OTTED Mission 14 - February 14th 1917 - Retrieve the Spy !
OTTED Mission 14 - February 14th 1917 - Retrieve the Spy !
Historical Background
British & French HQ's have been made aware via Recon photos of great German activity some miles behind the current front lines.
There are indications of new strong points, bunkers etc being built but there is no indication of the purpose of this activity which in time will become known as the Hindenburg Line!
The Entente Mission
The French have sent a spy to discover more about this activity & if possible the purpose & if Allied forces need to take early action.
A message has been received that the Spy is ready to be extracted but is waiting in a Village behind the German Lines but in the British sector. Therefore the Bulldogs have been tasked to send a 2 seater to pick up the spy from the village. The mission must be accomplished as soon as possible after dawn.
The Eagles Airfield:
“You will have to fly Jurgen and I am sorry but you will have to take two of the new arrivals with you. Oberst Bietruttoffen is already on patrol with the remainder of the squadron”.
“Can’t it wait Sidweg? Anyway how do HQ know where this pick up is, eh? Answer me that!”
“Jurgen! Jurgen....come now, you know HQ tell us and we have to do. Well this is one of those times. Take the new boys have a look around if you don’t see anything come back. At least you’ll have tried.”
“Oh, alright. I take it the new boys have been informed?”
“Yes they are itching to get in the air. Take it easy on them and stay together. Even though the Oberst shot down that British Ace last month, there are others on the prowl and they’ll be out for revenge. Do not fly over the front lines...stay on our side of the lines and that is an order”.
“Yes. I understand.” With that Feldwebwel Jurgen Maas made his way to his aircraft. “Listen you two, no heroics, stay with me and do what I do. OK?”
“Yes, herr Feldwebel, of course herr feldwebel, anything you say her....”
“Because if you don’t you’ll be dead! Alright herr Leutnant?”
He didn’t wait for an answer.
Shortly after the 3 aircraft were gaining altitude and heading off towards the target area. They flew into a cloud bank and Jurgen was furious when he flew out the other side, alone! ‘Where were those two Leutnants?’ He asked himself. ‘Swanning off getting killed, that’s where. Sidweg will have my guts for garters not including what the Oberst will do to me...!’
Captain Boniface Liberace looked to his left but he needn’t have worried young Robert Rigby was right there and in front was the RE8 piloted by William Hamilton.
Attachment 178547
These two were good lads and he knew he could depend on them. They were flying low now that they had crossed over the lines some 10 minutes ago. Now all they had to do was locate the field...and there it was. He could see the yellow cloth marker and blipped his engine so William knew that this was the pick up.
Paul Greig had got lost in the clouds but followed his order and made the rendezvous point near to the British landing site. He flew low.
Karl Pflaffg was lost too! He was flying low trying to get his bearings but recognised nothing.
Jurgen decided to cut his losses. He had waisted valuable time looking for the two missing pilots but knew that the mission had to be accomplished, even by himself! He flew low so that any enemy planes would not spot him.
Boniface caught movement out of his eye and swung the Spad to the right and lost altitude. There flying low was a DII. Boniface closed in but Greig got a lucky shot off and spoiled his aim. Bullets thudded into the upper wing of the Spad as he watched his own pass harmlessly by the Albatros!
Rigby was having the same bad luck when he spotted Plaffg. He took minor damage to his Spad whilst the German escaped without a scratch!
As the scouts tussled with each other, William took the opportunity and headed down to attempt a landing in the field.
Greig manged to fire off a decent burst as Boniface’s Spad zoomed past under his right wing.
Boniface cursed as his guns jammed but flew on and cleared them after he looped over and was on Greig’s tail in a flash. Getting close he hit back at the arrogant Hun pilot.
Rigby was managing to keep Plaffg away from the RE8 too.
Having landed the French spy wasted no time running to the RE8, climbing aboard and after a quick thumbs up to Hamilton cocked the lewis and got ready for the fight to come. Hamilton was impressed,this French spy seemed to know what he was doing. He only hoped his aim was good too!
Plaffg had circled, dropping height and was lining up on the RE8. Rigby missed his chance and flew overhead out of range.
Plaffg and Greig had descended low enough to engage the RE8 as it taxied to take off. Boniface and Rigby circled and lost altitude in pursuit.
Arriving late for the party Maas saw hte new boys taking on the enemy 2 seater, which was taking off as 2 Spad’s closed in on their rear’s!
Maas circled wide as Greig and Plaffg looped around as the RE8 took off.
The enemy Spad’s overshot as the RE8 climbed up between the waiting Albatros. Maas bidded his time.
Boniface and Rigby used the Spads superior speed to loop over to attack the two Hun planes from behind!
Maas dived down and fired at the RE8 but his bullets just thudded into the ground beneath it.
The RE8 climbed suddenly and Greig and the British pilot threw their aircraft aside and missed each other by a whisker.
As Boniface and Rigby closed in the Frenchman fired a burst at Plaffg but missed.
His second burst found the mark.
Rigby was close to give Plaffg a steady burst of tracer.
As Plaffg gave the RE8 a long range burst. The Frenchman couldn’t hit him this time though!
The RE caught a burst from Plaffg again and fire streamed from the engine.
Plaffg closed in for the coup de grace and the Frenchman found the mark as Plaffg’s Albatros streamed smoke and flames from its engine.
But the RE’s fate was sealed and it heeled over and ploughed into the ground.
Boniface and Rigby could only look on as they streaked away homeward bound. Maas eventually gathered his not so rookie boys together and signalled for them to lead the way home.
Butcher Bill
Captain Boniface Liberace: 7 damage/RTB/no kills
2 Lieutenant Robert Rigby: 1 damage/RTB/no kills
2 Lieutenant William Hamilton (RE8): 16 damage/SD/FLM/ET
French Spy: SD/FLM/ET/1 possible (Grieg)
Leutnant Karl Plaffg: 19 damage/SD/FLM/FT/WIA/1 kill (RE8)
Leutnant Paul Grieg: 6 damage/RTB/no kills
Feldwebel Jurgen Maas: RTB/no kills
Summary
1. Fantastic scenario to play.
2. Played out Grieg's remaining fire cards which brought him down!
3. Played with simplified altitude.
4. Had the 3 Germans get separated, hence coming on from 3 different directions.
Reply With Quote
G'day Neil!
Originally Posted by gully_raker
Har! The Photos have now magically appeared! Thanks Neil!
I think in your rush to finish with fast git & I hassling you, you got your two rookies mixed up in the Butchers Bill! 
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