OTT The Early Doors Mission 4 - Flash Over Verdun - 21st April 1916
"Sorry chaps" said Uncle apologetically, "seems the RNAS are all out of Stutters today so we'll have to make do with the BE" He looked at the disappointed faces of 2Lt William 'Bill' Board and his observer Cpl Jack Pott. They had been clearly excited at the prospect of getting their hands on the new two-seater and he had just dashed their hopes.
"At least we'll be able to keep up with you now" quipped 2Lt Ben Downe.
"Aye, we'd have had trouble other wise" added 2Lt Phil MacRevis.
Both pilots had been selected by Uncle to escort the two-seater in their DH2's but as they said keeping up with a Strutter would have been nigh on impossible for them so perhaps having the BE might help them all out in the long run.
He went on and outlined the mission for them, a photo recon behind enemy lines to seek out a German battalion HQ and gun positions. He made sure he mentioned the balloon line and that the met chappies had forecast some patchy fog, heavy in places along the front that should burn off pretty quick.
All too soon they were flying over the quickly dissipating fog on the front that morning, Ben Downe in his white tailed DH2 on the left , the BE2c piloted by Bill Board with his observer Jack Pott in the middle and on the right Phill MacRevis in his all green DH2
It became clear pretty quickly that they were not alone in the skies - there was another DH2 working over the balloons as they approached - a balloon to the north was already belching smoke and sinking fast and he was now at work on the southern balloon
What was slightly more alarming for the flight was the sight of a pair of Fokkers approaching from behind the smoking balloon - its smoke attracting them like sharks attracted by blood in the water.
The white DH2 was pumping rounds into the balloon in a long burst - they rounds left odd smoking trails in their wake - then woomf - a flame plumed over the envelope and the DH2 moved on
Ben Downe & Phil MacRevis move to protect their charge, climbing to get above the rapidly approaching enemy who're trying to do the same thing
Downe and Strunklenberg in the red Fokker swap lead - both are frustrated as their weapons stutter to sudden silence
MacRevis cuts in on Strunklenbergs flank but his rounds hit nothing of consequence
Bill Board pilots the BE across the balloon line with Klaibers green Fokker in pursuit, Ben Downe and Phil MacRevis circle away from Struncklenberg as he immels
MacRevis takes a snap shot at the balloon as the white DH2 pumps in his smoky rounds from below but there is no resultant fire this time which is just as well as Phill realises the proximity of everyone to this hydrogen filled menace.
Jack Pott can't resist such a tempting target at close range either and adds his tuppence worth from the other side but the gas bag takes it as the rounds slap through the rubberised cloth
Pott suddenly sees the threat and a new target in Klaibers green Fokker and lets rip at it
Another burst follows moments later and Pott's Lewis runs dry, jamming on the last few rounds
Downe then laces the Fokkers tail with lead as he clears the balloon
The target to be photographed is to the north, the cloying fog now all but burned off, and the BE2 turns toward it, Klaiber in close attendance, Downe on his tail. MacRevis immels but Strunklenberg has sailed straight on - after the BE no doubt. The pilot of the white DH2 changes out his empty pan of incendiary for ball ammo and heads towards the northern balloon, already ablaze from his first pass.
Downe gets another shot on Klaiber then his gun runs dry too.
Ground fire from the trenches harasses the white DH2 and MacRevis
Strunklenberg makes a bee line for the BE strafing both cockpits as he gets into range - both crewmen are struck he's sure.
The camera run is interrupted ! The BE, stable platform that it is, motors on with the injured crew as Strunklenberg passes its tail. Downe works fast on his reload as Klaiber turns in on the BE before him. MacRevis turns to chase the red Fokker as the white DH2 heads for home, his job done.
Klaiber lines up the BE2 but his fire has no effect
Neither does his second burst - there is no reaction from the stricken crew and an opportunity is missed !
The BE loses a little height as Klaiber over shoots his target - Downe has a fresh pan on the Lewis and is ready to extract some revenge but Stunklenberg is already moving to get behind him. Back leaves the battlefield and MacRevis is distracted by something else...
A newcomer to the field of battle - an Albatros C.I piloted by Heinrich Kopka & crewed by Ltn Emil Maushake - has strayed into the action on its way back to base.
As Bill Board gets himself back together Klaiber has another go - verdammt ! Have they loaded blanks in his gun ?!
Klaiber finally starts scoring hits - maybe his sights are slightly out !
Despite some Archie Downe puts a long range shot into Klaiber as he immels and his Fokker begins to smoke
Strunklenberg gets a short burst into the BE again as the wounded Potts struggles to change the pan on his Lewis
Meanwhile ... MacRevis now has a fight of his own - trading shots with the Albatros he comes off second best ...
... Hurt in the exchange MacRevis holds onto the trigger as he side slips into the blind spot of the Albatros - the long raking burst ruptures the fuels tank and a dull woomf is heard as it turns into an earthbound meteor
Strunklenberg catches Downe as he pulls out of an immel - he has trouble as Klaiber has immelled too and is now behind him somewhere
Not as much trouble as Strunklenberg - Pott, wounded and angry gets an opportunity to get his own back and takes it with both hands hammering the red Fokker as he passes at close range before his gun jams
Two round of Archie straddle the BE but their luck holds and damage is minimal - Jack Pott leans out and snaps off a plate of the arty position
Strunklenberg lines up to get another pass on the BE, Klaiber immels to slip the DH2; Downe see's the falling Albatros but can tell something's not right with MacRevis. Pott works on his jammed Lewis eyeing the red Fokker warily. The BE is in bad shape and must head home but as luck would have it they must pass near the HQ to get there !
Gun cleared, the BE lines up for a photo run on the HQ, Strunklenberg lines up on them, Klaiber has a moment but heads back to the fray, Downe circles looking to head off the red Fokker, MacRevis circles as he deals with his wound.
Archie speaks but no one listens ! Pott snaps off another plate and gives the thumbs up to Board
Strunklenberg pursues the BE, Downe moves to cut him off, MacRevis gets his act together but has to head home. Klaiber gives chase
The BE gets over the northern balloon escorted by Downe , Strunklenberg hot on their heels, MacRevis goes round the balloon, Klaiber closes - at least his engine has stopped smoking.
Ground fire greets the BE & Downe as they pass over the balloon line - Downes engine throws out some smoke
MacRevis catches Strunklenberg as he crosses in front of him - rounds sparking off the engine it begins to miss fire
Further rounds damage his rudder
but Strunklenberg still manages to get a burst into the BE and Downes DH2 which promptly catches fire !
Klaiber then clobbers MacRevis as he finally catches up to the fight
Strunklenberg & Downe then collide - well that's one way to keep him off the BE !
The BE is just holding together, MacRevis is under pressure from Klaiber, Downes kite is on fire, Strunklenberg has a damaged engine and they'e just collided ..The end is in sight ..
MacRevis is surely doomed
As Klaiber pours it on ... then he jams !
Called it there.
Strunklenberg has to break off (engine damage)
Klaiber has jammed and the BE will be off by the end of the next turn
Butchers Tally:
2Lt Bill Board / RTB / WIA / 0 kills - Rolled 6 +3RTB -1WIA = 8 bruised Skip 1
Cpl Jack Pott / RTB / WIA / 0 kills - Rolled 9 +3RTB -1WIA = 11 - All well when you land well !
2Lt Ben Downe / RTB / 0 kills
2Lt Phill MacRevis / RTB / WIA / 1 kill (Alb C.I) Rolled 7 +3RTB -1WIA = 9 All well when you land well !
u/k pilot / RTB / 1 kill
A little ground fire damage as he left the battle area
Ltn Heinrich Kopka / Exp FT/ 0 kills: Rolled 4 -3EXP = 1 KIA
Ltn Emil Maushake / Exp FT / 0 kills: Rolled 5 -3EXP = 2 KIA
Ltn Gustav Klaiber / RTB / 0 kills:
Ltn Konrad Strunklenberg / RTB / 0 kills
Southern balloon destroyed by fire
Central balloon damaged by gunfire
Northern balloon winched down - all but destroyed by fire
Probably too many photo's but not as many as I took - left out loads with ground and Ack Ack fire - brilliant fun, on an absolute knife edge the whole way - one decent burst or one decent flak shot and it was curtains - all very tense and quite exhausting !
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Now that was full on Hot Action all the way. So many Zeros in the first few turns & then the damage really started. Some extremely lucky pilots in that set to (except the unfortunate German 2 seater---Just BOOM!)
Originally Posted by gully_raker
Ryan !
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