What German fighter AC escorted important photo recon missions in June 1918?

[Bruce]

Hi guys
Historical advice needed please ... two x 20 AC scenarios (10 German + 10 Allied in each scenario) that I hope to offer in PBeM form this summer.

Scenario #1
Imagine an important German photo recon mission in June 1918 ... 5 x 2-seaters escorted by 5 x fighters.
Mission: to find evidence of a build-up of troops and war goods that would "signal" an imminent (e.g. in the next week or so) allied attack.
What German fighters would most likely have escorted the 2-seaters?
What 2-seaters would most likely have done the photo work?
What altitudes would the photo AC likely have taken their photos at?

Scenario #2
Same questions but for an important Allied photo mission in the same time period.

Any other advice is welcome too.

[Boney10]

For a mission like this, you may find the Central powers may not even send scouts as escort as they would be busy hunting, but but assign a couple of Sclasta of Halberstadt CL or a mix of Halberstadts and Hanovers, the Halberstadts acting as escort.

Same possibly for the Entente also with a Sqn of RE8 or Brisfits.
Just an idea and I am sure more knowledgable will comment for you.

[Bruce]

Thanks Chris. Halberstadt's escorting Hanovers ... would the equivalent for gaming purposes be Brisfits escorting RE8s?
Bruce

[Boney10]

I don't think you would be far wrong with such a scenario.
Most ?I played with was 4 Halberstadts CL and they took out 4 Camels for the loss of only one, that was B/B against A

Look at the Triples threads to see them in action

[Baldrick62]

Boney's right, this is Schlasta territory: CL-types (either Halberstadts or Hannovers) acting as escort for a C-type (Rumpler C.IV/VII, Halberstadt C.V, LVG C.V/VI, DFW C.V, Albatros C.XII). If you want to bring in D-types, I'd use them as a sweep in front of the recce/escort package.

For the Entente, a formation of Brisfits, with fighters escorting a photo-recce bird from one of the long-range sections. Alternatively a Br.14 A2 formation, or a Br.14 A2/Sal 2.A2 escorted by SPAD XIIIs.

In terms of altitude, anything but low, and if you're a using Rumpler C.VII escorted by Hannovers, definitely high. Given German fuel shortages by that point in the war, to put together a formation of that size would definitely require a significant target.

[Bruce]

Thanks Baldrick and Chris. That's all the advice/info I need for these two scenarios.
I do these PBeM games primarily for my local gaming group during periods when we are table-top gaming other games or enjoying the summer/Fall weather outdoors.
It keeps the WoG interest percolating nicely, and gives us another annual trophy to award.
I'll keep you both in mind when I have space in future games; thanks again.