Maeran

Congratulations on the first victory, Sebtoombs. A close call with your B pilot, Paroni. I hope he keeps landing on his own side of the lines from now on. This adventure happened in June. These week/months are fast paced for writing! The train incident really happened. Major Becke (originally a 2 squadron pilot) had been a founding member of 16 squadron and went to command his old squadron only to immediately come to his new ‘old’ squadron’s rescue. ‐------------------- Aerial photography was the heart of the work of 2 squadron. Sometimes there would be an artillery shoot and the pilots that had been there longer than Le Mesurier would talk of something called a contact patrol. Before and after those things could be done a BE2 with a Type A camera would have to go up and carry out ‘the work’. As wing commander, Lt Col Trenchard tried to foster rivalry between 2 and 3 squadron by showing observers photographs taken by their counterparts in the other squadron. The aircrews did talk to one another and knew the booming colonel’s game. They also knew how important the work really was. Between the two squadrons, they had already built up a mosaic map of the front and were dedicated to updating this modern marvel. Ashby cradled the latest plates for this endeavour as Le Mesurier eased the aeroplane down onto the grass at Merville. After the RAF engine was silenced, Le Mesurier noticed that there was no further noise. Clusters of air mechanics were sitting in the hangars they looked at the landed machine expectantly. A group of them came across to the BE2. “What’s going on, Butcher?” Le Mesurier asked the first to arrive. “16 squadrons are getting shelled sir,” the engine fitter replied. “Report came in about an armoured train that had been pulled forward to hit La Gorgue. The Major had everyone go up with bombs and a wireless set to put the fear of God into the Huns.” Le Mesurier looked across the river. La Gorge was very close, just a mile or so upstream. “Ashby, can you drop the plates in for me please?” Then he addressed the men, “get me some petrol and some bombs. I want to be up again as soon as we can load it.” As it was, Le Mesurier did not take off again. Even as the Ack Emmas pulled a trolly with the bombs across to his BE, the first of the aeroplanes began to land. “Where are you going, Le Mesurier?” Major Becke asked. “To help you, sir" Le Mesurier saluted from his cockpit. “Is that help no longer needed?” The Major laughed, “no; we made things too hot for that train to remain in his station.” I hope the arty we called down wrecked his rails after him.” “Very good sir.” Although June was not as hot as it had been in the glorious summer of ’14, it was still early summer and the evening warmth led the officers to the water’s edge. Some dipped their feet into the water as the exploits of the day were retold from different angles. As time went on, the older officers went further back to the ‘glorious history’ of Shiny Two. The first RFC aeroplane across the channel. The early days of reconnaissance during the battle of the Marne. The two pilots who were forced down behind enemy lines and not only escaped across the lines, but brought the British artillery useful information about the German batteries. Le Mesurier listened to all these and pulled on a thoughtful pipe. These were heroes, and here he was just trying to fit in. Of course, to everyone was idling by the river. Outside a hangar, air mechanics were stabilising a BE2 with trestles in order to remove the engine. “Do you think they know about the bodies that floated down that river?” Butcher asked the corporal. “Sarge reported them, Butch. I expect the officers will find out if more are coming soon enough.”

A great start gentlemen! Opening my account of the career of Edward Albert Le Mesurier... Excuse the shoddy photo-editing. I couldn't get the quality to match. :( ‐----------------------- Merville aerodrome looked tiny. The tender had barely turned off the main road before stopping again at a farmhouse some hundred yards down the track. There was scarcely room for a tiny collection of trucks in the motor pool. Beyond the farmhouse, the dark haired young man could see tented hangars and a suggestion of open field beyond, with a row of poplar trees obscuring most of the activity. The officer gave his thanks to the driver and pulled down his valise before entering the shade of the farmhouse door. Farmhouses are not built to be military installations. After making inquiries, the commanding officer of 2 squadron was found in his office, which also served as a bedroom. The new arrival noticed that the Major was packing his own valise. “2nd Lieutenant Le Mesurier, reporting for duty sir,” Edward introduced himself. “I’ve been sent from St Omer.” The CO returned his salute. “Major Webb-Bowen. Do come in.” He gestured at his half packed belongings. “I am heading back for England in the morning, but we will get you settled in first.” There were tents for the other ranks clustered behind the farmhouse, but the officers of 2 squadron were all cooped up in the quadrangular main building that doubled as offices. That night, a dinner was held for Major Bowen and also to celebrate the recent announcement of a VC. “So which one is Moorehouse?” Le Mesurier asked as the officers mingled before dinner. The room was a riot of dress uniforms as everyone had the right to keep the that of their old regiment. Le Mesurier’s own Royal Engineers uniform was immaculate as he had only worn it once before. De Havilland smiled wanly. “No longer with us, I’m afraid. He died of the wounds that earned him that gong. We are going to jolly well celebrate it though!” “Not too much for you, Le Mesurier,” Edward’s new flight commander, Captain Dawes interrupted. “I want you up and practing take-offs and landings in the morning. This field is horrible if you don’t watch your approach.” “Very good sir,” Les Mesurier replied, then he peered across the room. “I say, is that Robert Lorraine, the actor?” De Havilland and Dawes exchanged a surreptitious eye-roll. “Oh yes, but here he is serving as Lieutenant Lorraine. No time for stage talk now; here comes the Old Man with Trenchard.” Merville aerodrome had clearly been selected by someone who had never landed an aeroplane, Le Mesurier grumbled to himself as he circled for another approach. It consisted of an L shaped field, with the farmhouse at the top of the L and the river Lys at the bottom. It was nearly completely surrounded by tall poplar trees. A few had obligingly been cut down on the approach, but their stumps remained a hazard. The next day, Dawes took Le Mesurier up to the lines in. Edward was to look around while Dawes took photographs of the latest German defense works using a box camera. Le Mesurier was surprised at how sudden the front appeared. Bethune was still the nearest large town as it was as they climbed over Merville. Now suddenly he could see bursts of earth erupting as artillery hammered German positions. The ground was a mottle of green and brown and he could see the trenches themselves. He was surprised again at how clearly they stood out. Surely no-one could hide from the all seeing aeroplane? A much closer explosion brought his attention back into the air. Cloud of black smoke drifted by about 200 yards away. Then another burst appeared as he watched. Someone was shooting at them! Le Mesurier must have looked alarmed because his observer, a Lieutenant called Ashly, smiled and waved at him to settle down. Nothing to worry about. In after what seemed an age, Dawes led them away from the lines and two BE2s landed safely back at Merville. “You did well.” Dawes said as they walked over to the photography hut carrying the bulky camera and a collection of plates. “I've seen people handle Archie far worse.” “Thank you. It was Ashly really,” Le Mesurier relied. “He told me the bursts were nothing to worry about.” “Archie is all bark. Did you see the monoplane?” “What monoplanes?” Edward was puzzled. “French Moranes. They came to check who we were. You do need to keep an eye out. Some Bosche are happy to let you be, but others will take potshots with a rifle. That’s why a lot of the observers carry a gun of some sort. Just in case.” “Oh, yes.” “That’s enough for now. Once we’ve dropped the plates off go and fill in your log while I make the report. It’s a nice day. Go wash up in the river if you like.”

Yes, just send that PM when you are ready. Enjoy your holiday!

Join when you get back from Mexico, Janzen. This is a long campaign. I'm looking forward to it.

I showed my wife rule 0. She laughed. Should I be worried about her looking for pellet guns?

I had to update my password, because it wasn't strong enough for modern standards. Other than that it was easy getting back in. The pictures look great!

This is the DFW "Flea" http://forum.worldofwarplanes.eu/index.php?/topic/3635-german-experimental-aircraft-dfw-t28-floh-flea/ My apologies for linking to another forum, but this has the most information I could readily find.

I have a copy, spotted in a book shop last year. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wipers-Times-Complete-Wartime-Newspaper/dp/1906251177/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1418858602&sr=8-3&keywords=Wipers+times

There will have been walkways inside the derigible itself (it isn't just the gas bag in there). But I expect that anyone with any sense doing that job would take a flask or two.

Know anyone? No. Have you tried people who may have original records? All of a minutes' thought has brought to the Imperial War Museum as an option. A speculative e-mail might get good results. Especially if you show them the amazing work you have already done.

I've always had trouble with screenshots. Where do the files appear if you use 'K'?

This is fantastic work, thank you!

Diary of Algernon Didsworthy Tuesday 6th June 1916 Have arrived at my squadron in the afternoon to shocking news. Lord Kitchener has been lost at sea! This is a terrible day for the British war effort, but we will not falter! My squadron is a modest concern with 9 machines, My officer and observer is Captain Lucas Belden, an Essex man with a lot of experience. No doubt I shall have plenty soon as we are only just to the north of the push which began on the Somme area last week. You can hear the guns from here. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Combat report. Sgt Didsworthy 13 Squadron RFC 7th June 1916 B Flight to attack railyard at Athies Junction with 25lb Cooper bombs. 06:15 Took off from Savy. Climbed to 4000' before flying east along the St Pol to Arras rail line. Crossed lines North of Arras, observing shelling north of Arras at 06:45. Rounded Oppy to attack railyard from ENE. 07:00 Released bombs and pulled south. Observed explosions among buildings south of rail line. Returned across Arras. 07:10 Observed 2 EA single seat monoplanes over Mont St Eloi. These engaged us and shot down Richardson and Mason. They then departed E. Landed at Savy 07:25 Combat report. Sgt Didsworthy 13 Squadron RFC 7th June 1916 B-Flight to bomb enemy front lines between Courcellette and Poziers. Took off from Savy 14:46. Arrived over target area 15:10, dropping bombs to no discernible effect. Attacked immediately after this by 2 EA monoplanes. Rowena and Mayall driven away from group by one EA. Other attacked me. Lost ability to maintain altitude, landed in a field near Poziers. Diary of Algernon Didsworthy Wednesday 7th June 1916 Today I saw battle, diary. Today I saw death at the height of his terrible power. I flew two missions today. Both were bombing runs. The first was to attack the rail marshalling yards at Athies. We climbed and flew over the lines. I saw clouds of earth mushrooming as a barrage struck the war torn ground. My bombs fell well at the target and I believe we caused some disruption to the supplies for the German attack on Vimy Ridge. On the way back we passed over the ruins of Arras. Oh, what a mess! Worse was to come. On the way home we were attacked by two monoplanes - Fokker Eindeckers, I'm told. They killed Richardson and his observer Mason. I tried to organise a defensive circle but this was completely ineffective. On returning to Savy, we learned that Cotton and Ward had been shot down too. No rest though! The offensive to the south required that we bomb the enemy positions to the north of the offensive proper. We dropped our ordinance but I doubt we hit anything that wasn't already shot to blazes. We were caught off guard by two more Fokkers. One took an especial liking to me and put some holes in my tailplane. A lot of holes. Soon I was forced to land on our side of the lines. Rowena and Mayall weren't so lucky. My first day in the war and we have lost 3 machines and 6 men. Father; should this be sent to you, understand that I chose to join the fyling corps. I am here to do my duty. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Diary of Algernon Didsworthy Saturday 10th June 1916 Once again we were sent to Courcellette. Once again I was forced to land by enemy action. This time, I have been wounded by a bullet to the leg. It didn't hurt at first, but the blow felt like I had been hit hard by the schoolmaster's cane. I dove for the west and we were able to escape, but soon the pain arrived. It felt as though I had a hot poker boring into my flesh. I couldn't gain altitude (again) and so had to go down and land. This was just behind the lines and soon I felt hands grabbing me and pulling me out. Oddly, I became aware of the shouting of the soldiers only after they had their hands on me. Belden had been hit as well and we were taken to a clearing station. It was busy as you might expect on the edge of a major assault. I saw some things that I would not like to recount. I had lost a lot of blood, but thankfully still had enough in me to be dressed and sent back up the line to Beaumont for less urgent assessment. In truth, the jolting of the tender on that road hurt more than the bullet strike. That was two days ago. In the air, everything moves so fast. On the ground, the war moves terribly slowly. I am now back at Savy under the observation of our own MO. Fresh Bandages every day and plenty of tea! I do keep asking for a pretty nurse, but the MO tells me they are for officers only. Must ask Belden about that.

We could do with a thread for that, or use the existing after action reports thread I guess. I've got a diary for flight reports and diary entries for my pilots (present and future). Two bombing runs and a reconnaissance flight. But flying BE2s we've not gone a flight without losing at least one machine. We can't keep that up surely. I'll publish the better bits in clumps I think.

My pilot, Algernon Didsworthy is injured until next Monday. That active is a result of me trying to avoid the 'pilot is dead' trouble. Well done, theultimat

What about minor injuries? My first DiD pilot has taken a bullet from an Eindekker over the Somme. The roll from WOFF was "light injuries" and 8 days out. On Jim_Atrill's form, reporting him injured takes me to a 'how did your pilot die?' form. Is Algernon Didsworth dead?

A query regarding time management. The workshop settings are auto/manual time advance. Once we are flying, are we advancing to keep the date the same as today? For example, 7th July 2014=7th July 1916 and then if I next fly 4 real days later I must advance through to 11th July 1916. Edit: I see you have been asked this on the other forum (I don't generally go there). For anyone else wondering; the answer is that we do advance time to match the current date.

I didn't know you could do that, Corsaire31. Thanks

Is that possible? Is it already in the settings somewhere?

Welcome to the Great War then MrGoTime!

I've said I will be able to fly only 2 sorties per week. Sometimes I may have time to fly more, but I think I have to think of the long run and my other commitments in life. DiD means live flight times, remember!

Posting this here to keep the rules thread clean. How long do you reckon before we start this?

Yes, that is an interesting idea. I'm curious to see what you come up with for balancing quiet and active periods/regions.