Flying Officer Kyte
04-06-2013, 07:21
The Penning.
A quick look at the maps and photographs whilst the aircraft were loaded with bombs and Nigel was airborne once more leading a flight of three Bristols to deal death and destruction on the German installation which had brought so much grief to the allied air forces over the recent weeks.
This would be no stroll in the park, as he fully expected the Huns to be fully alerted by the time he was over No man’s land.
84762
Nigel decided to go in low, and the three aircraft soon started to descend through the cloud base.
84763
As soon as they emerged they came under heavy Archie fire and the “Biffs” rocked from the concussive force of each explosion.
84764
A short respite in the ground fire allowed them to see two Albatrii closing on the formation from a superior height.
84765
Nigel fired a white very light, which was the signal for the Flight to overdive to bombing height and start their run on the targets.
84766
The first successful run was made by the inexperienced Di Evans who had been drafted in at the last minute, but had been given Dodgson as his observer to make up for his lack of bombing skills.
84767
The ploy must have worked because Dodgson dropped a full load smack on top of the concrete bunker and totally obliterated it along with all its associated paraphernalia.
The next to let go was Snowy Winter who had replaced Dodgson as his Observer with Hawkwood, who was eager to show his ability as a bomb aimer.
On this occasion, however, he was frustrated, only securing a near miss on the compound with the scientists inside.
84768
As Nigel homed in on his objective, he was treated to a renewed salvo of Archie but none of it did more than rock the aircraft from side to side.
84769
Meanwhile a duel was developing between Evans and the first Albatross to reach the scene, and the twin Spandaus outgunned the single forward Vickers of the “Biff” and an ominous cloud of smoke started to emanate from its engine cowling.
84770
Winter had also suffered from some machine gun fire from a ground based unit and was destined to suffer some aileron control problems for the remainder of the mission.
84771
As the Albatros circled around above the SE in an attempt to get onto Evans’ tail, Dodgson took a shot at him but could not score a hit on the fleeting target which was still high above him.
84772
The second Albatros which was attempting the same move on Nigel had no more luck than Dodgson, as it stooped on its prey from on high.
84773
It was enough to put off Woodhead’s aim, nevertheless, as he could not return fire being too busy with his bombs.
84774
They also overshot the building in a near miss, but the effect of the two near misses was enough to shake the foundations sufficiently to bring the whole edifice down upon the heads of the cowering scientists cringing beneath its structure.
84775
Mission accomplished the Bulldogs now turned for home, but the mission was yet to have a few twists in its tail.
84776
As they made for the lines, the Albatros who has been dogging Evans, intent on getting on his tail once more, made an error and came under fire both from his rear gunner Dodgson and the forward gun of Winter sustaining some damage before Dodgson finally ran out of ammunition.
84777
More desultory Archie bursts only seemed to helped to hurry the Bulldogs on their way without any effect,
84778
84780
84781
until a last passing attack by the Albatrii seemed to inflame the Bulldog pilots.
84779
With one accord they all Immelmanned and attacked the passing Hun machines.
84782
Nigel and Evans ripped into the first machine and wrecked its ability to turn left.
84783
Winter passed the second Albatros and Perry treated it to a few telling rounds from his twin Lewis.
84784
The first German pilot now threw his kite into a steep bank and crossed behind Nigel and Evans, raking the stern of Evans, but taking serious damage from both Woodhead and Dodgson.
84785
In a trice the two Bristols turned on the Albatros and fire from Evans set the already smoking aircraft on fire.
84786
Before it could take hold, Nigel put the result beyond issue with a burst which sheared through the wing root of the stricken plane.
84787
With no top right wing, the Albatros spiralled down into the ground to explode in a funeral pyre, which sent a pall of black smoke up into the blue.
84789
84790
Observing the demise of his compatriot, the remaining German made off as fast as he could, and the Bulldogs once again made for home.
84791
84794
There was, however, destined to be one last act in the drama, for as the Bristols once again ran the gauntlet of the so far totally ineffectual Archie fire, one last despairing effort from the German batteries caught Evans Machine square across the nose.
84792
The resulting explosion caused the aircraft to disintegrate in mid air to the horror of the other four onlookers, as they made for home.
84793
There would be no victorious return for either Evans or Dodgson who had tried to dodge once too often.
The Butchers Bill.
“The Bulldogs”.
Bouncer-Smythe/ Woodhead. RTB. Partial destruction of target. One enemy aircraft destroyed by Nigel.
Winter/Perry. RTB Partial destruction of target.
Evans/ Dodgson. KIA. Total destruction of the Listening post.
84795
The Central Powers.Loss of one Albatros. Pilot KIA.
Total loss of the Listening complex, and the Quarters of the Scientists with a loss of all personnel and the escape of one giant feline (See below for details.)
84796
Rob.
A quick look at the maps and photographs whilst the aircraft were loaded with bombs and Nigel was airborne once more leading a flight of three Bristols to deal death and destruction on the German installation which had brought so much grief to the allied air forces over the recent weeks.
This would be no stroll in the park, as he fully expected the Huns to be fully alerted by the time he was over No man’s land.
84762
Nigel decided to go in low, and the three aircraft soon started to descend through the cloud base.
84763
As soon as they emerged they came under heavy Archie fire and the “Biffs” rocked from the concussive force of each explosion.
84764
A short respite in the ground fire allowed them to see two Albatrii closing on the formation from a superior height.
84765
Nigel fired a white very light, which was the signal for the Flight to overdive to bombing height and start their run on the targets.
84766
The first successful run was made by the inexperienced Di Evans who had been drafted in at the last minute, but had been given Dodgson as his observer to make up for his lack of bombing skills.
84767
The ploy must have worked because Dodgson dropped a full load smack on top of the concrete bunker and totally obliterated it along with all its associated paraphernalia.
The next to let go was Snowy Winter who had replaced Dodgson as his Observer with Hawkwood, who was eager to show his ability as a bomb aimer.
On this occasion, however, he was frustrated, only securing a near miss on the compound with the scientists inside.
84768
As Nigel homed in on his objective, he was treated to a renewed salvo of Archie but none of it did more than rock the aircraft from side to side.
84769
Meanwhile a duel was developing between Evans and the first Albatross to reach the scene, and the twin Spandaus outgunned the single forward Vickers of the “Biff” and an ominous cloud of smoke started to emanate from its engine cowling.
84770
Winter had also suffered from some machine gun fire from a ground based unit and was destined to suffer some aileron control problems for the remainder of the mission.
84771
As the Albatros circled around above the SE in an attempt to get onto Evans’ tail, Dodgson took a shot at him but could not score a hit on the fleeting target which was still high above him.
84772
The second Albatros which was attempting the same move on Nigel had no more luck than Dodgson, as it stooped on its prey from on high.
84773
It was enough to put off Woodhead’s aim, nevertheless, as he could not return fire being too busy with his bombs.
84774
They also overshot the building in a near miss, but the effect of the two near misses was enough to shake the foundations sufficiently to bring the whole edifice down upon the heads of the cowering scientists cringing beneath its structure.
84775
Mission accomplished the Bulldogs now turned for home, but the mission was yet to have a few twists in its tail.
84776
As they made for the lines, the Albatros who has been dogging Evans, intent on getting on his tail once more, made an error and came under fire both from his rear gunner Dodgson and the forward gun of Winter sustaining some damage before Dodgson finally ran out of ammunition.
84777
More desultory Archie bursts only seemed to helped to hurry the Bulldogs on their way without any effect,
84778
84780
84781
until a last passing attack by the Albatrii seemed to inflame the Bulldog pilots.
84779
With one accord they all Immelmanned and attacked the passing Hun machines.
84782
Nigel and Evans ripped into the first machine and wrecked its ability to turn left.
84783
Winter passed the second Albatros and Perry treated it to a few telling rounds from his twin Lewis.
84784
The first German pilot now threw his kite into a steep bank and crossed behind Nigel and Evans, raking the stern of Evans, but taking serious damage from both Woodhead and Dodgson.
84785
In a trice the two Bristols turned on the Albatros and fire from Evans set the already smoking aircraft on fire.
84786
Before it could take hold, Nigel put the result beyond issue with a burst which sheared through the wing root of the stricken plane.
84787
With no top right wing, the Albatros spiralled down into the ground to explode in a funeral pyre, which sent a pall of black smoke up into the blue.
84789
84790
Observing the demise of his compatriot, the remaining German made off as fast as he could, and the Bulldogs once again made for home.
84791
84794
There was, however, destined to be one last act in the drama, for as the Bristols once again ran the gauntlet of the so far totally ineffectual Archie fire, one last despairing effort from the German batteries caught Evans Machine square across the nose.
84792
The resulting explosion caused the aircraft to disintegrate in mid air to the horror of the other four onlookers, as they made for home.
84793
There would be no victorious return for either Evans or Dodgson who had tried to dodge once too often.
The Butchers Bill.
“The Bulldogs”.
Bouncer-Smythe/ Woodhead. RTB. Partial destruction of target. One enemy aircraft destroyed by Nigel.
Winter/Perry. RTB Partial destruction of target.
Evans/ Dodgson. KIA. Total destruction of the Listening post.
84795
The Central Powers.Loss of one Albatros. Pilot KIA.
Total loss of the Listening complex, and the Quarters of the Scientists with a loss of all personnel and the escape of one giant feline (See below for details.)
84796
Rob.