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Thread: OTTDYM Mission 6 - Where's my gunner ? - 12th February 1916 - by Tikkifriend

  1. #1

    Default OTTDYM Mission 6 - Where's my gunner ? - 12th February 1916 - by Tikkifriend

    RFC

    Lt P Rhodes Be2 (11)

    2ndLt C Wagner Be2 (7)

    Lt T Harper DH2 (N)

    Lt P Henry DH2 (P)

    Central Powers.

    Ltn Nagler (blue) Habl

    Ltn Barnekow (red) Halb




    Charles Wagner tapped furiously at his fuel gauge hoping to make the needle move one way or the other.



    At this height the cold was biting and was freezing both man and machine. Without an accurate reading of his fuel he worried he might not make it back to the airfield and a warming mug of tea loaded with some of the Wing Co “special brew” .

    Looking round he could see Rhodes in the second BE2 .



    He looked as miserable as he felt. Alone , his observer sidelined to compensate for the weight of the bombs under the fragile planes wings , Wagner could see the observation balloon beginning to be wound back to the ground. That meant only one thing. Archie.

    Sure enough the black and white puffballs appeared in front of the planes the 2 AA batteries zeroing in on their targets. Wagner signalled to Rhodes and they each focused on a target.



    The brief had been for 2 passes each of 3 bombs. Wagner had decided that they should release their load in rapid succession on each run hoping to carpet the targets with their explosives . “Here goes “ he muttered to himself



    Rhodes watched as the bombs straddled the targets.



    one coming close



    but no cigar.

    Wagner adjusted his speed to great effect.

    Direct hits on the first 2 and 50% on the last








    A shell exploded high and to the right of his plane (0) rattling the wires but doing no damage




    Rhodes saw the Halb first, even before Harper in his DH2 who had just caught up with the 2 seaters.






    Regardless he pressed on the bomb release button twice .



    The first landed partially on a truck column. Unable to re align on another target Rhodes prepared to turn for a second pass.

    Nagler by this time had closed on the bomber. Rhodes was his first target, his rounds hitting Rhodes fuselage .



    The AA began pounding the skies again . Shells whistled between Hun and RFC planes alike.

    Wagner's plane rocked, smoke spewing from his engine and fabric flapped in the slipstream as a shell exploded ahead of him.



    Chaos ensued as the 2 bombers and Nagler manoeuvred dangerously close to each other.



    Harper waited for Nagler to drop into his LOS .Banking his plane right onto Naglers tail ,his rounds hit the Germans rudder and crept along the body of the plane rupturing the the fuel tank




    That was enough for Nagler who turned away passing close to Wagner but too far away to get a shot in.

    Harper stalked the crippled scout turning into the Hun. Bullets flew , not that many from Nagler whose gun jammed Not so Harpers who further peppered the Halb



    The AA boys got a bead on the DH2 putting a shell close enough to require a change of flight suit.



    With fuel running low Harper broke off the attack.



    Nagler weaved his way towards his lines but the fire by this time had enveloped the wings and the Halb began to tumble towards the depot




    Wagner's plane was close to falling apart . His part in this sortie was over. Jettisoning his remaining bombs he headed West losing height as he went till he was out of range of both the AA guns and roving scouts



    As planned Henry arrived to escort the remaining bomber home

    Rhodes made a final run before turning for home.

    Ltn Barnekow who had just arrived was there to make sure he didn't



    Henry opened up his throttle aiming to cut Shaffer off a short burst got the Germans attention




    long enough for Rhodes and Harper to get out of the combat zone .



    Henry had enough fuel for a few more rounds with Barnekow But the inexperienced Adler knew when to quit . "Another day perhaps " as he looked down on the smoking wreckage of Naglers plane.

    Butcher's Tally

    B]RFC [/B]

    Lt P Rhodes Be2 (11) RTB 0kills



    2ndLt C Wagner Be2 (7) RTB 0 kills



    Lt T Harper DH2 (N) RTB/ 1 Kill


    Lt P Henry DH2 (P) RTB

    Central Powers.

    Ltn Max Nagler (blue) Habl SD/FLM/FT 0 kills
    Rolled 3 -2FLM = 1 KIA



    Ltn Heinrich Barnekow (red) Halb RTB

    Well there you go with all the discussion that this mission has generated re high level bombing et al my first instinct was to drop the bombs in a carpet which worked for Wagner but not for Rhodes. Never flown that high in terms of pegs so a bit of glue was require to ensure easy movement.

    Nice to get out of the comfort zone of low level recon /bombing so thanks for that John

    As for who won , in the words of the Italian SAS motto "Who Care Who Wins"
    Last edited by flash; 06-13-2019 at 12:33. Reason: Title adjust


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  2. #2

    Default

    Well I rather enjoyed that little romp, well played Paul, your chaps did their best, escaped by the skin of their teeth and even bagged one of the blighters doing it Lucky to catch Uncle - he was just closing down his office when your report arrived !

    Uncle says:

    Well done chaps, looks like you didn't do too much damage but at least the Hun knows he's not out of reach. Time to celebrate Mr Harper's latest victory I think don't you ?

    I was hoping to see JP in the air as he's your chosen pilot ?
    Herr Schäfer is still wounded after his last outing, not back until m.7 - Herr Barnekow took his place.
    Ltn Barnhard Wenzl replaces the unfortunate Max Nagler.
    Last edited by flash; 06-13-2019 at 12:31.

    "He is wise who watches"

  3. #3

    Default

    Nice outing for your boys, Paul.

    This high-level stuff was definitely a “learning experience” for all of us methinks.
    Still haven’t found time to get mine written, and now, with Onkel ‘out and about’ there will be no great rush.

  4. #4

    Default

    The AA boys got a bead on the DH2 putting a shell close enough to require a change of flight suit.

    Almost a LOL moment but it would wake Mrs V and I'd get it in the neck. Very enjoyable read with plenty of action, I do agree with the Italian SAS, just as long as it's fun.

    That's a very nice Halberstadt, is it original or your repaint. Hope I've not asked that before

  5. #5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Stumptonian View Post
    Nice outing for your boys, Paul.

    This high-level stuff was definitely a “learning experience” for all of us methinks.
    Still haven’t found time to get mine written, and now, with Onkel ‘out and about’ there will be no great rush.
    You just knuckle down Pete and get that AAR done, we are waiting for it.

  6. #6

    Thumbs up

    Well that was full of action Paul!
    Pretty good result for your chaps with a Hun for a bonus.
    Rep on its way.

  7. #7

    Default

    Nice one Paul. Long time no read it but well worth the wait. At least all your boys arrived home safely, which is more than I can say for mine. Ditto - like your Halb - very tasty.



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