1ere Escadrille
4 Flint
PilotStatus: ok
Squadron: Escadrille 1ere
Aircraft: Nieuport 17
AircraftStatus: ok
TimeIn: 1 hour+
narrative: Took off with Rogier#5 on an escort mission for #19. We hooked up with him over our lines and escorted 19
to his first target. He seemed to complete his first mission and we began heading west to refuel at a nearby base. As we
headed out of hun territory I spotted 2 distant aircraft East of us. I felt certain they were hun fighters, I signaled
Rogier but he might have been to far away to see me. We kept our heading and I watched the hun flight head in the opposite
direction. Either they hadn't seen us or couldn't catch up to us. They soon disappeared from view.
We headed across the lines and headed for a base to refuel. I watched Wehner#19 descend to the base below safely. I
signaled Rogier to follow and began my landing approach. After dropping 1000 meters in alt I noticed machine gun fire to
the north. I aborted the landing and headed that way. I could see flak and aa guns firing like crazy at the nearby depot.
Approaching closer I could make out a lone hun flying very low. He was heading southeast and crossed over the base we
were about to land at and directly under Rogier and I.
I dropped down onto his tail with Rogier right behind me. Both of us opened up on the #13 Roland. He began trying to
evade while heading for his lines. I looked behind me a couple of times expecting his escort to show at any time. Sure
enough I could make out a plane coming behind us. I signaled to Rogier a hun was approaching our 6. I turned back and
watched him pass by me firing his guns. I was surprised to see it was another Roland #12 and not a fighter.
I latched onto the tail of #12 and began peppering him with lead. Rogier broke off of #13 and joined in with me. #12
began descending and headed east to his lines with the two of us firing away at him. I looked up and to my dismay saw #13
climbing away for home. I broke off of #12 and began a long chase after 13.
I could see Rogier still plugging away on 12 as they got lower and lower crossing nml. I kept on 13 and gradually
managed to catch up. I began firing at him, scoring several hits. I even managed to shred some fabric on his plane.
Unfortunately between shooting at 12 and 13 I had used up all my ammo. Just at that moment I glanced behind me as I had
been doing occasionally during the chase. Hun 2-seaters with no escort was almost to good to be true. Just as I ran out
of ammo I spotted 2 planes above and behind me, rapidly approaching.
I knew they were huns and figured them to be the escort, somehow separated from their charges. I dove for my lines
back west as I was now nearly into hunland from the long chase. One of them dove on me as I passed by them. I began a
climbing turn and cursed myself for running out of ammo so far from home.
Luckily I was able to avoid serious damage, but my rudder took quite a beating. I climbed away from the first attacker
and began heading west again. I spotted the second hun plane still above me though. He made his attack and again I was
able to avoid with minimal damage.
I climbed up again and headed west for friendly territory. The Huns did not give chase and I left them quickly behind.
Once over friendly territory I pointed my nose for the nearest base. I was losing altitude rapidly for speed hoping to
make it home before I ran into more trouble. Nearing the base I glanced behind me and saw a plane high behind me. The
plane sent off a flare and I thought it could be Rogier trying to hook back up with me. I kept on my heading though since
I was damaged and out of ammo. He could follow me to base if he wanted to wing up.
I watched as he dove down behind me to catch up. I considered for a moment that he could actually be a hun and not
Rogier. Just to be on the safe side I turned back into his approach, deciding it would be better not to give him a tail
shot incase it was a hun. As we drew near he opened up and I soon saw the hun cross on a D2. I was a bit shocked as I
thought it was Rogier for sure and surely even my luck couldn't be that bad. I was able to avoid his attack and climbed
away from him. I headed for a different base and the hun #5 gave up his chase. I landed safely and met up with Rogier
for another patrol.
We looked around in hunland for Wehner, but were never able to find him again. We patrolled some of our installations
then headed back to base to end an eventful day.
Flint
5 Sergent Willy Rogier
PilotStatus: ok
Squadron: Escadrille 1ere
Aircraft: Nieuport 17
AircraftStatus: ok
TimeIn: 1 hour+
Claims: Shot down #12 Roland CL.II 2 seater
narrative: While on patrol, my FL spotted an EA 2-seater. It appeared unescorted and we attacked. Soon after, another
EA came to their aid. After a couple of roundy-bouts, I found that the other EA was another 2 seater. The one 2 seater
climbed away (#13?) and my FL chased him. I pursued CL.II Roland #12. After many rounds, it finally appeared to slow and
stalled, crashing at 21:38 over the lines.
5me Escadrille
10 Hudson
PilotStatus: ok
Squadron: Escadrille 1ere
Aircraft: Nieuport 17
AircraftStatus: ok
TimeIn: 1 hour+
Claims: #4 Aviatik, shared #17 w/#13
13 Eon McQuerry
PilotStatus: ok
Squadron: Escadrille 5me
Aircraft: Nieuport 17
AircraftStatus: ok
TimeIn: 1 hour+
Claims: #17 (J27) Forced down behind his lines by Esc 5me #13, #16, #10
narrative: Mission #1
Members: 10, 13, 15, 16, R/B 3
Weather: Poor Cloud Cover: Thick at 2000m a blanket at 3000+
Mission: Escort
Escorted R/B 3 to target and area was heavily defended with AA. Shell burst were all over us at alt and I observered
of R/B hit. He lost altitude over target and was cut to pieces. We returned to base. 16 was forced to land due to
mechanical problems but found a truck to bring him and his plane back to drome.
Mission #2
Members: 10, 13, 15, R/B 17
Weather: Poor Cloud Cover: Thick at 2000m a blanket at 3000+
Mission: Escort
Formed up at base to escort 17 to target. Mechanical failure caused engine to freeze and explode while setting on
base ("B" Key 9:56EST). Luckily I was able to put out the fire and was given another scout. We formed up and moved out
towards front. As luck would have it I was forced back to base for a refit (mech 10:08EST).
Weather forced the entire flight to return to base but the R/B pushed on and was later found in a treeline not far
from where we left him. Apparently a rouge Hun scout had found him.
Mission #3
Members: 10, 13, 15, 16
Weather: Poor Cloud Cover: Thick at 2000m a blanket at 3000+
Mission: Patrol
Formed up and headed deep into enemy territory. While climbing to 3000m spotted white dot on horizon moving from
clouds. Signaled lead and gave pursuit. It was a long chase but eventually I engaged and was backed up by 10 and 16.
We pounded the lone enemy scout relentlessly and he was forced to land. Myself and 16, without mercy, straffed him again
and again. Eventually we saw the pilot make it to a tree line but we ensured his scout would never be used to attack one of us
again.
End Report E. McQuerry Out!
15 Ivan Roberts
PilotStatus: ok
Squadron: Escadrille 5me
Aircraft: Nieuport 11
AircraftStatus: ok
TimeIn: 1 hour+
Claims: none
narrative: Saw Hudson and flybert go after a hun bomber and shoot it down ,, Hud was the one who saw him first. Cudden
and I stayed High for cover on that Kill>>>>>> After that one Cudden spotted a Craft flying along with us that turned
out to be EA. The flight pursued this hun for a long time . I went high cover again , It dint look like we where going to
catch this guy, ,,, finally our #13 got him to turn around . As he made a high turn ,, he passed in front of me and I
gave him a couple of what fors. then he dove away , trying to escape these Blood hungry Belgains. they tracked him down
and he landed under fire. the belgians must of been very mad at this guys for the long chase, case they kept up ,firing
on this guy for ,the better part of 5 minutes or better.Our # 13 and # 16 meched out shortly after . Hud and I turned
toward home , and on the way back< Huds NP 17 was out running me. So there I was pooping off whatching Huds plane , when
I herd a motor . I started scanning , and found a hun High on my 6 . so there I was ,,, DEAD meat . I fired off a rocket
to get Hudson to turn around . just when I did the hun broke off .Hud and I pursued for a minute and figured we were to
low on fule for a battle,,,,,,,,,,,RTB exited
16 Ferrell No report
6me Escadrille B/R
3 Royce
PilotStatus: POW
Squadron: Escadrille 6me
Aircraft: BE2c
AircraftStatus: damaged
TimeIn: -1 hour
narrative: "Took off as assigned, and flew to rendevous point to meet escort. Went on a XX course toward target. Flying
at XXXXm encountered no enemy machines. As I approached the target, the flak was as heavy and accurate as I have ever
seen. Took a hit into the fuselage under-carriage, but still proceeded over target". At this point Royce was hit by
several bursts from very heavy ground fire. He took his recon photos, and as he turned to head west, was caught in
deadly crossfire. His controls were shot away and he crashed not far from his target. His plane lost it's top wing and
skided but did not appear to break up or explode. Being fluent in German, he may have survived and escaped on foot back
to Belgian soil with his recon photo's; although this cannot be totally certain.
17 Heinrich
PilotStatus: KIA
Squadron: Escadrille 6me
Aircraft: BE2c
AircraftStatus: destroyed
TimeIn: 1 hour+
Claims: reconned Bridge 29 - No proof photos
narrative: Left Crochte Drome as planned, heading south for the railline. Engine trouble forced us down less than
one mile from base. Hiked back and took up a different be2c. Flew south to railline and circled depot looking for
unexpected escorts (we were 15 minutes late).
Headed towards Bridge and Town. Flight was uneventful; saw no EA or friendlies. Be2c climbs miserably. Made 1600
meters at a ridiculous 60 mph; finally decided to level off and speed up to a blazing 72 mph. My uncles motorcyle would
outrun and outfly these bastard crates!
Air was clear and cameras worked fine. We retraced our flight and arrived in the company of three Neiuports. We
rearmed, refueled, delivered our photo plates of bridge, and reloaded the cameras. Scouts offered escort, which meant
we could take some risk and fly directly back to coordinates. We headed out with us flat out at 120kph at 1000m and the
scouts high at 3000m. It was a grand parade on a beautiful day...
Then everything went to hell. First one the scouts signaled mech and drifted out of formation. Within 10 minutes,
both of our other escorts were gone; we assummed similiar problems. What to do? Since we were over no man's land and
two thirds of the way to target, we headed on alone, guts writhing as we cruised at 1000m, too low. But we wanted to
recon the other targets.
As we approached the entante side of things, Harold (gunner) spotted an aircraft high above us. Hope that it was one
of our lost scouts was crushed as it dove towards us. I turned and dived for home, hoping for speed that I knew was not
there. We were only about one half mile from the green on our side when the d2 caught us. Harold cut loose at him the the
rear gun. Then, I heard Harold groan. I was so enraged at the hun and our hideous luck I tried flying the machine with my
knees, while leaning over Harold's body blazing away the the d2. I had the senseless satisfaction of hearing some of my
shots rip canvas just before the mud appeared rushing too close under my armpits, and I felt a tremendous blow and
everying went black.
19 Wehner
PilotStatus: POW (escaped)
Squadron: Escadrille 6me
Aircraft: Strutter
AircraftStatus: destroyed
TimeIn: 1 hour+
Claims: 2 targets on 1st mission
narrative: [Got 2 targets on first sortie. 2 more on second sortie but was jumped by 2-4 Huns on the way out.
Think I did some damage, but I was forced down none-the-less.]