I've said before that your ability to weave an immersive story in English is rivalled among those for whom English is a second language only by Joseph Conrad. But not even Conrad had the great British style to end that last post with "bugger."
Hasse, pm me if you like... I'm an IT guy and I have all the WOFF UE updates archived. I'd be happy to try and help to get you back up and running on your new machine if you'd like....?
Thanks for the kind words everybody. I found a guide for installing WOFF with the old expansion packs and patches. It seems a rather complicated process (to put it mildly), so I think I'll just get the full UE version in a single package to save myself from a major headache. If I run into trouble with that too, then I'll ask for your help, HarryH.
If the "dungeon master" approves, I could re-enlist Julius and continue his career like nothing happened. I'd lose the hours and the victory, but I could live with that. If it's not acceptable, then I'll just think of a new pilot.
"Upon my word I've had as much excitement on a car as in the air, especially since the R.F.C. have had women drivers."
James McCudden, Five Years in the Royal Flying Corps
MFair, that was a close one! You be careful, we don’t want Jericho to go west just yet, not in this fashion. 3 to 5 days looks like a nice stretch of time to spend with Camille. Please ask her to kiss Jericho’s boo-boo to go away. Hasse, you’ve got your pilot into a fine pickle. Sounds like a case of amnesia - all the record of his service erased. What happened to the old PC? Do you still have it? You could try backing it up again if it’s still there, unless it’s dead. Are you sure you transferred all backup files from the old system to the new one? Sometimes it’s the most obvious that is missing. Good luck with Julius 2.0.
"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys, The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain, From out of my arse take the camshaft, And assemble the engine again."
Fullofit, it has been a rough few days for Jericho. 3 close calls in a row is too much. He will not have time to go see Camille. That last one literally had my hands shaking on the controls. Talk about immersion!
Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from either end. BOC Member since....I can't remember!
Fullofit, it has been a rough few days for Jericho. 3 close calls in a row is too much. He will not have time to go see Camille. That last one literally had my hands shaking on the controls. Talk about immersion!
Scary stuff, MFair. Try to stay out of trouble until Jericho's confidence returns!
MFair, too bad about missing out on time with Camille. You just have to love how this sim sucks you in, sneaks up behind you, shoots you full of holes, you go down in flames … and you're happy about it! We're all mad!!!
A new man arrived today, Adjutant Benedict Sainze. He would be Gaston’s new wingman. Also, Sgt. Amaud Azais joined escadrille in a Nieuport 12. The C.O. announced that escort missions would commence again. As expected the first mission of the day was escort duty of ‘A’ flight during the arty spotting SW of Spincourt. The ‘B’ flight stuck to the extremely slow N12 throughout the entire patrol, but there were no Germans spotted this time around. It seemed like they had a day off. Either that or they were actively avoiding Gaston.
Another escort mission. This time of a recon flight to the front lines north of St. Menehould. Empty skies, no contact.
"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys, The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain, From out of my arse take the camshaft, And assemble the engine again."
Another enjoyable Sunday morning catching up here.
Fullofit, quiet is not a bad thing, in particular when you look at how busy Gaston has been overall. Did he ever find out what became of his wingman Japy?
MFair, your man on the other hand appears to be far too busy, and now a wounding to boot. Jericho should get a bit of R&R after that last one, he's sounding like he could use it.
Lederhosen, good to see the weather has improved. Still loving that livery by the way.
Hasse, sorry to see you are having computer woes and worse that they have caused the loss of Julius' files. I hope you can get things back up and running ASAP.
Carrick, glad Keith was able to make it back across to the friendly side of the mud. After some decent food and some rest he should be good to go again.
Harry, Konrad must have one helluva' good luck charm. Not only did he miss catching a bullet in his brain, he managed to escape as well. Here's hoping his nurse is a pleasant one.
Wulfe, very sorry about James' brother, that is a bitter pill to take. War truly is hell and drinking only seems to dull it's edge, and only for a short time.
Raine, congratulations on Collins bump to Lieutenant, well deserved to be sure. And the MC too - outstanding. Great shot of that railyard bombing.
Thanks as always Gents.
.
Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked. _________________________________________________________________________
Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
Gentlemen, I'm back in business! I now have WOFF UE with the latest update running like a dream on my new PC, and with max settings to boot! This has done a marvellous job of boosting my morale, and now I don't even feel too sorry about having to re-enlist Julius.
Having a single installer for everything makes it easy even for a computer troglodyte like me to install WOFF UE. I can definitely recommend it.
"Upon my word I've had as much excitement on a car as in the air, especially since the R.F.C. have had women drivers."
James McCudden, Five Years in the Royal Flying Corps
Gentlemen, I'm back in business! I now have WOFF UE with the latest update running like a dream on my new PC, and with max settings to boot! This has done a marvellous job of boosting my morale, and now I don't even feel too sorry about having to re-enlist Julius.
Having a single installer for everything makes it easy even for a computer troglodyte like me to install WOFF UE. I can definitely recommend it.
Fullofit, quiet is not a bad thing, in particular when you look at how busy Gaston has been overall. Did he ever find out what became of his wingman Japy?
Lou, quiet may be nice, but it will lull you into a false sense of security and when a dastardly Hun sneaks up on you, you will be unprepared. As to Japy, it is a mystery. Some speculate that he had crashed into the thick forest and his remains will be discovered sometime in the 1980’s and identified with the help of DNA samples. I don’t know what that means. Hasse, good to hear Julius has been resurrected. You have a lot of catching up!
The morning patrol of enemy front lines took the ‘B’ flight over cloudy with occasional showers target, NE of Verdun. They did not encounter any enemy there but came upon a pair of Fokkers on their way back just north of Verdun. Gaston went after the leader, while Sainze and Dagonet followed his wingman. Circuit after circuit, they went round and round and finally Gaston got his chance, when his enemy was under the impression he could simply extend and disappear from view into the clouds. Voscadeaux was on his tail momentarily and firing before the German could reach safety of the thick clouds. The Hun was in trouble. No engine power and forest in all directions below, with bursts of anti-aircraft fire harassing his descent. The unfortunate Boche crashed into the trees and Gaston was certain the arty boys will claim his kill. Sainze was fortunate to get the other Boche. Their return flight home kept them in high spirits. It appears Gaston’s new wingman is able to handle himself.
The afternoon orders were to escort the ‘A’ flight on a bombing run to Spincourt aerodrome. The mission was an exercise in navigating through thick clouds. Not much could be seen, no enemies, no friendlies. As he hurled his machine through the thickest of clouds, Gaston wondered if Heaven would be like this when he dies?
"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys, The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain, From out of my arse take the camshaft, And assemble the engine again."
Gaston had Adjutants Saize and Barnay for company on their patrol of enemy front lines near St. Mihiel. It was another dreary day with grey skies, dark clouds and heavy winds. A trio of Fokkers escorting one two-seater came into view near the patrol area and a difficult dogfight commenced. The strong winds were buffeting them around and throwing off their aim. Gaston manhandled his Pig, but it stalled in protest and his advantageous position was lost. He was lucky he didn't lose too much height and could resume the fight. The Eindeckers kept on swapping places with each other to force Voscadeaux into a bad position. It nearly work, but the rest of the 'B' flight came to the rescue. The Fokkers scattered and Gaston was finally able to latch on to one and follow him down to lower altitudes. He fired but the plane danced all over the place in front of him due to the winds and he couldn’t tell if he was inflicting any damage at all. He kept on taking potshots and the monoplane continued to evade. They were getting close to the ground when from behind more bullets ripped through the desperate Fokker, startling Gaston in the process. It was Adjutant Barnay joining the fight after dispatching his original target. The Eindekker's propeller windmilled helplessly as the machine was running out of height. With the ground getting closer, Voscadeaux and Barnay continued to fire on the Boche until it hit the ground and disappeared under the surface of mud; the craft, the pilot, everything. They landed at a nearby aerodrome of Souilly. Adjutant Sainze was missing. Barnay saw him collide with one of the Eindeckers and plummet toward earth. Gaston lost another wingman.
It's back to flying with crazy Vouillermoz. Patrol over Carignan aerodrome was the order of the day. They took off and headed towards the Front but it wasn't until Voscadeaux had crossed the lines that he realized Vouillermoz was lagging behind by a large margin. Was he having problems with his engine? Gaston had to circle in place until his wingman arrived and that was when he realized Vouillermoz was flying the slower N11. Gaston wished he had his old Violette under him, but it wasn't meant to be. They continued with their mission. Gaston kept pulling ahead and then making a circuit to give Vouillermoz a chance to catch up. The weather continued to be miserable and the sky full of sodden clouds. There was nothing to see over Carignan. After making their rounds for 21 minutes they turned back and landed at Senard. Gaston hoped for better weather tomorrow and a different wingman.
"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys, The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain, From out of my arse take the camshaft, And assemble the engine again."
Fullofit, your man’s trip to eat in Chalons had me drooling – right up until poor James graced us with a pavement pizza.
HarryH, Konrad will have to be careful in his Fokker until the pendulum swings sharply in the Central Powers’ favour in a few months. That was a close call.
Carrick, Mallory must have found the only cavalry on the front not behind the lines or down a hole without a horse! But I can’t understand why he seems more tired after a week in hospital than before.
MFair, another one of our pilots with a close call.
Lederhosen, really nice livery!
Hasse, I’m delighted you have managed to fix your PC and have installed UE. It really is worth it.
An Airman’s Odyssey – by James Arthur Collins
Part Forty-Three: In which the Hun comes back to life
We were blessed by three days of rain and high winds. On 5 June I managed a loan of one of the squadron motorcycles and visited Albert. Being only three miles behind the lines, the place had been heavily shelled for the past year. Despite its streets being strewn with bricks and broken glass, it was awash with soldiers, mainly Australians it seemed. I found a shop where I could buy some shaving soap and a block of alum, a pound of coffee for Jericho, and a chessboard for the B Flight mess bar and anteroom, a few doors down from the Café where we took our meals. The highlight of the visit was a small estaminet in a partially-collapsed house, tended over by a mother and daughter, where I spent a relaxing hour with two Australian captains. I laughed the whole while, and my head hurt with the strain of trying to catch everything they said. The Aussies’ wit was brilliant, caustic as lye. My personal favourite was when we were discussing the basilica with its well-known Virgin and Child. The statue had nearly toppled from the spire during a shelling the previous year, and now leaned precariously over the edge of the spire, parallel to the ground. The Virgin’s arms were outstretched above her head, holding the infant Jesus, and the Australians had quickly christened her Fanny, after Fanny Durack, the swimming champion.[1]
Notre-Dame de Brebières, Albert, with "Fanny" and Child
I found a photographer and sat for a portrait with my MC ribbon. The elderly photographer had me rest an arm on a small table he place beside my seat so that the rank showed. He’d done this a few times before, obviously.
Poor Jericho was brought down on the 4th and returned to the squadron on the 7th with a bandage around his head, having suffered a badly concussed ego. He has been in a foul mood and is swearing revenge on the Hun.
I received a lovely letter from Dorothy, who is very out of sorts with the disruption at home, but totally supportive of my stand. On 7 June I composed a long letter to Mummy, giving reconciliation by best shot. I drove back to Albert and picked up the portraits and a leather and silver frame, which I packaged to send with the letter.
The next two days were intensely busy with engine tests and two patrols each day. On 8 June we took off at first light, me leading the Major and Whistler to marry up with several De Havillands over Albert and then photograph enemy second and third line defences near La Boisselle. We approached Albert at 4000 feet and could make out three machines circling there, which we took for our escort. To our immense surprise we found three Fokkers behind our lines. A jolly dance began and it was all I could do to avoid several collisions. The wide parasol wing of the Morane invites disaster in a crowded turning fight. Wilson fired off two drums of ammunition and I suspect we damaged one. The Hun disappeared beneath us and by the time we found him, Whistler was flying alongside him and O’Brian, his observer, was hammering away. It was Whistler’s first confirmed kill.
In the middle of the scrap the De Havillands joined the party. But scarcely had the balance shifted so decisively in our favour than three more Fokkers dived on us. Oh, it was a rare dance! At length the affair ended abruptly, as these things often do. We gathered ourselves and continued north to our assigned objective. Unfortunately, I had to hand over to the major as my engine began to rattle and miss. I switched off and glided to Bellevue aerodrome, where we stalled and landed heavily, destroying the undercarriage.
We took a spare machine in the afternoon to patrol over Montauban and record activity. Again we were chased by several Fokkers. One machine in particular, green all over, was flown very aggressively. Wilson hit him and caused his engine to stop, but we lost him and could not confirm that he was downed. The following day saw us dropping bombs on positions south of the river. Once again we were chased by Fokkers. This time we definitely hit one that spun several thousand feet straight down before we lost him. We put in the claim and are still waiting.
Afternoon saw an inconclusive scrap with more Fokkers as we tried to photograph the lines near La Boisselle. Wilson commented proudly that despite several scraps, we hadn’t been hit by a single round all week.
NOTES:
[1] Sarah Frances “Fanny” Durack (1889-1956) won Australia’s first women’s gold medal in the 100-metre freestyle at the Stockholm Olympics of 1912.
Keith C. Mallory St. Marla's Sisters Bed 2, Room 4 Hospital & Spa 11 Rue de Ville Paris, France.
Jun 10, 1916.
Out of bed today stumbling around the Nurses Station. I say Nice scenery ! I was talking to some of the chaps about my escape. They thought that I found the only weak spot in the lines, Since the French only use roaming Cavalry in weak sectors . Not to mention, Lancers are 3rd String Troops. Anyway glad to be back.