Captain Bon King & the Pilots & ground crew of the Hearts of Oak C Flight of the Bulldogs had settled into their new Aerodrome & accommodations after being seconded to assist their French Allies during the Counter Offensive being conducted around the River Marne area.
Orders came requesting a raid to neutralise some German Pontoon bridges across the River which were being utilised to bring German Reinforcements to the Front. After this main objective they were to try to destroy a German Observation Balloon that was keeping German Command appraised of Allied activity around the crossings.
Bon asked his orderly Sgt to bring Lt "Quick" March & 2nd Lt "Tiny" Large to his favourite outdoor briefing table.
"Right you blokes! Listen up. We have a special mission that is vital to the offensive. We need to destroy 3 pontoon bridges over the Marne which the Hun is using to bring up reinforcements. Then we need to take down a pesky Hun balloon that is keeping them informed of the Froggies activities. You chaps will fly SE 5a's fitted with one bomb & a Lewis drum with enough incendiaries to make two attacks on the Balloon. Keep it handy & swap it out when you get close to the sausage. I will fly the Dolphin with an added Lewis on the frame which will have the drum already fitted. Now we are going in low to keep out of sight & allow accurite bombing. Once you have released your bomb gain altitude & watch out for enemy scouts as you can bet Pounds to Peanuts they will be active trying to protect both bridges & Balloon!" "Any Questions?" "Right get kitted up & good luck!" We need to get in & get out as quickly as possible!"
Over at the Eagles Jasta Acting Staffelfurher Georg Steltzmeir nominated the 2 pilots to join him in a sweep of the Front with instructions to watch for any attacks on the Pontoon Crossings & the Observation Balloon. He would fly the Red winged Fokker D.VII whilst Ltn Richard Schneider would fly the SSW with the Horse Brand & new pilot Erich Eggers would take the one with the Winged Sword.
As the Allied pilots approached the River they saw the pontoons below.
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Across the River & behind the Balloon, Georg Steltzmeir watched his 2 pilots patrolling off to his Port & Starboard sides then ahead he made out 3 dark spots coming from the Allied lines. Waggling his Wings he pointed ahead & received acknowledgement from his fellow pilots.
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Using the speed of their Aircraft to advantage the 3 Bulldogs spread out to attack the bridge of their choice.
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Tiny Large realised he was going to overshoot his bridge & pulled an Immleman to try for another approach whilst Bon & Quick prepared their attacks.
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Meanwhile the 3 German planes had converged & made their way towards the intruders.
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Steltzmeir immediately dived towards the British aircraft while the other German Pilots held a watching brief.
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Bon made a perfect approach, stalled the Dolphin & dropped his bomb dead centre on the Pontoons. (Note: Photo taken after next movement card (a Stall) which is why Dolphin is over Bomb card)
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Quick also made a good approach & hit his target as well.
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Bon immediately climbed to meet the attack from the German leader & his wingman who had also dived. Bon & the Siemans exchanged fire with not much damage to either plane however the German's guns jammed. ( Bon used his Marksman 1 ability)
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As Bon climbed towards the German Balloon he came under attack from an Anti Aircraft battery but fortunately its aim was way off.
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His attack caused the Balloon to smoke but there was no sign of flames & the ground crew immediately started to winch the balloon to safety.
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Tiny's belated Immleman had taken him a long way from the action & he made the decision to forgo an attack on the Pontoon Bridge & make his way to where the action was taking place climbing as he flew.
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Quick now closed in on the Balloon from his side & also received a nasty welcome from another Archie battery. Thanks to his "Lucky Git" Ace ability he was able to avoid any damage!
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Having passed under the Balloon & preformed an Immleman Bon found himself facing off on a head on attack with the German Stafflefurher.
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Again benefiting from his Marksman ability he was gratified to see the German pilot jerk in his harness & he knew he had wounded the German.
As Quick swung around towards the Balloon he again came under attack from the AA battery but its aim was off.
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The three German aircraft now closed in to protect the Balloon whilst Bon now headed towards home having expended his Incendiary ammunition whilst Quick lined up on the Balloon.
The German leader now headed for home due to his wound.
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Tiny Large was now approaching the action but felt put out by his early mistake.
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The German winch crew continued their frenzied efforts to haul their charge down to safety before the "Tommies" could destroy it.
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Quick also caused smoke to issue from the sausage but again no sign of any fire!
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Quick now came under attack from the other AA Gun & this time their aim was spot on causing the SE 5a to catch fire! (Note: I only noticed after the game that I had drawn a B damage card from the special Balloon deck instead of the C deck!)
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Tiny had finally arrived on the scene but it was too late as the Balloon was way below his altitude to allow a shot.
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Seeing the Red Flare fired off by Captain King to recall the flight Tiny swung around & headed for home hotly pursued by Erich Eggers who was incensed by the wounding of his Staffel leader & the attack on the bridges & balloon. He was out for blood!
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The chase was now on with Tiny opening the throttle of the Se to try to outdistance the German plane.
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Meanwhile Quick was twisting & turning trying to keep the flames at bay as he made his way back to his home drome hoping the plane would make it.
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Richard Schneider in the other SSW had closed on Bon's Dolphin in an effort to bring him to battle.
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Finally getting within range & causing Bon's Rudder to jamb in one direction.
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Ultimately the speed of the Dolphin prevailed & the Sopwith landed safely back at its drome.
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With a final flare up the fire on Quick's SE spluttered & died as he approached his home drome with nothing more than singed eyebrows & a smokers cough!
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Ltn Eggers continued to hound Tiny Large just refusing to let up on the chase.
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Finally getting the opportunity of a long range deflection shot which missed.
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Finally giving up when Tiny got too close to the protection of his own AA guns.
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Comments & Observations
Well it was really great to get back to a Wings game after almost 3 months!
I certainly was a bit "rusty" but enjoyed the game hugely. I rolled a 1, 3 & 5 for the set up of the German aircraft which did make it interesting plus the Climb & Dives required for the game. That did keep me on my toes. I flew the Dolphin & all others were AI with a bit of input for the Bombing.
I customised a B deck for the special Balloon damage.
VICTORY POINTS
BRITISH
2 Bridges destroyed == 10 pts
Balloon hauled down == 5 pts
German Aircraft retired= 1 pt
Total Points == 16
GERMAN
1 Bridge intact == 5 pts
Balloon hauled down= 5 pts
Total Points == 10 pts
NARROW VICTORY to the ALLIES!
Butchers Bill will be posted later.
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