The first WGF mission I ran at Briscon 2017 was set during the first week of Bloody April 1917. The RNAS dispatched a Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter to conduct a reconnaissance of the German lines to identify Hun artillery positions in preparation for the Arras offensive.
Just to spice things up each side was issued a card detailing their own set up and mission objectives, without any knowledge of their opponents briefing.
Combatants for the first mission included Bryan and Luke (right) flying for the Entente and young guns Charlie and Dexter (left) flying as Jasta 11.
Bryan is an old hand at Wings of Glory, he was a participant in the Brisbane Wings of War campaign back in 2009-2010.
Luke was a 'new-chum' but Bryan soon had him up to speed. Luke was flying the Sopwith two-seater and Bryan the Tripehound escort.
On the other side best mates Charlie and Dexter decided to enter from the north side of the map just to be sneaky. They were both very pleased their main objective was to shoot down Charlie's Dad, despite his threat that they would be walking home!
The Jasta 11 pair came in higher than the Tommies and were soon banking around to get on the tail of the observation aircraft.
These kids weren't bad table top pilots and with a bit of coaching by the GM were soon in position to attack the Luke's Sopwith - here Charlie is doing the old rat-at-at-at
As it turned out it was his wingman Dexter who did some catastrophic damage to the Strutter. Luke drew a pilot wound card, selected a two aircrew chit and 'I' and 'II' chits meaning both suffered a wound. After I gave a graphic explanation how his burst had laced the Strutter from tail to nose and hit both the pilot and observer Dexter was pretty chuffed.
With both aircrew hit and his kite badly damaged Luke decided that discretion was the better part of valour and made for home!
Bryan was doing his best to cover his charge but the Jasta 11 boys were not to be discouraged.
A couple of moves later and the Strutter was down behind German lines ......
..... it was Charlie who dealt his Dad's plane the final blow and picked up the first trophy of the con
About then Sebastian turned up wanting a game, so he brought on a third Albatros....
... and just to make things fair I brought on another Sopwith Triplane to support my old wingman Bryan.
We got a few licks in but these boys were crafty opponents, and as usually happens they were VERY lucky with the card draws - I put it down to the lack of bad karma due to their young age!
Bryan's Triplane goes down trailing smoke at the hands of Dexter's Albatros. We decided to call the mission there, declaring a decisive victory for Jasta 11.
It was a great first mission - the looks on the boys' faces says it all. These lads are the Wings of Glory players of the future.
It was then time to reset for the next battle - Balloon Busting Bloody April style!
Bookmarks