Finally Got WOFF

[Sailor Steve]

22 September 1914

In real life there was a bombing raid by two British planes on a Zeppelin shed. A second raid turned back due to the weather. Everything else was grounded, including all of my pilots. Meanwhile the ground war rages on. That, and a lot of naval stuff going on in the Pacific.

[Sailor Steve]

23 September 1914

The weather starts to clear a little and some squadrons are flying again, with varying results.

Fere-en-Tardenois
Corrigan Aujla writes: "Cloudy, but no rain. 0546: First time flying in more than four weeks. They had me practicing take-offs and landings all morning. 33 minutes. Captain Carlson went on an orientation flight with Sgt Holmes. After they returned the Captain started shouting at the Sergeant. Major Salmond came out, dismissed Lance Holmes and went with Captain Carlson back into his office. Later in the day the Major took the Captain on a flight, after which the Captain retired to the officers' quarters."

From the same airfield Ries Meismer writes: "0447: No rain! went on a long flight to the Aisne area. Seems to be a lot of fighting, but no major movements. 2 hours 56 minutes."

Anvers
Filimor Hance writes: "0852: Made two flights today, each of about two hours. Nowhere near the fighting, but Bruno Seigneurie thinks he has the answer. They don't believe we're ready and don't want to risk us until we've gained more experience. If that's true, then I guess I'll have to live with it. Soon enough we'll see some action."

[Sailor Steve]

24 September 1914

At Verdun, Esc 13 is still grounded by rain.

Fere-en-Tardenois, 3 Squadron
Corrie Aujla writes: "I was kept from flying today. Major Salmond took me into his office and started asking me questions about Captain Carlson. What was he like in the air? Had he ever shouted at me? Had he ever tried to strike me? I eventually mustered the courage to ask what was going on, and he said that when it was all resolved he tell me what he could. For the meantime I was not to speak of this to anyone. Of course all the enlisted pilots wanted to know what was going on, and it was all I could do not to tell them anyway. What kept me in line was the thought that it could mean my career. For the time being I'm saying nothing, and won't broach the subject with Major Salmond again until he chooses to tell me something."

Fere-en-Tardenois, 4 Squadron
Ries Meismer writes: "Several flights went up today. Due to a shortage of available machines I was not one of them."

Pontfaverger
Odis Först srites: "Overcast, but no rain. I get to fly today! 1458: Patrolled over the fighting near Reims. 2 hours 2 minutes."

Anvers
Filimor Hance writes: "1258: One long flight, up to Beavais and then north. Halfway from Beauvais we turned back to Paris and Anvers. 2 hours 51 minutes."

[Sailor Steve]

25 September 1914

Verdun
Noel Kay writes: "1516: Patrolled north of Sedan and back. 2 hours 21 minutes."

Fere-en-Tardenois, No 3 Squadron
Corrigan Aujla writes: "0638: Sent up to familiarize myself with the region. 1 hour 3 minutes. After lunch I was introduced to Captain Arnold Williamson, and told that he would be my observer from now on."

Fere-en-Tardenois, No 4 Squadron
Ries Meismer writes: "0758: We made an observation flight up to Laon. We did see some German army movement, and they did shoot at us. They missed. 2 hours 7 minutes."

Pontfaverger
Odis Först writes: "Fairly nice day. 0515: Long patrol over the lines. 3 hours 3 minutes."

Anvers
Filimor Hance writes: "1603: Flew around the city, then southward. 2 hours 45 minutes."

[Sailor Steve]

26 September 1914

Verdun
Noel Kay writes: "0452: Flew up to Charleville, then to Sedan and south back to Verdun. Noted several enemy positions. 1 hour 53 minutes."

Fere-en-Tardenois, No 3 Squadron
Corrigan Aujla writes: "0755: First flight with Capt Williamson. He's a nice enough fellow, if a litle dour. Patrolled between Chateau-Thierry and Paris, looking for any Germans slipping through.
Didn't find any, but had a good flight. 2 hours 38 minutes."

Fere-en-Tardenois, No 4 Squadron
Ries Meismer writes: "1019: Patrol between Chateau-Tierry and Laon, looking for German forces trying to flank our own. 1 hour 55 minutes."

Pontfaverger
Odis Först writes: "0846: Flew west and south. Fighting is heavy along the Aisne. 1 hour 54 minutes."

Anvers
Filimor Hance writes: "0603: Flew west of the city, then south. 1 hour 42 minutes."

[Sailor Steve]

27 September 1914

Verdun
Noel Kay writes: "0659: Flew over the lines, looking for unusual movements. 1 hour 28 minutes"

Fere-en-Tardenois, No 3 Squadron
Corrigan Aujla writes: "1047: Patrolled between Paris and Chateau-Thierry and Paris again. 2 hours 38 minutes."

Fere-en-Tardenois: No 4 Squadron
Ries Meismer writes: "1228: Patrolled the area around Laon again. The German trenches begun at Reims are now being expanded to include Laon."

Pontfaverger
Odis Först writes: "1054: Patrolled between Compiegne and Laon, looking for possible flanking movements by the enemy."

Anvers
Filimor Hance writes: "0800: Flew north to Beauvais and back, plus a circle of the City. 2 hours 8 minutes."

[Sailor Steve]

28 September 1914

Verdun
Noel Kay writes: "0842: Flew up around Sedan. 1 hour 44 minutes."

Fere-en-Tardenois, No 3 Squadron
Corrigan Aujla writes: "1339: Flew up around Laon. 1 hour 46 minutes."

Fere-en-Tardenois, No 4 Squadron
Ries Meisner srites: "1454: Traded places with No 3 Sqdn. They patrolled up by Laon while we ran back and forth between Paris and Chatea-Thierry. 3 hours 22 minutes. I finally got a chance to talk to that chap from No 3, the one who went missing for two weeks. I asked him for details and he said "Well, we got caught out when the Huns took Maubeuge. Caught a truck convoy that took us all the way to Beauvais. Stayed there for a few days. The higher-ups caught us up and moves us to Paris. We stayed there until they had time to shunt us back here. Actually I'm unhappy about it. If it hadn't happened I'd have at least ten more flying hours behind me." I was expecting a long story with lots of adventures. Anyway, I also got to compliment him on the reputation he's gained for his perfect landings. every time. Our own commander makes us watch when he comes in. All he said to that was "Well, the one you made today wasn't half bad." I said I learned from watching the best. He didn't seem to like that much, so I let it drop."

Pontfaverger
Odis Först writes: "1336: Flew down to the south of Epernay, well into enemy territory. 2 hours 34 minutes."

Anvers
Filimor Hance writes: "1039: Flew up to Chantilly, then to Beauvais, then west of Paris, then home. 2 hours."