A solo game based on Carls multiplayer scenario WF01 - Night Fight over Wulpen
Flanders, 30 June 1918: Handley Page O/400 bombers of 214 Squadron RAF were dispatched from their base at Saint Inglevert (Calais) on a night raid to attack bridges near the occupied Belgian city of Bruges. On this clear moonlit night O/400 serial C9648 crewed by 2Lt. A G Potter, Lt. J D Vance and Sgt. R G Kimberly was still on its way to the target when intercepted near Wulpen by a Halberstadt CL.II of Schlasta 16.
In this case it's an unknown pliot and crew of B4 a HP O/400, and latest addition, belonging to my 95 Sqn, that crosses the coast
That will be met over Wulpen by a Halberstadt CL.II of Schlasta 15 crewed by pilot Feldwebel Friedrich Huffzky & Germany's top scoring two seater gunner Vizefeldwebel Gottfried Ehmann.
(Gottfried Ehmann claimed 14 but was only credited with 12 victories. In the summer of 1918 together with pilot Friedrich Huffzky they scored 9 victories making them the most successful crew in the airforce).
The protagonists close
As the Handley Page lines up for its bomb run the Halberstadt turns in and Huffzky opens fire at close range - then his gun jams !
The front gunner returns fire causing the Halberstadt to smoke
Huffzky keeps his turn on whilst he works on his gun. As the Giant passes the rear gun is unmasked and the gunner lets rip damaging the Halberstadts controls.
As the Halberstadt curls round to the rear gunner keeps on target until his gun jams...
(Which I seemed to have forgotten having gone to answer the phone....)
Huffzky's next burst set the bomber alight
(Then I must have looked at the damage cards !)
And Huffzky's next unanswered burst smashed into an engine
Too late as the bomber's first half of payload impacts - a near miss
Fire damage to the giant
The giant stalls and the second half of the payload strikes the bridge mid span
Still taking advantage of the jammed gun Huffzky pours it on then slips into the bombers blind spot
The fire seems to be settling down
Huffzky sticks to the blind spot
When he does slide out of that position the rear gunner spots him but his Lewis fails him again !
As Huffzky over runs the bomber he strays into the arc of the front gunner whose Lewis stutters into life once more and sets the Halberstadt on fire. Ehmann, his gun finally unmasked, takes his opportunity to deliver the coup de grace - his parting burst enough to finish the giant that tumbles slowly from the night sky.
Butchers Tally:
HP O/400 95 Sqn: FLM-ET / 0 Kills - Target destroyed
Feldwebel Friedrich Huffzky & Vizefeldwebel Gottfried Ehmann: RTB / 1 Kill.
ignore the 4 damage - my bad ! I played the fire out and they still got home OK.
I was quite conservative with this, using only one gun from the Halb where I could arguably have used both and not fiddling about with altitude. That may come later
A great game, bombing mission achieved but at the loss of the bomber so Pyrrhic victory can be claimed by both sides though it is a German victory for scenario purposes.
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