OTT ED Mission 19 Escorting Trouble----gully_raker.

[gully_raker]

Mission Overview

I diced for starting positions & German Aircraft as per the BRF.
All aircraft started at Level 4 except the British Scouts who were at level 5
Zoe's Alternate Altitudes & flash's D8 charts were used.

The Mission--- Escaping Trouble or Bad Day at Pont De Noire!

The German U boats had been causing havoc on the convoys taking supplies to France & the RNAS had stepped up anti submarine patrols over the Channel to try to contain this threat.



Returning from a recon patrol an RNAS Short seaplane observed a German U boat on the Surface & travelling quite slowly. As they watched & transmitted co-ordinates to H.Q. two German gunboats approached to escort the submarine to safety.





The RNAS were stretched thin at the moment with 3 & 10 Naval Squadrons seconded to assist the RFC on the Western Front so the RNAS H.Q. contacted the Bulldog Sqd for help to attempt to sink the U boat.
Uncle sat in his office & answered the call for assistance.



Taking down the details he then called Capt. "Bon" King to his office & gave instructions for an immediate Offensive Patrol.
Bon called C flight to a briefing & detailed 2nd Lts "Quick" March & Algy Smyth-Browne to fly with him as escorts to the Bombers in the Sopwith Camels they had recently been sent from the Hearts of Oak Naval Flight.
The Bombing duties would be carried out by George King with James Earl in a DH 4, Rod Rothwell with Charles Moggridge in the Red tailed DH-4 & Ralph Medium paired with Lional Rare in a newly arrived Bristol Fighter.
"Right Chaps! Now we will spread out to ensure we find this damned sub as you can be sure its moved since that sighting" "Watch out for AA guns on the escorts & keep your eyes peeled for Hun Aircraft! Now suit up & lets get cracking!"

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Algy flying with Rothwell & Moggridge was the first to spot the ships which were heading for Pont de Noire & led the DH-4 towards the sub but immediately came under attack from a German Rumpler & the AA gun of one of the escorting Gunboats but fortunately no damage was caused & his return fire seemed to miss as well.

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As he passed the Rumpler he copped a close range burst from its rear gunner but he had been concentrating on an approaching Albatross scout but the range was just too long!

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The next moment the air was filled with German Aircraft & the DH-4 had also joined the action.
Bullets flew in all directions & then everything went quite. All their guns had jambed!

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"Quick" March & the second DH-4 had now arrived on the scene & March got a shot into an Albatross D.II.

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He had come within range of a Gunboats AA gun bur the crew seeing a Bomber approaching held their fire for the more important target.

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As the DH-4 approached, disaster struck & the AA gun scored a direct hit on Lt. King's aircraft & the plane exploded & crashed into the sea.

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"Quick" had now latched onto a brightly painted Albatross D.III flown by the Eagles Jastas C.O. Oblt Von Bukard & gave it a good hosing.

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As Algy & his accompanying DH-4 tried to get a fix on the sub they came under attack from three German Aircraft.
Whilst he managed to get a telling shot into the fuel tank of the Halberstadt which caused it to explode German fire had wounded Charles Moggridge the DH-4's Observer & caused the big aircraft to catch fire!

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At the same time "Quick" had again shot at the D.II but his guns jambed & he flew off to try to clear the jamb.

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Inexplicitly the German Rumpler which was the first aircraft to engage the attackers now left the battle area!

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The Germans now really hammered the remaining DH-4 & its Camel escort causing a second fire to break out on the DeHavilland.

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The last burst from the German plane was just too much for Algy's Camel & it crashed into the Sea whilst the DH-4 continued to take damage from its fires.

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The third wave of British Aircraft now entered the fray as "Bon" King led the Bristol Fighter of Medium & Rare towards the German sub.
Up to now no bombing run had been achieved let alone any damage caused!
As the two aircraft flew towards the target they came under accurate fire from the Gunboats AA guns.

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"Bon's" Camel took an almost direct hit which shredded the canvas of his port wing & damaged a strut & tail surfaces.
He reluctantly decided he had no option but to return to base. He waved a goodbye to the Brisfit who he saw had only received minor damage from the AA fire.

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The fire finally took its toll of the Red tailed DH-4 & it sank slowly into the sea which finally extinguished the fire.

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His Guns now cleared "Quick" March resumed his attack on Von Bukards Albatross.

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Shortly after he fired a final burst that caused the German's aircraft to crash into the Sea. A small victory after the loss of two of C Flights DH-4's.
(No Photo---See Pic of Damage at bottom of AAR)

As the Bristol commenced its attack on the German Sub it received rudder damage from a machine gun on one of the Gunboats which meant it could not complete the attack & had to circle to the left before another attempt.
The gunboats M-G's had been so far ineffective due to both the Altitude of the British fighters & the close proximity of German aircraft during the various dogfights.

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As the Bristol manoeuvred to try to again line up on the Sub it came under attack from behind by Hans Wessels' Albatross D.III

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Wessles continued to hound the Bristol until a well placed shot from Lionel Rare caused the Albatross to explode & crash into the Sea!
"There's another one for our lost mates" cried Lionel as the Albatross disappeared beneath the waves!

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Free of unwanted attention Ralph Medium now lined up for a perfect bombing run on the sub.

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It was a direct hit!
Flames jumped up from the stick of bombs but there was no explosion!
"God!" exclaimed Ralph "Dont tell me they were all DUDS!"

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With anger in his heart Ralph gave the remaining Albatross D.II a final burst before heading for home accompanied by "Quick" March's Camel which amazingly had suffered no damage during the action.

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They were not looking forward to sitting in the Officers Mess tonight with so many empty chairs at the tables.

The Damage Reckoning

German Forces

Halberstadt Cl II
Fwbl Hans Lorenz (P) & Ltn Siegfried Von Landenberg (O)
Shot down--Exp-sea
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Rumpler
Vsf Alwin Sommer (P) & Vzfwbl Gustav Gille (O)
Left Battle area---Fate unknown
1 damage point
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Albatross D.III--Dragon Motif
Oblt Harry Von Bukard
Shot Down---Sea
16 damage points
Claim Kill DH-4 Red Tail via fire.
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Albatross D.III --Voss colours
Ltn Hans Wessels
Shot Down--Exp--Sea.
4 damage points + Exp
1 kill--- Algy Smyth-Browne Sop Camel No 3
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Albatross D.II Camo wings
Ltn Wilhelm Schuster
RTB
7 damage points
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British Forces

Capt "Bon" King
Camel No1
RTB
10 Damage from AA
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2nd Ltn Anthony "Quick" March
Camel No 2
RTB---No Damage
1 kill Von Bukard
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2nd Ltn Algy Smyth-Browne
Camel No 3
Shot Down---Sea
16 damage points
1 kill--Halberstadt Cl II
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2nd Lt George King (P) & 1st Lt James Earl (O)
DH-4 (Brown)
Shot Down --Exp--Sea by AA fire
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1st Lt Roderick Rothwell (P) & 1st Lt Charles Moggridge. MC (O)
DH-4 Red Tail
Shot down--Fire--Sea (fire started by Von Bukard)
16 damage points
Moggridge wounded
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1st Lt Ralph Medium D.S.O. (P) & 1st Lt Lionel Rare D.S.O., MC. (O)
Bristol Fighter
RTB
13 damage points
1 kill Ltn H Wessells D.III by Ltn Rare
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Well what a "Blood Bath" that turned out to be!
I knew from others AAR's that this would be a very difficult mission but could not believe that after trying to get a bombing solution on the sub at long last I too dropped DUDs! (Thinks! Having dropped all 4 bombs should I have drawn 4 C cards.)
Probably would not have made any difference due to the high damage points for the sub.
The AA was certainly deadly.

flash old mate may I ask you to do the Butchers Bill roll for this one?
I usually do my own but due to the complexity of Explosions, Sea, Fires & wound plus, hopefully some of my chaps might just escape (?) I thought it better to get your expertise to work!

[Stumptonian]

Another nasty bunch of business
Can't say I am looking forward to this scenario.


Hope the die-roll gods are in your favour, Barry.

[Setarius]

Another blood bath at sea. Doubt if anyone will be sinking that sub before it reaches port.
Another well written AAR.

[Blackronin]

Wonderful AAR, my friend! You're doing it again, Barry. Now I must play a WW1 game...

REP!

[flash]

Crikey what a savaging Baz ! Brave effort though, the boys did you proud

I usually do my own but due to the complexity of Explosions, Sea, Fires & wound plus hopefully some of my chaps might just escape (?) I thought it better to get your expertise to work!

Don't hold your breath mate - this is gonna hurt..... !!


Fwbl Hans Lorenz SD-EXP-SEA/0 kills
Rolled 11 -3EXP -1SEA = 7 Bruised - Skip 1 Scenario

Ltn Siegfried Von Landenberg SD-EXP-SEA/0 kills
Rolled 7 -3EXP -1SEA = 3 Severely Injured - Skip 1D6 Scenarios: Rolled 2 = Skip 2

Obltn Harry Von Bukard SD-SEA / 1 kill
Rolled 7 -1SD -1SEA = 5 Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios: Rolled 6 = Skip 3
Iron Cross 2nd class awarded for second victory

Ltn Hans Wessels SD-EXP-SEA / 1 Kill
Rolled 4 -3EXP -1SEA = 0 KIA

2Lt Algy Smyth-Browne SD-SEA / 1 Kill
Rolled 11 -1SD -1SEA = 9 All's well when you land well.
E&E: 7 -1SEA -1BEL = 5 In hiding! - Skip 1D2 Scenarios: Rolled 4 = Skip 2 - Picked up by a local fishing boat and subsequently dropped ashore the right side of the lines !

2Lt George King SD-EXP-SEA / 0 Kills
Rolled 4 -3EXP-1SEA =0 KIA

Lt James Earl SD-EXP-SEA / 0 Kills
Rolled 9 -3EXP -1SEA = 5Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios: Rolled 4 = Skip 2
E&E: Rolled 9 -2EXP -1 SEA -1WIC -1 BEL = 4 Captured and escaped! - Skip 1D3 Scenarios: Rolled 3 = Skip 2 . TOTAL Skips 4

Lt Roderick Rothwell SD-FLM-SEA / 0 Kills
Rolled 4 -2FLM -1 SEA = 1 KIA

Lt Charles Moggridge. MC SD-FLM-SEA / WIA / 0 Kills
Rolled 7 -2FLM -1SEA -1WIA = 3 Severely Injured - Skip 1D6 Scenarios: Rolled 5 Skip 5
E&E: Rolled 4 -1FLM -1SEA -1 BEL -1WIA -1WIC = -1 Captured! The war ended for this airman...POW

No rush to pick replacements as we're nearing the end we'll add them as you need them, besides you may get two back next time out !!

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Hell on earth Baz.
Should have sent all the Heart of Oak squadron.
The Navy boys can pull rabbits out of hats you know.
That was worse than my attack on the Scharnhorst.
Sorry to see your Butcher's Bill too. it looks as if it's a good job we are getting near the end of this Tour of Duty.
I'll try to get everyone else killed off in the final mission just like the movies do don't worry. You can use Heart of Oak for that one.
Rob.

[gully_raker]

Crikey what a savaging Baz ! Brave effort though, the boys did you proud


Don't hold your breath mate - this is gonna hurt..... !!


Fwbl Hans Lorenz SD-EXP-SEA/0 kills
Rolled 11 -3EXP -1SEA = 7 Bruised - Skip 1 Scenario

Ltn Siegfried Von Landenberg SD-EXP-SEA/0 kills
Rolled 7 -3EXP -1SEA = 3 Severely Injured - Skip 1D6 Scenarios: Rolled 2 = Skip 2

Obltn Harry Von Bukard SD-SEA / 1 kill
Rolled 7 -1SD -1SEA = 5 Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios: Rolled 6 = Skip 3
Iron Cross 2nd class awarded for second victory

Ltn Hans Wessels SD-EXP-SEA / 1 Kill
Rolled 4 -3EXP -1SEA = 0 KIA

2Lt Algy Smyth-Browne SD-SEA / 1 Kill
Rolled 11 -1SD -1SEA = 9 All's well when you land well.
E&E: 7 -1SEA -1BEL = 5 In hiding! - Skip 1D2 Scenarios: Rolled 4 = Skip 2 - Picked up by a local fishing boat and subsequently dropped ashore the right side of the lines !

2Lt George King SD-EXP-SEA / 0 Kills
Rolled 4 -3EXP-1SEA =0 KIA

Lt James Earl SD-EXP-SEA / 0 Kills
Rolled 9 -3EXP -1SEA = 5Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios: Rolled 4 = Skip 2
E&E: Rolled 9 -2EXP -1 SEA -1WIC -1 BEL = 4 Captured and escaped! - Skip 1D3 Scenarios: Rolled 3 = Skip 2 . TOTAL Skips 4

Lt Roderick Rothwell SD-FLM-SEA / 0 Kills
Rolled 4 -2FLM -1 SEA = 1 KIA

Lt Charles Moggridge. MC SD-FLM-SEA / WIA / 0 Kills
Rolled 7 -2FLM -1SEA -1WIA = 3 Severely Injured - Skip 1D6 Scenarios: Rolled 5 Skip 5
E&E: Rolled 4 -1FLM -1SEA -1 BEL -1WIA -1WIC = -1 Captured! The war ended for this airman...POW

No rush to pick replacements as we're nearing the end we'll add them as you need them, besides you may get two back next time out !!

Many thanks for the Rolls Dave.
Well it could have been worse.
I knew I would loose some of my old hands with Explosions, Fire & the Sea involved.
Good to see young Algy survived after getting his first Kill.
Interesting the new Hun 2 seater crew survived their baptism!

[Teaticket]

Another blood bath on the North Sea, ouch! Great AAR Baz. Dud bombs...we've seen more than our share. Those gunboats can be deadly. They hurt me badly as will be seen...

Good to see March get a kill and survive to tell the tale.

[flash]

....Interesting the new Hun 2 seater crew survived their baptism!

Yeah, maybe I should've rolled for your chaps first !

[LOOP]

Have anyone sunk that Sub? This has been a trail of fire for everyone

[Stumptonian]

Yeah, maybe I should've rolled for your chaps first !

I was thinking along those same lines, Dave

[flash]

Have anyone sunk that Sub? ...

Nah, Peter has the best chance as he's play tested it a dozen times whilst creating it but his record is less than 50% apparently... that probably corresponds to the number of zero's in a C deck !

[gully_raker]

Yeah, maybe I should've rolled for your chaps first !

Not to worry!
Fortunes of War Dave not everyone gets out alive.