Three Actions on the Western Front, 1918

**Zoe Brain** · 07-31-2013 08:09

AAR #1

An SE5a and a Spad XIII tangle with a Fokker D.VII and a Fokker Dr.I in a classic confrontation.

The SE5a turns to help out the Spad, which is having problems with the Dr.I, leaving the D.VII wrong-footed.

The first burst damages the Dr.I's rudder, then the SE gets on its tail, as the Spad and D.VII clash head on

The second burst from the SE cuts the Triplane's fuel lines, and down it goes. The SE then reverses course to help out the Spad.. only to find a Pfalz D.III has wandered in to the fight.

The D.VII and SE exchanged fire, badly wounding both pilots, while it was now obvious the Hispano-Suiza engine of the Spad wasn't firing on all cylinders.

The D.VII got the worst of the exchange, and with its pilot wounded and a failing engine, headed for home. Meanwhile the SE took on the Pfalz, setting it ablaze while taking many hits itself. Just in time for yet another Triplane to appear, this one piloted by Lothar Von Richthofen!

The Pflaz was shot down in flames, but the Spad was forced down too, crash-landing amidst friendly trenches. A good landing under the circumstances, with but one point remaining before it fell apart (-4). The SE used its superior speed to evade the almost untouched DR.I, and landed, a constructive write-off, at the nearest friendly aerodrome (1 pt remaining).

**Zoe Brain** · 07-31-2013 08:14

AAR #2

This time 3 Fokker D.VIIs descend on a single F2b with a crack rear gunner (sniper ability).

The F2B got a perfect position... only to have both front and rear guns jam after the first shot! But it could have been worse... and soon was, as the D.VIIs first wounded the pilot, then set the plane ablaze.

The F2B, or the bits of it that were left after some punishing volleys with no means of reply, managed to crash-land amidst friendly forces (-4 pts), the wounded pilot rescued by troops in the front line, the gunner vowing his revenge....

**MoonSylver** · 07-31-2013 08:29

Some nice match-up's there Zoe!

**Zoe Brain** · 07-31-2013 08:52

AAR #3 - Balloon Busting

Special rules here - below 3 altitude, everyone took an A class damage if too near enemy trenches, and there were 2 batteries of AA guns protecting the balloon (initially at altitude 8). AA fire was plotted after cards had been chosen, but before they were revealed. They caused C class damage to everything in that hex at +/-1 altitude set to go off at, when the 2nd and 3rd cards played.

The Germans had 2 Albatros D.Va's, and a Fokker D.VII. The Entente had a single Sopwith Dolphin of 22 squadron, with the lewis guns repositioned on the wings.

The Fokker managed to evade AA fire and damaged the balloon, but the Dolphin swiftly pounced on it afterwards as the Albatros's hurried to the attack.

Despite its Vickers guns jamming, the Dolphin damaged the D.VII badly before it had put too many holes in the gasbag from its second attack. So much damage in fact that the desperate German pilot, his spandaus jammed, tried taking out the balloon by ramming it.. only to misjudge the height and have the cable sheer off both left wings (10 pts damage, added to the 10 already taken).

The Dolphin then went after the nearest Albatros, hitting an oil line - just as the other one ran into not one, but two 18-pdr AA shells, with the predictable catastrophic consequences... (boom card)

With the Vickers guns on the Dolphin working again, the surviving Albatros. trailing smoke from the hits from Dolphin's wing-mounted lewis's, took a parting shot at the balloon... running into another AA barrage that set it ablaze in the process.

The Dolphin put on full power to catch the Hun, as it desperately (and successfully) tried to evade the deadly AA guarding the sausage.

A final burst from the Dolphin at long range split open the fuel tank though, and the Albatros exploded in mid-air - just before it would have run into another barrage of AA fire. (boom card while on fire and unable to go straight ...)

Overall, these AA rules gave the right feel - by changing height and/or jinking, AA fire can usually be avoided, but when you don't evade, Balloon Busting is very dangerous indeed. Truly for experts, and really requiring incendiary rounds.

**calm** · 07-31-2013 09:27

Very good AAR ! Thanks for sharing !!!

**Lt. S.Kafloc** · 07-31-2013 10:39

Cracking set of AAR's there Zoe.

**flash** · 07-31-2013 11:01

Is this a club night Zoe or a show ? Looks like a nice set up. In the second photo the floor can be seen & looks like German cammo !

**Burt** · 07-31-2013 11:20

Nice write up Zoe, good AAR

**Nightbomber** · 07-31-2013 11:46

A first class report, Zoe

The pics look like they were taken during actual aerial fight with a trembling hand from above

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 07-31-2013 12:39

Wow Zoe.
Three for the price of one there.
What a super set of encounters, and all with a desperate struggle to come out on top.
Just what I needed to perk up my evening.
Rob.

**Zoe Brain** · 07-31-2013 21:04

Originally Posted by flash

Is this a club night Zoe or a show ? Looks like a nice set up.

Just a Wednesday club night in the local(ish) library. All three games played between 1830 and 2130. Now that we have a few players who aren't complete beginners, the games move faster.

**celticgriffon** · 07-31-2013 21:37

Glad to hear you have a recurring group Zoe. thanks for the triple aar!!

**flash** · 07-31-2013 23:36

Originally Posted by Zoe Brain

Just a Wednesday club night in the local(ish) library. All three games played between 1830 and 2130. Now that we have a few players who aren't complete beginners, the games move faster.

Nice one, getting three games in in an evening is good going