Bullethead 12 Posted August 28, 2009 As most of you all know, I'm mostly fly RFC in Bloody April. I used to think that was having the odds stacked against you. But then I tried the US 148th Aero. This AFAIK is the only US Camel squadron, and it spends most of its time near Dunkerque starting in mid-1918. By then, of course, the Camel is as obsolescent as the Pup in 1917, so there's that. Plus, you get a lot of ground-attack missions, which isn't surprising for that time, place, and airplane. So obviously things are going to be challenging--that's why I went there, even if the Camel's got 2 guns. What surprised me, however, was the sheer number of Huns! Weren't they about out of fuel by then? Weren't they elsewhere on the front, where the ground fighting was thickest? But my flight of 5 little Camels just got chased homewards by 12 Dr.Is and 4 D.VIIs, with another dozen Dr.Is providing top cover, PLUS several formations of Hun bombers going about their business in the vicinity. Never saw a friendly plane beyond my own wingmen. We couldn't out-run the D.VIIs and there were too many to ignore, so we had to turn at bay for them, thankfully on the deck right at a friendly balloon. But within seconds the Dr.Is arrived, which alone outnumbered us over 2-1 and who weren't scared by the AAMGs at all. Things didn't go well at all, needless to say. DAMN, that was fun, though. Tonight I've killed 3 148th pilots under roughly similar circumstances. I've never seen such a hot sector! Bloody April can't compare at all. I'll be doing this a lot, I think . BTW, why does 148th Aero have RAF roundels instead of US? Anyway, what are your favorite hot sectors? Anybody got anything more intense than this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted August 28, 2009 (edited) Haven't tried 1918 much, only my "SPAD Eater" Hauptmann Wolfram "Wolf" Mahlo flew in July and August 1918 from Vauxcerre, west north-west of Reims. But that was, when the SPAD wasn't yet improved. My favourite action in 1917 is with Jasta 10 and Jasta 28w, both in Wasquehal, in May. Lots of Pups and Tripes from RNAS-1 and 9; they think they are the greatest - until we ditch them into the mud. The Germans must have sent more and more craft to the front, too. And I don't think they ran out of fuel really. And the north sector was heavily fought, as far as I know. Even MvR was up there for some time, but in 1917 (from 18. June - 1. July 1917 in Harlebeke, from 2. July - 22. November in Marckebeeke). Edited August 28, 2009 by Olham Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shredward 12 Posted August 28, 2009 DAMN, that was fun, though. Tonight I've killed 3 148th pilots under roughly similar circumstances. I've never seen such a hot sector! Bloody April can't compare at all. I'll be doing this a lot, I think . BTW, why does 148th Aero have RAF roundels instead of US? They were attached to the RAF, and flew with RAF markings. The SPAD squadrons of the USAS did fly with American roundels. Cheers, shred Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canvas Wings 1 Posted August 29, 2009 But then I tried the US 148th Aero. DAMN, that was fun, though. Tonight I've killed 3 148th pilots under roughly similar circumstances. I've never seen such a hot sector! Bloody April can't compare at all. Anyway, what are your favorite hot sectors? Anybody got anything more intense than this? Yeah, it's pucker time over there with the the 148th isn't it? Bobby Franks got his fire-eating ass shot off in his second sortie. Jim Redman, for all his lectures about anticipation and three-dimensional strategy, lasted only one mission longer. (Half his flight is still feeling guilty about feeling relieved that he got the chop.) Willy Madision just arrived, threw his duffle under Bobby's cot and sauntered off to check out the local pub. Was that you that started that Glenlivet-Jack Daniels brawl - or were you the guy the gendarmes wrestled into the wagon for waving an old Colt around in the street yelling about the Brit/Frenchy rondels were *both* just a case of painting a bullseye on yourself? Whatever. My head still hurts and I think we both pulled dawn patrol.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Waldemar Kurtz 1 Posted August 29, 2009 the 148th Aero Squadron pretty much gets thrown straight into the fire (the pan is for sissies, apparently). the longest I've been able to keep my 148th pilots alive was a month-- and that's because I got shot down, taken prisoner, and sent back! I had one guy start off really well by flaming 5 Germans on his first mission-- and then he got blown in half by anti-aircraft fire on the next sortie trying to destroy a balloon. his career was so short he didn't even get to eat lunch on his first day! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted August 29, 2009 This sounds like hell in the sky there! Which Jastas do the 148th have to face in mid 1918? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
