Mission 7th. Catch me if you can! (Nightbomber, Central Powers)

[Nightbomber]

Achtung Mein Herren!


Mission for today is an extraordinary one. Our best agent sent behind enemy lines to steal planes of a new Entente spring offensive code name "Death Star" is in trouble. He had seized the files, but his real personality was discovered so he is trying to get to our forward positions. This is the last photo of the man we have. His name is Henry Jones, alias Heinrich Jensen. A professor.

46998
Do not be fooled by his look. Herr Jensen is A skilfull observer and a gunner in one of our elite two seater units.
Our agent is heading toward a deserted farm building, recently taken by our stormtroopers, who are going to give him a cover, but our brave soldiers won't be able to hold the building for long; enemy patrols have been sighted in the area, so you must hurry up.

46999

Garsztka, you will take your famous shark Roland and von Oppeln will provide you with an escort. You are to land the Roland near the farm and get Herr Jensen aboard. And run away. Dismissed.

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Andreas von Oppeln diary:

We entered the foggy no man's land area heading toward the lonely farm. To our dissapointment we saw two enemy scouts over misty horizon. I decided to engage them immediately. Also saw a sporadic fire from the building where our agent was to be hidden. The soldiers down below were lucky shooters. They probably hit one of the enemy planes!
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When we were passing by the enemies I saw they got very close to each and we could hear a dreadful sound of crushed wood and lost rigging. They must have collided!

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=46830&d=1337965722

I made an Immelmann turn at once and saw them turning right after Garrsztka's Roland. Pressing trigger I saw one of the scouts exploding! One enemy eliminated, Herr Got! But my guns are jammed!

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The second foe was pouring led against the Roland with increased efficiency.

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Fortunately for Garsztka, Camel's guns also jammed.

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Suddenly I saw our little helpers opened fire to the passing Camel. They must have wounded the pilot for the plane seemed to go out of control for a moment! Lucky shooters, poor Englander!

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I followed the enemy giving him some lead, but my guns jammed for the second time! Garsztka was cruising above the foggy ground, heading for the farm.

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Another immelmann turn and I'm behind the Camel with guns ready and firing... The guns jammed for the third time! Bloody hell!

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This time Garsztka came under a cross fire from behind and ... to my surprise I saw enemy armoured cars holding a steady and accurate fire against the Roland!
I keep an excellent firing position, hammering my spandaus!

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Garsztka began a landing procedure under constant fire...

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He is a Lucky Git anyway!

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I made a turn to distract enemy fire...

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Meanwhile Garsztka has landed, turn back his plane toward the farm and started taxing. I saw a little figure with a suitcase and and umbrella running toward the taxing plane! It must have been professor Jensen!

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I made a turn planning to strafe the armoured car - and saw the stormtroopers thought alike!

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Brave Garsztka took off at last, but his crate was badly perforated...

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But now his rear gun spoke! That was Jensen spitting lead toward the incoming car along with me and the car suddenly caught fire and exploded! Good man!

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I saw an enemy fighter far behind us. Gartszka and Jensen were leaving the deadly area. I decided to pursue the English scout.

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I wanted to get on his tail, but saw thet the Camel had broken off and is heading for home (I rolled a die for him, that showed - break off and return)

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The left turn he made was probably the last thig the poor Bulldog remembered, before going into oblivion. The stormtroopers earned their elite name. A Mauser carbine bullet with a name of the British pilot reached it's target. The pilot wounded for the second time, lost his concious and rammed the no man's land. He was probably dead before the plane hit the ground...

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The fight was over. My lucky bird was nearly unharmed. I turned for the aerodrome, hoping the stormtrooper unit made safely for our lines as well.

The final outcomes:
The Bulldogs.
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The Eagles.
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Raleigh: exploded - Injured. Skip 1 scenario. Escaping enemy territory: Landed almost home - Skip 1 scenario = SKIP 2 SCENARIOS.
Osbourne: KIA.

Garsztka: landed safely.
Henry Jones - safe and sound.
von Oppeln: 1 kill, landed safely.

AMAZING MISSION! THANKS JAN!

[Nightbomber]

One comment on Osbourne's fate. We've always played that the second wound kills a pilot. That's why I decided that Osbourne was killed. There are 3 reasons for that:
1) unlimited number of wounds that a pilot can absorb would be unrealistic.
2) first wound should make him thinking about breaking off and run for safety.
3) official rules state that in such a case the plane is eliminated (or pilot klilled).

[Marechallannes]

Nice story elements, Andrzej.:clap:

Good pictures and a fine AAR.:salute:

...a bad day for the Bulldogs and I have to agree: 2 x injured = dead





I treat the area around the farmhouse/building as a combat zone = no-man's-land for both sides. But this should be in the responsibility of each player.

[flash]

What a tremendous story Andrzej - nicely done :salute:

[Flying Officer Kyte]

What an impressive story line backed up by such innovative photographs Andrzej.
Just when I was thinking that we had reached the limits of what could be done with these AARs. you raise the bar even higher.
I can see that we are all going to have to try and rise to your new level next mission.
Thanks for this very entertaining and enthralling adventure.
Rob.

[Nightbomber]

My aim was to add some fun to the - rather dangerous and dramatic - story. If some of the readers felt entertained - I "can get the satisfaction":) Thanks for your nice comment, Rob:hatsoff: