Mission 7--Something Must Be Done 7 February 1918

[Setarius]

Date:
7 February 2017
Place:
Belgium

Speaker:
Four score and Nineteen years ago our Fathers brought forth on this continent, a battle, the likes of which had yet to be seen.
At that time we were engaged in a Great War, testing whether any nation can long endure. We are met below a great aerial battleground of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of this field as a final resting place for those who gave their lives defending the land.

Fade out 2017
Fade in 1918

7 February 1918
France
Entente and Central Powers briefing

Lt. Richard Forbes:
Gentlemen we have been asked to provide air cover for a bombing mission and to use our two seaters to assist in the bombing.

Ltn. Paul Beckman:
Gentlemen, FIFI has sent us another report. This time we are being told that a group of large bombers, HP 0/400s, Capronis, and some two seaters as well as escorts are crossing the channel and headed our way.

Lt. Forbes:
We are to meet the bombers North of Dunkirk and follow a circuitious route that will have us attacking the Zeppelin Staaken field near Ghent, Belgium. If any of you escorts have to do any fighting along the he way, you won't have the fuel to make it back home.

Ltn. Beckman:
I have been informed we will have help from other Jastas and even a couple of experimental planes. The experimental planes will have a black and red streamer on the outer strut of each wing. Do not shoot them down. If the force is as large as FIFI indicates we don't want to be hit by friendly fire.
Do what you have to do.
Do not let them get through.

Lt. Forbes:
Sgt. Rhodes, do you think you can handle the MG in the observers seat behind Lt. Getz? I'm an observer short.

Sgt. Rhodes:
I'll do my best.

Lt. Forbes:
Ok. Gentlemen we expect the Huns to spot us and put up as many planes as they can. Plus the airfield will be heavily defended.
The Hun will throw anything and everything at us.
Don't let them get through!
Suit up Gentlemen, we leave in 30 minutes and Good Luck.

AAR:

Lt. Richard Forbes:
It was a good day for flying. We had just met up with the bombers and had assumed our position in the formation.
The Mutts were to take positions on the left side of the formation, while the Redbone Coonhounds took positions on the right. 2Lt. Callahan and his wingman 2Lt. Kilpatrick took gthe extreme left positions while I and 2Lt. Winklebleck took the left center positions. Our two seaters lined up about a mile behind 2Lt. Callahan. We had preloaded our two seaters, crewed by Lt. Etienne Getz (P)and Sgt. Dustin Rhodes (O), DH4 #5, and 2Lt. William Finch (P) and Sgt. Xavier Misere (O), DH4 light brown.
I had asked Sgt. Rhodes, one of our armorers to fly due to being an observer short.

Attachment 216198

Lt. Forbes:
As we crossed over to dry land you could see at least a dozen kites headed our way. Our old nemesis, the Eagles, were coming in from our left with three scouts followed by a pair of two seaters. About 10 miles behind them and attacking the center were a couple of two seaters followed by three Fokker Dr.1s. And on the right was a mixed group of 4 scouts.
Attachment 216199

As we came together on both flanks we took shots as they became available. 2Lt. Callahan took a shot at an Eagle, an Albatross DVA piloted by Ltn. Aloys Creutzmann, causing it to explode and drawing first blood of the day. He also took some fire from one of the two seaters receiving minimal damage (1GJ) and having their gun to jam.
Kill-2Lt. Callahan
Attachment 216200
Bullets were flying on the right flank as well as both sides dealt out significant damage.
Ltn. Heidecker--Phonix D.1 (4,3ENG)
Ltn. Apfelbaum--Aviatik D.1 (5P,0)
Ltn. Rasch--Aviatik D.1 (2)
2Lt. Finnegan--SPAD XIII #1 (1FLM)
2Lt. Schick--Hanriot HD1 (0)
Attachment 216201
The center formation finally met us and in an exchange of fire things got a little messy.
Lt. Forbes--Sopwith Camel Red Hearts(4)
2Lt. Winklebleck--Sopwith Camel blue dot (1,0)(3,3)
Ltn. Osterwich--Fokker DR.1 green dot (3P)
Ltn. Andersen (P)--Halberstadt (1,0GJ)
Attachment 216202
As we flew into the heart of the opposition 2Lt. Callahan(1NL,2NL) was hit by Ltn. Kampe doing considerable damage to his rudder. 2Lt. Kilpatrick (1,1) exchanged shots with Fwbl Kiekhaefer (P) (0,1) doing little damage. The Eagles Ltn. Leffers took a shot at Lt. Getz (0) but missed.
Attachment 216203
The guys on the right flank were doing their best not to run into each other so firing was at a minimum.
Ltn. Apfelbaum couldn't do anything due to his wound and was trying to head home. (1)
Ltn. Rasch took a heavy hit from close range (3,1).
Attachment 216204
The Germans decided to go after the two Capronis.
Vzfwbl Bohny's plane took damage from the observers on both our two seaters (2NL)(1,0). The Halberstadt of Ltn. Andersen was missed by the front gunner of a Caproni (0GJ, 0GJ).
The purple and black Roland exchanged fire with the yellow/green Caproni while also getting hit by the RE8.
Ltn. Loutenstock (P)--LFG Roland (2)(2,2)
Caproni--(2)(1GJ,1SMK)
Ltn. Achziger--(3,4SMK) took damage from the DH4 while Ltn. Rasch (0,4SMK) got hit from behind by 2Lt. Griese.
Attachment 216205
As both ends of our flight circled to get the Huns in a crossfire, 2Lt. Finnegan tried to hit the yellow tailed DR.1 (0) but missed and jammed his guns.
Attachment 216206
2Lt. Kilpatrick did a quick reverse then had to take evasive action to keep from running into 2Lt. Finch and his DH4.
Sgt. Misere shot at a UFAG with yellow dots on its wings (1,0) while getting hit by the one flown by Fwbl Kiekhaefer and Ltn. Runge, until the Ltn. guns fell silent.
The yellow UFAG took damage as Sgt. Rhodes added his 2 cents to the fight (2NL).
Attachment 216207

To be continued...

[Setarius]

Lt. Richard Forbes:
Down the middle the Roland turned left and the Halberstadt turned right to do some raking fire across the noses of the Capronis. The Halbs observer did some damage, while the Roland exchanged fire getting the worst end of it.
Roland (2)(2,2)
Caproni (1SMK, 1GJ)(2)
Attachment 216208
Bullets were flying everywhere but no one seem to hit anything significant and some guns decided to stop working.
Attachment 216209
.
Attachment 216210

Attachment 216211
As everyone got turned back around the Capronis were taking some serious hits.
Taramelli--(3,1SMK)(3)
The Capronis rear gunners crossed their fire with one hitting Fokker DR.1(1P) wounding the pilot and the other hitting a UFAG (1GJ) before their guns went silent.
Attachment 216212
The purple/black Roland of Ltn. Loutenstock(P) and Ltn. Loudenback (O) took it on the chin as they took major damage (5P,2FLM) from the yellow Hanriot of Lt. Schick, but was missed by the DH4.
Attachment 216213
Taramelli's Caproni took an engine hit (0,2ENG) in a crossfire from the Halberstadt and UFAG.
Attachment 216214
As we came back past the Capronis, 2Lt. Callahan took a quick shot at Ltn. Achziger (4,2GJ) in his Halberstadt doing just enough damage to have a wing fall off sending him spinning to the ground below.
Kill #2 for 2Lt. Callahan using Ace skill Quick Shot
Attachment 216215
With so many planes in such a small area, I was surprised at how few collisions we had. The pilots were really threading the needle.
2Lt. Schick got off a shot at the Albatross of Ltn. Beckman (3,0), doing significant damage to a plane headed away from combat.
Attachment 216216
The Halberstadt of Ltns. Andersen and Reineking took shots at the DH4 of Lt. Finch and Sgt. Misere hitting something vital causing it to Explode.
And Ltn. Reineking (0GJ) hit the Taramelli Caproni (2) while receiving return fire before the Capronis guns went silent.
Kill for Ltn. Andersen
Attachment 216217

[Setarius]

As I was attacking a yelow tail DR.1 (1), I saw a Sopwith Camel to my right. I didn't think anything of it, until pieces started coming off my plane (5,0). The Huns had a Camel and were using it against us.
Attachment 216317
The remaining DH4s and RE8 had a nice head start on the Huns and weren't to be caught.
Attachment 216318

Attachment 216319
Guns got unjammed and bullets started flying again. 2Lt. Callahan, Quick Shot Ace ability, was faster on the trigger than I was and shot Ltn. Rasch (3P,1) sending him spiraling to the fields below.
The Huns were taking all kinds of pot shots at the Capronis and missing for the most part.
Kill #3 2Lt. Callahan
Attachment 216320

Attachment 216321
With the continued assault by the Huns, the Capronis take considerable damage.
2Lt. Griese hits Oblt Schwerdtfager (3).
LaGuardia Caproni (3)(0)
Taramelli Caproni (1,0)(0,2FLM)
Attachment 216322
As the HoUNdS chase the foxes, Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky, and Chicken Little get safely away.
Attachment 216323
As the Capronis fly on, it just goes to show these beastscan take a beating.
Taramelli (1,0GJ)
LaGuardia (3,0)(2,0)
And dish it out in return.
UFAG-green/brown wing (2NR,1FLM)(0,0GJ)
Attachment 216324

Attachment 216325
The first collision of the day had Ltn. Leffers and Ltn. Raffensberger trying to occupy the same space at the same time.
Ltn. Leffers--collision (6ENG)
Ltn. Raffensberger--collision (0)
Attachment 216326

[Setarius]

The rear gunner of the LaGuardia Caproni got a lucky shot and caused the UFAG of Fwbl Kiekhaefer and Ltn. Runge Explode as his guns jammed.
Due to fire damage and being shot full of holes the Taramelli Caproni could not stay airborne.
2Lt. Griese took a big chunk out of Obltn. Schwerdtfager and his plane (5P,1NR)
Kill Rear Gunner LaGuardia
Kill Fwbl Kiekhaefer (for starting fire on Taramelli)
Attachment 216328
Three guys took a shot at Ltn. Osterwich as he performs an Immelman. Two miss and two jam their guns. (2GJ,0,0GJ)
Attachment 216329
2Lt. Griese destroys the Obltn.'s plane with well placed shots (4SMK,5) and gets a Kill. While LaGuardia takes some damage (3,0,0) and in return causes a fire to break out on Ltn. Raffensbergers plane (2FLM,0).
Attachment 216330
LaGuardia having taken considerable damage decides to limp his plane toward home. The Hun sensing an easy kill charge after him doing little damage and jamming guns on two planes.
2Lt. Griese keeps up his impressive fire as he hits the German Nieuport 17 (2,1).
2Lt. Finnegan attacks Ltn. von Holstrem in the German Camel. (2NL,0)
The Caproni's guns jam again while hitting Ltn. Leffers (4,0GJ) as the Ltn bites back (2,1)
Attachment 216331
2Lt. Finnegan hits Ltn von Holstrem hard (3,5P) causing him to slump in his seat as his plane falls out of the sky.
Kill--2Lt. Finnegan
Attachment 216332
2Lt. Callahan goes after the German Camel looking for a fourth kill.
Ltn. Raffensberger fires the recall flare with an 8-4 disadvantage and most of their guns jammed. The Germans try to beat a hasty retreat but Ltn von Holstrem gets hit hard (4).
Attachment 216333
Closing to point blank range 2Lt. Callahan aerates Ltn. Schneidmann's Camel (5,1). But overshoots and Ltn. Schneidmann escapes.
Attachment 216334

The Capronis did not make it to the target, but 3 bomb laden two seaters are lining up for their bombing run.

[Setarius]

Butcher's Bill part 1

Bulldogs-Forbes Mutts

Lt. Richard Forbes: RTB 0 KILLS, 9 DMG

2Lt. Larry Callahan: RTB, 3 KILLS, 4 DMG
1) Ltn. Aloys Creutzmann--Eagles
2) Ltn. Victor Achziger--supporting cast
3) Ltn. Johann Rasch--supporting cast

2Lt. James Kilpatrick: RTB, 0 KILLS, 8 DMG

2Lt. Erasmus "Elmo" Winklebleck: SD ET EXP / 0 kills
C&W Rolled 11 -3EXP = 8 Skip 1 rolled 1
E&E Rolled 6 -1WIC -1EXP -1BEL = 3 Captured and Escaped Skip 1 rolled 1
SKIP 1

2Lt. William Finch: (P)--SD ET EXP / 0 kills
C&W Rolled 9 -3EXP = 6 - rolled 6 = Skip 3
E&E Rolled 11 -1WIC -1EXP -1BEL = 8 Skip 1
SKIP 3 (RWW)

Sgt. Xavier Misere: (O)--SD ET EXP / 0 kills
C&W Rolled 7 -3EXP = 4 rolled 1 Skip 1
E&E Rolled 4 -1WIC -1EXP -1BEL = 1 Captured
CAPTURED

EAGLES

Ltn. Paul Beckman--RTB, 0 KILLS, 11DMG

Ltn. Aloys Creutzman: SD EXP FT / 0 kills
C&W Rolled 8 -3EXP =5 rolled 6 Skip 3
SKIP 3

Ltn. Helmut Leffers--RTB, O KILLS, 11 DMG

Vzfwbl Ludwig Bohny (P)--RTB, 0 KILLS, 10 DMG

Ltn. Fritz Kampe (O)--RTB, 0 KILLS

Fwbl Willi Kiekhaefer:(P) - SD EXP FT 1 Kill
C&W Rolled 8 -3EXP = 5 rolled 4 Skip 2
SKIP 2
1)Taramelli Caproni

Ltn. Karl Runge: (O)--SD EXP FT 0 kills
C&W Rolled 8 -3EXP = 5 rolled 1 Skip 1
SKIP 1

SUPPORTING CAST MEMBERS

Entente
2Lt. George Schick--RTB, 1 KILL 0 DMG
1) LFG Roland-- Ltn. Loutenstock/Ltn. Loudenback-supporting cast

2Lt. Lyle Finnegan--RTB 1 KILL 1 DMG
1) Ltn. Ludwig von Holstrem-supporting cast

2Lt. Liam O'Malley--RTB 0 KILL 0 DMG

2Lt. Allen Griese--RTB 1 KILL 0 DMG
1) Oblt. Franz Schwerdtfager-supporting cast

LaGuardia Caproni--RTB 1 KILL 18 DMG 0 BOMS DROPPED
1) UFAG of Fwbl Kiekhaefer/Ltn. Runge

Taramelli Caproni--SD ET FLM
PILOT 1
C&W Rolled 4 -2 FLM =2 KIA

PILOT 2
C&W Rolled 6 -2FLM =4 rolled 4 Skip 4
E&E Rolled 8 -1WIC -1FLM -1BEL =5 rolled 3 Skip 1
SKIP 4

Front Gunner
C&W 6 -2FLM =4 rolled 6 Skip 6
E&E 5 -1WIC -1FLM -1BEL =2 Captured
CAPTURED

Rear Gunner
C&W 10 -2FLM =8 Rolled 4 Skip 2
E&E 7 -1WIC -1FLM -1BEL = 4 Captured and Escaped
SKIP 2

CENTRAL POWERS
Ltn. Sven Raffensberger--RTB 1 KILL 8 DMG
1) 2Lt. Erasmus "Elmo" Winklebleck--Mutts

Ltn. John Apfelbaum--RTB 0 KILLS WIA 6 DMG
C&W 7 +3RTB -1WIA =9 ALLS WELL....

Ltn. Fritz Heidecker--RTB 0 KILLS 7 DMG ENG

Oblt. Franz Schwerdtfager--SD FT WIA 20 DMG
C&W 9 -1WIA -1SD =7 Rolled 2 Skip 1

Ltn. Lars Andersen (P)--RTB 1 KILL 4 DMG
1) DH4 of 2Lt. Finch and Sgt. Misere

Ltn. Adolph Reineking (O)--RTB 0 KILLS

Ltn. Hans Loutenstock (P)--SD FLM WIA FT 15 DMG
C&W 9 -1WIA -2FLM =6 Rolled 2 Skip 1

Ltn. Karl Loudenback (O)--SD FLM FT
C&W 11 -2FLM = 9 ALLS WELL....

Ltn. Olaf Osterwich--RTB WIA 0 KILL 6 DMG
C&W 9 +3RTB -1WIA = 11 ALLS WELL....

Ltn. Johann Rasch--SD FT WIA 0 KILLS 14 DMG
C&W 3 -1WIA -1SD =1 KIA

Ltn. Victor Achziger--SD WIA 0 KILLS 17 DMG
C&W 2 Need we say more!!

Ltn. Heinrich Schneidmann--RTB WIA 13 DMG
C&W 8 +3RTB -1WIA = 10 ALLS WELL....

Ltn. Ludwig von Holstrem--SD FT WIA 0 KILLS 18 DMG
C&W 10 -1WIA -1SD = 8 Rolled 1 Skip 1
SKIP 1

[Setarius]

The Bomb Run

We lined up three wide, the Mutts on my left and our RE8 on my right.
Ahead of us we could see three of those monsters the Huns produce, lined up pretty as you please. So we each had our targets.
Attachment 216949

The Artie started about then. I thought we were done for as the first round blew most of the housing off around our engine damaging it (6ENG).
Attachment 216950

I decided to push on since we were so close.
Attachment 216951

The next rounds missed us but the RE8 wasn't so lucky (EXP).
Attachment 216952

My engine running rough we lined up for our drops. We couldn't get a good line so we circled.
Attachment 216953

Attachment 216954

The Mutt got lined up and dropped his on target, scratch one big bird. (Center dot covered, card 60% covered)
Attachment 216955

Attachment 216956

I got lined up and let mine go, falling a tad short.
Attachment 216957

Artie tried to hit us on the way out but could damage us.
Attachment 216958

BUTCHERS BILL
ENTENTE

Unknown Pilot--RAF RE8 SD, ET, EXP
C&W Rolled 8 -3EXP =5
E&E Rolled 11 -1EXP -1BEL -1WIC =8

Unknown Observer--RAF RE8 SD, ET, EXP
C&W Rolled 7 -3EXP =4
E&E Rolled 5 -1EXP -1WIC -1BEL =2
CAPTURED

[Setarius]

Did We Make It Home?

As we were leaving we could see four planes heading our way. The Mutt flew ahead as my engine was acting like it was on its last legs.
Attachment 216959

We opened up on them as soon as we were able. The Mutt came apart , (EXP) as I shot the Aviatik (3ENG). I did hit the Fokker DR1 (2ENG, 3P).
Kill--Ltn. Paul Beckman KO DH4 #5
Attachment 216960

Two of our three planes exploding around me I was wondering what our chances were going to be of making it home.
The green DR1 took a shot at me (1), while I hit the Aviatik (2,0).
Attachment 216961

The crazy fool in the green Fokker rammed us. I saw a fire start on his plane (4FLM), but we didn't seem to be harmed. (0). We flew through the mess of German planes. As we got through my observer took a shot at the Aviatik (2NL).
Attachment 216962

I took advantage of the near misses behind us and flew on making our escape.
Attachment 216963

Notes:
The following planes started with the following damage
Eagles and Supporting Cast

Ltn. Beckman--Aviatik D1--6 points

Ltn. Leffers--Fokker Dr1 green dot--6 points

Ltn. Raffensberger--Fokker DR1 blue dot--7 points

Ltn. Andersen/Ltn. Reineking--Halberstadt CLII--4 points


Butchers Bill

Central Powers
Eagles
Ltn. Paul Beckman--Aviatik D.1 RTB, 1 KILL, 13 DMG

Ltn. Helmut Leffers--Fokker DR1 green dot RTB, 0 KILL, 12 DMG

SUPPORTING CAST
Ltn. Sven Raffensberger--Fokker DR1 blue dot RTB WIA, 0 KILLS, 12 DMG
C&W Rolled 6 +3RTB -1WIA =8 SKIP 1

Ltn. Lars Andersen--(P) Halberstadt CLII RTB, 0 KILLS, 5 DMG

Ltn. Adolph Reineking--(O) Halberstadt CLII RTB, 0 KILLS

ENTENTE
Mutts

Lt. Etienne Getz--(P) DH4 #5 SD, EXP, ET
C&W Rolled 7 -3EXP =4 SKIP 6
E&E Rolled 11 -1BEL -1EXP -1WIC =8
SKIP 6

Sgt. Dustin Rhodes--(O) DH4 #5 SD, EXP, ET
C&W Rolled 10 -3EXP =7 SKIP 2
E&E Rolled 5 -1 EXP -1BEL -1WIC =2
CAPTURED

Supporting Cast
Unknown Pilot--DH4 green RTB, 0 KILLS, 10 DMG, ENG

Unknown Observer--DH4 green RTB, 0 KILLS

[gully_raker]

Exciting stuff so far Dale.
Will be waiting with baited breath for the next episodes.
If its not Cats its young children interrupting activities.

[flash]

I have checked the Tally for those no longer in the fight Dale - others that may have another go I have left. What a shindig up there !
Uncle will be along at the close to wrap it up, you will have to let him know those from both sides you want added to your rosters.

[Teaticket]

What a cluster! Quite the effort to fly all those planes. Aren't you glad we don't have battles this large every month? I know I am!

A good showing for the Eagles, only one EA escapes and only one lost Giant. Good show!

[Setarius]

Thanks, it was a good show and I am glad we don't do this kind every month. It was fun, nerve wracking, and a pain in the lower back by the time each section was done. It was also a learning experience and I'm glad I tried it. 14 hrs of flying planes, 3 hrs set up, 2-1/2 hrs tear down, 1 hr checking availability of men and machines, 2-1/2 hrs on final write up. Wow 23 hrs total.

[Teaticket]

Yes, this one surely is a marathon series. I didn't keep track of teh time I put into it, that would have been too scary. I do like how everyone can make it any size they want and we have seen quite a range.

[flash]

Grand effort Dale

Uncle says:


Bravely done Dale, looks like both sides took a real pounding in that fracas ! I have updated the roster - you may need a P2 pilot for the next sortie.
Looking at your bombing results I think you scored a 1 & a 4 so 5 pts for that, 9pts for downed 2 seaters & 10pts for the 5 scouts shot down for a grand total of 24 pts versus the Hun result of 4pts for a bomber, 9 pts for 2 seaters & 2 pts for scouts downed for a grand total of 15pts.
So looks like you grasped a victory - but by all means check my maths on this.

[tikkifriend]

Well done Dale for attempting such an Armada of planes from both sides. 23 hrs of "play" time is some feat. A game like that is definatly a once a year job.

[Setarius]

Thanks for the comments guys.
Dave I've double checked the math and the only thing I did not find was VP for shooting down CP 2 seaters, I'm guessing you are giving 3 points for them as well.

[Stumptonian]

... and a pain in the lower back by the time each section was done...

.
I can surely relate to that one, Dale.
A grand effort on your part. So I am so late commenting but am out of town at the moment and wanted to wait to see the whole thing through before posting.

[mikeemagnus]

Great fight Dale Apart from the crick in my neck from looking sideways at the pics it was a really entertaining AAR - Thanks for that. Hell of a scout dust up. I think the mistake I made was to assume the scouts could shepherd the bombers home after the bomb run - which clearly failed to work in my mission. Having a dust up with the scouts obviously paid dividends - so well done the Bulldogs in your mission. Liked the idea of the Hun having a Camel too - nice touch. Cheers, Mike
PS Sorry this is late - been held up with a few issues this month

[flash]

Thanks for the comments guys.
Dave I've double checked the math and the only thing I did not find was VP for shooting down CP 2 seaters, I'm guessing you are giving 3 points for them as well.

Thought it was fair - still a clear win if only two points per !

[Stumptonian]

...Apart from the crick in my neck from looking sideways at the pics ...

I was going to mention that as well but was having crappy hotel Wi-Fi issues and had to cut it short.

You will get your rep now as well, Dale.

[Setarius]

Thanks again guys.
I am still having problems getting my pics to come up right, I've even downsized them and rotated them on my tablet.
The idea for the German Camel and Nieuport 17 came from the boxed set from WoW. They have a card for a German Camel (Luftstreitkrafte Jasta 23) Otto Kissenberth, 2 Nieuport 17 (Jasta 1) Gustav Leffers and (Kuvva-I Havvaiye) Vecihi Hürkus, and a Nieuport 11 (Fliegerabteilung 7) Paul Bäumer in the box.
Thanks Dave, I'm wasn't worried about the points.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Sorry Dale I must have missed you AAR first time around. Every time I watch these Mission 7 AARs I get cold shivers when I recall the marathon effort required.