OTT-FYM – Mission 2 – A Flash of Close Air Support – April 12th 1917

[flash]

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.

[flash]

Nice game, a little bit hairy when I thought the balloon wasn't going to fall but we got there in the end. Stuck with incendiaries, rockets are so last year !

Uncle says:

Well done you chaps, sorry you lost Baz on the way but it seems he may have saved the Strutter from more grief from that black tailed beggar, so he accomplished his escorting duties, albeit at a high cost. Still and all, I expect he'll turn up somewhere soon, not much keeps him down. Think we should celebrate in the Mess with some well grilled 'bangers' and a beer or two to wash them down !

Ltn Hugo Stark is awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class on the occasion of his third victory for the Kaiser und the Fatherland

[Stumptonian]

This one has me waiting to see how others play it, so thanks for being first to give it a go.


A clear victory for you Bulldogs.

Since the Germans have no rockets or incendiaries I will fly mine as defenders methinks.

[ShadowDragon]

Job well done by your Bulldogs with minimal disturbance of the rosters. Just finished mine today; it was a bit of a marathon because, like yours, my balloons were stubborn. I should have played the game over two sessions, but, no, I did it all in one go with my back killing me by the time I was done. So, there may be a few errors. i will see once I review the photos. I haven't rolled the C&W/E&E yet, but it could be grim for both sides.

One difference in my game was that the Germans were aggressive - they climbed and went over the barrage to take the fight to the Seadogs. I really thought it was going to be a disaster for the Seadogs but the target was destroyed so they get the win on points.

Well played by your team though.

[flash]

This one has me waiting to see how others play it, so thanks for being first to give it a go..

Before the game kicked off I considered leap frogging the barrage and diving, or overdiving onto the target but as the brief included rockets and incendiaries I took it that the intended plan was to blast a way through the barrage. Same with the Huns, over the top, or, hide behind the barrage and plug any leak that happens, so they were the approaches I took.

[ShadowDragon]

Before the game kicked off I considered leap frogging the barrage and diving, or overdiving onto the target but as the brief included rockets and incendiaries I took it that the intended plan was to blast a way through the barrage. Same with the Huns, over the top, or, hide behind the barrage and plug any leak that happens, so they were the approaches I took.

It is intended that the best course action for the Bulldogs is to blast a path through for the tandem. Climbing up to altitude 4+ from altitude 3 would take a long enough, never mind getting out which would mean climbing back up to 4+ from 2. Seems a one-way mission for the tandem, but the option is there for players. Same for the Huns. The intention is that players have choices for mix of planes and courses of action - at least that was what I tried to do. In my case the Seadogs went for the blast a path through while the Huns went over the top. A brutal battle saved because I chose an escort with a top ace for the 4th Seadog plane.

Like so many scenarios this one can be short or long depending on the luck of the draw.

I likely won't get the AAR posted until next week.

[Vagabond]

Well....inspite of been on matrons sick list you are first into the breach, that shows dedication Dave. Dedication, or maybe boredom with the recuperation process.
Whichever, it was a fine showing, on what seems, as if it might be a marathon game for those of us with bad backs. Certainly a good result for your chaps although the way you are using gun jams helped them on this occasion. I intended trying out your thought on my last mission but couldn't find the info at the time but I'll try with this game if I can.
Currently my table is in use for a spot of werewolf hunting at the moment. Although the werewolfs might think it's in use to provide them with a free lunch, in the form of Fear-Naught Murdo self styled Witch Hunter (no job too small, satisfaction guaranteed). Murdo knows there's no such thing as a free lunch.

[Vagabond]

Talking about gun jams, I'm sorry to say I've just drawn a red card.

Also ment to say I enjoyed your narrative as well.
Cheers

[flash]

..Certainly a good result for your chaps although the way you are using gun jams helped them on this occasion...

You say that, but sometimes I find they cause greater damage with the B deck after they've lost a Spandau to a jam. I guess that's just the way it goes sometimes !

[Hu Rhu]

Well done for being first in the breach (to use a bad pun). Too much time on your hands???

Good win for the Bulldogs and a sensible decision to take incendiaries rather the rockets, which seem to have a mind of their own when I play them.

Also noted about the double session. I plan to follow your good advice. Rep inbound.

[mikeemagnus]

Nice one Dave. Blow a hole in the barrage and allow the Tandem through. The way to go, no doubt about it. Nicely played and a good result for the "Bloody April" era. Revenge awaits methinks
I shall definitely join you in the Mess for those bangers and beer
REP inbound.

I'm sorry to say I've just drawn a red card.

What's that about John? Were you playing the mission out at the time or is this a reference to something else? Hope all is ok!

[flash]

.. What's that about John? Were you playing the mission out at the time or is this a reference to something else? Hope all is ok!

Thanks, Mike, John was looking at trying the alternate gun jam rules and it sounds like he promptly drew a Red GJ. We're yet to see if all was OK !

[mikeemagnus]

John was looking at trying the alternate gun jam rules

Aah of course - I guess I need to try those out myself. Lets see if I get this right. On a red gun jam card a single gun, or one of a twin set, is out for the rest of a mission or until the pilot can land and get it sorted. On a green jam card, a single gun, or one of a pair, is out until unjammed in the usual manner whilst the pilot is still flying. In the meantime the non jammed gun of the twin can still fire on a "B" deck rather than the "A" deck it uses when both guns are firing.

If I am right about this and an aircraft with a single gun draws a red gun jam card, is it then FRTB?

And whilst on the subject of FRTB, what if a pilot spots an enemy against which it feels it has no chance (eg its gun is jammed permanently or simply doesn't like the odds? One reads accounts of such situations, where the pilot just drops down and runs for home. Would doing that count as FRTB, because technically the pilot is simply being sensible and not really "forced" to back off? After all, recently I read that more often than not, if a small flight of Albatros DIIIs spotted what it believed to be superior odds in the form of SE5s, SPADs and Tripes, for example, or in some cases given, just a flight of Tripes, it would immediately fly off east to regroup, coming back later looking for easier targets (taken from Volume 3 War in the Air. I'm not making that up). Another example given in the same text is of Tandems being attacked by several scouts whilst artillery spotting and high tailing it immediately, before the attack can reach it. Either way, the pilots are, again, simply acting sensibly, and not being FRTB.

Your thoughts, and anybody else's, on this would be appreciated.