him out over Lille.






He looked around and noticed his wingman fighting one of the enemy scouts nearby.



He came to the rescue just in time. As soon as the wingman saw Aldi join in, he disengaged and pointed his machine towards the closest airfield. Schwarzkopf was able to drive the second enemy down with the engine off west of Lille.



He landed in a farmer's field just missing one of the fences which littered surrounding country.



Aldi watched the downed pilot get out of the plane and run for the nearest trees. A group of Infanterie surrounded the damaged craft. Another group was closing in on the location of the grounded foe. Aldi watched the entire spectacle with a degree of amusement. From the air it all looked like a game of cops and robbers. Eventually the soldiers brought out the pilot with his hands up an led him toward the other group, which was already helping themselves to a few souvenirs from the Pup. Schwarzkopf was certain he will meet the pilot he'd forced down at the aerodrome he was now heading for. He'll have to brush up on his English. Good thing Jonny Bülow is an expert.

Great screenies there Fullofit

Albert Earl Godfrey

2 May 1917 @ 06h02 Patrol our lines from Athies to Monchy

Scot once again assigned A and B flights to patrol our line from Athies to Monchy. It had become a sector of interest it seems and given that the days forecast was for good weather the mission was on again.

We were told to expect wind of 3 kn from the SSW with scattered cumulus in a mostly clear sky. Clouds ranged from 4000 to 8000 ft.

Godfrey lead “B” flight composed of Clinton on wing, Molesworth, Rutherford, Fry and Young. “A” flight was assigned to closely assist and composed of Caldwell, Lloyd, Horn and Pope.

Both flights formed up north of the field as usual, attaining an altitude of 7700 ft at 06h17 before setting a course for Athies. Godfrey had just straightened the flight out when he spotted two specs just north of them and about 1000 ft higher. The two specs seemed to be circling Over Camblain airfield and so Godfrey decided to investigate. As he turned the flight north, the two specs began to head north as well. It seemed suspicious and so “B” flight gave chase. “A” flight broke off to continue the course to Athies.

“B” flight caught up with the two specs just south of the Lens – Bethune road near an allied balloon installation. Godfrey singled out the left most craft which he was able to identify as a two seater DFW C.V. It was heading for the clouds and as Godfrey closed on it they both were in and out of the heavy mist making visibility difficult. Godfrey got close enough to send several volleys into the DFW, observing debris dispersing from the craft as the rounds hit home, then suddenly they both were engulfed in the heavy mist of the cloud and Godfrey lost sight of it. As Godfrey broke out on the othere side of the cloud he scanned the skies and then discovered the DFW behind him breaking up and smoking as it spiraled to earth. Clinton and Molesworth were right behind. Godfrey was looking for the second DFW and circling about. The rest of “B” flight joined up. Clinton waggled his wings to get Godfrey’s attention and signaled, pointing with his index finger raised and then flipping his hand with a thumbs down sign, that he had dispatched the second DFW.

“B” flight regained altitude to 8000 ft at 06h25 and headed directly towards Athies, in hopes of rejolining with “A” flight. At 06h32 Godfrey noticed many craft swirling about in front of his flight at a distance of approximately half a mile. There was obviously a fight going on and if it was “A” flight, he meant to join and assist. As they closed on the dog fight, Godfrey closed in on an Albatros DIII that was alone. Within what seemed like seconds Godfrey was close on his tail and filling the Huns cockpit with lead. It went down in a spiral. He continued his search and found another DIII oblivious to his presence and that one as well fell to his guns but Godfrey was unsure of the kill, since the craft having spiraled down to almost ground level, began to level out and head east over the lines. Godfrey did not give chase as they were directly over the lines and chasing a Hun at such low altitude would not be wise. He began to circle and wait for his mates to reform and then they headed back to Filescamp. He noted that Lloyd, Horn and Pope were missing and he could only hope they were safe and behind the lines somewhere.

Upon landing at Filescamp all of “B” flight reported to the RO of the days events. Godfrey laid two claims and Clinton one. Fry and Young reported that Lloyd, Horn and Pope had been damaged in the tangle with the Huns but that all three had managed to break free of the combat and scoot back over the lines. Reports later came in that all three men had sustained light injuries and all three of their N23’s were destroyed in landing.

Aha, a friend of Billy Bishop I see...

Well not exactly, but they both share a mutual friend in Lady St. Helier it seems

Gongs ahoy, Robert, gongs ahoy.

Hi All. Fullofit : 7 Pups UR lucky not to have gotten the Chop.
Mr. Wiggins: Nice story, But No Rejections Godfrey must have friends in very high places.

Henri Dupont
Sergent
C-17
Toul, Aerodrome.


Sept 1, 1915.


Mon Dieu ! What a day. 2 Flights both bad.

Mission # 2 bombardment of the lines. Just after take off lost power , compression, so RTB very bumpy landing.
Mission #3 Recon of the lines. We were the only a/c up and became lost in the clouds so put down on an Aerodrome to get directions ( turned out to be enemy) so with bullets flying headed south and spotted friendly type aircraft landing . I put down got directions back to Toul. I think the landing field was called Mazieville.

OK, you guys have now put the jinks on old Albert. Here is the latest:

Intrepid Fliers' News of the World for April:

April 1
French troops drove German forces back to Vauxaillon, north-east of Soissons on the Western front.
April 2
President Woodrow Wilson delivered a war address to Congress asking for a Declaration of War against Germany.
April 3
The torpedo gunboat HMS Jason was sunk by a mine near Coll Island off the west coast of Scotland.
April 4
The US Senate voted in favour of a Declaration of War.
April 5
German forces finished their withdrawal to the Hindenburg line.
April 6
The United States of America came out of neutrality and declared war on Germany.
April 7
Cuba and Panama declared war on Germany.
April 8
Austria-Hungary severed diplomatic relations with the USA.
April 9
The Battle of Arras began when British, Canadian, New Zealand and Australian troops attacked German defenses near the French city of Arras on the Western Front.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge formed part of the opening phase of the Battle of Arras fought mainly between Canadian and German forces as a diversionary attack for the French Nivelle Offensive.
April 10
The British hospital ship HMS Salta hit a mine laid by the German submarine UC-26 off the coast at Le Havre.
Bulgaria severed diplomatic relations with the USA.
April 11
In a flanking operation during the Arras offensive Australian troops attacked the village of Bullecourt and pushed German troops out of their fortified positions and into the reserve trenches.
April 12
Canadian forces completed their capture of Vimy Ridge near Arras.
April 13
Bolivia severed diplomatic relations with Germany.
April 14
A British attack made gains east of Monchy-le-Preux as the first phase of the British offensive at Arras came to an end.
April 15
German forces penetrated the Australian front line and occupied the village of Lagnicourt but counter-attacks from Australian battalions restored the front line.
April 16
The Second Battle of the Aisne, also known as the Nivelle Offensive, began when French forces attacked the Germans along the front from Soissons to Rheims.
April 17
Three weeks after the failure of the first offensive, the Second Battle of Gaza began when British forces attacked Ottoman forces during Sinai and Palestine Campaign.
April 18
The French advance continued east and north-east of Soissons.
April 19
The Second Battle of Gaza ended when Ottoman forces resisted the British attack leaving the city firmly in Turkish control.
April 20
During a German destroyer attack on Dover, HMS Swift and HMS Broke engaged a force of six enemy destroyers and fended them off although both ships were damaged.
April 22
The Battle of Istabulat took place in Mesopotamia.
April 23
The Second Battle of the Scarpe began when the British launched an assault towards Vis-en-Artois on the Western front.
April 24
British and Indian forces captured Samarra in Mesopotamia.
April 25
Alfonso Augusto da Costa succeeded Antonio Jose de Almeida as Prime Minister of Portugal.
April 26
A second German naval raid took place on Ramsgate on the Kent coast of England.
April 27
Guatemala severed diplomatic relations with Germany.
April 28
British and Canadian troops launched an attack towards Arleux and captured the village.
April 29
General Philippe Petain was appointed French Chief of General Staff. He replaced General Robert Nivelle, whose failed offensive earlier in the month had provoked widespread mutinies in the French Army.

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

Warbirds Rising News of the World for August:

August 1
The Vatican published a Peace Note from Pope Benedict XV suggesting an initiative on which a peace might be based.
August 2
General Lavr Kornilov succeeded General Brusilov as Russian Commander-in-Chief.
Artillery shelling continued at Ypres, but infantry advances were suspended due to torrential rain.
August 3
Austrian-German forces recaptured Czernowitz in Bukovina on the Eastern Front.
August 4
Liberia declared war on Germany.
August 5
Richard von Kuhlmann was appointed Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in Germany.
August 6
The Battle of Marasesti began when German troops launched an attack against Russian and Romanian forces.
August 7
The British steamer SS Iran was sunk in the Azores by the German submarine U-155 whilst on a voyage from Calcutta to London.
August 9
Count Moric Esterhazy resigned as Premier of Austria.
August 10
The British Labour Party decided to send representatives to a consultative conference in Stockholm.
British forces attacked on the Gheluvelt Plateau but achieved only small gains in the offensive at Ypres.
August 11
Arthur Henderson resigned from the War Cabinet when his idea for an international conference on the war was voted down.
August 12
German Gotha bombers attacked Southend and Margate in a bombing raid which resulted in dozens of casualties.
August 14
The new Chinese President Feng Kuo-chang (Feng Guozhang) declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary.
August 15
The Battle of Hill 70 began between the Canadian Corps and the German Sixth Army along the Western Front on the outskirts of Lens in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.
August 17
The second Allied general attack in the Ypres Offensive, the Battle of Langemarck began. Both German and British forces were severely hampered by adverse weather conditions.
August 18
Italian forces battled against the Austro-Hungarians along the Isonzo River again in the Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo.
August 20
The Second Offensive Battle of Verdun took place on the banks of the River Meuse when British troops launched an assault on the Verdun battlefields.
August 21
Sandor Wekerle was appointed Prime Minister of Hungary for the third time in his career.
August 24
Italian forces occupied the summit of Monte Santo and continued their advance towards the Bainsizza Plateau during the Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo.
August 25
The Battle of Hill 70 came to an end. The localised battle had included extensive use of poison gas on both sides and ultimately the goals of the Canadian Corps were only partially accomplished.
August 26
British forces captured enemy positions east of Hargicourt. French forces launched an attack on the front at Verdun and captured Le Mort Homme.
August 27
The United States replied to the Papal Peace Note. President Wilson rejected a peace based on the Pope's proposals and implied that there was no chance of peace until the German people overthrew their government.
August 28
The Moscow State Conference closed after 3 days. It had been convened by the Provisional Government to mobilize all the counterrevolutionary forces in Russia.
August 29
The British steamer SS Treloske was sunk by the German submarine U-93 on voyage from Barry to La Spezia with a cargo of coal.
August 31
Louis Malvy resigned as French Minister of the Interior after he was blamed for not suppressing pacifist agitators.

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

3 May, 1917 Halluin
Jasta 18

It was early.



The morning sun was rising behind their backs as Aldi led Schwarm Zwei on an intercept mission gaining altitude while still half asleep dreaming of Käte.



The adrenaline brought him quickly out of his reverie when two 2c's emerged above their flight. Kline, who was the only member of Schwarm Eins and who had 400 m altitude advantage got to them first and shot at one, following it down as it dove along with the rest of Schwarm Zwei.



That left Aldi one-on-one with the other two-seater. It was a one-sided affair. The pilot was killed by one long burst and the stricken bus begun its terrifying vertical journey.



While circling above and waiting for the rest of the Schwarm to deal with the first two-seater and climb back up to altitude, Aldi was jumped by a flight of Pups. Was it the escort? Probably. Three of them went after him, while the others dove down after the rest of his Schwarm below.



He maneuvered to cause a collision between his pursuers, but they were careful enough. Some shots landed in Aldi's upper wing. He considered his options and decided to drag them near the airfield to have the Flugzeugabwehrkanone help him with his problem, but right at that moment Strähle came to the rescue and took care of his attackers.



Two of them have switched their target, but one still followed Aldi. Aldi witnessed Strähle singlehandedly shoot down both Pups.



This is when the third one decided it was time to retreat after Aldi spectacularly botched up a loop and stalled.



While Schwarzkopf was recovering from the stall the Pup was well on his way towards the front lines. With Strähle at his side as an encouragement Aldi decided to pursue across the trenches and into the enemy territory. They caught up to the lone Pup near Bailleul. The enemy pilot wasn't about to give up either. He dove at a steep angle with Aldi following closely and taking aim.



Finally the Pup pilot was hit and crashed into the trees leaving a black column of smoke behind.



The two Germans made a coordinated turn back to friendly territory. Schwarzkopf felt exhilarated. It felt good to be returning home with Strähle by his side.

Aldi is gaining quite the reputation among both friend and foe, isn't he? The French have begun to talk of "le diable verte" as something even more deadly and mysterious than the relatively obscure libation, while the Red Baron himself has begun to make inquiries. Unfortunately, I hear that the Baron and Aldi's Ltn. belong to the same hunting lodge, so nothing is likely (as yet), to come of it.

Super, Fullofit's pilot is going Epic. Really great pics

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


Sep 1 1917.
My self and other pilots . were invited to the Local Burgemeister's Dinner and Dance at the Castle. The invitation was brought by his sister. Later a group Photo of us dancing in Civilian dress was taken Thank Gott, I am off on 48 hr pass.

Henri Dupont
Sergent
C-17
Toul, Aerodrome.


Missions Total: 5 Flight time total 4.7 Victory's 0


Sep 2, 1915. Another two flights over the Boche.

Recon: easy flight for our 2 a/c. I manged to buzz an English lorry column on the way back great fun for us.

LR Recon: Our Flight of 4 machines were the subject of cannon fire thick balls of smoke and fire as we went to Verdun and then back to Toul. Our # 4 a/c had a large rip in the lower wing.

Albert Earl Godfrey

3 May 1917@05h01 Attack on Avelin aerodrome

Scott assigned “A” flight to the mission. There would be no supporting flight to assist as all other flights were committed.

We were told to expect wind of 3 kn from the North and clear skies with only a hint of cirrus at extreme altitude. It was a good day for spotting huns but the opposite held true as well and there would be little hope of sneaking in on Avelin from behind the clouds.

Godfrey lead “B” flight composed of Clinton on wing, Horn, Pope and Young.

Forming up north of the field Godfrey had the flight at 7100 ft at 05h16 and then swung the flight NE towards Loos. At 05h20, making good time, the flight was at 6800 ft just south of Loos and turned east towards the lines. They crossed over observing the artillery shells exploding on the Hun lines and there was no sign of enemy scouts or two seaters in the vicinity. At 05h32, down to 3400 ft and approaching Avelin, Godfrey noted 6 enemy scouts about 3000 feet above, escorting two OP. He could not understand why some of scouts didn’t peel off to harass them.

At 05h35 Godfrey took the flight in to attack Avelin. As soon as he loosed his rockets all hell broke loose from the airfield maching guns and Godfrey heard a loud thwack as one of them hit his machine. Quickly pulling out and breaking to port, Godfrey climbed out of range, looking back to see the damage to the aerodrome installation. It was then he noticed he was alone and scanned the skies for the rest of his flight. He took stock of his N23 and it seemed to be running ok. Climbing and turning, he later noticed that two Hun scouts were mixing it up with some of his flight lower down and close to the Avelin field.

Spotting one Hun coming his way and as he turned into him he noticed the craft suddenly begin to smoke as it passed across his path. It was an Albatros DIII of Jasta 11. Godfrey swung onto it’s tail and promptly finished him off.

Scanning the ground below he spotted two of his flight climbing and circling and so he waited for them to join him and they all headed back towards Filescamp, chased occasionally by Hun flak as they passed over various installations.

Landing back at Filescamp with Clinton, They no sooner came to a stop at the end of the field, switching off, when they heard another Nieuport engine
Coming in. It was Horn. Shortly after while at the RO, Pope came in with light damage to his craft, and reported he had seen Young put a Hun down but that he lost sight of him after that. Young didn’t come in and there was concern he might have gone west. Three hours later word came in that Young had crashed just short of Camblain-l'Abbe field, lightly wounded and having written off his Nieuport.

Two claims were put in and Godfrey felt content that the flight got off easy considering the number of huns that could have harassed them.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13Gd4eqXN0c

BuckeyeBob, I lament the fact that WOFF does not feature invitations to elite units a la RB. I wasn't aware Aldi has built such a reputation among the enemy.
Carrick, looks like Helmut had a fantastic time. Hope he caught the eye of some fine young ladies.
Robert, some fine flying. Don't worry about that single rejection. More will come.


4 May, 1917 Halluin
Jasta 18

Another balloon defense. At least this time it was the balloon near their own aerodrome, so they've been spared the transit flight to a remote location. They've settled into a circular patrol pattern just when enemy planes arrived for entertainment purposes. Their flight came down from much higher altitude, aiming for the balloon. Aldi dove after an N17 with a Lewis gun on the wing, who has just swooped down onto the balloon, but he misjudged and nearly collided with the scout.



He then saw a strange plane chasing von Bülow. It was an ugly box, a coffin with wings.



He went after it and put a few rounds in it before his wingman shooed Aldi away. They chased each other's tail for a while. The driver of the box got bored and decided to leave. He made it look easy. Aldi felt he was standing in place. Pretty fast for a box, he thought. Schwarzkopf gave up the chase when he saw the other box much closer to him and at a lower altitude - much easier to catch.



He placed his Albatros behind the Brit and opened fire. Eventually SE5 begun to dive with the pilot dead at the controls.



He swung his machine around towards the airfield and nearly collided with an N17 that was on von Bülow's tail.



Aldi made another 180 degree turn and chased the English machine. He came closer and closer. He started to shoot while coming closer still.



He was nearly on top of him when the Nieuport made a sudden move. Aldi swerved to avoid him. CRRRACK! Their wings touched.



Aldi opened his eyes and looked at his wing. It was all in one piece. The Nieuport didn't fare as well. With his lower starboard wing in tatters he spiraled down to the ground and crashed. Aldi cursed his stupidity and begun his descent onto the airfield. He slotted himself behind other airplanes circling the 'drome. Something didn't feel right. The shape of the planes in front of him was all wrong ... and they were silver! More Nieuports and they're after his flight mates on final approach. He dove to gain more speed and closed the distance to the three Nieuports ahead. They were climbing and that's when it hit him. They were not after the landing planes but after the balloon. He instantly remembered that protecting this balloon was his main objective. He picked the scout on the right and sent a burst. The machine turned upside down and drove into the ground. He sent a few rounds into the plane on the left. It dove away. Aldi switched to the leader, but kept glancing back at the one that got away. He begun to fire when he got close enough to the enemy's crate. He must have damaged it pretty well with the first burst as it did not attempt to evade him with the subsequent attacks.



The enemy finally lost control and with a trail of grey smoke crashed into the ground only meters away from where his wingman crashed minutes ago.



Aldi looked for the last of the sesquiplanes, but that one was well on his way back to base, being chased by Flak. Schwarzkopf was finally able to land. He made a mental note to speak with von Bülow that one of these days he will not be there to save his neck, or more precisely his tail.

Fullofit: There was one that eyed Helmut, but being a gentleman He just waved as he was getting ready to leave the Castle





https://giphy.com/gifs/classic-film-leslie-caron-13CzGRFh7qUxQA/fullscreen

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