OTT BE Mission 17, 4 July 1918, Hell over Hamel (Carl Brisgamer)

[Carl_Brisgamer]

PROLOGUE

Jabbeke, Flandern
4 Juli 1918
0400hrs



'Beautiful', thought Hans Goerth as he approached the woman seated on the bar stool. She had smooth alabaster skin, long shapely legs and ruby red lips. The swell of her bosom showed through the thin strip of material hanging around her neck and falling strategically down over her chest. As Hans came closer their eyes met and she gave him an enticing smile. The young German aviator reached out for the woman, his entire body trembling with anticipation ......

"WACH AUF!" came the shout that roused Vizeflugmeister Hans Goerth from slumber. Sitting bolt upright Hans looked about for the woman, believing for a moment he was living his blissful dream. The sight and sound of Oberbootsmann Heinz Knapp standing in the doorway of the hut he shared with fellow pilot Oberflugmeister Albin Buhl snapped him back to reality.

"Get out of bed," boomed Knapp, "Herr Kapleun needs you both in the duty hut in five minutes ready to fly!"

Goerth wiped the sleep out of his eyes at the same time trying to hold on to the image of his dream girl as she retreated into his subconscious.

"Alright, alright, we're up!" came the voice of Goerth's roommate in reply to the Duty NCO's demands.

Oberbootmann Knapp did not seem convinced. "FÜNF MINUTEN!" he reiterated in his usual parade ground manner.

Albin Bühl's response was to reach down beside the bed where his hand located the piss pot, which he promptly launched at the Oberbootsmann's head. Knapp retreated out of the doorway just in time as the pot connected with the door frame then clattering to the floor.

"That man has been even more insufferable than usual since his promotion," complained Albin, swinging his legs out of bed. Goerth nodded as he lit the lamp then pulled on his flight suit.

"Still we had better not keep the Skipper waiting," Albin added, reaching for his flying boots.


********************

Jabbeke, Flandern
4 Juli 1918
0405hrs

The two NCO pilots reached the duty hut to find Kapitänleutnant Willi Mattheus and Leutnant Herman Meyer already at the map table.

"Kaffee," indicated Mattheus, gesturing in the direction of two metal mugs sitting on tray.

"Tommy has been busy this morning," the Gruppenkommandeur commenced the briefing without further delay. "Last night saw a brief bombardment in the area of Le Hamel and now the enemy are on the attack. The English Gentlemen are up supporting their operation, so Armee HQ is demanding we clear the skies."

"Hans, you will fly with me, Oberflugmeister Bühl you will take Leutnant Meyer's wing. We will fly directly to Le Hamel and engage whatever enemy we find in the air."

"Just the four of us Herr Kapitänleutnant?" questioned Bühl, raising an eyebrow.

"To start," replied Mattheus. "The Army Jastas are putting together a large formation but they won't be up until later this morning. Until then it is up to us."

The pilots drained their coffees and walked to the flight line where two Fokkers and two Albatros einsitzer were being run up by the ground crew.

"Good luck Hans," called Albin Bühl over the sound of the engine, "First one to shoot down a Tommy is buying in the mess tonight!"

The young ace Jagdflieger smiled back at the older man "Looks like that round will be on me!"

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Skies over the Somme Valley
4 Juli 1918
0500hrs



KptLt. Willi Mattheus and Vzfm. Hans Goerth approach the area of Le Hamel from the east, the rising sun at their backs.



1200 metres below elements of the 16th Battalion AIF (Australian Imperial Force), having taken their objective consolidate the position and await the promised aerial ammunition resupply.



Two 'Harry Tates' of No.9 Squadron RAF flying at 2000 feet approach the front, each aircraft carrying a number of ammunition crates fitting with parachutes to be dropped to the Australian infantry.



Spotting the enemy two-seaters, an impetuous Hans Goerth opens the throttle and heads straight for the formation. Climbing slightly, Mattheus seeks to put himself between the RE.8s and the sun.



Like two birds of prey, Mattheus and Goerth fall on the RE.8s seeking quick victories. Goerth scores some hits on his target but for Mattheus the attack is a disaster, his first long burst missing the target completely. In the cockpit of his RE.8 Lieutenant Syd Harris returns fire with his single Vickers, sending a stream of lead into the yellow and black Fokker's fuselage damaging the rudder controls but at the same time causing his gun to jam. The pilot of the second RE.8 2Lt. William Knowles misses Goerth, but Sgt. Irving Gordon flying as observer to Lt. Harris has the presence of mind to fire off a deflection burst at Goerth's machine, stitching up the black hearted Fokker.



Cursing his poor aim, Willi Mattheus banks hard to port, coming around to have another shot at his opponent. Hans Goerth executes a split-S risking a stall to drop down on the tail of his RE.8 (acrobatic pilot), but ending up too close to get a shot. Meanwhile both rear gunners are free to engage the two Fokkers, Lt. Riekie missing Mattheus with his twin Lewis guns but Sgt. Gordon again hitting Goerth's aircraft with a well aimed burst.



From the southwest two Camels of No.209 Squadron RAF arrive over the battle area.



Vzfm. Hans Goerth finds himself in a perfect position in the tail shadow of his RE.8 and opens fire. His twin Maxims spit death for a few seconds before they suddenly stop! Similarly Mattheus manages to get a burst in and despite scoring a few hits his guns also jam. Sgt. Gordon meanwhile empties the rest of his Lewis gun magazine into the yellow and black Fokker.



While Goerth works to clear his guns and stay close behind his opponent, Mattheus also trying to remedy his stoppage can only watch as the RE.8 dives away, the rear gunner again scoring hits on his Fokker (Ed note - Sgt. Gordon should not have been able to shoot due to a gun jam the previous move, missed that one).



It is then that Leutnant Hermann Meyer and his wingman Oberflugmeister Albin Bühl enter the battle flying at 1500 metres …..



….. even as the two Camels flown by Lt. William Walkerdine and 2Lt. Robert Rigby bank towards the developing melee.



Having cleared the stoppage to his Maxims, tailing his quarry Hans Goerth finally delivers a telling blow, shooting up the RE.8s fuel tank and rudder controls. He watches with satisfaction as the British machine starts to burn.



Mattheus finally clears his own guns, but unwilling to remain a target for the RE.8's gunner he banks away.



The skies over Le Hamel, so peaceful until a few short moments, before are now filled with fighting machines.



Despite the flames eating away at his Harry Tate, 2Lt. Knowles spies the yellow and black Fokker crossing his nose and puts a burst into the Hun machine, at the same time as his observer Lt. Riekie opens up on one of the Albatros scouts approaching from his eight o'clock high.



Responding to the impact of the bullets from the RE.8's front gun, Mattheus turns into the Englishman making a head on attack. Both pilots open fire at close range. A stream of 7.92mm rounds from the Fokker's twin Maxim 08's smashes into the RE.8. Return fire from 2Lt. Knowles also hits Mattheus' Fokker, and it is only by pure luck he avoids more serious damage (use of Lucky Pilot ace skill to ignore the 3 pointer). From his observer's cockpit Lt. Harry Riekie adjusts the lead on the Albatros and firing his twin Lewis guns hits the Hun scout with a damaging burst.



The damage to the RE.8 is enough to knock it out of the sky. Mattheus looks down over the edge of his cockpit as the burning two seater crashes into the ground, marking the German naval aviator's seventeenth victory.



The Camels now enter the fray. Although too late to save the downed RE.8, Lt. Walkerdine opens his account with an effective burst on the nearest Albatros scout. Almost a thousand feet below Lt. Harris at the controls of his RE.8 takes advantage of the cover provided by No.209 Squadron's Camels to line up his supply drops.



Seconds later all hell breaks loose over Hamel, as the full weight of the German and British formations clash. Too close to get a bead on the first Albatros, Lt. Walkerdine in his red and white striped Camel scores a few hits on the next Hun machine, another Albatros with black fuselage bands. Walkerdine's wingman Rigby has two enemies in front of his nose, the Albatros with the blue and red fuselage bands flying past him and a yellow and black Fokker coming head on. He fires at the latter and his aim is true, causing significant damage to the German scout. But Vizeflugmeister Hans Goerth has positioned himself well behind the Camel with the blue rings and opens fire, his burst smashing into the rear fuselage and rudder. Kapitänleutnant Willi Mattheus makes a head on attack on Rigby's Camel, his burst causing further damage to the British scout's control surfaces but also tearing through a fuel line causing a fire as the flammable liquid spills across the hot cylinders of the Clerget rotary engine.



Before 2Lt. Rigby can even react to his dire situation the Camel's fuel tank explodes …..



….. sending the aircraft and pilot both crashing down in flames. Mattheus has dispatched his second opponent in less than thirty seconds to score his eighteenth victory.



Even as Rob Rigby's Camel is falling in flames, Lt. Sydney Harris releases the first of his ammunition containers which fall just behind an Australian 'depth' machine gun position.



William Walkerdine follows up his attack on the Albatros with the black bands, firing another burst as the Hun attempts to break right. Walkerdine's burst peppers the rounded fuselage until his guns fall silent with a jammed cartridge. In the cockpit of his Albatros Leutnant Hermann Meyer curses as a .303in round strikes his right arm, the force numbing the limb as blood begins to ooze through the hole in his flying jacket. Behind the Camel however is Hans Goerth, who also opens fire scoring hits on Walkerdine's kite.



Meanwhile 2Lt. Harris sideslips his RE.8 to drop the second and last ammunition crate to another machine gun post with similar results.



As Ltn. Meyer banks away nursing his wound, Lt. Walkerdine is furiously clearing his Vickers gun with bullets fired by Vzfm. Goerth flying around his ears. Below them KptLt. Mattheus dives out of the fight, his Fokker having sustained considerable damage.



Hans Goerth follows up with a long range burst at the red and white striped Camel …..



….. follow by another, neither of which hit his opponent.



Their payload delivered, Lt. Harris and Sgt. Gordon head for home …..



….. while about having cleared his guns Lt. Walkerdine again fires on the Albatros with the blue and red fuselage rings, only to have his Vickers guns again stop after just a few rounds!



Forced to retire due to the heavy damage taken by his aircraft, Willi Mattheus leaves the battle area, setting a north easterly course back to Jabbeke.



The wounded Hermann Meyer likewise tries to disengage, but the Lt. Walkerdine sets off in pursuit while still clearing his guns. As Hans Goerth continues to follow the Camel, Albin Bühl seeing the RE.8 below him dives to intercept. The Oberflugmeister is intent on claiming a victory, not least because it would mean the young hot-shot Goerth would be buying him a schnapps!



Bühl banks in front of the RE.8 …..



…. before turning back with a split-s to drop down in front of the British two-seater. Opening fire, Bühl's burst inflicts heavy damage on the RE.8, but return fire by Syd Harris shoots up the Albatros' Mercedes engine, causing an immediate loss of power.



Oblivious to the battle going on below, Goerth continues to follow the Camel to give Ltn. Meyer a chance to get away.



Realising he won't catch the Albatros and aware of the danger on his tail, Lt. Walkerdine reverses course with an Immelmann at the same time Hans Goerth dives down to engage the Camel. Both pilots fire with Walkerdine's kite the worse off.



Hermann Meyer successfully break off combat, and after tying his scarf around his wounded arm as a makeshift tourniquet heads for home.



As the yellow Albatros flashes past the tail of the RE.8 Sergeant Irving Gordon opens fire with his Lewis gun, the burst penetrating the fuel tank. Within a moment flames emerge from the Hun scout causing Gordon to give out a cheer. "That's for Mister Knowles and Mister Riekie!" exclaims the NCO observer.



As Hans Goerth duels with Walkerdine …..



….. Albin Bühl finds himself in all sorts of trouble at low level over enemy lines in a burning Albatros.



Bühl has little time to consider his fate as the flames burn through the wing fabric …..



….. sending the Albatros down in flames.



As Lt. Harris makes for home, Sgt. Gordon watches the spectacle with grim satisfaction from his observer's cockpit, noting the time and location of the crash which marks his second confirmed victory.



Only now can Hans Goerth see his friend's burning Albatros crash to earth.



Goerth is numb as he banks into the Camel, catching Walkerdine in an Immelmann. Goerth's burst perforates the tail and rudder causing the Camel's controls to be unresponsive.



Walkerdine and Goerth separate …..



….. before manoeuvring back to make a head on pass. With both pilots having see friends go down in flames they are committed to a fight to the bitter end. Goerth's burst hits control wires but Walkerdine's troublesome guns again stop after just a few rounds, leaving him able to loose nothing but a few curses at the Hun.



Passing each other at an approach speed of more than 300 kilometres per hour, the undercarriage of Goerth's Fokker makes contact with the tail of Walkerdine's Camel, tearing off the vertical stabiliser.



With very little control left to him, Lt. Walkerdine uses all his skill to try and bring his mortally wounded Camel down in one piece. Hans Goerth watches his ninth victory fall without celebration then turns for home.


VICTORY CONDITIONS



CENTRAL POWERS

2 guns supplied: 1 point + 2 Points as Near Misses = 3 Points

ENTENTE

2 guns supplied: 4 points (Both near miss) = 4 Points

ENTENTE VICTORY

[Carl_Brisgamer]

CASUALTY REPORT (AKA THE BUTCHER'S BILL)

SEE ADLER STAFFEL



Kapitänleutnant Willi Mattheus, Gruppenkommandeur, Jagdgruppe See Adler (Jagdflieger – yellow & black chequered Fokker D.VII)
RTB (13 damage) / 2 kills (RAF RE.8 with red stripes and Sopwith Camel with blue rings, seventeenth and eighteenth confirmed victories, exited battle area before end of mission due to aircraft damage).

Vizeflugmeister Hans Goerth, See Adler Jagdstaffel (Jagdflieger – Fokker D.VII with black heart on fuselage)
RTB (6 damage) / 1 kill (Sopwith Camel with red stripes, ninth confirmed victory).

Leutnant Hermann Meyer, See Adler Jagdstaffel (Jagdflieger – Albatros D.Va with black fuselage bands)
RTB (8 damage) / 0 kills (Exited battle area before end of mission due to pilot wound, second wound, no further award).
C&W rolled 7 – 1 WIA + 3 RTB = 9 - All well when you land well!

Ltn. Meyer was fortunate he was only grazed by an English bullet over Le Hamel. Returning to Jabbeke, Meyer received immediate medical treatment for his wound and was deemed fit to return to operational duties the following day.



Oberflugmeister Albin Bühl, See Adler Jagdstaffel (Jagdflieger – Albatros D.Va with red and blue fuselage bands)
SD FLM ET / 0 kills
C&W rolled 4 - 2 FLM = 2 Dead!

Flying at less than 1000 metres when his Albatros caught fire, Obfm. Albin Bühl was too low to bail out. With the flames enveloping the cockpit Bühl jumped anyway and was killed instantly when he hit the ground, his parachute unopened. The following day his broken body was buried where he fell without ceremony by Australian troops.


ENTENTE FORCES



Lieutenant Sydney Harris, 9 Squadron RAF (two-seater pilot, RAF RE.8 with white fuselage stripe)
RTB (8 damage) / 0 kills (2 partially successful ammo drops)

Sergeant Irving Gordon, 9 Squadron RAF (observer, RAF RE.8 with white fuselage stripe)
RTB (8 damage) / 1 kill (Albatros D.Va with blue and red fuselage stripes, second confirmed victory, 2 partially successful ammo drops).

Lt. Harris and his observer Sgt. Gordon had good reason to celebrate that night, as they had successfully resupplied two forward positions and shot down a Hun to boot, with Gordon scoring his second victory. Their high spirits were tempered with the news that the other 9 Squadron pilot on the mission 2Lt. William Knowles had been killed, and Lt. Harry Riekie was in hospital with critical injuries. In recognition of his two victories and successful sorties flown against the Boche, Irving Gordon was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) and promoted to Flight Sergeant.




Second Lieutenant William Knowles, 9 Squadron RAF (two-seater pilot, RAF RE.8 with red fuselage stripes)
SD FLM FT / 0 kills
C&W rolled 3 - 2 FLM = 1 Dead!

Despite the flames searing his exposed face and setting his flying kit alight 2Lt. Knowles stayed at the controls of the Harry Tate, unwilling to abandon his observer to his fate. This brave young officer was killed in the crash and buried at the British cemetery at Amiens on 6 July 1918.

Lieutenant Harry Rieckie, 9 Squadron RAF (observer, RAF RE.8 with red fuselage stripes)
SD FLM FT / 0 kills
C&W rolled 6 - 2 FLM = 4 - Injured - Skip 1D6 Scenarios, rolled 5 = skip 5 missions.

Lt. Harry Riekie survived the crash of his RE.8 but sustained critical wounds including serious burns and broken bones. Lt. Riekie was hospitalised at Amiens until his condition was stabilised then sent back to England for specialist treatment and recuperation. After almost three months Lt. Riekie was declared fit for operational flying duties and returned to No.9 Squadron in early October 1918.




Lieutenant William Albert Walkerdine, 209 Squadron RAF (scout pilot, Sopwith Camel with red and white stripes)
SD COL FT / 0 kills
C&W rolled 9 - 2 COL = 7 - Injured - Skip 1D2 Scenarios, rolled 3 = skip 1 mission.

Lt. William Walkerdine’s experience at the controls of the Sopwith Camel saved his life over Hamel, allowing him to make a crash landing on his side of the line. Wounded in the crash, Lt. Walkerdine was hospitalised in Paris for a fortnight then given another week’s leave before returning to No.209 Squadron at the start of August 1918.




Second Lieutenant Robert Rigby, 209 Squadron RAF (scout pilot, Sopwith Camel with blue circles)
SD FLM EXP FT / 0 kills
C&W rolled 5 – 3 EXP = 2 – Dead!

2Lt. Rigby was blown out of his cockpit by the explosion that destroyed his Camel. He fell to his death and was buried alongside RE.8 pilot 2Lt. Knowles at Amiens two days later.

[flash]

Superb action - I enjoyed this revisit over Hamel ! Those Fokkers flew with almost prescient accuracy and had the Harry Tate's in trouble from the get go, only the dreaded gun jam spoiling the party and allowing one of them to slip through and get the job done. The Camel's were too slow to the fight but when they did get into it things really started to hot up.
Another top notch AAR Carl

Onkel says:


A brave effort Sea Eagles, much damage was done but the counter attack was not as successful as hoped as those verdammt Englander managed to get at least some ammunition to their guns so not the victory we first thought would come.
We must mourn the loss of a comrade, celebrate our victories and fight on as best we can.

Sgt Irving Gordon is awarded DFM for missions/victories achieving his second victory in 3 missions recorded in this campaign; he is also made up to Flight Sergeant.
Incidentally, other crew, Harris, Knowles, Riekie are unrecognised & go unrecorded at this time; Bulldog crews were available ?

[mikeemagnus]

I'm thinking you deserve rep for the first two lines Carl - but I had better wait for the rest of it

[Carl_Brisgamer]

AAR complete, Butcher's Bill to come.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Butcher's bill complete ready for Onkel's review.

[flash]

Onkel has reviewed !

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Onkel has reviewed !

Thanks Onkel. Bit of a mixed bag, I flew Mattheus for most of the mission until he decamped but could not get decent cards and took far more damage that I like. He was lucky to get the two victories he did, at least one a straight up kill steal from Goerth. After Mattheus retired I relieved the AI and flew Goerth, who got lucky with the collision damage card draw.

As for the RE.8 lads I did not use my usual Bulldogs aircrew as they are assigned to DH.4 and F2B units, but I had a spare observer so I shunted him to 9 Sqn RAF for this stoush. I don't think the others are likely to get another look in before war's end, but with his promotion and gong Flight Sergeant Irving Gordon DFM may well get posted back to the Bristol Fighter squadron for another crack at Harry Hun.

[flash]

Could feel the ebb & flow, it made for a marvellous show.

[Setarius]

Another job well done Carl. It's good to see you back in the game and catching up.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Another job well done Carl. It's good to see you back in the game and catching up.

Thanks Dale. Mission 18 set up ready to go, looks like I might be able to get one a week done. As well as planning for my mission next month.

[Stumptonian]

Nice to see the AAR at last. Been travelling and thought I might have missed it.
Excellent as always. Always sad to see KIAs on either side, especially the extra grisly ones.

Unfortunately REP gun is jammed. Par for the course ...

[gully_raker]

Plenty of Hell around Hamel for your mission Carl.
A real pit bull of dogfights through the game.
Sorry to see fatal causalities on both sides.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Plenty of Hell around Hamel for your mission Carl.
A real pit bull of dogfights through the game.
Sorry to see fatal causalities on both sides.

Thanks Baz, it was an aptly named mission with all the flames!

My 2d6 rolls weren't great to start with but became deadly with all the -2 and -3 modifiers

[Popsical]

Great AAR Carl. Rep gun jammed!
A very bloody butchers bill indeed. New meat for the grinder next time.
It's a jolly old life in the "Twenty minuters!"

[mikeemagnus]

Another great tale of the war in the skies Carl. RIP Oberflugmeister Bühl and 2nd Lts Knowles and Rigby. REP inbound.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

EPILOGUE

Chateau de Pelichy, Flandern
04 Juli 1918
2030hrs



As Kapitänleutnant Willi Mattheus entered the mess the officers and men came to attention.

“At ease Gentlemen,” said Mattheus, at which the pilots and observers of the See Adler Gruppe returned to their drinks and conversations. Willi noted however that one pilot was sitting alone. Mattheus often flew with Vizeflugmeister Hans Goerth on his wing and having served with him for the better part of a year knew the young NCO better than most. When Oberflugmeister Albin Bühl had been shot down in flames over Le Hamel this morning Goerth had lost a close comrade and it was hitting him hard.

As Mattheus accepted a drink from a steward some of the men approached to congratulate him on his two victories, which again made him the top scoring Marine Jagdflieger.

“How is Leutnant Meyer?” enquired Flugmeister Gerhard Hubrich, a relative newcomer to the unit.

“I have just returned from the hospital, and I can say with confidence the Leutnant’s wound is certainly not hindering his pursuit of the nurses, that much is certain,” he replied with grave face that quickly gave way to a smile, generating a round of laughter.

Finishing his champagne, Mattheus collected another drink and walked over to the corner table where Hans Goerth was seated, accompanied by only a bottle of schnapps and two glasses. As his commanding officer approached the Vizeflugmeister started to rise from his chair.

“Stay where you are Hans,” ordered Mattheus, waving a hand in his direction. The officer pulled up an empty chair, sitting across from the young NCO. Making an effort to sit at attention, Goerth held himself as steady as he could. A glance at the three-quarters empty bottle gave corroboration if any was needed that the second highest scoring See Adler ace was already ‘three sheets to the wind’.

“I read your report Hans. A tough day over the trenches, nicht wahr?” began Mattheus.

“Jawohl Herr Kapitänleutnant,” agreed Goerth, his words slightly slurred.

“Gefallenen Kameraden,” continued Mattheus, raising his drink towards the second glass of schnapps that remained unconsumed.

Goerth nodded and drained the clear spirit from his own glass before placing it on the table.

“It was my mistake,” stated Goerth, his voice now firm.

“You are not to blame Hans,” said Mattheus, placing his own glass down.

“I am not talking about what happened up there Herr Kapitänleutnant. We all know the risks, and any of us can go down in flames on any day. I am talking about MY mistake.”

Even through his liquor-induced haze Goerth recognised the puzzled look on his commander’s face.

“I liked Albin, he was more than just a comrade, he was a friend,” explained Goerth. “I should have known better. I have seen it before, when Leutnant Achilles did not make it back.”

Mattheus felt a flush rise from his collar at the mention of Paul Achilles. He had been Mattheus’ closest comrade in the See Adlers who had been killed in action three months earlier. So much had happened sometimes it felt like an age since Paul’s death, but at other times, like this night, it seemed like only yesterday. Mattheus understood Goerth’s meaning, but his subordinate did not know the complete story, about Achilles’ internal battle, and the guilt that Mattheus felt at not being able to help his friend and subordinate.

Goerth saw the effect his words had on the Kapitänleutnant and looked away. He reached out and took up the glass of schnapps that should have been Albin Bühl’s.

“Now I have learned my lesson,” said Goerth, more to himself than Mattheus, “No more foolishness. I have a war to fight, comrades’ tails to protect and Tommies to kill.”

Hans Goerth raised the glass to his lips and tilting his head back slightly emptied the contents.