The British were short of bombers in January 1916.
Several manufacturers had designs under construction but most were still several months away from delivery.
The Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b and BE.2c were workhorses at the time, performing in many different roles, but neither of those were could really be called bombers.
The French had several capable machines, notably the Caudron G.4, but were not keen to share them with their British allies at this time.
This left the English scouring for anything they could get their hands on. One such ‘find’ was an Italian Ca.1
Early in the war, the Caproni company had tried to interest both the French and the British with this machine. Several had been sent to France for trials, but no one had taken a liking to them, at least not enough to place orders for production.
Hence the British came upon one that had been sitting in a secondary hanger for over a year. It was decided this machine would do in a pinch and the aircraft was “appropriated” with little or no fanfare.
The Ca.1 had been part of a small raid on a staging area in the rear of the German lines. The raid had comprised three R.A.F. FE.2b and the Caproni.
The Caproni became separated from the other aircraft after releasing its bomb load and was now cautiously making its way back to the British airfield.
ObLtn Bernhard Wienand tapped his riding crop on the table edge to get the attention of his fliers.
“Gentlemen … we have been given our orders. I will need two of you, so pay attention.”
The handful of airmen stop their conversations and look toward their commander.
Now using his crop as a pointer, he sweeps it across the map.
The enemy have sent a bombing raid deep into our territory, about 40 kilometers from here.
Our compatriots have managed to down several of the enemy aircraft, but there are stragglers returning close by here.”
And with a sharp tap he indicates a spot on the map. The mission is to intercept any enemy bomber in this area …”
He circles an area approximately 15 kilometers to the east. “They may have escorts, so be wary.”
“Huebner, I would like you to take Giesebrecht and show him how it’s done.”
Huebner already has three kills to his name – the first for the unit. Giesebrecht looks nervously at fellow rookie Karsten Rüdiger.
Rüdiger nods knowingly, still nursing his injured arm. Another few days and the sling should come off.
“Till is the master, so far.” Says Rüdiger. “Just be wary of our Anti-Aircraft units!”
Rüdiger’s injury had come at the hands of the AA units protecting a pair of balloons. “The imbeciles shoot at anything in the air!”
ObLtn Wienand had entered a formal complaint against the gunners.
A fly on the wall would have blushed at the expletives directed at the AA Unit commander.
“I do not believe AA will be an issue this time...” he assures his pilots.
Rookie Ltn Günther Giesebrecht sees that Ltn Till Huebner (in the green E.III) is waving furiously to get his attention.
Then he notices the reason behind the frantic arm movement – a large aircraft is approaching from 12 o’clock
It is a Caproni Ca.1 – and the crew has seen the pair of Fokkers coming straight at them!
The pilot makes a sudden turn to the right hoping to allow both gunners a chance to fire on the Germans
The Eindeckers have not taken the bait, so he flies back to the left.
Huebner fires from slightly higher altitude but does no apparent damage.
Giesebrecht does not have a clear shot.
The Caproni front gunner returns Huebner’s fire and manages to put a few holes in the E.III’s fabric.
The Caproni jinks to the right again, giving the rear gunner a chance to add a few more perforations to the E.III
Huebner finds himself out of position.
Giesebrecht manages to perform a near-perfect Immelmann – the first one he has flown outside of practice.
Huebner follows suit but is now quite far from their target.
The Ca.1 is a slow, lumbering beast, but the Germans are finding it harder to catch up than they had anticipated.
Giesebrecht dives to the same altitude as the bomber but has misjudged his position and is out of range.
Giesebrecht fires his weapons for the first time in combat.
Slight damage, but damage none the less!
Giesebrecht fires a second time.
Tikka tikka tikka
He is definitely doing damage, but it’s hard to tell from this distance.
Giesebrecht is planning another burst when his concentration is disturbed.
Da da da d….
The rear gunner is firing back! but the gun suddenly stops.
Giesebrecht fires again and is definitely doing some steady damage.
Huebner dives toward the Caproni, firing as he closes in.
“Rauch!” He sees smoke begin to trail from the left engine.
Trying to avoid his partner, Giesebrecht hesitates before firing at the Ca.1 for a fourth time.
More damage and the smoke is really billowing now.
Before the rookie Giesebrecht can fire his gun again, Huebner concentrates his fire at the helpless bomber.
Tikka tikka tikka
More smoke …. then BOOM!
A fuel line has been severed!
The Caproni shudders and begins to fall, smoke pouring all the way down.
The pilot skillfully avoids a small village, but it’s a very rough end for the bomber crew.
“Vier!”
Huebner has his fourth kill!
Huebner and Giesebrecht continue their patrol, hoping to find some more prey.
Unseen by die Adler, a Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2c, accompanied by a single Morane-Saulnier N, has been dispatched to photograph the area recently bombed to determine the effectiveness of the attack.
“Englander!” The Eindecker pilots have seen the BE.2
The Morane pilot, Canadian 2Lt. Duncan Moore has spotted the Fokkers and ducked behind his charge, hoping to surprise the Germans with a quick attack.
Huebner hopes the rookie Giesebrecht can stay out of his way as he plans to take on the 2-seater.
“Geistesschwache Giesebrecht!” <moron> Huebner shouts at his wingman as his concern is realized.
It takes all of his flying skill to avoid Giesebrecht.
Giesebrecht is more concerned with the Morane, which is closing fast!
Giesebrecht is relieved when Moore suddenly breaks and targets Huebner.
Tikka tikka tikka
Huebner’s E.III takes some damage
Giesebrecht fires from close range
Tikka tikka tikka
“Feuer!”
Flame flickers from the Morane.
Ignoring the flames for the moment the young Canadian fires at the green Eindecker again.
Huebner can fell the bullets ripping through his fuselage …
… but his focus is on his target.
Tikka tikka tikka
and smoke begins to stream from another British aircraft.
“Aufpassen!” < Watch Out! > Huebner shouts at the BE.2, but is really shouting at himself.
“Ay up!” AM3 John Morris shouts at his pilot Lt Awdry Warminger at the same instant.
Warminger is having trouble seeing through the smoke.
It’s lucky that Huebner was able to quickly change course.
Moore finishes his Immelmann turn and fires at the Eindecker.
Tik …. His gun immediately jams.
Things are not going well for the youngster from Yorkton.
The fire is spreading. The little Morane cannot take much more of this.
And still more flame! Moore realizes he must try to return to base, or put down in a field, and soon!
“Definitely not my day, eh …” he muses calmly.
[Note: the Morane was forced to take an additional ‘A’ deck draw due to flying straight, an illegal move when on fire, forced by the final card of the Immelmann]
Giesebrecht tries a deflection shot at the smoking BE.2
A solid hit!
The rookie Adler lines up behind the Bulldogs and fires again, but this time no damage is discernable.
Tikka tikka tikka
BOOM!
Giesebrecht has his first kill!
The flimsy BE.2c falls to the ground like a sparrow shot through the heart.
Morris manages to extract himself from the wreckage, but Warminger is motionless in his cockpit …
“Awdry!” Morris shouts frantically, but then WHOOOSH!
The aircraft is engulfed in flame.
Heading for home, Moore is holding on to hope against hope.
There is only so much aircraft left unsinged.
A slight flare-up, but then the fire is under control.
It appears that 2Lt Duncan Moore will live to fly another day ….
Huebner catches up to Giesebrecht and smiles broadly at the junger Anfänger. < young rookie >
They each have a kill today – Giesebrecht his first, and Huebner one away from becoming the squadron’s first ace!
The Butcher’s Tally
Caproni Ca.1 EXP FT
Pilot C&W Roll 6 -3 EXP = 3 : Injured 1D6(2) = Skip 2 weeks.
Co-Pilot C&W Roll 7 -3 EXP = 4 : Injured 1D6(3) = Skip 3 weeks.
Front Gunner C&W Roll 7 -3 EXP = 4 : Injured 1D6(1) = Skip 1 week.
Rear Gunner C&W Roll 7 -3 EXP = 4 : Injured 1D6(5) = Skip 5 weeks
Bulldogs
BE.2c
Pilot Lt Awdry Warminger : EXP ET / 0 Kills
C&W Roll 4 – 3 EXP =1 : KIA
Observer AM3 John Morris : EXP ET / 0 Kills
C&W Roll 9 -3 EXP = 6 : Injured 1D3(4) = Skip 2
E&E Roll 12 -1 EXP -1 BEL -1 WIC = 9 : “They didn’t even see me!”
Total : Skip 2
Morane-Saulnier N
2Lt Duncan Moore : FRTB-F / 0 Kills
1 point of damage away from destruction
Adler
Fokker E.III
Rookie Ltn Günther Giesebrecht : RTB / 1 Kill (BE.2c)
Fokker E.III
Ltn Till Huebner : RTB / 1 Kill (Caproni Ca.1)
Victory Conditions:
Bomber and Recon both shot down : Glorious Victory for the Eagles!
I'll take that extra brandy in the mess ...
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That was a fun one to play, Peter. I especially liked the outcome this time.
I think I will let the BE.2C have both a forward and rear-firing Lewis next time I use one, and make the gunner miss a phase when switching.
'Cold Meat' was definitely served ...
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