Squadrons

The most important part of your forces. Each squadron represents a group of ten pilots and aircraft, along with some replacement aircraft. If all goes well, you will lose few enough that you can replace aircraft and pilots when they are lost and keep the squadron in full fighting order. The replacement of pilots is automatic provided you have the numbers for it. Replacement for aircraft is slightly more complex. Aircraft in the squadrons reserve will be used when an aircraft is lost, however if there are none in reserve for that squadron the aircraft will not be replaced. A squadron has one of two types. Scouts and Bombers. Scout squadrons can be equipped with aircraft with at most two people in them, while bombers need to have a crew of 3 at minimum to fly. Lastly, each squadron has a % of supply that represents fuel, ammo replacement parts and the like. Provided this doesn't go below 30% it will not effect the squadrons performance.

Aircraft

Aircraft are one of the two keys to your squadrons. Every design has specific stats integral to it, and these stats are as follows
Attack - The aircraft's ability to accurately and effectively make a strike on an enemy along with how much firepower it can bring.
Agility - The aircraft's general maneuverability and by extension how easy it is for a pilot to avoid getting shot and reverse the situation.
Evasion - The aircraft's ability to get the hell out of dodge and escape from a perusing aircraft.
Ammo - How much munitions the aircraft has. More is better for prolonged engagements.
Fuel - How far an aircraft can go and how long it can stay in a fight.
Support - How effective at supporting the soldiers on the ground this aircraft is. Mostly relevant for bombers, recon, artillery spotters ect.
Requisition - How much it costs to acquire a single aircraft for your squadrons along with supply the squadrons they are a part of.

Over time both you and your enemy will get better aircraft available to them and older aircraft become cheaper to acquire. You will be informed when new aircraft, foe or friendly, are available.

Pilots

Pilots are the second key to success in your squadron. Each have a name, a rank, two stats, two skills, and the amount of areal victories (aircraft they have downed). The two skills are Air EXP and Mission EXP. Air EXP is the raw skill of a pilot or crew in battle. How skilled a pilot is in maneuvering their aircraft to get on the tail of an enemy, how accurate a gunner is, that sort of thing. Mission EXP is how skilled the pilot or crew is at a mission. Say bombing a supply depo, reporting what they see at a location or taking photographs. Dialing in artillery to hit right on target or simply strafing the poor troops on the ground. These skills are randomized at pilot procurement, but get better as time goes on if they manage to survive. Naturally, the higher, the better.

The two stats each pilot has are Morale and Fatigue. The former goes down with heavy losses, an ace in the squadron getting killed, being sent up while exhausted, ect, while it goes up by having time to rest, downing enemy aircraft, having an ace around, downing an enemy ace, and generally having successful missions. High morale can lead to some minor improvement in performance, while low morale increases the chance for pilots to turn back when fighting and if low enough can have them flat out refuse to go up into the air. Fatigue is simply how tired a pilot is. This goes up from simply being sent up in the air, and especially by combat. However, there are a few other, fringe ways it can go up such as the air base being bombed at night. Fatigue merely impacts pilot's performance unless particularly high, in which it will impact a pilots morale as well.

If a pilot gets five areal victories, they become an ace. Aces can be sent behind the front line for propaganda purposes which will gain you requisitions, used to train new replacement pilots, or kept on the front lines to boost the morale of the pilots with them and protect them by downing enemies before they down their squadron mates.

Orders and the Front

The front line, which you will see every turn, will shift as the war goes on. Sometimes quite a bit, and sometimes very slowly. You will be made aware of any offensives your side is taking and given control as to how to assist the soldiers on the ground push forward to allow the brass to see their plans to fruition. Similarly, you will learn of enemy offensives as well, sometimes thanks to your own pilots efforts. Paying attention to what you know the enemy is doing and what your own side is doing is key to blunting an enemy spearhead or breaking through their fortifications. Your efforts will have an impact. Though, do recognize that sometimes the best you can do is delay an enemy's advance or give enough of an edge to take two inches of ground instead of none. This is war after all. Also note, unless stated otherwise by your nation's bonuses, you aren't the only wing of your nation, let alone the war.

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Requisitions

The last thing to note is requisitions. Every turn you are given a budget of Requisition Points, or RP to use. This is used to get new aircraft, add extra pilots to the replacement pool, resupply squadrons and, if you have enough, create new squadrons. Beware however that every town lost, major defeats, and general poor performance will make the politicians and generals see other area's as more deserving or more in need of military funding. It can be increased through successes in the army, taking cities, and sending aces on propaganda tours. Do note that only half of all unspent requisitions are saved for the next turn.


Turns

Every two in game weeks is a turn. Additionally, if any particularly heavy fighting begins, you will be given a chance to react and adjust orders.

Now, with all that out of the way...

Name:
Wing Name: (Can be left blank if you want me or others to do it)
Squadron Names: (Same as above)
Nation:
Pretany - High Pilot Pool. Propaganda Masters. High Expectations. Poorly Trained. (1715 start)
Prußenmark - Skilled Pilots. Initial Edge. Low Pilot Replacement Pool. (1715 start)
Gallonian - Revanchist. Skilled Mechanics. Low Requisitions. (1715 start)
Lothring - High Morale. Aircraft Designer Connections. Complete control of Air Corps. Low Requisitions pool, Low Pilot Pool. (1716 start)
Reemi - High Morale. Resilient Pilots. Complete control of Air Corps. Low Requisitions pool. Low Pilot Pool. (1718 start)

Pilot Name: (Optional. Depending on the nation might be adapted or changed to fit. Mostly for fun if you want to have a pilot that is yours.)

No matter the choice, you will start with 4 squadrons. All 4 scouts. Forgot to mention that, but it's nothing big.

Before I start, is this a quest or a multi-player game?

>>5285657
This is a quest. It's in the title. If it was multiplayer I probably would be able to do at most two players, or two teams. After all, if it was fully multiplayer it'd probably eventually go out of control with me managing over a hundred squadrons with absolutely no abstraction. Also, Reemi and Lothring wouldn't be playable for a while if it was multiplayer, given their third trait.

We should go for a bombing squadron.

Bombers are cool.

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>>5285622
>or otherwise bungle things so badly that you get replaced
But that's what the real Generals in World War 1 did!

>Nation: Gallonian - Revanchist. Skilled Mechanics. Low Requisitions. (1715 start)
Name: Jules Bastille
Wing Name: Le Roitelet huppés (The Goldcrests, birb picture very related)
Squadron Names: Escadron 1, 2, 3 etc. (Yes, I know, incredibly creative)

Huzzah, Brethren! To arms against the vile Barbarians, for the reclamation of Altsas-Mossel! To repay 40 years of greivances! Vive La Gallonia, Vive La République!

Supporting >>5285680

>>5285622
>Name: Helene Valmont
>Wing Name: 14e Escadre Mixte "Liberté"
>Squadron Names: Escadron Bleu, Blanc, Rouge, Vert etc
>Nation: Gallonian - Revanchist. Skilled Mechanics. Low Requisitions. (1715 start)

>>5285711
Supporting

>>5285622

I realize some of the skills aren't that clear in what they do, so I'll give a rundown of all the traits real quick

High pilot Pool - Gets more replacement pilots per requisition point spent
High Expectations - Harder to please your superiors and get more requisition
Propaganda masters - Bonus to sending Aces behind lines for propaganda.
Poorly Trained - Pilots start with less experience.
Skilled Pilots - Pilots start with more experience.
Initial Edge - Aircraft at the start will be better than your opponent.
Low Pilot Replacement Pool - Gets less replacement pilots per requisition point spent
Revanchist - Morale falls slower, and pilots will tend not to turn tail unless the enemy aircraft are downed and/or the mission is complete.
Skilled Mechanics - Damaged Aircraft are more likely to be recoverable and reusable.
Low Requisitions - Less RP per turn.
High Morale - Morale falls slower.
Aircraft Designer Connections - You will be able to specifically request aircraft designers in your country work on a design that matches your desires after a new design is released, and will learn how the project is going and how long it will be to completion.
Complete control of Air Corps - You are the entire air corps...On one hand, no rival air wings competing for resources, just the army and navy. On the other, your support in the air will be limited, if you even have any other than your own squadrons.
Resilient Pilots - Pilots gain Fatigue slower.

Also must admit, I didn't expect Gallonia to get such a dominating majority so quick.

>>5285680

>>5285711
Screw it

Better than anything I can think of

>>5285680
support

>>5285711
Works for me

>>5285750
>Also must admit, I didn't expect Gallonia to get such a dominating majority so quick.
not!Germans are overdone, Anglos are Anglos and most would rather take the earliest start date possible

>>5285622
Name: Christoph Brinsworth
Wings Name: Knights of the High Table
Squadron Names: Excalibur, Grail, Crown, Gauntlet.
Nation: Pretany

To be chosen as a knight of the high table is the greatest honor our noble nation of Pretany can bestow and lucky for you my dear stablehand/cabinboy/chimney sweep we've just had a position open up for you. I see your hidden talent, you're a natural born pilot You can trust me when I say that, I'm an ace, and you will be too in no time I'm sure.

(Strat here is to throw unskilled pilots en masse at the problem until aces emerge, then use said aces for propaganda with the Pretany bonus. Then when things truly need to get done we can pull all our reserved aces for one super squadron.)

Alright, I'll end voting in about 8-12 hours. If there's a tie, I'll flip a coin to break them.

>>5285680
>>5285711
Either of these fine Gallonian squadrons, or a combination drawing elements from both.

>>5285622
>Personal Pilot Name: Rémy Alouette

>>5286253
Well, it's been 8 hours. I'll give a bit extra time for tie breaks and new idea's but in the meantime I'll be working on the map for towns and the front line.

>>5285711
+1

>>5285711
(Huh, was not expecting this one to win. Guess we have female pilots now. I'll keep that in mind.)

You are Lieutenant-colonel Helene Valmont. Your position is a surprise to some, if only because the Valmont's, while a respected name in politics, have hardly ever been soldiers. This is especially true of the women of the household, partially because it was only a recent thing, but you were always one to admire your great grandfather who told stories of serving under the great Leon Napolarte while you were young.

Still, as the automobile drives along to a small military base in Épirault you are left alone with your thoughts for a time, recalling Le journal de la république, specifically it's main headline. The Steyerland-Magyria Empire Declares war upon Illyrpsja. A moment all in the military were waiting for. A moment where the detestable Prußenmark Empire would, willingly or unwillingly, be dragged into a war with our allies in Varuskie, and naturally we answer their call to arms. Of course, war officially has yet to begin, though new plans are already being drafted and old ones dusted off...

Upon arriving at the base you are met with five people who salute to you. One soon speaks "Madam. I am Commandant Gaspard Botrel. I am with logistics, and have been assigned to help with managing the Escadre."

"Good to meet you Botrel. As for the others?" you say with a nod.

"While I am sure the others would love to speak with their commanding officer, your superiors have ordered me to inform you they wish to speak with you about deployment. Sadly the Escadron commanders of the 14e are to wait outside for you once the strategy meeting is done. They are just inside and to the right. Myself and one of the soldiers will escort you."

"Understood. Thank you." You say before entering, following the lead of the Commandant and some private dressed in the standard and proud Blue and white uniform of Gallonia. After walking a bit you are met with another soldier guarding the entrance.

"Password?" He asks bluntly.

"This is Lieutenant-colonel Helene Valmont, does she really need a password?" Botrel says

"I don't care who the hell she is unless she has a password."

"Well, he's a good soldier. Roitelet huppés." you say and the soldier nods, opening the door and letting you in where a couple generals and a myriad of other officers are plotting around a map. For a while, things are fairly droll. Nothing much happens and you simply are informed of some general plans, such as a push on the southern front to try and take Münzenfeld, along with other plans to retake Dissons which was lost in the last, humiliating war. More importantly however is where exactly your forces will be located. If you weren't a part of the air corps, you probably wouldn't have the freedom to choose, but luckily the commander of the Corps de l'Air is lenient.

Channel: 1 Escadre
North: 2 Escadre's
Central: 3 Escadre's
South: 3 Escadre's
Training: 2 Escadre's

RP: 30

After these meetings and your decision you are able to leave and return to see the four Escadron commanders patiently waiting for your return. They swiftly stand at attention with your return.

"Now, seeing as I am your superior officer, let's get the pleasantries done with. I am Lieutenant-colonel Helene Valmont. Now, I'd like to know who I am serving with, and as such I would like you four to introduce yourself by rank, escadron, and full name one by one." you say before they swiftly follow.

"Commandant Roméo Jullien of Bleu, madam." The first man with blonde hair and a fair bit of youth in him says.

"Benoît Brochard, Commandant of Blanc Escadron." The second, fairly tired looking and gruff man with black hair states.

"Rouge Escadron's Commandant, Aude Gaume, at your service commander." The third, a fairly short woman with hazel eyes and hair reports.

"Commandant, Escadron Vert, Lucie Maret! Do you have any further orders?" The last woman, one with red hair exclaims

"All I wish for you is to inform me of your Escadron's aircraft and pilot roster." you say, both swiftly being provided. Quickly, you discover all of the Escadron's except for one are flying Dupont 4 P's, with only one, Escadron Blanc, flying S.U.D Type R's. The former being a parasol wing aircraft and the latter being a two seater biplane with a camera and a single machine gun in the back, meant to take reconnaissance photos... Still, with this done, you swiftly make the initial preparations for deployment...War will come soon, likely soon after you arrive in position...

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Escadron Bleu | Dupont 4 P, 10 aircraft | 100% supply
Commandant Roméo Jullien FEXP 16 MEXP 15 V 0
Capitaine Silvain Lacan FEXP 14 MEXP 13 V 0
Lieutenant Timothé Grinda FEXP 15 MEXP 14 V 0
Lieutenant Léopold Regnard FEXP 16 MEXP 13 V 0
Lieutenant Joseph Escoffier FEXP 16 MEXP 16 V 0
Sous-lieutenant Nicolas Barthélemy FEXP 12 MEXP 11 V 0
Sous-lieutenant Lucas Bertillon FEXP 11 MEXP 14 V 0
Sous-lieutenant Jean-Pascal Matthieu FEXP 16 MEXP 12 V 0
Major Aubin Chaucer FEXP 13 MEXP 15 V 0
Major Jérôme Daucourt FEXP 14 MEXP 16 V 0

Escadron Blanc | S.U.D Type R, 10 aircraft | 100% supply
Commandant Benoît Brochard FEXP 13 MEXP 11 V 0
Capitaine Emmanuel Leroux FEXP 15 MEXP 11 V 0
Lieutenant Gwenaël Maurice FEXP 15 MEXP 12 V 0
Lieutenant Raoul De Guignes FEXP 16 MEXP 15 V 0
Sous-lieutenant Omer Gérald FEXP 16 MEXP 11 V 0
Sous-lieutenant Tobie Simon FEXP 16 MEXP 13 V 0
Major Rémy Alouette FEXP 16 MEXP 15 V 0
Major Bruno Charrier FEXP 11 MEXP 12 V 0
Major Noël Duval FEXP 13 MEXP 16 V 0
Major Bertrand Clair FEXP 16 MEXP 16 V 0

Escadron Rouge | Dupont 4 P, 10 aircraft | 100% supply
Commandant Aude Gaume FEXP 12 MEXP 11 V 0
Capitaine Haydée Marchal FEXP 16 MEXP 13 V 0
Lieutenant Pierrette Guilbert FEXP 14 MEXP 13 V 0
Lieutenant Jessica Desmarais FEXP 11 MEXP 13 V 0
Sous-lieutenant Iseult Marais FEXP 11 MEXP 13 V 0
Sous-lieutenant Lucrèce Brosseau FEXP 11 MEXP 13 V 0
Sous-lieutenant Lucie Clérico FEXP 16 MEXP 16 V 0
Major Catherine Hauet FEXP 12 MEXP 11 V 0
Major Claudette Chardin FEXP 13 MEXP 13 V 0
Major Alicia Sardou FEXP 13 MEXP 11 V 0

Escadron Vert | Dupont 4 Type P, 10 aircraft | 100% supply
Commandant Lucie Maret FEXP 14 MEXP 14 V 0
Capitaine Ambre Lucroy FEXP 14 MEXP 11 V 0
Lieutenant Lesly Barbeau FEXP 12 MEXP 12 V 0
Sous-lieutenant Valérie Coquelin FEXP 11 MEXP 16 V 0
Sous-lieutenant Blanche Bittencourt FEXP 16 MEXP 15 V 0
Sous-lieutenant Bénédicte LaRue FEXP 15 MEXP 11 V 0
Major Ninon Stuart FEXP 16 MEXP 15 V 0
Major Inès Mallet FEXP 11 MEXP 16 V 0
Major Liliane Charbonnier FEXP 16 MEXP 11 V 0
Major Monique Boissieu FEXP 14 MEXP 16 V 0

Dupont 4 P
Attack - 0 (Has no guns, pilots will bring pistols or rifles with them.)
Agility - 20
Evasion - 30.
Ammo - NA
Fuel - 4
Support - 10
Requisition 4 to buy, 1 for 20% resupply.


S.U.D Type R
Attack - 10 (Rear facing Machinegun)
Agility - 10
Evasion - 20
Ammo - 4
Fuel - 6
Support - 30
Requisition 7 to buy, 1 for 10% resupply.

>Pick one of the fronts, not including training, to go to. Further, write in any requisitions you wish to do. After this, the game proper will begin.

>>5286920
>Guess we have female pilots now
Fucking faggot

>>5286924
>>Pick one of the fronts, not including training, to go to. Further, write in any requisitions you wish to do. After this, the game proper will begin.
North Front. No requisitions for now.

>>5286933
>never played ace combat
ngmi lad

>>5286942
>Jap weebshit games
Shut the fuck up nigger.

>>5286924
Channel.

Can we requisition some better weapons?

>>5286933
>>5286946
Also, this is entirely a false flag due to boredom. Good luck fellows.

>>5286924
>It's cheaper to buy a brand new plane than to fully resupply it
Does this mean buying new planes means they come empty, or are we incentivized to buy new planes instead of restocking existing ones?

>>5286933

>People vote for the suggestion that includes the P/MC's name being Helene
>The french version of Helena/Helen and the name of an amazon in greek myth
>Shocked the main character is a woman, thereby making female pilots a thing

Ok. Guess I'm gay for adding women to what would otherwise be full of nothing but men if it weren't for player's choice.

>>5286951
No. Buying a new plane is just buying a plane. Resupplying a squadron is buying the fuel, ammo, bombs, film, ect to keep the squadron running and allow them to do new missions. When you buy a aircraft it isn't going to be delivered from the factory with a full tank, ammo, and bombs already on it. Also even if I allowed that it'd only do 10% per aircraft bought, as one aircraft is 10% of a squadron, so even then it technically doesn't work out. Still, nice try. I appreciate people who think outside the box.

>>5286947
You can in time. At the moment you don't have Foster mounts, synchronization gear, ect. You'll probably have a bit of a harder time to start with, given what your enemies bonuses are.

>>5286924
Channel

>>5286972
Just ignore the trolls

One more thing. How often will we get to change fronts?

>>5286990
Rarely. Generally only major events allow it, otherwise expect once every 12 turns at best.

How much supply does a turn typically burn off?

>>5287152
Depends. Usually just 10%. Intense fighting can lead to 20%. Also just to get this out there before it's asked, a new squadron will cost 10 times the number of squadrons you already have, plus the cost of the aircraft being bought.

>>5286924
North, no buys until we get better options

>>5286924
Can we mix aircraft types in the squadrons or would our pilots need to retrain? If so I think we should put at least one Type R in each squadron so we have some sort of machine gun defence to rally around if attacked in the air. Not to mention having the utility of a camera in each squadron might be helpful to the war effort and/or in bringing back pictures of our enemies planes to study.

>>5287352
This is actually a good idea. Assign the 2 seaters to our senior pilots and spread them around the squadrons to add a little beef to each sortie.

>>5287352

You can, for now at least.

>>5287352
I agree

>>5287352
Maybe we can buy some more two seaters, given that half of the unused RPs disappear.

>>5287781
>UrN9wI
Yeah that's what I was thinking. Spend the early points on 4 Type Rs stone we'll likely get more anyway. Waste not, want not and all.

So I see two votes for North and two for the Channel. I'll give you all another day to deal with this and requisitions.

>>5286924
I'm for the East, against Prußenmark

So we agree buy 4 Type R then?
Still no decision on which front to fight in though. Channel might be the most friendly front though since we would (I think?) be facing against inexperienced but numerous Pretany.

>>5288151

I should note that currently, Pretany is not in the war at this moment, and won't be unless we or the Prußenmark Empire does something to drag them into the war. Ideally something like this will happen but we cannot count on our enemy to make a major mistake.

[Spoiler] This is what we here in the business call foreshadowing [/spoiler]

>>5288151

I should note that currently, Pretany is not in the war at this moment, and won't be unless we or the Prußenmark Empire does something to drag them into the war. Ideally something like this will happen but we cannot count on our enemy to make a major mistake.

This is what we here in the business call foreshadowing

(I tried doing the spoiler so many times. Apparently it hates the first letter being capital if this works)

>>5288151
Agree on buying the extra Type Rs (which make me think of riced out Honda coupes with wings for some reason) but let's go to the Eastern front, and confront the Prussian menace directly.

>>5288356
>>5288071

Quick question for you two. When you say the east, do you mean just...the general front with Prußenmark or? If it's just a 'anywhere on the proper front with Prußenmark' I'll count it as with the highest voted front on the border at war start, but if you mean something else I'd appreciate the confirmation.

>>5288151
Agreeing on 4 type R.
Let's start on channel. Roleplay wise, they might not want to give a woman command over a battle-intensive location as woman are quite new in the military.
What about saying something in the lore along the line of "mechanisation being a great equalizer of height and strength, Gallonia started an incentive to allow a few women in the artillery and aviation sections of the army". Could this improve our Recruitment pool of pilot?

>>5288365
The Prußenmarkian border, yes. Perhaps come in aid of our Daloyaumian brothers if the Prußenmarkian start to have any ambitions over their land.

>>5288365
Maybe a quiter front but still with enough opportunitied to learn and fight the preussen menace.

>>5288665
*opportunities

>>5288365
I was thinking we're not-France so not-Prussia would be our Eastern neighbor. Anywhere on the main front would be fine.

(Alright, so given the numbers the majority just want to be on the Prußenmarkian border. So, given the only specific portion of said border that was desired is the north we'll start there.)

With things looking as they are, you decide that the northern front needs the most assistance. While there aren't any major offensives planned in the north, there could be plenty of enemy action aimed at taking Coloroux and getting a foothold across the river, and keeping a balanced number of Escadre's was ideal to ensure that one side didn't get completely overwhelmed. Briefly, you considered going to the coasts, but other than hunting for some patrol ships nothing much was likely to happen there, was it?

Still, after looking over the squadrons and the specifications of the aircraft you come to feel as if the Dupont 4 P is not exactly the best. Sure, it's not bad, but it isn't armed, and the S.U.D Type R has an actual camera and machinegun unlike the Dupont. As such, your initial requisitions are made to acquire four S.U.D Type R's, aiming to potentially make a small recon section for the Escadrons. Well, all of them except Blanc anyway which already has nothing but S.U.D's. If Blanc needs or should have an extra aircraft is a important thought, as if not, spreading the aircraft equally among the other squadrons leads there to be another one remaining. Something to deal with when you get at the front, you think, as all the paperwork is filed away.

When everything is said and done, and the aircraft along with yourself are being transported to the front by train, you find yourself with plenty of time to observe the situation. Swiftly after The Steyerland-Magyria Empire declared war upon Illyrpsja, our allies in Varuskie came to the defense of their ally, and this lead Steyerland-Magyria to call upon Prußenmark. And that is where we come in. The time for our revenge and the reclamation of our land is at hand!

However, shortly after the train stops not far from Coloroux and you get settled in your new office, Commandant Botrel enters with a good deal of concern.

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"Madam. I am terribly sorry to interrupt your work but we have received new news. Major news." He says with a bit of concern.

"What is it? Did Prußenmark launch a major offensive already? Did the Kingdom of Vitulia join in the war?" You ask, wondering what exactly this news is.

"Your first guess is...partially correct. It's Daloyaume. They have invaded Daloyaume to get around our defenses!" He swiftly states. However you are quite calm. Them invading Daloyaume means that they will undoubtedly bring in Pretany on our side after all. Right?

"Why is this something to be concerned about? It simply means that we will gain further support from our little rival across the channel." you calmly say, yet this doesn't seem to cease Botrel's worrying.

"Remember what the generals said. There was to be a major offensive in the south towards Münzenfeld along with an attempt to take Dissons. The vast majority of our soldiers are in the south. In other words, our northern flank is exposed. And Daloyaume has a worse military than even Jutden." Clearly he was far too concerned as to the short term. And so, you would be swift to reassure him.

"These gaps will be solved by Pretany, and we have learned much from the last time we fought Prußenmark. Our railways have even surpassed them! All our soldiers on the ground need to do is delay and stall them as much as possible before the Pretans and our own forces can shift to meet this new challenge. It is merely our job to help with that. Now, call the Escadron leaders, I have orders."

After saying this, you take a map of the area and put it on your desk, planning your moves before the squadron leaders arrive. Of course, you could ask them for advice if needed, but otherwise your true job has begun. Vive La Gallonia, Vive La République!

(Blue borders represent neutral borders, Red the active front line. All you need to do is give orders as to what you want the squadrons to do. The game proper starts.)

>>5289164
We have 4 Escadrons and 5 towns to cover. So let's put one Escadron by town.

>Escadron Bleu to Woluzen
>Escadron Blanc to Coloroux, will also cover Steunlen and in the middle in case we need the hitting power to shift around
>Escadron Rouge to Dissone
>Escadron Jaune to Levally

So unless you want us to concentrate everyone at the same place, I'll go for that

>>5289359
Just to quickly clarify, you currently are at Coloroux, and this is a map of the entire front. Not just your chunk of the front. Also the cities directly north of Coloroux belong to Daloyaume.

>>5289364
There are other squadrons in this area right? Where are they and what are they doing? We should reinforce them where needed or plug the gaps in our lines as required.

>>5289164
SInce our counterparts should cover the south how about

>Escadron Blanc and Escadron Bleu cover the river crossings south of coloroux
>Escadron rouge and Escadron Jaune cover the river crossings north of coloroux

>>5289385
One is a bit further south, north west of Dissons, and the other is relocating further north in between Maasberge and Woluzen. Otherwise as far as you know the one to your south consists of more S.U.D's and the one to your north is currently entirely Dupont 4 P's. As for their exact missions, you have no clue.

>>5289388
I take it cover means 'just do whatever you can to support the army'. Just note you can specify entirely what a squadron is focusing on. Say, recon flights. Or interception, air superiority, that kinda thing. Admittedly, given your current aircraft that's not too much of a issue but, still.

>>5289359
>>5289414
With the new informations, changing my vote to support >>5289388
Escadron Blanc will focus on air superiority in open conflicts
Escadron Bleu will focus on extraction missions of high priority targets /assassination-destruction of ennemy back lines (more agile aircrafts, covered by the hittin power of Escadron Blanc, using bomb shell the pilot will drop to mess with supply lines for example)
Escadron Vert can focus on interception : with better pilots, they can try to aim and headshot other pilots with their riffle, while Escadron Rouge can go for recon.
By the way, let's assign S.U.D. to
>Joseph Escoffier (Escadron Bleu)
>Lucie Clérico (Escadron Rouge)
>Blanche Bittencourt (Escadron Vert)

>>5289164
Perform an aggressive Recon Operation towards the frontline between Steunlen and Wolunzen. The Bosche is tricky, the advance through neutral Daloyame could become a fatal blow to the Republic should they be able to somehow move at speed over the Daloyaman railway.

Escadron Blanc, escorted by Escadron Rouge and Blau is to find the enemy advance and extract as much intel as possible about the advance of the Preussen menance. Escadron Vert is to remain in reserve to respond to any attempted incursions over the rest of the frontline until the others return.

>>5289164
Our aircraft are best configured for recon/spotting/scouting so lets focus on that. If we can identify strike points for our artillery we can hold the enemy at bay while our troops and allies arrive.

>>5289514
Supporting

>>5289514
Supporting

>>5289514
going to change my vote to this

>>5289514
Am >>5289427 with IP-switches.
Can get behind that; would you have different preferences for the squad assignations of SUD?

>>5289994
Phoneposting from work. I assume this is about the four extra SUD aircraft we ordered earlier? Those would be best served assigned in their entirety to Escadron Vert for the moment. If there is an Aerial Engagement or attempted Ground Offensive along the river, they will do the most good there and not with the other squadrons who will already have the support of a full Escadron of them.

Alright, think we have a solid majority here. I'll crack open the program and start checking for engagements. Expect the turn to be up in about two hours, give or take.

>>5290045
>creating a program for your quest
based beyond belief

>>5290067
Technically, I didn't create the program. It's an old thing made for me by one of the players of an old game I ran on a little known forum so I wouldn't have to spend hours on combat resolution every turn with direct dice rolls. As you can guess, it very easily can be made to work for this.

You quietly work in your office and read the various reports as they come in while sending orders out to your Es. The early weeks are a flood of reports. Firstly, as expected, Pretany has declared war on Prußenmark, and the Pretan Expeditionary Force has formed and will be joining the war shortly. Secondly, news swiftly reaches you that a major assault on Steunlen and Woluzen has begun. While Woluzen is a bit far north and flights to assist the area are less frequent, Steunlen is in the perfect spot to have your aircraft do recon regularly. Of course, that isn't to say that the flights to Woluzen are useless, far from it. In fact, some heavy artillery reported was able to assist counter battery fire a bit, along with the discovery of some supply depo's. This has had an effect as the days go by, all be it a small one, yet the city still finds itself falling to the advance of the enemy. Steunlen meanwhile holds much harder, and far more frequent flights are able to provide significant assistance in pinpointing the location of supplies, artillery, machine gun nests, and the like. However, that isn't to say everything went well.

While Escadron Rouge did well in protecting Blanc, it wasn't perfect. And, Sous-lieutenant Iseult Marais was not seen after a flight of Königstein B.II's attacked. If she is alive or not is unknown, but either she was forced to land or was killed. Further, early in the month a pilot named Alicia Sardou in a daring action was able to divert a moderate attack of three aircraft from Blanc. This resulted in her getting wounded, ironically not by the enemy but by the spar of one of the wheels breaking on landing, causing her a sprain and some bruises. The aircraft was naturally irrecoverable after the landing, but the pilot survived at least. Similarly, Pierrette Guilbert was also wounded in action, though by a grazing bullet. The good Commandant Aude Gaume also managed to distinguish herself as the first of the Escadre to get an areal victory, managing to through skill or luck break the engine of a Königstein B.II, causing the aircraft to slowly glide to the ground. Bleu meanwhile had mostly uneventful and non noteworthy escort missions, with most combat ending inconclusively with minimal damage to either side.

However, Blanc itself lost too aircraft and two pilots. Both in very different ways yet due to a similar course of action. Commandant Benoît Brochard, the same commandant who greeted you with the others, a man you met and spoke with, was killed. Not by the actions of another pilot, but by that of fire from the ground. While heading back, enemy aircraft were spotted and engaged. They were Kronlein CL.I's, aircraft somewhat similar to the S.U.D itself, though seemingly a bit more agile. Regardless, Brochard engaged the enemy as best he could, and flew too close to the ground, resulting in a swift, untimely death when a flack shell hit his aircraft directly. His replacement, Jean-Philippe Mignard, ended up in a similar situation, where his desire for glory, to protect the people flying with him, or a desire to kill the enemy caused him to meet some success as his gunner managed to down one of these aircraft, before he was shot himself. The only other of Escadron Rouge to die was a gunner, actually. As Bruno Charrier got split off from the main flight in an engagement and managed to be tailed by two aircraft. He reported that his gunner badly damaged one which flew for home only for the second to manage to kill his gunner. His aircraft surprisingly is only lightly damaged, most centered around the gunners seat.

Yet all of this pales in comparison to what Escadron Vert had to go through. The squadron of female pilots was ordered to stand by and intercept any enemy that few over the lines and that they did, driving away a number of enemy aircraft. But at a cost. Most of the aircraft they had to fight were the CL.I's, and while only one was shot down by them, the damage done was significant, with one pilot dying in a crash during landing that flipped the aircraft harshly and broke the poor pilot's neck and another who returned home only to die from their wounds a few days later. Another was reportedly lured over enemy lines chasing one of the CL.I's and shot down over the front by an enemy MG nest due to some really low flying. Despite this though and the losses, a replacement pilot of a replacement pilot. Lieutenant Adélaïde Guilloux, who managed to, with only a pistol, down an enemy aircraft through simply executing the pilot at close range. An impressive effort similar to that of Aude given the aircraft she was flying.

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At the end of the second week of the war, more supplies come in along with news from over the front. Firstly, Steunlen is in a tenuous position, with the enemy pushing hard, trying to dislodge the reinforced defenders. Luckily our soldiers are doing well to stop them but given the numerical superiority of the enemy in the area, this likely will not last long. Other than this, further south, the attack by our own forces on Dissens has been a complete and utter disaster. Thousands of soldiers have died trying to get across the river, and many more have fallen in brave charges against machinegun nests. Further, myriads of soldiers are being picked off by sharpshooters and snipers, much to the shock of our soldiers. Although, our new 'ally' Pretany has suggested changing our uniform to be a single color rather than the Blue and White uniform currently in use. Of course, such nonsense was rightfully disregarded. On the bright side, our forces marching to Münzenfeld have had some success. And while losses are noticeable, we have made gains there. Though, the enemy seems to be stiffening it's resistance there.

Still, with all this it's now time to simply plan for the next move, and also replace the aircraft losses. There's some talk of a work around to make better use of our aircraft in combat against enemy craft outside of the use of two seaters, but this will take a bit of time. Though, some experimentation is being done to find a way to deal with the obvious issue of the propeller. Pretany already has something to get around that, simply being an aircraft that has the propeller in the back, but we are looking for a more elegant solution...Unfortunately, most tests so far on our end has just been trying to strap metal to the propeller and hope for the best. We'll likely get at least some sort of makeshift solution in a month or two. But until then, it's up to the good old pistol, rifle, grenade and whatever other bits of army equipment that our brave pilots decide will be a good weapon to take down the enemy with.

Squadrons, aircraft, pilots, and other information.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KT0JJxoLsbcNFC7RqtsWKke9iTnLQ8blSCf_8dZ4jWw/edit?usp=sharing

(I will note, I was surprised with how much combat actually happened. Along with how many losses you had. But expect this level of losses once the earliest bit of the game is over.)

>>5290426
Damn rough week for us

Im thinking we need to focus steunlen otherwise our position at coloroux may be threatened so

>Rouge, bleu and blanc do their best to hold the skies above Steunlen as well as recon for our forces

>Vert stay at coloroux and recon the buildup up in the area but avoid direct action

>>5290426
>Rouge, bleu and blanc do their best to hold the skies above Steunlen as well as recon for our forces
>Vert remain out of action to rebuild and recover

>>5290423
Chadélaïde.
>>5290565
Supporting

Do a barrel roll and explode, but like on a cool way

>>5290544
Support, Vert is not that fatigued.
Also, buy four more SUDs and one point of resupply for Blanc.

By the way, when senior aircrew die, do the junior aircrew get promotions to replace them?

>>5290702

When senior Aircrew die, either a new pilot of sufficient rank replaces them, or a pilot in the squadron who has lasted long enough/done enough will be promoted to their position while their older one will be replaced by a new pilot.

>>5290544
>>5290702
+1

>>5290825
Do we have to buy replacement pilots for the fallen ones yet?

>>5291253
No. As shown in the doc you still have 33 spare pilots. You do need to pay for replacement aircraft though.

Gonna give a bit extra time to vote, but I'll likely work on the turn shortly after I wake up in the morning.

Welp. No one actually did any votes so I guess I'll just go with what I have.

>>5292082
I think the current plans are adequate.

Setting the orders for the next two weeks is done with a bit of concern, given the recent losses. However a vital point in them is to support the defense of Steunlen as best as possible. And that they do, every movement sighted reported. Every build up of artillery, how far off our own seem to be shooting from hitting their target and more. While the city was eventually lost, we have delayed them significantly, however while this is a victory, further north things aren't going as well. The city of Hareleinde has been cut off and surrounded due to a major breakthrough after what forces Daloyaume has in the north were exhausted in the fight over Woluzen. This has lead to our enemy surrounding the aforementioned city and a possibility that they will overrun the entire country and be able to plunge into the heart of Gallonia. Luckily, the Pretan Expeditionary Force has landed in our country, and will likely arrive on the front by the 15th give or take. Our own forces also have a decent number moving in to stop our enemy. Though, until the Expeditionary Force arrives there will be a significant enemy superiority in numbers. Though, our aircraft are meant to even those sorts of things out, and have clearly shown they are capable of doing just that.

While the fighting on the ground is hard, in the air the fighting is not so intense, or at least that used to be the case. Before, the only time combat happened was when our aircraft decided to go after our hated enemy or if they came to us and were in the way. For the Pretans this is even more true as we have reports that their pilots and the Prußenmark ones have even gone so far as to wave at each other. Wave. This is war not a air show... Regardless the harsh nature of war in the air was found out by Sous-lieutenant Tobie Simon, a volunteer from overseas who joined before the war started in Blanc, saw a new enemy aircraft while flying over enemy lines. Apparently it fired through it's own propeller. His Aircraft returned absolutely full of holes and his Gunner was badly wounded but alive. Unfortunately the same could not be said about Sous-lieutenant Lucie Clérico, who was reported by her fellow fliers to have been shot down by one of these craft. Some of the other Escadrons are reporting sightings of these aircraft, and while it is believed that there is only one enemy "Jagdstaffeln" and we have the misfortune of it being on our front, this is likely to change as time goes on. Ideally we can get some of our own aircraft with something capable of meeting this up and running sooner rather than later.

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Luckily, other than the news of a potentially terrifying new aircraft, nothing too much of note happened, only two other pilots failed to return home. One from anti air, and one from a Kronlein CL.I. Though Lieutenant Jessica Desmarais crashed on landing and was killed, the damage believed to be caused by one of the new and strange aircraft Prußenmark has. Other than this, and a landing Lieutenant Timothé Grinda that was near the front lines and resulted in his aircraft getting destroyed by artillery before it could be recovered and brought back to the air base unlike the pilot who was safe, the only thing of note really was the fact that the two did it again. Commandant Aude Gaume Downed another Konigstein B.II with her rifle, and Lieutenant Adélaïde Guilloux managed to similarly down a Kronlein CL.I. In simple terms, this was a much better week than before.

Other than this there is only three things of particular importance to note with regards to our operations. Firstly, we have been informed that, given the amount of resources shipped to the north, we will be receiving extra requisitions by the middle of the month. It might even become the new stable supplies for us, which would be good given we do need more aircraft. The second is simply that Vert has spotted heavy artillery in the build up near our current town of operations. And as such, a attack might be imminent, which would make sense as it would delay and hold up the transfer of more forces to the north and buy time for Prußenmark to take more land with little resistance. Lastly, work on getting something up and running to allow us to attack an enemy has resulted in all of our air corps being given the option to requisition P.A.C GE 2's until a method of attack outside of pistols and rifles can be devised. Of course, taking one is a blow to our pride, and they'll be harder to come by, but it is an option if we really want to go after things. It's a stop gap measure for now until we can find a way to not shoot a propeller off or find a solid way to get around the propeller. So far no one has taken any of the P.A.C GE 2's though other than the Pretan squadrons who already are acquainted with them, likely because of the aforementioned blow to pride.

Squadrons, aircraft, pilots, and other information.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KT0JJxoLsbcNFC7RqtsWKke9iTnLQ8blSCf_8dZ4jWw/edit?usp=sharing

(Bleu is having a charmed life, still not losing a single pilot, and Aude and Adélaïde are stupidly so far. Let's see how long that lasts. Also much better turn in regards to losses this time.)

>>5292227
Chadelaide will be our first ace

>Send all squadrons to Maasberge to support our coalition army and detect enemy concentrations

Prepare the mechanics to recieve PAC GE next turn. They're not great but they would still be the best thing we've got.

>>5292268
+1 shits about to get rough in the north

Quick question for those who are playing. What are your thoughts so far? Am I doing a good job? Just a quick bit of feedback since we are now two turns in and I think you can get a feel for how things will go.

>>5292726
I enjoy it. Perhaps some more details on the air combat and familiarizing ourself with the aircrew.

>>5292782
I had some idea's for the latter bit of that, but fair with the former. I'll probably do more details for that when you get proper forward facing guns or if someone important gets downed by the [REDACTED].

>>5292726
Enjoying it so far but I have to agree with another anon some combat narrative would be nice when we get proper forward facing guns

>>5292227
Resupply Vert and Bleu. Mostly agree with >>5292268, but keep Vert at Coloroux; we need some coverage there.

>>5292726
Pretty good. A vignette or interlude would nice, once the aircrew start cracking up.

>>5292227
Damn, Chadélaïde have already 21 FEXP; how much does one need to be an ace?
>Send all squadrons to Maasberge to support our coalition army and detect enemy concentrations
>Create a secondary mission : Capture and fly back one of the unidentified aircraft for retroengineering

>>5293017
5 areal victories. It's not about EXP. Also if you plan an op like that, you should list the squadrons doing it and the like.

>>5292268
Supporting

Turn will be worked on in about five or so hours. So you have until then to give further votes if you want.

Also if you want to go with the plan of nicking one of the other aircraft, please give more details as to how it will be done.

>>5293600
Leap into the other plane mid flight and hijack it. This is a joke do not actually attempt this

It was a day like any other, the pilots of Blanc were to head out on a morning recon mission to take photos as usual. Nothing too special, thought Rémy. He and Tobie were to be sent up together, ideally to find any build up of artillery, soldiers, or a major supply depo. A run of the mill operation to ideally prevent the fall of Daloyaume. Yet, Tobie was worried. Afraid even. Apparently, he saw an owl while eating breakfast, something his old father who was part of the Navy said was always a bad omen when one was about to set sail. Of course, Rémy was not a superstitious man, and thought nothing of it. And, once in his aircraft with his gunner Alphonse and his engine started, he waited for Tobie to take off and shortly after before his ally was up in the air he started as well. Really, it was a pleasant day for flying. Not much wind. A clear, sunny sky. Perfect day for photography from high above. The flight over the fighting was also quite peaceful. And, in the back of his mind, he thought Tobie's fears to be a bit amusing.

A fair bit over enemy lines, he started hearing the crackling of gunfire, that of a machine gun. Yet quickly looking over to his fellow in the air he was dismayed to see his lead's gunner not firing and worse watched as Tobie's top left wing broke off from a hale of gunfire. The aircraft swiftly spiraling to the ground, the remaining wings soon flying off as they were ripped apart by the increasing speed. Yet, he saw no enemy aircraft, and in a panic, dove down. A choice that saved him as a few rounds went just over head, snagging the tail when they would have originally hit him instead. Further looking around he saw what it was that killed his flight lead. Three enemy aircraft, the same kind Tobie warned him about he presumed. Alphonse opened up on one of the aircraft behind, yet his aim was wide as the aircraft maintained position above, slowly diving down to follow and give chase. He had no clue where they even came from. Clearly, from the gunfire they came a bit from the east, and that's when it clicked. The enemies dove from the sun, hiding themselves. This thought was cut off as Alphonse opened fire again, ineffectual at the range, but hopefully enough to keep the enemy aircraft at bay.

It wasn't.

As he got to low altitude, he found himself unable to realistically dive further and his side of the lines was still a far away. Worse, the enemy was still above, and soon the three Bergen D.I's made their move and dove down on him, Alphonse's firing soon silenced as he took a few bullets to the stomach and slumped over. And soon after, a number of bullets hit the upper wing, and worse, the engine, which made a horrible clanging sound as hot oil started flying in his face, his eyes luckily protected by his goggles. Then, after a few more rounds and a really bad clang, the propeller stopped. Forcing him to land behind enemy lines.

Oberleutnant Harthmann Von Rútlingen was pleased. His fifth victory had been secured.

At the start of the month you find yourself a bit more confident compared to the middle of last month. After all, your forces managed to do much better than before, and things went quite well. So, naturally, you swiftly sent aircraft out to aid the defense of the capital of Daloyaume. All four Escadrons sent. To your dismay, reports swiftly turned grim. The new aircraft that was unveiled earlier last month was patrolling the exact area your aircraft were. Your Prußenmark rivals clearly seeing the value in ensuring air superiority on their side of the lines. Many aircraft were shot down, even Bleu which had been living a charmed life until now suffered. Though embarrassingly, Sous-lieutenant Nicholas Barthélemy wasn't even shot down by the new terror of the skies but by a Königstein B.II who's pilot apparently just threw a bucket full of random scrap at his aircraft, the bucket managing to hit the wing with enough force to break the main spar and soon after the speed caused the rest of the wing to go. Other than this embarrassing moment, most of the losses suffered were due to Bergen D.I's. A new aircraft that is absolutely terrifying. And while all the run ins have given a bit of a clearer picture as to how the aircraft preforms, chances are they are embellished due to fear.

Losses are particularly heavy among Blanc, the larger S.U.D Type R struggling to evade fire thrown at it. The Pretan's have started to consider once these enemy aircraft start coming in numbers to simply have a extensive number of escorts for one mission, though such a commitment would drastically reduce the number of aircraft to actually do missions. Really, the only bright side is that Aude and Adélaïde have somehow continued to manage to down aircraft with just their pistols. Though, the latter has had a run in with a Bergen D.I. She wasn't injured and her aircraft only mildly damaged, yet despite this the new aircraft has caused a sizable amount of annoyance to her, though more so out of her own fellow pilots. Their talk and worry about the new aircraft has annoyed her so much so she has written "À mauvais ouvrier point de bon outil." upon the side of her own aircraft livery. Another noteworthy member of Vert however is Sous-lieutenant Ermengardis Duverger, a pilot who's family was from Altsas-Mossel before it was taken by Prußenmark. In a large flight with five others, she managed to distract and divert three Bergan's away from the rest of her flight. And despite being chased by three of these Bergen D.I's, she managed to out run them and once flying over the front, the enemy aircraft broke off, though with heavy damage. While Major Ninon Stuart was still shot down, this distraction allowed the rest of the flight to escape.

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In other news, things along the frontline are mixed. While Daloyaume has lost a sizable amount of land, both our and Pretany's forces have arrived in sizable numbers and are ready to halt the enemies advance. Unfortunately in the south, the drive on Münzenfeld has met a disastrous counter attack at Levally which could cut off and encircle the army there, forcing a withdrawal. In the east however, tragically a major battle at Ostilsztyn has been lost by our Varuskie allies. On the bright side, Illyrpsja has done well to fight Steyerland-Magyria, who also has suffered a few defeats at the hand of the Varuskie Tzardom. In other news, the new aircraft has ramped up work on our own, working for any stop gap measures that are available, temporary or not. Little has really been formed, but even so it's clear that this new Bergen Scourge is going to cause problems. Luckily, given we and 6e Escadre Mixte "Chevaliers" have taken signifigant losses, we have been given a fair bit more requisitions to replace our losses, and high command won't be upset with us deciding to go for some easier milk runs rather than going right back into the front lines.

Further, some of the escadron's aren't doing too well, morale wise. While they still are eager to get revenge, there's a bit of doubt and concern among some of the less patriotic. The most notable outlier is Blanc, who took extensive losses these past two weeks. Something should be done about this.

>Give a speech to improve morale
>Give them better rations for a few weeks. Onions anyone? (Costs 4 requisitions)
>Fly a safe mission or two with them to prove that you are with them and not just some desk jocky (Risky)
>Fly a darring mission with them to prove you lead from the front. (Extremely risky, don't do this.)
>Eh, they'll get over it. They are Gallonians after all!
>Write in

Squadrons, aircraft, pilots, and other information.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KT0JJxoLsbcNFC7RqtsWKke9iTnLQ8blSCf_8dZ4jWw/edit?usp=sharing

(You rolled god awfully on encounters... So uh, good news, you know what that new plane is called, and a few rough statistics, all be it likely over estimated due to infamy. Bad news, a good few ran head first into Jagdstaffel I... I didn't intend the Bergen Scourge to start so soon after it was introduced...You quite literally rolled a 1 14 times, 8 of which were fatal encounters...At least Aude and Adélaïde continue to be stupidly lucky, unlike Bleu.)

>>5294411
Not sure about buying those PAC GE 2's, their stats suck. Then again, they might do some good in mixed formations with the more agile Dupont 4 P's, or maybe they can form Lufbery circles.
>Fly a safe mission or two with them to prove that you are with them and not just some desk jocky (Risky)

>>5294411
>Fly a safe mission or two with them to prove that you are with them and not just some desk jocky (Risky)

>all squadrons stay near coloroux doing basic recon and such

our pilots need some missions spent not getting slaughtered lets take it easy

>>5294411
>>Give a speech to improve morale
>>Fly a safe mission or two with them to prove that you are with them and not just some desk jocky (Risky)
What a shitty turn

>all squadrons stay near coloroux doing basic recon and such

>>5294411
>Fly a darring mission with them to prove you lead from the front. (Extremely risky, don't do this.)
>Give them better rations for a few weeks. Onions anyone? (Costs 4 requisitions)

>>5294411
>Fly a safe mission or two with them to prove that you are with them and not just some desk jocky (Risky)

>>5294411
>Fly a safe mission or two with them to prove that you are with them and not just some desk jocky (Risky)

Should note btw you have 60+ requisitions you might want to do something with. Otherwise so far everything else seems in order

Can we invest requisitions into research/prototyping ?

>>5294955

No, but I'll allow you having pilots experiment with aircraft. So actually yesn't. I'll leave voting for another day since I'm fairly sure that you don't want to just go out there with half your squadrons at half strength, even for milk runs.

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>>5295377
Can they requisition a few rails and cables and experiment with mounting a machine gun somewhere the propeller isn't? Like above the parasol wing?

>>5294835
shit your right

Lets just resupply all of the squadrons with what they currently have for aircraft

>>5295447
Supporting that and refilling the exact loss.

>>5294835
I am >>5294443. Heck, just buy those PAC GE 2's if the option is available. I just want to see what happens.

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>>5295447
Amusingly, I was actually planning on having foster mounts as a temporary addition to your current aircraft in a few turns. If you want you can hold a aircraft or two in reserve and pay a bit to experiment and try and get something from it. If you were Lothring you probably would get to do this sort of thing every turn and far more than just a 'oh god we need some way of fighting back' stopgap. You also would be able to avoid the person in pic related.

I'll likely start working in five hours from now as usual. If nothing changes with the votes I'll do the basic 'replace everything' plan since that seems to be the most popular so far. In the meantime while you wait, enjoy this amusing document.

>>5296107
Are we going to purchase a few PACs too?

>>5296107
My vote is to reserve a few aircraft and RP for getting foster mounts or what stopgap we can working asap.

Well, you said you would go on a few missions, and here you are. Getting in an aircraft that you honestly have little idea as to how to properly fly. You might be a part of the air corps but you were never intended to be a pilot. This really sounded like a far better idea on paper than it did in practice. Despite this, you take a breath, and stop worrying as you fly up into the air leading Sous-lieutenant Ermengardis Duverger and Sous-lieutenant Engeleis Ménétries, the former having reassured you quite a bit before getting in your aircraft that if any of the Prußenmark Bergen's come after you, she'll lead them away a second time, though there was a fair bit of somberness in her voice. Why you cannot tell. Engeleis meanwhile was mostly quiet however, and didn't speak to you unless spoken. Still, steadying yourself and leading your fellow's over the front, you find the experience...relaxing. Once the fear is gone and you are at least partially used to the aircraft, knowing you just need to keep level and not dive too harshly or anything similar it honestly is genuinely nice...Until the occasional Archie flies up. Then it's nerve wracking. But once it fades, once more the calm and actual joy comes to you. No wonder why so many seemed to dream to go into the air. Being on the ground as a soldier must be extremely boring in comparison. Even if it's a bit different from the old days of forming up in lines. Eventually, you fly over something of importance, and with notes in hand you carefully write down what you see at the position before tucking the note pad and pen away and moving on. Doing this to all sectors on the patrol before returning. No enemy aircraft came up after you, none you knew of anyway. If there were, they were either too slow or changed their mind on attacking. Even so, the success emboldens you to go a few more times, keeping with the two pilots from Vert as your wingwomen. Even though it was only five missions and nothing hard, the act combined with the relative peacefulness of the section of the front gives a major breather for the vast majority of the pilots. And going up yourself certainly has emboldened those who were starting to waver even if only somewhat.

Yet while the little trips over the lines and back from high above were nice, they weren't your main job. And, luckily or not, they never will be most likely. Yet as you manage the many forms to fill out for replacement aircraft, you find little being reported from your squadrons other than success after success. Your losses seem to be the lightest in the war so far, with only two killed. And even then, Lieutenant Timothé Grinda who did die after taking a bad shrapnel wound from Ack Ack, was strong enough to fight off death long enough to serve his country in saving his aircraft for another's use before perishing. That isn't to say that nothing else happened though, as there was a decent chunk of action, especially thanks to the allowance of some tampering with the aircraft by the pilots. As Adélaïde swiftly took the opportunity to request a machine gun and for steel plates to be fashioned on her propeller when she was given the chance. After, she requested the ability to go on a lone patrol over our lines, which was also granted. During it, she spotted a lone Kronlein and dove from the front, killing the pilot in a quick burst. And a good thing too, as her propeller was shot off in the attack run despite the plating, though luckily the chunk only took out one incidence wire. After this, she gently controlled the aircraft down and landed not far from the crashed enemy. And after claiming a chunk of broken wing from it worked on getting some assistance moving her damaged aircraft back to the airbase. The propeller and wire were replaced, and the aircraft deemed airworthy again, all be it with the machinegun removed given what happened.

Even then, this isn't even the most impressive thing to happen, as Capitaine Damien Dujardin managed to shoot down two aircraft that were after him. A Königstein and a Kronlein, and in the same mission too! The former wasn't much special, with the aircraft being downed by Damien diving below the craft and having the gunner shoot upward, then turning to follow the smaller craft as it tried dodging and diving elsewhere and repeating this twice until the lower left wing was shot off. The latter however was a proper duel of sorts. Though one that was ended just as his gunner ran out of ammo with the engine of the enemy craft going out. Yet despite this, there is one other thing that could be considered more noteworthy and deserving of praise. The actions of Major Monique Boissieu. See, Major Boissieu and her flight flew a bit far too north than he should have, and ran into a Bergen D.I. Yet, despite this, with only a pistol to her name, she managed to fend the thing off and even cause the pilot of it to turn away! She also drove off a Kronlein, though such is far less impressive. Despite surviving against the former, she has simply stated she thinks she is lucky and nothing more. Though this comment was seen as being overly humble by Adélaïde.

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Outside the squadron and on the front, things are mixed more or less everywhere. Thanks to our recon a probing attack, similar to the one we endured earlier, was done near Coloroux to draw away forces from the main fighting in Daloyaume. While it didn't divert that much, it helped. Further, the status of Daloyaume is far better than before. With the front starting to stabilize as our and Pretany's forces have arrived in full force to protect the smaller nation from our hated enemies wanton aggression. Though, Prußenmark has still pushed despite our efforts, it's far less than before, and it is believed that we can hold and dig in before driving them out in a brave counter attack! Surely, our soldiers won't get bogged down now that the enemy has lost momentum, and we can win far faster than Prußenmark did against us the last time. Further south, an encirclement has narrowly been avoided, though the city of Levally has fallen. Though the riveline will prove a good barrier to prevent any further push by the enemy at least. In the east things are going just as mixed as everywhere else, with Prußenmark capitalizing on their major victory and pushing hard, while Steyerland-Magyria struggles against the might of our ally. Lastly, some irrelevant newspaper from our hated rival has come up with a fanciful and idiotic term for two of their pilots who mercilessly slaughtered eight brave pilots each. These “Überkanonen'' have caused quite a stir in Prußenmark where their acts of shooting practice have been elevated to heroism. Annoyingly, this has had an effect in strengthening the fear and reputation of the Bergan D.I as well, and might result in more of them coming out of the wood work. No matter what though, we will be prepared for it and more.

Squadrons, aircraft, pilots, and other information.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KT0JJxoLsbcNFC7RqtsWKke9iTnLQ8blSCf_8dZ4jWw/edit?usp=sharing

(Fairly peaceful turn while Chadélaïde continues to be stupidly lucky like a chad or more accurately...Actually what is the female version of chad? . I should note technically it would have just been a pistol kill again if it wasn't for the fact that what you were doing was perfectly timed for her to try such a thing.)

Ok, we need to keep experimenting the flight through propeller thing.
How far is Chadélaïde from Ace? One or 2 more victories?

>>5296709
If you look at the doc, you can see she has 4 victories. So just one more, unless she dies of course, then its infinitely more until she discovers a way to crawl out from hell or you do for her... this isn't exactly a fantasy quest either, so...You can guess how likely that'll be to work

>>5296725
Well she gets a nuke at 30 kills/deaths at least right? :P

>>5296705
>accurately...Actually what is the female version of chad?
Stacy.

Anywyay can we start requesting bravery medals for pilots who have shown their worth?

>>5296705
resupply as we can, have the pilots continue to experiment
Have Vert and rouge do recon north of coloroux

Have Blanc and Bleu do recon at coloroux

>>5297158
>>5297632
We should do both of these

I'll give a few more hours until I do the turn, for more votes and all that. Question for you all btw, am I updating too much, to little or is this a good amount?

>>5298438
Pace is just right. About one update a day is the norm for this board.

>>5298438
One post a day tends be the norm around here so just perfect

It was yet another day for Escadron Vert. Another set of recon up north. Luckily, neither they or Rouge stumbled across the Bergen D.I's for the time being, but that was something that Adélaïde Guilloux hardly cared about. To her, the aircraft was over rated. Really, the only issue that pilots had with it was simply the fact it fired forward with a machinegun. With the Königstein B.II's, there was only the pistol, rifle, or whatever else they brought up to worry about. The pilot had to split their attention between flying and maneuvering, and firing at the enemy from an angle. And with the Kronlein CL.I's, the rear gunner has the issue of his aircraft moving to avoid fire while he tries aiming. And even then, it was entirely reasonable to fly below or in front and not fear the rear gunner. But with the Bergen, the pilot had a simple weapon to aim, and a far more powerful one. All you needed to do was just not let them get behind you. And if they did get behind you, not to let them get an accurate shot. By no means was she the best at this, but the mere understanding of that fact made the monster of a machine just the latter rather than the former. Still, this would hardly be an issue to her as when s he went up and led a flight over enemy territory, she came across another flight, one of enemy aircraft which she drew her pistol for. Aiming with the thing was hard. Really, the only reason she was able to hit a number of her shots was remembering hunting trips she went on before the war, knowing of deflection shooting, combined with the somewhat risky approach of getting in close. Once more, she did so, and as the rest of her flight served as a distraction to the other aircraft. She got below her target and fired upward until her pistol needed to reload, but her shots were well placed, and punched through the canvas and timber to hit the pilot, who soon started diving down uncontrollably. Naturally, she swiftly dove out of the way, and calmly carried on with her mission before being harassed by another few aircraft. Nothing major really happened other than this, but it was her fifth enemy downed. And, soon after returning and reporting her latest victory, some of the base staff spoke of how she was on track to beat the Prußenmark pilots in their Bergen's, and this swiftly spread to get to the ears of the press, who swiftly ran a story to give a bit of faith to the other pilots dealing with the Bergen Scourge, calling her l'As. Needless to say, she enjoyed the attention she got at the base.

Once more orders were sent out and the easy missions were granted to Blanc and Bleu, though the latter had a bit of poor luck as a few pilots ran into a heavy area of Ack Ack and suffered harshly for it. Even so, it was expected that Vert and Rouge would face stiff resistance. And while they certainly did meet a fair few enemy aircraft, none of the Bergen D.I's were spotted. However, reports quickly came in as to who was dealing with them, and it turns out that would be the Pretans who's Faeco EL1's have recently suffered harshly. Other than this, there is actually little to report in regards to the efforts that the squadrons did these past few weeks. Other than that supplies are running low, and there wasn't enough left over after replacing all the aircraft for actual fuel and the like. But, that should not be a problem anymore now that supplies have arrived, once they are assigned anyway. Still, there is one concern that is brought up to you by Botrel. The number of replacement Pilots you have are starting to get low. Regardless of that issue the more important news as to the status of the front is mostly good. The enemies northern spearhead has been blunted enough that their advance has halted. And now, they are digging in just as our forces have. Of course, this surely is a temporary situation, as we will undoubtedly push them back out sooner rather than later, but it is important to note anyway. Naturally, Vert and Rouge are to thank partially for the halting of the enemy, as the recon they provided was quite useful, and likely saved us a few miles of ground. Other than this, nothing much came from the experimentation so far, both in our squadron and elsewhere. There is reports of some success the P.A.C GE 2 seem to have in driving away the Bergen's provided there's a number of them, but even then it is quite obvious even from a glance that a Bergen D.I is a lot easier to replace than a P.A.C GE 2. Especially in our position. And even then, the aircraft is too slow to keep up with the smaller Bergen. Ideally though a new aircraft will be operational soon, or a stopgap is developed as mentioned...

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In news more related to our accomplishments in aviation, due to the success that Adélaïde has had, she is to be granted the Croix de guerre en argent. A modest medal, but the first to be granted to an aviator in the war. Well, technically not true. A bronze version has been given to a pair of recon pilots from 6e Escadre Mixte "Chevaliers" but that's not silver like our pilot has. Regardless, we have a few options as to how to do this. We could let her spend some time behind the lines for propaganda purposes, use some of her insight for training pilots, or just leave her in her squadron as is. Of course, the former two mean she'll not be aiding the war effort directly for a bit, but it'll ensure she doesn't get a visit from death anytime soon, and it can get us some things...Of course, if she continues to do well despite the situation, she can give us even greater rewards propaganda wise.,, Still, it seems some of the desires of fighting in the noble ways of old still live in this war, up in the sky where men and women can become heroes like those of ages past...

>Keep Adélaïde in Vert for now.
>Send Adélaïde to aid the training of new pilots.
>Send Adélaïde to the backline, speak with the press and make a heroine out of her.
>Write in.

Squadrons, aircraft, pilots, and other information.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KT0JJxoLsbcNFC7RqtsWKke9iTnLQ8blSCf_8dZ4jWw/edit?usp=sharing

(So far your luck seems schizophrenic with one bad turn and then one good turn and back and forth near constantly. It's kinda weird, but entertaining to me. Also bit of a shorter turn, but the front is starting to go into proper trench warfare mode, and nothing much happened to your squadrons other than the ace.)

>>5298929
>>Send Adélaïde to the backline, speak with the press and make a heroine out of her.
The nation needs a hero and we are ready to provide. Extra requisitions would be nice if more people start caring about the air forces.

>>5298929
>Send Adélaïde to aid the training of new pilots.
We need to create a full regiment of Chadélaïdettes.

>>5298929
>>Send Adélaïde to aid the training of new pilots.

>Remain at Coloroux
>Have Blanc and Bleu do air interceptions over our territory
>Vert and Rouge continue recon over Steunlen

>>5298438
My only issue with the updates is that they need to formatted in paragraphs to be more legible.

>>5299067
+1 to this

>>5298929
I would say Bleu and Vert for intercept, and Blanc and Rouge for recce.

Also, spend 33 RPs on 4 Duponts and 3 SUDs. That leaves 3 RPs to bring squadrons to 60% supply, and 4 RPs for 16 pilots.

It should have been another peaceful flight over the enemy lines. Emphasis on should have. And now Catherine was stuck fighting for her life against five enemy aircraft all trying to shoot her down. Alone. Needless to say, she was not too happy about her situation, what with her flight being god knows where because SOMEONE thought it was a wise idea to fly through a very large cloud instead of around it. Bitter, and quite annoyed, Catherine swiftly found herself out of ammo, while still dealing with an entire enemy flight. Yet, after plenty of intense maneuvering and a lot pistol and rifle rounds fired at her, she realized some of the enemy aircraft seemed to be out of ammo. And, with a taunt and barrage of insults thrown at her enemy, she would find herself quite relieved that she seemed likely to survive this endeavor despite the fact that it was a 1 vs 5...

Then it became a 1 vs 6 and she regretted letting that thought jinx her. Especially as she noticed the aircraft that joined the fray was a fucking Bergen D.I. Why was her luck like this today? What did she do to deserve this? This only made her more angry, and yet she tapped into this anger and kept on flying, and despite horrendous damage made it over no mans land where the Bergen broke off. Leaving only one enemy aircraft after her. Quite fed up with her pursuer as she slowly glided further down, she threw her empty pistol back and soon laughed as it broke the aircrafts propeller. Shortly after, she landed on the ground a ways away from the airfield. Better yet, she even found the downed Königstein B.II, which was in a surprisingly workable order, despite the propeller, and it's previous pilot already absconded and was no where to be found... Well, if she ever needed proof of her deed she certainly had her trophy. And ideally if that propeller could be fixed, her new aircraft.

If only it was the Bergen that followed her. Though given how powerful the thing is, it makes sense why the Prußenmarkian's keep them in a position where their secrets don't have a chance of being spilled.

In your office you find that the past two weeks are quite uneventful for just about everyone except Rouge. Outside of a couple of engagements, hardly anything happened for the pilots of every Escadron other than Rouge. For Blanc and Bleu, their role in interception sees them mostly relaxing and unwinding. Able to chat about their victories, relax, and generally get some much needed rest and relaxation. In fact, apparently Jacquot. a moderately skilled chief, even managed to make a grand feast for everyone when his family managed to send a gift in the form of ingredients. Bleu had an unfortunate accident however, where one of their aircraft was misidentified for a Königstein B.II and shot down by our own anti aircraft, but other than this and another loss from an intruding Königstein, their time was mostly calm as well.

Vert meanwhile had a decent amount of action, but despite this suffered no losses, though a number of aircraft needed to be repaired after the damage done to them. Rouge meanwhile only suffered two losses, one to the dreaded Harthmann and another to a Kronlein. Yet while this is unfortunate, the actions by Rouge have been nothing short of phenomenal. As four of their pilots scored victories, with Lieutenant Calantha Desjardins, Lieutenant Pierrette Guilbert, Major Catherine Hauet, and Commandant Aude Gaume all managing to down an enemy aircraft, one with a pistol, two with a rifle, and one with the actual pistol rather than the bullets. In fact in the latter case, which was done by Catherine, she managed to bring back a mostly intact Königstein B.II, which she requests be flown by her. A quick examination of the craft shows our beliefs about it's characteristics are true, and that it is a better aircraft than what we currently have. It could be useful for our own designs in the future as well, though this would be taking away a free aircraft from our use. Then again repairing it might be hard given spare parts will likely be a bit harder to find. Still this is something to decide upon in the future.

>Allow Calantha to personally keep the aircraft
>Allow Rouge to keep the aircraft.
>Take the aircraft back for further examination.
>Write in

Other than this, Adélaïde has been sent to our training command to improve the quality of our pilots. So far she has done an alright job in explaining some of the fundamentals, though as she's only one person, she has so far made a modest improvement to our current batch of replacement pilots (+1 to Flying exp upon replacement for the next 19 pilots in the pool.). We have two options with what to do here. We can either assign her to stay there for the next three months or even longer to ensure a higher quality batch of pilots or recall her back to her squadron. She personally would like the latter, and for the time being with the media buzz around her having died sending her to talk to the press now would be a bit of a waste until she manages to do something else of importance. Though, a living hero is much better than a martyr...

>Bring Adélaïde Back
>Make her stay in Tracom for three months.
>Make her stay in Tracom for longer (Write in)

Lastly news from the front has shown that essentially everyone has dug in more or less. Most of the pushes and fall backs are on the eastern front, yet now that the advance from Prußenmark has been halted things have grown stagnant for a while. Currently, the plan is to push in the north if possible to retake Maasberge, and stop once December roles around and with it winter comes before resuming or starting any operations anywhere on the continent. Though, elsewhere operations in the colonies are underway. As for what the enemy is up to, at the moment, we have no clue at the moment. Though, some good news, a blockade has been formed by Pretany to prevent supplies from getting to Prußenmark. It will ideally starve them into submission.

Squadrons, aircraft, pilots, and other information.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KT0JJxoLsbcNFC7RqtsWKke9iTnLQ8blSCf_8dZ4jWw/edit?usp=sharing

(Sorry about no turn or comment from me yesterday, I was quite busy. I think I'm going to do a once every other day basis with this from now on, to prevent burn out and give more time for people to vote. Though, if people are particularly against this I'll try and keep doing one a day. I hope the formatting this time also is better and more readable. Also no frontline map as it's remained unchanged.)

>>5301165
>Take the aircraft back for further examination.
>Bring Adélaïde back

>>5301165
>Take the aircraft back for further examination.
>Bring Adélaïde Back

Remain in our posts. Watch for enemy assault efforts

>>5301307
+1

>>5301166
>Sorry about no turn or comment from me yesterday, I was quite busy. I think I'm going to do a once every other day basis with this from now on, to prevent burn out and give more time for people to vote. Though, if people are particularly against this I'll try and keep doing one a day. I hope the formatting this time also is better and more readable. Also no frontline map as it's remained unchanged.
That is totally fine and acceptable.

>Take the aircraft back for further examination.
>Bring Adélaïde back

Send Blanc and Vert over to Maasberge, keep Rouge and Bleu on our lines to intercept

>>5301165
I just noticed I accidently wrote Calantha rather than Catherine on the who should keep the aircraft and it hurts me...Anyway seems you all agree on the two decisions. I'll have the turn out Sunday night/Monday morning then.

It was mid day. Blanc was once more going to go up to the air in order to provide much needed reconnaissance on Prußenmark forces. Commandant Porthos Plantier was the flight lead on the important mission to try and find any area's of newly formed trench work that were still being dug out. Naturally, the Commandant leading the flight gave his three wing members confidence. For who better to lead a flight of the Escadron than it's very leader? Besides, the Escadron had done this many, many times. Enemy lines or not. And everyone was still in good spirits thanks to Jacquot's little feast. It seemed like all would be well...

It was mid day. Conditions for flying were excellent. The engineers had loaded the exact amount of fuel as requested, slightly more than needed to do his patrol with his the other pilots and engage in notable combat. Of course the reason he was particular with the amount of fuel was simply that fuel was weight. The less weight, the faster, more maneuverable and agile the craft. There was a reason the large and lumbering tug boat was easily out maneuvered by the torpedo boat. Of course, he was the flight leader. He almost always was. Still, he inspired just as much confidence in the men under him as their aircraft did...

Soon enough, high above, he saw an flight of enemies. Observation craft of course, the size and the rear gunner obvious. Four aircraft to be exact. Perfect for his flight of three. Yet, far too low for them to dive on. So, he motioned for the other members of his flight to follow him closely as he bled altitude. It took some time, but eventually they were at an acceptable altitude to begin their attack. And with that, he motioned for the flight to split up, and dove upon his target.

It had been a calm flight for Major Gabriel Carrell. No Archie had come up to meet them, and there were no Bergen's in sight. Already they had taken a fair few pictures of the sizable area of the front. But there was still a fair few more plates to use up before they could return home on their side of the lines...Then, suddenly, he heard gunfire, as his gunner desperately opened fire at an attacker he never noticed. Swiftly, he went evasive, yet his fellows weren't so lucky, with Commandant Porthos Plantier downed in a single, elegant burst by their assailant, and his fellow wingman taking various levels of damage. He himself however was surprisingly sparsely damaged, the aircraft that picked him as it's target having switched to another wingman. Yet as he swiftly made for his side of the lines, knowing the Begen's wouldn't follow him, he heard further fire. And looking behind watched as one of his wingman was on fire and already well on the way to the ground, while the other was horribly damaged, the top wing slowly bending further and further up as it's spar had broken. And soon, it snapped off, sentencing Lieutenant Raoul De Guignes to his fate...

It had been a good day. Harthmann thought. He expertly downed a Gallonian S.U.D. and his wingmen managed to score a kill each. Ideally this sort of experience would teach his subordinates and potentially lead to them becoming recognized by the press like he was. He wanted his Jagdstaffel to do well, even if he wasn't it's commanding officer. Who knows? Regardless, he was happy that Pfÿffers and Wickten had managed to each get their fifth victories, and decided he would have to set up a celebration for them once evening came...

Report after report comes into your office relating to the situation on the front. While Vert is doing fine, Blanc has been absolutely crippled in a number of bad encounters. From a flight of four lead by Commandant Porthos Plantier having but one survivor, Major Gabriel Carrel. Who in a later mission would be horribly damaged to the point even our skilled mechanics had to write the aircraft off as a loss. This combined with some other losses has lead to only three aircraft remaining flyable for the squadron. The only bit of good news to come from Blanc is that Sous-lieutenant Morelet Pasquier managed to down a Königstein B.II. Regardless, given their extensive losses their missions have been written off as having failed due to far too many losses. Vert meanwhile has faired significantly better. Not a single pilot has been lost by them, though despite this and Adélaïde happy to be in the air again, they didn't manage to down any enemy aircraft and their missions were constantly interrupted by the appearance of enemy aircraft, reducing their effectiveness significantly. At least the combat has certainly made them better, more survivable pilots.

For Rouge, the past week was much like what the last week was for everyone else. They only encountered a single aircraft during their line patrols and interception missions, which was shot down by the fairly new pilot Sous-lieutenant Amélie Flandin who managed to down the enemy in a extremely odd way. Maneuvering. They forced the enemy into a low altitude fight and managed to make the enemy pilot stall and crash. Despite no shots by her being fired, we are still counting it as her victory. Blue meanwhile did most interception, and suffered a few losses, but nothing unsustainable. Two of the pilots killed were merely Majors, though Capitaine Henriet LeMahieu was the third of their three losses. Despite this, they only lost two aircraft as one of these losses, specifically one of the Majors, died from wounds rather than their aircraft fully going down thankfully.

There is some other major reports that come in however, unrelated to your own pilot's performance. That being the Sāriqīn Empire has bombarded a port of the Varuskie Tzardom, and has joined the war on Prußenmark's side. Other than this, the inspection of the Königstein B.II has given some insight into how to make an agile aircraft. The engine is equal to our own aircraft roughly, but it's maneuverability is far greater. This is due to the use of flaps rather than wing warping, among other small things. Further, this has given us a greater understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of an inline engine, given our aircraft designers have far more experience on radial engines when it comes to aircraft. Much more than that we do not know as we lack the connections to fully exploit or request things from our designers, but this isn't really an issue. Lastly the front everywhere seems to have stagnated. Both in the Tzardom where things are stabilizing and here, where our offensive went...poorly to say the least, mainly due to sizable enemy numbers and a disruption of areal forces that were meant to give an edge. Of course, the enemy didn't have that much recon over us as well, but it was still far greater than our own, and they weren't the ones attacking at this moment in time. Despite the losses, the attack is scheduled to still continue until December.

Squadrons, aircraft, pilots, and other information.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KT0JJxoLsbcNFC7RqtsWKke9iTnLQ8blSCf_8dZ4jWw/edit?usp=sharing

(As before, no frontline map as it's remained unchanged. Also, thoughts on doing some talking with your pilots and commanders in December?)

Ok we need to resupply Blanc.
However I don't want to commt RP to plans right before a breaktrough of our engineering.
>Buy 4 SUD (28 points)
>How does refueling works? 3 points will refuel 20% of our 3 Dupont squad
>Refuel Blanc with 5 points
total spent : 36 points. We need to spend at least that.
However, Prussen planes are immensely superior. We really need to find a way to have something even approaching Bergen capacities...

>>5303218
This plus have all squadrons besides Blanc remain above colourx have blanc just take the fuckin week off

Ok I have a plan
>Give all squad except Blanc the mission to down a Bergen in the same zone
>get mechanics on the planes
>Once the Bergen is down, an escort will cover ten planes with mechanics going down, scavenging usefull parts of the downed bergen such as propeller and gun, key parts of the engine, wing flaps, alloy of the wing and plane's body

>>5303328
Isn't putting mechanics on planes designed for one pretty dangerous?

>>5303750
More or less dangerous that keeping getting destroyed by Bergen?

>>5303214
>>5303218
Last four RPs can go towards more pilots.

>>5303328
>>5304006
For the record, both are my ID.
The new ID right now comes from phoneposting

>>5304110
supporting this fellow, let us ensnare the foreign warbird,swarm it with anoraks, and build a better repacement. (sopwith camel analogue pls)

>The absurd and crazy plan is the one that has the most votes.
>Said plan also avoids using the one squadron that has two seater aircraft, and delivering engineers over the line.
>Further, it requires a Bergen be shot down.

Oh boy this is going to be a !!FUN!! turn to work on...

>>5305498
Crazy anon planner.
This is the moment you're supposed to make us roll for it, no? Or gives us this kinds of information before we reenact the plan?

>>5305508
We're not the one doing rolls for this quest anon. Just pray we don't lose our best pilots in this crazy endeavor.

>>5305508
Well first, I need to process all the encounters, and I have rolled them. Just note since you are hunting Bergens, the chance to run into them is a lot greater. Also I designated one squadron to get a malus to maneuverability for the whole 'carrying engineers in a single seated aircraft' thing...For fun though, do one d100. If your pilots actually manage to down a Bergen I'll use it.

Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>5305516

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>5305516

This was a terrible plan. That is what the engineers and mechanics forced to hang on to dear life thought as the aircraft trundles along. The orders were simple. Down a Bergen. Land, and examine what allowed it to shoot through the propeller. Simple enough in theory. Hard in practice. For, it relied on a Bergen being shot down, the flight of mechanics clinging on to remain close by and actually land. And for an inspection of the engine to be done over enemy territory. A daring plan some might say. Absolutely suicidal most would. Even so, the Bergens were certainly happy with this development. The aircraft with the engineers and mechanics remained high in the hopes to not be engaged initially. And they suffered for it. With a number getting downed. So they tried going low. And suffered for it. Going down. They had replaced their commanding officer three times. And they still expected them to go up. At this stage, the engineers would rather fly the few aircraft that remained themselves. Still. They had their orders. And they were Gallonians...

Yet, while Bleu was an easy target, Vert and Rogue were not. Though despite their skills and the fact their aircraft was unladen with the weight of engineers and technical specialists, they still struggled. The pilots of the Bergen D.I had plenty of time and experience to hone their skills. While aircraft from Bleu went down easily, including an unlucky Lucas who died the worst way a pilot could, burning alive, those of Vert and Rouge at least were more than just target practice and a few Bergen's were driven off by pilots such as Calantha, along with a number of other aircraft that happened to cross the flights path. What was surprising was the fact that despite all of this, one pilot would get two Victories, one Königstein B.II and one Bergen D.I. The greater surprise was this pilot wasn't Adélaïde, but Ermengardis. In both cases, the aircraft had it's engine dealt with, and in both cases the enemy pilot was able to land and get out unharmed. What was most important was what happened in the case of the latter.

With a Bergen actually down, the few aircraft from Bleu actually still flying coasted down and took some time to land. After which the engineers swiftly got to work on opening up the engine of the aircraft. Yet, before they could do much investigation, roughly five or ten minutes after they had landed, Prußenmarkian soldiers arrived and, in butchered Gallonian one ordered for the investigating engineers to surrender. Needless to say, they booked it to their respective aircraft and started to take off. Though, one Major Ethor Ancel was shot and killed before he could take off, leaving the engineer with him no choice but to surrender, not having any weapons on him himself, while another engineer was shot and tumbled off the aircraft while it was taking off. In the end, only one engineer survived. He has put in a report of his findings, that being how the safety on the gun was triggered by a mechanism connected to the engine, yet how it did so was unknown to him, as he was mainly investigating the gun itself and the surrounding mechanical parts. Despite this, after the whole ordeal he has made a formal request to transfer to the navy...

In all the operation was a...partial success. Really the fact it even remotely worked at all is a shock to most, however has made 14e Escadre Mixte "Liberté" the talk of the newspapers, as well as Ermengardis for managing to down a Bergen in the first place. While this is great, and the losses deemed worthwhile given the success, the news shortly after from high command that new aircraft were in the final testing phases and soon to be introduced that could help stem the tide is a sting. But at least this discovery should at least provide some assistance to the efforts of our engineers. Bleu however has not taken their losses well, nor have the engineers. But, luckily after such a daring mission and the success, along with giving a propaganda win, the Escadre has gained quite the reputation and respect. However, this propaganda win isn't just our own. As a Pretan pilot, Flight Sergeant Garth Mathias, has surprisingly managed to down five enemy aircraft and has been referred to by the Pretan newspapers as a 'star turn pilot' However, the Pretan government has been quick to set up rules for how to become such, including how recon pilots can gain 'star turn' status through missions completed, so as to ensure the morale of the pilots who support the men on the ground and ensure they get their due glory, not just the fighters.

In other less fortuneate news that has grown to cause a bit of ire. Jutden, Agdemark and Lothring have been trading with Prußenmark. Specifically food. This circumnavigates the Pretan blockade, and prevents famine in our enemies land. Of course, they trade with us as well still, being "neutral" however these sorts of actions get in the way of our plans! Some generals are absolutely furious about this, but there isn't much we can do.

Much to your surprise, Botrel arrives in your office as you muse recent events.

"Mam, I have news from High Command. Our Escadre has been given the chance to be put on leave for December and January. Partially to recover the losses taken and partially so as to ensure further losses are kept to a minimum. No further pushes are planned until spring as you know, and the newly trained 15e Escandre "Marins du ciel" can temporarily fill in our place. We can of course, politely decline and keep on fighting, or only have the month off, but waiting will allow us to have our squadrons resupply and potentially even reequip the new aircraft."

Something to consider then...

>We deserve a break (Will result in some RP and communication with pilots)
>Our pilots need rest, but not that long (Same as above.)
>The offer is appreciated, but we need everything we can to bleed the Prußenmark Empire Dry.

Squadrons, aircraft, pilots, and other information.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KT0JJxoLsbcNFC7RqtsWKke9iTnLQ8blSCf_8dZ4jWw/edit?usp=sharing

(Well, for once Chadélaïde isn't the key to your victory. DESU I'm shocked your plan even partially worked. I expected a wholesale slaughter. Also, no map because again, no change on the front.)

>>5305609
>>We deserve a break (Will result in some RP and communication with pilots)
Mission complete and succeded I guess? Thanks for commiting to my stupidly crazy plan anons.

>>5305613
A bit of an addendum : french got words for what we done. L'audace (audacity, in a really flattering way) et le Panache (high-level class)

I hope we will get a stat bonus on next airplane generations thanks to the breakthrough.

>>5305614
The next will benefit a bit thanks to Catherine. But the one after will benefit a fair bit from the work done this turn.

>>5304121
You are French. Tragically, you'll get Nieuport and SPADs. Plus the Bergen is sort of a Fokker Eindecker mixed with a Albatross D.I. So, a sopwith is a ways away anyway. Personally I like the Sopwith Dolphin more anyway

>>5305609
>>We deserve a break (Will result in some RP and communication with pilots)

Let's take a break until we can reconstitute our escadrons with newer planes.

>>5305609
>l>We deserve a break (Will result in some RP and communication with pilots)

>>5305609
>We deserve a break (Will result in some RP and communication with pilots)

"We deserve a break. We have managed to succeed in at least partially understanding the way the guns on the Bergen work, and with the losses taken, it'd be best to give our pilots time off for a job well done. I believe this is especially important for Bleu, given they took the brunt of the damage." You say calmly

Botrel nods and says "In that case I will inform our superiors of your decision, and after the pilots. Though, if there's anything else you would like to tell them, inform me now."

>"There is one pilot who deserves recognition for our recent successes..."
>"There are a few pilots who's deeds I feel are unappreciated..."
>"There are some requests I have..." (Write in)

With that said and done, you file away what remaining paperwork you have while you wait for Botrel to return. It takes about an hour, but just as you are finishing up he returns. "Ah, Commander. All pilots and mechanics have been informed. The latter will arrive here shortly before allowed time on leave. Some will simply be transferred temporarily to training command. The others, who have been with us for some time, will be granted as many days as they like out of their allotted total for their service, providing it does not exceed sixty days. Regardless, if you wish to meet with any of them personally, any particular escadron, or address all of them, the time is perfect for it. It is likely the pilots of Blanc will arrive here first. Though the others won't take too long to arrive."

>"I would like to personally speak with..." (Name up to 5 pilots)
>"I would like to address the brave pilots of..." (Name an Escadron)
>"I would like to address everyone, once they arrive." (Write in what about.)
>"I feel there's more important things that could be done. Is there by chance a possibility you can get me in contact with..." (Write in)
>"I think going home is more than enough." (Skips RP stuff and just goes to managing the resupply of the escadrons.)

(I will note that at this point updates will be more frequent and posts a bit smaller most likely until the main management returns. Though I hope you enjoy this little bit of RP available if you don't decide to skip it.)

>>5307514
>>"There are a few pilots who's deeds I feel are unappreciated..."
>"I would like to personally speak with..." (Name up to 5 pilots)
>Adélaïde
>Ermengardis
>Morelet Pasquier
>Catherine Desjardin
>Aude Gaume
They're all still alive, right?

Also,
>>"I feel there's more important things that could be done. Is there by chance a possibility you can get me in contact with..." (Write in)
I want to talk with plane engineer, supply them feedback and grind technological equality (superiority?) for the next generations.

>>5307548

Yep, all of them are still breathing and not in a POW camp on the other side of the lines...

Anyway, voting will last until there's a minor majority or if it takes long enough when I wake up.

>>5307548
Sounds good, supporting this.

>>5307548
There are clearly some pilots who deserve to be given some praise to those higher in command than yourself, you decide to refrain from requesting anything particular from them for now, but mentioning a few pilots deeds is certainly worthwhile. Still, with that said and done, all there was to do was to wait for the pilots to arrive. Of course, you had some in mind, such as l'As Adélaïde, or the only one to down a Bergen thus far, Ermengardis. Before any of them arrive though, you speak to Botrel one last time before he leaves.

"I feel there's more important things that could be done as well. I do plan to speak personally with Lieutenant Adélaïde Guilloux, Sous-lieutenant Ermengardis Duverger, Sous-lieutenant Morelet Pasquier, Major Catherine Hauet, and the leader of Rouge, Commandant Aude Gaume. And while I want you to inform them of my desire for individual meetings upon their return, I would like to speak with the one surviving engineer from our previous operation." you say calmly.

"I'm unsure if we'll get him. He's still in the air corps, yet he is planning on transferring to the navy. Already he's currently in Palon. So any communication with him will need to be arranged at a later date, or done via telegram or telephone." Botrel simply states.

"I understand, but I wish to at least make the attempt to meet him in person. I have relatives in Palon, so I can ideally speak with him there later. That is all. You are dismissed." With this said, Botrel gives a salute and exits while you wait for the pilots to arrive.

As he stated, Escadron Blanc arrives first, and with it, the first you speak to is Morelet Pasquier. A surprisingly spritely man with brown hair and blue eyes, along with a large well maintained imperial style mustache that makes you wonder just how hard it is to maintain and if it bothers him at the high speed flying takes place in. After giving you a salute, and you gesture for him to sit, he asks "To what do I have the honor of meeting our noble and daring commander?"

>"I simply wish to speak with some of the pilots under my command. I wish to know my soldiers. And given your performance in the past you have been chosen among those who I wish to speak to."
>"I wish to know what you think of your Escadron."
>"I wish to know what you think of your current aircraft."
>"I wish to know about what you think of my current command."
>Write in

(Pick as many or as few as you want. Also unless stated otherwise the pilots I presume you wish to send praise to high command to are the same ones you wish to speak with.)

>>5307981
>"I simply wish to speak with some of the pilots under my command. I wish to know my soldiers. And given your performance in the past you have been chosen among those who I wish to speak to."
>"I wish to know what you think of your Escadron."
>"I wish to know what you think of your current aircraft."
>"I wish to know about what you think of my current command."

Yeah, for the praise I choosed the ones with the more astounding feats, such as scoring a kill by throwing the pistol

>>5307981
>>"I simply wish to speak with some of the pilots under my command. I wish to know my soldiers. And given your performance in the past you have been chosen among those who I wish to speak to."
>>"I wish to know what you think of your Escadron."
>>"I wish to know what you think of your current aircraft."

>>5307986
+1

>>5307986

"I simply wish to speak with some of the pilots under my command. I wish to know my soldiers. And given your performance in the past you have been chosen among those who I wish to speak to. Of course, I do wish to discuss a number of things relating to your service and your experiences, but consider this far more a casual conversation rather than a situation report." you say calmly.

"Well, that's quite nice to hear, madam. I already know how you flew a few missions with one of the Escadrons full of female pilots. Rouge, I believe? If I recall correctly you flew with the same woman who downed one of those dreadful Bergens! An impressive feat for one without a machinegun, if I do say so myself." He gives a pause before adding "I realize that I maybe shouldn't have brought that up..."

"No, it's fine. I presume you are referring to Engeleis..." you say calmly.

"Yes, I knew there was another pilot who flew with you who died sometime after. I didn't know her name however. Anyway, you wish to know about me, so I shall inform you. My family is a modest one from the capitol, Palon. My father owns a small little coffee shop in a cozy spot of the city. It's been owned by the family since before the revolution! Still, my brother is to take the family business, and I myself am glad at that. For I much prefer the sciences. And, as you can guess, flying machines have always interested me, as have zeppelins and ships, including submarines. I'd like to consider myself a modern gentleman, and being well learned is quite crucial to that... When tensions started I knew we'd be at war and so I joined the air corps right away. Alas, Garnerus, my brother, so desired to join the cavalry in the army, but a bad limp from a accident with an automobile in his childhood disqualified him. Though given some of the reports I have heard, I suppose he is quite lucky." Morelet explains calmly.

You nod, and after ask him "Well, since you are one who's fond of aircraft, what are your thoughts of the one you currently are using?"

"Oh? You mean the S.U.D Type R? She's a wonderful aircraft for her time. Alas, she is two years out of date. Wing warping is on the way out, and she's a good example of it. Her engine is truely a marvel though. The story of how it was made is something I am quite interested in. See, it was actually originally designed for automobiles, yet a few tweaks made it flawless. Just replace the hand crank with the propeller! Of course, I'm simplifying the story a bit, as I know I could go hours on end and wish not to bore you with such details...Regardless, she works fine. Just don't rush her into combat. She's designed to take pictures and ward off anyone who tries bothering her. Not for dogfighting like the smaller scouts." He says as you wonder for a moment if he was a mechanic before he became a pilot...

"Well, what of your Escadron, or my orders?" you ask.

"Oh, I quite like my fellow pilots. Especially Jacquot. He make an amazing Bouillabaisse and Butternut Squash Boulangère. Apparently, he originally intended to be a cook for the air corps as he was hoping to have better materials to cook with, but a few mistakes in the paperwork made him a pilot! Though he doesn't seem to mind and is quite an optimistic man. The entire Escadron loves him like a younger brother. Although, he is a bit naïve, and I believe his body impacts his aircrafts performance slightly. But given the machines he flies that should not be too much of an issue. As for your orders, I cannot say particularly. I think you have done an admirable job. Though I heard the other Escadron's went through quite a bit. So I'm sure they might be more harsh on the matter. Regardless, you seem to guide with a firm, yet gentile hand to me. And I personally appreciate it."

>Ask him more questions. (Write in)
>Have a bit more casual conversation until another Escadron arrives.

>>5308343
>>Ask him more questions. (Write in)
What would you expect or want for the next generation of airplanes? I'm trying to factor in the pilot's feeling to the mechanic to improve our survivability

>>5308343
>>Ask him more questions. (Write in)
Do you think the primary armament of our airplanes are sufficient?

If nothing changes in a few hours I'll probably just use both write ins.

>>5309270
That is fine with me.

>>5309270
same here.

Sorry, things came up. Turn will be out sometime tonight. I deeply apologize for the delay.

>>5309516
It's ok QM, IRL always comes first

>>5308356
>>5308472

"What would you expect or want for the next generation of airplanes? And do you think the primary armament of our aircraft is sufficient?" you calmly ask, continuing the conversation about the aircraft themselves.

"Well, I'm quite pleased to hear my commander has as much of an interest in the aircraft she commands as I do about the aircraft I fly. But to answer the first question, I expect in the future that aircraft like the kind I have will be capable of guiding artillery to their target far more efficiently. Perhaps using signal flares for communication. Perhaps using radio's once they are small and light enough or our aircraft's engines powerful enough. I also expect that craft such as the kind I fly will have guns fixed similarly to that of a Bergen, or through some other manner that avoids the issue of the propeller being in the way. Personally, I have a simple idea to fix the issue with the propeller, although it is not one that matches our techniques. If we had an aircraft with an inline engine as opposed to a radial we could potentially add a tube in the middle of the engine between the pistons. This would necessitate a V or Y style engine, but if designed correctly, we won't need to do some sort of fancy mess that the Prußenmarkians have done. Alas, I am not an aircraft designer, but I would not be surprised if such an idea could be worked upon in the future if we do not discover the means with which the Bergen fires through. As for the armament of our aircraft, for the S.U.D Type R, I would say yes. The only potential addition I would suggest is a fixed forward armament like that of the Bergen to provide a safer method of attack and a way to punish any enemy diving past. Otherwise, it is acceptable. After all, she isn't meant to deal with enemy aircraft, merely ward them off so she and her pilot can complete their mission. As for the Dupont 4 P, given how it's being used for air superiority, absolutely not. If it was merely used in it's intended role and not forced into the one it has now, I would say it being unarmed would be fine for increased performance. But alas, that isn't the case. Of course, I haven't had the chance to fly one since basic flight training, but I still feel my observations are acceptable." It's...honestly shocking just how knowledgeable he seems to be when it comes to engineering with aircraft. So much so you feel you absolutely have to ask one important question...

"Considering how much you know about aircraft, why did you become a pilot as opposed to a mechanic?" You ask.

"Oh, it's really quite simple madam! While repairing and working with aircraft is absolutely splendid, the age of chivalry long ago ended. Yet to take to the skies one finds the surprise that a glimpse of old values is resurrected." he says in almost lyrical fashion before continuing. "The old days of knights still exist in those wonderous skies, with our aircraft the noble steeds we ride. I was in fact a mechanic for a time. Yet only after numerous requests to become a pilot did I finally become one. And frankly, even though the art will change with forward fixed armaments, it will still be like wonderous jousting of old. At least for the smaller aircraft anyway."

"Have you considered potentially working as an aircraft designer or similar? Perhaps?" You ask

"Of course! I was planning such as a future carrier before the war started. That or working on designing some of those new submersibles!" He says cheerfully before you are left to ponder what last to ask him.

>"Would you mind potentially being transferred to be an aircraft designer?" (Chance to have Pasquier perminantly transfered to designing aircraft. At minimum he would stay for a year. Chance to also not get him transferred)
>"A few last things..." (Write in)
>"That is all. This has been quite the pleasant conversation. I thank you for your time and insight into aviation." (Ends conversation and moves to the next)

(Sorry for the delay. Hope you are enjoying these one on ones. Also bit of a spoiler. I maaaay have actually secretly assigned traits, personality and background/other skills wise, to every pilot who actually lives more than two turns and have a list of that.)

>>5310352
>>"Would you mind potentially being transferred to be an aircraft designer?" (Chance to have Pasquier perminantly transfered to designing aircraft. At minimum he would stay for a year. Chance to also not get him transferred)
It would be good for the design team to have a feedback from someone which actually knows Air Combat.
I also want to grind airplanes. The french and English only captured a Fokker in 1916, so our stupidly brave play might reap some heavy dividends bridging the technological gap.

>>5310352
>>"Would you mind potentially being transferred to be an aircraft designer?" (Chance to have Pasquier perminantly transfered to designing aircraft. At minimum he would stay for a year. Chance to also not get him transferred)

If no one else votes in two hours or so, I'll make another post.

>>5310352
>"Would you mind potentially being transferred to be an aircraft designer?" (Chance to have Pasquier perminantly transfered to designing aircraft. At minimum he would stay for a year. Chance to also not get him transferred)

"Would you mind potentially being transferred to be an aircraft designer?" You inquire, clearly seeing the man's enjoyment for aircraft extending beyond that of flying them.

"I...suppose not. I personally would rather fly them still, but I suppose I could fly the prototypes...Although I will miss being out on the battlefield and living through what those of yore did..." He says, pondering the opportunity.

"Well, provided things go well, I'm sure you could come back as a pilot later on." You say, though you aren't actually too sure that's true. Something he seems to have noticed, or known before you even said it.

"I think we both know that if things go well I likely will be held in that position...I suppose I at least got a taste of battle, and I would still be serving my country...I suppose leave it up to your commanders. Perhaps they would like to put me through a few tests or something similar before hand...I presume you or one of your subordinates will contact them." He says as he soon glances to the side, seemingly lost in a bit of thought.

Shortly after you dismiss him and bid him farewell as you contact the officers above you. Your superiors however were initially skeptical. They do however decide upon putting him through a short set of tests to see if he is viable. News which arrives roughly an hour later, which you inform him of as soon as you receive it. Later on, a few days later after your conversation with the other pilots you would find a letter of thanks from your superiors, who laud you for saving such a bright and innovative engineer from the front. Apparently, he passed whatever test they set up for him flawlessly and even had an innovative design of an aircraft. They never mention anything about him returning however...

He was transferred to the S.U.D design team, and he would stay there until the end of the war and even after it. Serving both as a designer and a test pilot.

After this was all done, the other Escadrons arrived. From the exhausted Bleu to the ever victorious Vert...The pilots you wished to speak to were informed of your desire to meet them shortly after they arrived, but the question now remained who of the four left on your mind would you wish to meet first?

(Pick one)
>Lieutenant Adélaïde Guilloux
>Sous-lieutenant Ermengardis Duverger
>Major Catherine Hauet
>Commandant Aude Gaume

(Hope you have been enjoying the RP bit. If you have any criticism let me know)

>>5310762
>>Lieutenant Adélaïde Guilloux

It's our top girl's turn

>>5310762
>>Lieutenant Adélaïde Guilloux

>>5310762
>Sous-lieutenant Ermengardis Duverger

>>5310762
>Sous-lieutenant Ermengardis Duverger

Did not expect a tie by the time I woke up. I'll give a bit more time then.

>>5310762
>>Lieutenant Adélaïde Guilloux

With the other pilots having arrived, it was only natural that the first you would invite be l'As herself. She takes little time to arrive and you swiftly are surprised by a few things about her. Firstly, she's very tall for a pilot, let alone a woman. In fact you are fairly sure men at her sort of height would be disqualified from taking to the air barring exceptional circumstances. Though, her stature aside she clearly was likely the envy of other pilots for more than just her skill, given how if her attire was different you could easily mistake her as an actress dressed up to play some sort of heroine or the damsel that ends up with a hero in a play... Regardless, she walks in with a surprising grace and elegance you didn't expect from what you heard from her, though she certainly exudes a clear confidence, perhaps even pride. Once she is fully inside your office and in front of your desk, she gives a swift salute.

"Lieutenant-colonel Helene Valmont. I was wondering when I would be able to see you and meet you properly. From what I heard this isn't simply about my martial profession. Would that be correct?" She says before you motion for her to take a seat.

"Yes, that would be correct. I have a few questions pertaining to the war of course, but this isn't a debriefing. As you likely heard, I wish to know more about my pilots. And given how you are the most successful pilot in terms of downing enemy aircraft, I felt it was natural to ensure you were among the first met once you arrived." You explain before she seems to smile.

"I'm quite pleased to hear you wish to know more about me..." She gives a slight pause before adding "Along with the others, of course...But where to start about myself? Well, my family was quite affluent, my father a majorly successful businessman managing the arms company named after him, Gracien. And my mother a well known name in politics, specifically the suffrage movement. Alas, both perished in a tragic accident some time ago, leaving me their only daughter their sizable estate. Of course, I have delegated the company to be managed by some trusted associates in my absence, but I expect to control it once more after this war. Regardless, I am quite familiar with high society, likely as much as you are, given your families well respected name in politics. But I digress. My families history can be traced back quite long back to Agdemark Vikingr, although only really came to particular prominence in the past hundred years. And personally I am quite fond of Agdemark. Specifically it's culture and it's mead. Though I know relations have turned a bit cold considering they retain neutrality. A shame, really, but such is politics. I will defend Gallonia's skies in whatever location I am for the duration of the war. Regardless of the cravens and incompetent's who fear things like the Bergen think or say...But I take it you have more direct questions about me." She says in a prideful sort of tone...At least you can guess how she got into the air corps as a pilot now if she's telling the truth.

>"I wish to know more about yourself and your families business."
>"I wish to know what you think of your Escadron."
>"I wish to know what you think of your current aircraft."
>"I wish to know about what you think of my current command."
>Write in

>>5311326
>"I wish to know more about yourself and your families business."
Maybe opportunities.
>"I wish to know what you think of your Escadron."
>"I wish to know what you think of your current aircraft."

>>5311325
God damn, she would've been perfect for the propaganda tour.

>>5311326
>"I wish to know more about yourself and your families business."
>"I wish to know what you think of your Escadron."
>"I wish to know what you think of your current aircraft."
>"Given your expertise, what do you think the next improvements in Gallonian military aircraft should be, without getting into the fine details of the engineering?"
>"You've been out there over the fields with your finger on the enemy's pulse, what's your gut feeling on the enemy's training, tactics, character, morale, their more intangible traits, etc, etc?"
>Smirk. "Think you could take on Harthmann Von Rútlingen?"

Like last time, if nothing changes in a few hours I'll probably use both.

>>5311370
Support

>>5311370

"Well, given you brought it up, I am quite interested in hearing about your families business, and of course, yourself. Though I have many more questions about your experiences thus far." you say

"About the business? I must admit some surprise. I would have expected one in the military to know a few things at least about Armes légères Gracien. The company is a major weapons designer, specifically in that of rifles and pistols. Though, the company has branched out into machine guns under my guidance. This was after all was going to happen sooner or later one way or another. While the main company revolves around small arms, there are some subsidiaries, initially there was only one, dedicated to the refining of metal, mainly steel. However I founded another that was dedicated to the refinery of sulfur and phosphates, along with munitions, from pistol rounds to artillery shells. Sadly the latter hasn't grown much yet, mainly as there wasn't enough time to get it fully up and running by the time hostilities started. But I believe it is in good hands, as is my main company. I must say though there is a good designer of arms I have met before this conflict started however, all the way across the ocean in the ex colonies. A Monica Conley was her name. Somewhat ironically, despite Conley&Carson Arms be a competitor of sorts, we got along quite well, and she is quite innovative, and in a sense we have a sort of...alliance. I help her, she helps me. Of course, there's only so much she can do now that the war has started, and the chances her homeland joins in the conflict is unlikely, especially given how many immigrants from Prußenmark moved there, but I digress..." She gives a pause, seemingly pondering for a moment before continuing. "As for myself, I am quite an active person of high class. Hunting is a classic past time, even if generally seen as unwomanly, and I am quite fond of turning that which I hunt into trophies, and even meals. Though, given what I currently hunt, I'm turning it into the former rather than the latter... Another thing I'm quite fond of is the old art of swordplay and sparing, though I have hardly found anyone who would go against me, mainly due to their gentlemanly honor forbidding them from harming a woman...Other than this, I quite like collecting things. Different models of guns, artifacts from the east or the ancient societies that laid the foundation for our civilization, and of course, the heads of rare beasts I have slain in the past placed upon a mantle...Of the beasts I have hunted and butchered, my favorite to eat is polar bear...Alas going to the places that have them is...difficult. And I'd rather something not go wrong. I know of what happened to some of the failed expeditions to the north..."

After saying all this, Adélaïde quietly glances around the room before asking "You wouldn't happen to have any fine wines or mead would you? The last time I met with anyone of a rank equal or higher than yourself it was over fine wines and other wonderous drinks..." You shake your head and she adds "I suppose in a sense I'm still not fully used to the...lack of luxury here. But it's fine..."

"Well I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'm sure you can enjoy some of that luxury on leave..." You quickly remind her.

"Yes, I am well aware, Miss Valmont...It will be nice to have some actual food. Though, I have heard that an actual competent cook belongs to one of the other Escadrons..." Adélaïde says quietly.

"Speaking of, what are your thoughts on your own? Along with your aircraft, of course." You say, taking advantage of the good segway to your next question that opened up.

"Well, I personally have...mixed feelings. I mean no disrespect to Commandant Lucie Maret and Capitaine Bona Lambert, but they...lack a certain finesse with their aircraft. In fact, I'm fairly sure the only reason the former is still alive is due to luck. In fact I'm sure of it. I've even seen a Bergen that lined up perfectly and fired only a couple rounds before suddenly stopping, likely due to a jam...Really, everything with her seems...unnaturally lucky to be honest. At least, when it comes to her survival. That aside, I personally am quite fond of Miss Bittencourt, Miss Duverger and Miss Philippon. They are actually quite competent, all things considered, and they unlike most others don't fear the Bergen. They understand the fundamentals of the trade most other pilots on our side of the line do not. And I see a bright future for them. Provided anti aircraft artillery doesn't get a tragic shot on them. As for our aircraft. Frankly put, it's not good. It is as agile as a Kronlein. A two seater aircraft designed for reconnaissance is as agile as a single seat light aircraft... In fact, that's part of why people unjustly fear the Bergen rather than hate the Dupont 4 P. But I will admit I was a bit harsh when that little aircraft made it's debut, for back then I didn't realize how bad the Dupont was and merely thought a good deal of our pilots were just...subpar to put it politely. The Bergen, from my experience, is just a Königstein with a machine gun and a tad less speed. Further, people keep trying to fight the thing like they would a Königstein, or just panic and do dumb things while trying to get away. Though, I suppose you already know how I feel on the matter of people fearing the so called Bergen Scourge..." she seems genuinely annoyed at the fear people have at the aircraft, which is surprising.

"Well, given your experience. What do you think the next improvements in military aircraft should be? Without getting into the fine details of engineering of course." You inquire.

"Oh, it's quite simple. Greater arms with machine guns, and more aircraft in a biplane configuration. Perhaps even some in a triplane one. Altitude is of great importance, and from my experience, more wings grants more lift, and in addition a tighter turning circle. Other than that, I'm not entirely sure. Other than that larger aircraft will come about in time, likely for raids deep behind enemy lines to strike where artillery cannot." She says calmly, if a bit less interested as she brushes a bit of her dark hair out of her vision with her hand.

"I have two more questions for you. Given how you've been out there over the fields with your finger on the enemy's pulse, what's your gut feeling on the enemy's training, tactics, character, morale, and so forth. Their more intangible traits." You pause and give a smirk. "And do you think you could take on Harthmann Von Rutlingen?" The last words clearly somewhat annoy Adélaïde.

"To answer your second question first. Yes. I could. I fully expect I could use some clever tricks to make up for my aircrafts short comings and ensure he would be unable to down me. Of course, if he came from cloud cover or some other place I couldn't see and dove on me in a surprise strike, then I could be in trouble. But otherwise, I am confident, no, certain that I could evade his fire and return some of my own until he ran out of ammo. And I'm sure if he didn't turn tail after running out of munitions and my aircraft didn't run low on fuel I could defeat in him a duel with pistols..." She says all of this fairly defensively, and her blue eyes seem to have stared daggers at you for a moment at what she clearly saw as an insinuation she might not be able to. Though after a pause as she regains a bit of composure, she continues.

"As for the enemies character? Simple. They are far better organized than our force. All of their pilots seem to understand the fundamental basics. At the very beginning, this was not the case, but soon after it became clear that they have put a far greater emphasis on quality over quantity. Further, their tactics seem solid, and they seem to gather their forces to provide cover to one another. Should one of ours cause issues to one of theirs, a friend of theirs oft will be able to drive them off. To put it simply, they are a more cohesive unit in the air, and this is especially apparent when they go for ambushes. Despite this, they are quite defensive, at least with their current main aircraft. Though it is understandable why. It's a propaganda win for them given the thing's reputation, and the mechanism which allows it to fire without ruining the propellers is something that for good reason they want to keep us from poking around and finding out...After all, you know how quickly their soldiers arrived to stop our engineers. At least, I presume you do. I suppose the last thing to mention is they seem to respect when a pilot is going down. When an aircraft has it's engine shot out, they spare the pilot and let the aircraft glide down rather than try killing the pilot or forcing their aircraft into a deadly crash."

>"I wish to know about what you think of my current command."
>"I wish to know more about your associate, Conley."
>Simply have more casual conversation before ending it and speaking with the next pilot.
>(Write in)

(Well that was longer than I expected it to be, but I hope you enjoy nonetheless.)

>>5311610
>>Simply have more casual conversation before ending it and speaking with the next pilot.

>>5311610
>"I wish to know more about your associate, Conley."

Always good to learn more about potential contacts for the future, our family was in politics after all. Perhaps in the far future some deal may be arranged or politicians could be swayed a certain way.

>"Well, I can do something about the lack of luxury. Some better food can be requisitioned, you all certainly deserve it."

Given how much RP we had and the fact that we passed up giving out better rations earlier for a measly 4 RP, I think it is time we shored up morale.

Once we have some more Aces we ought to think about sending one of them back to increase the quality of training for new blood, we should negate the enemy's advantage, our own advantages can then come into play and hopefully take primacy.

Once our new plane designs start popping out perhaps we can contest the skies more aggressively.

>Finish off the conversation with some casual chit chat to get to know Adélaïde better before speaking with the next pilot.

Probably gonna make the next post tomorrow. If nothing changes by then I'll just go for the second of the two suggestions.

>>5311610
>(Write in)
"Can you come up with a training regime for our section leaders, given that our tactics are inadequate?"

>>5311610
>"Can you come up with a training regime for our section leaders, given that our tactics are inadequate?"
>"I wish to know more about your associate, Conley."

>>5311832
>>5312693

"Well, good to know our adversaries in the Air aren't just deliberately killing our pilots. Though I suppose it makes sense given this is mostly done over their territory, and that means they can take our aircraft intact, and our pilots... That aside, I'm curios about this associate of yours, Conley. You mentioned they were from the ex-colonies. I presume you mean the Confederacy of Abmeryk States?" You ask, a bit curios as to this alternative arms dealer.

"Yes, that would be correct. As mentioned she is tied to Conley&Carson Arms. Technically, her husband is the co owner, yet she herself is more or less actually in charge, and she has actually personally designed some of the arms. Furthermore, given some of her writings, she was quite eager for this conflict as a business opportunity. She was quite upset however when their president decided upon neutrality. Most of their arms contracts have gone to Pretany for the time being, though their recent light machine gun has been quite favored by Pretan forces. Other than this, I suppose one other thing to mention is their company deals with more than just small arms, and have produced artillery pieces in their factories for the Abmeryk States Army, along with various other equipment. Most recently, if somewhat oddly, they have gone into the motor business. Apparently they plan on creating motor cars and tractors, though I do not know why this shift has been done. Perhaps they hope the engine experience will allow them to branch out into aviation as well? I do not know their plans particularly. I suppose if you wish to buy something from them, I can inform you of their address, and can send them a telegram that I found a potential interested buyer in the Gallonian Army." She calmly says.

"I would appreciate that. Though given some of what you said earlier about the lack of luxury, I think I can do something to help fix that. Some better food can be requisitioned, among other things. You and the other pilots certainly deserve it." You say with a bit of a smile, which raises an eyebrow from Adélaïde.

"Well I quite like the sound of that. I doubt you can get some of the more exotic things, but really, simply allowing me and some others to hunt in the local lakes or woods would do quite well to serve those interests. You can provide the fruits and vegetables, and myself and some others the meats. Well, at least that of the wild variety. I doubt there will be any issues with that." She calmly says

After this, you mainly engage in small talk, and Adélaïde tells you about some of her little expeditions to the heart of darkness to hunt the great beasts there. Her trips to the far east and her experience in Pretan's crown jewel colony Bhavaku, and how she was able to see a tamed tiger and find a ornate set of jewelry in some old ruins of what was once a city of victory. After a while, you bid farewell and she leaves...

A week later you find some extremely fine Agdemark Mead sent to you, along with some fine wines from Gallonian Sveiterland and Vitulian vineyards along with a letter expressing some thanks for the planned improved conditions and a request that once she impresses the Media again to send her back to be the heroic light Gallonia need and dramatically improve her image both among the people and that of the elite.

Once Adélaïde has left however, there was only three others in particular you wished to speak to. The question was which you would chose to be next...

(Pick One)
>Sous-lieutenant Ermengardis Duverger
>Major Catherine Hauet
>Commandant Aude Gaume

(Just a note. This has reduced the requisitions requirement for better food by 1 point. Also once you are done you may send a message to Conley via telegram if you would like to potentially get some unique equipment...)

>>5312846
>>Sous-lieutenant Ermengardis Duverger

>>5312846
>Sous-lieutenant Ermengardis Duverger

>>5312846
>>Sous-lieutenant Ermengardis Duverger

>>5312846
>Sous-lieutenant Ermengardis Duverger

With only three other pilots you desire to speak to, you decide upon the next most prominent. Although one could argue that was Aude instead of Ermengardis...Regardless, you swiftly send for one to inform her that it's now her turn to speak with you. It doesn't take long for the black haired and somewhat redish eyed woman to arrive. Though she seemed more tired compared to when you last saw her a few months ago. With a somewhat tired salute she swiftly falls into her seat once you allow her.

"Sorry, commander. I know this isn't the best look for me..." She says before sighing. "I've just had a lot to do and little time to do it." She after seems to realize what she's saying and seems a bit panicked as she swiftly adds "S-Sorry commander for speaking out of turn." This gets you to raise an eyebrow.

"Relax, relax. I just want to speak with you given your accomplishments and before you get some relaxation on leave...You clearly seem like you need at least a bit of that rest..." you say, calming her down.

"Alright...I'm just...worried I guess. Some of my...superiors in the past and even now aren't exactly too keen on me...And have taken whatever chance to punish me...Like the logistics officer who drove the rest of the Escadre here..." she says a bit softly with a similar somber tone as before.

"Why exactly would they want to punish you? Especially after what you've done! You shot down a Bergen for gods sake!" You say a bit shocked at what she was saying.

"It's...quite simple really...I'm honestly not as...how shall we put it...erm...a war hawk I guess... I'm from Altsas-Mossel after all. Or well, my family was...I've spoken to Prußenmarkians and some of my family members are even of the country. So, because I don't have the same vengeful spirit and because of where I'm from, they see me as an enemy or traitor without proof...It doesn't help I wasn't a volunteer either. Still, there are some people I want to protect, admittedly all of them are members of my Escadron...To be honest, I never thought I'd end up here exactly, I just thought I'd be a chemist and maybe make medicine or fuel mixtures...Something like that." She says calmly.

>"I wish to know more about you, along with what officers have been causing problems for a valuable pilot."
>"I wish to know what you think of your Escadron."
>"I wish to know what you think of your current aircraft."
>"I wish to know about what you think of my current command."
>"Right then. I think I've heard enough. Thank you for your time." (Ends the conversation. After all why would you speak with an unpatriotic coward and part Prußenmarkian? )
>(Write in)

(This should be fun...)

>>5313182
>"I wish to know more about you, along with what officers have been causing problems for a valuable pilot."

>>5313182
>"I wish to know more about you, along with what officers have been causing problems for a valuable pilot."
>"I wish to know what you think of your Escadron."
>"I wish to know what you think of your current aircraft."
>"I wish to know about what you think of my current command."
>"A chemist eh? Are you that educated, or is that just a dream of yours? Any insights you have regarding better medicine or fuel mixtures you've come up with given the chance to observe the circumstances they'd be applied to here in the midst of war? Perhaps if you came up with some innovation worth preserving I could persuade my superiors to transfer you to a safer post where your other talents may be of greater use to the war as a whole."
"Altsas-Mossel huh? Where cultures mingle and clash. What's it like there? Are most or all people from there of similar opinion as you or do some prefer to be brought into the fold under one state or another?"

>>5313182
>>5313212
That last one in plaintext should be greentexted as well, my mistake.

>>5313182
>>"I wish to know more about you, along with what officers have been causing problems for a valuable pilot."
>>"I wish to know what you think of your Escadron."
>>"I wish to know about what you think of my current command."

>>5313182
>"I wish to know more about you, along with what officers have been causing problems for a valuable pilot."
>(Write in)
Debrief her on that cockeyed operation.

"Well given everything, I'd like to know more about you, along with what officers have been causing problems for a valuable pilot of Gallonia. Also, a chemist? Do you have the education for such or is it a dream of yours? If you are, do you have any insights regarding medicine or fuel mixtures? Anything you've come up with that can be tested in battle? If you have some innovation you could potentially be transferred to a different post..." You say trying to give the woman a possible chance out.

"I have education yes, but it's...basic. I know how to handle chemicals and how to properly make various modern mixtures. But my education is mostly informal, and even then I've mostly just made things like cleaning agents. Hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite is something I've made a fair bit of for my family so as to clean clothing and remove dyes. They are tailors, you see... Other than that, I've made some medicines like laudanum during a brief time working at a small apothecary before the war started, but I just know how to make existing chemicals. I haven't really been able to experiment. While I'd like to say I'm quite knowledgeable I don't think I can do much important with it yet. Besides, if I tried I'd just get accused of further cowardice by those who consider me one already..." She pauses for a bit before continuing "Chemist skills aside, I'm quite a fan of history...It's something I've spoken to Adélaïde a fair bit about as she seems to share that interest... I also like old legends and stories. In fact, ones about alchemy are what got me interested in becoming a chemist! I've also done some research on the human body, reading medical journals and books. But, I don't have any experience in actually healing someone. Well, outside of making drugs for them. Though, I don't think there's much else about me that's interesting. Well, me personally anyway. I mean, I come from a modest family from the countryside after all... As for the officers, it's mainly people not part of my Escadron. Other Escadron pilots who know me and logistic officers especially, but it was much worse when I was in basic training. Though, Bona is an exception to those in my Escadron...Bele also I think feels similarly, but I outrank her, so it's not that much of a problem, but I think she works with bona to try and find excuses occasionally..." Ermengardis says

"Well you did mention you were from Altsas-Mossel. The land where our culture has clashed with Prußenmark's. Are most people there similar in opinion to you or do some prefer to be brought under the fold under our flag or Prußenmark's?" You ask curiously.

"Well...It's...not exactly the most pleasant of places recently. Since it was taken there has been a lot of strife. Plenty want to return to Gallonia, and just as many seem to wish to remain with the Kaiser. Though, this is partially because of a sizable number of Gallonian's leaving and Prußenmarkian's settling for some time since the lands were taken. My family only moved away from the place a few years ago in the hopes to just be able to have a new start in the south of our country. It's...been chaotic. And a number of riots among other things haven't been...fun..." She clearly doesn't want to go into much detail about it, and instead simply adds "It's ironic, given how my family originally moved there from Palon to escape The Terror, as they were moderates... I suppose both have at least taught me one important lesson. Never get involved in politics. It will only end poorly for one reason or another..." She calmly explains, clearly a bit bothered by some things that likely happened in her past.

"I'm sorry to hear that. You mentioned your Escadron treats you well earlier. What do you think of your fellow pilots?" You swiftly change the subject to something ideally more comfortable to her.

"Well, initially they were more indifferent or cold but I think I've warmed up to most of them, thankfully. Adélaïde is nice to talk to for some stories or about history, but she's...honestly a bit haughty. Especially to the newer pilots...Uhm, I already mentioned Bele and Bona...I tend to avoid the two so, I don't know too much about them other than their vindictive side. Manon is quite nice! She's just a really kind and considerate woman. I really appreciate what she does for me and the others at times. She's also quite the artisan! Able to paint and play the piano...Though, sadly I can't really listen to the latter as we don't really have one... Blanche is a very superstitious person, and paranoid about some of the strangest things. She sort of tends to push most people away from her, but when I first met her she was a lot more open...I think she has a few relatives, and I think she might have lost one in the war already...At least, I think it'd explain why she acts how she does. Liliane is quite kind and friendly, and she sort of idolizes Adélaïde, and Adélaïde seems to spend a lot of time with her as well. I think Adélaïde see's her sort of like a daughter she never had, but maybe she just really likes the attention Lilian gives her..." Ermengardis gives a slight pause, thinking briefly.

"I can't say much about Luette yet, I think I don't have enough of a grasp on her to give her a fair judgement, but from what little I've spoken with her so far she seems very ambitious. Hildegardis is...kind of weird...She idolizes Pretany for some reason, and she really wants to meet that star turn pilot of theirs, Garth. Lastly, Lucie is a decent commander, at least she tries her best anyway. But she has a weird and uncanny ability to know when something's going to go wrong, like a premonition. And, she always seems really lucky for some reason. In fact I think Blanche thinks she's made some sort of pact with the devil or used magic or some other nonsense. Although, Lucie has taken it in stride and has jokingly called herself the Wild Witch of West Gallonia. The nickname has sort of caught on as a joke inside the Escadron. But it's all in good fun." She seems quite happy to talk about her fellow pilots. And from the sounds of things she seems to get along with most of them.

"I'm happy that you seem to enjoy the company of most of your fellow Pilots. Especially given the trouble some have given you. I do have another two questions. What do you think of my command, and what do you think of your current aircraft?" You feel it's fair to ask this, though Ermengardis takes a bit to answer.

"Well uhm...I think your command is quite good! You certainly try your best and care about our well being! But...uhm...Your last mission for us was uhm...A very big ask...I think we only managed to get a partial success due to a streak of luck and good fortune...Luck which ran out shortly after the engineers landed... Although I suppose I'm not really one to talk, after all, I'm not part of Bleu who had to draw the short straw of that assignment...I think most pilots though are in general agreement that we are all very relieved we don't need to do that again...As for my aircraft, it's...okay? I don't really know what to compare it to, as I've only ever flown the Dupont 4 P. I guess if you want me to say how it preforms compared to the enemies aircraft it's a bit subpar. But I can make do. It's not that bad compared to their aircraft. Well, unless you compare it to a Bergen's offensive armament I guess..." She calmly explains, clearly trying to be polite...

>"It's interesting how much you know about your fellow pilots."
>"I think there's a few things I can to to help with regards to the treatment some others have given you..."
>Talk about more casual things before naturally ending the conversation.
>(Write in)

(Sorry to the person who wanted the debriefing, but I think I'll save that to the end...And I also kinda want more detail on how you'd do that debrief. Otherwise as usual, hope you enjoyed...Also remember when I said the RP posts would be shorter than the battle ones? Welp, that was a fucking lie.)

>>5314123
So we have a squadron leader with an amazing gut feeling?
Note to self : call her. She might be a genius stratege, or good instinct, or whatever subconsciously triggers her warning signal. Her insight could be really helpful; I want her as a no-bullshit, no Yes-woman advisor on operative decision

>>5314123
>"It's interesting how much you know about your fellow pilots."
>"I think there's a few things I can to to help with regards to the treatment some others have given you..."(Make some assurances that we'll get the people she mentioned brought in to talk to us privately to get them to stop harassing her, her personal lack of enthusiasm is her business and they need to stop reducing the morale of one of our better pilots. Get her to list the names and faces of the unnamed logistics personnel that bother her, or if she cannot recall them then she can look through the personnel files to find us those who harass her.)

Afterwards...
>Talk about more casual things before naturally ending the conversation.

>>5314140
I don't think Lucie is suited as a staff officer. We can ask her but I imagine she prefers to be in a command position. Not to mention her talent may not transfer to being able to intuit where things will happen from looking at a map, it seems more like when she is in the moment she can anticipate when things are wrong or when something else should be happening in response to her squadrons actions but aren't or something. In other words it sounds like she needs to be in the field.

>>5314223
Well, as far as I agree with you, my points was giving her means to communicate and lead in more automnous way so she can use her innate luck to the maximum

>>5314238
I mean...she is already the commandant of her own squadron, she is autonomous as she is gonna get short of detaching her from our command entirely and giving her her own organic logistical support and making her squadron a separate formation from ours.

Unless you just mean doing something like mission tactics or having her have the final say in her choice of mission and how it is conducted without us interfering or not having our staff officers looking over her shoulder, but that is just a terrible way to run a Escadre since it is our job to synchronize our subordinate units to achieve a larger effect. (Though the idea of mission tactics is fine, but not literally having her off her leash so to speak)

It's not like we have staff officers or advisors accompanying her on her flights to interfere with her combat decisions, she is already making independent decisions when she is in the air with her wingmates, we don't accompany our squadrons and so aren't there to interfere.

>>5314301
yeah, but going on a "wild card" logic with that squaron could be beneficial; thus according more liberty to Lucie

>>5314307
I guess I'm just not sure what you mean by "wild card" logic.

>>5314353
Getting her out of coordination. Missions and objective are given as guideline but she have to take full advantage of any opportunity, be it recon, escort, ground support, daring stunt. In return, we know she might be a bit unreliable for fully drawn plans.

>>5314123
>>"It's interesting how much you know about your fellow pilots."
>>"I think there's a few things I can to to help with regards to the treatment some others have given you..."

>>5314123
Re: debrief, ask about the parameters about the fight: who had the advantage in speed, altitude, numbers, position relative to the sun, and whatnot. What sort of enemy mistakes allowed her to make the kills? What about our mistakes?

"I see...Related to that I wish to know the various parameters about the fight. Who had the advantage in speed, altitude and numbers. What was your position relative to the sun and their own? What mistake did your enemies make that allowed you to down them?" You ask, somewhat to the surprise of Ermengardis.

"Well, they were two separate engagements. The first one was a Königstein B.II early in the weak. Specifically the second sortie. It was in a small flight of three. I believe at the time I was in a flight of equal numbers, so no one had the advantage there. We were slightly higher than the enemy, but we lost the altitude advantage swiftly, as the Königstein has a better climb rate than our own aircraft, which makes sense given it is a proper biplane rather than the parasol aircraft we utilize. We had a bit of a speed advantage to start with as well thanks to the altitude, but after we were mostly even. Maybe a bit faster but it's hard to tell. As for mistakes our enemy did there, I think they were more focused on one of the other pilots in my flight. It allowed me to destroy their engine. With the Bergen, it was alone surprisingly. Though I believe it got separated from it's flight after a fight with some allied aircraft. We had a altitude disadvantage, but we were able to spot them before they dove, and really I think I just got lucky really. He aimed for another member of the squadron and I managed to get lucky enough to be in a good position as he was climbing from the dive, and I was able to chase him down and finish off the engine after a while. My flight tailed me during that, but worried him enough to not dive down. I've found it a lot more effective to just aim for the engine and throw down as many shots as possible into it than to aim for the pilot or something else. Even if it doesn't destroy the engine a few good shots can damage it and cause issues for the pilot...I'd go into more detail if I could but all of this was days ago. And it was all in the heat of the moment." Ermengardis calmly answers.

"Alright, alright. Good...I am curios though about one other thing...That simply being how you know so much about your fellow pilots." You state, which only gives more confusion to Ermengardis.

"They are my fellow pilots, that's exactly why I know so much about them. I talk with them and fly with them every day. Although I must admit I could be wrong in some of my judgements about them...Besides, I only really know about their character more than their personal lives. Other than stuff like Adélaïde owning a business or her little adventures, I don't know too much about their personal lives... I don't know why Lilian seems to really look up to Adélaïde, I don't know what Manon did before joining the war, and Blanche...well the only reason I think she lost someone in the war is simply because of how...dramatically she shifted in her treatment of everyone, and it was after the squadron usually gets mail." She calmly says.

"Okay. I think that's fair. Though I must say, given your experiences with some of the others, I can understand if their treatment isn't exactly helping matters with regards to your morale or wellbeing...I think there's a few things I can do to help with that treatment however. I'll privately talk to some of the people who are bothering you and get them to stop harassing you. You don't need to be as fully invested as the others and you can have your issues with the circumstances. However, you still have fought for Gallonia and proven yourself as a competent and skilled pilot, and shown yourself as quite useful in service to the Republic. I'd like you to inform me the names of the people who continue to bother you. Specifically the logistics personnel. If you don't recall I can try and help through going for personnel files." you state with a fairly serious tone. This seems to be met with a slight bit of surprise but a warm smile.

"Oh. Thank you, miss Valmont...But, please don't treat them too harshly. As you probably could tell I'm not a very vengeful person. An eye for an eye only makes the world blind after all." After saying this, Ermengardis informs you the names of those she knew who bothered her. Interestingly, not only did she point out the logistics personnel but also various people who you presume were part of basic training. Much to your relief, Gaspard Botrel is not among the people who have bothered her, however unfortunately, a not so insignificant number of people are outside of the Air Corps, meaning it's unrealistic to be able to set things straight with all of them. However, tomorrow will likely have a busy morning dealing with the people you actually can. After this, you speak with her a bit more casually and learn a little bit more about her. Such as how she thinks a few of her cousins are likely fighting for Prußenmark, and how a part of her has an admittedly somewhat irrational fear she might kill her uncle or otherwise be forced to fight him...She's relieved thought that only Gallonia lets women join the armed forces, at least for now. Mainly due to the simple fact that it would mean a greater chance of her fears becoming true with some member of her family or another. Otherwise, most of the time is spent with her talking about books she's interested in, including a fair few old tales relating to an apparent Gallonian scribe and alchemist who, apparently, has writings dating from the 1100's and even as recent the 1600's. While this could be simply a similar name, the style of writing, origin of works, and the detailed description of events that they'd not experience if they were another person among other things. Said tails of this scribe being the main inspiration to her interest in chemistry, even if the childlike wonder of thinking there might be an immortal alchemist out there is gone. Though soon after you say your goodbyes and send her on her way.

(Pick one.)
>Major Catherine Hauet
>Commandant Aude Gaume

>>5315427
>>Commandant Aude Gaume

>>5315427
>Major Catherine Hauet

>>5315427
>Major Catherine Hauet

Lets go down the list.

>>5315427
>Major Catherine Hauet

>>5315427
>>Major Catherine Hauet

With the second to last pilot called in, you wait a bit until you are met by one of the pilots who had been with her Escadron since the very start. She has red hair, blue eyes, and surprisingly has a number of scars visible on her from a variety of wounds, likely plenty from before she even got into the air corps or even army. She walks in with a very relaxed stride and gives a somewhat sloppy salute that seems far more casual than it should. "So, what's this all about commander?" she asks.

"Well, you have proven yourself to be fairly skilled, and I wanted to meet a few of my pilots personally. Get to know my soldiers. I'm sure you understand." You say before motioning for her to take a seat, though she remains standing, content to lean on the chair instead.

"So you want to know a bit about me eh? Well, I was born to a few nobodies in factories that no one fucking cares about. Nothing much else to say." She says with a somewhat bothered tone. "Honestly, glad the army decided to open up when it did. Though I'd rather have been on the ground this whole flying thing isn't too bad. At least, it wouldn't be if people WOULDN'T KEEP ABANDONING ME! Like, I get it. It's hard to keep track in combat, but honestly I'm confident it's fucking deliberate. But hey, fuck em. I'm not going to give them the satisfaction of dying, nor adding another mark to those Bergen assholes. Eh, at least I'll properly get to beat the shit out of some fucking Prußenmarks when the new aircraft come in." You are...honestly taken a bit aback by her rudeness. The seeming lack of discipline in what was supposed to be a causal meeting was one thing. But this...is something else entirely.

"Are you...usually like this? And are you really sure you should speak that way in front of an officer?" You inquire, to which she shrugs.

"Either I get my leave denied and get to keep doing shit here and don't have to return to that terrible slum of a city, or I get to actually be myself for five seconds and let out some of my frustrations before returning to hell on earth. Honestly, I've had to keep all this shit in and not say anything or else I get fucking loaded with extra work as punishment. And to be honest, I'd rather do that than go back to my so called home and family. Besides, I was told this would be a causal conversation, so I'll be how I usually am. And I don't care if I don't come across as proper or lady like. Besides, pretentious pricks who try and pretend they still are delicate flowers like after joining a war annoy me to no end." She simply says.

>"Right...Can you tone down the language a bit? It is fine to express your frustrations but, this is a bit excessive. Besides, I actually recognize your work."
>"I'm curios how well you get along with your Escadron mates given that attitude."
>"What do you think of your aircraft? Have similar feelings to it as your direct superior or?"
>"I think I'll be speaking with your superior now, thanks..." (Ends conversation)
>(Write in)

>>5316693
>"I'm curios how well you get along with your Escadron mates given that attitude."
>"What do you think of your aircraft? Have similar feelings to it as your direct superior or?"
>You mentioned being abandoned, when did this happen and under what circumstances? If your wingmates are abandoning you out of some sense of classism or perceived lack of value on your part then their behaviour needs correcting. If, on the other hand your wingmates had a tactical reason for doing so or simply panicked, then perhaps this is merely a training issue or something better discussed with them."

The more personal and casual conversations can come later. She may be a bit rude and unprofessional, but she is right, this was supposed to be a casual yet honest conversation, and she hasn't said anything specifically insulting us or too out of line just yet.

>>5316709
+1 question about flight discipline. Standards can be relaxed in barracks, but not in the air.

>>5316709
Supporting

"I'm curios how well you get along with your Escadron mates given that attitude...Speaking of, you mentioned being abandoned. When did this happen and under what circumstances? If your wingmates are abandoning you out of some sense of classism or perceived lack of value on your part then their behavior needs correcting. If, on the other hand, your wingmates had a tactical reason for doing so or simply panicked, then perhaps this is merely a training issue or something better discussed with them." you say and suggest. Though Catherine is quick to respond.

"I think it's kinda fucking obvious how they view me given how they keep abandoning me. It wasn't just once either. It seems like every other time I get into combat with some sort of enemy, they fucking ditch or vanish like they are some cheep magicians leaving me to dodge a few tons of lead...I'd not be so bad if it wasn't for how often it keeps happening. And every time it seems as if the entire Prußenmark anti air corps goes right to me...That aside, Aude doesn't put up with me in the slightest and that feeling is mutual, Calantha and Amélie are full of themselves and are more prideful than...You know I was going to go somewhere with that but...Nevermind. You get the point. Roselyne is a extremely aggressive and paranoid prick. Matildis is...actually okay, if unobservant at times. Alicia is fine too I guess if struggling with trying to remember some nonsense in her past. And Haydée is the only person I would say is a proper friend in that squadron. Still, I don't need to put up with any of their shit when I'm in the air...Regardless, most of the people in the Escadre suck for one reason or another other than abandoning me... Suppose I fit right in, eh?" At least they had a sense of humor given the last comment. Though it's quite clear they aren't the most content.

"Well, with that said what do you think of your aircraft? Have similar feelings to it as your direct superior or?" You ask, she has a very simple and direct answer in response.

"I'd rather the Königstein B.II I managed to recover. But that's not an option now, is it? I'd take any newer aircraft, whenever they are supposed to arrive. The Dupont feels a bit sluggish with it's turns. You probably have heard this a lot though if you've asked everyone that. At least it's good enough that I can ensure I wont fucking die. For now anyway. But a better one would ensure that." After saying this she asks "Anything else? I honestly need to prepare if I'm actually going to be sent back to my nightmare of a home."

>(Write in)
>Fairly swiftly end the conversation, given she seems to want to.

(I kind of feel bad making this short and giving so few options...Suppose it might just be my tiredness as I write this. I hope if that's the case the quality hasn't suffered.)

>>5317711
>>Fairly swiftly end the conversation, given she seems to want to.

It's fine

>>5317711
>Fairly swiftly end the conversation, given she seems to want to.

It's fine.

We'll have to look into the reason behind her wingmates abandoning her.

>>5317711
>>Fairly swiftly end the conversation, given she seems to want to.

>>5317711
>Fairly swiftly end the conversation, given she seems to want to.

>>5317711
>(Write in)
Suggest she can be Wing duty officer if she would rather not go on leave.

"Alright, if you need to prepare for the trip back and wish this to be over sooner rather than later, you may go." You tell Catherine, which gets her to smile a bit.

"Thanks...Hopefully we can meet later once I've beaten the shit out of a few more Prußenmarkians and get a medal for it. However far that is off from now..." With this, she swiftly leaves to do god knows what to prepare to go back home.

With this done, there was only one other person you wished to speak to, someone who probably would have a bit of explanation to do given the whole abandoning thing. Once Aude is contacted she takes no time to arrive and, in very orderly fashion enters. Her hair is a rich hazel and her eyes match, and her height is short even for a woman, likely only a bit taller than one and a half meters or five feet. And as she walks in she has the proper orderly demeanor of a soldier. Silently, she gives a salute and only stops once you tell her to sit down. After all this she simply says "Lieutenant-colonel, what do you desire from me?" fairly direct, huh?

"I simply wish to talk to you in casual conversation. I want honest opinions. Besides, given you all are going home I feel it's fine for this to be less official." You say to her.

"In that case, do you prefer if I refer to you by name rather than rank?" She asks

"Given what I said I would prefer if you referred to me by name." You simply respond.

"In that case, Helene. It is a honor to see you again. The last time we properly met was months ago before the war even properly started. And even then I didn't get to speak with you much. Since you said this is casual, how have you been doing these past few months? You likely know of how well things have gone for me, but I have hardly heard a report of how things have gone for you. Any news from your family or home? Or a medal for your recent success?" She inquires.

"I've been doing fine. But no, I haven't received much information from home other than the usual. Most of what I know is the same as the news, given how prominent politically my parents and other relatives are. I've also not received any award for the recent successful operation, however the success hasn't been that long ago. If I am to be rewarded for it I may receive news yet. However I do have a few questions for you..." You calmly say.

>"I have heard Catherine is abandoned on flights fairly often. Is this true?"
>"How do you feel about your Escadron and it's pilots under you?"
>"What do you think your pilots morale and tiredness is?"
>"What do you think of my command and orders for the time you have served under me?"
>"What do you think about your current aircraft? Or the enemies for that matter?"
>(Write in)

(My goal is to get this conversation done tonight or tomorrow. After, I'll probably simply ask for feedback before making another thread once this one falls off. Give's me a short break to recharge and it's a good stopping point too.)

>>5318416
>>"How do you feel about your Escadron and it's pilots under you?"
>>"What do you think your pilots morale and tiredness is?"

>>5318416
>"I have heard Catherine is abandoned on flights fairly often. Is this true?"
>"How do you feel about your Escadron and it's pilots under you?"
>"What do you think your pilots morale and tiredness is?"
>"What do you think of my command and orders for the time you have served under me?"
>"What do you think about your current aircraft? Or the enemies for that matter?"

>>5318416
>"What do you think of my command and orders for the time you have served under me?"
>"How do you feel about your Escadron and it's pilots under you?"
>"I have heard Catherine is abandoned on flights fairly often. Is this true?"

>>5318510
+1

"Firstly, I have heard from Catherine she is abandoned on flights fairly often. Is this true? I presume this is not intentional if it's the case, but I believe it's important that an effective pilot shouldn't feel as if they are left to the wolves as it can harm your Escadrons cohesion." You state, which quickly gets a sigh out of Aude.

"For the love of...She's not abandoned, she never has been during my flights at least. She just has a terrible sense of direction and usually splits off from the formation the second she see's an enemy aircraft. And usually, she manages to find a way to get stuck in with an enemy and lose track of where we are while doing it, only getting her hopelessly lost and in harms way. Honestly, it's impressive how often it happens with her. Of course, she's too stubborn to accept that it's actually her fault and instead shifts the blame to others. Frankly, it's quite annoying, as is her general attitude...Honestly, I think unless we got some method to communicate in our aircraft outside of hand signals or flares she's probably going to feel abandoned no matter what we do until she is observant enough to know what aircraft is friendly and which is hostile. Regardless she's actually quite skilled, so I don't want her to die needlessly because she had a map the wrong way around, and while most people dislike her caustic personality I don't think anyone wants to kill her." She says with a fair bit of exasperation.

"You are her commanding officer. If she has a problem with navigation, you can order her to go through a few formation training rounds to avoid this." You suggest

"I guess if it's tailor made, but I honestly don't see it helping. She's directionally challenged and I hope for her sake that she finds a way to change that sooner rather than later." Aude swiftly adds.

"That aside, how do you feel about your Escadron and it's pilots under you? And what do you think their exhaustion and morale is?" You swiftly ask, changing the subject a bit.

"Well, I am honored to have the best and most successful pilots of the Escadre, barring two anyway. They serve quite well and I honestly expect some of them to become like Adélaïde, especially once better aircraft come out. Hopefully, I will be one of them as well and prove myself a heroine to my country. It would be the greatest honor to me...As for their morale and fatigue, the former is fairly high. The latter is also a bit high. We have been getting into a lot of combat for the past few weeks. Though the break of sorts we got earlier last month helped a lot. While higher than it should be, the fatigue is manageable and with everyone going on leave for the next two months, i highly doubt it will be an issue for any Escadron given how long their pilots have to rest." She calmly answers.

"I still have a few things I wish to ask. That simply being your opinion on the current aircraft you have and my orders for the time you have served under me." You ask as a bit of tiredness starts to hit you. It's getting quite late, isn't it?

"The aircraft we have are acceptable for their intended role. In their current assigned role they are sub par. The enemies aircraft are perfectly acceptable for their intended role as well, and are slightly greater in capabilities than our own. As for your orders, you have proven to be a very daring and down to earth commander. You care for your pilots and those who serve under you and seem to grant a gentle hand. I would say many would envy having a commander like yourself leading them. Your operations are fine, though your most recent was quite bold and risky, yet it paid off, and that is what matters. Though, I get the feeling Bleu doesn't see it that way given how they took the greatest amount of the enemies wrath and fire. I believe you could be a little more firm however. Discipline is important after all, as despite the nature of our missions and operations we still are a part of the army. And that army has standards for it's soldiers." She calmly states before quietly pondering a bit. "Do you have any particular plans for when you go on leave? I presume given your family you have plenty in mind..." Aude says, clearly guiding the conversation to a bit more casual place.

>Simply go along with the causal talk and end the conversation before calling it a night. Tomorrow will be a bit busy, followed by much relaxation.
>"Actually, I do have a fair few things in mind that I have to do. I wish to know however, do you think you could do anything to keep a tally as to the status of the pilots under you?"
>"Do you have any suggestions you would like to make? Be that in the form of equipment or strategy?
>Write in.

>>5319030
>>"Actually, I do have a fair few things in mind that I have to do. I wish to know however, do you think you could do anything to keep a tally as to the status of the pilots under you?"
>>"Do you have any suggestions you would like to make? Be that in the form of equipment or strategy?

>>5319030
>>"Actually, I do have a fair few things in mind that I have to do. I wish to know however, do you think you could do anything to keep a tally as to the status of the pilots under you?"
>>"Do you have any suggestions you would like to make? Be that in the form of equipment or strategy?