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Sebtoombs

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Posts posted by Sebtoombs


  1. 4 hours ago, Albrecht_Kaseltzer said:

    " - and I also have to say, ever since that one time you made the money drop over at the airfield, the British airmen saw us together. One of their lieutenants, Theodore Andrews, has been giving me the evil eye ever since."

    Monique let out a sigh. "I've always felt so bad for him."

    "What do you mean?"

    "He deserved better. I couldn't keep seeing him, of course."

    "...because you couldn't use him like anybody else."

    "Of course not."

    "Maybe now's your chance to let him know."

    "I don't know. I don't think so. I hope so. It's hard to say - he's gotten so upset, and I can't blame him."

    "Well, you know what they say - time heals all wounds. Just give him a few days, maybe a week or two, try talking some Latin at him. I'm sure he'll understand."

    "Of course. I'll just wait. Hopefully his Latin has gotten better."

    "That's the spirit!"

    Thank you Albrecht a superb way to finish Runt and Monique’s saga!  May Jean-Fidele live long and live to marry Therese!  I’m enjoying his tale! 

    • Like 1

  2. Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt' DSC                                                      

    HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders

    St. Pol-Sur-Mer

    Fin.

    7th March 1916

    Combat report

    0940hrs mission was to bomb the Roulers railroad depot and junction. The C.O. said it was of great strategic importance. 

    F/L Roderic Dallas - A Flight - Cauldron G4 - No. 1756

    F/L TA Andrews - B Flight - Nieuport 11- No. 3940

    F/L Noel Keeble - B Flight - Nieuport 11- No. 3984

    F/L Redford Mulock- B Flight - Nieuport 11 - No. 3976

    F/Sub Lieutenant Sid Hoskins- B Flight - Nieuport 10C- No. 2589

    At 1000 Returned to St. Pol-sur-Mer with engine trouble.  Andrews leading B flight escorted Dallas to St. Pol-sur-Mer, then proceed to lead B flight to our target to attack any target of opportunity at the railyard.   We made several passes.  At 1047 during one such pass, Andrews's undercarriage struck two trees and he was seen to crash into the Railyard.  His Nieuport exploded in a fireball. It is unlikely he survived.

    We made one final pass and returned to St. Pol-sur-Mer landing at 1115. No significant damage was done to the rail yard.

    Signed

    F/L N. Keeble DSC MC

    Theodore Aloysius Andrews final stats

    • 1st June 1915 - 7 March 1916
    • Missions 80
    • Hours 110.57
    • Confirmed Victories 14
      • 5 Aviatik BI
      • 4 Fokker EI
      • 3 Aviatik CI
      • 2 Fokker EIII
    • Claims 27

    " And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that Andrews lived happily ever after. For Andrews, it was only the beginning of the real story. All his life in this world ... had only been the cover and the title page: now, at last, he was beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” Adapted from C.S.Lewis The Last Battle

    Thanks for all your support chaps!

     

     

     

    • Sad 2

  3. Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt' DSC                                                      

    HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders

    St. Pol-Sur-Mer

    Part 19

    2nd March 1916

    “You looked rested Runt!” Beamed Red as I walked through the door, his soft Canadian drawl speaking of the deep affection built over countless hours in the air. Nine years my senior but with a boyish twinkle in his eyes and the energy of an 18-year-old. 

    “I feel great Red, itching to get back into the air - I know I’m a sailor but that crossing was damned rough!”  I joked. It was good to be back at St. Pol-Sur-Mer.  The leave had been wonderful, warm and restful.  I went out and painted the town with Davies and Jefferson who are both now training as pilots in the RFC after a year of observing with us.  Jefferson was singing a new song called “47 Ginger Headed Sailors”, which I earnestly tried to remember to perhaps teach it to the lads in the mess.  Jefferson, bless him, even attempted to set me up with his sister Agnes a pretty nurse at St Bartholomew’s hospital in London with thick dark hair and delightful eyes.  It was very kind - in a way - but I found my thoughts returning again and again to Monique.

     

    It was good to see and laugh with them both again as well as hear of their adventures in Farnham longhorns. Tamer by far than our days together in the BE2s and Moranes. It was a shame they were RFC chaps as I would love to fly with them both one day. As it is, it turns out there’s a bit of professional jealousy between the pilots of His Majesty's armed forces which I was fairly unaware of.  It seems the RFC are concerned that we in the Navy are getting all the good French planes before they can get a look in and it’s causing some bad blood.  However, they seem quite excited about the new DH2 and are watching 24 Squadron with great interest.  The prospect of new aircraft didn’t stop them from pausing at a Royal Navy recruitment poster and defacing it with the words “Join the Navy to feel a man”.  Very droll I’m sure! 

    I also spent time with Archie and my family too - a good two weeks I am refreshed and keen once more!

    Breguet surrounded by thick wonderful smelling clouds of pipe smoke joined us. Rodrick ‘Breguet’ Dallas is a giant of a man and towers over me at 6ft 2 in his stocking feet, his father a labourer and miner from Queensland brought his boy up tough and big. It always surprises me when he contorts his frame and substantial weight into his Caldron, huge hands gripping the controls that look like a child's toy in his massive paws.  “Good to have you back runt. It’s not been the same without you old man!”

    Breguet and Red stood next to each other shuffling awkwardly and looking at each other out of the corner of their eyes as if communicating some secret.  “Here, have a cigarette Runt,” Red offered me his packet of ‘Players’.  

    “No thanks Red, my breathing is better without them - what’s eating the pair of you?”

    “Monique…” Breguet said, teeth tightly clamping the stem of his pipe jumping.

    “Go on”

    “We have seen her at the airfield, she asked about you.” Breguet continued.

    “That’s nice,” I said in a clipped fashion. My stiff upper lip comes in handy now and again.

    “Only" he continued, "We’ve seen her chatting to a French pilot, handsome chap, flys a green Nieuport with a dagger emblem on the fuselage used to be based here, got moved on in January. Quite an ace if we remember”

    “I don’t see what any of this has to do with me chaps”, I wanted to get as far from this conversation as possible.

    “We saw the Frenchie give her money, it’s not looking good for the old girl at all” Red mused.

    “We all know Ackart was a toad” Breguet added “But for her to go on the game is too much.” 

    I was silent.  I nodded to my companions and left the mess, out into the chill night.  Desolate.

    3rd March

    Heavy snow and a 0940hrs patrol over enemy front lines with Red and Keeble. 30 minutes in I developed problems with my engine and had to return to St Pol-sur-Mer.  A fine homecoming this!

    large.622378fc49e0c_CFS32022-03-0512-37-

    large.622378fe0b13e_CFS32022-03-0512-43-

    A fine homecoming!

    4th March

    My Nieuport's engine was being repaired - hopefully fit to fly tomorrow.  I caught up on paperwork- not wanting to think about Monique and what she’d become.  What on Earth had happened to her and was it any of my business?  I pondered hitching a lift to Dunkirk and paying the Fountaine’s at Le P'tit Dupont a visit.

    A request from Admiralty for a report on fighting Aviatik Cs put pay to that - I dutifully responded and tried to ease my heart with some whiskey.  The snow is now thick on the ground.

    5th March

    Nieuport was still in for repairs so missed the morning patrol. Selby, my mechanic couldn’t apologise enough, and together we worked on it.  By lunchtime, the engine was purring like a cat.

    1518hrs Artillery spotting with Breguet in his Cauldron between Menen and Loo.  I took three new chaps up with Red. They were Thomas, Adlam and Boscawen.  I thought of Tubby as guided our flight through the thick clouds and snow flurries and resolved to do better for these new boys.

    No HA were spotted but we did locate several Hun batteries along the Lys.

    large.622378d3410d6_CFS32022-03-0512-56-

    I thought of Tubby as guided our flight

    This evening I'm too tired to contemplate a trip to the Le P'tit Dupont, but maybe it isn’t such a good idea after all.  

    large.622378e0a2fb7_CFS32022-03-0514-42-

    To be continued…..

    • Like 1

  4. Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt' DSC                                                      

    HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders

    St. Pol-Sur-Mer

    Part 18 (Jan 13th- Feb 16th 1916)                       

    The second half of January and the beginning of February was a hard month for flying. Patrols were mostly over enemy lines and we were often called to bomb or reconnoitre troop positions, the flying was long, cold and hard. I had two very near misses with death in January and one in February; all will long remain in my memory. The first of these was when we pounced on three Aviatik Cs we spotted while escorting Rodrick Dallas on a recon flight. After separating the threesome and scoring some great hits, I dived on one from above only to be hit by the observer’s accurate fire. My engine took the brunt of the damage but my goggles started filling with blood. Feeling faint from my wounds I pointed the trusty Babe home, and gratefully managed to put her down by an allied observation balloon.  I passed out in the cockpit and came to in hospital where I spent six days.  On one of those days, passing in and out of consciousness I was visited, I think, by Monique.  It may have been a dream of course I was pumped full of morphine … but I am sure, I think she held my hand and prayed. Monique was once again in my thoughts and on my heart. This was hard, after battling for so long to free myself from the yoke of her affections.

    A near-death experience

    A long patrol over enemy lines was my first flight back.  After an hour in the air while over the lines we spotted a solitary Fokker beneath us - it turned out to be an EIII - B flight was four strong but the little Fokker put up a heroic fight against us, bravely weaving and climbing.  A number of times he floated down to Earth falling like a leaf only to snap out of the dive at the last possible moment and ready to fight.  While attempting to fight, fly and dance with the enemy Tubby Granger’s Nieuport 10 and my Babe had a collision.  I'm not entirely sure what happened, I felt my wheels connect with something, and saw Tubby struggling to fly.  I seemed unharmed and Tubby flew west to safety. 

    large.622247d8ccf01_Screenshot(385).png.

    Plucky German flyer

    We dispatched the Fokker and returned home expecting to find Tubby at his usual place at the bar ... he didn’t return home.  He had landed our side of the lines but was dead with a huge wound in his head - more than likely caused by my careless undercarriage.  I am beyond devastated to have caused the death of this fine young man.  I can see him smiling waving, enjoying life, loving flying, eager to take the battle to the Hun - only to die beneath my damned wheels.  Of course, I say young, he was three years older than me, but 5 months behind me in combat and that’s where my appreciation of age comes from nowadays.

    The first two weeks of February were quiet - flying patrols, recon and escorting Dallas as well as fighting some lousy weather.  I had a third and final close call this morning.  Over Ghistelles airfield I spotted a lone EIII.  I engaged and forced it to crash into some nearby trees.  As I climbed I spotted two other Fokker who pounced on me!  I couldn’t see anyone from the squadron and felt utterly alone.  I fired a few shots but they were all over me.  I decided that discretion was the better part of valour and I dived for home.  I was hit a number of times and the port-wing of my Nieuport sheered away in the dive.  I thought I was as doomed as Tubby Granger - and would soon be able to give him my personal apologies at St. Peter’s Gates. But by nursing the stick and rudder I was able to flee in a straight line for home.  The Fokkers gave a half-hearted pursuit and left me alone as I crossed our lines.  I prayed all the way to the nearest airfield and gently, oh so gently, put her down.

    large.622247de6dd19_Screenshot(386).png.

    My 13th victory

    I am haunted at night with thoughts of Tubby’s death and Monique's face, I am sure I have seen her once or twice around the airfield, I’ve smelt her sweet perfume and perhaps out the corner of my eye as if in mist, spotted her talking to a French pilot … I can’t be sure and I daren't investigate. The CO has noticed the strain around my eyes and the slight quiver in my arm when I hold my cane to walk and has awarded me two weeks home leave. I will be back the first week of March. 

    large.6222463f0182a_Screenshot(383).png.

    Damaged port-wing but safe

    To be continued …

    • Like 2

  5. Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt' DSC                                                      

    • HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders
    • St Pol-Sur Mer
    • Nieuport 11 'Bebe'

    31st Jan 1916 Stats

    • 73 missions
    • 101.6 hours
    • 25 claims / 12 victories

                                                          

     


  6. On 24/02/2022 at 8:26 PM, Mfair621 said:

    Gents, my short post yesterday obviously went unnoticed at the bottom of page 12. Gallagher’s Bristol burst into flame right after takeoff. It was not just a little fire, it was catastrophic! He is no more. I’m going to be busy for a few weeks but will be back soon. Stay safe all!

    Oh Mark, say it isn’t so! I’m so so sad to hear this! He was the last original member of his squadron.  I’m heartbroken for you buddy. I haven’t caught up with all the tales but did see this post.  I hope Andrews is still around when you get back and that your busy few weeks go well. Take care my friend! 


  7. Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt' DSC                                                      

    HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders

    Part 17 (Jan 1st-Jan13th)                                                                

    Wonderful news cousin Archie (see January 30th) has been given notification of flight training at the Central Flying School, I am utterly delighted and hope one day to fly with him in combat. During bad weather my rigger, mechanic and I managed to personalise my Nieuport 11- I'm quite pleased with it.  We decided to keep the bee and lightning strike as it seems to have been noticed up and down the lines.

    large.621936aee2724_Screenshot(359).png.

    The first few days of January the flying was hampered by the weather. Finally got airborne on the 4th, 15 minutes into the flight I started getting engine problems so had to hand over the flight to Keeble who took charge.  My blasted plane took 2 days to repair airborne again on 6th a patrol of our troops.  I was flight commander, flying with Keeble, Mulock and a fairly new chap Lathern, only allied aircraft spotted.  I was grounded for a few days and was next up on 13th escort duties for Rod Dallas flying 'A'.  Spotted 3 Aviatiks crossing our lines so I gave the order to pursue ( Dallas was quite safe)  We engaged and destroyed all three.  I got a share in one and forced down another - all three were denied us by the powers that be. Then escorted Dallas home.

    large.62193837524e9_Screenshot(362).png.

    large.62193832aba95_Screenshot(360).png.

    large.62193834e5e6d_Screenshot(361).png.

    To Be Continued ...

    • Like 2

  8. Sorry Chaps this is late ... work and family life are a wee bit hectic.  I've not had a chance to read through the reports - I will over a mug of tea and a bun!

    --------

    Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt' DSC                                                      

    HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders                                                                                                   

    St. Pol-sur-Mer

    Nieuport 10C1

    Missions 66

    Flying Hours 93

    Confirmed 11

    Claims 20

    Part 17

    large.621546aea2c22_Screenshot(344).png.

    My flying log

    Well, here it is, a new year! beautiful weather but a biting cold.  A light dusting of snow coats the airfield and I warm myself with a hot tea - I'm about to leave the scant warmth of my tent for the airfield.  One of the new chaps is building a few huts for the pilots to call home - I can't wait.  The end of the month has been slightly quieter fighting wise.  It feels like a week or so since I've seen the hun in the air.  we did have one tangle with the Hun before Christmas.   Dallas was bombing Ghistelles (again) and we fought off 4.  I claimed two but both were denied. 

    large.62154aa91af93_Screenshot(326).png.

    large.62154aa17dbfc_Screenshot(323).png.

    large.62154a9f221b3_Screenshot(327).png.

    large.62154aa3e1838_Screenshot(324).png.

    large.62154aa6a5b13_Screenshot(325).png.

    I realise I've stopped praying for the families of the fallen as we celebrated our saviour's birth.  I have asked forgiveness - and will ask the Lord to keep my heart soft in the midst of this bloodshed.  On Boxing Day, as is tradition, the officers cooked and served the other ratings a fairly edible Christmas lunch, I peeled and cooked the roast potatoes!  I think they enjoyed them.

    On the 28th I was awarded a new aircraft. A Nieuport 11 Bebe! It seems a jolly fine plane.  I am yet to take it into combat or personalize it.

    large.62154aabac137_Screenshot(336).png.

    Happy new year!

    To be continued ...


  9. On 17/02/2022 at 3:59 PM, Mfair621 said:

    The next day they escorted Bennett to bomb Bertencourt. The Bristol was agile compared to the BE. Gallagher was in Heaven! “It will take a bit of Kentucky Windage to hit with this offset gun!”

    Great Story Mfair!! So glad your in a Bristol Scout - I love 'em - fun to aim with - But bewarned if you are in a good spot to shoot a two-seater (while in a Bristol Scout) they are in a good position to shoot back. No glory hunting is great advice!

    Albrecht - Your plane is top-notch, as is your score! Well done sir rest well on leave my friend!

    Raine - A beautiful Christmas read! I am wondering if M. and Mme Blandurel have a daughter too - but dallying with the more deadly of the species isn't working out too well for young "Runt"

    Paroni - Again wonderful modelling! Looking forward to seeing what you will achieve in an Aviatik C.  Great things I think!! Be on your guard with Beatrice - loose lips sink ships and all that - and stop wearing her shoes!!!

    Albert - Smashing tale and pictures and looking forward to hearing about the fleshpots of Paris!

    Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt' DSC                                                      

    HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders                                                                                                   

    St. Pol-sur-Mer

    Nieuport 10C1

    Missions 64

    Flying Hours 91

    Confirmed 10

    Claims 18 (one pending)

    15th December 1915

    Part 16

    At the start of the month, the mood in the Squadron was as glum as the weather - pathetic fallacy - they'd call it if this was a novel and not real life.  The loss of Cleaver cuts deep, as of this morning Noel Keeble is acting CO, a good chap from Peterborough, with a lot of experience on seaplanes, which he loves. As much as I like him he is no substitute for the Boss.  There has been a number of chaps transferred out - including Simon Ackart - I suspect Keeble had had enough of him.  Ackart's mind was increasingly on cards and Monique, not on the war, and I'm beginning to realise that Monique has very expensive tastes.  It seems that she sees poor Ackart bottomless pit of gifts.  The lastest, a full fur coat easily cost him a months salary and which to my mind would have been better off clothing one of our chaps or Ackart himself in this blistering cold. It seems Ackart has a gambling problem too - whether Monique need for gifts has driven him to it or it is his own boredom, I don't know.  But he left RNAS-1 owing a number of the chaps a fair bit of money.  He was very bad for morale and Keeble has had enough.  I pity the poor devils who will have to fly with him.   I am beginning to realise that I am better off without her, she may have been the most beautiful creature on God's green earth - but that kind of beauty puts pressure on a chap!  I've stopped carrying her picture with me - It turns out I'm quite a superstitious character and was sure that the first few flights with an empty breast pocket would be my last.  But I am now free!

    large.keeble3.jpg.43799a7374d50415e0f4e2

    Noel Keeble

     

    The Skies have mostly been quiet. On the 7th and 8th there was a brief break in the weather - though was even more perishingly cold.  On the 7th We escorted Rod Dallas on another bombing mission of Ghistelles airfield.  We were attacked from below by two brace of Fokker E1s. We shot down all four - though Dallas missed the Airfield. I was credited with two and Murlock and Mctavish one apiece. Taking my Confirmed tally to 10.

    On the 8th we were on Patrol of our lines with orders to intercept any hostile aircraft.  I sent one down in flames and scared the life out of another!  Meanwhile, Sid Hoskins on his first flight with the squadron received a confirmed victory on the third. Good lad!  I await confirmation.

     

    To Be Continued....

     

    • Like 1

  10. 1 hour ago, VonS said:

    @Seb, the best loading order for the various FrankenBHAH addons is as follows:

    1. the main FrankenBHAH package (Ver. 1.1)

    2. the hardcore addon (Ver. 1.15)

    3. the mini tuner improvement (Ver. 1.2)

    Also recommended is to offload/remove "GPUtuner ver. 1.1.1" because it is technically not compatible with the various FrankenBHAH packages and addons. For example, the main FrankenBHAH package replaces many of the files in the older GPU Tuners and makes them redundant anyway; also, the hardcore addon and mini tuner improvement were only tested with the main FrankenBHAH package, not with the older GPU Tuners, so no guarantees as to how they will behave with the GPU Tuners. Those using only the older GPU Tuners for PE/BH&H2 WOFF are recommended not to load the FrankenBHAH packages, and vice versa.

    Personally, I prefer the FrankenBHAH package and addons since they are more "refined" upgrades over the older GPU Tuners.

    Perfect! Thank you

    S!

    • Thanks 1

  11. 4 hours ago, VonS said:

    Also, a brief follow-up - if you are running any of my older "WOFF GPU Tuners" for WOFF (which are BH&H2 compatible too) - recommended then is not to run the "FrankenBHAH Enhancement Package" since, technically, they are not compatible. The FrankenBHAH Enhancement Package, also the addon "Franken Mini Tuner" that loads after the Enhancement Package, tweak things a bit more so that terrains are slightly crisper than was possible using the WOFF GPU Tuners, with no major drop in average FPS over the previous Tuners.

     

    VonS am I in error here with your tuners?  Sorry to have to ask? 
     

    F2C843CC-D01D-4058-B16F-9F0CF304A350.jpeg


  12. I echo what Albert and Hassel have written - great stories and accounts...  Mfair well done on being the last man standing in 8 RFC

    Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt' DSC                                                      

    HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders                                                                                                   

    St. Pol-sur-Mer

    Nieuport 10C1

    Missions 59

    Flying Hours 86

    Confirmed 8

    Claims 14

    Part 15

    30th November 1915

    The final couple of weeks were dark days in the life of our squadron.  The weather closed in and a number of the chaps took the deaths of Arthur and Williams particularly hard. in the past we had a couple of flying accidents and one or two near misses but in the 6 months of flying we had lost no one to enemy action.  Noone took the deaths of those fine men harder than the CO Chris Cleaver.  He was a man haunted by that fateful mission (See part 14).  We had some bad weather that grounded us for 48 hours, the next couple of missions were uneventful.  On the 21st November, we were escorting Rod Dallas on a bombing mission.  Cleaver led B flight and it was straightforward, we delivered our eggs on the Hun and flew home.  It was blasted cold, but not untoward, as we were on final approach of St.Pol-sur-Mer Cleavers plane just dropped out of the sky twisting, then exploding as it hit trees to the west of the airfield.  The rest of B flight landed with all haste and ran to the crash site, but there was nothing we could do.  Ground staff were there already the blaze too intense and Cleaver clearly dead.

    large.620aad4222047_Screenshot(316).png.

    Our much loved CO

    We buried that fine man with a meaningful service put on by the padre and many a tear from his men.  He was a fine man and much missed - looking forward we are not sure how anyone could replace him.

    In other much less important news, I had been awarded the claim for my Aviatik and after a tangle with two brace of Fokker EIs my confirmed victory count has risen to eight.  I am now more often than not leading B flight and I feel something of the responsibility of leading some very fine men, Mulock and Keeble among them.  Simon Ackart is still very much on the scene and has now two victories to his name the rumours are he will marry Monique at Christmas - I am staying far away.

    I write this post exhausted, mentally and emotionally drained and hope to receive some leave soon and enjoy time in Blighty, even my father says it would be good to see me.  Maybe home for Christmas? Who knows.

    large.620aad4022bfa_Screenshot(315).png.

    In dealing with Fokkers the trick is to get very close and aim for the exposed pilot.

    large.620aad450d65d_Screenshot(310).png.

    Once hit they go down fast.

     

    To Be Continued ...

     

     

    • Like 2

  13. Paroni - Wise words my friend! I was so sorry to read about Henri's fate ... I had a close call yesterday almost the same situation. See below ...

    Albert - Super intro to Grace may he live long and prosper congrats on first victory!  Beautiful bombing screenies!

    Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt' DSC                                                      

    HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders                                                                                                   

    St. Pol-sur-Mer

    Part 14

    November 12th 1915

    Close call this morning ... honestly I'm quite shaken by the whole thing.  A routine dawn patrol took a very nasty turn.  We were at about 9000 Feet in tight formation flying through fairly dense snow clouds.  It was freezing up there - my lips were bleeding with the cold and I was relieved when they were eventually so numb I could no longer feel the pain. 

    Cleaver (C.O.) led our formation. Rod Dallas still in his ruddy Cauldon was flying as the sole member of 'A' flight which is ridiculous!  I was number two, F/L Robbie Arthur number three and F/Sub-lieutenant Edgar Williams number four, flying on Arthur's wing.  We passed through some dark clouds, I barely could see Cleaver, or know left from right, up from down as we cleared the dark clouds into slightly less dense white cumulus we realised we at appeared close to three Aviatiks Cs flying in tight formation.  Cleaver was right on the money and opened fire.  It took me what seemed a lifetime to work out what was going on; so far most air battles have been slow long-planned events. This short battle was all reaction and no planning.

    large.6207d4914ab26_CFS32022-02-1120-12-

    The Aviatiks opened fire on us immediately.  Arthur and Williams were caught in a deadly crossfire, both planes span out of control, great billows of black smoke and oil following them through the clouds.  Cleaver and I attempted to play catch up - but the HA shooting was too intense.  I fired a drum of lewis ammunition into the cockpit of one Aviatik and think I saw some flashes but the bullets from the other two drove me off - there was no way I was reloading the Lewis under heavy fire.   Bullets had ripped through my instruments, and I had a serious oil leak I was bleeding too and losing blood and I could hear more gunfire directed towards me. I dived away from the Aviatiks back into the dense cloud and was rewarded with silence.  At about 800 feet I cleared the clouds and saw that the Aviatik I had shot at was in flames, going down.  I watched it crash close to the graves of fallen Arthur and Williams and checked my map,  Poperinghe was only about 15 miles to the southwest so I said a prayer for the fallen and made my way there.  It was a huge relief as I placed my wheels on the airfield's welcoming bumps and divots.

    About 5 minutes later I spotted the boss's smoking and tattered Nieuport 11 Bébé bounce to a full stop next to me.  We just stared exhausted into the distance - not wanting to leave our damaged planes.

    large.6207d49492472_CFS32022-02-1120-17-

    To Be Continued ...

     


  14. Albert T: I'm so sorry to have read of Leopold Doll's sudden demise ... As Paroni says his story is way too short. But, Simon Charles Grace is an interesting character. I served with a chap who had been in the French Foreign legion. We are still close - I look forward to Grace's tales!

    Paroni: Congratulations on your first and then second confirmed victory, and serving a run-in with EIIIs phew!

    Albrecht: The gunnery tips are most welcomed for the Nieuport - each bullet has to count!  Superb adventures, pictures and confirmed victories. Congratulations on becoming a flight leader!

    ---------

    Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt' DSC                                                      

    HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders                                                                                                   

    St. Pol-sur-Mer

    Part 13

    10th November 1915

    Today I said goodbye to Davies,  he was transported from the hospital last night to St. Pol-sur-Mer before being transported off to a new posting with the RFC this evening.  He was brimming with pride to have been awarded a DSC at the same time as myself at this morning's roll call. In my youthful arrogance, I had often thought about receiving a gong - I looked forward to seeing the admiration on Monique's face and the envy on Simon Ackart's. However, when the moment came, the loss of Monique was all I could think of, it is foolish I know, but I still carry her picture with me on each and every flight.  She and Ackart are now stepping out together officially and occasionally I have spotted her waiting in the guard room for some date or meal with Ackard, and occasionally catch the scent of her fragrant perfume in the mess.  I'm not proud to admit that I dodge her, I can't bear the thought of talking to her - I'm not sure if she even knows I'm still alive.

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    Monique's Picture

    There have been many nights, too many, when I have laid on my cot wondering how life may have been different if I'd not rescued Ackart from the Hun Fokkers. Davies would not have been almost killed, and maybe I'd be the one with Monique.  In that case, maybe I could live with her, but probably not with myself.  I am ashamed to say I lie awake, in the cold nights, plotting revenge, but frustratingly to date, nothing suitable had sprung to mind.  Last night was one such night; seeing and drinking with Davies in the mess had brought the whole thing front and centre to my mind.  However, as I collected my morning oats Davies came up to me with a big grin!  "I think we are in for a wee surprise at the parade!" He announced with Welsh gusto. He'd gotten wind of the DSCs.  He looked awful, and I told him so. "Ah... That's because I have got a wee surprise of my own for you Runt."  He led me to the hanger "Go in lad" he ordered. Inside was the Nieuport freshly painted, "Aye boyo" he laughed, "Now you see why I look so rough, I was up all night painting"  I had joked with Davies after we moved to Moranes that we now had a mighty sting in our tail - him and his Lewis. Also because for most of my time in the Morane, I longed to be back in the BE2c - it was such a curiously underpowered little thing and had joked that my promotion came with a sting in its tail so I had painted a crude bumblebee on the fuselage and some yellow and black strips on the engine housing.

    "It's my going away gift," he said with much satisfaction over his handy work. I don't think I'd ever heard Davies speak so much - but I was glad of every word he said he had become more than a friend over the last six months, he was a brother. 

    Instead of my humble child-like bee was an exquisite work of art, with a mean-looking sting, my name in beautiful calligraphy and a huge long yellow lightning strike.  "I won't be there to watch your back Theo ... but you will be in my prayers and I can leave you this art for luck. "  I was speechless, but Davies wasn't finished. " I read somewhere that the man who seeks revenge had better dig two graves before he acts - so leave room for God to put things right lad. Don't take it on yourself."

    He gave me a hearty slap on the back and we ambled to parade. When I returned to my Nieuport, alone, I was  F/L Theodore Ayolisus Andrews DSC.

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    To be Continued ... (I hope)

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1

  15. Great stories Gents!

    A.T.  - Rest In peace Kenneth Hardie! We drink to your memory and your success in combat. He was such an interesting character and I enjoyed your pictures of the bombs!

    Mfair - Elijah is quite the poet sir!

    Hassel - Auguste's time in the Nieuport 10 should be interesting!  Such a bleak photo of the front too, chilling, PBI.

    Raine - I continue to love your writing, poor Mr Osbourne - just as he was beginning to open up to Hawkwood!

    Albrecht - I love your art style thanks for sharing how they are done!

    I'm looking forward to what October has brought for the rest of our intrepid DiD pilots!

    ------

     

    Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt'                                                      

    HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders                                                                                                   

    St. Pol-sur-Mer

    Missions:53

    Flying Hours: 82

    Confirmed Victories 6 

     

    Part 12

    I didn’t wait...

    I left the little coffee shop at once. To see Monique with Simon Ackart, my boyhood bully and current odious nemesis was a most devastating vision, my heart felt like it was going to explode and the blood in my veins had turned to ice. I felt kicked in the stomach and twisted in knots. There is a small bar in Dunkirk, in a side street, near the docks and it was there my feet dragged me. The open door emitted a whiff of tobacco, sea-water, sweat, the subtler indescribable odour of masculine loneliness and one too many bare-knuckle fights, but I pulled up a chair and drank heat into my veins and heart. Just a few weeks into being twenty and I felt like an old man. One drink turned to more drink, then, even more, drink, then oblivion.

    I woke on my camp bed, in my basher, cold with a mouth feeling like a fur coat. Davies stood over me. “How’s the head Theo?” He enquired with a practised delicateness that only the Welsh can manage without sounding effeminate. 

    “Thumping like a barn door in a gale”. I slurred.

    “Not surprised, old man.” He smiled “ I went looking for you and Monique last night, I saw her and Ackart together and guessed where’d you be.” Davies looked upon me with sympathy and care in his eyes. “You need to learn to hold your drink.” The older man added. After a moment of silence while he assessed my sorry state he continued,  “Apparently he made his move when we were in captivity, by all accounts she was devastated and he moved in with a strong arm and shoulder to cry on. I’m sure when she hears we’re safe and sound things will work out.”

    Whether it was pride or a sense of scorn I resolved in my heart never to step foot inside the Le P'tit Dupont again and devote my time to flying and to helping the chaps with one exception.

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    The Partnership continued.

    I was cleared to fly again very quickly and Davies’ and my partnership continued. The first half of October was the continued mix of reconnaissance and patrols, both over our lines and the enemy’s. We went two weeks without seeing anything in the sky and then mid-way through the month things began to heat up dramatically. We were attacked by Fokker monoplanes on two separate occasions. In the first instance, Davies and I were near the back of our formation and the first I knew of it was Davies firing like the blazes. We downed at least one but our claim was denied. On the second occasion, we were jumped from below by 4 Fokkers. Our Morane was leading the flight I ordered the flight into a climbing left-hand turn, allowing us all to make shots on the EAs. Between us, we bagged a couple. Ackart is still flying a BE2c and I saw him break away from the pack and was being chased by two very determined Fokkers. I am proud to say I didn’t even hesitate and pointed the nose of the Morane to aid him. Ackart saw what we were attempting and flew towards us, the BE2 coming under intensive fire, it flew over us and Davies let the first Fokker EI have it. The Fokkers incensed, left Ackart alone and stuck to us. Davies fired and fired taking a couple of hits himself. Whether it was Archie or the Fokker our Morane had had a bellyful and started to lose fuel and responsiveness. I started to make for our side of the lines with the Fokker in pursuit. Davies, despite his injures kept firing at the Fokker who wouldn’t let go.  I knew his bravery was rewarded when all of a sudden, Davies shouted "Got the bugger!"

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    Ackart's BE2 is attacked by Fokker EI

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    Fokker Scourge Getting Close ...

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    ... But Not Too Close

    Putting the Morane down in a field, I dragged Davies out of the cockpit bleeding. Ripping strips from my coat I wrapped his wounds. He had nasty wounds in both his shoulder and left arm as well as a gash above his forehead. I couldn't see any sign of the second Fokker and perhaps Davies hit that chap too - I'll never know.

    Davies was taken to hospital and I returned to St.Pol-sur-Mer. Ackart’s observer had also been injured in the fray but apart from that, the flight escaped unharmed. I still do my best to avoid Ackart, there is no love lost there between either of us. After the Fokker attack, he did try some attempt at an apology, which I detested as it put further demands on my patience.  We were a claim on the flaming EI too.  I think everyone too busy was fighting for their lives to notice!

    Unbeknownst to me, that was to be my last flight with Davies, who I’ve been to visit in hospital a couple of times. The next day I flew with a new chap and on the third day, we took delivery of some beautiful single-seat scouts. Nieuport 10s. This is a relief as the Morane’s were little match for the German one seaters. I ended the month enjoying the beauty of this new machine. The chaps have started scoring regular victories in them, I even two bagged two armed Aviatiks of which one has been confirmed.

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    Confirmed and unconfirmed victories

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    The squadron is in frightfully good heart some great chaps have joined us. The most promising is an Australian chap called Rod Dallas. He arrived in a Caldron G4 which he prefers at the moment to the Nieuports - for my money it’s a ridiculous looking thing, but it keeps up with the rest of us so we let it pass. We’ll hopefully coax him into a Neiuport before too long. He is a particularly good sport, on his second day with us one of the other chaps, a practical joker, imitating Chris Cleaver (our CO) telephoned Dallas, (who was the duty officer) and ordered him in brusquely imperious tones to take off in a 'propeller-less Breguet' that we had knocking about in a hanger. Upon learning that he had been tricked, Dallas joined in the laughter with the rest of us and has accepted the resulting nickname of "Breguet".

    To be continued …

    • Like 2

  16. 2 hours ago, RAF_Louvert said:

    It's the end of the month gentlemen, time to post the statistics for your active pilots so that we at HQ can consider any awards that may be due.

    As Mfair says, Thank you! Here are Theo's stats.

    Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews (AKA 'Runt)

    Unit: RNAS-1

    Location: St. Pol-sur-Mer

    Aircraft: Morane Saulnier L

    Hours: 62

    Missions flown: 42

    Victories : 5

    Claims: 7

    And one broken heart ...

    :salute:

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