OTTBE Mission 23--Cambrai Revisited -- 9th October 1918 by Setarius

[Setarius]

Mutts Camp
8 October 1918

Capt. Forbes: Gentlemen, it's been a good couple of weeks.
In the morning we are to meet up with a Caproni and bomb and strafe the German trenches East of Cambrai. Lts. Kilpatrick and Reeves along with 2Lt. Winklebleck take the recently arrived Snipes. 2Lt. Hamlett you take one of the Camels that's ready.
The primary objective is to protect the bomber and let it do its work. After that shoot up as many trenches as possible.
You will meet the Caproni West of Cambrai and proceed to the Trenches east of there.
The rendezvous is scheduled for 0500 Hrs tomorrow.
Any question? Good! See you in the morning.

Mutts Pilot Lounge
9 October 1918 1900 Hrs

Capt. Forbes: Gentlemen, Gentlemen. I have a communique from the frontlines concerning this morning's action against the Trenches east of Cambrai. It reads as follows:

From:
Commander 2nd Canadian Division
Cambrai Sector

To:
Capt. Richard Forbes

Re: Action Cambrai Sector 9 October 1918 0700 Hrs

The actions of your pilots and the Caproni crew saved hundreds of Canadian lives. The trenchworks at the center of the line were crushed both directions were heavily damaged. During our advance we also encountered 3 newly downed scouts and a two seater. We also captured the two seater pilot.
Please thank your airmen and please accept this gift of two bottles of the finest Canadian Whiskey.

Capt. Forbes: 2Lt. Winklebleck, I guess this confirms your claim of downing 3 EA and 1 for Lt. Reeves. Elmo, would you please enlighten us on your days exploits while we partake of this gift.

2Lt. Winklebleck: We met up with the Caproni West of Cambrai. Lt. Reeves and I were stationed off the Capros port wing about 60m below while Lt. Kilpatrick and 2Lt. Hamlett were to the starboard and level. As we approached the target we saw a group of EA circling.



As we closed the Capro turned to the left and ended up behind us. I saw a UFAG C.1 and a pair of Albatross DVAs.


As the bullets started to fly I took a shot at the black fuselage Albatross (1NR) as its pilot tried to hit me(0).
Lt. Reeves (0,1FLM) took an impossible shot at the UFAG (1,EXP), having spectacular results.
KILL-Lt. Reeves


As we spun around to go after the Alb, one of those new Fokker Devil's shows up near Lt. Kilpatrick.


We kept circling and jousting for position but to no avail.



As we came together a second time Lt. Kilpatrick and 2Lt. Hamlett (0,EXP) (3,ENG,2NR) exchanged shots with Ltn. Letters Fokker DVII and the Alb DVA of Vzfwbl Albrecht.
Ltn. Leffersn(2GJ)+1
Vzfwbl Albrecht (2FLM,0GJ)
2Lt. Hamlett (3ENG, 2NR) (0,EXP)
KILL--Vzfwbl Albrecht

[Setarius]

At one point Lt. Kilpatrick was wingtip to wingtip with a pair of Huns, with the DVII sandwiched in the middle and heading for the Caproni.
I was coming in on the blindside of the DVA.


With jammed guns Lt. Kilpatrick pulls back from the action as I move in.
The Caproni (0GJ)(5P)* exchanges shots with the Huns doing no damage and jamming its guns.
The Albatross' shots silence the rear guns.
See note in Butcher's Bill


As the Caproni lines up for the bomb run, the front gunner opens up on the DVII(1NR, 2) doing minor damage and causing control problems.


As the DVII(5) crossed the now toothless tail of the Caproni I opened fire causing major damage to the plane as fabric and woodwork spiralled to the ground below.
The Caproni was having trouble lining up for its bomb run.


The Albatross of Fwbl Güttler took another shot at Lt. Kilpatrick (3ENG) causing his motor to start running rough.
Finally 1st bomb away.


Fwbl Güttler pops Lt.Kilpatrick (1,4SMK) for some more heavy damage.


As the Caproni (3,0GJ) turns to starboard Fwbl Güttler does minor damage before his guns go silent.
The boys on the ground hear a whistling and as they duck and cover the first bomb lands between a set of trenches damaging both.


As Ltn. Leffers (0,0) takes a wild shot at the Caproni (0) I took a shot at his plane missing as well.


As the burning plane of Vzfwbl Albrecht comes around he takes a shot at Lt. Kilpatrick (3P) causing him to jerk the controls.
Note in Butcher's Bill


As Ltn. Leffers (1,4) takes a shot at the Caproni (0,2NR) doing minimal damage, I took a wild shot at the Fokker doing heavy damage causing it to lose a wing and the ability to stay airborne.
KILL--2Lt. Winklebleck

[Setarius]

As I came around I got behind the yellow and black Albatross (1,2FLM) hitting something vital enough to start a fire. He took a shot at the Caproni (0) missing.


2Lt. Reeves having successfully extinguished his fire goes after the trenchesheavily damaging two as return fire is ineffective.
See Notes Butcher's Bill


The Alb of Ltn. Albrecht (1,4) took a shot at the Caproni (1NL) damaging some controls as I sent another heavy burst into his plane causing it to join his compatriot on the ground below in a flaming heap.
KILL--2Lt. Winklebleck (2)


With only one E.A. in the air the Caproni makes another run at the trenches as 2Lt. Reeves continues his mayhem.


2Lt. Reeves silences another trench.


As the Caproni tries to line up a drop the remaining Alb (0) trades shots with the front gunner of the Caproni (1).


The Caproni (0,5) is all over the sky as Fwbl Güttler charges in hitting the Caproni hard, but the big bird flies on.


Bombs away.
Fwbl Güttler misses the Caproni (0).


Lt. Kilpatrick gets in close and takes some additional canvas off Fwbl Güttler's Alb(1,3).


Fwbl Güttler (0,2GJ)+1 doggedly pursues the Caproni (1NL) while getting hit by Lt. Kilpatrick before his guns jam.

[Setarius]

I came in guns a blazing. The Alb was being chased by Lt. Kilpatrick.
Albatross (0,4SMK)
2Lt. Winklebleck (2NL.2GJ)


Fwbl Güttler decides to finally head home with jammed guns and 3 E.A. nearby.
I took a parting shot at the Fwbl(3,5P) doing massive damage and causing it to come apart and falll to the ground below.
Bombs away dumping remaining bombs.
KILL--2Lt. Winklebleck (3)


With no E.A. in the area, bombs on the way to the ground we circled and headed home.


Bombs land between a pair of trenches that have already been suppressed further damaging the area.


Butcher's Bill

Entente Left to Right

Lt. James Kilpatrick: Ace--Deadly Aim. RTB 11 DMG WIA ENG
C&W R 3 -1WIA +3RTB +1ACE = 6 Sk d3 Rolled 1 = SKIP 1

Lt. Matthew Reeves:Ace--Marksman. RTB 1 KILL 3 DMG
FIRE DAMAGE 0,2,0

2Lt. Erasmus "Elmo" Winklebleck: RTB 3 KILLS 4 DMG


2Lt. Rodger Hamlett: SD NML EXP ENG
C&W R7-3EXP-1NML= 3 SK d6 r 2
E&E R12-1EXP-1WIC+1NML=11 SKIP 2


Central Powers Left to Right

Fwbl Max Güttler SD WIA NML 19 DMG
C&W R8-1SD-1WIA-1NML=5 SK d3 R6 SKIP 3
E&E R6-1WIC-1WIA+NML=5 In Hiding (Skip 1D2 Scenarios - Rolled 3 = Skip 1)

Ltn. Helmut Leffers SD NML 16 DMG
C&W R8-1SD-1NML=6 SK d3 R4 SKIP 2
E&E R5-1WIC+NML=5 In Hiding (Skip 1D2 Scenarios - Rolled 4 = Skip 2)

Vzfwbl Otto Albrecht SD NML 1 KILL
C&W R9-1SD-1NML=7 SK d2 SKIP 2
E&E R8-1WIC+1NML= 8 SK 1 Almost Home (skip 1)

Vzfwbl Ludwig Bohny (P) SD FT EXP
C&W R7-3EXP= SK d6 r3 SKIP 3
E&E R6-1EXP-1WIC=4 Captured & Escaped (Skip 1D3 Scenarios - rolled 1 = skip 1)

Ltn. Ernst Clausnitzer (O) SD FT EXP
C&W R9-3EXP=6 SK d3 r4 SKIP 2
E&E R8-1EXP-1WIC = 6 In hiding! (Skip 1D2 Scenarios - rolled 5 = Skip 2)


Caproni Crew

Pilot
RTB

Co-pilot
RTB

Front Gunner
RTB

Rear Gunner
RTB WIA
C&W R8-1WIA+3=10 All's Well When you Land Well


Trenches

1--2Dmg, 2--7Dmg Destroyed, 3--0Dmg, 4--5Dmg Destroyed, 5--5Dmg Destroyed, 6--3Dmg, 7--3Dmg


Victory Points



Gaming notes

I was bombing from level 6 so I had two moves before the bombs hit the ground.
Upon drawing to see who got hit I drew position 2 which corresponded to the rear gunner.
In several photos I used a d6 for the plus 1 from the Ace skill of Lt. Kilpatrick
In another photo with a damage card turned sideways and a d6 on it is the Marksman Ace skill of Lt. Reeves
In another photo if you look close enough you can see the base of a plane between the Caproni and one of the Eagles. There was plenty of room for the base, but not the plane.
I went back through my notes and pictures and couldn't find where the 3ENG DMG and 1,4SMK, happened on 2Lt. Winklebleck's plane so ignore it. It should be on Lt. Kilpatrick's plane.

I do have to say this is a very good scenario, so Congratulations to Tikifriend for coming up with it.
I do say that I did get a little frustrated not being able to line the Caproni up for a good bomb run, but bomb runs rarely hit 100% on target. It just means I need more practice with my high level bombers in both WGF and WGS.

[Vagabond]

Disastrous outing for the Germans - 4 planes lost for virtually no damage to the British and Wincklebank had a remarkable mission with 3 kills even though his plane was shot to ribbons.
I guess you felt sorry for the enemy which is why you didn't straf the trenches after their protectors had been shot down, very sporting.
I do like the look of the Capgroni with its 3 tails it has a very unique look to it.

[Setarius]

I could have strafed the Trenches further but by that time I had been at it 6 hours with a 30 minute break thrown in and needed to leave for a commitment shortly afterwards. Plus my "A" deck was getting a little thin.
The big bombers are very hard to take down if they have any kind of escort. The defender has to either ignore the escorts and get shot to pieces or hit the escort first and let the big guy go.
The big thing about the big bombers, an EXPLOSION CARD Only does half damage, compared to full damage on scouts and two sweaters.

John, I have a pair of Capronis and a Zeppelin Staaken. I am missing a Gotha and a Handley-Page 0/400. If you really want to see a FURBALL where we had a chance to use the big guys check out Mission 7 Something Must Be Done 7 February 1918 scenario on here.

[flash]

Well played Dale, you went a different way with the deployment putting the Eagles the other side of the table rather than around the Bulldog aircraft - still produced a busy game for your chaps though and they proved masters of the sky. Bombing from on high is really tricky so you did well to attempt that but it did mean you kept out of harms way - I found the ground fire brutal !

Uncle says:


Well done chaps you gave those Adler chaps a bloody nose and allowed the bomber to get his work done - Kilpatrick & Hamlett were a bit unlucky but they'll be back before you know it.
Now it's time to celebrate Winkelbleck's triple with a tipple, he's the man to watch, three in a day, you won't see that very often

[gully_raker]

Well done Dale!
You did really well on what can be a dangerous mission.
Yes its difficult to line up a bomber when you have to execute a 45 degree turn to get over the target.
I will have to see how my H-P 0/400 goes when I get this one done next week.

[Stumptonian]

Well done, Winkelbleck!
3 kills in one mission is extraordinary.

Another disastrous outing for Die Adler.
Well played, Dale.

I almost did my usual and stumbled into your AAR Under Construction last night, but got out quick....

[mikeemagnus]

Wow Dale, that was one hum dinger of a fight. Well done the Bulldogs for an excellent result. But I have to add, blooming well done to Max Güttler for surviving so long against outrageous odds.

Once again, thanks for the entertainment. Nice one

[Teaticket]

Well flown Dale. Your Doggies kicked the Hun pretty hard. A hat trick for Winklebeck! Thats quite the day for him. Hope he remembers it when he wakes up after the party.