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Thread: OTTBE Mission 5, 1 January 1918, Gifts That Keep on Giving (Carl Brisgamer)

  1. #1

    Default OTTBE Mission 5, 1 January 1918, Gifts That Keep on Giving (Carl Brisgamer)

    PROLOGUE

    Koolkerke, Flandern
    1 Januar 1918

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    For the first time in almost a month Leutnant Werner Bastian pulled on his fur lined flying trousers and jacket in readiness for the morning mission. He felt the usual mixture of exhilaration and trepidation. Part of him was glad to be back with the Staffel, but it had been hard to leave his wife and his son Helmut, not yet two years old. His Christmas leave had been welcome but Bastian had been disturbed by what he had seen back home in Spandau – food shortages, street demonstrations where soldiers and sailors were abused and spat upon by protesters. Even talk of revolution….

    The hardships of this war were felt not just by those in uniform but by all the German people.

    Bastian had returned yesterday, the last day of 1917. 1918 was a new year, a chance to finish this war. The Russians were in retreat everywhere and suing for peace as the old Tsarist state collapsed, torn apart by Bolshevik revolution. Bastian flinched at the thought of Germany going the same way…..

    Nein’ he thought to himself, ‘we cannot let that happen. The war must be won, anything else is unthinkable.’

    As Bastian wrapped his scarf around his neck and pulled on his helmet and goggles his thoughts turned to his brother officer and friend Paul Achilles. When Bastian got back on New Year’s Eve he expected Paul to be three sheets to the wind already, but he had not touched a drop and in fact did not take a drink all night. Achilles had been happy to see him, but he could tell immediately that something was wrong. The Staffel had a bad day the previous week with Leutnant Meyer and Vizeflugmeister Goerth both shot down and wounded. Goerth’s injuries were slight, he would be back on flying duties by the end of the week, but Meyer was lucky to be alive. Paul wouldn’t talk about that day, but he seemed very keen to repay the enemy in kind.

    “The ‘neighbours’ dropped Christmas mail as well” he told Bastian, “They are as mad as we are!” Achilles had then narrowed his gaze and continued grimly “Some of it landed on our side, so we are going to send it back.”

    “What do you mean?” Bastian asked with a puzzled look.

    “I mean we are going to take them back and drop them on one of their airfields. And we’ll throw in a few 10 kilogram sausages for good measure” he added with a decidedly menacing air.

    “And just how are we going to return their gifts there? I don’t think St Nicholas will let you use his sleigh!”

    “Nagel and Krüger will drop them from their Halberstadt” Achilles had explained. “Hopefully the Tommies will be so excited they will come up to play as well. I have been trying to find one all week and it seems they have lost interest in the game” he said with no small degree of disgust.

    Now it was 0745 hours the following morning, the first day of 1918, which dawned cold and clear. The four German naval aviators took one last look at the map as Achilles finished his briefing.

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    “Yesterday one of our Rumplers spotted a number of aircraft on this field at Les Moëres, between Furnes and Dunkerque. We’ll cross the front at Dixmude, over the line of the Loos Canal, and drop our packages. Hopefully they will come up and we can bag a couple before we cut north and back across the lines.”

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    “Lothar and Kurt you have your Halberstadt, Werner and I will take a Pfalz each as your escort. Keep your altitude to at least 1200 metres, out of range of their airfield defences. If you get into trouble break off and head for home, remember we will be in the ‘neighbour's' yard this morning.”

    Achilles folded the map as the Schwarze Männer brought their aircraft out from the hangars.

    Hals und Beinbruch meinen Herren.”

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    Last edited by Carl_Brisgamer; 10-03-2016 at 01:30.

  2. #2

    Default AAR - OTTBE Mission 5, 1 January 1918, Gifts That Keep on Giving (Carl Brisgamer)

    The Kette crossed the front and the Loos Canal without incident at an altitude of 1500 metres, sporadic black bursts of flak the only sign the enemy had detected their presence.

    Paul Achilles could not remember ever having been so cold. He had sailed the North Sea and the Baltic, and gone through the previous winter in the trenches, but nothing like the biting cold that tore at his body at altitude. He forced himself to scan the skies time and again as his little formation turned north. As they approached the Bergnes-Furnes Canal with the airfield at Les Moëres just beyond, the Halberstadt CL.II dropped down to 1200 metres to drop the packages.

    "Christmas gifts, I'll give you Christmas gifts" muttered Achilles to himself as he clicked off the safety lever to his bomb release switch.

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    Glancing back one last time Achilles saw two black specks against the grey winter sky and he managed a grim smile. 'Looks like we have company after all.'

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    The Kette spread out with Achilles starting his run on the flight line. They had attacked a Belgian airfield full of two seaters - nice fat targets!

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    He banked his Pfalz right and dropped his 'eggs' ........

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    ....before looking back to see the two enemy scouts closing from the east, likely returning from their morning patrols.

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    Achilles' bombs scored a direct hit on a Belgian RE.8, whilst Nagel and Krüger headed straight for the Chateau that appeared to be the headquarters building of the Belgian squadron, and Leutnant Bastian in his yellow tailed Pfalz made another run on the flight line.

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    Coming around to engage the enemy Achilles could now see they were also Belgians and had been joined by a third aircraft. He recognised one as an old Nieuport 17, but the other two were the newer Hanriots. Fast and agile, in the right hands they could be a dangerous opponent.

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    Krüger lived up to his reputation dropping the returned mail and gifts right in the courtyard of the Chateau!

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    Bastian dropped his 'present' as well, but his accuracy suffered at that altitude and the bombs sailed over the aircraft.....

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    ....and exploded right outside the corner of the Chateau, blowing out windows and collapsing part of the roof!

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    The Belgians were now in a loose formation at about 1200 metres altitude along the line of the canal.....

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    ....as the See Adler Staffel turned away from the enemy airfield and prepared to do battle!

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    Ltn. Achilles banked right to attack the closest Hanriot. With a 300 metre height advantage Achilles was certain he would be able to avoid the blue Hanriot....

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    ...until the Belgian's dramatic side slip put him in range. The Hanriot's Vickers burst into life sending hot lead through the fuselage of the Pfalz!

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    As Achilles came around behind the other Belgian scouts the blue Hanriot banked right to engage the Halberstadt.

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    The Belgian pilot was again on the mark, his second burst at close range shredding fabric and splintering struts on the German two-seater. Nagel returned fire doing as much damage to the Hanriot, but the worst thing for the Belgian was that his Vickers gun jammed, the lubricant freezing in the sub-zero temperature.

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    The blue Hanriot breaks off as the pilot tries in vain to clear the stoppage. Flugmeister Krüger puts a burst into the enemy scout as it flashes by, shooting up the tail plane and damaging the rudder controls.

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    The Nieuport 17 having pushed past the German flight banks around to get in the fight.

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    Achilles opened fire catching the Nieuport with a deflection burst as the Hanriot pulled up and reversed course.

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    The pilot of the blue Hanriot dives away using his aircraft's superior speed to escape the slower Halberstadt as Bastian brings his yellow tailed Pfalz about with an Immelmann.

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    Leutnant Achilles flashes over the Hanriot before the pilot can get a bead on him. The Nieuport also reverses, pulling his nose around firing a snap burst which passes wide of Achilles' Pfalz. The German officer fires back, his 7,92mm bullets crashing through the fragile Belgian scout.

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    Nagel opens the throttle on his Mercedes D.III six-cylinder engine hoping to catch and finish the damaged blue Hanriot, but the Belgian plane is just too fast.

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    Leutnant Nagel gives up the chase and banks left to get back in the fight with the remaining two Belgian scouts. Achilles drops down to 1200 metres behind his opponents with a split-S, firing a close range deflection burst into the tail section of the Hanriot severing control lines. Bastian also fires on the Hanriot, sending a burst through the Belgian's fuselage.

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    Bastian could see the Nieuport coming around to catch Achilles' Pfalz in the flank. He sides-slipped to the left and opened fire at close range. Bastian could see the flashes as his rounds struck the cockpit, watching with satisfaction as the Nieuport pulled up sharply before rolling over and spinning towards the ground. The Belgian scout crashes heavily in an open field south east of the aerodrome, becoming Leutnant Bastian's second victory.

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    The camouflaged Hanriot comes around, determined to defend his airfield from further attacks by the marauding Boche....

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    ....as the blue Hanriot beats a hasty retreat, unable to continue the fight due to his jammed machine gun.

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    Bastian and the Hanriot pilot exchange fire in a head on pass, and this time it is the German's machine guns that jam.

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    It was then that a lone RFC SE.5a appeared from the south. Attracted by the swirling machines over the aerodrome of Les Moëres, the English pilot turns towards the aerial battle.

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    Over the airfield the Belgian pilot puts up a good fight, blasting Bastian's Pfalz at close range, leaving it trailing smoke. Nagel and Achilles shoot at the Hanriot, with Achilles' burst causing serious damage to the enemy machine.

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    With Bastian fully engaged trying to clear his frozen guns the Belgian pulls a hard left to get in behind his yellow-tailed Pfalz. Nagel throws the Halberstadt into a right hand turn allowing his observer Krüger to open fire on the Hanriot, spattering rounds all over the enemy scout. The violent manoeuvre puts Nagel's two-seater right in the path of Achilles' Pfalz as he climbs back up to 1500 metres. What could have been a tragedy for the See Adler Staffel is narrowly averted as the Halberstadt's wheels brush Achilles' top wing causing only light damage to the sturdy Pfalz.

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    Supressing the panic that gripped him immediately after the collision Achilles pushes his stick over banking to port. He fires a long range burst at the Hanriot as the Belgian scout passes across his nose. Rounds pierce the Belgian scout's fuel tank, the leaking petrol igniting as it splashes over the hot pistons of the Le Rhône 9J engine!

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    The SE5a crosses the canal, trying to get into the action to support his Belgian ally.

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    But the Englishman's efforts are in vain. Achilles continues his attack, closing the range and firing in short, well aimed bursts. The stricken Hanriot cannot take the sustained damage, falling in flames just south of the aerodrome for Leutnant Achilles' second victory.

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    As the SE5a approaches Les Moëres aerodrome the RFC pilot finds he is now alone against three Huns!

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    Bastian manages to get one of his Maxims working and makes a head on attack on the SE5a. He can't seem to land a hit, however his English opponent shoots up the Pfalz damaging his aileron controls. Things don't all go the Englishman's way as his over-wing Lewis Gun suddenly stops firing.

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    Bastian's smoking Pfalz and the SE5a pass each other at a combined closing speed of over 250 kmh.

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    Achilles Immelmanns, missing a long range deflection burst on the English scout.

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    The SE5a breaks away from the German flight....

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    ...before reversing back into the fray.

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    The SE5a Immelmanns, coming in above and behind Bastian narrowly missing the Pfalz.

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    Using his advantages in climb rate and speed the SE5a makes a series of slashing attacks on each of Hun kites as they present targets.

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    Unable to properly get to grips with the elusive SE5a Achilles signals to his Kette to reform.

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    The Britischer continues his attacks, with Bastian getting a burst away to no effect....

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    Bastian fires again causing damage to the SE5a before his second Maxim falls silent.

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    Unable to remedy the stoppage Bastian breaks off and heads for home.....

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    .....with Achilles and Nagel covering his withdrawal.

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    The persistent SE5a follows up the See Adlers....

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    ...trading shots with Leutnant Achilles. Both aircraft take damage but nothing critical.

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    Achilles brings the Pfalz about and fires at long range, missing the SE5a but letting the Tommy know he is on his tail.

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    Unable to effectively engage the SE5a and with their fuel running low the See Adler Staffel breaks for home.

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    VICTORY POINTS (VP)

    CENTRAL POWERS - 2 VP (2 scouts shot down)
    ENTENTE - 0 VP

    CENTRAL POWERS VICTORY
    Last edited by Carl_Brisgamer; 10-05-2016 at 23:28.

  3. #3

    Default CASREP - OTTBE Mission 5, 1 January 1918, Gifts That Keep on Giving (Carl Brisgamer)

    CASUALTY REPORT (AKA THE BUTCHER'S BILL)

    SEE ADLER STAFFEL


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    Leutnant Paul Achilles (Jagdflieger - red tailed Pfalz D.IIIa)
    RTB (8 damage) / 1 kill (Hanriot HD.1), second confirmed victory - qualified for award of Iron Cross 2nd Class.

    Leutnant Werner Bastian (Jagdflieger - yellow tailed Pfalz D.IIIa)
    RTB (7 damage) / 1 kill (Nieuport 17), second confirmed victory - qualified for award of Iron Cross 2nd Class.

    Leutnant Lothar Nagel (Flugzeugführer - Halberstadt CL.II)
    RTB (5 damage) / 0 kills
    Flugmeister Kurt Krüger (Beobachter - Halberstadt CL.II)
    RTB / 0 kills


    BELGIANS AND BULLDOGS

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    Lieutenant Louis Crombez 1ere Escadrille de Chasse (Scout Pilot - blue Hanriot HD.1)
    RTB (7 damage) / 0 kills

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    Sous Lieutenant José de Burlet 1ere Escadrille de Chasse (Scout Pilot - camouflage Hanriot HD.1)
    SD / FLM / FT / 0 kills (shot down by Ltn. Achilles)
    C&W Roll 3 - 2 FLM = 1 Dead!

    Witnesses reported Sous Lieutenant de Burlet jumped from his Hanriot as it crashed in flames, better that than burn.

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    Sous Lieutenant Edmond Orta 1ere Escadrille de Chasse (Scout Pilot - Nieuport 17)
    SD / WIA / FT / 0 kills (shot down by Ltn. Bastian)
    C&W Roll 4 - 1 SD - 1 WIA = 2 Dead!

    Sous Lieutenant Orta having sustained serious bullet wounds to the legs and abdomen was still clinging to life when he was extricated from the tangled wreckage of his Nieuport, but died of his wounds within minutes.

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    Second Lieutenant Harry Swayze 56 Sqn RFC (Scout Pilot - RAF SE5a)
    RTB (5 damage) / 0 kills
    Last edited by Carl_Brisgamer; 10-04-2016 at 02:14.

  4. #4

    Default EPILOGUE - OTTBE Mission 5, 1 Jan 1918, Gifts That Keep on Giving (Carl Brisgamer)

    Koolkerke, Flandern
    1 Januar 1918

    Leutnant Paul Achilles knocked on the door of the Station Kommandant's office. He had been in the mess celebrating the success of the morning's mission, allowing himself a Schapps for the first time since Christmas, when he had been summoned by the Kapitänleutnant.

    'Typical' he thought, 'the bastard must have know I was enjoying myself.'

    "Enter" came the Station Kommandant's voice from the other side and Paul Achilles marched into the room. As he saluted he was surprised to see the smile on the Kapitänleutnant's face.

    "Sit down Herr Leutnant" said the Kommandant, gesturing to one of the chairs in front of his desk.

    "Danke Herr Kapitänleutnant," responded Achilles. He sat down warily, puzzled by his superior's polite tone.

    "I have just seen the photos of Les Moëres brought back by this morning's high level Rumpler reconnaissance. They confirm your reports - one RE.8 destroyed on the ground and two wrecked scouts south and east of the airfield. I have confirmed the claims submitted by yourself and Leutnant Bastian."

    ""Danke Herr Kapitänleutnant" Achilles repeated.

    "No thanks necessary Herr Leutnant, the images substantiated your claims" he replied, gesturing to the score board mounted on the wall.

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    "You and Bastian have two victories each now" he continued, "making you both eligible for the Eisernes Kreuz." The officer paused, leaving the comment handing as he glanced down at the report on the desk before him.

    "It says here you were ordered to return the enemy's mail and gifts. It says nothing in here about bombing the airfield."

    'Here it comes.' thought Achilles, replying only "Nein, Herr Kapitänleutnant."

    "Who came up with the idea of dropping bombs as well?"

    Achilles stood up. "I gave the order Herr Kapitänleutnant, I bear full responsibility."

    The Station Kommandant regarded Achilles for a moment. "After the Christmas debacle I was ready to have you court-martialed," he said deliberately. "But after today I think I was right to put that matter to one side."

    Achilles looked down in surprise "Herr Kapitänleutnant?"

    "Sit down Achilles," ordered the Station Kommandant, using the pilot's name for the first time. As he resumed his seat the Kapitänleutnant stood and went to the sideboard. "Congnac?" he asked retrieving a bottle and two glasses from the cupboard.

    "B-Bitte, Herr Kapitänleutnant" stammered Achilles, completely bemused by the turn of the conversation.

    Passing the drink to the pilot the Kapitänleutnant sat on the desk. "Prost," he offered, "to the Kaiser and victory."

    "The Kaiser and victory" responded Achilles quaffing the spirit. It was the good stuff too leaving Achilles wondering where this was going?

    "Germany needs men who are prepared to go to any lengths to achieve victory Achilles" stated the Kapitänleutnant. "Some men would baulk at dropping bombs in the conduct of what was intended as a good-will mission, but you did not hesitate."

    "They are the enemy Herr Kapitänleutnant, and you already know my views on the matter of Christmas pleasantries" replied Achilles as he finished his drink.

    "You failed your Staffel and your men last week" accused the Station Kommandant, "but today you demonstrated you have what it takes to win. Three enemy aircraft destroyed and all your men and aircraft home."

    The Station Kommandant returned to his desk, pulling out two sheets of paper from a drawer.

    "In the coming months the Fatherland will need such men, ruthless men, who will do whatever it takes to achieve victory. It is 1918 and any ideas about an honourable war need to be set aside for now." The Kapitänleutnant paused, looking directly at Achilles. "I think you are such a man, and I hope I can rely on you when these occasions arise in the future."

    "Of course Herr Kapitänleutnant," replied Achilles, "I will do whatever is necessary. Honour and chivalry meant nothing in the trenches, and likewise they have no place in the air."

    The Station Kommandant smiled, before looking back to his desk and signing the papers before him.

    "Very well then Achilles. I have recommended the decorations for yourself and Bastian."

    Standing he offered his hand across the table, "Congratulations".

    Marching back to the mess Achilles replayed the peculiar conversation with the Kapitänleutnant in his head. 'What did he mean by 'anything necessary'?' he wondered. "Macht nichts," Achilles said to himself, for he had meant what he said. If Germany was to win the war ruthless action was required, and he was ready and willing.
    Last edited by Carl_Brisgamer; 12-06-2016 at 13:01.

  5. #5

    Setarius's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies
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    Interesting fight. Nice AAR.

  6. #6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Setarius View Post
    Interesting fight. Nice AAR.
    Thanks Dale. The slower Pfalz and Halberstadt machines actually performed well against the Hanriots, better that I expected. The gun-jam on the blue Hanriot so early in the fight put the Belgies on the back foot, and before Lt. Crombez was doing so well! It was the SE5a that really showed the limitation of the German machines. 2Lt. Swayze could out climb, out fly and out run the See Adler Staffel, engaging at will then breaking off before he could get bogged down. There were a good dozen photos I did not upload because there was no action, just manoeuvring for position. In the end I decided to call it and just sent the Staffel home. It looked as if the SE5a had driven off all three German machines!!

  7. #7

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    Well your See Adler certainly returned to sender with interest there Carl.

    Onkel says:

    Plucky Belgians but not lucky Belgians this time out...

    Sous Lieutenant Edmond Orta 1ere Escadrille de Chasse (Scout Pilot - Nieuport 17)
    SD / WIA / FT / 0 kills (shot down by Ltn. Bastian)
    C&W Roll 4 -1SD -1WIA = 2 KIA.

    Two new pilots are on the roster

    "He is wise who watches"

  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    Well your See Adler certainly returned to sender with interest there Carl.

    Onkel says:

    Plucky Belgians but not lucky Belgians this time out...

    Sous Lieutenant Edmond Orta 1ere Escadrille de Chasse (Scout Pilot - Nieuport 17)
    SD / WIA / FT / 0 kills (shot down by Ltn. Bastian)
    C&W Roll 4 -1SD -1WIA = 2 KIA.

    Two new pilots are on the roster
    Thanks Dave, missed that one but it had been a very long night

    The See Adler saw their luck return after last month's debacle, but they could not for the life of them catch that bloody SE5a!

  9. #9

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    Onkel always catches the fine details for us.
    I know what you mean about "after a long night".
    That's why I do my die-rolling the next day, but even then Onkel catches my mistakes
    Speaking of die rolls, I have half a dozen to do today after finishing Santa's run ....

    Great job on your AAR, Carl. Yours are always a most interesting story.
    Nice to see der Belgier in this one.
    I am dreading the cold weather - I jam enough as it is!

    I like the way you identified the pilots in your pictures. I may have to rethink the way I do mine.
    I feel the printed labels I make detract from the photos where yours are very subtle.
    Besides I am getting tired of making labels for "one offs" lately

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stumptonian View Post
    Onkel always catches the fine details for us.
    I know what you mean about "after a long night".
    That's why I do my die-rolling the next day, but even then Onkel catches my mistakes
    Speaking of die rolls, I have half a dozen to do today after finishing Santa's run ....

    Great job on your AAR, Carl. Yours are always a most interesting story.
    Nice to see der Belgier in this one.
    I am dreading the cold weather - I jam enough as it is!

    I like the way you identified the pilots in your pictures. I may have to rethink the way I do mine.
    I feel the printed labels I make detract from the photos where yours are very subtle.
    Besides I am getting tired of making labels for "one offs" lately
    Thanks Pete, I am glad you are enjoying the ongoing saga of the See Adler Staffel. I add the text to the images with Paint or Powerpoint, takes no time at all.

  11. #11

    Thumbs up

    Another cracking set too & AAR Carl.
    Your AAR's are always enhanced by the stories & personalities you weave into the reports.
    I can see Ltn Archillies getting on very well with that Stachel fellow who flies Fokker Triplanes.

  12. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by gully_raker View Post
    Another cracking set too & AAR Carl.
    Your AAR's are always enhanced by the stories & personalities you weave into the reports.
    I can see Ltn Archillies getting on very well with that Stachel fellow who flies Fokker Triplanes.
    Thanks Barry! Any similarities my characters may bear to any other fictional characters in novels by Jack Hunter or movies directed by John Guillermin are purely coincidental.

    I will however admit the See Adler Staffel scoreboard was inspired by one in the duty office of Jasta 11 featured in 'The Blue Max'.

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    Last edited by Carl_Brisgamer; 10-04-2016 at 20:29.

  13. #13

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    Great AAR Carl. Good to see the Sea-Eagles back on form.

    For those who are going to fly this mission read the special cold weather jamming rules carefully. An A gun becomes a B gun after it's 1st jam. A second jam will render it useless. Onkel missed this fine detail as Bastion had 3 jams by the look of the photos. Luckily Bastion's kill came before the 2nd jam!

  14. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by Teaticket View Post
    Great AAR Carl. Good to see the Sea-Eagles back on form.

    For those who are going to fly this mission read the special cold weather jamming rules carefully. An A gun becomes a B gun after it's 1st jam. A second jam will render it useless. Onkel missed this fine detail as Bastion had 3 jams by the look of the photos. Luckily Bastion's kill came before the 2nd jam!
    I think you may be referring to this exchange?

    http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/att...8&d=1475329758

    For a while now I have been playing a house rule introduced to me by Zoe - gun jams only occur if displayed on the first card drawn. So for long range shots gun jams always count, for short range shots they only come into effect on the first card drawn. Otherwise you are effectively doubling the chance of a gun jam at short range. It makes absolute sense in my book.

    So in the photo above the gun jam card being the second drawn had no effect.
    Last edited by Carl_Brisgamer; 10-05-2016 at 23:36.

  15. #15

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    Better check with Dave on using house rules.

  16. #16

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    Lovely looking AAR Carl. Those chips and mayo guys really took a pasting .


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  17. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by Teaticket View Post
    Better check with Dave on using house rules.
    I might suggest to Dave that we put this one up for inclusion in the campaign optional rules.

    If I fire a 2 second burst the chance of a gun jam should not change just because I was closer to the target.

  18. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by tikkifriend View Post
    Lovely looking AAR Carl. Those chips and mayo guys really took a pasting .
    Thanks Paul. I honestly thought the Belgian Hanriots would give me more trouble. It was bad luck for the them that their flight leader jammed up so quickly.

    It may be the same reason that the Fokker Dr.Is are having trouble - perhaps the AI does not make best use of their manouverability.

  19. #19

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    I love your Jasta scoreboard graphic - how did you do it? I would love to steal that for myself!

  20. #20

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    Quote Originally Posted by BB401 View Post
    I love your Jasta scoreboard graphic - how did you do it? I would love to steal that for myself!
    I produced it using PowerPoint. I am happy to share Bob, I will see if I can upload the document to the file section.

  21. #21

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    Quote Originally Posted by BB401 View Post
    I love your Jasta scoreboard graphic - how did you do it? I would love to steal that for myself!
    Well Bob, it appears I cannot upload Powerpoint documents to the File Section.

    If you PM me your email address I will send a blank scoreboard through to you.

  22. #22

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    Quote Originally Posted by Carl_Brisgamer View Post
    Thanks Paul. I honestly thought the Belgian Hanriots would give me more trouble. It was bad luck for the them that their flight leader jammed up so quickly.

    It may be the same reason that the Fokker Dr.Is are having trouble - perhaps the AI does not make best use of their manouverability.
    Interesting observation re: AI and triplane maneuvers. Makes me want to look at it "around the clock" and compare what I might do vs what the ai model suggests at each o'clock. ....will post results if I can find the time.

  23. #23

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    First thanks for the scoreboard Carl, and second for an enthralling story-line and mission account.
    Full of swirling action from start to finish.
    I really must get my part one to last month written up so that I can get this one done.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  24. #24

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    Quote Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte View Post
    First thanks for the scoreboard Carl, and second for an enthralling story-line and mission account.
    Full of swirling action from start to finish.
    Thanks Rob, looking forward to seeing your squadron scoreboard in the next installment.

  25. #25

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    Great story line Carl, particularly the opening part. Looks like you had quitea fight Thanks for an excellent read !!

  26. #26

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    Quote Originally Posted by mikeemagnus View Post
    Great story line Carl, particularly the opening part. Looks like you had quitea fight Thanks for an excellent read !!
    Thanks Mike. Try as I might I could not bag that SE, he ran rings around the German scouts.

  27. #27

    Default EPILOGUE - The Other Side of the Hill (or Harry Swayze gets a gong)

    Laviéville, France
    1 January 1918

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    “Switches off” yelled Second Lieutenant Harry Swayze before pulling himself out of the cockpit of his SE.5a. He rubbed his gloves hands together and stamped his feet on good old Terra Firma to try and get the circulation going – it had been ghastly cold up there today.

    “She’s got more than a couple of ‘oles in her Sir,” commented one the ground crew as they wheeled the kite back to the hangar.

    “Cut the chit-chat Corporal and make sure she’s patched up good as new. And have the armourer double check the Lewis Gun,” Swayze ordered, “If it fails again he’ll be wearing a charge!”

    “Yes-sir!” the corporal responded, picking up the pace.

    On the whole Harry considered the Other Ranks an uncouth and grubby lot, but they had their place. It was proper that Gentlemen should fly the aircraft and the lower classes dirty their hands maintaining the machines. One just had to keep them on their toes.

    Swayze headed over to the duty hut to make his report, boots crunching on the frosty grass. He had only just arrived back at the squadron this past week after being shot down over Passchendaele back in November. He had taken the SE up for a training and area familiarisation flight miles behind the lines. The last thing he had expected to find was three Boche shooting up an airfield!

    The Belgies had a couple of kites up defending the place, and Harry had gone in to help them out – except by the time he got there the blighters had all managed to get themselves shot down! It had been a sticky wicket there for a bit but thanks to his SE’s speed and rate of climb he had managed to avoid the same fate. There may have been a few holes in his kite but there were none in him, and that was the main thing.

    “Make me a cup of tea there’s a good chap” Swayze ordered the duty NCO as he walked into the squadron office. Swayze took a seat and pulled out an Army Form W.3348 to complete his ‘Combat in the Air’ report. In the next room he could overhear the CO on the blower – “Yes Sir….that would have been 2Lt. Swayze….I believe he has just landed….Of course….I will forward his report immediately.”

    Harry’s mind was racing – ‘What the hell was that all about?’ Were the damned Belgies complaining about him? Just because he couldn’t save their pilots!?! It was hardly his fault they could not hold their own against the Hun.

    The CO called out “Mister Swayze, come into my office, and bring your combat report with you.”

    Harry gathered up the papers in front of him and took a deep breath. Walking into the CO’s office he started with a nonchalant “You wanted to see me Sir?”

    “Yes Harry. I see you made it back alright.”

    “The SE took a bit of stick but she held up Sir” Harry replied, “Things were a bit tight there for a bit.”

    “So I gather. I just had a call from Wing, the Belgians called the WingCo about your performance today.”

    Harry stood up “Bloody Belgies!!” he exclaimed indignantly. “In my defence Sir I was outnumbered three to one, it was all I could do to not get shot down myself!”

    “Calm down Harry” the CO said in a soothing tone, “The Belgians weren’t calling to complain about you, they wanted to register their appreciation for your efforts today!”

    “Appreciation Sir?” replied a puzzled Harry.

    “The Belgian station commander at Les Moëres rang Wing thirty minutes ago. He was fulsome in his praise for the brave English flyer who single-handedly took on three Boche attacking his airfield. The Huns had already shot down two of his kites and destroyed another on the ground. He reported you drove off all the attacking aircraft, preventing further destruction to the airfield and grounded aircraft. Is that accurate?”

    Harry was stunned for a moment before responding evenly “As I said Sir, it was a bit tight. But despite the odds I knew it was my duty to stay in the fight and support our Belgian Allies.”

    “Your duty….yes” remarked the CO. “In any event the Belgians were very impressed and may even give you a medal! A pity you could not have brought down an EA, that would have clinched it. But your actions have brought credit to the squadron and are worthy of congratulations.”

    “Thank you Sir” replied Harry.

    “Off you go Harry and finish your report. I will send it off to Wing today, they are very keen to read your version of events.”

    “And Harry” the CO added as the pilot withdrew, “the first whiskey tonight is on me.”
    Last edited by Carl_Brisgamer; 10-30-2016 at 02:47.

  28. #28

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    Very neatly dovetailed Post Scriptum Major.
    I always enjoy the aftermath when anyone can fit one in. adds a bit of flavour and builds up the personalities of the participants. That in its turn makes one identify with them more in the next mission.
    Thanks for enriching my day.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  29. #29

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    Quote Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte View Post
    Very neatly dovetailed Post Scriptum Major.
    I always enjoy the aftermath when anyone can fit one in. adds a bit of flavour and builds up the personalities of the participants. That in its turn makes one identify with them more in the next mission.
    Thanks for enriching my day.
    Rob.
    What he said.


    I really enjoy the character development aspect of this campaign.

  30. #30

    Thumbs up

    Yes a very nice Finale to the mission.

    Well done Carl!

  31. #31

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    Thank you gentlemen, your comments are appreciated. I am looking forward to the next mission which should be up anytime now!



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