RFC.
2nd Lt Betts Spad E
2nd Lt Grinnell-Milne Spad G
Strutter 7 Higgins
Strutter 8 Smith
Central Powers Eagles
Ltn Just Pfaltz
Ltn Smitt Alb DV
Ltn Hartman Aviatik D1
At a small aerodrome near Guemene, Smith and Higgins prepared their trusty Sopwith Strutters for the mission ahead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecy9r7q8_qw
" Dont forget these sir " the Chief mechanic piped up." You will need them"
The Bulldog scouts met up with the 2 Strutters from 101 squadron 10 miles from NML. As they approached the Front they could see the scars of the battle stretching out below them. " what is there left to photograph"Betts mused .Flashes of small arms erupted from the trenches.
Hermann caressed the fuselage of his newest plane
The Aviatik only had 12 hours flying time on its log book and he hoped to add a few more in the weeks to come. he knew the 52nd were out there today and as he climbed into his cockpit he thought of the times he had come up against the likes of Curtis and Gresham and the scars he carried from the encounters. "this time perhaps it will be different" he whispered to himself.
There they were. A couple of 2 seaters flanked by scouts .
Hartmann picked out the Stringer nearest to him pulled back on the lever of his twin machine guns and opened up the throttle.
Milne's Spad turned to meet him guns blazing . Hartmann watched in horror as flames leapt from his damaged fuel lines and his rudder went slack.
Smitt and Just encounter Betts at close range, Smitt taking the brunt of Betts bullets but not before he crippled the Spads engine .
Just had the pleasure of finishing the RFC plane,shredding what remained of the engine
The trenches and AAMG opened up the majority of the shots falling short. Sgt Otter the observer in No7 slumped over his camera shot through his lower leg by a lucky German bullet (5+pilot)
The Strutters began to lose height, unaware that one of their observers was wounded now clear of the trenches and AAMG pits. Just Immelled and Smitt began his turn towards the RFC planes. both opened up their throttles .
Looking round and seeing his observer wounded Higgins aborted his 1st run and tried to retrieve the camera. The observer waved him away. By the time Higgins reached his first target his observer was ready and took the first shots.
(stall ALt 2 25%covered)
The other Strutter passed over its target (alt3 50%cover Stall). Hartmann could see Higgins below him but unable to dive swung around to follow him.
Just gained on Milnes Spad and as he turned he dove and pressed his trigger (3)
The fire out Hartmann dives and turns .Looking up he sees the wings of Milne Spad pass dangerously close to him.
Smith as close to the ground as he dared guided his plane towards his second target. A quick nod from his observer and he pulled away from the rifle fire (0) (Alt2 Stall, red covered.)
Smitt gets another bite at Milne (1,0) (3,2+GJ) before his guns jam. The Spad bucking under the concentrated fire of the Albatross
.
His crate in tatters Milne tried to get out of the melee as fast as possible, diving for the safety of terra firma be it German or Allied. His guns jammed Just does not follow him.
Higgins flew over another target (Alt2 Straight 20% cover) Occupied taking photos his observer cannot reply to Hartmann's fire (2+ LRD)
Looking around the skies the Stringer pilots see none of the familiar RFC silhouettes Higgins plane takes its last shot (alt2 Stall 30%) allowing Hartmann to press home his second attack unopposed before his guns jam (2+GJ,0+GJ)
Smith takes his final shot as well (alt2 Stall) and then turned to get back to his lines.
The AAMG pit opened up o the retreating Sopwith. A cheer went up as they saw smoke pour out of the plane. (1+smoke) a second burst jams the guns
Hartmann winces in pain as the observer opens up at close range (1+pilot,2)
Smitt narrowly misses his English namesake Smith as he dives and turns trying to get his sights on his quarry.
e
The Strutter replied shattering several struts. (2) It was enough to make Smitt turn his plane for home.
With the rest of the Germans scattered about the sky the 2 Strutters hedged hopped their way back to the grassy airstrip at Guemene.
It was down to the photo lab boffins to see what they could come up with.
Butchers Tally
2Lt Betts: Spad B. SD-ET / 0 kills
Rolled 4 -1 SD = 3 Injured - Skip 1D6 Scenarios. Rolled 4.
E&E: Rolled 8 -1WIC -1BEL = 6 In hiding! - Skip 1D2 Scenarios. rolled 6 = Skip 2. RRWW
2Lt Grinnell-Milne Spad G. RTB/0 kills
RTB/0 kills
Higgins Strutter 7, 101 Sqn
RTB/ 0 kills /3 photos Obs wounded.
1. stall ALt 2 25% covered
2. Alt2 Straight 20% cover
3. alt2 Stall 30%
Smith Strutter 8, 101 Sqn
RTB /0 kills /3 photos.
1. alt3 50% cover Stall
2. Alt2 Stall, red covered
3. alt2 Stall
Kaiser's Eagles
Ltn Just: Pfalz. RTB / 1 kill
Ltn Smitt: Alb D.Va. RTB / 0 kills
Ltn Hartman: Aviatik D.1. RTB / WIA / 0 kills
Rolled 8 +3RTB -1WIA = 10 All well when you land well.
Well that was fun. I gave the Strutters the benefit of the doubt when it came to targets and it all seemed to go well. Unlucky for Betts to get drilled so early in the game , but if hartmann had not got shot he had a good chance of bringing down a Strutter.
Nice scenario Peter.
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