homepage Forums Air Combat & Civil Aviation Wings: Over Flanders Fields REPORTS FROM THE FRONT

Sub Lt. Rother Nought

No. 4 RNAS

27 miles behind the front

Coudekerque, July 1916

Well, I'm in for it now. I thought joining the air services would be a good way to avoid the war for a long while. Who knew they could train pilots so fast now? The last few days I have been up in a Sopwith Strutter ferrying 2nd Lt. Norton from one bomb-hole to another to photograph each one in turn. Of course, I would be all for firing off all the plates at once and getting out of there and back for a brandy like some anticipatory Yossarian, but Norton insisted on being at the right spot at the right time at the right altitude for every photo, regardless of how familiar Archibald was trying to become with all the sensitive spots of our bus. To make matters worse, every now and again he would jerk the Lewis gun around and stare intently at a spot in the sky as if to intimate that a hun was about to attack before glancing over with that inscrutable look of his, the berk...

I can't wait for tomorrow...

Nice video, Rick!

Thank you!

Flying BE2c Long Reconnaissance missions in 1916-17 with the new Recon War expansion I have worked out a tactic for survival when attacked way over the German side of the lines. As the BE2c cannot easily defend itself (bit of an understatement!) I spin down to tree-top height and make a low-level dash for the lines. Although we are subject to ground fire, if you are low enough this is limited, and it gives my Observer the best chance to fire at our attackers as they are forced to attack from above and behind. Then I read this, in an article by one of the curators at the RAF Museum, where the same tactic is described - it just shows how good WOFF BH&H II is now with the Recon Wars expansion. I would urge anyone who hasn't upgraded to BH&H II to do so as soon as possible, so that they can enjoy this expansion as well (either as a scout or a 2-seater pilot):

https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/blog/aircrew-opinions-on-aerial-reconnaissance/

B.

Unteroffizier Theodore Straub serving with FFA 22 in July 1915. Keeping Frenchy's positions in check around Reims. A reasonable month for Theo, with little more to worry about than the occasional near flak burst and the odd Morane spied at from a distance.

Stats for July 1915
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Sorties: 12
Usable plates: 20
Usable notes: 5

Loving the Recon Wars expansion. The Aviatik B.I is a great camera platform!