Hermann had spoken privately with his commanding officer Lange earlier that day. He had been posted as unfit to fly by the MO, but the wound was a mere scratch and his arm was not as nearly painful as it had been. He knew that the 52nd would be patrolling his sector again and wanted to conclude what he saw as unfinished business with these flying aces.
Lange listened carefully as Hermann put his case for flight readiness. He scanned the list of operational pilots, noting how few experienced ones were left. Reluctantly he had to agree with the Ltn and since he would be leading the next few sorties a pilot of Hartmann's calibre would give them the edge they needed to perhaps get home safe. He stamped the required papers and dismissed the Ltn.
The clouds were dark and ominous as the Kette took off. The first 30 mins was the usual high tension boredom then Lange spotted the outline of 3 RFC planes approaching from the West. The flight dropped into a tight attack formation
The RFC planes looked strung out and vulnerable as the the German planes closed in
Lange opened the action, his rounds striking the DH4 below hin (1)
Jackson sped under Traenkners wing . Hartmann watched the second Spad fly past him towards an artillery emplacement in front of the river
Lange felt a thud as Pallisers Lewis lets loose (1+GJ). A faulty round prevented any further damage.
Hartmann pulled a hard right turn as Sumpter turned towards a mass of German infantry emerging from their trenches.
Jackson looked towards the 1st target
Lange opened up his throttle in an effort to get back in the fray while the Spads began their long left and right turns.
Hartmann pointed the nose of his Aviatik downward Pallisers lewis chattered again (3) stitching the Aviatiks newly painted fuselage.
Jackson seeing the Albatros ahead climbs to meet it, but veered off at the last moment
Ewart carefully guided the DH4 in a curling loop towards the PBI spread out below as his observer prepared to release them.
But the Germans were on the hunt Traenkner had his sights set on the lumbering 2 seater below him . As he and Hartmann turned they caught Sumpter as climbed to meet them (2,0)
Lange spots the Spad to his rear and Immells .
Hartman and Traenkner close in on the DH4 a burst from Hartmann's guns strips fabric and wire off its wing.
but Palliser holds his nerve and the bombs whistle downward the scattering troops below (direct hit)
It was costly. Hartmann's rounds saw fire coming from the DH4 engine (2+fire,1), as Treaker shredder the 2 seaters rudder ( 2+RRD)
Palliser manned the rear gun once more clipping the tail of Hartmann (01+RRD) but Hermann tailed him and bullets tore into the strutts and stringers of the DH4. Ewart felt the rudder go slack as his plane barreled over and fell , still burning , towards the river (4 ,1+RRD) Kill Hartmann
Lange flinched as Sumpters bullets streaked past him (0)
A fine mizzel descended upon the combatants. as the clouds began to close in
Lange was just below them and could see Jackson coming towards the artillery .
Jackson took his plane down to a reasonable bombing height.
pulling hard on the release his 100lb bomb hits left of his target. He saw Traenkner too late, slightly above and to his right. The rounds struck his prop shattering it and the Spad fell like a stone to the ground Kill Traenkner
Sumpter was trying to shake Hartmann off .the final target could wait.
a snap shot at the black and yellow Aviatik and Sumpter found himself with a jammed gun.
Looking around he sees no RFC aircraft and only cloud above him. Mindful that the mission was described vital Ltn Sumpter pressed on. . Losing height he came into Lange LOS A short burst from the Albatros hit the Spads ailerons before Langes gun s jammed (3,0+GJ)
Sumpter panicked
The weather worsening and outnumbered he headed through a gap in the clouds , passing Hartmann as he turned for the Allied lines.
Butchers Tally:
RFC
2Lt P Ewart (p) Sgt Palliser (o) DH4
2Lt P Ewart: SD-FLM-ET / 0 kills
Rolled 8 -2FLM = 6 Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios - Rolled 5 = Skip 3
E&E Rolled 3 -1FLM -1BEL -1WIC = 0 Captured! The war ended for this pilot...
Sgt Palliser: SD-FLM-ET / 0 kills
Rolled 8 -2FLM = 6 Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios - Rolled 2 = Skip 1
E&E Rolled 12 -1FLM -1BEL -1WIC = 9 They didn't even see me ! Total Skips 1 (W)
Lt B Jackson Spad. E
Lt B Jackson: SD-EXP-ET / 0 kills
Rolled 7 -3EXP = 4 Injured - Skip 1D6 Scenarios - Rolled 1 = Skip 1 ...Jammy Bugger !
E&E: Rolled 9 -1EXP -1WIC -BEL = 6 - In hiding! - Skip 1D2 Scenarios - Rolled 3 = Skip 1.. Total Skips 1 (R)
2Lt Stan Sumpter Spad F
RTB
The Eagles
Obltn Franz Lange Alb
RTB
Ltn Hermann Hartmann Aviatik Black
RTB/1 kill
Ltn Alfred Traenkner Aviatik
RTB/1 kill
Primary target completely destroyed (MVR card ) , Secondary partial hit. total 4 points
1 x 2 seater and a scout downed 3pts
Thus a win for the RFC
Nice scenario Christopher I enjoyed it a lot , but then I had 17 turns before the clouds came down by which time Sumpter was on his own and looking to get back in one piece.
Could Onkle Dave please do the rolls or the brave RFC chaps
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