OTT Bitter End Mission 1, 10 November 1917, The end at Passchendaele by Teaticket
Lancelot Stone and Ernest Page were the first to land. They had limped home hoping their DH4 would hold together long enough. They weren’t sure if the German that hit them had done so on purpose. They had not yet taken any photos when the collision happened. Lance immediately realized he had to break off if he and Ernest were to have any chance of returning. 15 minutes later Noel Lewis and Richard Rice-Owen landed. They had taken a fare bit of damage themselves but did come back with some possibly very valuable photographs. Within a minute of their landing the dispatch rider sped off with the plates for HQ to develop and study.
“Damn hot over the lines today”! said Noel as he removed his flying gear. “Not what we were expecting at all”. “We got three photos but not sure about everything we were seeing. There is a lot going on over there”.
Theodore Schwarz and Hugo Werner touched down seconds apart. Buttner lead them to his office for their report. The Entente had been on the offensive for some time now. It was thought that they had run out of steam and there would be a respite, but the last few days had been a flare up of activity on the ground and in the air.
“Our recon hasn’t been able to cross the lines to see what they are up to. What do you make of this morning’s activity?” Buttner queried.
Teddy, wiping his oil blackened face, “They are sure looking for something. Heavy on the recon. We had three just in out sector. We shot two of them down but one got away”.
“Their escort , we took care of them too. Both of them went down”, added Hugo.
“Where is Beck and Schroeder?” asked Buttner.
“Schroeder went down”’ quietly answered Teddy. “Last we saw of Herr Beck he was heading here but leaving a dark smoke trail. He could have been on fire.”
“We better ask our infantry for any info”, chimed Buttner as he rang up the neighboring infantry commander. Buttner solemnly went on, “Hopefully they are in good hands and on their way back”.
Hermann Beck and Konrad Schroeder flew in from the south when they spotted EA crossing the lines.
Two British recon planes took a bee line for the German positions, hoping to get past the front lines and over the ridge before the enemy could react. Augustus Owen and William Batters flew escort on the flanks.
Lance cut in behind Noel as planned. They wanted to cross the front in one place to lessen the amount of ground fire opportunities.
Gus spotted a pair of Germans and peeled off to the right to intercept.
Billy peeled to the left also to engage an approaching EA.
Beck watched patiently as one of the British scouts turned his way. He lined up his shot with his usual calm and punished the oncoming Camel. He noticed the Camel pilot hammering at his machine guns as he closed in.
Billy thought he could use the clouds to gain the advantage and circled around it.
Sure enough, as Hugo was watching the 2 seaters Billy came over the cloud and caught him by surprise. Not what he was hoping for though as he was much farther away than he expected to be.
Konrad came over a cloud and got in a good shot but the wily British pilot wasn’t caught off guard and returned fire without hesitation.
Beck was counting on the Camel not shooting as he went straight at the 2 seater, always a more valuable target. His aim was spot on but he didn’t see that pieces were flying off of the DH4. Ernest was a good shot in his own right and pinged Beck’s engine causing black smoke to hinder Beck’s vision.
Ground fire barely harasses Lance but Noel sees his wings being perforated by the ground mgs. He mentally notes their position not wanting to give them another chance.
Zooming through the edge of the cloud Konrad momentarily loses sight of his target. Their wings grazed and the Albatros lost most of his lower left while the DH4 lost a good piece of his upper left.
Just as soon as Konrad cleared past the British plane he collided with there was another right in front of him. Instinct pulled the trigger and he couldn’t miss. Richard in the 2nd DH4 tried not to shoot his friend so didn’t get off a great shot at the German.
Beck lost sight of his prey through the cloud and smoke. Ernest kept Beck in his sights as best he could through the cloud edge. He fired but saw no result.
Past the mgs some infantry ping Noel’s rudder and cause a momentary loss of control.
Beck clears the cloud and reacquires the DH4 but the smoke keeps him from firing accurately.
Ernest has no such problem and hammers the Albatros following him.
The infantry keep up the fire and make Lance uncomfortable as a few round hit his plane.
Hugo avoids Billy's fire as they both maneuver for a position of advantage.
With his plane fighting him, Konrad has no choice but to fly across the tail of one DH4 while barely missing the one he had already collided with.
Richard takes a short well aimed burst and sends Konrad fluttering toward the ground.
Beck pulls off of the DH4 to get the smoke from his eyes and finds a Camel to shoot at.
Lance pulls off right as his plane is badly damaged. The collision has made it impossible to continue with hope of a successful mission. He knows he has Ernest’s life in his hands (as well as his own) and heads for home.
Noel slows to as much as he can without stalling so Richard can take a precious photograph.
Beck tried to keep on the Camel but it out turns him and they pass by each other.
Lance turns his DH4 away from the battle heading west. The infantry are waiting and fire excitedly as the enemy plane is well beyond their reach.
Beck Immelmanns and finds the Camel back in his sights. He fires too soon out of the Immelmann before his plane has leveled off. He rushes his next shot as the smoke clears but again misses, jamming his guns for his effort.
As Noel lines up for another photo run he notices another Albatros approaching.
Billy keeps Hugo’s attention and away from the DH4s not noticing a new Albatros fly below the clouds past him towards Noel.
The infantry keep up the fire and a lucky round starts an oil leak that turns to a thick black smoke as it sprays on the hot engine.
The Camel reverses to Beck’s consternation. Beck is toothless as the Camel peppers the Albatros setting off a fire. Beck now slips to minimize the flames while working his guns.
As Theodore comes out from beneath the cloud he sees a DH4 passing on his left.
Noel, while flying straight over another interesting position for a photograph notices the German emerge from the shadows.
Billy and Hugo reset for another joust.
Lance clears the lines and is set to head home, if his smoking craft holds together long enough.
Hugo and Billy close quickly. Hugo fires first and the violent result ends Billy's flight.
Billy’s Camel tears apart as it hurtles towards the ground.
Another DH4 crosses the front piloted by Lewis Smith with Frank Barkell as observer. Gus positions his Camel to support the new DH4.
After watching the Camel smash into the ground Hugo catches a glimpse of a 2 seater behind him.
Teddy sees a burning Beck and swings in for a look. Beck doesn’t notice him as he fights the flames while heading home. They nearly collide with Beck not ever knowing the danger he was in as Teddy climbs above the burning Albatros.
Noel lines up another photo run for Richard.
Gus waves his wings trying to warn Lewis of the ground troops but Lewis doesn’t notice. Luckily for him the ground troops are not good at AA fire.
Noel lines up for another photo but ground fire shatter the remaining plates. Richard smacks him on the shoulder, holds out 3 fingers, then a thumbs up, then points for home.
Beck desperately twists and turns as the fire nibbles away.
Teddy gets between Gus’ Camel and the DH4 firing at the latter. The incoming firing Camel distracts him enough to miss his shot.
Hugo’s timely Immelmann gets him in a great position to punish the 2 seater heading west. As he presses the button to fire the DH4 twists and turns avoiding most of the incoming lead.
More ground fire pings the incoming 2 seater and misses the exiting one.
As Hugo shakes his head in amazement at the Brit’s maneuver to avoid his fire. The observer then tears gaping holes into his right wing earning a good deal of respect from Hugo.
As Noel reaches the friendly trenches his rudder seizes up. He and Richard could swear they could hear the Germans on the ground yelling after the rifle fire stopped.
Ignoring the rifle fire Lewis positions himself perfectly. Frank takes what he believes to be a good photo of some activity behind the ridge.
Well behind the lines Beck’s Albatros can take no more as the last flames eat the fabric off the upper wings, sending the wreck tumbling down.
Lewis and Frank get another successful photo run, right on target.
Concentrating on the mission Lewis and Frank failed to see the two Germans closing in.
Teddy and Hugo hammer the unsuspecting DH4.
Lewis panics as he realizes the situation. With smoke blinding him he turns to throw off the following Huns. Lewis doesn’t see Gus and they clip wings with the DH4 takes the worst of it.
The Camel appearing from nowhere surprises Hugo as it and the DH4’s observer fire into him.
Hugo keeps his wits about him though and fires into the smoking 2 seater, tearing off large pieces of wing fabric.
Teddy tries to distract the Camel from Hugo but the Camel driver doesn’t notice him.
Teddy turns to follow the 2 seater, blasting what remains of wing fabric away sending it into a fatal spin.
As the DH4 falls from the sky a defiant Frank Barkell keeps firing as long as he can and a round finds the German machine and causes his killer’s machine to smoke.
Noel and Richard clear the friendly trenches heading home as fast as possible.
With no 2 seaters remaining over the lines Gus turns his Camel home.
Hugo and Teddy give chase.
Infantry fire make some noise but nothing else as Gus passes by.
Slipping right and left Gus tries to keep the Germans guns from finding him.
As Gus reaches No Man’s Land Teddy finally gets him in his sights. Gus slumps in his seat.
As the Camel stops evasive action Teddy only needs one more short burst to send the Camel into the mud. Momentum carried Gus into No Man's Land.
Butcher’s Bill
Ltn Konrad Schroeder SD FT 0 Kills
CW 5 -1(sd) = 4, injured for 5 missions.
Obltn Hermann Beck SD FLM FT 0 Kills
CW 9 -2(flm) +1(ace) +1(face) = 9 All is well. Friendly infantry cook up some Brats and get out the beer.
Ltn Hugo Werner RTB 1 Kill
Ltn Theodore Schwarz RTB 2 Kills
2Lt Lancelot Stone RTB 0 Kills 0 Photos
Sgt Ernest Page RTB 0 Kills 0 Photos
2Lt William Batters SD EXP ET 0 Kills
CW 7 -3(exp) = 4, Injured 2 = -2 missions
EE 2 -1(et) -1(wic) -1(b/f) = -1. Captured, the war is over for William Batters.
2Lt Lewis Smith SD ET 0 Kills 2 Photos
CW 8 -1(sd) = 7. Injured, 5 = -2 missions
EE 8 -1(bel) -1(wic) = 6. In hiding, 3 = -1 mission, Total – 2 missions
2Lt Frank Barkell SD ET 0 Kills 0 Photos
CW 10 -1(sd) = 9. Ok on crash landing.
EE 6 -1(bel) = 5 In hiding, 6 = -2 missions, Total -2 missions
Lt Augustus Owen SD WIA 1 Kill (caused fire that took down Hermann Beck)
CW 7 -1(sd) -1(wia) = 5. Injured 1 = -1 mission
EE 7 -1(wia) -1(wic) +1(nml) = 6. Injured 4 = 2 missions, Total -2 missions.
2Lt Noel Lewis RTB 0 Kills 3 Photos
2Lt Richard Rice-Owen RTB 1 Kill 3 Photos
Photos
#1 +1 stall
#2 -1 straight
#3 +1 stall
Note on the Butcher's Bill, upside down cards are for infantry fire where only special effects count.
The chits after Noel Lewis' DH4 photo are the photos taken, 1 = stall, 2 = straight.
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Well that certainly kicked off the new Campaign with a "Blast"!
Originally Posted by gully_raker
and a randomly determined ace ability of Quick Shot I. 
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