Volume 29, Number 1
January Gaming Report, VZ Alex Godfrey (13/2) Killed In Action
Welcome to the 29th year of uninterrupted publication for the Indy Squadron Dispatch dating to the founding of the squadron itself. The 2017 calendar has been updated and includes the newly-released dates for this year's Fits Society Spring Mini-Con in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Indy Squadron once again revived its old tradition of New Year's Day gaming for 2017, moving the date to January 2nd to take advantage of members' work schedules. The Meisters received us with great fanfare and the usual banquet of delicacies and we churned out four Dawn Patrol missions during the day.
January Gaming Report, VZ Alex Godfrey (13/2) Killed In Action
Welcome to the 29th year of uninterrupted publication for the Indy Squadron Dispatch dating to the founding of the squadron itself. The 2017 calendar has been updated and includes the newly-released dates for this year's Fits Society Spring Mini-Con in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Indy Squadron once again revived its old tradition of New Year's Day gaming for 2017, moving the date to January 2nd to take advantage of members' work schedules. The Meisters received us with great fanfare and the usual banquet of delicacies and we churned out four Dawn Patrol missions during the day.
Ethan, Stephen, Rick, Stephen Dale, A. J. and Bob were on hand for a full table featuring SE 5a's, Sopwith Strutters, Albatri and balloons.
The final game saw the tragic loss of Stephen Dale's Fokker DVII ace, VZ Alex Godfrey, who was shot down and killed on his 13th mission. Godfrey began his career in Albatros fighters before graduating to Fokker DVII's following his 7th sortie. He was in combat with Sopwith Camels when he received a critical shoulder wound from CPT Nathaniel Morgan (Stephen, 9/4). Godfrey made a valiant attempt to land but ultimately succumbed to his wound. His presence will be missed among the Indy Squadron's top German pilots.
The Indy Squadron hopes to schedule a local gaming day for February or early March in preparation for the 28th annual Red Baron Fight in April.
The final game saw the tragic loss of Stephen Dale's Fokker DVII ace, VZ Alex Godfrey, who was shot down and killed on his 13th mission. Godfrey began his career in Albatros fighters before graduating to Fokker DVII's following his 7th sortie. He was in combat with Sopwith Camels when he received a critical shoulder wound from CPT Nathaniel Morgan (Stephen, 9/4). Godfrey made a valiant attempt to land but ultimately succumbed to his wound. His presence will be missed among the Indy Squadron's top German pilots.
The Indy Squadron hopes to schedule a local gaming day for February or early March in preparation for the 28th annual Red Baron Fight in April.
Then & Now Photos - Montfaucon, France Under German Occupation in WWI
by Randal Gaulke
Authors/researchers and editors/publishers don’t always share the same objectives. More often than not, photographs, maps, tables, etc. get edited out of books for reasons of length, readability, etc. The webmaster felt this when reading William Travis Walker Jr.’s well-researched “Betray at Little Gibraltar: A German Fortress, a Treacherous American General, and the Battle to End World War I.” Mr. Walker’s description of the German positions in and around Montfaucon was largely verbal, with a limited number of photos and no war-time map.
As one would image, the webmaster was ecstatic when the author shared photos from his collection in the Meuse-Argonne.com Facebook Group!!! And the webmaster owes Mr. Walker an apology for his numerous requests and reminders:-)
The photographs of Montfaucon-en-Argonne shown below are from Mr. Walker’s collection. Readers should buy his book; and they can also see more photos, maps and details at Mr. Walker’s website: http://www.betrayalww1.com/.
Click here to continue reading and see an amazing selection of then and now photos.
by Randal Gaulke
Authors/researchers and editors/publishers don’t always share the same objectives. More often than not, photographs, maps, tables, etc. get edited out of books for reasons of length, readability, etc. The webmaster felt this when reading William Travis Walker Jr.’s well-researched “Betray at Little Gibraltar: A German Fortress, a Treacherous American General, and the Battle to End World War I.” Mr. Walker’s description of the German positions in and around Montfaucon was largely verbal, with a limited number of photos and no war-time map.
As one would image, the webmaster was ecstatic when the author shared photos from his collection in the Meuse-Argonne.com Facebook Group!!! And the webmaster owes Mr. Walker an apology for his numerous requests and reminders:-)
The photographs of Montfaucon-en-Argonne shown below are from Mr. Walker’s collection. Readers should buy his book; and they can also see more photos, maps and details at Mr. Walker’s website: http://www.betrayalww1.com/.
Click here to continue reading and see an amazing selection of then and now photos.
The Women's Land Army in WWI - An Incredible Untold Story
by Caroline Scott
In January 1917 the newly appointed President of the Board of Agriculture, Rowland Prothero, addressed a meeting of farmers in Hereford. Prothero gave his audience a taster of the plan, currently being developed by the government, to raise an ‘army’ of 200,000 female agricultural workers. He told the meeting:
'They would not say to them, "Here's a dirty and monotonous piece of work, badly paid, and with poor accommodation." but the appeal would be in this form: "you will be paid a soldier's rate of pay; you will be billeted just like ordinary soldiers. You will be part of the army supply service of the Kingdom, and you have thus an opportunity of going into the 'trenches' on just the same terms as your brothers are doing."'
Like servicemen, the women would be uniformed, must be prepared to be sent wherever in the country they were needed, and would be required to commit ‘for the duration’. January 2017 thus marks the centenary of the launch of the Woman’s Land Army (WLA).
In 1914 Britain was the only major European power that was dependent on foreign imports for the bulk of its food. Consequently, of the countries now at war, Britain was the one whose larder was least well prepared. She trusted the freedom of the seas, the supremacy of her navy and that the open markets would always be able to provide. But with shipping being turned over to military transport, supply and support for the navy, the availability and price of foodstuffs would soon be impacted.
Click here to read more.
by Caroline Scott
In January 1917 the newly appointed President of the Board of Agriculture, Rowland Prothero, addressed a meeting of farmers in Hereford. Prothero gave his audience a taster of the plan, currently being developed by the government, to raise an ‘army’ of 200,000 female agricultural workers. He told the meeting:
'They would not say to them, "Here's a dirty and monotonous piece of work, badly paid, and with poor accommodation." but the appeal would be in this form: "you will be paid a soldier's rate of pay; you will be billeted just like ordinary soldiers. You will be part of the army supply service of the Kingdom, and you have thus an opportunity of going into the 'trenches' on just the same terms as your brothers are doing."'
Like servicemen, the women would be uniformed, must be prepared to be sent wherever in the country they were needed, and would be required to commit ‘for the duration’. January 2017 thus marks the centenary of the launch of the Woman’s Land Army (WLA).
In 1914 Britain was the only major European power that was dependent on foreign imports for the bulk of its food. Consequently, of the countries now at war, Britain was the one whose larder was least well prepared. She trusted the freedom of the seas, the supremacy of her navy and that the open markets would always be able to provide. But with shipping being turned over to military transport, supply and support for the navy, the availability and price of foodstuffs would soon be impacted.
Click here to read more.
Book Review
“Voyages From the Past: A History of Passengers at Sea”
By Simon Wills
Although ISD's scope is normally limited to early military aviation, Pen & Sword's new seafaring book from Simon Wills seemed so intriguing that I was compelled to give it quick glance.
My quick glance became the thorough, absorbed reading of a non-fiction work that reeks of thrilling adventure. I couldn't put this book down. It is a true page-turner that will captivate anyone who loves a great story.
Author Simon Wills tracked down seventeen of the most amazing maritime sagas ever documented and presented each of them as a concise, readable chapter in his new book. The stories are presented chronologically, each telling the experience of a sea traveler departing England for various destinations from 1599 through 1937.
Chapter One details Thomas Dallam's six-month journey aboard the “Hector” from London to Constantinople in 1599. Dallam's memoirs are stunningly detailed and touch upon every facet of ocean going adventure imaginable, from pirate encounters to deadly storms and shipwrecks.
Chapter Four recounts the misadventures of an arrogant, self-entitled British government employee named Henry Fielding who sailed from England to Portugal in 1754. Hoping a move to arid Lisbon would cure his ill health, Fielding's constant demands made him the captain's greatest nemesis aboard the “Queen of Portugal.”
“Voyages From the Past” brings seventeen such stories throughout the golden age of passenger ships. The reader can observe the differences in sea travel over the centuries, relive the dangers of pirate infested waters and learn in amazing detail the personal experiences of ocean travelers from long ago.
At 9.5 x 6.5 inches, “Voyages From the Past” is light and conveniently carried in a purse or backpack, yet the Times New Roman font is large and easily read. A sixteen-page center section is filled with photographs, or art renderings of ships and people who lived prior to the age of photography.
“Voyages From the Past” fascinates and entertains while rejuvenating the maritime adventure genre. It is worthy of a spot on your bookshelf alongside the finest adventure thrillers.
“Voyages From the Past: A History of Passengers at Sea”
By Simon Wills
Although ISD's scope is normally limited to early military aviation, Pen & Sword's new seafaring book from Simon Wills seemed so intriguing that I was compelled to give it quick glance.
My quick glance became the thorough, absorbed reading of a non-fiction work that reeks of thrilling adventure. I couldn't put this book down. It is a true page-turner that will captivate anyone who loves a great story.
Author Simon Wills tracked down seventeen of the most amazing maritime sagas ever documented and presented each of them as a concise, readable chapter in his new book. The stories are presented chronologically, each telling the experience of a sea traveler departing England for various destinations from 1599 through 1937.
Chapter One details Thomas Dallam's six-month journey aboard the “Hector” from London to Constantinople in 1599. Dallam's memoirs are stunningly detailed and touch upon every facet of ocean going adventure imaginable, from pirate encounters to deadly storms and shipwrecks.
Chapter Four recounts the misadventures of an arrogant, self-entitled British government employee named Henry Fielding who sailed from England to Portugal in 1754. Hoping a move to arid Lisbon would cure his ill health, Fielding's constant demands made him the captain's greatest nemesis aboard the “Queen of Portugal.”
“Voyages From the Past” brings seventeen such stories throughout the golden age of passenger ships. The reader can observe the differences in sea travel over the centuries, relive the dangers of pirate infested waters and learn in amazing detail the personal experiences of ocean travelers from long ago.
At 9.5 x 6.5 inches, “Voyages From the Past” is light and conveniently carried in a purse or backpack, yet the Times New Roman font is large and easily read. A sixteen-page center section is filled with photographs, or art renderings of ships and people who lived prior to the age of photography.
“Voyages From the Past” fascinates and entertains while rejuvenating the maritime adventure genre. It is worthy of a spot on your bookshelf alongside the finest adventure thrillers.
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