OTT Early Doors Mission 2 - Change of Tactics - Early February 1916
Oblt Biettrutoffen was sat at his desk when the door slammed open and Ltn Wilhelm Struddelhoff swaggered in.
Ludwig knew without looking up that Wilhelm would be wearing his Uhlan uniform, grey coat with gloves in hand. He might also have his monacle squeezed into his left eye socket and be smoking a cigarette in one of those fancy holders but he thought no, even Wilhelm wouldn't be that audaciously arrogant. Without looking up Ludwig said “and close the door on the way out. Knock, wait and salute when you enter my office, verstien?”
The thud, thud thud of Wilhelm stomping out of the office and the slamming of the door was all he needed to know that yet again the young aristorcratic officer was put firmly back in his place. Knock, knock. He waited. Knock, knock again. Again he waited. Knock, knock, knock...”Come in” He shouted. Stomp, stomp, stomp. Click of heels and a smart salute snapped off. “Yes what is it Wilhelm?” “I want to know when you are taking me up. You’ve taken everyone else up even Toffeleiter and Zweibelsuppe but not me. It’s not fair”. Any moment he’ll start crying thought Ludwig, but he let the rant go on. “and another thing I volunteered from the Guard Uhlans for a place in a scout squadron, came top in flight training, was top marksman on the range and also beat the pants off all the other pilots in navigation. So I demand to know when are you taking me up?” “Well Wilhelm”, he savoured the look on the young pilots face, “if you would be patient I’ll tell you.” “Next week, next month, when?” Wilhelm rudely butted in...”Get your flying gear be ready to take off in 15 minutes. We’re going to escort Ltn’s Toffeleiter and Zweiblesuppe back from their photographic patrol. Now is that soon enough for you?” “Yes Oblt, of course Oblt, as you order Oblt”, the young pilot all but ran out of the door. Let us see if he lives up to his ‘top marks’ quips on a real combat mission!
"Well he nearly tore a strip off me but I told him straight I fly today or not at all. So he gave in and told me he was sorry and I could fly today".
Both Eindeckers were prepped and ready to go. Ludwig had warned the ground crews that they would be taking off.
15 minutes later they were in the air and heading for the rendezvous with the Rumpler CI piloted by Ltn Karl Toffeleiter. It took them 30 minutes to reach the area when they saw the Rumpler heading for them. It looked like it had been through a tough time. Not one surface was free of bullet holes. Johanne Zweibelsuppe was standing in the rear cockpit clasping both hands above his head and waving them above his head. Ludwig knew then that they were both ok and more importantly they had the plates badly needed by HQ. Ludwig indicated for Wilhelm to take position on the Rumplers left whilst he slipped over and took up position on the right.
The chase had been a long one but the German 2 seater had eluded them. 2Lt Tyrell tapped 2Lt Burton on the shoulder and pointed forward right of their FB5. Ah there was the 2 seater but it had company. Two EIII’s. Damn.
Thomas waved to the Morane on his left side and 2Lt Bernard Walter waved back and gave a thumbs up. He had seen the Germans aircraft too.
Wilhelm banked left and fired off a long range burst at the FB5, Percy replied in kind but neither could tell if they’d hit.
The Rumpler flew on. Whilst the scouts attempted to get a good position to fire. A short range burst from the Morane found its mark whilst the Morane shuddered under a hail of fire from Johanne and Ludwig. Ludwig glanced to his rear as bullets hit him from the FB5.
The Morane had picked his time well and slipped behind the Rumpler bullets flew all around Karl and Johanne and then a loud bang and muffled explosion came from the engine. Johanne felt a blow as a last bullet or piece of engine, he knew not which, hit him in the shoulder.
Wilhelm started a turning fight with the FB5. He managed to get the drop and was rewarded with flames shooting out of the engine.
Ludwig had been carefully closing in on the Morane and was mortified that Johanne was not firing back at the British scout. He waited, took careful aim and let rip with a devastating burst. His bullets must have ignited a bullet as he saw a small explosion, the pilot hold his face and flames coming from the engine.
Bernard Walter pressed the trigger by instinct and although he couldn’t see the result as he wiped the blood from his eyes he could tell by the tattered left wing that his bullets had struck home.
Ludwig felt a sharp blow to his right leg. Not again he thought. He looked right and saw the front gunner of the FB5 shaking his fist at him.
With both Entente planes on fire the German pilots tried to maximise their advantage.
Ludwig fired another burst and the flames licking around the cockpit of the Morane seemed to grow in intensity. But he watched helpless as the Rumpler headed for the ground.
Wilhelm maximised his advantage but was surprised when the FB5 did not reply to his close range burst.
Ludwig looked on as the Morane crumpled under the damage from his bullets and the fire raging around the cockpit. It spiraled into the ground.
The FB5 side slipped putting distance between them and Wilhelm’s Eindecker. Wilhelm, low on ammunition, turned and headed for home. He was joined by Ludwig. They circled once over the wreckage of the Rumpler but could see no movement ,nor any bodies in the wreckage. Both low on ammunition they headed for home.
The Butchers Bill:
2Lt Thomas Tyrell Pilot FB5: 9 damage: RTB
2Lt Percy Burton Gunner FB5: RTB
(bottom two damage 2,1 are at +1 – the 2 turned over cards are their remaining ammo)
2Lt Bernard Walter Morane pilot: 10 damage: SD: EXP: 2 Fires: 1 wound.
(turned over cards remaining ammo)
2Lt Bernard Walter: Rolled 11-1SD -2 flamer -1 1 wound = 7 Bruised skip 1 scenario. (a very lucky chap)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4523363/
(left) Oblt Biettrutoffen: 5 damage: 1 wound: RTB: 1 Kill.
(Right) Ltn Wilhelm Struddelhoff: 0 damage:RTB
(forgot to add remaining ammo cards)
Ltn Karl Toffeleiter pilot Rumpler CI: 12 damage: SD ET:
Ltn Johanne Zweibelsuppe observer Rumpler CI: SD ET: 2 wounds
Ltn Karl Toffeleiter:Rolled 11-1SD=10 all well when you land well.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4523341/
escaping enemy territory:rolled 8-1 behind enemy lines = 7 landed almost home, skip 1 scenario
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4523343/
Ltn Johanne Zweibelsuppe:rolled 6-1 enemy territory-2 2 wounds=3 severely injured skip 1d6 scenarios.(rolled 5 miss 5 scenarios).
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4523346/
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4523350/
escaping enemy territory:rolled 11-1 behind enemy lines-2 2 wounds = 8 landed almost home, skip 1 scenario.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4523356/
(It took Karl 7 days to get Johanne safely back to friendly lines. Unfortunately his injuries would keep him out of the conflict for quite some time. The bonus, as always, Karl had manged to bring back 4 undamaged plates of the 12 or so Johanne took)
SUMMARY:
1. Decided to flip this one round and play it from the German perspective.
2. Again played with ammo. German scouts were down to last 3 shots ( forgot the cards).
3. Fairly honours even but strategically the Germans lost because the plates were shot down with the Rumpler, unless they make it back ok.
4.I was thinking of adding a second Morane but decided not to.
5. All in all a fun scenario to play.
6. Used an RE8 as the Rumpler CI. G deck - immelman card, 12HP but only rear gun with 3 shots.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Archidamus
Nice cross Neil.
Bookmarks