A Felixstowe on a late afternoon anti-submarine patrol sights a U-boat off the French coast, and a British motor launch nearby speeds to the site. Submerging too late, the U-boat is brought back to the surface by the sub chaser's depth charges. But before the Brits can move in for the capture, a Hansa-Brandenburg W29 monoplane shows up to spoil the party, and is soon joined by a Friedrichshafen FF49 and a Hansa-Brandenburg W12 two-seater on coastal patrol. Meanwhile, a Short 184 torpedo plane will try to take care of the sub for good, while a cannon-armed Spad XIV seaplane attempts to fend off the Germans.
The W29 attempts to get behind the F2A for an attack from above
He needs to be careful, though, as that flying boat is bristling with guns. Meanwhile, the motor launch stands off from the surfaced sub
As the afternoon light wanes, the Spad and the H-B W12 zoom past one another exchanging fire, while below them the torpedo plane comes around to make its attack run
The Friedrichshafen lines up for a bombing run on the motor launch
The torpedo plane gets ready for its approach on the sub
The W29's observer exchanges fire with the F2A, but he's outgunned
The Short 184 turns away after managing to get its torpedo off, all the while receiving fire from the U-boat's deck gun
The action swirls above the motor launch
Unsuccessful on its bombing run, the Friedrichshafen falls victim to British gunnery. The torpedo hits the sub, but turns out to be a dud
And the torpedo plane winds up being downed by the U-boat's deck gun!
After a critical hit severely damages his engine, the Spad pilot decides discretion is the better part of valor and dives off to safety
The Hansa-Brandenburgs have been damaged too...
...but come around for one last try at the British behemoth...
...before finally breaking off the action
Thanks to clipper for the amazing planes, Flying Officer Kyte for the naval lead, the Triangle Simulation Society in Raleigh NC for holding this game day and the Game Theory store for providing the space, and of course to the great group of friends to game with!
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