OTTBE Mission 6 - Mike's "She'll be comin' round the mountain" 21st Jan 1918
OTT Bitter End Mission
She'll be comin' round the mountain - 21st January 1918
The celebration in the mess was a very rowdy affair. It started off quietly enough, with the CO congratulating Lt Alex Clarke for his MC. But within the hour, after most of the members of the squadron had given a performance of one sort or another, involving singing, dancing and generally playing the fool, plus drinking, of course, copious amounts of whisky and beer, there was little in the way of furniture left in one piece and nothing in the way of crockery! The weather recently had been bitterly cold, with lots of snow about, so there had been nothing in the way of serious flying for some days. Everyone was getting a trifle bored and a little edgy too! So letting off steam was perhaps not such a bad thing after all!
“Not to worry folks” said Harry, merrily. “I hear there's a thaw in the offing and that the Hun are building up to a big push! They're shifting all sorts around, in large quantities. Mostly by rail. Perhaps we'll get a crack at that soon!”
Sure enough, a few days later, orders arrived. The weather had broken, briefly, so that flying was possible. It was even said that further to the north east, in the vicinity of the Ardennes Forest, there had been a thaw and although still cold enough to freeze one to death, at least there was no snow about.
“Flight A will accompany a French Nieuport scout, armed with rockets, to Bastogne in Belgium.” said the CO, addressing Alex Clarke. There you will pick up the railway to La Roche, follow it, and destroy any traffic you come across.”
“That's well behind enemy lines, sir!” said Alex. He sounded worried. “Must be nearly one hundred and twenty miles east north east of here! That's a long trip for a corps reconnaissance scout! What the hell could be so important to want to send us over there, Sir?”
“Not up to me Alex I'm afraid. All I know is the French have spies in the area who have pointed their handlers in that direction. The French are fully occupied in their sector and we are sitting here doing nothing. Must be important though, don't you think?”
“I guess so, Sir. Do we know what it is they are after?”
“No we don't! The traffic is mostly moving at night. But, that far back behind their own lines they feel a little safer, so we're informed that trains are leaving depots in the late afternoon. By the time they reach threatened areas it has become dark, especially at this time of year. So leave around 1.00 p.m.. It'll take you a couple of hours I imagine, which will leave you just enough time to find a target, destroy it and get out of there under cover of darkness. What do you say? Shouldn't be a lot of hun aircraft around either. They're too busy in other sectors!”
“Can't say I'm happy about it sir, but if it's that important. Orders are orders anyway, so we'll just have to get on with it.”
“Thanks Alex” replied the CO. “The hun are moving a lot by day! He's assuming we're not up to flying in these conditions. So, we have to put a stop to that if we can! Medlicott and Hammond can keep you company. Oh and by the way, the French pilot assigned to the job has gone down with the flu! He's pretty bad and in no fit condition for the job. His CO says they cannot spare anyone else, but have asked us to supply another pilot, so the job can go ahead. I've already spoken with Ralph Leather about it and he's keen as mustard. Says he's never flown a Nieuport before and really fancies having a go. I know you can pull this off Alex. Just don't hang around too long down there! Hit them hard then get out quickly, ok?”
21st January 1918 dawned wet and miserable with low cloud, but by mid-day, Lt Alex C Clarke and his observer, the newly decorated Sergeant Alan W Davis MM, were ready for their trip to the Ardennes, flying their usual Bristol F2b Fighter (the Brisfit). Both 2nd Lt Harold Medlicott and 2nd Lt Arthur Hammond would cover them in SE5s, whilst a positively excited 2nd Lt Ralph Tolerton Leather would fly, for the first time, a Nieuport 16, armed with Le Prieur rockets. Normally used against observation balloons, using them against a train was also an experience that Tolerton had not had before! They all took off from their aerodrome, near Golancourt, at 1 o'clock precisely, just as planned, without a hitch. Flying East North East they made good time, with favourable winds, arriving in the area of Bastogne two hours later. No enemy aircraft were encountered on the way and even Archie was hardly interested as they crossed the lines, firing a few desultory shots that came nowhere near them. Still, it might have drawn the attention of enemy scouts so they had all kept a wary eye open.
They followed the railway line from Bastogne towards La Roche-en-Ardenne, through the winding valley of the river Ourthe and after patrolling its' length for some time, at around 3.45 p.m., they finally spotted what they had come for. A train was approaching them from the east, puff puffing its laborious way along the single track. Clarke signalled his intention to attack to the others who all followed. Lt Leather in particular, was very keen!
It was at this moment that the sharp eyes of Arthur Hammond, caught a glimpse of three enemy tri- planes rapidly approaching from his left.
“Blo*dy ambush” he said to himself, although that was highly unlikely, and he waggled his wings to let Medlicott, in the other SE5, know that he was breaking formation to attack. Medlicott followed.
Meanwhile, the Brisfit and the Nieuport remained on course for their juicy target; Lt Leather preparing himself by calculating his line of attack and the distance he would need to cover whilst descending to within a few feet of altitude above his quarry.
“Sh*t” thought Medlicott, “Bl**dy Arthur has gone in too early!” Then the bullets started to fly - Daka daka daka daka; daka daka daka daka as all three of the enemy aircraft turned on Arthur Hammond, catching him in an isolated position, at least for a split second. Daka daka daka daka; daka daka daka daka went the quick short machine gun bursts. Three Fokker Dr1s opened an accurate and rather effective fire against the leading SE5a (SE5a Hammond hit for 5+1 +left rudder from Dr1 Ltn Benzler: also for 2+0 from Dr1 Ltn Fitzler. SE5a returns fire on Fitzler 0+0: Fitzler's gun jams)
The third one, flown by Ltn Kurt Parschau, catching him again as he flashed past the others (SE5a Hammond hit for 4+1+smoke from Dr1 Parschau: Dr1 Parschau hit for 4+1 from SE5a Hammond) although this time his return fire damaged his opponent in almost like style, except that he now realized the German pilot had hit something important as smoke was billowing from somewhere up front!
Lt Alexander C Clarke MC, meanwhile, lined up the Brisfit and signaled to Sergeant Davis that he wanted to bomb the train. Meaning to hit the engine, he mis-timed it unfortunately, but was, however, deeply satisfied to witness his bombs make a direct hit more or less in the middle of the train, taking out one of the flat trucks and de-railing the wagons behind it, another flat truck and two box cars. The train was now defenceless since anti aircraft machine guns had been mounted on the flat trucks, now a smashed up smoking wreck.
In his minds eye he had dreamed of smashing the engine. The reality was somewhat different, however, but this result was the next best thing. It was up to Ralph Leather now! The Brisfit was needed elsewhere. Snapping his attention back to the real world, therefore, he turned his aircraft smartly about, to face in the opposite direction and then headed off to where he had last seen the two escorts.
Now it was Medlicott's turn to get himself into a tight corner. Flying his SE5 towards the nearest Dr1 he let fly daka daka daka daka; daka daka daka daka at almost point blank range. How could he miss? Quite easily as it so happens, in addition to which his guns jammed! The Bulldogs were definitely not having a good day at the office at this point! And it was about to get a whole lot worse! (SE5a Medlicott hit for 2+1+left rudder by Benzler. Dr1 Benzler hit for 0+0 by SE5a Medlicott whose guns jam).
Medlicott suddenly spotted Hammond, mainly because the latter's aircraft was standing out like a sore thumb, belching clouds of smoke into an otherwise clear sky. It was obvious that Hammond was struggling. Indeed, at that moment in time, Hammond had decided to head home whilst he still could (SE5a Hammond: total damage 13 from 16 – heading home). One down already and the fight had only just begun!
But our flight leader was still on hand to rescue the situation; or was he? Guns blazing, daka daka daka daka; daka daka daka daka. Attempting a long range shot, more to gain their attention than in any hope of hurting them, again the same result – missed. Fortunately the return fire from a Dr1 also missed. (Dr1 Fitzler receives fire from F2b Clarke “0” damage. F2b Clarke receives fire from Dr1 Benzler “0+0” damage).
Meanwhile, young 2nd Lt Ralph Leather was about to add to the misery experienced by the Bulldogs up to this point. He dived down successfully, to within a mere few feet above the engine of this train that was still puff, puffing its weary and resigned way up the valley of the river Ourthe.
He completed a beautiful turn to bring himself behind and almost in line with the length of the train. He witnessed one of the Dr1s being hit by the rear gunner of the Brisfit (Dr1 Fitzler receives fire from Brisfit Davis “1”damage). Then he calmly delayed his attack, realizing that the train was rounding a bend in the track; side slipped gracefully to lay himself almost on top of the train; placed his finger on the firing button to let rip with the Le Prieur rockets and “Boom”. Oh yes, at that very moment, when glory appeared to be his, he was hit from behind by one of the two Dr1s that he had failed to keep an eye on, no doubt in the excitement of the moment. The next thing you know, the beautiful little Nieuport, on loan from the French, is lying in a smashed up burning heap beside the railway track. The train huffs and puffs its' way onwards and upwards and darkness is not far off!
(Nieuport 16 Leather receives fire from Dr1 Benzler “1+ BOOM” damage: Benzler gets 1 Kill)
On the other hand, not all was doom and gloom for the Bulldogs! Clarke and Medlicott, in their respective aircraft, were attempting to make life difficult, preferably impossible, for Herr Parschau. The latter, whose turn it was to find himself isolated from his comrades in arms, circled desperately, trying to find a target whilst not becoming one himself. This was unsuccessful though, for him at least!
Daka daka daka daka; daka daka daka daka came the familiar if also dreaded noise from afar:-
Medlicott in his SE5 cursed a missed opportunity. Of course, his guns were jammed. But not so those of Clarke and Davis in the Brisfit. First Alex Clarke had a go, then as the two enemy aircraft passed one another, Sergeant Davis in the rear seat had his turn. Daka daka daka daka and Ltn Parschau was hit in the back, the force of the blow almost knocking him inconscious. It was time for him to head home too! Fortunately for him, at that moment he was heading in the right direction, whilst his enemies were not. His opportunity for escape was there and gratefully, he took it. Alan Davis did have one more pot shot at him, but that missed. At which point in time, both Ltn Parschau in his Fokker Dr1 and Lt Arthur Hammond in his SE5a, quit the scene in opposite directions, leaving just four aircraft in the area to finish the fight or go home!
But none of these young chaps were quitters of course. The remaining Bulldogs were quite put out by the results of their endeavours so far and wanted revenge for the demise of their two friends and colleagues. The Eagles, on the other hand, were enjoying the better of the conflict thus far and were determined to see off these impudent Bulldogs, that had no right to be flying over their territory. They had to pay the price! So both pairs of aircraft turned towards one another with malevolent intent.
They circled around one another for a while, waiting for an opportunity. Neither side wanted to make the first move, nobody wanted to make a mistake. Then suddenly everyone was firing at once. The awfully familiar daka daka daka daka from the machine guns of four aircraft, firing similtaneously, rent the air.
(F2b Clarke hit by Ltn Benzler for 3+2+Left rudder damage: Dr1 Benzler hit by F2b Clarke for 1+0 damage and by SE5a Medlicott for 3 damage: SE5a Medlicott hit by Dr1 Fitzler for 1 damage)
Once again, the Bulldogs came off the worse for wear in that tussle, as they seemed to have done throughout this aerial battle! But things were about to take a dramatic turn of events. Without warning there was an almighty explosion.
Alex Clarke gave a burst of fire to a Dr1 that flitted across his vision for a split second. Most of the bullets went wide but then two things happened. His guns jammed and his enemy's plane exploded in mid air! A remarkably lucky shot under the circumstances! Not only that, but sitting in the rear cockpit, his observer, Sergeant Alan Davis also fired, at the other Dr1 as it too sped past. The sergeant's gun jammed too, they were momentarily defenceless, but could he believe it? He had hit the Dr1, which burst into flames. Its' pilot, Ltn Ernst Benzler, frantically turned his aircraft this way and that, desperately trying to put out the flames, whilst he headed for home.
But despite the fact that the Bulldog marksmanship had been so poor all day, the fire did what they could not. It destroyed the Dr1 that went down in flames. The remaining two Bulldogs had given chase and may have caught up before the Dr1 could escape into the darkness, but as it turned out, this was unnecessary! Darkness was falling; it was time to head for the barn and they had a long way to go. “Well”, Clarke wondered to himself, “I guess we shall never know what the hell was on that train!”
(Dr1 Fitzler hit by F2b Clarke for 0+BOOM damage, Clarke's guns jam: Dr1 Benzler hit by F2b Davis 1+1+fire damage – Davis's guns jam) (For the next three turns the Dr1 draws damage cards from deck A because of fire – 2 in turn 8; 3 in turn 9; 2 in turn 10 – total damage 13 from 13).(Clarke claims 1 Kill; Davis claims 1 Kill).
Down on the ground, the gloom of the dying day was countered by the ominous glow of three dying aircraft. Perhaps they would never know the fate of the pilots either!
The End
Mike's Note: Because I am working with three D scenery, I faced the problem of randomly selected train movement. I overcame this by randomly selecting the entire length, prior to the start of the mission, recording the train movements, per manoeuver card, then laying the completed track and applying the recorded manoeuvers during the mission. I justified this, to myself, on the basis that a railway track is laid down in a fixed, permanent, position and almost certainly known to all concerned, before any missions against it. I hope nobody objects!
OTT BE Mission 6 – She'll be comin' round the mountain... - 21st January 1918
Butcher's Bill
Entente
Lt Alex Clarke MC / RTB / 1 Kill / all well
Sgt Alan Davis MM / RTB / 1 Kill / all well
Bombed train – hit flat truck which derailed another flat truck and two box cars.
2nd Lt Harold (Harry) Medlicott / RTB / No Kills / all well
2nd Lt Arthur W Hammond / RTB / No Kills / all well.
2nd Lt Ralph Tolerton Leather / EXP / ET / 0 Kills
Roll 2D6 = 6 + 4 = 10 – 3 EXP = 7 Injured – skip 1D2 scenario.
Roll 3 = Skip 1 scenarios
E & E Roll 2D6 = 4 + 4 = 8 – 1 Boom – 1 WIC – 1 ET = 5
In hiding – Skip 1D2 Scenarios. Roll 3 = Skip 1 scenario.
Result – Skip 1 scenario
Central Powers
Ltn Ernst Benzler / SD / FT / 1 Kill.
Roll 2D6 = 6 + 6 = 12 -2 Flamer = 10 All well when you land well.
Ltn Kurt Parschau / RTB / WIA / No Kills.
Roll 2D6 = 5+4= 9 -1 WIA + 3 RTB = 11 All well when you land well.
Ltn Albert Fitzler WBb / EXP / FT / No kills
Roll 2D6 = 6 + 3 = 9 – 3 EXP = 6 Injured Skip 1D3 scenario.
Roll 2 = Skip 1 scenario.
Victory points
Entente:
Scouts downed x 2 4 pts
Box cars derailed x 2 )No points awarded, either for the cars or their cargo, as uncertain
)what to do here. There is no way they could have continued with the
)train once the central flat car had been destroyed, but being well
)inside their own lines the Germans might have been able to recover
)them easily. Depends on whether or not they ended up being burned.
Central Powers:
Scout downed x 1 2 pts
Boxcar saved x 2 15 pts
Finally, a quick note to say that, once again, I used the D8 movement charts for this one. I'm happy with them so shall adopt them permanently from now.
I have at last used the altitude rules! About time too. Think I got everything ok.
Cheers,
Mike
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Another super 
. Thanks for the REP 
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