Mission 12: Curiosity may kill. The Chequered Mystery.
- Meine Herren!...Or should I say Moi Panowie?
The Wasps gathered in the briefing room stopped chatting and looked like they have just heard a long forgotten words.
- Although the tides of war have turned against Russia, our greatest enemy in the East - continued the Intelligence Officer - as we signed a truce, we can not trust them for good. The situation there is still uncertain for different reasons. One interesting thing is the Poles are heading toward some kind of independence and a reborn state after a century of non existence. Of course they are going to clash with Soviets. Of course we are not going to halt them.
[Anton Bock: "He is talking sense"].
The Officer continued: - We are aware of the fact, that some Polish pilots fly for the Entente and are taught to form their new Air Force. Yes, Moi Panowie, your colleagues.
- Moreover, we know those young men are test pilots, testing the new French fighter, SPAD XV, a machine that is going to outclass many of current Fokker designs. Fortunately, Herr Jenssen infiltrated the crew and we are updated. The SPAD we are talking about has been repainted and disguised for intelligence reasons. Here you are.
"Are we going to meet this plane in the air, Sir? - asked Schymalla.
- Yes and no, dear Alois. You are going to steal it. A pilot of yours, having a good Polish command will be sent to their aerodrome and with some help from Heinrich Jenssen will bring this plane here for testing. I was told Anton Bock may volunteer for this mission. Anton?
- Yes Sir!
- Join me for a drink in the Mess, young boy.
-----------------------------
As you could read, chaps, Anton Bock is the driver of the stolen SPAD.
I analyzed the scenario and prepare a kind of tactic to solve the puzzle and challenges Brambo offered us
Here is the simple plan I devised after looking at the three maps.
First of all will try to test the manoeuvrabilty (what a tough word) of the plane and get the N deck, then simply fly as fast as I can omitting at least one of the enemy fighters and the archie sites if possible.
I must confess, that after the mission has been solved, I realized I had forgotten to place the archie emplacement in the second map. However, since it's site was placed somehow to the northern side of the map I would have surely avoid it's fire for Bock was flying right along the southern side of that map. At the end of the day, my conscious is clear there was no handicap.
Have a look.
The hazy morning...
...soon turned into a perfect weather and Bock was enjoyed flying a new machine with somehow strange controls and joysticks.
Bock was on alert and spotted the attacking French fighter. He opened fire, but to no visible effect.
At that very moment he pressed a strange big red button on the cockpit unintentionally and felt like being carried by angels!
[good die roll, N deck chosen]
Nothing could stop him now. To his joy, a friendly shark mouth appeared on the horizon!
Fly, Eagle, Fly!
Now Anton tested the plane's guns, but the kept silent...
Now he tested the airframe. Good!
(My lovely daughter came to the rescue and started rolling some good results).
Anton has escaped. The first map covered.
The second map starts. Two opposing fighters. My goal was to face only one. The plan worked well.
Anton finally found how to man the guns!
A newbie French pilot turned left right in front of his plane, so he hail him with the first heavy salvo (AAA) to some effect. But his guns jammed suddenly.
Airframe durability check failed this time.
Friends are coming again to escort the stolen plane.
Boooost! And he leaves the French behind his back.
Stress test: OK.
Safe and sound on the other side of the map.
Now I start the third and last map. Good rolls from the beginning.
Anton is approaching the frontline facing ineffective archie fire and some circling enemies. He is keeping the speed hoping for crossing the no man's land in minutes...
Another test passed. Guns are OK.
Now his six is going to be covered by other Wasps. Alois Schymalla himself is here
"These artillerymen can not target that speedy beast!" Some minor damage done.
The plane started trembling in the air. "They must have hit the control lines...". Airframe test failed.
When Schymalla and Kroll, the escorts, saw Anton successfully flying over the lines, turned their backs against the French and started the home run as well.
Another miss.
And another.
Ouch! Kroll was caught in a blaze, but miraculously the plane went through it unharmed.
Another stress test passed.
Now Schymalla got under heavy shelling and his Albatros was almost wrecked by the blaze.
The last turn
The short bill.
No kills at all, no wounded pilots.
Bock, Schymalla and Kroll are enjoying their evening beers
Combatants of both sides returned to their bases.
MISSION SUCCESSFUL.
Thanks Trev!
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Well done on a successful mission. 
Cheers mate!
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