OTTED Mission 14 - Flash Retrieves the Spy - 14th February 1917
Uncle cleared his throat "Well that's it in a nutshell gentlemen - recent recon photos have shown that the Hun is up to something some miles behind their lines - what it is we are not yet sure but the indications are of construction activity suggesting new bunkers and strong points are being built."
"How does that involve us sir ?" queried Lt Ben Downe
"I was just coming to that " responded uncle "The French have sent an agent to find out just what's going on - one of their best apparently - and it's our job to get them back in one piece. Word has it that they are ready and waiting so Lt Keye here will take his RE8 over to pick them up first thing and you and 2Lt Back will provide him escort" ....
It was still dark when they took off and headed for the lightening sky to the east, they climbed over the lines but drew no fire - from the ground they were probably still invisible against the dark skies of the west but most likely Archie was asleep - once over the other side they sunk a little lower and headed for their destination
It was barely light as they approached the rendezvous, a small village about five miles behind the lines.
They'd maintained formation all the way, Don Keye leading in the Harry Tate, Downe to his left rear in his silver Nieuport and Back to his right in the green Nieuport
Downe suddenly became aware they were not alone - three Albatrii were looming large all around them from the fast dissipating gloom...Eagles !
Vzfwbl herman Bona
Ltn Konrad Stunklenberg
Obltn Paul Kunz
Don bore on toward his target whilst Ben climbed & Claude peeled off to keep the Hun busy
Back over cooks it and misses his chance but forces the Albatros wide and away from the RE8
Downe has avoided his Albatros' attentions and is already turning to cover Don Keyes tail
Meanwhile a third Albatros sidles in to stalk the Harry Tate
Downe works round but neither he nor his opponent can get on target and Back is sold a dummy as his target turns & gives him the slip
while Keye sweeps down toward the village dodging the Albatros in the process leaving the pilot to only look on as the RE8 flares out and touches down beside the village - willing hands rush forward to help turn the bus round ready to depart
The Eagles show their skills as one gets a shot on Downe as he avoids the one that gave Claude the slip
Keyes kite is turned and he jumps out to assist his charge as the frustrated black nosed Hun circles
Back immels and sees Downe's in trouble with an Albatros on his tail - Approaching fast Back gets a shot at his flight leaders pursuer but his Lewis stutters to silence before he can do any real damage.."Bugger !"
Keye gets his charge aboard and clambers back into the cockpit ready for the off
Downe knows he is in big trouble as rounds clatter through his airframe and he feels a blow to his head...
As he circles helplessly the Albatros closes for the coup de grace - its twin Spandaus chewing through the fragile Nieuport like flame through a moth's wing.
Concentrating on his target, the Albatros' pilot doesn't see see Back's approach and only becomes aware of his presence when bullets are crashing through the ply of his fuselage around him
Keyes' luck holds as he begins his take off run and the approaching Albatrii muff their approach again !
The red striped Albatros just gets away, seen off by Back as Downes silver Nieport limps round behind them
Keye clears the ground without mishap and begins to climb
Back gets another shot into the striped Albatros but no real damage is done
(misplaced +1 there)
Not to be left out Keye, nosing up, has a go at the red striped Alb as well !
Keye is then startled to hear the rip of a machine gun close aboard - glancing behind him he is relieved to see the 'spy' at the Lewis pumping rounds at the Albatros to their rear
The Albatros responds by feathering their rudder with a well aimed burst - the return fire, however, is extraordinarily accurate and shatters his windscreen throwing glass and splinters back into the pilots face..
The red striped Albatros Immels determined to drop on the RE8's tail but as he turns he takes accurate fire from the its rear gun - Mein Gott but they're good !
As it pulls out of its turn the gunner keeps on him, rounds thumping through the fabric of the aircraft
The red striped Albatros turns in and opens up but his rounds are seemingly ineffective compared to the withering fire emanating from the back seat of the Harry Tate
Downe, having come to and seeing his precious Nieuport in tatters around him, decides to head for home while he still can
The red striped Albatros continues to trade punches with the RE8's gunner who continues to score solidly until the pan runs dry - It's all too much for the Albatros - something gives and in moments its pilot is but a passenger as his kite heads for the ground
The lead Albatros shaking off the affect of the hit he'd taken comes to as rounds pound through his aircraft courtesy of Backs Lewis which jams yet again !
With is passenger having created the space and working on reloading the gun Keye takes the opportunity to run for the lines
The black nosed Albatros gives chase but quickly realises he won't catch up to the retreating RE8 - Seeing a Nieuport behind him he throws an immelmann turn but is unable to raise his nose as the lewis gun chatters then stops once more... giving it up as a bad job Back waves to his adversary as he passes and heads for home
The lead Albatros, its pilot wounded and engine smoking leads the way home
2Lt Claude Back RTB 0 Kills
Lt Ben Downe. RTB / WIA / 0 Kills
Rolled 8 +3RTB -1WIA = 10 All's well when you land well
Lt Don Keye RTB 0 Kills
Passenger RTB 1 Kill
Ltn Konrad Stunklenberg RTB 0 Kills
Vzfwbl herman Bona SD FT / 0 kills
Rolled 6 -1WIA = 5 Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios Rolled 3 = Skip 2
Obltn Paul Kunz RTB / WIA / 0 Kills
Rolled 8 +3RTB -1WIA = 10 All well when you land well !
And who was that excellent shot in the back seat of Don Keyes RE8....?
Why Countess Kaeti of course, who else ?!
They retired to the Mess and a happy valentines day was had by all
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Originally Posted by gully_raker
.....great report!
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