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Thread: OTT DYM - Mission 4 - "Some Mothers do 'ave 'em" - January 27th 1916 by Mikeemagnus

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    Default OTT DYM - Mission 4 - "Some Mothers do 'ave 'em" - January 27th 1916 by Mikeemagnus

    OTT Daring Young Men – Mission 4. “Some Mothers do ‘ave ‘em”. January 27th 1916

    Historical Background
    Since the end of the Battle of Loos in October 1915, before which the Entente had had air superiority, the Central Powers gradually wrested that air superiority back to themselves, largely through the use of the Fokker Eindecker, with its apparent ability to dive “almost vertically” from a great height advantage and its synchronised machine gun, able to fire through a rotating propeller without damaging it.

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    Britain, in particular, had been trying to answer this problem by reinforcing the RFC in large numbers (also in preparation for the Somme Offensive planned for later in 1916). On October 19th 1915, 13 Squadron arrived in France with their RAF BE2c’s; followed by 18 squadron on the 19th November with “Vickers Fighters”; 9 Squadron on December 20th with BE2c’s; and 15 Squadron also with BE2c’s on 23rd December. Then, in January 1916, on the 23rd, two more squadrons arrived – numbers 20 and 21 with RAF FE2b’s and RE 7’s respectively. This then was the position at the end of January 1916.

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    There were yet more to come, so that from a total of 12 squadrons present in France following the end of the Battle of Loos, the number rose to 27 Squadrons by the 1st July 1916. But our mission takes place on 27th January 1916. Preparations for the Somme Offensive were on going and the German attack before that, in February, on a nine mile front along the banks of the river Meuse, opposite Verdun, was not expected!

    The mission
    Your squadron / staffeln has only been at the front a matter of a few weeks. Enemy scouts are operating either singly or in loose knit groups, with little or no planned coordination between them. They just appear randomly over the front line and have been playing havoc with your reconnaissance and photography aircraft. A situation which the crews of such aircraft are complaining about bitterly. In recognition of this problem, orders from on high now make it necessary for reconnaissance aircraft to be escorted at all times. (Assume this to be so for both sides, although historically it only applied to the Entente.)

    However, after returning from an early morning patrol, during which not a single enemy aircraft has been seen, one of your less salubrious flight members, a scout pilot, who thinks he has spotted what looks like a small forward airfield belonging to the enemy, apparently unprotected by anything other than one beaten up looking out of date two seater, just the other side of nomans land, decides to go solo against it. So, without further ado, informing nobody of his intentions, he has a two seater bombed up and sets off on his own, with no observer and otherwise completely unarmed, to put a few holes in the airfield and demolish the ancient bus, if he can. Oh dear, some mothers do ‘ave ‘em!

    Just as he is lifting off the ground, with his fellow flight members wondering what the heck he’s up to and his flight leader endeavouring to turn the local air blue with fury, Uncle/Onkle came rushing from his office, waving the above mentioned orders from HQ, relating to escorting reconnaisance aircraft. After a heated exchange between Uncle/Onkle and said flight leader, the only other available aircraft, two of them, are sent off in pursuit, to escort the rebel to wherever he is going and to bring him back again, preferably in one piece.

    Inevitably, when they eventually catch up, they find him under attack!

    Equipment:
    1. Two mats, one of them preferably Nomans Land (Or similar sized play area).
    2. One friendly “rebel” two seater – RAF BE2c or similar if Entente; LVG C type or similar, if Central Powers.
    3. Two friendly support aircraft, chosen from those available at the time*.
    4. Three enemy aircraft, chosen from those available at the time*.

    *The choice of aircraft, other than the rebel two seater, is yours entirely, providing they were available at the time. However, they may not be armed with more than one machine gun and you are asked to keep in mind that Fokker E types are forbidden to cross over Nomans Land, so if you wish to use these, play them as a substitute for a similar mono-plane, if you have no other model, or find a reason why you broke the rules

    Initial placement:
    With the two mats placed long side to long side, your starting position, for the unarmed two seater, is one half ruler distance into nomans land (farthest away from his home base) from the centre position of the line joining the two mats, to the leading edge of the model’s base, heading for the far edge of the friendly map, as if running for home as fast as it can go (See photo).

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    From here on the rebel two seater is flown with a reduced AI deck, consisting of three straights, two stalls, two left turns and two right turns. Shuffle these and deal them in threes, for two turns, then shuffle the deck and start again, repeating each two turns. Do not permit the rebel two seater to fly off the side edges of the play area (substitute cards where necessary).

    Two enemy aircraft are placed randomly to bounce the rebel. There are five possible positions around the rebel, measuring one full range stick, base to base, from each position (see photo). Number these one to six, as shown, and then use a D6 to place each of the enemy aircraft N.B. Throw one D6 per enemy aircraft (in my example the throws were 1 and 4. The enemy are then placed to directly face the rebel who is already nearly in range of both.

    Two friendly aircraft are approaching. Flying in whatever formation you like, providing they are within one half range measure of each other, base edge to base edge (and at least one of them is in base contact with the edge of the mat), they are placed randomly along the long edge of the friendly mat not in contact with the second mat and heading towards the centre of the play area. (See possible example in photo).

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    If you are playing altitude rules, all friendly aircraft begin at the same altitude, whilst enemy aircraft are one peg higher. Please therefore be careful when setting up, to ensure this is possible.

    The third enemy scout will appear at the beginning of turn three at the same starting altitude as that for his peers. Divide the centre line, between the two mats, into six and throw a D6 to randomly place this third enemy scout at the appropriate place facing the nearest opposition aircraft.

    Objectives: Enemy - Offensive patrol, to shoot down all EA if possible.
    Friendly – rescue the rebel and then head home.


    Victory points:
    The unarmed two seater is SD = 1 point to the enemy.
    The unarmed two seater makes it off the friendly edge = 1 point to friendly side.
    Any other aircraft shot down = 2 points to its enemy.
    Any other aircraft leaving/forced to leave the area, for whatever reason, whilst enemy are present, = 1 point to its enemy.

    NB Since the rebel pilot, who takes it into his head to break the rules and go solo, will undoubtedly be severely repremanded, if he survives, you are advised that this pilot will automatically be grounded for the following three mission. I leave it to Uncle to decide whether or not this should be cumulative with other possible reasons to skip missions.
    Last edited by flash; 04-03-2019 at 10:52.

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    Uncle, I'd be grateful if you could remove the unwanted photo image at the bottom - I tried, but couldn't work out how to Doh!

    For anyone who wants to, the whole scenario can be reversed by swapping the mats. I say this because, having played my own scenario to a conclusion already, I suddenly realized that I had done just that (using my own terrain). Another senior moment I'm afraid. The only difference it made was to ensure that the Central Powers aircraft rarely, if ever, crossed over their own lines more than to enter no-mans land - historically more accurate anyway. My mistake and I don't intend to fight it again any time soon, so I can hardly object if you choose to do the same

    I'll be around, on and off, for the next couple of days, to answer any questions, deal with any ambiguities etc etc.

    Hope you enjoy,

    Mike

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    How close is the third enemy scout allowed to start to a friendly plane? It's possible our AI (or even controlled) scout could be quite near the center line.

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    Right on top them if necessary. Assume the third EA just dropped out of the clouds Peter. I think the chances of that happening are reasonably slim, but you never know

    This was my own game and as you see the BE was well advanced of the centre line by the time the Pfalz entered (nearest aircraft in the photo)

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    hm, trying to find good matchups...might go with Albatrox C-III and 2 x Fokker E-III vs 2 x Nieuport 11s & Morane. I'm going to ignore point system for this, I'm not going to nit-pick "good" vs "absolutely even" matchup.

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    Great scenario Mike.
    Thanks.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

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    Just took out the extraneous pic for you Mike.
    Hope I got the correct one!
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

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    I've never used the point system in any OTT scenario. Didn't think it necessary. The damage cards decide the day!

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    Just took out the extraneous pic for you Mike.
    Hope I got the correct one!
    Perfect Rob, thank you very much

    I'm going to ignore point system for this
    Of course Sam. It's your mission - to do with as you wish. If the aircraft were about at the time, they may well have been involved. Just remember that, in your case, the Albatros CIII will be unarmed. All others are fair game - enjoy.

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    A puzzlement ...

    Mike, you specifically bring up the issue of the Eindeckers not being allowed over enemy territory:
    you are asked to keep in mind that Fokker E types are forbidden to cross over Nomans Land, so if you wish to use these, play them as a substitute for a similar mono-plane, if you have no other model, or find a reason why you broke the rules
    ... yet your placement photo shows an Eindecker already in violation of said rule and will undoubtedly have to cross into enemy territory to rein in the rebel.

    I am also curious as to what "similar monoplane" the Germans had that was not subject to this rule (?)

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    Looks like fun, Mike.

    I've worked out translating this to late 1917 on the Italian Front. It's much easier now that pretty much everything I've order has arrived (about 110 planes).

    The 'rebel' plane will be a Rumpler and the rescuers will be in Aviatiks (one with an A gun and one with a B gun).

    The enemy will have 2 SPAD S.VII (both B guns) initially and the late arrival a SPAD XIII (A gun).

    The Rumpler will have its front B gun but, as there's no observer, a rear B gun. That's different than above but I expect that the Rumpler will rarely be in a position to use its front gun. I will set the Rumpler 3 rulers into NML due to its faster speed than a RAF Be2C. I figured that with just straights the RAF Be2C would take 3 full turns to exit. Three rulers in the Rumpler can do the same in 3 turns.

    Eindecker NML policies don't apply in late 1917 Italy.

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    I am also confused about the placement of the renegade two-seater.
    The mission description says that the rebel is heading to bomb and harass the enemy just the other side of No Man's Land, yet your photo and explanation indications he is heading for home.

    Is he on his way back already?

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    Hi Pete, you have two questions here.
    1) Re. the Eindecker and it's not being permitted over enemy territory. I believe this was the historical requirement. We are playing an imaginary game scenario and I know many players will own Eindeckers and want to use them, so that was my way of saying "go ahead and use them, but use imagination to provide a reason for them crossing over". I also reversed the "mats" in my own game, which solved that problem and hope I made it clear that you are welcome to do the same. In other words - its your scenario, enjoy it as you wish. You are probably correct to note that by saying use an alternative mono plane I have made a mistake. I was thinking of the Pfalz EI or EII but was also thinking that the ruling did not apply to them, only to the Fokker Eindeckers - if that is wrong then my apologies - but again, I say, this is your mission - do with it as you will.

    Question 2)
    the rebel is heading to bomb and harass the enemy just the other side of No Man's Land, yet your photo and explanation indications he is heading for home.
    Yes, that is the background story line. Read further, under the heading "Initial Placement" and it states that the renegade / rebel two seater is

    heading for the far edge of the friendly map, as if running for home as fast as it can go
    .

    In other words, it has done its raid, dropped its bombs and the enemy have discovered him on his way home. When the reinforcements arrive he is trying to get home as fast as he can go - which is not very fast at all Hence the photo shows it heading home, not towards the enemy airfield.

    Sorry if that was confusing.

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    That's what I was hoping, as it will make (pretty much) all the combat in friendly territory for my Eindeckers.

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    Thought you might like that Pete have fun.

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    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by zenlizard View Post
    hm, trying to find good matchups...might go with Albatrox C-III and 2 x Fokker E-III vs 2 x Nieuport 11s & Morane. I'm going to ignore point system for this, I'm not going to nit-pick "good" vs "absolutely even" matchup.
    G'day Sam!
    I never use a points system in OTT scenarios as historically things were never even. Air superiority waxed & waned & that is how it should be,

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    Thumbs up

    That looks like it has the makings of a great Furball Mike!

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    it has the makings of a great Furball Mike!
    Never Well perhaps Hope not Baz, for your sake. In your case it ought to be

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    Just finished my Italian Front version. It was a mix of 'biting nails' to see if the rebel would escape and then he did. The two AH scouts should have headed home but that would have been boring - some shots and all planes return to base. So I had the 2 AH scouts hang around for a bit to 'teach the enemy not to hound defenseless planes'. Several times I almost had the AH planes head home but thought, "just one more turn" when finally there was a collision with 10 points to the Italian and 0 to the AH scout - I guess this is how you down enemy planes when your guns are jammed. The end result were 3 enemy planes downed and all friendlies RTB which is better than last mission which was a failure.

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    WoW Paul - I'm impressed. Like in your mission, my scouts remained after the rebel had gone, but had nothing like the success of yours. Well done your guys - I look forward to the AAR.

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    Quote Originally Posted by mikeemagnus View Post
    WoW Paul - I'm impressed. Like in your mission, my scouts remained after the rebel had gone, but had nothing like the success of yours. Well done your guys - I look forward to the AAR.
    Most of the action was near the friendly mat edge so the Aviatiks could have at any time easily escaped after the Rumpler had exited. There was a moment when both Aviatiks had jammed guns and I thought I’d just end it there and re-do for a more interesting outcome but I went just on and things happened. Young Wolfgang with his guns jammed ramming the SPAD XIII where the SPAD drew 10 points and the Aviatik 0 points was he climax of the fight. Lots of collisions in this one.

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    Thanks Mike, I will add this one to the pile gathering for me !
    Do you still need me to delete the final image ? I found it quite helpful.

    "He is wise who watches"

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    Rob removed the blue image, Dave

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    Thanks Pete, I thought someone might have !

    "He is wise who watches"

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    This sounds good Mike and I'm looking forward to playing it, just trying to decide if I have time to get a couple of BE2c's to use in the game, as according to my research at least 50% of the squadrons in France at this time were equipped with BE's

    Does anyone know when the order was rescinded that stopped Fokker Elll being allowed to cross the lines?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Vagabond View Post

    Does anyone know when the order was rescinded that stopped Fokker Elll being allowed to cross the lines?
    I believe it was April 1916, so we are stuck with it for the duration of this campaign.

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    Does anyone know when the order was rescinded that stopped Fokker Elll being allowed to cross the lines?
    Sorry, no I don't. One was eventually captured so I guess from then on. According to Wiki -
    The only known surviving original Eindecker, bearing IdFlieg serial number 210/16, was brought down in the Somme area in 1916 by the British and then evaluated by the War Office until it was transferred to the London Science Museum in 1918. It is currently on display fully assembled, but with its fabric covering removed to illustrate its internal construction.
    But it doesn't say when in 1916 the Eindecker was captured.

    Rob removed the blue image, Dave
    Thanks Pete

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    A Fokker being transferred inadvertently got lost and landed at an Allied airfield. Was captured intact. April 1916. On phone at present will post full dates etc when back home.
    See you on the Dark Side......

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    Ah, yes, that infamous deal. 8 April 1916, ( https://airwar19141918.wordpress.com...kker-captured/ ) but by then, the Western allied powers already had answers to the Fokker/Pfalz eindekkers-the British had the DeHaviland 2. In fact, the DH 2s of No 24 Squadron were in France by February 1916 ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._24_Squadron_RAF ). The French had the Nieuport 11, which first saw operational use with Escadrille N.3 in January 1916 ( http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/proje...euport-11-bebe )

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    Thanks guy's for the info, I'm up for the scenario after Pete and just wanted to make sure of my facts for the game.
    Cheers

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    Yeah I searched the web for the same reason.
    Had mine planned but have had to change it.
    Mike’s was too similar to have one right after the other so I am reworking it.
    Glad I hadn’t taken setup pics yet.

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    Quote Originally Posted by mikeemagnus View Post
    ...NB Since the rebel pilot, who takes it into his head to break the rules and go solo, will undoubtedly be severely reprimanded, if he survives, you are advised that this pilot will automatically be grounded for the following three missions...
    You will notice from the AAR already posted that this is likely to be a one week grounding not three, although one pilot has already been posted to the tandem unit !
    Punishment, or, lack of it, is decided on a case by case basis depending on many variables, including but not exclusively my mood and how well the Tally is written, so there may be longer groundings or other punishments.

    "He is wise who watches"

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    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    You will notice from the AAR already posted that this is likely to be a one week grounding not three, although one pilot has already been posted to the tandem unit !
    Punishment, or, lack of it, is decided on a case by case basis depending on many variables, including but not exclusively my mood and how well the Tally is written, so there may be longer groundings or other punishments.

    Oh dear, I dont think you're going to like my take on this, game set up and I hope to play it tomorrow, I have a story line prepared for my rogue pilot, if he survives.

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    Uncle will have the carpet prepared for the miscreant !

    "He is wise who watches"

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    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    Uncle will have the carpet prepared for the miscreant !
    Will the carpet be to soak up the blood?

    Mike I want my money back.

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    You will notice from the AAR already posted that this is likely to be a one week grounding not three, although one pilot has already been posted to the tandem unit !
    Punishment, or, lack of it, is decided on a case by case basis depending on many variables, including but not exclusively my mood and how well the Tally is written, so there may be longer groundings or other punishments.
    Hahahahaahahahaa love it Uncle - you're the boss. John, you pays your money you takes your chance

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    Yikes, this mission gets more dangerous by the day!

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    It seemed fairly innocuous to me until I played it. Might take a few days before I've recovered enough to write about it.

    All I will say is "I'm glad my character is already safe in hospital or he would be on the way there"

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    Might take a few days before I've recovered enough to write about it.
    That sounds rather ominous John

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    Quote Originally Posted by Vagabond View Post
    It seemed fairly innocuous to me until I played it. Might take a few days before I've recovered enough to write about it.

    All I will say is "I'm glad my character is already safe in hospital or he would be on the way there"
    Just read this again. I was worried that your namesake had fallen.
    But I know it’s tough to lose any of our ‘flock’...

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    Hope to sneak this one in today - management is going to a hairdresser !
    I'm changing things around a little, the Fokker's will be chasing the intruder over the country side and out into NML, turning back before crossing the Tommy lines. The Fokker's will not all be flying eindeckers !

    "He is wise who watches"

  45. #45

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    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    Hope to sneak this one in today - management is going to a hairdresser !
    I'm changing things around a little, the Fokker's will be chasing the intruder over the country side and out into NML, turning back before crossing the Tommy lines. The Fokker's will not all be flying eindeckers !
    Ha! Do I sniff a Fok D.I or D.II.

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    It did get done, just waiting on a rainy day & a gap in the hd list to write it up !

    "He is wise who watches"

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    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    It did get done, just waiting on a rainy day & a gap in the hd list to write it up !
    "a rainy day & a gap in the hd list" - as you are in England it must be the latter.



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