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Thread: Gotha Attack

  1. #1

    Default Gotha Attack

    This battle took place on Friday 9th March 2018 at the Cowards wargame club Hoveton, Norfolk.

    Two Gotha bombers flown by Colin and myself had to fly into enemy territory and destroy a key river bridge and a road junction. Richard flying a line patrol consisting of a SPAD XIII, a Sopwith Camel and a Bristol Fighter would try to prevent this once they spotted the bombers. It was agreed that the line patrol would not 'spot' the bombers and turn to attack them until the aircaft were four ruler lengths apart.

    Colin flew the light blue Gotha and I flew the purple one.
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    Richard's line patrol
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    The targets.
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  2. #2

    Default

    After three moves the bombers were closing together and the patrol had moved along the line.

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    A further three moves brought the Gothas to the rear of their own trenches and the line patrol flew further.

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    Last edited by Naharaht; 03-12-2018 at 00:56.

  3. #3

    Default

    After one more move, the Gothas entered 'Nomans Land' and were spotted by the sharp eyed American SPAD pilot. Tally Ho!

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    The fighters turned to attack the bombers.

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    The SPAD headed towards Colin's light blue Gotha and the other two fighters looked like they were coming for me.

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    Last edited by Naharaht; 03-12-2018 at 01:06.

  4. #4

    Default

    The Gothas moved slightly apart. The SPAD and Bristol Fighter flew straight ahead whilst the Camel sideslipped left. The light blue Gotha's front observer fired at the SPAD whilst the front observer on the purple Gotha fired at the Camel.

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    Colin's light blue Gotha turned right whilst the purple one flew straight on. The SPAD flew on behind the purple Gotha and received a burst of fire from the Gotha's rear observer. The Camel and Bristol Fighter flew straight ahead. The Bristol exchanged fire with the Purple Gotha but the Bristol's forward gun jammed.

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    Colin continued turning right in his light blue Gotha. The SPAD Immelmann turned. The Camel flew on as did the purple Gotha and Bristol Fighter, which ended up overlapping.

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    Last edited by Naharaht; 03-13-2018 at 12:02.

  5. #5

    Default

    This looks awesome...

  6. #6

    Default

    I love the look of the table using so may mats. It really gives a bombing scenario some space I shall await the outcome

  7. #7

    Default

    How many mats were used and what were the dimensions of the playing area? It seems much larger than our usual 4 foot by 6 foot mat.
    So how many books are in your personal library?

  8. #8

    Default

    We used six mats, 3 Countryside, 2 Noman's Land and 1 City. Together they were slightly larger than the three folding tables we were using.
    Last edited by Naharaht; 03-14-2018 at 22:43.

  9. #9

    Default

    Nice David - looking forward to seeing the outcome

  10. #10

    Default

    The light blue Gotha continued turning right. The other planes flew straight ahead. the rear observers in the Bristol Fighter and the purple Gotha exchanged fire.

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    The light blue Gotha turned left. The purple one turned right to head for the river bridge target. The Bristol Fighter Immelmann turned and the SPAD and Camel pursued the purple intruder.

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    The purple Gotha headed for the target as the fighters closed in pursuit.

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    The light blue Gotha continued turning left to try to re-enter the fray.

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  11. #11

    Default

    Things are getting tense, for sure.

  12. #12

    Smile

    Looking forward to the conclusion to this one!

  13. #13

    Default

    Richard thought that the purple Gotha would head for the road junction but it continued on towards the bridge.

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    The light blue Gotha continued turning left.

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    As the purple Gotha continued its bombing run on the bridge the Entente fighters turned in pursuit.

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    The SPAD and the purple Gotha's rear observer shot at each other. The SPAD caught fire.

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    Meanwhile, the light blue Gotha had almost turned towards the city.

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  14. #14

    Default

    With the Entente fighters in hot pursuit the purple Gotha released half of its bomb load. Shots continued to be exchanged.

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    The light blue Gotha headed for the city.

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    As the purple Gotha flew over the bridge the crew saw that their bombs had missed the centre of the bridge but had still cause partial damage to it. The exchange of machine gun fire continued.

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    The fire damage proved too much for the SPAD and it went down in flames.

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    The Camel and Bristol Fighter came on, intending to avenge their fallen comrade.

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    Meanwhile the light blue Gotha turned left to line up on the bridge.

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  15. #15

    Default

    By turning to the right the purple Gotha temporarily shook off the pursuing fighters and its rear observer got off a long range burst at the Camel.

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    The light blue Gotha was closing in.

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    The purple Gotha turned right whilst the fighters flew away from it. The light blue Gotha headed towards the bridge.

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    The fighters turned to come in for another attack as the purple Gotha turned left to avoid a possible collision with its oncoming compatriot.

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  16. #16

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Naharaht View Post
    The fighters turned to come in for another attack as the purple Gotha turned left to avoid a possible collision with its oncoming compatriot.
    Things are getting tense!
    So how many books are in your personal library?

  17. #17

    Default

    The Gothas passed each other as the light blue bomber headed for the bridge. The fighters hurried to attack.

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    As the light blue Gotha dropped half of its bombs it's forward observer exchanged shots with the Bristol Fighter .

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    Which blew up! The bombs missed the centre of the bridge but did partial damage.

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  18. #18

    Setarius's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies
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    Default

    Some good action there David.

  19. #19

    Default

    The purple Gotha started to turn to the right. The light blue Gotha turned towards the second target. The Camel came on and ended with its base overlapping with the light blue Gotha.

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    The Camel flew on towards the purple Gotha whilst the light blue Gotha manoeuvred for a bombing run on the road junction.

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    The purple Gotha turned towards the oncoming Camel and they exchanged fire. Meanwhile the light blue Gotha was turning towards its target.

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  20. #20

    Default

    Well, well. What a great fight. Looking forward to the next episode

  21. #21

    Default

    Interesting mission. I think I'd like to try it; I have a couple of questions.
    How many targets are there?
    What did you have, as required to destroy the target(s). 1/2 bomb load on target? 2 x 1/2 just off the target but on the card?
    It looked like the scouts were flying back and forth over No Man's Land until they spotted the bombers. What are the rules for spotting so they can break formation?
    Will this play well with three maps placing them long side-to-long side instead of six? They would be crossing the shortest side of the maps.

    Thank you for your help,

  22. #22

    Thumbs up

    And still the Battle rages!
    Looking forward to the next instalment.

  23. #23

    Default

    Ken, there were two targets. Yes, one 1/2 bomb load on target or two 1/2 load near misses would destroy a target. The scouts were required to patrol the border of No-man's Land until a bomber was 4 ruler lengths from one of them. Just about all the combat took place on three of the mats, so, yes, you could probably play it on three mats with their longest edges touching. The scenario was put together at short notice, so this game was a bit of an experiment. There are a number of ways that it could be improved, such as introducing a fourth Entente scout plane or A.A. guns but Richard had his hands full flying three planes and Colin was a beginner.

  24. #24

    Default

    The two Gothas turned right. The Camel flew straight on and overlapped bases with the purple Gotha.

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    The light blue Gotha continued to turn to the right. The purple Gotha flew straight ahead whilst the Camel turned sharply right into the blind spot of the purple Gotha.

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    All three planes turned to the right. The purple Gotha's rear gunner fired at the Camel.

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    Last edited by Naharaht; 04-07-2018 at 00:03.

  25. #25

    Default

    Like an old fashioned radio serial, we all are hanging out for the next installment.
    Thanks for sharing your game with us. It's good to have the Forum up again so that you can share your AAR.

  26. #26

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Naharaht View Post
    Ken, there were two targets. Yes, one 1/2 bomb load on target or two 1/2 load near misses would destroy a target. The scouts were required to patrol the border of No-man's Land until a bomber was 4 ruler lengths from one of them. Just about all the combat took place on three of the mats, so, yes, you could probably play it on three mats with their longest edges touching. The scenario was put together at short notice, so this game was a bit of an experiment. There are a number of ways that it could be improved, such as introducing a fourth Entente scout plane or A.A. guns but Richard had his hands full flying three planes and Colin was a beginner.
    Great thank you. I'll look at the addition of the extra scout or A.A. guns We could leave that as flexible and depended on the number of players. I wonder which A.A. guns, A or B? and I suppose only one next to each target?

  27. #27

    Default

    Please feel free to adapt the scenario in any way you wish, Ken.

  28. #28

    Default

    All the planes turned to the right again. The Camel and purple Gotha fired at each other. Smoke began pouring from one of the Gotha's engines. THe blue Gotha released its remaining bombs at the crossroads target but missed.

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    The two Gotha's continued turning right whilst the Camel flew straight ahead.

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    The purple Gotha, which was down to two damage points, headed for home. The Camel turned in pursuit. The light blue Gotha headed over in support.

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  29. #29

    Default

    Been enjoying this report immensely. Glad you were able to save it from the most recent outage.

  30. #30

    Default

    Been enjoying this report immensely.
    Agree totally. I guess there are only one or two episodes left - and I'm going away for a couple of weeks soon. Well, if I have to wait for the finale, its something to look forward to

  31. #31

  32. #32

    Thumbs up

    I wont have any fingernails left if David does not post the Grand Finale soon!

  33. #33

    Default

    The purple Gotha ran for home with the Camel in pursuit and the blue Gotha following far behind.

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    The chase continued.

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    The Camel turned a little to the right.

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    The purple Gotha stopped smoking but the Camel turned left, fired a burst from its machine guns at long range and finished off its purple opponent. The blue Gotha was following behind.

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  34. #34

    Default

    Both remaining machines turned a little to the left.

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    The Camel turned sharply to the right whilst the Gotha flew straight on.

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    Both planes flew straight ahead but the Camel was now in range of the Gotha's forward gun.

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  35. #35

    Default

    The Camel flew straight ahead and the Gotha turned left avoiding what might have been a full blown collision. However, the models' bases were overlapping so no shooting was possible.

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    The Camel flew clear of the Gotha, which moved forward. However, the Gotha's rear gunner could now fire at the Camel.

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    And the badly damaged Camel was shot down.

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    That marked the end of the battle. It was a victory for the Central Powers.

    Richard and Colin said that they had enjoyed the evening and some of the other club members were impressed by the mats and models.

  36. #36

    Smile

    Sad end for the Camel driver but he did bag a Gotha.
    Thanks for an enjoyable AAR David.

  37. #37

    Default

    Great story David. I think telling it over a period of time made it even more interesting and exciting. Thanks for sharing what seems to be an epic tale REP inbound

  38. #38

    Default

    An AAR that had many of us on the edge of our seats. Well done!

  39. #39

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Naharaht View Post

    That marked the end of the battle. It was a victory for the Central Powers.
    Victory, yes, but a near-run thing. Thanks for the epic report.

  40. #40

    Default

    Thank you for your kind remarks. I am glad that you enjoyed it. The suspense was mainly caused by the site crashing.

  41. #41

    Default

    Well as I've only just arrived at the front I was able to read it all in one sitting and a most enjoyable read it was.
    Those big beasts are certainly a tough proposition.

    The overall view of the table back in march is very impressive, it gives you a good impression of the amount of space you had to fly around in.
    Cheers

  42. #42

    Default

    Nice one David, got there in the end ! Glad the new chaps enjoyed it.

    "He is wise who watches"



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