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Thread: OTT-DYM Mission 4 - 27 January 1916 - Some Mothers Do 'ave 'em ... {Stumptonian}

  1. #1

    Default OTT-DYM Mission 4 - 27 January 1916 - Some Mothers Do 'ave 'em ... {Stumptonian}

    Leutnant Herbert Fiedler had had enough of being hamstrung by the ridiculous restrictions forced upon Fokker Eindecker pilots by ‘Die Mächte, die Sein Werden‘ < the ‘Powers That Be’ >

    “Das ist eine dumme Regel!“ < it is a stupid rule >
    He was referring to the stipulation that pilots flying the Eindecker not enter enemy airspace to ensure that the Entente did not take possession of a downed aircraft and neutralize the advantage the German pilots had with the ingenious interrupter gear that allowed the machine gun to fire through the spinning propeller.

    Wir fliegen mit einer Hand hinter dem Rücken!“ < We fly with one hand behind our back >
    The other pilots in the mess nodded in agreement.
    Aber wir können nichts tun ...“ < But there is nothing we can do > rookie pilot Günther Giesebrecht said, shrugging his shoulders.
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    Wir werden sehen, ob das stimmt!“ < We will see if that is true >
    And with that Fiedler stormed from the mess.

    The next morning, there was a commotion in the barracks as rumours started flying about a lone pilot having had an Albatros C.III armed with bombs.
    One of the armourers ran back to the commander‘s tent shouting „Oberleutnant Wienand!“

    He barely had time to explain when the Albatros could be seen taking off down the airfield and lifting skyward.
    Was zum Teufel macht er?“ < What the hell is he doing? >

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    Oberleutnant Wienand shouted at two pilots who had just stumbled out of their tent.

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    “Heubner! Giesebrecht! Geh nach ihm und bring ihn zurück!“ < Go after him and bring him back! >

    Huebner and Giesebrecht hurried to their respective Eindeckers and were into the air as quickly as they could, but the renegade pilot had a good head start.
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    Leutnant Herbert Fiedler, for it was he who had recklessly taken the C.III, had already dropped his bombs on his target and was making his way back across No Man’s Land.

    His target had been a small airfield just over the British lines. The lines he could not cross in his Fokker.
    He had heard about this airfield from aircrew who had been able to cross the lines. Two-Seater crews.
    In fact his target was an abandoned field with a broken down BE.2c that had seen its last mission a while back and had been deemed unworthy of any effort to get it airborne again. His bombs, even if they had hit their target, would have had no effect on the enemy, but Fiedler had no way of knowing that.

    “Ich habe die Bastarde gezeigt!“ < I showed the bastards > he shouted to no one but himself.
    Whether he was referring to the enemy, or to his own High Command, was irrelevant, especially now that he could see aircraft approaching ...
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    From his left he saw a monoplane heading straight at him.
    For a moment he thought it was an Eindecker coming to escort him home.

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    But then he saw it was not a Fokker.

    “Englander!” he shouted aloud.
    Actually the pilot in the approaching Morane-Saulnier was Canadian, Duncan Moore.

    Checking his situational awareness, as had been drummed into all the students in flight school, he noted movement over his right shoulder.
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    “Ein anderer Engländer!” < another Englishman >
    This time he was right. It was another Morane ‘Bullet’, flown by Lt Edward Fitzgerald.

    Moore gets the first shots in.
    Tikka tikka
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    No noticeable damage.
    The Morane is slightly higher than the C.III and is out of range.

    Fiedler tries to maneuver out of harm’s way, but flies straight into a steady stream of bullets.
    Tikka tikka
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    This time he sees bits of fabric and wood breaking away from around his engine and then “Rauch!”
    Smoke starts to stream from a severed oil line.

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    Huebner closes in past the smoking Albatros, but is too far away to get a shot at the Morane, which is at slightly higher altitude.

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    Tikka Tikka
    Fitzgerald gets a solid hit on the green Eindecker and is pleased to see a flicker of flame coming from the Fokker.

    Note: This should have been a +1 for altitude advantage

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    Moore dives his Morane to cut off the Albatros.

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    Giesebrecht is finally within range and fires up at the Morane.
    Fitzgerald sees some new ‘stitching’ in his right wing.

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    Huebner’s attention is all on the flames and trying to keep them from doing further damage by shifting left and right.

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    “Ein anderer verdammter Engländer!” < another %$#& Englishman >

    Giesebrecht sees 2Lt John Moncrieff approaching just to his right and slightly behind.
    Hueber is otherwise occupied and doesn’t notice the new threat.

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    Fitzgerald dives just in time to miss colliding with Giesebrecht.

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    Moncrieff targets the burning green Eindecker but misses by a wide margin.

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    Huebner’s flames flare up in spite of his frantic maneuvers.

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    Huebner takes advantage of an opportunity and catches Moore flying right in his line of fire.
    Tikka tikka tikka

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    Moore manages to squeak past Huebner but not in time to catch the Albatros.
    Fiedler finds some low cloud and makes his escape!

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    Huebner begins to think about finding an open area to land his burning Eindecker as the flames give him grave concerns of a horrible end.
    But then the flames recede …

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    Tikka Tikka
    Huebner catches Moore again. This time it is the Canadian’s turn to worry as smoke starts to stream past his cockpit.
    Moore is certain he has seen these Fokkers before. He has, just a few weeks ago, while on escort duty with a BE.2c.
    “Déjà vu” he muses seeing the smoke. “Not again!” he shouts.
    He performs an Immelmann turn, hoping that smoke does not turn into flame.

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    Moncrieff has an eagles view of his prey.

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    Moncrieff selects his target and Giesebrecht is the recipient this time.

    *Another +1 missed

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    Tikka tik…
    Moore squints past the streaming smoke as he fires at Giesebrecht’s Eindecker.
    “Damn it all to hell!”
    His Vickers has jammed!

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    The rookie Giesebrecht is still slow when it comes to reacting to incoming fire.
    Tikka tikka tikka
    He finally returns fire at the smoking ‘Bullet’ but definitely needs to work on his aiming skills.

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    Tikka tikka
    Fitzgerald’s turn to fire at thin air.

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    Tikka Tikka
    Giesebrecht fires up at Moncrieff’s Morane and damages the rudder controls.

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    Tikka tikka
    Tikka tikka

    Huebner and Fitzgerald trade shots as they approach.
    Huebner gets the worst of the draw. His Fokker cannot take much more.
    “Zeit zurück zu gehen …” < Time to go back >
    He hopes he can get Giesebrecht’s attention. He does not want to leave the young rookie alone against three.

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    Giesebrecht continues his harassment of Moncrieff and does some major damage.

    * This should have been +1

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    Suddenly Huebner’s view is filled with the sight of a Morane!
    Somehow the two pilots manage to miss each other by a hair’s breadth.

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    Tikka tik …
    “Verdammte Waffe ist gestaut!” < Damned weapon is jammed >
    “Ich sollte meine Kugeln wie Huebner überprüfen“ < I should check my bullets like Huebner does >

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    Fitzgerald performs an Immelmann.
    In fact all three Morane pilots reverse at the same time, almost as if choreographed.
    Tikka tikka
    “Flammen!”
    Giesebrecht sees flames and begins to panic.

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    Moore is relieved when the smoke suddenly stops.
    “No fire this time, thank God.”
    His mind had been filled with memories of the last time when he had to deal with streaming flames.

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    Giesebrecht, however, struggles with his burning Fokker and manages to keep the flame from growing.

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    Tikka Tikka
    Huebner hits Moncrieff’s Morane and does more damage to the control cables.
    Luckily he won’t need to make a right turn for a while.

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    Tikka tikka
    Fitzgerald has the green Eindecker right where he wants it.

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    Huebner had been right to head for home. His Fokker was finished.
    “Kaputt!”
    He fights his Eindecker all the way down and just clips the tip of a tree before finishing in a field.

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    Moncrieff sees the lone remaining Fokker briefly, but then even the flame is lost in a thick patch of cloud and Giesebrecht manages to get away from his attackers.

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    … but he still has the fire to deal with.
    A bit more fabric is lost to the flames, but then he can give a huge sigh of relief.
    The airfield is in sight. But where is Huebner?


    The Butcher’s Tally

    Adler

    Fokker E.III
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    Ltn Till Huebner SD FT
    C&W Roll 10 -1 SD = 9 “All is well.”


    Fokker E.III
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    Ltn Günther Giesebrecht FRTB-F

    Albatros C.III
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    Ltn Herbert Fiedler : RTB
    Onkel to determine how many weeks he will be grounded for his escapade.

    Bulldogs

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    Morane-Saulnier N ‘Bullet’
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    2Lt Duncan Moore : RTB


    Morane-Saulnier N ‘Bullet’
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    2Lt John Moncrieff : RTB


    Morane-Saulnier N ‘Bullet’
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    Lt Edward Fitzgerald : RTB – 1 kill (Fokker E.III)




    Victory Conditions:

    Adler
    Two-seater escaped : 1

    Bulldogs
    E.III shot down : 2
    E.III FRTB : 1

    Bulldogs hold the bragging rights for this one.

    Epilogue

    Huebner was lucky, but did not feel it.
    This was the first time he had had to find alternate means to return to base, and the first time he was without anything to show for his efforts, let alone without his aircraft!

    He managed a lift on the back of a supply truck. Only his pride was wounded.
    He was relieved to see Giesebrecht’s E.III although it was showing signs of the flames it had endured, not unlike his own.
    Then he saw the C.III that had been the reason for today’s outing.
    Fiedler had made it home as well, but the air had been blue when he faced Oberleutnant Wienand.
    At least Huebner would not have to deal with that ….

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Well my Adler managed to survive but the Bulldogs take the day.


    While writing up the AAR I cringed as I saw several +1 I had missed.
    Both sides were affected, and I do not think it would have changed the outcome, but I must try to take better notes.
    More than once I realized an error just after taking the photo, so took another shot but still forgot to place a +1 marker.

    Interesting mission, Mike.
    I hope Onkel doesn’t go too hard on Fiedler. I might need him for Mission 5.


    Now on to writing that mission for next month’s adventure …


  2. #2

    Default

    Nicely done Pete, another exciting outing for your Eagles, shame Fiedler hit a defunct airfield, what a prize plum !
    Sadly it was others that paid the price, at least they all got home in one piece one way or another... well the pilots anyway !

    Onkel says:


    Dummkopf ! You bombed a defunct airfield with a defunct plane on it, cost me a couple of machines and damned near killed your comrades... unfortunately we're not allowed to shoot you so the CO has directed me to do the next best thing... You're grounded for a week (unless required) and as you have shown a liking for tandems over scouts you will report to Obltn Melbeck as a tandem pilot forthwith. Dismissed !

    PM me a replacement for Fiedler as a scout pilot Pete
    Last edited by flash; 04-09-2019 at 06:45.

    "He is wise who watches"

  3. #3

    Default

    Phew that was fast and furious it seemed like planes all over the place surprised the was only one collision presumably using the altitude rules helped with that. Did you use the official rules or some form of hybrid?

    Fiedler really set the cat amongst the pigeons, it looks like the unintended consequence of this scenario is going to be a series of grounded pilots, grounded for showing initiative and aggression, maybe Uncle will go easy on them.
    Giesebrecht did well but the odds against him were too great, at least he got back home and lives to fight another day. So well done to him as well as to you for the entertaining read.

  4. #4

    Default

    Ouch Pete - Too many flames about . A hard fought encounter that one. Sorry about Ltn Huebner; I trust his return journey to the barn was a comfortable one in the back of the truck. He survived, that's the main thing Looking forward to mission 5 and cannot help but wonder if I need to paint up any new aircraft for it Thanks for another good read

  5. #5

    Default

    Looks like all the special hit cards went the bulldogs advantage but fortunately all your pilots made it back safely.

    I’m also surprised you had so few collisions or near collisions. I had more time than 10.

  6. #6

    Default

    One for the Bulldogs, this time. I think Fiedler got off lightly, only being grounded for a week. Well, the Eagles do need people to fly future missions, cna't go grounding everyone who shows initiative.

  7. #7

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by zenlizard View Post
    ... I think Fiedler got off lightly, only being grounded for a week. ..
    Err... he was reduced to flying tandems, not scouts, too. Personally I'd have had him returned to regiment.

    "He is wise who watches"

  8. #8

    Thumbs up

    Well that was one that got away from your Eagles Pete.
    Actually nice to see a Doggie win for a change.
    Exciting little set too that one. Rep Inbound!
    Those Eindekkers seem to catch fire rather easily. You might have to check with Antony to see if he can come up with less flammable dope.
    I do like the look of that PC12 Moraine!

  9. #9

    Default

    Thanks for the comments (and REP) guys.

    I do like the look of that PC12 Moraine!
    Thanks, Baz. I decided to have one different from the other two CDL ones.

    Did you use the official rules or some form of hybrid?
    Official, John, although other than diving they are all too slow to get more than a couple of chits toward an actual climb.

    I’m also surprised you had so few collisions or near collisions. I had more time than 10.
    Paul, a lot of times there was at least an altitude chit difference.
    The one near-collision was the only one where I could not place the two together so I used the collision cards to settle it.

  10. #10

    Default

    A sorry tale with a sorry outcome. Fielder got off easy compared to others. Onkel must have a reason... The Bulldogs won the day but there is always tomorrow.

    Nice PC Morane. I must do something similar to some of my originals.

  11. #11

    Default

    Great action Pete and I love your use of our airfield photo to display your returning heros. I may pinch that idea now that I have seen it. Must also do some name badges for my chaps. I have them for WW2. Can't understand why I never copied the idea for WWI.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  12. #12

    Default

    Thanks, Wingco, and thanks for the rep.
    I used to use the German or British airfields but prefer the generic one that has no planes on it.
    The name cards help me keep track of ‘oos ‘oo.


  13. #13

    Default

    The very same reason I use the ship cards in Sails.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."



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