OTTDYM - Mission 3 - Knowledge Is Power - 19th January 1916 by flash

[flash]

Today I was assigned to what Uncle referred to as a 'Milk Run', he did smile & wink at me when he said it but I wasn't to sure what I was supposed to make of that.
Anyway, my tail was up, I'd bagged my first Hun last week, a lucky shot I know but as Uncle said over the inevitable drinks in celebration 'You have to be in it to win it' and I took heart from that.
Today I'd been assigned as an escort for an artillery spotting mission - "Just keep the flies off and get them home in one piece" said Uncle.
I knew we were after a Hun battery just behind the front lines but as I wasn't a hundred percent sure where we were going I tagged along behind the BE piloted by Lt Terry Bull & AM1 Jack Dawe.


Over my left shoulder I spotted a huge machine heading toward the lines - one of our two seater Fee's flown by 2Lt Justin Hale & AM2 Reggie "Ar" Sole


As we crossed no mans land I spotted that our visit was not going to go by without a reception party as a Fokker appeared in front of us.

(piloted by Ltn Otto Hengl.)

I noticed way off to my left front that a blue Albatros was at work so it looked like the Fee would soon be having some company too.

(piloted by Obltn Otto Reimer & Ltn Karl Ritscherle)

Which proved to be the case as the machines came together and exchanged fire


I quickly gained on the BE in a hope of heading off the Fokker, as I did so Bull turned for his target area but couldn't avoid the opening fusillade from the onrushing monoplane which set them on fire


The Fokker kept coming and I opened up at close range as did Dawe; I took some damage but the Fokker was properly hosed soon spewing flame and smoke.


I hooked around behind the Fokker as we parted company looking for an opening


I saw that the Fee had passed the Albatros who seemed determined to complete his photographic mission


Trailing smoke and flame the BE unbelievably slowed even more as it approached the target battery - - Dawes was crouched in the cockpit, doubtless messaging our chaps in the artillery.


Following the Fokker around as he switched back the other way I managed to land another close range burst into him that seemed to do some decent damage


I saw the big blue Albatros crossing my nose and had to make a hard choice - try to chase the Fokker down or stop the recon bird. I went for the latter figuring the burning monoplane must soon fall and was no longer a threat to the Quirk but that the Albatros was now a priority target.


A flash and an impressive thunderous rumble from my right momentarily drew my attention as our arty boys dropped their rounds dead centre of the target and set off secondary explosions amongst what must have been the ready round stores. Dawe had clearly got his message through.


I closed on the Albatros but make no impression on him with my last rounds in the pan. The gunner had seen me coming and put in an accurate burst causing some damage to my top plane


As I begin my reload the German realises I'm no threat and continues with his mission


Guns reloaded I bring my machine around and join the Fee in the chase of the Albatros in the vain hope he can slow it down and allow me to get into the fight.


Meantime, fires out, Bull points the Quirk for home and, disappointingly, the sorely done by Fokker slips away


The Fee catches up with the Alb - as it has finished it's mission the gunner is able to defend them vigorously and exchanges fire with "Ar"



Taking advantage when he is forced to reload up until his own gun jams.



"Ar" gets a last opportunity but his Lewis jams and the Albatros escapes.



Butcher's Tally:

BE2c:
Lt Terry Bull: RTB 0 kills
AM1 Jack Dawe: RTB 0 kills

Bristol Scout:
2Lt Hugh Jarris: RTB 0 kills

FE.2b:
2Lt Justin Hale: RTB 0 kills
AM2 Reggie "Ar" Sole: RTB 0 kills


Fokker Eidecker:
Ltn Otto Hengl: FRTB-D 0 kills

Albatros C.III
Obltn Otto Reimer: RTB 0 kills
Ltn Karl Ritscherle: RTB 0 kills


Arty destroyed


VP: 10 all.
Recon successful, artillery KO'd = draw .

Very disappointed that the Fokker survived the fire as I may well have bagged my second Hun but c'est le guerre.
Nice little scrap - thanks Baz

[flash]

Uncle says:

Good effort chaps, nearly did the double....The guns won't trouble us any further but the Huns got some nice snaps.
Everyone made it home in one piece though so that's the bonus.
Congratulations to Jarris - no longer a rookie - now get the beers in !

[ShadowDragon]

Oh so close to a ‘kill’.....but there’s next time.

[zenlizard]

Unusual run for this mission in that there were no aerial casualties.

Comes from knowing when to run. There's wisdom there.

[Vagabond]

Great action report Dave I think I said your last one was a smooth story and this one was as well. Your rookie is putting in some solid flying and is a rookie no longer.
I was wondering if using your own AI gave you an advantage but reading this obviously not.

It didn't take you long to catch up with the campaign so far I expect you'll have the next game squared away in a few days.

You've done a great job with those planes, presumably 4 at least are shapeways, they look very smooth, I mean a smooth finish which is more than a lot of us can manage. Do you remember who makes the BE2 and what colour you used for the CDL I like this lots.
Cheers

[flash]

The BE is from Shapeways John & looks smooth at a distance !
RAF BE2c by jbmacek - stunning model - Sealed with Klear & a couple of coats of watered down PVa then Under-coated with white (Humbrol 34 acrylic)
Engine cowling Humbrol acrylic light grey (64), the rest is GW Bleached Bone (or whatever it's called now)
Decals are by Dom then applied & also sealed with Klear; top coated with Humbrol Acrylic Matt Cote (49). Drilled & split the roundel decal to fit around the woodwork - and very surprised that worked ! Crew by Peter Pig.
German gunner used (different pose to Brit) grafted a Lewis gun on to replace Parabellum and eased him into place by cutting the top of a cabane strut then gluing it back in place.

[Stumptonian]

Straight and to the point, just as one would expect from your alter ego, Dave.
A draw is better than a loss at any rate.
Multiple kills seem to be getting harder to claim.
My own “almost ace” Huebner was lucky to even survive his last outing.
His first three came so easily.
Time for some new livery, perhaps ...

[Vagabond]

The BE is from Shapeways John & looks smooth at a distance !
RAF BE2c by jbmacek - stunning model - Sealed with Klear & a couple of coats of watered down PVa then Under-coated with white (Humbrol 34 acrylic)
Engine cowling Humbrol acrylic light grey (64), the rest is GW Bleached Bone (or whatever it's called now)
Decals are by Dom then applied & also sealed with Klear; top coated with Humbrol Acrylic Matt Cote (49). Drilled & split the roundel decal to fit around the woodwork - and very surprised that worked ! Crew by Peter Pig.
German gunner used (different pose to Brit) grafted a Lewis gun on to replace Parabellum and eased him into place by cutting the top of a cabane strut then gluing it back in place.

Thanks Dave I'll have a look at this model, it doesn't sound as if it needs the amount of prep I gave my shape ways models 4 to 6 coats of dilute pva as well as sanding on the Fokker E111's because they were so pitted.
Never bought any GW paints, this might be my first, I mixed my cdl and achieved a similar colour but out of the bottle is better.
Cheers

[gully_raker]

Good effort Dave in smashing the Hun Battery!
Your game played very close to mine with both BE's put on fire but at least yours got home safe!
That Fokker Pilot was a very lucky fellow. I was sure he would go down from the damage plus fire.
We need something that can catch those pesky German 2 seaters as they are SO fast.
Rep if gun not jammed from your last AAR.

[flash]

...Never bought any GW paints, this might be my first, I mixed my cdl and achieved a similar colour but out of the bottle is better...:

Think GW call Bleached Bone "Screaming Skull" now John. It can be pricey but I found it to be a fairly good paint. The Old stuff I have has lasted many, many years but knowing GW they'll have stopped that with the new versions !

[Vagabond]

Think GW call Bleached Bone "Screaming Skull" now John. It can be pricey but I found it to be a fairly good paint. The Old stuff I have has lasted many, many years but knowing GW they'll have stopped that with the new versions !

Bleached Bone I can visualise as a colour, not sure about Screaming Skull GW have closed both shops in my nearest towns, so it might take a bit of searching for.
Cheers

[gully_raker]

Think GW call Bleached Bone "Screaming Skull" now John. It can be pricey but I found it to be a fairly good paint. The Old stuff I have has lasted many, many years but knowing GW they'll have stopped that with the new versions !

Yes Dave, Bleached Bone is what I have been using for all my CDL painted Shapeways models.
Sadly no longer any GW suppliers down on the Coast now. Nearest one is in Canberra.

[mikeemagnus]

Not only did I think you had done for the EIII, I also thought you had a good chance with the Albatros too. Good choice of aircraft there and a nice mission. A draw is a good result under the circumstances. I feel for the rookie though. Guess he's a might peeved

Well played dave.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Thank you for that most enjoyable little fracas Dave.
I am now reading up on the sorties which I have flown.
Hope to get my mission five written up tomorrow.

Rob.

[flash]

Thanks Rob, it was a fun scrap, thanks for the reminder !