OTTBE Mission 12 - 21st April - Just Another Day over the Somme -- gully_raker

[gully_raker]

The Pilots of C Flight "Hearts of Oak" Sqd. clustered around the excited crews who had just returned from the morning Offensive Patrol.
2nd Lt "Tiny" Large loudly exclaimed "I saw it happen!" "I had dived to get closer to the action when BOOM, it was all over!"
There was a chaos of voices asking for details when the calm voice of Capt "Bon" King the Flight Commander spoke "All Right Chaps, lets hear the whole story from the beginning shall we?"



Earlier that morning "Bon" had detailed Lt Anthony "Quick" March to lead the Offensive Patrol in the Sopwith Dolphin accompanied by "Tiny" Large in SE 5a "G" & 2nd Lt Mick O'Leary in the Camo SE to continue to try & gain Aerial Superiority over the Somme Battlefield.
Their mission was to clear the German Jastas from the area to allow the RAF's Observation & Artillery Spotting machines uninterrupted work. "Keep a good lookout chaps as there have been reports of the Baron's Flying Circus in the vicinity as well as our old adversaries the Eagle Jasta!"

As the Patrol flew towards the front lines sure enough they spotted a Kette of 3 Albatross D.Va's in the familiar colours of the Eagles.

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The two groups of aircraft soon converged & Ltn Richard Schneider in the Black fuselaged Albatross fired a burst at Mick O'Leary's SE but did little damage whilst "Tiny" Large missed his deflection shots at Geoge Steltzmiers D.Va.

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Mick then hit the Kette leader Ltn Schuster's plane with a good burst but copped a telling close range burst from Schneider which caused his SE 5a to shudder under the impact.

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Lt March in the Dolphin exchanged fire with Steltzmier's Albatross & although he felt his stick become somewhat heavy he saw the German Pilot jerk in his seat & he knew he had hit him.

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The opposing Aircraft had now split off into two groups as they jockeyed for advantage.

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O'Leary took a long range shot at the Kette leader but did minimal damage.

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However his next Burst caused the German Aircraft to explode & spin into the ground. "Begorrah!" exclaimed Mick "Oive got me another of the Buggers!"

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Far below the fighting that was going on at Altitude, a lone Camel of "A" Flight which had become separated from his flight due to his inexperience, -- this was only his second flight over the lines-- was now making for home & trying to unjam his Vickers guns.

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Soon he became aware of a Blood Red Fokker Triplane closing in on his tail. With a gulp of panic he realised this must be the dreaded Red Baron himself & he desperately banked his aircraft away from the danger.

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It was to no avail & he heard the chatter of twin Spandaus & felt a blow & a red hot poker like sensation to his right shoulder. He had been wounded.

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However help had arrived in the person of Major Kyte the Squadron Commander of the Bulldogs in his distinctively marked Camel!

Meanwhile up above the battle continued & Tiny Large exchanged fire with Ltn Steltzmier but the German's guns jammed & both aircraft suffered minor damage to their tail fins.

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"Quick" March now got into the action & clobbered Steltzmier's Albatross with a good burst.

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Below, the Baron continued to hound the unfortunate Camel pilot & using his Ace abilities caused more damage to British plane.

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Lady Luck now smiled on the rookie pilot when the Baron's guns jammed as he attempted his next shot!

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As the Baron struggled to unjamb his twin Spandaus it gave Major Kyte the opportunity, using his height advantage to get a shot at the Red Triplane.

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Lt March who had been watching the drama unfold below now closed on Georg Steltzmier's Albatross & had the satisfaction in seeing his bullets cause the German Aircraft spin down & crash just behind the German trenches.

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Major Kyte continued to follow the Baron's Fokker but his Guns jammed before he could do any major damage.

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The Baron had become fixated on destroying the Camel & was now approaching the Australian infantry holding that part of the Somme lines.
Tiny Large knowing that there was only one Albatross still involved decided to dive to assist Major Kyte & the unfortunate Camel Pilot.

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The Camel Pilot had managed to get out of range of the Barons guns & Lt March started to shadow him which also took him towards the sole remaining Eagles Albatross.

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Ltn Schneider tried a long range deflection shot as O'Leary passed by at high speed but he missed completely.

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The Baron had now flown deep into Allied territory & was approaching the big loop in the River Somme when he came under fire from an Australian Machine gun detachment on his starboard side but they did not hit the Red Triplane.

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Mick O'Leary who had performed an Immleman turn took a shot at the remaining Albatross but missed.

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Disaster now struck the Red Baron as he came under close fire from another Australian Machine gun section, this time on his Port side & the Fokker staggered in the Air & came down to a hard crash landing in the Australian Lines.

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Tiny Large was right behind when this happened & witnessed the whole event. What a story he would have to tell when he returned to home base!

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He looked down & saw Australian troops swarming over the crashed Fokker & then saw them lift the body of the Baron onto a stretcher. Could he still be alive?

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Meanwhile Richard Schneider had also observed what had happened & with a heavy heart he turned back towards the Eagles aerodrome while the relieved Camel pilot accompanied by Lt March landed at the Hearts of Oak 'drome to get medical assistance for his wound!

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Observations & Comments

I rolled for set up positions as per mission Briefing & rolled for the Rookie Camel to appear on Turn 4.
I used Flash's D8 charts & Zoes simplified Altitude rules.

I thought it was "All Over Red Rover" when the rookie copped a wound from the first shots from the Baron but he was saved by the Baron getting a gun jamb & a AI roll that took him away to the left when the Camel went right & then drew 2 straights. Major Kyte was also unlucky to get a gun jamb when he had the chance to get some good shots at MvR.
Oh I forgot to mention I flew "Quick" March's Dolphin. All others were AI controlled.

As so often Historical events are mirrored in games with the Machine gun fire taking down the Red Triplane!

I really enjoyed Carl's scenario & it was great to have something quite different with an Historical flavour.

VICTORY POINTS:
BRITISH
2 Eagles Shot Down =4pts
Ace Fokker Shot Down =4 pts
Rookie Camel Exits West Edge=3 pts
Veteran Camel Exits West Edge =1pt
TOTAL = 12 Points

GERMAN
NIL points

BRITISH VICTORY!

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[gully_raker]

Reserved for the Butchers Bill

British Forces

Lt Anthony "Quick" March:
Sopwith Dolphin
RTB--1 Kill Ltn Georg Steltzmier
1 damage point
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2nd Lt John "Tiny" Large:
SE 5a "G"
RTB
4 damage points
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2nd Lt Mick O'Leary:
SE 5a Camo
RTB--1 Kill Ltn Wilhelm Schuster
7 damage points
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Rookie; (Camel No.4 - A Flight)
Rolled 7 +3RTB -1WIA = 9 - All well when you land well ! Just a scratch
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Major F Kyte: (Sopwith Camel) RTB / 0 kills
No damage.
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German Forces

Ltn Wilhelm Schuster: (Albatros/Dragon) SD-EXP-ET / 0 kills
Rolled 5 -3EXP = 2 KIA
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Ltn Georg Steltzmier: (Albatross/Eidleweiss) SD-EXP-FT / WIA / 0 kills
Rolled 9 -3EXP -1WIA = 5 Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios - Rolled 1 = Skip 1
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Ltn Richard Schneider: (Albatross Black Fuselage) RTB / 0 kills
No Damage
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Manfred von Richtofen: (Fok DR.1) SD-EXP-ET / 0 kills
Rolled 5 -3EXP = 2 KIA (Australian Machine gunners)
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Dave can I impose on you & Uncle to do the Survival Rolls please.
Done & done !

[flash]

Looks like some hot action is on the way Baz - and indeed it was !

Uncle says...


Well done chaps, looks like the Baron is downed at last, shame in a way, I wanted to talk to him about all this after the war ended.

Ltn Wilhelm Schuster: (Albatros/Dragon) SD-EXP-ET / 0 kills
Rolled 5 -3EXP = 2 KIA

Ltn Georg Steltzmier: (Albatross/Eidleweiss) SD-EXP-FT / WIA / 0 kills
Rolled 9 -3EXP -1WIA = 5 Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios - Rolled 1 = Skip 1

Manfred von Richtofen: (Fok DR.1) SD-EXP-ET / 0 kills
Rolled 5 -3EXP = 2 KIA

Rookie:
Rolled 7 +3RTB -1WIA = 9 - All well when you land well ! Just a scratch

I have added a couple more Eagles to your roster Baz

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Well played Barry, your Bulldogs certainly had their own way after that initial devastating burst! I am glad you enjoyed the mission.

[Stumptonian]

Another really interesting retelling of history.

I really enjoyed your version, Baz.
Dying to get to this one, but have to head of of town for two weeks.

[gully_raker]

Looks like some hot action is on the way Baz - and indeed it was !

Uncle says...


Well done chaps, looks like the Baron is downed at last, shame in a way, I wanted to talk to him about all this after the war ended.

Ltn Wilhelm Schuster: (Albatros/Dragon) SD-EXP-ET / 0 kills
Rolled 5 -3EXP = 2 KIA

Ltn Georg Steltzmier: (Albatross/Eidleweiss) SD-EXP-FT / WIA / 0 kills
Rolled 9 -3EXP -1WIA = 5 Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios - Rolled 1 = Skip 1

Manfred von Richtofen: (Fok DR.1) SD-EXP-ET / 0 kills
Rolled 5 -3EXP = 2 KIA

Rookie:
Rolled 7 +3RTB -1WIA = 9 - All well when you land well ! Just a scratch

I have added a couple more Eagles to your roster Baz

Many thanks for that Dave!
I really like when a game reflects what actually happened in real life.
I guess that one made up for my miserable efforts with my 2 seaters in recent games with both going "BOOM" before they could make an impact.

I seem to be thinning out the Eagles ranks recently so thanks for the replacements!

[tikkifriend]

Oh No the Baron is dead and an Adler what is this war coming to?

No more red meat for those bulldogs
They must have had a good briefing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UlaAHdcRMg



Good read as always Baz , but you better watch out on the next mission , the Adlers are out for rewenge.

[gully_raker]

Oh No the Baron is dead and an Adler what is this war coming to?

No more red meat for those bulldogs
They must have had a good briefing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UlaAHdcRMg



Good read as always Baz , but you better watch out on the next mission , the Adlers are out for rewenge.

Thanks for that clip Paul! I dont remember that bit.

[flash]

Could have been worse Paul - the Baron could have been captured and sent to Roedean to teach Home Economics ...

[gully_raker]

Could have been worse Paul - the Baron could have been captured and sent to Roedean to teach Home Economics ...

Good one Flash!

[tikkifriend]

Good one Flash!

Too good

[gully_raker]

Its always interesting to think what MvR would had done if he had survived the War!
Would he have been persuaded to join the Nazi Party or would he have resisted their approaches.
They would certainly have wanted to capitalise on his fame.
Goring would have wanted him badly!

[Carl_Brisgamer]

He would have served his country. Goering did play on the fact he was an heir to von Richthofen as commander of JG1, if that had not occurred who knows what may have happened to the National Socialists - Goering for all his faults as a military commander was an astute politician and businessman. But if von Richthofen had been the commander of the Luftwaffe I think the organization would have been a far more effective fighting force - bad news for the WW2 Allies.

[tikkifriend]

Udet ended up in the Nazi party hierarchy but then topped himself. So the Baron???????

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Udet ended up in the Nazi party hierarchy but then topped himself. So the Baron???????

Udet was a bon-vivant adventurer ill-suited to high command whereas von Richthofen was a consummate professional. He would have been a formidable Luftwaffe commander.

[gully_raker]

Udet ended up in the Nazi party hierarchy but then topped himself. So the Baron???????

Rather sad that end for Udet!
Goring heaped the blame on him for the Battle of Britain loss & Udet felt that betrayal deeply hence his suicide.

[Setarius]

Well done Barry. Another repeat of history.

[mikeemagnus]

That was a bit of a "Boom" fest Barry - great result for the Bulldogs. Next up v a whole bunch of DVIIs. That should be fun

[Teaticket]

Incredible how this followed history to the 'T'. Wonderful re-enactment by your boys. How did they know? Or was this the original AAR from 1918?