AAR (Chuck) Wings of Glory: Dawn of the fighters (Scenario V) - 22 November 1915

[WWIflyingace]

It was oh-dark 30 when we were roused from our bunks. A zeppelin raid against England had occurred just prior midnight and we were to prevent them from returning home.
Finn was to fly escort while my plane was armed with 24 Ranken darts; it was to be my pleasure to drop them on the first zeppelin we encountered. Altitude was the key; we had to be above the zeppelin for the darts to work.

With that in mind at first light we took off. Climbing and climbing skyward we made our way towards the coast hoping to intercept the zeppelins before they reached enemy lines.

After a while with no sighting I grew fearful that we were too late, but then I saw it; a lone zeppelin limping inland! The great beast was wounded. Its nose hung down and it leaned slightly to port. We were well above the monstrosity and dove towards it.

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Finn flew to my left and slightly ahead. His job was to keep any escort off me while I dropped the darts, but there was no escort to be seen.

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Making our run I dropped a little lower so the darts had a greater chance for success. Finn, now above me, moved to the right as started my run. The first dozen darts were away and I was rewarded with a whoosh and explosion as the darts penetrated the skin and exploded. The zeppelin shifted to port as I released my second batch of darts, but they still managed to hit the aft section near the rudder and another whoosh boom greeted me.

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My plane shuddered with the second explosion and I noted smoke trailing from underneath. As I cleared the zeppelin I looked back upon it. Flames erupted from the aft quarter; the beast was mortally wounded. With no more darts and trailing smoke I vectored towards home. Finn drew close signally me. Once he knew he had my attention he pointed.

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Looking where indicated I noted a column of smoke rising near Boesinghe. Nearby was a lone Fokker D-type heading towards German lines. My guess was the Belgians had taken down his friend and with the zeppelin definitely going down the surviving Hun plane decided discretion was the better part of valor.

I knew Finn was itching to go after him, but he had enough discipline to stay with me and escort me back home. I pointed down and he nodded understanding. He then dipped under me to get a look at the damage to my aeroplane.

When he came up on the other side of me he gave me a “thumbs up.” That meant I could still fly Huntress home.

As we flew towards base the wounded zeppelin came into range of the Belgian guns. As they opened up I knew they would claim the victory. I couldn’t begrudge them that. Their little county had suffered much at the hands of the Hun. It was only fitting that they should win this one small victory…

[WWIflyingace]

Butcher's Bill:

Charles Lewis Diamond / RTB / - /
Finn MacCoul / RTB / - /
Belgian Anti-Aircraft Gun Crews / 2 Victories

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Fokker I / SD ET / KIA /
Fokker II / RTB / - / Klingenschmidt survives again!
Zeppelin / SD ET / crew killed / multiple boom cards and flames galore!

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Notes:
My understanding of the Ranken darts is that you had to be fairly low over the target for them to work. The rules don’t allow you to be less than one level above the target so that is where my plane was. First C damage my plane took was zero the second 8 with smoke, which I could have removed with Lucky Git. I took 1 point from machine gun fire.

One of the Fokkers was taken out by AA fire; a 4 with fire. The second Fokker wasn’t a factor never getting close enough to attack. I had it return to base once the second boom card was played rather than have a dog-fight between Finn and him. It seemed to me the thing to do.

[WWIflyingace]

My Zeppelin for scale:
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Cub Scout Shirt I designed for my Pack:

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Apologies but your AAR is in the wrong section Chuck.

[WWIflyingace]

No apologies necessary, but since I resigned from the solo campaign I figured I shouldn't post in there. When I ran the Dawn of the fighters campaign this is where my group and I posted so it seemed the best place.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Next section down under AAR' s.

[WWIflyingace]

I don't know what you are talking about? Just glancing over the first couple of pages I see about 15 to 20 AAR Threads by 5 or 6 different people. I've looked at them all and they are clearly AARs. Mine is no different so I don't see why mine is in the wrong place and theirs are not.

Is there some sort or tier system or something?

[gully_raker]

I don't know what you are talking about? Just glancing over the first couple of pages I see about 15 to 20 AAR Threads by 5 or 6 different people. I've looked at them all and they are clearly AARs. Mine is no different so I don't see why mine is in the wrong place and theirs are not.

Is there some sort or tier system or something?

G'day Chuck!
Neil means that if you are not participating in a Campaign your AAR's should be posted in the Mission Discussion AAR Section not the Campaign section.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Cheers Barry, I didn't explain that bit well. Too much rushing about for Border Reiver. (apologies for driver, blooming pad went and put its own word in not recognising Reiver!)

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Don't worry Chuck. If you just PM Keith, he can move it to the correct place for you, or you could turn it into a campaign. Then it is in the right place.
Rob.