Ares Games
Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: AAR - BrisWingsofGlory WGS Campaign 1, Mission 11 - Polish Air Force 1939-45

  1. #1

    Default AAR - BrisWingsofGlory WGS Campaign 1, Mission 11 - Polish Air Force 1939-45

    France 1940 Mission 11 Offensive Patrol Montbéliard 01/06/1940

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Red 5.jpg 
Views:	53 
Size:	147.5 KB 
ID:	230023

    After seven days of training at Avelanges, the French and Polish airmen of Group de Chasse II/7 were comfortable in their new Dewoitine D.520C-1 fighters. Indeed 'new' was a very appropriate description for the D.520s issued to the escadrille were factory fresh. For the men of the 'Patrouille Polonaise' they were the first brand new military aircraft they had ever flown. They were also by far the fastest machines any of them had ever piloted, with the Dewoitine a good 40 knots faster than their old Moranes. Their delight at the speed and increased firepower of one 20mm cannon and four machine guns of their new mounts had largely offset the disappointment as being withdrawn from the fighting at this critical time.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Gnys.JPG 
Views:	52 
Size:	34.9 KB 
ID:	230020
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Kowalewski.JPG 
Views:	52 
Size:	35.0 KB 
ID:	230022
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Chciuk.JPG 
Views:	52 
Size:	34.9 KB 
ID:	230019

    So it was a call to Avelanges on the afternoon of 1 June 1940 that a Luftwaffe formation had just bombed the railway station at Dijon and was heading east back towards Germany brought the 'Patrouille Polonaise' a welcome return to action. Sous Lieutenant Władysław Gnyś in D.520 'Red3', Sous Lieutenant Tadeusz Kowalewski in 'Red 4' and Adjutant Władysław Chciuk flying 'Red 5' had already been kitted up for a final training flight, and now took off setting a course to intercept the German bombers.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1139.jpg 
Views:	52 
Size:	185.3 KB 
ID:	230021

    From right to left, Paul, Rod and Wayne are readying their D.520s to intercept a couple of Heinkel He 111P-4s run by yours truly.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1137.jpg 
Views:	53 
Size:	236.3 KB 
ID:	230024

    The Polish Flight opened the throttles on their Dewoitines, easily climbing to 5000 metres mush more quickly than they could have managed in their MS.406 machines.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1138.jpg 
Views:	54 
Size:	259.7 KB 
ID:	230025

    Over the town of Montbéliard just a few kilometres from the Swiss border they caught up with two Heinkel He 111 bombers.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1140.jpg 
Views:	55 
Size:	263.5 KB 
ID:	230026

    S-Lt. Gnyś in 'Red 3' and Adj. Chciuk in 'Red 5' closed on the left hand Heinkel, while S-Lt. Kowalewski lined up the other German bomber.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1141.jpg 
Views:	53 
Size:	264.5 KB 
ID:	230027

    At the approach of the Poles the right hand Heinkel too evasive action, drawing out of range of Kowalewski's guns.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Swiss 109s.jpg 
Views:	52 
Size:	55.0 KB 
ID:	230036

    It was now the Polish officer could see just how close they were to Switzerland, as a formation of Messerschmitt Bf 109s bearing the white cross of the Schweizer Luftwaffe shadowing their progress just a few kilometres to the south. [Ed note - this mission was based on an historical incident - if any aircraft left the south edge of the board they were considered shot down by the Swiss and interned].

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1142.jpg 
Views:	52 
Size:	263.2 KB 
ID:	230028

    First Sous Lieutenant Władysław Gnyś and then Adjutant Władysław Chciuk opened fire on the other Heinkel. Their first bursts went wide but they soon got the range, with Chciuk damaging the Heinkel's rudder. Gnyś fired from dead astern, raking the fuselage with cannon and machine gun fire. The result was devastating with the waist gunner Uffz. Herbert Blasche and the observer/forward gunner Ltn. Wilhelm Eifler both wounded. On the dorsal gun Uffz. Julius Dehler did his best to keep his enemies at bay, with an accurate burst of 7.92mm rounds damaging the engine of 'Red 3' flown by S-Lt. Gnyś.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1143.jpg 
Views:	52 
Size:	254.3 KB 
ID:	230029

    As a string of blasphemous Polish curses uttered by Władysław Gnyś assaulted his ears over the radio, S-Lt. Kowalewski closed to firing range on the right hand bomber. On his second burst a thin stream of white smoke began trailing behind the Heinkel, a sure sign he had hit the fuel tank or the coolant system.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1144.jpg 
Views:	52 
Size:	252.5 KB 
ID:	230030

    As Władysław Gnyś in 'Red 3' was forced to drop back due to his damaged engine, Władysław Chciuk in 'Red 5' moved up and continued to fire burst after burst at the Heinkel from the bomber's seven o'clock.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1145.jpg 
Views:	51 
Size:	244.5 KB 
ID:	230031

    Ignoring the return fire which Chciuk could hear striking his aircraft, the Polish airman moved into the tail shadow of the Heinkel and opened fire. At the same time S-Lt. Gnyś entered a shallow dive to gain some distance on the Heinkel, lifting his nose at the last moment to deliver a burst which struck the German bomber's port engine. But it was Adj. Chciuk's last burst at close range that finally destroyed the He 111, cannon shells ripping the aircraft to pieces.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1146.jpg 
Views:	52 
Size:	252.2 KB 
ID:	230032

    As the Heinkel entered its final dive the radio operator Ltn. Johann Schmidt and the dorsal gunner Uffz. Julius Dehler managed to bail out. The pilot Hptm. Werner Tronicke refused to jump and leave two wounded men onboard, so tried to bring in the stricken bomber as best his could. The aircraft crashed in trees, with Hptm. Tronicke escaping injury. He pulled the other two crewman from the wreckage and gave them what treatment he could waiting for French troops to arrive. The observer Ltn. Wilhelm Eifler survived but spent the next month in hospital. Nothing could be done for Uffz. Herbert Blasche, who was killed in the crash.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1147.jpg 
Views:	51 
Size:	234.3 KB 
ID:	230033

    As S-Lt. Kowalewski was hammering away at the second Heinkel, Adj. Chciuk banked in and also opened fire. His burst ignited the thin stream of fuel vapour trailing behind the German bomber, causing the Heinkel to burst into flames.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1148.jpg 
Views:	51 
Size:	250.0 KB 
ID:	230034

    Immediately the Heinkel pilot Oblt. Hermann Hogeback ordered the crew to bail out, but only Ltn. Gerd Strumpf managed to hit the silk before the bomber was rocked by a stream of cannon fire from S-Lt. Kowalewski's 'Red 4'. Hogeback managed to crash land his flaming aircraft and the crew survived with only the radio operator Fw. Johann Hildebrandt sustaining serious injuries.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1149.jpg 
Views:	51 
Size:	227.2 KB 
ID:	230035

    With both Heinkels shot down the Polish Flight reformed and returned to Avelanges, where Kowalewski and Chciuk had their second and third respective victories confirmed. That evening the commander of GC II/7 Commandante Durieux advised S-Lt. Kowalewski that he had been recommended for the Medaille militaire in recognition of his two confirmed kills in the service of France.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	D520 airfield.jpg 
Views:	50 
Size:	103.9 KB 
ID:	230037

    The ground crew got to work immediately on the Polish Flight's damaged Dewoitines. The escadrille was fortunate in having plenty of spares for the new aircraft. Kowalewski's 'Red 4' was flight ready within 48 hours, although the damaged engine on 'Red 3' put that D.520 out of action until 5 June. Adj. Chciuk's 'Red 5' had suffered the most damage and would not be ready for operations until 8 June 1940.
    Last edited by Carl_Brisgamer; 08-14-2017 at 16:35.

  2. #2

    Default

    Very cool to see the Poles flying 520s! Job well done by your Polish pilots. A very cunning scenario to give them a good chance to claim some kills. A good way to keep them hooked REP gun jammed at the moment but will keep an eye open for when I can shoot again.

  3. #3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Teaticket View Post
    Very cool to see the Poles flying 520s! Job well done by your Polish pilots. A very cunning scenario to give them a good chance to claim some kills. A good way to keep them hooked REP gun jammed at the moment but will keep an eye open for when I can shoot again.
    The way the campaign works is that if the players lose a mission they are forced onto the defensive and will only encounter enemy fighters doing a sweep or escorted bombers. If they win however they get to randomly generate another mission type, in this case an offensive patrol targeting unescorted bombers.

  4. #4

    Default

    I'll have to go back and read all your campaign notes. This sounds very good. When I move in a year I will be looking to find 2-4 locals for something like this.

  5. #5

    Default

    Carl has done a great job putting this all together and making this a joy to play even if we find ourselves on the back foot. It just makes us all the more determined to get on top and enjoy it if we do.

  6. #6

    Default

    Nice AAR and game. A good way to get people involved and attract new players.

  7. #7

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobP View Post
    Nice AAR and game. A good way to get people involved and attract new players.
    We have more waiting in the wings (pun intended) once the action moves to the Batlle of Britain. I believe we will see some much larger engagements in that phase of the campaign.

  8. #8

    Default

    Another joy to read.


    Keep 'em coming, Carl.

  9. #9

    Default

    Good to see those D520's in action. Thanks for posting.

  10. #10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Baxter View Post
    Good to see those D520's in action. Thanks for posting.
    Thanks Gary. I did a quick count and after buying another three Stellas which I repainted as Polish Armee del'Air aircraft I now have eleven Dewoitine D.520s - three Polish, three French, three Vichy French and two Regia Aeronautica. Expect to see more of them in the next few campaign AARs.

  11. #11

    Default

    Love the 520's. Not used enough ingames. I now have 8 to be used by the Italians in the Med. Another fantastic game and AAR to read.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  12. #12

    Default

    I agree with Neil , 520's not used enough. Nice AAR

  13. #13

    Default

    AS I skim read comments I missed this one Peter. Yes I too will have to go back and read up the campaign notes. I am getting into following the Polish Boys and every AAR has me wondering what is going to happen. No silly heroics or suicide pilots here and makes for great reading.

    Neil

    Quote Originally Posted by Teaticket View Post
    I'll have to go back and read all your campaign notes. This sounds very good. When I move in a year I will be looking to find 2-4 locals for something like this.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  14. #14

    Default

    Thanks for the positive comments fellas, I am glad you are enjoying the campaign as it develops.

    I really think once Ares releases official campaign rules this will be the future of the game. It is a lot more rewarding for the players than scratch games.



Similar Missions

  1. AAR - BrisWingsofGlory WGS Campaign 1, Mission 6 - Polish Air Force 1939-45
    By Carl_Brisgamer in forum WGS: After Action Reports
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 05-22-2018, 15:11
  2. AAR - BrisWingsofGlory WGS Campaign 1, Mission 9 - Polish Air Force 1939-45
    By Carl_Brisgamer in forum WGS: After Action Reports
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 08-09-2017, 17:15
  3. AAR - BrisWingsofGlory WGS Campaign 1, Mission 7 - Polish Air Force 1939-45
    By Carl_Brisgamer in forum WGS: After Action Reports
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 08-09-2017, 16:02
  4. AAR - BrisWingsofGlory WGS Campaign 1, Mission 2 - Polish Air Force 1939-45
    By Carl_Brisgamer in forum WGS: After Action Reports
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 08-09-2017, 04:42
  5. AAR - BrisWingsofGlory WGS Campaign 1, Mission 1 - Polish Air Force 1939-45
    By Carl_Brisgamer in forum WGS: After Action Reports
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 08-09-2017, 04:42

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •