Ares Games
Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: OTTBE Mission 9 - We’re Poor Little Lambs Who Have Lost Our Way March 7, 1918

  1. #1

    Default OTTBE Mission 9 - We’re Poor Little Lambs Who Have Lost Our Way March 7, 1918

    With the spring offensive looming, High Command demanded that the sky above the rear areas be kept clear of prying eyes. It was imperative that the assembly areas must be kept secret from Entente observation.

    Major Buttner scratched his head as he read the latest orders. “How can we do this without enough aircraft”? The late winter had taken its toll on the Fliegertruppen and more so on their aircraft.

    Buttner spent the afternoon calling on all the connections he had with acquiring new aircraft. Two hours, three hours went on and no aircraft could be found in the depots anywhere along the front. Then when all seemed lost, an old acquaintance with direct connections to a factory found three new Siemen-Schuckerts that were immediately available from the factory.

    Time was of the essence so they had to be delivered as soon as possible. With all the Eagles flying the few airplanes they had practically all day no one could be spared to ferry the planes forward. Three of the factories test pilots were willing to ferry the planes to the Eagle’s Aerodrome. They were very good pilots but not they were not combat pilots, so they asked for an escort for protection when they neared the front.

    Having to keep enough planes in the air to keep any enemy observation planes away was nearly impossible on its own but Buttner squeezed the schedule as much as he could to free up one pilot, Ltn. Franz Kohler.

    The next morning at the SSW factory it was a clear for flying so the three go off as scheduled. The Eagles aerodrome was called to tell them when to expect the delivery. Kohler would go aloft half an hour before their expected arrival and guide them in.
    Willi Meier, Gustav Hartman and Jakob Bauer were expert test pilots but were not confident at flying so near to the front. All seemed well for an hour and thirty or so minutes…
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	1.JPG 
Views:	57 
Size:	118.0 KB 
ID:	222194

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	2.JPG 
Views:	57 
Size:	168.8 KB 
ID:	222195


    From the south came 2Lt Archie Joslyn and 2Lt Charles Daley. They were to rendezvous with 2Lt Fitzgerald Muns and 2Lt Bently Seymour who were coming from the north.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	3.JPG 
Views:	57 
Size:	133.3 KB 
ID:	222196

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	4.JPG 
Views:	57 
Size:	107.8 KB 
ID:	222197


    Kohler couldn’t believe his eyes. Just as he spotted the delivery group, two EA came in from the south, and then two more from the north. “This will not turn out well”, he thought.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	5.JPG 
Views:	56 
Size:	177.8 KB 
ID:	222212

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	8.JPG 
Views:	56 
Size:	164.2 KB 
ID:	222213

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	7.JPG 
Views:	55 
Size:	164.3 KB 
ID:	222214

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	9.JPG 
Views:	55 
Size:	220.0 KB 
ID:	222215


    Before they could try to evade the trio were bounced. Hartman, frozen at the stick, was pummeled by two Camels. He barely got off a wild shot as he winced in pain when he was hit.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	6.JPG 
Views:	56 
Size:	167.1 KB 
ID:	222216


    Bauer and Meier did their best to fight off the attack but Meier’s guns quickly went silent.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	10.JPG 
Views:	56 
Size:	170.5 KB 
ID:	222217


    The two planes coming from the south were on a course to cut off the path of the new planes. If the veteran EA got between the novice factory pilots, they wouldn’t stand a chance.
    Kohler immediately engaged the two knowing he must keep them occupied at all cost. The initial volley gave Kohler’s plane massive damage but he did set one of the two on fire. So far the morning was looking bleak.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	11.JPG 
Views:	56 
Size:	179.2 KB 
ID:	222218


    To keep their attention off of the novices Kohler made a daring pass extremely close to the second Camel.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	12.JPG 
Views:	56 
Size:	159.2 KB 
ID:	222219


    Meier was in a panic. His guns were jammed. He knew how to clear them but didn’t have any practical experience. Thinking only of the guns he took his eyes off of the EA immediately on his left. It flashed right before his eyes and startled the scheiss out of him. He didn’t even realize that they had brushed wing tips.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	13.JPG 
Views:	57 
Size:	199.3 KB 
ID:	222220


    As Hartman flew directly for the landing field Bauer tried to cover his back. A Camel with red hearts on it closed in on Hartman’s left wing. Bauer pulled the trigger….nothing.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	14.JPG 
Views:	57 
Size:	205.2 KB 
ID:	222221


    Bently Seymour had been well into setting up his Immelmann when he caught fire. Coming out of the reversal the fire flared up and ate away a fair amount of his canvas.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	17.JPG 
Views:	56 
Size:	267.6 KB 
ID:	222222


    He could see the German that caused his dilemma straight ahead. How to deal with the fire and keep after the German…he thought.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	15.jpg 
Views:	57 
Size:	243.4 KB 
ID:	222223



    Turning sharply, he briefly wafted the flames away from his Camel.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	18.JPG 
Views:	56 
Size:	250.6 KB 
ID:	222224


    With one EA burning and another thrown off course, Kohler saw the eminent threat to the trio as another Camel closed in. He had to do something fast.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	16.JPG 
Views:	56 
Size:	268.6 KB 
ID:	222225


    As the Camel threaded between the toothless novices attacking one, Kohler tried his best to engage while avoiding his countrymen.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20.JPG 
Views:	56 
Size:	237.9 KB 
ID:	222226


    Kohler succeeded in distracting the red hearted foe but to his horror from lead from behind splattered all about his engine, setting it ablaze!
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	21.JPG 
Views:	56 
Size:	243.9 KB 
ID:	222227

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	22.JPG 
Views:	56 
Size:	246.1 KB 
ID:	222228


    The distracted Camel didn’t see Seymour coming and paid dearly for it. Somehow Seymour’s burning Camel absorbed the blow without flinching.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	23.JPG 
Views:	55 
Size:	234.5 KB 
ID:	222229


    Muns now maneuvered to close in on the trailing German. ‘Strangely these Huns were not fighting’ he thought, so this should be easy….click.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	24.jpg 
Views:	57 
Size:	257.3 KB 
ID:	222230


    As Kohler turns to keep between the EA and the novices disaster struck. That damned burning EA was persistent and made a wreck of his triplane with deadly precision. Kohler spun to earth like a falling leaf, but a falling leaf that was a more like an Easter bonfire!
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	25.jpg 
Views:	56 
Size:	224.0 KB 
ID:	222231


    Seymour’s fire wasn’t going away easily.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	26.jpg 
Views:	54 
Size:	266.8 KB 
ID:	222232


    The race was on. The three delivery pilots tried for all they were worth to outrun the EA.
    Muns cursed as he worked his jam clear. He would have had such a lineup of clear shots if not for the jam.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	27.JPG 
Views:	54 
Size:	278.6 KB 
ID:	222233

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	29.JPG 
Views:	54 
Size:	246.4 KB 
ID:	222234


    The airfield was close, now to dive down to land.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	28.jpg 
Views:	56 
Size:	262.8 KB 
ID:	222235

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	30.jpg 
Views:	54 
Size:	259.2 KB 
ID:	222236

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	31.jpg 
Views:	54 
Size:	254.1 KB 
ID:	222237


    It was all up to Muns if any more Germans were to be downed. Seymour and Daley were too out of position.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	32.JPG 
Views:	54 
Size:	279.2 KB 
ID:	222238


    Seymour’s fire finally goes out.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	34.JPG 
Views:	54 
Size:	260.3 KB 
ID:	222239


    As they line up for landing Bauer hears an EA closing on his tail. He knows he cannot fight three EA so he must go through with the landing.
    Muns closes in and Bauer’s DIII billows out a thick black smoke as Hartman lands first.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	35.jpg 
Views:	54 
Size:	263.5 KB 
ID:	222240

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	36.JPG 
Views:	53 
Size:	269.0 KB 
ID:	222241


    Hartman, hearing the shooting behind him lands a bit fast and nearly runs out of field. When his DIII stops the propeller destroys a raspberry bush on the edge of the field.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	37.JPG 
Views:	53 
Size:	212.8 KB 
ID:	222242

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	38.JPG 
Views:	55 
Size:	195.8 KB 
ID:	222243

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	39.JPG 
Views:	53 
Size:	203.1 KB 
ID:	222244


    Meier now makes his landing. Even under pressure he lands expertly. He quickly drives his plane to the corner where ground crew are setting up machine guns.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	41.JPG 
Views:	54 
Size:	211.2 KB 
ID:	222245

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	42.jpg 
Views:	53 
Size:	206.5 KB 
ID:	222246

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	43.JPG 
Views:	52 
Size:	160.8 KB 
ID:	222247

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	43b.JPG 
Views:	52 
Size:	163.0 KB 
ID:	222248


    Lastly is Bauer with a brow covered in nervous sweat and an EA on his tail.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	40.JPG 
Views:	52 
Size:	234.6 KB 
ID:	222249


    Bauer dives down to land. Just as he can feel the cushion of air between him and the ground gunfire erupts very close behind him.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	44.jpg 
Views:	53 
Size:	238.9 KB 
ID:	222250

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	45.jpg 
Views:	53 
Size:	245.5 KB 
ID:	222251


    The ground crew get their machine gun tattering but it is too late. The third plane has disintegrated upon landing setting a burning trail along the grass field. As the burning remains of the plane comes to a stop there is no motion from Bauer.

    Knowing there is machine gun fire coming from the ground, the trio of Camels can’t see clearly through the smoke so leave well enough alone and head west.

    Butcher’s Bill

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	51.JPG 
Views:	53 
Size:	134.6 KB 
ID:	222252
    2Lt Archie Joslyn SD EXP ET 0 kills
    C 8 – 3(exp) = 5, injured 1 = miss 1 mission
    E 2 -1(ecp) -1(wic) -1(bel) = -1, captured, the war is over for you!


    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	52.JPG 
Views:	53 
Size:	204.3 KB 
ID:	222253
    2Lt Charles Daley RTB 0 kills


    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	53.jpg 
Views:	51 
Size:	230.8 KB 
ID:	222254
    2 Lt Bently Seynour RTB 1 kill


    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	54.JPG 
Views:	52 
Size:	206.0 KB 
ID:	222255
    Fitzgerald Muns RTB 1 kill


    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	47.jpg 
Views:	52 
Size:	192.4 KB 
ID:	222256
    Ltn Franz Kohler SD EXP FT 0 kills
    C 12 -3(exp) = 9… OK!


    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	48.JPG 
Views:	52 
Size:	159.8 KB 
ID:	222257
    Factory pilot Gustav Hartmann WIA RTB
    C 6 -1(wia) +3(rtb) = 8 injured… he won’t be heading directly back to the factory


    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	49.JPG 
Views:	52 
Size:	167.7 KB 
ID:	222258
    Factory pilot Willi Meier RTB RTF (return to factory)


    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	50.JPG 
Views:	51 
Size:	189.3 KB 
ID:	222259
    Factory pilot Jacob Bauer SD EXP
    C 4 – 3(exp) = 1 KIA


    If I counted it up correctly it appears to be a draw at 31 points.
    Even if Bauer had landed the third plane with no more damage, it still would have been a draw.

  2. #2

    Setarius's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies
    Users Country Flag


    Name
    Dale
    Location
    Kentucky
    Sorties Flown
    1,685
    Join Date
    Sep 2009

    Default

    Very well done. You got two planes safely down, but shredded a few raspberries in the process.
    I guess it's a moral victory, you get two planes, the Bulldogs lose a seasoned pilot.

  3. #3

    Default

    Great job, Peter, and very we'll presented.
    Those BOOMs made it look like you were drawing from my decks
    I thought you would end with a win but I guess the damage was just too much
    Once everyone has flown this mission we may want to re-evaluate the scoring system.
    I may have made it too hard to pull off a victory

  4. #4

    Thumbs up

    Well that was certainly a "Baptism of Fire" (& Booms!) for your rookie pilots Peter.
    Good effort & you did take down a RFC plane even if you lost Kolher's aircraft.
    A Draw was a good result all things considered.

  5. #5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Setarius View Post
    Very well done. You got two planes safely down, but shredded a few raspberries in the process.
    I guess it's a moral victory, you get two planes, the Bulldogs lose a seasoned pilot.
    We lost one plane to get two better ones, a decent trade. Then throw in an seasoned enemy pilot out of the fight for good, as you say, a moral victory.

  6. #6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Stumptonian View Post
    Great job, Peter, and very we'll presented.
    Those BOOMs made it look like you were drawing from my decks
    I thought you would end with a win but I guess the damage was just too much
    Once everyone has flown this mission we may want to re-evaluate the scoring system.
    I may have made it too hard to pull off a victory
    I haven't read any of the other AARs yet so I guess I'll find I'm not alone failing to reach the bar. Now it's time to sit back and enjopy some AARS.

    I wouldn't worry about it being one sided. The fun is in the challenge.

  7. #7

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gully_raker View Post
    Well that was certainly a "Baptism of Fire" (& Booms!) for your rookie pilots Peter.
    Good effort & you did take down a RFC plane even if you lost Kolher's aircraft.
    A Draw was a good result all things considered.
    I can't take credit for the downed Camel as it was self inflicted! Pulling out a draw I thought was fortunate. When two rookies had jammed guns, their escort gone and EA on their tails I thought if one made it down I'd be doing good. The rookies had to do it on their own as the plane I flew took it on the chin.

  8. #8

    Default

    Enjoyed that Peter, what a ride those ferry pilots had but you kept focus and got them down, just unlucky they caught Bauer. Very exciting though, booms all over, flames, collisions, it was all going on.
    Munn and Seymour are gaining traction, each scoring when they've flown together, more from Onkel on that, shame about Joselyn, at least he survived.

    Onkel says:


    Mein Gott Kohler ! You have the luck of the devil himself, now your Triplane is toast perhaps you'll try one of the new Siemens ?!!
    You did all you could and the replacements got to the field so well done for that but that fifth victory eluded you...maybe next time ?

    I noticed that 2Lt Munn was flying against M.O's orders having picked up injury in mission 7 - he will sit out the next mission as the MO has grounded him, we will see how Seymour gets on without him !
    (confusion caused on the roster as the Victories section didn't match the Missions Flown section - the latter is the one to go by)

    "He is wise who watches"

  9. #9

    Default

    Jolly good dust up that one Peter Boom cards and jams galore I thought Herr Kohler did a great job trying to shepherd his flock! However, as for the raspberry bushes, being an allotment holder, I find that a crying shame

    I may have made it too hard to pull off a victory
    I know what you mean Pete. I have the same feeling about mission ten. Really difficult to judge it right

  10. #10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    Enjoyed that Peter, what a ride those ferry pilots had but you kept focus and got them down, just unlucky they caught Bauer. Very exciting though, booms all over, flames, collisions, it was all going on.
    Munn and Seymour are gaining traction, each scoring when they've flown together, more from Onkel on that, shame about Joselyn, at least he survived.

    Onkel says:


    Mein Gott Kohler ! You have the luck of the devil himself, now your Triplane is toast perhaps you'll try one of the new Siemens ?!!
    You did all you could and the replacements got to the field so well done for that but that fifth victory eluded you...maybe next time ?

    I noticed that 2Lt Munn was flying against M.O's orders having picked up injury in mission 7 - he will sit out the next mission as the MO has grounded him, we will see how Seymour gets on without him !
    (confusion caused on the roster as the Victories section didn't match the Missions Flown section - the latter is the one to go by)
    I have been having a devil of a time getting pilots their 5th victory. Tuffield, Leitch, Richard Rice-Owen took forever, Reinhard Richter, Schwarz and now Kohler refuse to grab the brass ring! At least Kohler walked away from his wreck without a trip to the hospital. His uniform may be a bit singed but his spirit remains strong.

    Oops, yes I went by the latter chart looking at who was available. Note taken.

  11. #11

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by mikeemagnus View Post
    Jolly good dust up that one Peter Boom cards and jams galore I thought Herr Kohler did a great job trying to shepherd his flock! However, as for the raspberry bushes, being an allotment holder, I find that a crying shame
    I will be starting a new raspberry patch here at home to make up for the tragedy.

  12. #12

    Default

    Very enjoyable as usual Pete.
    It's the way you tell em!
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  13. #13

    Default

    Hi there Pete, I can't believe I missed this AAR earlier. Great photographs and packed with action, the SSW D.IIIs just look amazing on the table.

    I can't give you any more REP just yet but it is well deserved.

  14. #14

    Default

    entertaining reading. bad to to be a rookie. but as haptman heidemann said, "its a cruel world".



Similar Missions

  1. AAR OTT BE Mission #9--We're Poor Little Lambs Who Have Lost Our Way
    By Setarius in forum Over the Trenches
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 05-21-2017, 20:21
  2. Replies: 9
    Last Post: 05-01-2017, 17:03
  3. Replies: 18
    Last Post: 04-27-2017, 15:24
  4. AAR OTT BE Mission 9, 7 March 1918, Poor Little Lambs (Carl Brisgamer)
    By Carl_Brisgamer in forum Over the Trenches
    Replies: 32
    Last Post: 04-27-2017, 10:09
  5. Replies: 48
    Last Post: 03-09-2017, 22:07

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •