AAR Early Doors Campaign No.4----Verdun 21st April 1916---gully_raker
Preamble:
I rolled for the Balloon Damage & got the following results:
North Balloon 12 Pts
Central Balloon 8 Pts
South Balloon 12 Pts + Fire
For the AA markers used Steep Manoeuvre markers with 1 on the reverse for hits & 2 on reverse for misses.
The Story
The members of C Flight 52 Squadron were showing excitement as they crowded around the newly arrived Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter 2 seater which had been loaned by the RNAS especially for this mission. The aircraft had been flown over by 1st Ltn Roderick Rothwell C Flights experienced BE 2 pilot & the other members crowded around to inspect the aircraft.
They now awaited the arrival of a new Pilot 2nd Ltn Phillip MacCaverty who was bringing one of the new Nieuport 17's especially to give this important mission extra punch.
Shortly they heard the familiar "Blip, Blip" "Blip" of a rotary engine approaching for a landing & looking up they spied a beautiful silver plane with a blue cowling passing overhead.
Soon the sleek Nieuport taxied up to the hangers & the pilot climbed out. "Good Lord!" exclaimed Rothwell "He's wearing a Kilt over his flying suit!".
The group waited untill the Scotsman approached & saluted! "Ltn MacCaverty reportin' for dooty Sirs!" 1st Ltn "Bon" King put out his hand in welcome & said "Welcome Jock!" however after shaking hands MacCaverty said in a rich brogue " Ach noo Jock laddie! Noo Jock is McSporran whilst MacCaverty is Mac"!
Laughing the other pilots agreed "Mac" it would be.
They now all moved to the Squadron C.O's. hut to finalise the mission details.
"Rightoh chaps here is the plan in detail. First thing tomorrow morning Ltn Rothwell with Ltn Moggridge as gunner will take off in the Strutter & their mission is to photograph the Huns main H.Q plus any Artillery batteries nearby. We must get this info prior to the big push scheduled for 3 days time. As escort you will have Ltn Medium & Ltn Rare in the Fee & Ltn MacCaverty in the Nieuport.
Now we expect heavy Fog to be around for some time so you will need to keep your eyes open to spot your targets. The Hun has a string of Observation Balloons in front of these positions & you can expect Trench fire if you are low enough.
We have enlisted assistance from 23 Sqd & Ltn John Andrews will be making a run against the Balloons from the South so keep a lookout for him & make sure there are no "friendly fire" incidents. That's all except "Good Luck" & remember this mission is of the greatest importance!"
The Mission:
The 3 Aircraft took off at 0630 hours the next morning & as they approached the German Lines they saw vague shapes of Balloons poking above the Fog ceiling.
As they flew closer they could see a DH-2 on their Starboard side attacking the first Balloon & noted that there were already flames issuing from its skin.
Roderick gave the Thumbs Up to his Observer Charles & gave his St Christopher medal, which he had transferred from his BE2, a quick rub.
As they had almost reached the line of Balloons the sky lit up in a bright flash & they saw that Andrews next shots has caused the first Balloon to Explode!
Andrews now attacked the centre Balloon & again he was successful in setting the Balloon on fire with the last rounds in his Lewis guns magazine.
Suddenly out of the fog appeared a German Fokker Eindekker almost in front of the British FE 2b.
Both aircraft attempted an exchange of shots but the German was off target & the shots from Lionel Rare's gun seemed to cause no damage.
The Strutter tried a long range shot at the centre Balloon but it seemed to soak up the shot with no obvious result.
Mac MacCaverty was now approaching the German trench line & with no immediate target to hand gave the trench in his front a good burst but the experienced German soldiers took cover at the sound of his aircraft & he caused no damage.
Flying on past the trenches he then let a second burst at the Centre Balloon again hitting the target but with no spectacular results.
A second Fokker E.III painted a olive green now appeared & got a burst into Ltn Andrews DH-2 but caused min damage. Andrews was unable to return the favour as he was still reloading his Lewis!
The Strutter narrowly avoided a collision with the green Eindekker as they both passed under the Balloon & Roderick wondered at the lack of fire from the trenches but presumed the Fog & presence of the German Aircraft was the reason no shots came his way.
As the Strutter flew away from the Balloon Charles Moggridge was able to get a long range shot at the Green E.III but it did little damage.
He could not help thinking that the burning Balloon had drawn in so many aircraft like moths to a flame!
As MacCaverty flew under the Balloon it was obvious the fire was now burning more brightly & he sped his aircraft away from the danger.
As the Fee flew past the Balloon for the second time Lional Rare was able to get a great shot into it & the balloon slowly sunk to the ground burning fiercely.
He looked around at Ralph & gave a big grin & thumbs up!
As the Fee moved past the burning Balloon it exchanged shots with the green E.III & both managed to score hits but the Germans gun jammed & its engine started to smoke!
Suddenly the Fog cleared & as Mac flew past one of the trenches the German troops opened fire causing his rudder to become sluggish in one direction.
Swinging around he was able to return the favour to the next trench & saw smoke billow up from something he had hit.
Meanwhile the Strutter had quickly flown towards the Artillery position behind the now visible Enemy H.Q. & proceeded to pass over it & take the necessary photos.
Getting the O.K. sign from his Observer Ltn Rothwell opened the throttle & headed back towards the German Headquarters complex.
As MacCaverty threaded his way between the trenches his engine was suddenly hit by fire from the trench he had caused to smoke.
"Ach! Ye harve wounded me wee bairn, ye sasanachs!" He cried.
The Fee now came under fire from the trenches but fortunately all the shots missed!
Suddenly the skies were again crowded by aircraft & a series of exchanges took place added by fire from the ground.
Again the Fee took damage from the ground but also hit the Fokker in its front arc, Mac & the other Fokker also exchanged shots.
Another volley of shots from the trenches finally drove Mac's Nieuport to the ground where he crash landed just short of the British trench line on the far side of the river.
Covered with mud & ash from the crash he crawled through No Man's land to the relative safety of the British front line.
While all this action was going on the Strutter had turned to head for the German H.Q. & noticed well off to the Starboard side the German Archie had opened up in reaction to the British aircraft in that direction apparently unaware of the Strutter.
As the Strutter approached the H.Q. the German AA redirected their fire but fortunately they were off target to the west of the Sopwith & the Strutter was able to take a good range of photos as they passed over the German buildings & opened the throttle to head for home with the valuable slides.
They were all too aware they still had to run the gambit of the German trenches who were now on full alert. Not to mention the two Fokkers who were still lurking near the front lines.
Back near the front lines the Fee crew suddenly became aware of a new German Aircraft that had appeared from the direction of the British lines. It was an Aviatik C.II armed only with a gun for the Observer so the Fee tried a long range shot at the German approached but saw no indication of damage done.
As they closed on the German 2 seater they came under fire from the trenches but this time saw their bullets hit the Aviatik.
Suddenly they were under attack from both the trenches & the cream Fokker that had come to the aid of the 2 seater. They were most fortunate to receive no damage & had certainly caused some to the German fighter but then their Lewis jambed.
The Strutter which had now reached the trench line also shot with some success at the Aviatik but in return took damage from the trench fire.
As the Sopwith crossed the River shots were exchanges by both Observers to no effect & the Lewis on the Strutter jambed. The trench fire was likewise ineffectual.
The Strutter & the Fee having accomplished their mission now headed for their Aerodrome at top speed & hoped they could avoid any further attacks from the German fighters. Roderick gave his St Christopher another soft rub for luck!
The two Fokkers turned to give chase but the British aircraft had a good lead & the E.III of Oblt. Harry Von Bukard in the cream Aircraft had been badly damaged by fire from the British aircraft but considered it his bounded duty to try to stop the Photographs reaching the British Headquarters.
His trusty Fokkerstaffel comrade Ltn. Hans Wessels duly followed his leader.
Their chase was in vain & although Von Bukard tried he was just out of range & the German Aircraft turned for home as the 2 British planes landed at their home Aerodrome.
There was much jubilation in the Officers mess that night for a successful mission & the C.O. read them a letter of thanks & commendation from GHQ. Their celebrations were made complete when a bedraggled MacCaverty arrived at 10 pm slightly the worst for drink. Seemed he had been rescued by a squad of Black Watch who sent him on his way after some restoring whiskeys & a couple of bottles for the mess!
The Butchers Bill
German Balloon South. SD/Exp
German Balloon Central SD/ by FE 2b (plus 8 damage from dice roll)
German Balloon North---12 damage by dice roll
Fokker E.III Oblt Harry Von Buhard---RTB---- Maybe allocated the Kill for the Nieuport 17?
Fokker E.III Ltn Hans Wessels---RTB
Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter--Ltn Roderick Rothwell (P) /Ltn Chas Moggridge RTB Mission successful
FE2b--Ltn Medium/Ltn Rare Observer/Gunner--RTB I kill Centre Balloon
Nieuport 17---Ltn Phillip MacCaverty--SD/NML----Rolled 8 -1 SD -1 NML =- 6----Rolled 2 = Miss 1 scenario
Well that was just so much fun!
The scout/fighters all got involved & the Strutter just flew off & completed its mission. The AA was generally well off to the North except for one round so all we had to do was get through the trench fire!
I flew the Strutter & the Fee. All other Aircraft were AI.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by flash
I presume Dave knowing how the Germans worked that Von Bukard will be awarded the kill of the Nieuport in spite of the trenches contribution.?
It's a disgrace I tell you a disgrace, I shall send a strongly worded letter to the Kölnische Zeitung.
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