New Wings over the Trenches--Mission 7--Bulldogs--gully_raker.
Newly promoted Captain Boniface "Bon" King was feeling on top of the world. His new captains pips were on his shoulders & the shiny Military Cross ribbon on his chest & he had been promoted to act as Flight Leader for C Flight.
Furthermore he was flying a brand new Nieuport 17 fighter over the channel towards his Bulldogs Squadrons Airfield in France.
Looking off to his Port side he waved to the cheeky Scots 2nd Lt Phillip "Mac" McCaverty who was flying a slightly second hand silver N17 from 60 Squadron that had been added to their Flight to undertake an evaluation of this new French designed & built Aircraft.
Bon's plane was finished in the new RFC brown & green Camo so the two aircraft looked rather different.
Tomorrow after a good check over by 52 Sqds ground crew the two pilots would undertake a trial flight over the front lines.
On the other side of the Lines Oblt Harry Von Bukard & Lntn. Konrad Mohr were admiring the 2 new Halberstadt D.II biplane fighters that were said to be the replacement for their KEK's ageing Fokker Monoplanes. The aircraft had been delivered on trucks yesterday & were now prepared for action.
Harry & Konrad would tomorrow take two of the new aircraft for a trial flight over the trenches & perhaps they would get the chance to test them against the Britishers.
Early next morning Bon & Mac took off & flying close together headed for the front lines.
At roughly the same time the two German machines also approached the trenches.
As the Halberstadts approached the German front line they were startled by rifle fire from there own trenches. "Gott in Himmel" swore Von Bukard! "Vot is wrong vit these troops? Don't they recognise our National insignia?" Then he realised the Halberstadt probably looked like a British BE 2. He tilted his wings so the troops could see but it made no difference.
Meanwhile the two Allied pilots were having the same problem with the British Tommies not recognising the new French built fighters as British planes.
"Bloody Hell" swore Bon, "Dont the buggers realise we're on their side?"
Mac in the meantime felt his joystick twitch in his hand as shots hit his rudder. "Ach Aye! Ye trench rats stop tha noo!"
The firing from the British trenches intensified & both Nieuports were hit again & Mac was dismayed when flames blossomed from his engine cowling. "The Bloodie Sassanachs!" He screamed. "Waa have ye done to ma wee bairn?"
The firing from the German trenches had continued as well & Von Bukard's aircraft took considerable damage from concentrated rifle fire.
The two groups of aircraft had now closed to combat distance & Bon & Von Bukard exchanged close range bursts, with Bon getting the best of it as he saw the German pilot flinch in his cockpit & he knew he had wounded his adversary. Von Bukard had been hit in his left shoulder & he felt the blood starting to run down his arm.
On the other side of the fight Mac & the cream Halberstadt were just out of range of each other.
Fortunately for Mac the fire had not intensified as he kept his aircraft turning to avoid the fire & smoke hitting his face.
The four Aircraft now manoeuvred for advantage & fortunately they were too close together for the infantry to try any pot shots for fear of hitting their own planes as they had worked out who was who.
Bon & Von Bukard now again traded shots & both aircraft sustained some damage.
Mac's Fire still seemed under control as he circled around.
As the aircraft separated the cream Halberstadt came under fire from the British trenches but suffered little damage.
Mac's circling now brought him within range of Von Bukard's plane & he was able to fire his first shots in the battle. He observed his bullets hit the rudder of the German aircraft.
Mac's fire finally went out with no great damage to his plane & both British & German Aircraft came under fire from their opposition trenches but no damage was done!
Mac & Von Bukard now went head to head & Mac got the better of the exchange but his gun jambed.
Von Bukard was now feeling faint from loss of blood & realising his aircraft was heavily damaged reluctantly made the decision to try to nurse the valuable new plane back to his 'drome so he broke off combat & headed towards home.
Bon had manoeuvred around to catch the cream Halberstadt from his starboard quarter & was thrilled to see smoke issue from its engine.
Von Bukard took advantage of a nearby cloud & disappeared into its midst.
Mac had again come under fire from the German trenches but their fire was inaccurate!
Bon continued to harass the cream German machine from behind but did minimal damage.
The Halberstadt pilot now pulled an Immleman manoeuvre & caught Bon with a telling burst whilst Mac tried a deflection shot but both British pilots failed to hit the German machine.
As Bon flew past the Halberstadt Mac tried a long range shot which hit but then his Lewis jambed.
By now Von Bukard was approaching his Aerodrome & managed to land safely before passing out & being carried to the first aid tent for attention.
Disaster now struck as the cream Halberstadt flown by Konrad Mohr hit Mac's Nieuport & the petrol tank exploded & the tiny French plane spiriled to the ground behind the German lines.
Bon looked on horrified by what had happened to his Scots mate & he just had to fly on to try & clear his gun before attempting to take vengance on the German machine!
But as he flew on he came under fire from the German Trench but they failed to hit his aircraft.
Having reloaded his Lewis Gun he pulled an Immleman & flew towards the enemy aircraft & was lucky to avoid further fire from the German trench.
He quickly closed on the German Aircraft & positioned himself to give it a good raking burst & was rewarded to see the Halberstadt explode from his hits.
"You bloody little bottler!' Shouted Bon. "That's for old Mac. God bless him".
He could only hope that Mac had somehow survived & been taken for care to a German Hospital.
Now he turned his Nieuport back towards his home base to await news of his mate & make out his Combat Report on the performance of the new aircraft.
The Butchers Bill
Halberstadt D.II Oblt Harry Von Bukardt
RTB/ Wounded---Rolled 6 +3RTB -1WIA = 8 - Bruised skip 1 scenario
10 Damage points
Halberstadt D.II Ltn Konrad Mohr
SD/EXP/NML---I kill McCaverty
Rolled 5 less EXP-3 = 2 = KIA.
10 Damage points plus EXPLOSION.
Nieuport N17 (Silver)
2nd Lt Phillip McCaverty
SD/EXP/ET
Rolled 9 -3 EXP =6 Injured-- Rolled 1 = Skip 1 scenario
In Enemy Territory--Rolled 7---Landed almost home =Skip 1
Skip total 2 scenarios
7 Damage points plus EXPLOSION
Nieuport N 17 (Camo)
Capt Boniface King
RTB---1 Kill Ltn Mohr
8 Damage Points
I made one mistake in drawing a B deck card for Mac instead of an A but seeing it set him on fire I guess the Germans are not complaining.:cheezy:
Well that was a fun game & both B deck Explosion cards came out in the Game. The Trench fire certainly kept you on your toes but did not spoil the Dogfighting thank the Lord!
Reply With Quote
In fact, given that the British trenches set one of the N17's ablaze in both our outings I am beginning to wonder if they've been issued with Buckingham rounds 
Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte
Mac said to pass on his thanks. Its Black Watch for him. He wanted to send you a single malt but I said you would prefer a Bulldog Gin. 
Correct!
Bookmarks