Introducing the Handley-Page

**Naharaht** · 07-17-2016 12:43

This battle took place at the New Buckenham Historical Wargamers Society, Norfolk, U.K. on 1st July 2016. It was run by peterhall.

Two heavily armed Handley-Page bombers (twin Lewis guns on all mounts and an extra rear gunner) crossed the Channel to rendezvous with a fighter escort (3 S.E.5a's and 3 Sopwith Camels) and then fly on to bomb a railway site in the town situated in the top left hand corner of the map.

A powerful force of German fighters (3 Fokker D.VII's, 3 Fokker E.V's, 3 Albatros D.V's and 3 Siemens-Schuckerts) was scrambled to intercept the raid.

The combat initially split into three parts.

**Naharaht** · 07-17-2016 13:04

The Fokker E.V's slipped past the S.E.5a's. the white Fokker D.VII was hit and started smoking.

In the centre an Albatros was hit and started smoking.

A Siemens Schuckert exchanged fire with a Handley-Page. One of the Handley-Page's rear gunners was wounded.

Click image for larger version.

Name: DSC01171.jpg
Views: 52
Size: 151.3 KB
ID: 202423

Click image for larger version.

Name: DSC01170.jpg
Views: 51
Size: 165.9 KB
ID: 202424

Click image for larger version.

Name: DSC01172.jpg
Views: 51
Size: 135.3 KB
ID: 202425

**Naharaht** · 07-17-2016 13:13

The Fokker D.VII's slipped past the S.E.5a's.

The Albatos D.V's pressed on towards the bombers. One Fokker E.V pursued a Camel.

The front gunner on the Handley-Page scored a lucky hit on the Siemens and it blew up. The other Siemens continued attacking the bomber.

**Naharaht** · 07-17-2016 13:33

The S.E.5a's headed on towards the town.

Two Sopwith Camels turned to assist the bombers. The third was still being pursued by the Fokker E.V and was shot down.

The German fighters headed for the second Handley-Page.

**Naharaht** · 07-17-2016 13:44

The Fokker D.VII's started to head towards the bombers. The Fokker E.V turned to follow the S.E.5a's.

Most of the German fighters flew past the second bomber. The two remaining Camels flew towards the bombers but a Siemens Schuckert was following them.

**Naharaht** · 07-17-2016 13:55

The S.E.5a's showed good formation flying, Immelmann turned and the Fokker E.V was shot down. S.E.5a W was damaged. The Fokker D.VII's headed for the bomber with the red engines.

The Albatros pilots got some sea air whilst the Camels tried to prevent the other fighters from attacking the second bomber.

One of the Fokker E.V's went for the first bomber. A Siemens passed under its wing.

**Naharaht** · 07-17-2016 14:08

The Fokker D.VII's closed on the first bomber with the S.E.5a's in pursuit.

The front gunner on the first Handley-Page hit the Fokker E.V, which started to smoke.

The second bomber was still under attack. Fortunately for the Germans, its guns were jammed. The Siemens attacked the Camel and set it on fire.

The Albatros D.V's Immelmann turned.

**Naharaht** · 07-17-2016 14:14

The blue Siemens fired a final burst to finish off the second bomber. The smoking Fokker E.V was shot down by a bomber. The Camels headed for the Albatros D.V's.

One Handley-Page was removed from play and the Fokker D.VII's began to attack the other.

The S.E.5a's were left behind.

**Naharaht** · 07-17-2016 14:18

The Camels got behind the Albatros D.V's.

The Fokker D.VII's attacked the remaining bomber.

The S.E.5a's were too far away to help.

**Naharaht** · 07-17-2016 14:23

The remaining bomber was shot down but the elated German pilots did not watch where they were flying.

The Camels pursued the Albatros D.V's. The Siemens just missed the blazing Camel.

**Naharaht** · 07-17-2016 14:29

Were the Fokker D.VII's magnetic? Two of them collided and were eliminated from the game.

One Albatros was shot down.

The damaged S.E.5a headed for home whilst the other two approached the remaining German planes.

**Naharaht** · 07-17-2016 14:44

The leading S.E.5a hit the yellow Fokker D.VII, which started to smoke.

The yellow Albatros was hit and blew up but the Siemens was in perfect position behind the blazing Camel and shot it down.

The pilots then all headed for home. The Germans to celebrate their costly victory and the British to mourn their losses.

German losses: 2 Fokker D.VII's, 2 Fokker E.V's, 2 Albatros D.V's and 1 Siemens Schuckert.

British losses: 2 Handley-Pages, 2 Sopwith Camels.

Lesson to be learned: Escorts must stay with the bombers.

A fuller account of this action is to be found on my My Profile page in the appropriate album together with the second battle of the night.

**Stumptonian** · 07-17-2016 14:57

I have yet to try my big bombers.
Thanks for posting this epic encounter, David.
A lot of action there!

**Carl_Brisgamer** · 07-17-2016 16:03

A bloody epic encounter there Dave thanks for posting the photos.

Did you have enough pilots for all aircraft or were some AI controlled?

**flash** · 07-17-2016 22:49

Thanks for documenting this mighty day of action over the front David, well done to all involved

**Naharaht** · 07-17-2016 22:51

There were seven players. Each controlled 3 planes of the same type apart from the player, who flew the two Handley-Pages. This resulted in the formation flying.

**gully_raker** · 07-17-2016 23:49

Well that WAS a real Furball!
Well done to all pilots involved.

**Boney10** · 07-18-2016 00:19

Great game and AAR well done Dave and to all the players

**Jabba** · 07-18-2016 01:55

Cheers for posting this David was going to try and pull some pics from the clubs Facebook AAR to add here but you have saved me the work. Glad you enjoyed your fist visit and I really need to learn how to fly the SE5's better.

Tony.

LOOP · 07-18-2016 02:49

Great to see that many planes in the air at the same time.

I like crowded games

They are fun to play and they make great AARs

LOOP · 07-18-2016 02:51

Originally Posted by Jabba

Cheers for posting this David was going to try and pull some pics from the clubs Facebook AAR to add here but you have saved me the work. Glad you enjoyed your fist visit and I really need to learn how to fly the SE5's better.

Tony.

It is easy to get "lost" in the SE5. It is a fast little b****r

**grumpybear** · 07-18-2016 05:31

Big game ,must have been a lot of fun. Thanks for posting

**mikeemagnus** · 07-18-2016 05:56

Great AAR . That was one big fight and soooo many aircraft involved. Not surprised to see at least one collision! Thanks for an interesting read and some great pics

**Flying Helmut** · 07-18-2016 06:02

Originally Posted by LOOP

It is easy to get "lost" in the SE5. It is a fast little b****r

When I fly mine, my favourite saying changes to

NO BRAKES!!!!!

Those flights of planes zooming around together make for a great spectacle!

**Jabba** · 07-18-2016 07:09

Originally Posted by LOOP

It is easy to get "lost" in the SE5. It is a fast little b****r

Got to learn how to plan in the immelmans better for the quick reversals, especially when the opposition are as fast as you, engine damage makes it a right pain, see the "W" kite.

Tony.

LOOP · 07-18-2016 07:24

Originally Posted by Jabba

Got to learn how to plan in the immelmans better for the quick reversals, especially when the opposition are as fast as you, engine damage makes it a right pain, see the "W" kite.

Tony.

I'm sure you get the hang of it