Part I SQUADRONS & EQUIPMENT ------------------------------------------------------ 1. Squadrons. Esc 1. NOT USED IN THE GAME, see Esc 9 entry, notes and readme.txt ============================================== Esc 2. Type: Recon/Bomber. Starts in game: 1 Mar 16. Aerodromes: Coxyde (6 Nov 14 - 8 Aug 17); Les Moeres (9 Aug 17 - 1 Dec 18). Aircraft: various Farmans (4 Aug 14 - 16 Oct 17); Sopwith Strutter (1 Jul 17 - 24 Apr 18); Breguet XIV (2 Feb 18 - 1 Dec 18). Commanding Officers: Lt Felix Isserentant (2 Oct 14 - 3 Jun 16); Cmdt Felix Isserentant (4 Jun 16 - 1 Dec 18). Quality: Fair. Notes: Use Fe2b/new Voisin graphic for Farmans. =================================================== Esc 3. Type: Recon/Bomber. Starts in game: 1 Mar 16. Aerodromes: Coxyde (7 Nov 14 - 14 Sep 17); Les Moeres (15 Sep 17 - 1 Dec 18). Aircraft: Voisin III LB (18 Aug 14 - 12 Jun 16); various Farmans (19 May 15 - 12 Aug 17); RE8 (3 Jun 17 - 1 Mar 18); Breguet XIV (20 Feb 18 - 1 Dec 18). Commanding Officers: Cmdt Richard Dhanis (13 Feb 15 - 1 Dec 18). Quality: Average. Notes: Use Fe2b/new Voisin graphic for Voisins/Farmans. Late 17 there were 5 Pups integral to the unit which flew escort for the 2-seaters. I don't know how long they lasted with the unit but would assume 5 Pups would get worn out or lost through accidents eventually, so my end date is pure conjecture (16 Sep 17 - 20 Jun 18). There were only ever 6 delivered to the Belgian Govt and 1 is known to have gone to Esc 10 (there is a photo of a Pup carrying the comet insignia). In RB2 I have ignored them. =================================================== Esc 4. Type: Recon/Bomber(hex00), Fighter(hex01). Starts in game: 1 Mar 16 (Esc4 hex00), becomes player usable 17 Mar 18 (Esc4 hex01). Aerodromes: Houthem (7 Nov 14 - 1Jan 18); Hondschoote, France (2 Jan 18 - 1 Dec 18). Aircraft: various Farmans (18 Aug 14 - 20 Oct 17); Sopwith Strutter (8 Mar 17 - 19 Sep 17); RE8 (5 Jul 17 - 1 Mar 18); Spad XI (6 Feb 18 - 1 Dec 18); Sopwith Camel (17 Mar 18 - 1 Dec 18). Commanding Officers: Capt Jean Hagermans (21 Feb 15 - 1 Feb 18); Cmdt Pierre Richard (2 Feb 18 - 1 Dec 18). Quality: Average. Notes: Use Fe2b/new Voisin graphic for Farmans. We need a set of Spad XI bitmaps. I suggest we use the Strutter as performance will be close enough. Late war, a number of Camels were integral to the unit and flew escort for the 2-seaters, so this esc will need two hex bases to operate from - the scout half and the 2-seater half. Cam has a fix for this, per 1AFC, Palestine. =================================================== Esc 5 (this is the 2-seater half of Esc 5/10). Type: Recon/Bomber. Starts in game: 1 Mar 16. Aerodromes: Coxyde (2 Jan 16 - 15 Jun 17); Les Moeres (16 Jun 17 - 1 Apr 18); Houthem (2 Apr 18 - 1 Dec 18). Aircraft: various Farmans (22 Sep 14 - 31 Jul 16); BE2c (2 Feb 16 - 31 Sep 17); Spad XI (20 Aug 17 - 1 Dec 18): Breguet XIV (12 Feb 18 - 1 Dec 18). Commanding Officers: Lt Edmond Moulin (9 Feb 15 - 31 May 16); Cmdt Edmond Moulin (1 Jun 16 - 31 Jul 16); Capt Jules Dony (1 Aug 16 - 31 Mar 18), Cmdt Hugon (1 Apr 18 - 1 Dec 18). Quality: Average. Notes: Use FE2b/new Voisin graphic for Farmans. Only problem here is that a worse game performance (the BE2) a/c comes in later than a better performance one. Would the punters notice? =================================================== Escadrille Hydravion. NOT USED IN THE GAME - COASTAL PATROL/ANTI-SHIPPING UNIT. =================================================== Esc 6. Type: Recon/Bomber(hex00), Fighter(hex01). Starts in game: 1 Mar 16 (Esc6 hex00), becomes player usable 14 Mar 18 (Esc6 hex01). Aerodromes: Houthem (1 Mar 16 - 1 Dec 18). Aircraft: BE2c (1 Mar 16 - 19 Jun 17); RE8 (20 May 17 - 11 Mar 18); Spad XI (19 Feb 18 - 1 Dec 18); Sopwith Camel (14 Mar 18 - 1 Dec 18). Commanding Officers: Capt Rene Hedo (1 Mar 16 - 12 Dec 17); Cmdt Roger Desmet (13 Dec 17 - 1 Dec 18). Quality: Poor. Notes: Need to draw Spad XI bitmaps over Strutter. The few Camels were integral to the unit and flew escort for the 2-seaters, so this esc will need two hex bases to operate from - the scout half and the 2-seater half. Cam has fix for this. =================================================== Esc 7. Type: Recon/Bomber. Starts in game: 1 Jun 17 Aerodromes: Houthem (1 Jun 17 - 1 Dec 18). Aircraft: Farman MF40 (1 Jun 17 - 16 May 18); Spad XI (10 Mar 18 - 1 Dec 18); Hanriot HD.1 (2 Mar 18 - 1 Dec 18). Commanding Officers: Cmdt Jean Jaumotte (1 Jun 17 - 1 Dec 18). Quality: Poor. Notes: In Apr 18 this sqn had only 1 photo Farman on strength but 8 Hanriots. This however may be a misinterpretation of the fact that there *was* only 1 Farman but the number of Spad XIs present was not stated? It should be player usable, so this esc will need two hex bases to operate from - the scout half and the 2-seater half. Cam has fix for this. Like Esc 6, I've given it a low quality rating to represent it's lack of fighter practice/tactics. =================================================== Esc 8. NOT USED IN THE GAME - NIGHT BOMBING UNIT. =================================================== Esc 9. Type: Fighter. Starts in game: 1 Mar 16, becomes player usable 1 Mar 16. Aerodromes: Coxyde (17 Oct 14 - 11 Jun 16); Les Moeres (12 Jun 16 - 21 Oct 18); Moerkerke (22 Oct 18 - 1 Dec 18). Aircraft: Nieu.11 (22 Feb 16 - 30 Aug 17); Nieu.17 (18 Nov 16 - 2 Mar 18); Nieu.24 (4 Jun 17 - 1 Dec 18); Hanriot HD.1 (22 Aug 17 - 1 Dec 18). Commanding Officers: Capt Arsene Demanet (22 Feb 15 - 10 Jun 16); Capt Fernand Jacquet (11 Jun 16 - 11 Dec 17); Capt Walter Gallez (12 Dec 17 - 25 Sep 18); Cmdt Walter Gallez (26 Sep 18 - 1 Dec 18). Quality: Veteran. Notes: Thistle adopted as insignia from June 17. 22 Mar 18, unit becomes part of new Groupe de Chasse. In early 1916 the Nieu.11 is actually the Nieu.10 but differences in shape/performance are minimal, the 10 being just slightly bigger. There were 2-seat versions of the N.10 on strength but the esc used them as scouts with the added firepower of a rear gunner, not as an observation machine. The N.10 was phased out in July 16. N.16s were on strength too mid-1916 but use the N.11 for these. The N.24 is in fact the N.23 but we won't worry about that little detail. This esc was numbered 1 from 1914 to March 1918 when it was renumbered and Esc 1 became a maintenance and depot unit. Have used number 9 as this was the number when it's most famous aces were flying and to avoid RB2 game conflicts. =================================================== Esc 10 (this is the scout half of Esc 5/10). Type: Fighter. Starts in game: 1 Aug 16, becomes player usable 1 Aug 16. Aerodromes: Coxyde (2 Jan 16 - 15 Jun 17); Les Moeres (16 Jun 17 - 21 Oct 18); Moerkerke (22 Oct 18 - 1 Dec 18). Aircraft: Nieu.11 (1 Aug 16 - 5 Jul 17); Nieu.17 (22 Nov 16 - 12 Apr 18); Nieu.24 (18 Jun 17 - 1 Dec 18); Spad VII (19 Sep 17 - 1 Dec 18); Spad XIII (16 Apr 18 - 1 Dec 18). Commanding Officers: Capt Jules Dony (1 Aug 16 - 1 Oct 18 [KIA]); Lt Louis Robin (6 Oct 18 - 1 Dec 18). Quality: Veteran. Notes: Comet adopted as insignia from June 17. 22 Mar 18 unit becomes part of new Groupe de Chasse, see Esc 9 notes above. The Nieu.24 is actually the 23 (same applies to Esc 9) but in game terms we can let this one by. This Esc was numbered 5 from 1916 to March 1918 when it was renumbered and Esc 5 then became a 2-seater esc. Have used number 10 as this was the number when it's most famous aces were flying and to avoid RB2 game conflicts. =================================================== Esc 11. Type: Fighter. Starts in game: 28 Apr 18, becomes player usable 28 Apr 18. Aerodromes: Les Moeres (28 Apr 18 - 21 Oct 18); Moerkerke (22 Oct 18 - 1 Dec 18). Aircraft: Hanriot HD.1 (28 Apr 18 - 1 Dec 18); Sopwith Camel (28 Apr 18 - 1 Dec 18). Commanding Officers: Capt Paul Hiernaux (18 May 18 - 27 Jun 18); Cmdt Paul Hiernaux (28 Jun 18 - 1 Dec 18). Quality: Good. Notes: 'Cocotte' or folded paper in shape of a chicken adopted as insignia from date of formation. This was previously Willy Coppens' personal badge, used with his permission. 2. General Notes on the Squadrons. 1. These are 'RB2 game histories', so real unit histories prior to 1916, plus real a/c types are not shown, having been converted to RB2 equivalents. The full historical picture will go on the website. 2. I think we can open the Belgian game campaign on 1st Mar 16, just after 9 Esc re-equipped as a scout squadron. Esc 10 becomes a player usable sqn on 1st Aug 16 and Esc 11 is player usable 1st May 18. The scout flights of Esc 4, 6 and 7 become player useable on 1st March '18. 3. Belgian records are excellent for the scout squadrons but poor for the 2-seat sqns. I have had to use conjecture for the recon sqns but have slotted in all the factual data I have and where the facts are thin have guesstimated as realistically as I possibly could with the sources I have available. I think I have done a better job than Dynamix would have done and am happy with the result. 3. The changes of name from Esc 1 to Esc 9 and from Esc 5 to Esc 10 have caused me problems. Check the readme.txt for my eventual fix. 4. The Esc 9 and Esc 10 insignia, although being adopted quite late in the war could go on the a/c from the formation of the sqns as it looks nice (historical accuracy is all well and good but I'm a sucker for pretty planes too!). 5. Personal badges on the a/c of individual pilots: Adjt Goethals (Esc 10) had a sparrow-hawk painted on the side of his a/c; Adjt Roobaert (Esc 9) carried the word 'Fox-Trot'; Adjt Franchomme (Esc 9) had blue, white and red chequered wheel covers; S/Lt Crombez (Esc 4) had the word 'Vampire'. Leon Colignon (Esc 6) had a roaring Gorilla both sides of a/c nose. Capt Demanet (Esc 9) 4 leaf clover on a/c cowling. Charles de Munck (Esc 9) clover decorated on cowling (3 or 4 leaf? Don't know.); Charles Ciselet (Escs 4&5) had a/c named 'Flo-Flo' on fuselage sides; Edmond Desclee (Esc 10) within the esc's comet insignia had script reading "va ou je te pousse" (beat it or I'll make you); Walter Gallez, (C.O. of Esc 9) - Hanriot had blue upper tail surfaces with white swallow tail on it; Pierre Dubois (Esc 9) upper surface of tail was blue with a white lightening flash on each. Paul Hanciau (Esc 9) had the word "Soit!" (let it be) on the side of his a/c. 6. The fighter pilots attached in the early days to the recon esc were issued the 2-seater versions of the Nieu.10, which in it's single seat configuration was the a/c used by the early Esc de Chasse (Esc 9 and 10). So while a fighter pilot is identified above in Esc 4, this was a 2-seater machine. There were 1 or 2 such a/c per recon sqn but it's not worth representing them in the game. 7. Can the number of a/c on missions be manipulated? The AMB flew it's scouts singly, then by late 1916 in pairs and ONLY in pairs until 15 Feb 17 when on that day Esc 10 put 7 a/c up. 8. Is it possible to manipulate the mission types? Most Belgian scout missions were escorts to the 2-seat boys, with defensive and offensive patrols. Balloon attacks are fine, but no enemy aerodrome attacks. 3. The Enemy. The principal German formation facing the Belgian army was 4.Armee which held the line from Ypres to the Yser. 1916: FA 6, FA 33 and (in the autumn/fall) Jasta 8 were based at Roulers. All these flew early Aviatik and Albatros C types and Eindeckers. 1917-1918: the temporary formation "Jagdgruppe Dixmuiden" was formed on 20 Oct under Ltn Harold Auffarth. It drew upon the services of (but did not actually have command over) Jastas 7, 29, 33 and 35b. On 7 Feb 18 a rotation of units brought Jastas 7, 16b and 51 into "Dixmuiden's" area, under command of Oblt Hand Gandert. On 1 Mar 18 Jagdgruppe Dixmuiden was formally constituted as JG6. Gandert now commanded Jastas 7, 28w and 51. On 9 Mar 18 Jasta 47 was added but it moved away again on 29 Mar 18. Jasta 56 took it's place on 12 Apr 18. On 5 May 18 Jastas 7, 40s, 51 and 56 were on strength of JG6. Jasta 16b returned on 11 May 18 and Jasta 20 was added on 6 Jun 18. On 1 Oct 18 after Oblt Gandert was taken POW, Hptm Erhard Milch became the C.O. of Jastas 7, 20, 40s and 51. The Marine Jagdgruppe also operated on the Belgian coast. The two Seefrontstaffeln (coastal fighter squadrons) I and II were formed at Nieuwmunster in Oct 17 to act as security for the MFA 2 floatplanes. They flew Alb D.III(later D Va) and Pfalz D.III and in mid 1918 had these gradually replaced by Fok D.VII. In Feb 17 the Marinefeld Jasta (MFJ I) appeared, formed at Nieuwmunster flying Alb D.II and D.IIIs . In about May it moved to Aertrycke. MFJ II was formed in Oct 17 at Coolkerke, flying Pfalz D.IIIs. In Apr 18 it moved to Jabbeke, receiving Alb D.Va's and later Fok D.VIIs. MFJ III was formed at Jabbeke in Jun 18. It briefly flew Pfalz D.IIIs until these could be replaced with Fok D.VIIs in Jul/Aug 18. These three MFJs formed the Marine Jagdgruppe. From Oct 17 this higher formation was formally recognised, MFJ III joining it later. In Sep 18 MFJs IV and V were formed, also at Jabbeke and flying Fok D.VIIs. These units were all under the command of Ltn zur See Gotthard Sachsenberg, later renamed the Royal Prussian Marine Jagdgeschwader. Other Jastas who encountered Belgian a/c were Jasta 2 and 56, pilots from both claiming Belgian scouts shot down. Jasta 56 was probably on it's tour with Jagdgruppe Dixmuiden at the time. 1918: 2-seat units on 4.Armee front in Jan 18 were: Schutzstaffeln 11, 18, 23, 26, 29 and 33; FA A 19, 204, 213, 224, 231, 233, 238, 256 and 293; FA 8, 48 and 65; Kampfgeschwaders 15, 16 and 17 and the two Riesenflugzeug-geschwadern 501 and 502. 4. Allies. Several RNAS sqns flew in the area of the Flanders coast from 1915 on, operating particulalry closely with the Belgians was 4 RNAS, so closely in fact that on more than one occasion 4 RNAS a/c shot down Belgian pilots. In Aug 18 the French Groupe de Combat 23 was formed and sent to operate with the AMB. I don't know what a/c this flew, but GdeCombat implies two seaters, rather than GdeChasse, which were scouts. In mid Oct 18, 61 Wing RAF was based at the former German aerodrome of Varssenaere (what a/c?). 65 Sqn RFC active over Belgian area Feb 18 (unsure how long thou'). 5. Weather. The North Sea Coast area had by far the worst weather anywhere on the western front, mainly due to strong coastal winds. In 1915 105 days were completely unsuitable for flying, in 1916 146 days were unsuitable with no fewer than 21 days in December 1916 alone. Jan 17 had 16 days bad weather. 1917 had a total of 113 days bad weather but 1918 had just 66. From February 1915 to November 1918 for 432 out of 1,380 days the weather was so poor that no Belgian fighter unit sent up planes, approx 1/3rd of the war. Can the game lower the frequency of missions to represent this? If not I think it's best to suggest to players flying Belgian campaign pilots to set the mission frequency to 1 which will give fewest missions. 6. Map. 1 Avecapelle 12 Eesen 23 Kortewilde 34 Messines 45 St-Georges 2 Beerst 13 Fort Knocke 24 Lampernisse 35 Middelkerke 46 St-Jacques-Capelle 3 Bixschoote 14 Gheluvelt 25 Langemarck 36 Nieucapelle 47 Staden 4 Blankaert Lake15 Gheluwe 26 La Panne 37 Passchendaele 48 Stampkot 5 Boitshoucke 16 Ghistelles 27 Leffinghe 38 Pervyse 49 Stuyvekenskerke 6 Bovekerke 17 Handzaeme 28 Leke 39 Praat Bosch 50 Tervaete 7 Caeskerke 18 Hazewind 29 Les Moeres 40 Ramscapelle 51 Vladsloo 8 Clerken 19 Houthem 30 Linde 41 Ruiterhoek 52 Westende 9 Cortemarck 20 Houthulst 31 Lombartzyde 42 Schoorbakke 53 Woumen 10 Couckelaere 21 Houthulst Forest 32 Mannekensvere 43 Schoore 54 Zarren 11 Coxyde 22 Keyem 33 Merckem 44 Slype 55 Zwartegat Part 2 PILOT LIST, ACES, RANKS & DECORATIONS 1. Pilot names. These names are for the random pilot name generator. They are 95% genuine with only a few 'conversions' from other Belgian services plus a handful of made up ones. None were aces or esc commanders. Alvin Alkemade Arnold Behaeghe Victor Benoidt Anthony Benselin Pierre Boschmans Pierre Braun Emil Bronne Charles de Bueger Louis de Burlet Roget Castiau Pierre de Caters Louis de Chestret Pierre de Chestret Davide Chappelle Charles Ciselet Marcel Ciselet Maurice Ciselet Robert Ciselet (the 4 Ciselet brothers) Guy Coerp Leon Colignon Constant Coomans Gabriel Coppens Albert Van Cotthem Leon Cremers Henri Crombez Maurice de Crombrugghe Felix Dallemagne Rene Declercq Arsene Delaunoit Edmond Desclee Georges Dhanis Pierre Dubois Charles Dumont Louis Fin-Faire Maurice 'Teddy' Franchomme Karl Frantz Paul Gausdaen Phillipe Gausdaen Joseph Gilles Arsene Glibert Jules Goosens Alfred Gordinne Henri Gordinne Leon Guillon Claude Hagermans Paul Hanciau Albert de Haneffe Albert Hedo Charles Hellebaut Roger de Hendecourt Willy Heyvaert Albert Hoemtens Jules Holbrechts Budget Van Hyre Antoine Jacquet Maurice Jamar Felix Kiewit Robert Lagrange James Lamarche Ernest Lambert Jules de Laminne Claude Lebon Michel Leclercq Jacques Ledure Robert de Leener Jean Leman Edmond Lettenhoeve Jules Lemaire Edmond Leonard Leon Lhermitte Paul de Liedekerke Rene Looringhe Clement Marcq Max Martin Emile Mathieu Georges Medaets Maurice Medaets Jan de Meerendre Jan de Meeus Baudouin de Montens Ernest Moulin Alfred Mouton Robert Mulders Charles de Munck Jan de Neef Georges Nelis Florent Noirsain Guy d'Oosterwyck Max Orban Jose Orta Gilbert Ory Paul Pailhe Albert la Panne Alex de Petrowski Lucien Poot Justin Portaer Roland van Pyschaens Egide Quenault John de Roest Alberic Rolin Robert Rondeau Egide Roobaert Willy de Roy Guy Ruysschaert Gaston de Ruyter Georges Sains-Berrie Henri Sainte Alfred Sarteel Johann Schmidt Maurice Siraut Robert Smits Martin Soilleux Jules Soumoy Christophe Staedmenn Louis Stellingwerff Georges Sterpin Charles de Tresco Pierre Tryschaert Jules Tyck Carlos Verbessem Romeo Verhaegen Armand Verhoustraten Eddie Vertongen Hans Vindevoghel Jean van der Voordt Joseph Vuylsteke Fernand Waroux Eddie Weekers Louis Weilryck Frederic de Woelmont Fernand de Woot Charles Wouters 2. Aces. 1). Willy Coppens: 1917: 7 Jul enemy bomber 30 Sep enemy bomber from Kasta 18 1 Oct enemy bomber 1918: 12 Mar Albatros C.V 25 Apr enemy fighter from Jasta 36 5 KILLS = ACE 8 May balloon 8 May balloon 15 May balloon (rammed using wheels) 19 May balloon 5 Jun balloon 9 Jun balloon 10 Jun balloon 24 Jun balloon 24 Jun Hanover CL.III 30 Jun balloon 30 Jun balloon 30 Jun balloon 14 Jul balloon 16 Jul balloon 19 Jul balloon 20 Jul balloon 22 Jul balloon 22 Jul balloon 22 Jul balloon 24 Jul balloon 3 Aug balloon 10 Aug balloon 10 Aug balloon 10 Aug balloon 24 Aug balloon 24 Aug balloon 3 Sep balloon 4 Sep balloon 27 Sep balloon 27 Sep balloon 29 Sep balloon 2 Oct enemy bomber 3 Oct Rumpler C.IV 3 Oct balloon 5 Oct balloon 5 Oct balloon 14 Oct balloon 14 Oct balloon promotions: from 1st Sgt to Adjt 19 Aug 17, to S/Lt 12 Jun 18, to Lt 22 Aug 18. decorations: British MC 22 Jul 18; British DSO 12 Oct 18; Officier de l'Ordre de Leopold 25 Aug 18; Officier de l'Ordre de la Couronne (post-war); Croix de Guerre (post war). maimed: 14 Oct 18 (invalided out of fighting - leg amputated). squadrons: 15 Apr 17 = Esc 6; 17 Jun 17 = Esc 4; 14 Jul 17 = Esc 9. hospitalisations/absences: maimed from 15 Oct 18. fate: Survived the war, maimed. 2). Jacques Goethals 1917: 2 May enemy bomber 3 Jul enemy aircraft 27 Jul enemy fighter from Jasta 29 27 Sep Albatros D.III from Jasta 26 1918: 23 May enemy bomber 5 KILLS = ACE 11Jun enemy bomber 7 Oct enemy bomber 9 Oct enemy bomber promotions: from Cpl to Sgt on 8 Aug 15, to 1er Sgt on 10 Oct 15, to 1er Sgt Maj on 24 Mar 16, to Adjt 11 Jun 16; to S/Lt 12 May 17. decorations: Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Couronne 22 Jul 18; Croix de Guerre 18 Sep 18. Plus other awards posthumously. squadrons: end Jul 15 = Esc 2, 11 Jul 17 = Esc 10 (until 9 Oct 18). hospitalisations/absences: 21 May - 6 Jul 16, 12 Jan - 30 Apr 17. fate: KIA 9 Oct 18. 3). Etienne Hage 1918: 29 Sep balloon 2 Oct balloon 2 Oct enemy bomber 3 Oct enemy bomber 8 Oct enemy bomber 5 KILLS = ACE 14 Oct balloon promotions: none. Sgt during flying career. decorations: Commandeur de l'Ordre de Leopold II, 15 Oct 18; Croix de Guerre, 15 Oct 18, Medaille Militaire, 15 Oct 18, Croix de Feu, 15 Oct 18, Commandeur de l'Ordre du Sacre Coeur de Jerusalem, 15 Oct 18. squadrons: 14 Sept 18 = Esc 9. hospitalisations/absences: 15 Oct 18 - 11 Nov 18, wounded. fate: Survived the war. Maimed 14 Oct 18 (shattered arm). This wound was incurred when he was flying as wingman to Willy Coppens, who was also maimed and hospitalised that day. Each pilot got 1 balloon. notes: Hage only had 6 combats so every enemy he attacked, he shot down. He died in 1988, at the age of 91, the last living Belgian WWI fighter pilot. 4). Fernand Jacquet 1915: 17 Apr Albatros C.III 20 Jun enemy aircraft 26 Jul Aviatik C.I 1916: 20 May enemy C type floatplane 26 May Aviatik C.I 5 KILLS = ACE 27 May Aviatik C.I 22 Jun LVG C type 23 Jun Fokker E.III 30 Jun Aviatik C.I 8 Jul LVG C type 30 Jul LVG C type of MFA 2 30 Jul LVG C type 1917: 1 Feb Rumpler C.III 1918: 5Jun Fokker Dr.I 4 Oct Rumpler C.IV 6 Nov enemy bomber from FAA 5 promotions: from Lt to Capt 3 Nov 15; to Cmdt 12 Dec 17; decorations: Officier de l'Ordre de la Couronne, Chevalier de l'Ordre de Leopold I; Croix de Guerre; French Croix de Guerre; Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur; Russian Order of St-Anna; British DFC all @ unknown dates. squadrons: 4 Aug 14 = Esc 9, 11 Jun 16 = C.O. Esc 9, 22 Mar 18 = C.O. 1er Groupe de Chasse (Esc 9 and 10, Esc 11 added in May). hospitalisations/absences: none. fate: Survived the war. 5). Georges Kervyn 1917: 12 Jun enemy bomber from FA 3 14 Jun Albatros D.III from MFJ I 5 Aug Albatros D.III 21 Aug Albatros D.III from Jasta 8 24 Sep enemy bomber 5 KILLS = ACE 4 Nov Albatros D.III 1918: 21 Feb enemy bomber 21 Feb Albatros D.Va 26 Mar Pfalz D.III 5923/17 of MFJ II 25 Apr Pfalz D.IIIa 5942/17 of MFJ II 3 May enemy bomber 9 Jul enemy bomber 25 Aug enemy bomber from Seefrontstaffel II promotions: from Sgt to Adjt 21 Oct 17; to S/Lt 11 Sep 18. decorations: Commandeur de l'Ordre de la Couronne, Commandeur de l'Ordre de Leopold II, Officier de l'Ordre de Leopold, Croix de Guerre, Croix de Feu, all @ unknown date. squadrons: 27 May 17 = Esc 9 (where he remained until 11/11/18). hospitalizations/absences: none. fate: Survived the war. 6). Andre de Meulemeester: 1917: 1 Feb Rumpler C.III 30 Apr enemy bomber 2 May enemy bomber 12 Jun enemy bomber from FA 3 15 Jun Albatros D.III 5 KILLS = ACE 10 Jul Albatros C.III 20 Jul Albatros C.III 23 Jul Roland D.II 5 Aug Albatros D.III 21 Aug Albatros C.III 30 Sep enemy bomber from Kasta 18 1 Oct enemy bomber 18 Oct Albatros D.III from Jasta 26 28 Oct Albatros D.III 4 Nov Albatros D.III 17 Nov Albatros D.Va 1918: 16 Feb enemy bomber 21 Feb Rumpler C.IV from FA 7 21 Feb Albatros D.Va 17 Mar Rumpler C.IV from FA 13 26 Mar Pfalz D.III 5923/17 of MFJ II 11 Apr enemy bomber 3 May enemy bomber 9 May enemy bomber 17 May enemy bomber from FA 288b 25 Aug enemy bomber from Seefrontstaffel II 2 Oct Halberstadt CL.II 5 Oct balloon promotions: from Sgt to Adjt 21 May 18; later dates of promotion (S/Lt, Lt) unknown. decorations: Chevalier de l'Ordre de Leopold, Chevalier de l'Ordre de Leopold II, Croix de Guerre, French Croix de Guerre all @ unknown dates. squadrons: 17 Oct 16 = Esc 9 (where he remained until 11/11/18). hospitalizations/absences: off front line duties for 1 month from 21 Aug 17 (wounded while shooting down an Alb C.III). fate: Survived the war. 7). Gustave de Mevius 1917: 2 May LVG C type 30 Sep enemy fighter from Seeflug Stat.Flandern I 1918: 21 Feb enemy bomber 26 Mar Pfalz D.III 5923/17 of MFJ II 25 Apr Pfalz D.III 5942/17 of MFJ II 5 KILLS = ACE 9 May enemy bomber 9 Jul enemy bomber 25 Aug enemy bomber from Seefrontstaffel II 2 Oct Halberstadt CL.II promotions: from Sgt to 1er Sgt 8 Apr 17; to 1er Sgt Major 17 Jun 17; to Adjt 9 Aug 17; S/Lt 10 May 18. decorations: Croix de Guerre on 16 Apr 18; Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Couronne 10 May 18; French Croix de Guerre 12 Nov 18. squadrons: Esc 2 on 2 Feb 17; Esc 4 on 24 Jul 17; Esc 9 on 7 Oct 17. hospitalizations/absences: none. fate: Survived the war. 8). Charles de Montigny 1918: 30 May balloon 18 Jul balloon 14 Aug enemy fighter from MFJ I 7 Oct enemy bomber 15 Oct enemy bomber, poss from MFJ V 5 KILLS = ACE promotions: from Cpl to Sgt 23 Dec 17; to 1er Sgt Major 20 Apr 18; to Adjt 25 Jun 18. decorations: Croix de Guerre, Chevalier de l'Ordre de Leopold, Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Couronne, all awarded upon his death. wounds: wounded 15 Oct 18, died of wounds 30 Oct 18. de Montigny is a doubtful ace as one of his balloons was never confirmed and he got his 5th kill in the same fight he was maimed and never flew again. squadrons: Esc 10 on 12 Dec 17; Esc 4 on 24 Jul 17; Esc 9 on 7 Oct 17. hospitalizations/absences: none. fate: Died of wounds 30 Oct 18. 9). Jan Olieslagers 1915: 12 Sep Aviatik C.I 22 Sep enemy bomber 30 Nov enemy bomber 1916: 14 Mar enemy aircraft 30 Mar enemy aircraft 5 KILLS = ACE 17 Jun Fokker D.II 25 Jun LVG C type 25 Jun Fokker E.III 28 Jul LVG C type 30 Jul LVG C type 31 Jul LVG C type 3 Aug enemy aircraft 28 Sep Albatros C.III 1917: 7 Feb LVG C type from FA 19 8 Feb LVG C type 14 Jun enemy bomber from MFJ I 15 Jun Fokker D.V from KG 4 4 Sep Albatros C.III from Schutzstaffel 29 1 Oct enemy bomber 1918: 3 May enemy fighter from Marine Landflieger Abt 3 May Fokker D.VII from Marine Feldflieger Abt 19 May Albatros D.Va from Jasta 16 8 Oct enemy bomber promotions: from Cpl to Sgt 9 Aug 14; to 1er Sgt 20 Sep 14; to 1er Sgt Maj 16 Oct 14; to Adjt 20 Nov 14; to S/Lt 18 Dec 14; to Lt 20 May 16. decorations: Chevalier de l'Ordre de Leopold; Croix de Guerre; Croix de l'Yser; Croix de Feu; Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur; French Croix de Guerre; Russian St-Stanislaus Order; Serbian Golden Medal all @ unknown dates. squadrons: 4 Aug 14 = Esc 5, 12 Feb 16 = Esc 2, 22 May 16 = Esc 9. hospitalisations/absences: 5 Jan 15 to 12 Apr 15; 4 Nov 17 to 18 Jan 18. fate: Survived the war. notes: In 1915-1916 he flew the only camoflaged N.11 which bore the inscription 'le Demon'. 10). Louis Robin 1916: 20 May enemy floatplane 26 May Aviatik C.I 27 May Aviatik C.I 22 Jun LVG C type 23 Jun Fokker D.II 5 KILLS = ACE 30 Jun Aviatik C.I 8 Jul LVG C type 30 Jul LVG C type 30 Jul LVG C type from MFJ II 1917: 1 Feb Rumpler C.II 2 Jul enemy bomber 1918: 3 Nov enemy bomber promotions: none, apparently. Lt througout the war. decorations: Officier de l'Ordre de la Couronne; Chevalier de l'Ordre de Leopold; Fourragere aux couleurs de l'Ordre de Leopold; Croix de Guerre; Medaille de l'Yser; Croix de Feu; French Croix de Guerre; Russian St-Stanislaus Order all @ unknown dates. squadrons: 20 Feb 15 = Esc 9; 1 Jul 17 = Esc 4; 3 Aug 17 = Esc 3; 16 Sep 17 = Esc 4; 3 Mar 18 = Esc 7; 4 Oct 18 = Esc 10 (became C.O. of Esc 10 6 Oct 18). hospitalisations/absences: Oct 17 thru end Feb 18 absent on pilots course. fate: Survived the war. notes: In 1917 he moved around several esc in rapid succession due to being a difficult character. He was an observer with Esc 9 (in the game he will just have to fly scouts as we are not representing the single Farman 2-seater that was still on strength of Esc 9), then was an observer with Esc 4 and 3. In early 1918 he flew Hanriots in Esc 7 (the scout protection flight). I am quite doubtful about classifying Robin as an ace at all. The AMB granted kills to observers as well so all the kills in 1916 were when he was an observer in a Maurice Farman. The kills he got in 1917 were in a Farman then a Strutter. Only the 3 Nov 18 kill was when he was in a Spad XIII. He was a difficult person, never promoted, bounced around several squadrons and apparently so annoyed his CO at one point that the CO struck him and was later demoted and sent out of the AMB. I get the feeling that Robin wasn't cut out to be a pilot and while he wasn't exactly dead wood he wasn't going to ever be a Willy Coppens either. I won't lose any sleep if we are short of ace slots for the Belgians and this guy is dropped. 11). Edmond Thieffry 1917: 15 Mar enemy bomber 23 Mar enemy bomber 24 Apr enemy bomber 26 Apr Albatross D.III 12 May enemy bomber 5 KILLS = ACE 14 Jun Albatross D.III from MFJ I 3 Jul Albatross D.III 3 Jul Albatross D.III from MFJ I 10 Jul Gotha G.IV from KG III, Staffel 16 16 Aug Albatross C.III 18 Aug enemy bomber 22 Aug Albatross D.III from MFJ I 26 Aug Albatross D.Va from Jasta 17 16 Oct enemy scout from Jasta 36 9 Nov enemy bomber promotions: Adjt to S/Lt 24 Jul 17. decorations: Chevalier de l'Ordre de Leopold 24 Jul 17; Croix de Guerre 24 Jul 17; squadrons: 21 Sep 15 = Esc 4; 11 Dec 16 = Esc 10. hospitalisations/absences: none identified. But POW 24 Feb 18 until end of war. fate: Survived the war, POW. notes: He flew a Nieuport with white wheel covers with a red horizontal band across the centre. There was also a red band across the top of the fuselage behind the cockpit. The sides of the plane, like Hanicau's carried the word 'Soit!' but as this is seen in photos as being fainter than on Hanicau's it may have been Hanicau's old plane over painted with a second coat of silver dope. There is no comment that his later Spad VII was decorated with a personal marking. 3. Belgian pilot ranks: Caporal Sergent 1st Sergent 1st Sergent-Major Adjudant Sous-Lieutenant Lieutenant Capitaine Capitaine-Commandant (often referred to as just Commandant, let's use this in the game) There was a rank of Major but this was reserved for senior rank (e.g. commander of the whole AMB was a Major). Caporal is rarely seen but the ace Charles de Montigny began flying in late 17 as a Caporal. The rank of Sergent-Major does not equate to the British rank of Sgt-Major, a direct translation might be 'Senior Sergeant'. Note that Adjudant is the most senior non-commissioned rank, not the lowest commissioned rank which is Sous-Lieutenant. Don't get confused with the British rank of Adjutant which is a senior regimental executive post. All of the top three ranks could command escadrilles, while there was one escadrile in 1914 briefly commanded by a S/Lt. So the Belgian system is closest to the French with many pilots being NCOs, although promotion seemed to be quite rapid in the AMB, no doubt due to it's small size. Decorations came thick and fast too - can the game reflect these two flavours of the AMB? It may be better in RB2 to drop the ranks of Caporal and 1st Sergent-Major, giving a route to the top that looks like this: Sergent 1st Sergent Adjudant Sous-Lieutenant Lieutenant Capitaine Commandant, with commands of flights/missions coming in at S/Lt and Esc at Capt. 4. Pictures: There are some nice pilot portraits in the Pieters' book. Do you want a few scanning for the pilot log book? If so, how many? I assume you'll want scanned portraits of all the aces? I'll do them fairly large then they will have good detail when you shrink them to fit the log. There's also insignia of all the escadrilles, plus a couple of pix of interesting artwork on the noses of some Farmans. Interested? 5. Belgian decorations: Orders in descending seniority: l'Ordre de Leopold II l'Ordre de Leopold l'Ordre de la Couronne l'Ordre de l'Etoile Africaine Each order could be awarded with one of several ranks, in descending seniority: Grand-Officier Commandeur Officier Chevalier Orders were awarded by the Royal House of Belgium, medals by the Army. That seems to be the distinction I have come across but haven't been able to find any system in the way orders were handed out, or for what achievements. Medals in descending rank: Decoration Militaire - Acte de Courage (only awarded for acts of extreme courage, heroism and self sacrifice). Croix de Guerre (awarded for exceptional or long duty; de Leener got his for 150 hours combat flying time). Or for being KIA . Medaille - Croix de l'Yser Croix de Feu Medaille Militaire Premier Classe (I haven't seen this awarded to any of the aces in Pieters' book - in the game it could be awarded for a number of kills - 10 or 15?). Medaille Militaire Deuxieme Classe (a pretty basic gong, sometimes awarded for 1st kill. In the game it could be awarded for ace status/5 kills). Foreign Orders and Medals: British Empire - DFC DSO MC DCM DFM MM Ethiopia - Chevalier de l'Ordre de l'Etoile France - Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur Croix de Guerre Medaille Militaire Etoile de Service Etoile de Bronze Greece - Croix de Guerre, 3rd Class Italy - Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Couronne Medaglio d'Argento al Valore Militare Croix de Guerre Jerusalem - Commander of the Order of the Holy Heart Russia - Order of St-Stanislaus, 3rd Class Order of St-Anna, 3rd Class Serbia - Order of the White Eagle Golden Medal of Kara Georges Golden Medal of Merit Silver Medal of Merit Sweden - Commander of the Order of the Swords The Belgians had few real reasons to hand out medals for gallantry or exceptional conduct because there was, to be brutal, not much serious air fighting! For example Leon de Maelcamp arrived at the front in July 1917, flew just 10 sorties then crashed to his death at Les Moeres in a Farman while doing a training flight. He had only 1 air combat and got no kills. He was posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre and made a Chevalier de l'Ordre de Leopold. Every killed Belgian airman got the Croix de Guerre.