Early Doors Mission 3----Pricking the Sausage---March '16---gully_raker.
:D SET UP:
I decided that all Aircraft would start at the same Altitude & descend to follow the Balloon as a previous attempt to play the game with Altitude did not work out with AI aircraft.
I rolled a D12 using the Clock Code to establish where the German Scout would enter. The same D 12 method would be used after rolling a D6 for the MG/AA guns.
1st Ltn. Boniface King from Sydney Australia who was know to all in 56 Sqd as "Bon", streched in the warm sunlight of a sunday in March 1916. He could not believe such a warm day this early in the year. He was also relaxed as the members of C Flight had been ordered to attend an outdoors briefing at 1000 hours. "Bubbles" Gardiner the Sqd C.O.s clerk disturbed his reverie to announce the meeting was ready to begin. The pilots gathered around the C,O. who introduced Major Gwilliam Ross-Jones of the Royal Welsh Regiment.
Major Ross-Jones tabled some photographs that had been taken yesterday by a BE 2 recon Aircraft.
"Gentlemen as you can see by these Photos the bally Hun has been plastering our boys in the front two trenches with heavy artillery & they will not be able to withstand the accurate fire much longer."
"There is a Hun Balloon anchored near their front line manned by a particularly good observer who is calling the shots. Now we have already had a number of attempts to get rid of the bugger but all have failed & we have lost some good Vickers crews in the attempt".
"Now I believe you have recently been strengthened by the arrival of two of the new Airco DH-2's which were flown over by two of your pilots here" "He looked pointedly at "Bon" King & 2nd Ltn. John "Tiny" Large". "Now with your C.O.'s approval we want you two lads to use the ability of these new aircraft to rid us of that confounded Sausage once & for all!"
The C.O. then discussed tactics with the two pilots & directed them to concentrate on the Balloon & not to go "swanning" off to chase any Fokkers that might be patrolling nearby. Hopefully being a Sunday we might just catch then napping if we hit them around lunch time.
The two pilots climbed into their Aircraft & took off in the direction of the lines.
Lth. Erich Kuppers was enjoying the bright sunshine of this peaceful Sunday morning flying behind the lines on his morning patrol.
There seemed to be a lull over the front today & he was looking forward to lunch with his Fliger comrades in the casino. He glanced towards the front lines where we saw the familiar sight of their Observation Balloon that had been so effective in giving the Tommies a good plastering.
He was suddenly aware of two aircraft approaching from the British side of the Front but was not particularly concerned as he knew his Fokker E.III had a great advantage over the slow Vickers the Britishers were flying.
He knew at once that this was another attempt to destroy the Balloon so he opened the engine to full & headed in their direction.
As the aircraft closed he was surprised to see that these were a new type of lattice tail, much smaller & with only one crew. He had best be careful until he saw how good this new enemy aircraft was.
One of the British planes headed for the Balloon & the other headed for him & he was caught out by the manoeuvrability of the new pusher & could not bring his guns to bare but sustained only minor damage from the enemy.
The aircraft that shot at him crossed behind & then opened fire on the Balloon but it appeared to soak up the attack.
Kuppers noticed the Winch crew had now started to wind the Balloon down as quickly as possible but it was a hard job with a hand winch!
One of the nimble new fighters flew back towards the Balloon & gave it another burst whilst Kuppers performed an Immlemann turn to return to the attack.
As the British machine banked to avoid the Balloon Kuppers noticed the pilot busy changing the drum on his mounted Lewis gun & took the opportunity to put some shots into the enemy aircraft. However his joy was short lived as his Spandau jammed.
"'Struth" cried "Bon" "damn German caught me out that time but dosn't seem to be any great damage".
Meanwhile "Tiny" had manoeuvred around behind the Balloon & gave it another burst but to no effect narrowly missing a collision with the German machine which had flown under the balloon.
The 3 aircraft now milled around the Balloon whilst both British Pilots completed their reloading.
"Bon" thought to himself with a chuckle---"No sign of any AA fire yet, perhaps the buggers are at Church Parade"
"Maybe we have caught them napping?"
Bon now was in range & fired off some shots but again to no visible effect.
Tiny had swung around to make a rear attack & got a good burst of shots into the sausage but again nothing happened.
"Damn thing just seems to soak up the lead like a sponge" cursed Tiny.
He again raked the Balloon from close range & again to no avail!
"Bloody thing is fireproof" he swore as he flew on past.
The Eindekker pilot who had flown off to clear his gun jam now flew back towards the activity around the balloon determined to stop the attacks.
As Kuppers approached he was in a perfect position to catch "Bon" who had done an Immlemann to return to attack the Balloon from the rear but his shots went wide.
As the Aussie pilot closed on the enemy Balloon Kuppers tried to again sight on the small pusher but could not bring his gun to bare!
Both British aircraft closed to attack in unison & were finally rewarded when the burst from "Bon's" Airco caused to Balloon to explode in flames!
The two Allied pilots watched aghast as the flaming wreckage fell from the sky to crash on the unfortunate winch crew below.
Their mission accomplished the two allied pilots still had to contend with the Fokker pilot who seemed intent to take vengeance for the destruction of the Balloon & the death of his countrymen.
However it was "Tiny" who managed to get a firing solution & he saw the German pilot jerk in his seat & thought " By jove I think I've wounded him!"
Erich Kuppers felt a red hot poker sear into his right shoulder which suddenly went numb & he sensed blood welling through his flying suit. Realising he had two good pilots in new & much improved planes against him he made the decision to head for his home aerodrome & medical assistance. This new allied aircraft was no pushover like the BE's & Vickers & he needed to alert his superiors of the fact.
As he turned for home Bon tried a long range deflection shot but it went wide.
As the German aircraft continued to turn for home Bon got a good burst in at short range but his Lewis immediately jammed.
As the German plane headed for home "Bon" thought perhaps he should let well enough alone & head for base but then he thought of all the brave BE & Gunbus pilots who had become "Fokker Fodder" over the past months & decided to try to clear his gun before the German Pilot could reach safety. He steadily overhauled the Fokker as he changed drums & as the Hun approached his Aerodrome Bon fired.
Almost to safety Kuppers hoped he could just hold off the British pilot who seemed intent on his destruction but it was not to be. "Bon's final salvo caused the Fokker to crash just short of its aerodrome & with a final salute "Bon" turned the DH-2 to follow Tiny back to their own 'drome.
There was much celebrating & carousing in 56 Sqd's Mess that night as the personnel toasted the success of not only the mission & "Bon's" double victory but the success of the new Fighter that had proved its worth in combat with the vaunted Fokker Eindekker.
Major Ross-Jones helped the celebrations by sending over a case of Moet by Crossley Tender along with a letter of congratulations.
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The Butchers Bill!
For some reason the Auto save stopped working as I was doing the Butchers Bill so here it is again
: Great result for the Boys and a well written 
Originally Posted by tikkifriend
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