OTT DYM Mission 3 - Knowledge is Power - 19th Jan 1916 - teaticket
Another typical January morning in 1916 on the western front. Both the Germans and the French were using their air assets more and more. Ground forces were more and more depending on the air services for reconnaissance and artillery support. To counter enemy intelligence gathering and artillery spotting, scouts were sent on patrols to stop these intrusions.
Captain Jerome, commander of the French Bulldog Escadrille, set the roster for the day’s missions. S/Lt. Armand Lambert would lead the artillery spotting flight with Cpl Lucien Moreau as observer. Lt. Etienne Martin would pilot the 2nd Caudron G.4 as escort with Cpl Laurent Colbert as gunner.
Sgt. Henri Guerin was ordered to fly a scout on patrol along the lines looking for any enemy planes.
Across the lines to the east, similar orders are given to similar young men.
Henri’s friend, Sgt. Marie DuBois, pleaded to also fly the patrol but only one scout was available. Captain Jerome sent the rookie Marie to watch the ground crew prep the planes and try to learn something.
Marie saw Henri enter the sheds and made a bee line towards him. Marie begged Henri to let him take the scout up. Henri shook his head, “The Captain will have your head, and mine too”!
Marie was persistent. “I’ve yet to fly a combat mission in the three weeks I’ve been assigned to this front-line unit. It’s driving me crazy”!
Henri smirked and winked at Marie. “Let’s take the Parasol, I’ll fly and you man the rear gun, at least you’ll get in the air. First, you’ll need to distract the ground crew while I jam a bad round in the scout’s gun. With no scout available I’ll suggest to the Captain to let you be my observer”.
Henri’s grin quickly turned into a frown, “If we get caught we’ll both hang”.
Marie smiled from ear to ear. Off he went and in pretending to follow the Captain’s order to learn something, he drew the ground crew away from the scout. Feigning interest to learn about the disassembled engine they had been working on, the crew were more than willing to show him their work. As this went on, Henri managed to jam the scout’s gun unseen.
The mischievous rookies plan worked. When Henri asked the crew to ready his scout, they had to turn him away as the gun was fouled. The Captain needed a plane in the air as soon as possible so he pondered Henri’s suggestion. Time was of the essence so he consented for the Parasol to take on the mission.
Henri watched the pair of Caudrons below cross the lines and turn to the north east. He thought he should also be on escort but he would let them cross the lines while he turned north. His assigned mission sent him in another direction.
To the north a German Rumpler C.I is just reaching a position above the lines.
Henri notices a speck in the distance and turns to give it a look. With one hand he reaches back to tap Marie, letting him know to be aware.
Not sure if it is friend or foe, Henri flys closer. By the time he realizes it is a German machine, bullets are zipping by all around. Instinctively Henri takes evasive action and the German bullets luckily sail harmlessly by.
Passing too close, the Rumpler observer gets a shot straight down the length of the parasol. Marie slumps down grabbing his arm, blood dribbling between his fingers. Henri also feels the sting as a round grazes his shoulder.
Henri flys away, putting as much distance between his parasol and the Hun as he can. One last burst from the Rumpler adds a few more holes into the French plane.
Meanwhile, the two Caudrons close in on their target.
The German artillery has been spotted, Lucien calls in for a French artillery shoot.
As the pair of French planes pass over the battery an Eindecker is spotted closing in.
Etienne places his plane to shield the radio quipped Caudron. The Eindecker, not knowing how much firepower the pair of French planes carry warily closes.
Ltn. Hengst makes a pass trying to see how the French is armed and is surprised when the Lewis barks out at him. More than the surprise is the intense pain when a round slams into him.
While Etienne and Laurent ward off the German, Lucien sends off a correction to the French battery.
Henri yells to Marie. Looking back, Henri sees Marie tying a bandage around his arm. Marie forces a smile and gives Henri the thumbs up.
Henri turns to pursue but the Hun is a long way off and has had enough uninterrupted time to take it’s photos.
With the German turning away Etienne maneuvers to give Laurent a possible shot.
As the German appears to be heading for home Laurent gives him a parting shot.
The Hun escapes but will not get to harass the French spotting mission.
Henri flies over Armand and Lucien in pursuit of the Rumpler. He’s not sure if he will be able to close the gap. If the German escapes with it’s photos it would be bad news for HQ.
Lucien’s corrections were spot on as the German battery below is pummeled.
Marie sees Armand vigorously patting Lucien on the shoulder, success!
Henri knows he had little room for error in chasing down the Rumpler. The German plane finishes it’s photo run and turns for home.
Henri dives in and the observer is caught off-guard. His shots go wide. Henri keeps a straight course on the Hun and punishes the Rumpler.
Hugging the Rumpler, Henri hides behind it’s tail so the observer cannot shoot at him. Unfortunately the erratic maneuvering to do so makes it difficult for him to aim.
Getting deeper into German territory Henri hopes his next few shots can take down the Hun. Still on it’s tail Henri scores more damage but suddenly his gun goes silent.
Heading deeper beyond the lines Henri knows he can shoot no more, so he salutes the desperate looking observer and turns for home.
Henri catches up to the pair of Caudrons just as they are crossing the lines. Smiles and waves from the Caudrons let Henri and Marie know their mission was a success.
The pair of German planes also form up and fly home to the east.
The German Rumpler, seriously damaged, returns to it’s airfield with valuable photos.
For the French, a minor victory is celebrated as a German battery has been destroyed.
Butcher’s Bill
Kaiser’s Eagles
Werner Hengst FRTB WIA 0 Kills
C 8 -1(wia) +1(rtb) = 8 injured, 4 = miss 2 missions
Rudolf Muzier RTB 0 Kills
Dieter Rosenfeldt RTB 0 Kills
Photo mission succeeded
Les Bouledogues
Henri Guerin RTB WIA 0 Kills
C 11 -1(wia) +1(rtb) = 11 all is well
Marie Dubois RTB WIA 0 Kills
C 4 -1(wia) +1(rtb) = 4 injured, 2 = miss 2 missions
Eitienne Martin RTB 0 Kills
Laurent Colbert RTB 0 Kills
Armand Lambert RTB 0 Kills
Lucien Moreau RTB 0 Kills
Artillery mission succeeded
Both the German and French missions were successful – resulting in a draw
Nice scenario Baz. Felt odd running two games at the same time on the same table!
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Another excellent 
REP on the way.
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