On the face of it the task that Uncle had brought them from GHQ was pretty straight forward, escort a tandem into enemy territory so they could drop some eggs on some key tactical command and logistic point just behind the trenches. Simples.
The hard bit of the task was that this target was hidden behind a balloon barrage, was covered by flak batteries and appeared to have a standing air patrol from the local airfield just in case that should not be enough.
So it was that 2Lt Percy Veer flying his silver Nieuport (#2) found himself loaded with incendiaries approaching the balloon line with 2Lt Evan Keel echeloned to his left with a similar load out. With no opposition on their side of the barrage they could make a bold approach, Veer taking full advantage and setting the first gasbag alight with his initial burst.
Pressing home their attack, Veer struck again, adding to the conflagration. This was going way better than he’d expected, even if Keel couldn’t get a spark and jammed his gun !
It was at this moment that business clearly picked up beyond the balloon line as a number of Albatrii made their appearance in support of their standing patrol.
Having set the fires the Nieuport’s have to take some avoiding action, Veer breaks right, hoping against hope he might get a crack at the next balloon in the line, whilst Keel throws his machine into a reversal keen in the knowledge he must sort out his jammed gun.
Their opposition can only prowl restlessly behind their barricade and await their chance to inflict maximum damage on their prey who are tantalisingly close.
Keel works on his Lewis as he lines up on the next sausage, Having missed his chance on the second gas bag Veer contemplates a reversal on the original one..
As Keels opens up and Veer makes his turn, they are joined by F/Sgt Phil Anders and AM3 ‘Olly’ Daye in a bombed up Strutter, escorted by Two Dads, 2lt Barry Fife-Brand in his PC10 Nieuport #A (for Aussie he claims). Anders is concerned the barrage is still intact, this could be tight !
The enemy mill about, jostling for the best position when the breach eventually comes, as it must with the flaming gasbag becoming more involved.
Keel’s Lewis jams once more, in frustration he decides to ditch the incendiaries and change his pan for ball ammo as he peels round, only slightly worried as Veer slides by close inboard on his way to his target.
Veer’s burst does no apparent damage this time
The Hun seem even more agitated, Ltn Max Manschott in the the black tailed plane goes wide as his colleagues, Raven Busse with the blue trim and Hans Eberhardt Gossner with the red trim reverse in behind the green marked machine piloted by Ltn Hugo Stark. If they have time this right they will meet the Englanders head on !
Veer applies the coup de gras on the gasbag at close range, the turns of fire he started have taken their toll and the balloon explodes causing a bit of damage to it’s tormentor. Anders & Two Dads have a go at the other balloon in passing, Anders Vickers jams momentarily
The barrage falls away just in the nick of time as the opponent’s power toward each other. Unable to respond as he clears his jam, Anders’ Strutter takes a hefty knock and begins to blow smoke courtesy of Starks head on effort at long range.
The close range pass is an epic with tracer zipping all over the gaff !
Here goes: Anders overlaps Gossner (red trim) but mashes the trigger as he toggles the bomb release and shoots up Manschott (blue trim) behind him (3,0). who returns in kind and terminally jams a gun (0,0 RGJ). Gossner (red trim) takes some heat from Two Dads (0,2) but returns fire on him (1,0); Keel exchanges at extreme range with Stark (green trim) coming off the best & sees a puff of blood for his efforts (3PW) v (1RRD).
Anders’ aim looks good as he bursts through the cordon and his full load of bombs drops away toward the target, there was no going around for a second bite of the cherry, it was all or nothing. Veer runs in on the fight struggling to get his Lewis back in position, Busse greets him with a burst from his one remaining operational weapon, it’s enough to cause smoke to trail from the Nieuport. KRAK ! Now he’s away from the balloons and Hun aircraft, Archie joins the fray, but the shot goes wide. Keel and Gossner (red trim) exchange lead as Stark reverses above them
As the full load of bombs impact on target Anders is already turning for home, as he does so rounds clatter through his cockpit and he feels a blow on his right arm. Daye tries to fend off the black tailed Hun responsible but his shot is wide of the mark it seems. Two Dads has a go at him too and damages Manschott’s controls, this might really help later on, but he pays the price as his machine is staggered by a close range burst from his rear courtesy of Stark (green trim). (Lucky pilot inherent skill saves him for the moment). Veer sticks a long range effort into Stark as he crosses his nose but no damage is evident; Keel bangs in a close range effort on Busse’s blue trimmed machine for minor gain
As Anders follows his turn for home he is surprised by a close range effort from Busse’s blue trimmed machine , the damage is minor though and the Spandau fall silent (last gun also terminally jammed). Keel gets another poke at Busse at long range causing yet more damage. Daye gets his eye on on Manschott’s black tailed beast leaving it trailing dirty Hun smoke with his next burst. Veer, now heading for the lines takes a sipe at Gossner (red trim) but no obvious damage again.
Two Dads takes another hiding from Stark’s green trimmed machine that damages his engine and sets him on fire..
Keel reverses his course to follow Veers smoke trail, Anders swings toward home, takes a pot shot at Gossner (red trim) that jams his Vickers again. Daye continues his exchange with Manschott’s black tailed beast.
The AA gun commander is urging his men on with the reload, they may soon have a clear shot of the retreating bomber
Two Dads lucks seems to finally have run out as another close range burst smashes into his wrecked, burning, limping Nieuport, it can take no more and falls away toward the enemy territory.
As the Bulldogs head for the barn, Stark (wounded0 heads for his in company with Busse, who with no functioning weapons has little choice but to see his comrade back to base. Manschott can’t turn after his for just yet and struggles with his controls as Gossner sets himself up for a reversal.
The AA gun commander is near ecstatic as the opportunity for a shot presents itself and he sends a round after the Strutter,
It’s in the right area, but alas no damage is caused.
The Tommy make good their escape, Gossner throws his plane around but they’re already beyond his reach, Manschott kicks furiously at his rudder bar in frustration
Stark & Busse leave the battle area.
The boys are nearly half way home before the Hun get back on their trail and are left floundering in their wake
Butcher’s Tally:
Balloons:
1 destroyed by fire; 1 intact; Target destroyed by bombing
Eagles:
Ltn Max Manschott: Albatros D.III (black tail): RTB / 0 kills
Ltn Hugo Stark: Albatros D.III (green trim): FRTB-W /WIA / 1 kill (Fife-Brand)
Rolled 4+2 = Stuck the Landing
Rolled 5 -1WIA +1RTB = 5 - Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios, rolled 3 = Skip 2.
Raven Busse: Albatros D.III (blue trim): FRTB-J / 0 kills (Jammed guns)
Hans Eberhardt Gossner: Albatros D.III (red trim): RTB / 0 kills
Bulldogs:
2Lt Percy Veer: Nieuport 17 (silver #2): RTB / 1 Kill (balloon)
2Lt Evan Keel: Nieuport 17 (silver): RTB / 0 Kills, 1 probable FRTB-W (Stark)
2lt Barry Fife-Brand: Nieuport (PC10 #A): SD-FLM-ET / 0 kills
Rolled 9 -2FLM = 7 - - Injured - Skip 1D2 Scenario, Rolled 6 = Skip 2
E&E rolled 10 -1FLM -1BEL = 8- Landed almost home! - Skip 1 Scenario
F/Sgt Phil Anders: (P2) Strutter: RTB / WIA / 0 kills
FRTB rolled 6+5 = Stuck the landing
Rolled 3 -1WIA +1RTB = 3 - Injured - Skip 1D6 Scenarios, Rolled 1 = skip 1
AM3 ‘Olly’ Daye: (O) Strutter: RTB / 0 kills
Victory Points:
British:
5 points per target point destroyed: 4x5 = 20pts
-5 points for each bomb that completely misses the target (i.e., hits civilians) = 0 pts
5 points per barrage balloon destroyed: 1 downed = 5 pts
5 points per AA Gun destroyed: 0 pts
5 points per enemy aircraft forced to return to base (FRTB) that also makes it home (even if it crashes on landing): 1 FRTB-W = 5 pts
10 points per enemy aircraft lost (including those that fail to find a way around the barrage): 0 pts
5 points per ace lost (shot down or fails to find a way around the barrage); 0 pts
TOTAL: 30pts
German:
5 points per target point still intact: 0pts
5 points per enemy aircraft forced to return to base (FRTB) and makes it home (even if it crashes on landing): 0 points
10 points per enemy aircraft lost (including those that fail to find a way around the barrage): 1 FLM = 10pts
5 points per ace lost (shot down or fails to find a way around the barrage): 0 pts
TOTAL: 10pts
A clear Bulldog win, this time out.
I think it may have been harder if the Bulldogs had one less aircraft in the fight. The AA were somewhat stymied by the proximity of friendly aircraft and balloons to potential targets. The two rounds that got off were on target but didn't draw a measurable hit.
Good scrap though, I played it over a couple of afternoons and was absolutely beggared by the time I shut it all down ! Recovery is kicking my rear end
but I enjoyed the distraction, thanks Paul.
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