Solo AAR: A Lonely Sentinel - Balloon Buster scenario
A Lonely Sentinel - Mission played using the 2nd generation solo charts and altitude rules. The German balloon started at Altitude 3 with 2 climb counters.
The attacking Nieuport 17 (Charles Nungesser) started at Altitude 4.
Mission is to bring down the lone German Balloon, protected by some AA guns and an A firing machine gun nest. Nungesser decided to approach from the balloon’s left flank to avoid the AA Machine gun. Once the Germans spied the N17 approaching in the early morning sun, they began to feverously lower the balloon. Soon after, an Albatross DIII which had scrambled from the nearby Aerodrome appeared from the balloon’s right flank (random selection of the side from which the DIII would appear).
Upon seeing the approaching DIII and getting set up to attack the balloon, the N17 dove to Altitude 3. This put him in range of the Artillery fire which rocked his plane a bit, causing 2 damage to his plane.
As he approached the balloon, he decided to hold off on firing his rockets and fired his twin machine guns instead. He managed to cause some damage before his guns jammed! He pulled his nose up a bit to avoid a collision with the balloon.
Nungesser banked left to avoid the balloon (no collision since he had a climb counter and the balloon did not at this point). The DIII now had him in his sights but was still at Altitude 4 so out of range.
Both planes dove – the N17 would now be at Altitude 2 preparing for his return pass. The DIII now matched the altitude of the balloon (3) with no climb counters and felt his wing brush the balloon fabric! Luckily no harm was done to his plane or the balloon.
Meanwhile, the infantry in the trenches scrambled into position and fired off some volleys at the N17 with no effect. Once the N17 got far enough away from the balloon the artillery fired a barrage with a shell exploding nearby but causing no damage. Nungesser must have some special Artillery shielding!! At this point the balloon has been lowered to Altitude 2, with 2 climb counters.
Nungesser executed a flawless Immelmann maneuver (gain 1 climb counter), and fired off both rockets at the balloon!! Meanwhile he took trench fire, again to no effect, while the DIII banked right but is still too high to fire on the N17.
Nungesser was true on his aim of the rockets and they hit home, striking the balloon causing it to explode in a fire ball!! The horrified infantry continued their fire to no avail and the DIII pilot also had to witness the act while being helpless to stop it.
Now the N17 pilot's only mission left was to get home safely, his job here done. Not if the DIII Pilot Brumowski has anything to say about it! The artillery batteries realized they no longer had to worry about proximity to the balloon and unleashed on the dastardly French plane. Both batteries manage to be on target but, alas, Nungesser’s seemingly special resistance prevails and only minor damage is done to the plane, with some shrapnel tearing the fabric of his tail. The soldiers take some more pock shots but to no effect.
Brumowski is furiousand executes an Immelmann turn with his DIII, determined not to let the N17 get back across his lines. The pursuit is on!
The DIII has the angle, dives and closes within range of his guns. He gets two rounds of shooting and misses the mark both times. He forces himself to calm his anger and focus on aiming true.
Just as Nungesser thinks he is home free, Brumowski unleashes one more accurate burst - striking Nungesser's fuel tank causing the N17 to burst into flames tearing the fabric of his plane to shreds. Brumowski watches with satisfaction as the French plane plummets to the earth below.
Conclusion:
A very fun game that had an epic finish!
Points: Destroyed Balloon 10 pts for the Allies but -15 points for the plane destroyed – German victory!
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Originally Posted by Stumptonian
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