Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Flying mostly German side in late 1916, or 1917, I didn't have a "Lone Wolf" mission since a very long time.

The more was I surprised, when I got one with my DH-2 in 24 RFC today.

"If I should meet a flight of German Roland C.II, I'll be dead meat in this crate", I thought, but you can't say that

to your CO; so I only said "Yes, Sir!", saluted and off I went.

The whole flight was eventless - Bertangles > N-NE to Savy > S-SW to Montagne > E to Amiens > N to Bertangles -

it was a joyride in beautiful spring weather.

 

I have here some recruiting forms you may want to sign - 24 RFC, spring 1916, anyone?

Posted

Flying mostly German side in late 1916, or 1917, I didn't have a "Lone Wolf" mission since a very long time.

The more was I surprised, when I got one with my DH-2 in 24 RFC today.

"If I should meet a flight of German Roland C.II, I'll be dead meat in this crate", I thought, but you can't say that

to your CO; so I only said "Yes, Sir!", saluted and off I went.

The whole flight was eventless - Bertangles > N-NE to Savy > S-SW to Montagne > E to Amiens > N to Bertangles -

it was a joyride in beautiful spring weather.

 

I have here some recruiting forms you may want to sign - 24 RFC, spring 1916, anyone?

I might join you, Olham. Do I get Bed & Breakfast too?

Posted (edited)

In the morning, we have baked beans, eggs, fried sausage, toast, and marmalade (English breakfast);

sometimes even Stilton or Cheddar cheese; in the lunch breaks we have Ploughman's Lunch, and you

would get decent meals for dinner like Shepperd's Pie or English roast; in the and after dinner we have

good English lager or bitter, good French wines; whisky or brandy, and yes - a clean, warm bed!

 

What do you say?! - Sign here...

Edited by Olham
Posted

In the morning, we have baked beans, eggs, fried sausage, toast, and marmalade (English breakfast);

sometimes even Stilton or Cheddar cheese; in the lunch breaks we have Ploughman's Lunch, and you

would get decent meals for dinner like Shepperd's Pie or English roast; in the and after dinner we have

good English lager or bitter, good French wines; whisky or brandy, and yes - a clean, warm bed!

 

What do you say?! - Sign here...

 

Why oh why would I ever want to give up my glamorous life in the trenches to sign up for that?

 

 

Yours,

Thomas Atkins.

Posted

You know those old engines were sometimes so unreliable, Olham. Maybe you have some engine trouble next time you are ordered on a lone patrol? You'd love to go up there and give everything for King and Country, but the damn engine fails you and you have to turn back halfway to the front.

 

Just don't do it too often, otherwise the CO will become suspicious. :grin:

Posted

You know those old engines were sometimes so unreliable, Olham. Maybe you have some engine trouble next time you are ordered on a lone patrol? You'd love to go up there and give everything for King and Country, but the damn engine fails you and you have to turn back halfway to the front.

 

Just don't do it too often, otherwise the CO will become suspicious. :grin:

 

Sounds like it was a tour mostly on the allied side of the lines, piece of cake really. Not quite the same as doing a Roucourt to Bevilliers to Pronville tour.

 

Don't let on to the CO that you like these. You know, when you return to base, try to look a little hazed and stressed.

Posted

.

 

I agree Lewie, those little jaunts along the friendly side are easy peasy. It's the long recon to some lovely spot like Valenciennes that proves whether or not you have the luck. Now then Olham, about these marvelous meals your having over at 24...about what time do they begin serving in the mess?

 

.

Posted (edited)

Regular breakfast will be served from 5:30 h to 6:30 h, then we would walk over to the kites and mechanics

to see, if everything is fine and the craft ready to fly.

Morning briefing is between 7 h and 7:30 h; after that, the pilots who go up get ready with their crates.

 

Lunchtime is between 12:00 - 13:00 h usually; that can be different for flights still in the air;

they can eat their lunch later. The dinner is our "biggest meal" in the evening; usually at 18:00 h.

This can vary though, depending on how many of the boys are still up in the air.

 

(A "WW1 librarian" like you may have read about the real times for meals in the RFC? Was I close?)

Edited by Olham
Guest British_eh
Posted

Hi there Olham,

 

In fact the Lone Wolf mission should be and was very prevalent with both sides up till 1917. In the new revamped SIA - RSS Workshop Settings guides there will be a detailed and simplified version of alternate and historically accurate mission priorities. The Germans continued well into 1917 with the Lone Wolf whereas the British were now into formation flying.

 

Cheers,

 

British_eh

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue..