RFC
JP Berdard Mol (Sharp eyes )
2nd Lt Jonty Pierce
Eagles
Bomber
Obl tn Peter Degenhardt Pilot (Strong Con)
Ltn Ernst Vogel Obs
Recon
Aviatik
Ltn Hans Wiese P
Ltn Martin Brachel Obs
Scout
E111
Tomas Werner
Degenhardt was pleased with the prototype Roland he was flying. It had good all round visability, a wide arc of fire for the rear gunner and a fair turn of speed.
The bombing run was as far as he could tell a sucesss and so far he was the only plane in the air of either side.
Ahead he could see the trenches of NML zig zagging over the muddy gap that separated the two antagonists
` Ah There they are ` he muttered as the 2 Alied planes fell into view.
Turning to his Observer he motioned to him to be prepared.
Peirce was the closest to the bomber a short burst from both flew wild.
but as the 2 planes passed Vogel raked the Morane (0,3) (0)
The young French rookie began to close in on the Roland, Degenhardt was in no hurry to fight 2 planes and continued his weaving path towards his own lines.
Pierce turned his plane right in an attempt to get back into the fray
even on full throttle Pierce could not get close enough to fire.
Suddenly the bomber pulled right shortening the gap between the 2 planes a tracer whipped under the Moranes wing. JP fired creating a small tear in the Germans wing (2)
twitching right the Roland s observer lined up his sights. The gun spluttered to a halt after a few rounds hit its target.
Jp returned fire taking full advantage of the silenced rear gun.clipping the wing again before the German streaked across his lines to safety.
Seconds away Round 2
The Bulldogs returned to their figure of 8 patrol over NML . On the 4th pass however the now familiar sight of an EIII presented itself.
The Bulldogs broke left and right as did the Eagles escort and recon Aviatik
a mistake for JP as the nimble Focker straightened out and grazed the French pilots forehead with a burst at long range.
Stunned he wiped the blood from his eyes just in time to see the German full in his sights.
Rounds thudded into the rudder (0,2+RRD)
forced to turn left the German scout drifted away from the melee, but the dazed rookie , unable to correct his plane ended up in a very dangerous position separated from his wingman.. Waiting patiently he saw the enemy scout turn left and fired (3,2) before pulling away to tail the Aviatik
Pierce exchanged shots with the 2 seater.
more rounds hit Pierce as the Aviatik slipped by .
Pierce Immelled to get on its tail
Werner ,his plane now limping along was still up for a fight, and a Frenchman would do nicely. Being careful to stay out of his opponents los he fired as he passed .
With no hope of catching the Aviatik Piece looked to the EIII for sport
JP Immelled to face the oncoming scout ..both pilots felt the rounds as they hit (2) (1)
but as rookie tend to do the French pilot could not avoid almost touching Werners plane as he skimmed over the cockpit
Berdard and Werner circled eachother firing as their paths crossed a fatal mistake as Werners plane was already badly damaged . He paid the price his plane unable to take further damage
The Aviatik continued unopposed on its mission, the RFC low on fuel headed for home.
Result.
RFC
s/Lt JP Berdard Mol: (Sharp eyes ) RTB /WIA 1 Kill .
Rolled 9 -1WIA +1RTB = 9 All's well when you land well
2nd Lt Jonty Pierce: RTB 0 0kills
Eagles
Bomber
Obltn Peter Degenhardt: (P2 - Strong Con) RTB 0 kills
Ltn Ernst Vogel (O) RTB 0 kills
Mission accomplished
Recon
Aviatik
Ltn Hans Wiese (P2) RTB 0 kills
Ltn Martin Brachel (O) RTB 0 kills
Mission accomplished
Scout
E.III
Ltn Tomas Werner: SD-ET 0 kills
Rolled 6 -1SD = 5 - Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios. Rolled 6 = Skip 3
E&E: Rolled 8 -1WIC -1BEL = 6 - In hiding! - Skip 1D2 Scenarios. Rolled 6 + Skip 2 Total Skips 3 (RRW)
Overall Allied loss
Lesson learnt. AI Moranes if they make the wrong turn can never get back into the action easily . Pierce being a prime example in this mission.
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