Finally Got WOFF

[Sailor Steve]

12 September 1914

Le Petit Maulan;
Noel Kay writes: "No flying today. Still raining. No news of where the German armies have got to."

Paris:
Corrie Aujla writes: "My new job is not hard. It's still raining and still no news of No 3 Squadron. I'm sure it will happen soon."

Fere-en-Tardenois:
Ries Meismer writes: "Waited all day for the rain to lift. At 1630 we were preparing to take off in driving wind and rain when suddenly both let up. We flew from Coulommiers to Fere-en-Tardenois at 1635, taking 57 minutes for the flight. The rain remained light the whole way."

Sainte-Menehould:
Odis Först wirtes: "If anything the rain has gotten worse. The number of troops marching past is dwindling. Word is they are forming up on the east side of the River Aisne, and that they are starting to build some kind of barricades."

Saint-Soupplets:
Filimor Hanse writes: "We are still grounded by this infernal rain. I still haven't seen one single German, or even heard their artillery. I long to be of some service in this so-called "war"."

[Sailor Steve]

13 September 1914

Le Petit Maulan:
Noel Kay writes: "The rain has let up some, but extremely strong winds are keeping us on the ground. Word has come that our forces have crossed the Aisne River and have the Germans pinned down there.

Paris:
Corrie Aujla writes: "Third day pushing the message cart. Still no word on No 3 Squadron."

Fere-en-Tardenois:
Ries Meismer writes: "The rain and wind have picked up again. We managed to get here alright. Now we need to get into the air again."

Buzancy:
Odis Först wirtes: "Hptm Steccius has determined that we fly today. The troops are gone except for a small rear guard, and Ltn Oswald Boelke suggested we sleep in our clothes with weapons at our sides. At 0230 we were awakened by the noise of artillery fire, and we've been up ever since awaiting the sun. Took off at 0730 for Buzancy. Everyone made it safely. 35 minutes."

Saint-Soupplets:
Filimor Hanse writes: "Still waiting for better weather. It feels like I'm going to spend the rest of my life on the ground."

[Sailor Steve]

14 September 1914

All across the front a series of storms keep everything grounded.

Paris:
Corrie Aujla writes: "Got paid a visit from Cpt Carlson. He's been working with the office with some job, and he's been in touch with the group responsible for keeping track of where everyone is. Just this morning he found that No 3 Squadron is in Fere-en-Tardenois, and likely will be for some time. As soon as transport can be arranged we are heading back to our friends, our machines, and our flying!"

[Sailor Steve]

15 September 1914

Most of the front is still rained out, but a couple of interesting things are happening locally.

Verdun:
Noel Kay writes: "1345: We made the move back to Verdun. waited all day for the rain to let up, and it did shortly after noon. We waited some more to make sure it wouldn't come back, and then we took off into a heavy wind. 39 minutes later we were back at the field that feels more like home to me than any aeordrome we've had yet."

Fere-en-Tardenois:
Corrie Aujla writes: "Sometimes you wait forever and nothing happens. Other times they happen so quickly your head spins. We had just finished our breakfast when a sergeant came asking for us. He was there to drive us to our squadron! We departed Paris at 1008. the roads were muddy but we had a good driver, and we pulled into Fère-en-Tardenois some five hours later, at 1553. The driver asked for directions to the aerodrome at a hotel on the entrance to town, and in a couple of minutes we were on our way. at 1610 we pulled up to the brick building that held our office and officer's quarters. Major Salmond was truly shocked to see us standing in front of his desk. His shock turned to delight and there was shaking of hands and clapping of shoulders all around. Other officers were called in and then I was released To the enlisted pilots' tent. Everyone there was also stunned for a moment, and the the cheering began, followed by rounds of story-telling that lasted well into the night. Robbie Reinard was especially glad to see me, as he had spent so much time wondering if the Captain and I were alive, dead, prisoners, or who knows what? The only bad part of all this is that even though I'm back with the squadron I am still unable to fly again due to this ongoing rain."

Ries Meismer writes: "Still unable to fly. There was some hubbub over at the tents of No 3 Squadron, with whom we share the field. It seems that a couple of long-lost pilots, separated from their unit back when the Germans took Maubeuge, have suddenly turned up again.

[Sailor Steve]

16 September 1914

All across the front it is still raining. The ground war continues with fighting along the Aisne River, but the only flying recorded is by Cpl Filimor Hance of Escadrille MS 26: "0503 Took advantage of a break in the rain to move from Saint-Soupplets to our new base at Pisseleux. 57 minutes."

[Sailor Steve]

17 September 1914

Bad weather continues across the entire front. The Battle of the Aisne goes on, but without aerial reconnaissance.

[Sailor Steve]

18 September 1914

Heavy fighting rages around Noyon and Reims, but the planes are still grounded.