It is 1918. As countless thousands continue to fight and die below them in the umpteenth Battle of the Isonzo, a pair of Caproni bombers cross the lines on a strategic bombing mission. Their primary target is the Austro-Hungarian port of Trieste, with its extensive docks and naval base. A little nearer is the secondary target of Sezana, an important inland city and manufacturing center. They're escorted by a nimble Hanriot HD-1, and over the Adriatic a patrolling Macchi M5 flying boat of the Regia Marina lends its assistance.
If they are to complete their mission and return successfully, they'll have to run the gauntlet of several sets of anti-aircraft gun emplacements: one behind the lines, another protecting Sezana, and a third guarding Trieste. Encountering them to defend Austro-Hungarian airspace are an Aviatik D.I and an Albatros D.III, while a Hansa-Brandenburg CC "star-strutter" flying boat along with a captured M5 sortie out of Trieste.
Heading southeast over the lines, with Sezana dead ahead and Trieste further off to the right
Austro-Hungarian aircraft respond
The first line of AA defenses take aim
The Aviatik starts to swing around one of the bombers as the Hanriot tracks him
The first flak bursts are mostly aimed too low and the Capronis press on
The flying boats square off as a dogfight develops around the bombers
A fire erupts as the Macchi is hit!
The Macchi dives in a desperate attempt to extinguish the blaze
Meanwhile, the star-strutter twists and turns to try to escape the grasp of the Hanriot
While their erstwhile interceptors are occupied, the bombers proceed toward their targets
Flak bursts too close for comfort for one of the Capronis
But the Austro-Hungarian ground defenses are surprised when the other Caproni turns to make it's bombing run over Sezana, instead of continuing on toward Trieste. As Stuart (Albert Ross) who was flying the Albatros noted, "that move when the Caproni neatly sidestepped the two flak bursts was one of those golden moments that will go down in game history, pure magic!"
Both bombers attempt to hit industrial targets below, but their bombs strike other parts of the city instead
So far, the defenders haven't managed to score a hit on the bombers (please excuse the inverted image, for some reason a few of these got flipped)
Aside from hearing some distant AA fire, Trieste is spared any assault
As the bombers swing around to head home, they're surrounded by flak bursts
But still the Austro-Hungarians can't land a hit on them
The Hanriot flies past the fallen foe he's just downed moments ago
And still the bombers fly on unscathed!
Both the Albatros and the Aviatik are forced to glide toward home as their engines are completely shot up
With fires still raging behind them, the Capronis make their way safely back across the lines...
Untouched!
So with skilled flying, lethal escorts, semi-accurate bombing, judicious use of their limited Revelli ammo, and a healthy dose of luck, the Italians wound up winning. Great play from all combatants, and I think it's safe to say a good time was had by all. Thanks to BobP, Rich, JJ (Nemesis), Stuart, Kristine, Richard and Mike for a really fun game!
Bookmarks