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Hasse, we would love for you to join again just for the pleasure of reading your stories.

I agree

Esc 26 Bulletin Board

Notice to Airmen.

Unless posted to flights, All Pilots are invited to attend a Recital of Dance at Miss Nina's Ballet emporium this Sat.

https://giphy.com/gifs/tina-louise-3otWpszC8foF9lyEBa/fullscreen

Ignace de Lyons
ADJ
Esc 26. Buques AF.
Flanders.


Nov 2, 1917.

Heavy Rain all flights cancelled

Albert has been in St. Lucia for the past week on a special mission recruiting nurses for the air service!

candidates

Things will be looking up for our injured pilots!
action at the front!
Cheers and keep those fine reports coming, as that is the only link Albert has to the

Ignace de Lyons
ADJ
Esc 26. Buques AF.
Flanders.


Nov 3, 1917.

I led the Esc's 6 remaining a/c down to Loos Jct for a Rail Yard attack. Very little damage was done. We pulled up to reform and as we came out on top the clouds. We had only 5 a/c, one was missing. The Esc has a total of 13 machines with 10 flyable but we are down to 5 flying pilots.

Albert has been in St. Lucia for the past week on a special mission recruiting nurses for the air service!

candidates

Things should be looking up in the wards!

Keep the great reports coming, as they are the only links Albert has to the western front!

Cheers mates.]

Ignace de Lyons
ADJ
Esc 26. Buques AF.
Flanders.

Nov 4, 1917.

Hq sent Orders to attack the Rail Target again same route same loads. They included 4 replacement pilots that were told to drop their stuff in the mess. We lost 2 of the replacements over the target area. Just to Keen to get at the Boche.? A note in the mess said that Mademoiselle Nina's
Dance Recital would be a Toga Party. Ahh good times. ( click on pic to inlarge)

Ignace de Lyons.
The Dance Toga Party.

Since, I was on the Morning Run. I was the 1st over at the dance.

https://giphy.com/gifs/hercules-26u4932fE4M89Klzi/fullscreen

Mademoiselle Nina seemed Happy.

https://giphy.com/gifs/hercules-26u4kta72HCUDshG0/fullscreen

And I’m back.

6 July 1917, Marckebeeke
Jasta 18

A young officer with a healthy tan on his face jumped down from the back of the tender, which had brought him here and was now idling, waiting for him to disembark. The vehicle stopped in front of the great staircase flanked by two stone lions. Aldi Schwarzkopf waved to the driver with thanks and pulled on the tails of his tunic, turned around and picked up his travel bag. He climbed the stairs of the castle and walked through the large glazed door. The door was wide open to let the cool air in. Despite early morning it already was a hot summer day. The Castle de Bethune had been Jasta 18’s new home for less than a month, but Aldi felt already comfortable here. Nothing can compare to the joys of spending last three weeks with Käte in a small hotel room by the sea, but this came a close second. He was itching to get back in the air and to talk with his comrades. The large entrance hall looked different than he remembered it last time. An adjutant, whom he did not recognize either stood up from behind his desk and saluted.
“You must be Herr Schwarzkopf, please sit down and I’ll see if the Boss can see you now.” He disappeared behind a door before Aldi could respond that he knows the way to his room. He dropped his bag to the floor and sat down wondering what Grieffenhagen could possibly want from him. The adjutant returned and invited Aldi in.
“He’ll see you now. There is just enough time before the patrol.”
Aldi walked into the Jastaführer’s office and was about to greet his mentor, when he realized it wasn’t Grieffenhagen sitting behind the desk. It was Manfred von Richthofen himself! His blue eyes were inspecting him from head to toe. Aldi wished he had shaved, but instead he smartly clicked his heels and saluted the freshly minted leader of Jagdgeschwader I.
“At ease. Please, sit down.” Aldi heard a voice not unlike his own. He took a chair across from the desk.
“It seems your Staffel abandoned you. Not too worry, we’ll have you sorted soon enough. Our Geschwader needed a place to stay and this castle is a perfect fit for my headquarters. Unfortunately your Jasta had to be relocated. I believe they’re now stationed at Harlebeke, not too far from here. I’m sorry about that. After I’m back from the mission I’ll have my man arrange for your transfer, unless you’d rather stay here? I’m always looking for good pilots and I took the liberty of looking into your file and I’m impressed. What do you say?”
The offer caught Aldi by surprise. He was speechless. The Baron himself invited him to join his Jasta! What about Grieffenhagen and Paul? He can’t just leave them.
“Herr von Richthofen, I respectfully must decline. My unit and my Jastaführer depend on me. I can’t just leave them.” Aldi felt a sting of regret while saying it.
“I completely understand and respect your decision. I wouldn’t expect anything less of my own Jasta pilots. Know that my door remains open if you ever change your mind.”
“Thank you, Herr Hauptmann!” Aldi felt relieved.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get ready for the patrol. My aide will arrange transport to your new base. Good luck!” He shook Aldi’s hand and left the office.
He was still standing there when the adjutant poked his head in the door and said everything’s been arranged. Aldi was on his way to the new field within the hour. Paul will not believe any of it.

Ignace de Lyons
ADJ
Esc 26. Buques AF.
Flanders.
1 Victory

Nov 5, 1917.

After the Party, there were only 5 of us ready for the morning Security Flight in the rain. Somewhere at max altitude over Bray/Dunes Aerodrome we got into it with 2 e/a. Zee Boche was flying 2 seat types and we got both. One went smoking off in the clouds ( I was told ) and the other all of us had shot at broke up and crash in the Bray/Dunes area. Only 4 of us reformed for the flight home. I dont know what happened to the Re-placement pilot.

Lets hope not being shot down, mr Carrick, always bad when one pilot is missed.

Great story mr Fullofit.

Hey guys, here is the latest status report. I am leaving to go back to the US on Thursday, my daughter is just about to give birth to my first grandchild. We will be back December 19th, I hope everybody is ok with the status reports taking a break until then.

Thanks Banjoman and congrats!

Ignace de Lyons
ADJ
Esc 26. Buques AF.
Flanders.
1 Victory


Nov 6, 1917.


I was Flight Leader for the Esc 6 pilots. The flight left at Dawn to Patrol the area down by Loos and ran into 2 Boche Recon Types. The Flight was able to chase them away. No Claims and No losses.

the new bus

Wow, What a Machine. A very Well Done.

Ignace de Lyons
ADJ
Esc 26. Bergues AF.
Flanders.
1 Victory


Nov 7, 1917.

4 New replacements came in last night, The Captiane posted all to One section and today's Rail Strike mission. I led 2 sections 5 a/c. with a top cover by the 4 New guys. No aerial opposition, and manage to get a fire going in the rain.

Ignace de Lyons
ADJ
Esc 26. Buques AF.
Flanders.
2 Victories


Nov 8, 1917.

I Added a Hun to the Bag today !. 2 Section ( 6 a/c) was alerted to intercept some pesky Boche was on our side of the lines. We caught up with then near the lines after a bomb drop. I was Tail end charlie by that time so watched my mates smoke ( I saw both go down ) 2 Recon types. As we rejoined 5 Scouts dove on us. After much turning and zooming, I got one off my # 4 a/c's tail ( Rene Fetu ) I must have hit him as he wobbled as I swung back and on his tail 3 bursts later he startled leaking Fuel ? My fangs were out so put the hammer down till the gun jammed after I slowed and swung back on his tail . The bullets struck home and it must have been a pilot Kill because he dove straight into the ground near a church by Teteghern Aerodrome. Total a/c involved 13 Shot down 5 e/a. Our losses: 1 wnd and forced down a/c was a write off.