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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