Ares Games
Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: OTT DYM Mission 6--12 Feb 1916--Where are my Gunners?--gully_raker

  1. #1

    Post OTT DYM Mission 6--12 Feb 1916--Where are my Gunners?--gully_raker

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR Uncle.jpg  Views: 41  Size: 7.6 KB  ID: 269373" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" /> Uncle called Lt Reginald Fife-Brand the Flight Commander & the other pilots of C Flight to the Squadron Briefing Hut.
    "Attention Chaps!" "H.Q. have given us a curly one for tomorrow. Seems the French Partisans have reported a Hun build up on their side of the River Somme with new trenches being built, an Ammunition Dump in the main village, a concentration of troops near the river & a bridge over the river being repaired."
    Now the distance to these targets is at the very end of our 2 seaters endurance & beyond the range of our two new DH-2 scouts so we will have to ad lib a bit to make it. This means the two 2 seaters will have to fly without Observer/gunners" At this a collective groan went up from the 2 seat pilots!
    "Now the blue wheeled BE 2c has just had a full overhaul on its Beadmore engine so it will be in peak condition whilst our FE 2b's engine is still relatively new".
    "I want Lt. Lofty Hill our most experienced 2 seat jockey to take the Fee & 2nd Lt. Ollie Hardie to pilot the BE". Lofty objected "Sir I will be a sitting duck with an empty front cockpit" "Any Hun will immediately see I have no defence!" "However if I might make a suggestion, young Gregory the Rigger trained as a Commercial Artist at his fathers business & I reckon he could cobble up a 3 ply replica of a gunner & a Lewis that would add no weight at all!" "All right" said Uncle "if he can have that done by 0700 tomorrow morning you have my permission" "How about you Hardie?" Oliver laughed. "They cant see any observer in a BE Sir with him buried between the wings & the rigging so I reckon I am OK."
    Uncle now turned to Fife-Brand & 2nd Lt. Dusty Rhodes. Now we have 2 of the new Scouts on hand I want you Reg to escort them as far as you can & Dusty can meet them on the way back to try to keep any Germans off their tails". "Good Luck,oh & watch out for Flak & any German aircraft lurking in the vicinity but hopefully your early start will find them napping!"

    The Mission

    Early the next morning the 3 aircraft set off towards the target area with the FEE resplendent with its ply gunner which looked quite lifelike & should fool any Hun pilot from a reasonable distance. The DH-2 waited until the 2 seaters were on their way before heading after them ( started on turn 2 like the Fokker E.III)

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 01.jpg  Views: 41  Size: 195.5 KB  ID: 269374" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 02.jpg  Views: 41  Size: 201.5 KB  ID: 269375" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    As they approached the River Somme Lofty spotted a Fokker E.III finished in CDL which was flown by Ltn Richard Arntzen on his dawn patrol.
    He also noted the AA gun in the middle of the targets as he turned towards the first target on his side of the area.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 03.jpg  Views: 43  Size: 170.9 KB  ID: 269376" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    Fife-Brand also sighted the enemy scout & made full speed towards it.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 04.jpg  Views: 44  Size: 163.5 KB  ID: 269377" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    On the opposite side of the battlefield Oliver Hardie in the slower BE commenced his run on the first target he saw.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 05.jpg  Views: 44  Size: 160.8 KB  ID: 269378" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    The slower speed assisted his aiming as the altitude they were forced to fly added a new dimension to the task but he hit the target spot on!

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 06.jpg  Views: 45  Size: 176.8 KB  ID: 269379" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    "Well that went better than expected" exclaimed Oliver "Hope my luck holds!"

    Lofty now came under attack from both the German Scout & the Flak battery but fortunately both missed damaging the British aircraft.
    However his first bomb fell well short of his target.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 07.jpg  Views: 45  Size: 190.0 KB  ID: 269380" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    Hardie's BE was also targeted by the AA battery on his side of the targets but their aim was also off & the shell burst well in front of his aircraft.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 08.jpg  Views: 44  Size: 179.3 KB  ID: 269381" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    He now carefully lined up on the next target & was again successful in obtaining a direct hit.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 09.jpg  Views: 43  Size: 164.5 KB  ID: 269382" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    Lt. Fife-Brand had manoeuvred into an advantageous broadside position to the Fokker but his shots did little damage.
    "Damn! he swore "must have just gone clean through the fabric!"

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 10.jpg  Views: 42  Size: 144.4 KB  ID: 269383" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    Lofty whose first bomb had missed his first target but he had caused minor damage with his second bomb & now released his third bomb which again hit the already damaged target.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 11.jpg  Views: 43  Size: 136.0 KB  ID: 269384" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    He again came under fire from the German AA gun & once again their aim was off perhaps due to the height of the British aircraft.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 12.jpg  Views: 43  Size: 154.3 KB  ID: 269385" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    The DH-2 again attacked the Eindekker but again only minor damage was caused.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 13.jpg  Views: 41  Size: 126.2 KB  ID: 269386" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    Hardie was now approaching the Ammunition dump in the Village & again his aim was spot on & it erupted in a sheet of flame & smoke!

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 14.jpg  Views: 43  Size: 164.2 KB  ID: 269388" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 15.jpg  Views: 41  Size: 156.2 KB  ID: 269387" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    The DH-2 again got into a good position for a close range burst into the E.III but Reg's gun jammed & he hammered on the breach of the Lewis in frustration.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 16.jpg  Views: 43  Size: 165.3 KB  ID: 269389" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    Having passed over the destroyed target Lofty pulled an Immleman hoping his 3 ply "Gunner" survived the manoeuvre & then tried to line up a return run on the targets he had missed.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 17.jpg  Views: 43  Size: 161.8 KB  ID: 269390" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    This run was much better & his bomb landed right in the middle of the German Troops & killed or wounded the entire detachment!

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 18.jpg  Views: 43  Size: 184.0 KB  ID: 269391" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    The Fokker had now turned the tables on the DH-2 as Reg reloaded his Lewis gun but fortunately the Germans aim was also off.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 19.jpg  Views: 43  Size: 175.0 KB  ID: 269392" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    Lofty now approached his last target.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 20.jpg  Views: 45  Size: 161.8 KB  ID: 269393" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    His final 2 bombs caused only minor damage.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 21.jpg  Views: 42  Size: 148.8 KB  ID: 269394" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    Fife-Brand had again got into a favourable position on Arntzen's Fokker but again no damage resulted. "Might as well be firing blanks" fumed Reg.
    He had already reached his fuel point & was headed for home.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 22.jpg  Views: 43  Size: 150.0 KB  ID: 269395" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    Hardie had also turned back towards base & could only cause minor damage to his target this time.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 23.jpg  Views: 41  Size: 162.6 KB  ID: 269396" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    As Reg headed back towards the Bulldogs 'drome the Flak gun gave him a farewell but this time they fired way too high.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 24.jpg  Views: 44  Size: 124.8 KB  ID: 269397" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    The returning 2 seaters were warmed by the sight of Dusty Rhodes DH-2 heading in their direction but too late to be able to get into any action with the German Scout who was now way behind the River.
    (For some reason this pic lodged itself at the bottom of my post & resisted all efforts to clear & & repost!)

    Oliver Hardie now dropped his last 2 bombs on the repaired bridge & scored a direct Hit!

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 26.jpg  Views: 42  Size: 177.4 KB  ID: 269399" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    The British Aircraft now all turned towards their home base pretty satisfied with their first high level bombing mission & having survived the German Flak without injury.
    The German Pilot had also turned for home low on fuel & dismayed at his inability to deter the raiders.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 28.jpg  Views: 42  Size: 197.9 KB  ID: 269400" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=AAR 29.jpg  Views: 41  Size: 141.8 KB  ID: 269401" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />

    Uncle gathered the returning crews into the briefing hut to check the results of the mission & was gratified to learn of their success.The debrief showed that the Ammo Dump, Bridge, Troop Concentration & 2 trench systems destroyed whilst 2 partials hit another trench, another 2 trenches were damaged & only the Transport depot remained undamaged. Altogether a most successful mission!
    12 Damage points achieved & only 4 points undamaged.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=BB 06.jpg  Views: 39  Size: 88.7 KB  ID: 269402" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=BB 07.jpg  Views: 38  Size: 71.6 KB  ID: 269403" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	<acronym title=BB 08.jpg  Views: 40  Size: 73.7 KB  ID: 269404" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />



    Comments & Observations

    Well that went way better than I expected! I hope I carried out the bombing correctly.
    Once I played the Bomb Card I then put all three cards out before I moved the aircraft again as that way I did not need extra manoeuvre cards. I then released the second bomb after that next card.
    I was surprised at all the low damage cards drawn as little damage was done to any aircraft & the AA was also ineffective.
    My game was certainly very tame compared to John Vagabonds!
    Last edited by flash; 06-27-2019 at 06:44. Reason: Title adjust & remove spurious pic

  2. #2

    Smile The BUTCHERS BILL!

    Last edited by gully_raker; 06-16-2019 at 23:15.

  3. #3

    Default

    Excellent looking game Barry, the old mats certainly show off the planes nicely and I really must get a BE2 or two your CDL one looks so smart and elegant.

    The bombing went very well, I think you might have missed out on the bomb card that should have been between each manoeuvre card, but if you dropped the bombs at the right time expecting to hit the target at that distance that's fine with me.

    You're right, that German pilot of yours needs to buck his ideas up, mine was much more aggressive. He continued to harry one of my bombers all the way across the board, just missing being in firing range quite a few times.

  4. #4

    Default

    Well You certainly winged it Baz - the bombing was completely incorrect but the visuals were great !

    Uncle says:

    Bombing was a complete shambles, having asked the question in post #60 of the BRF it looks like you missed the answer in post #61.
    More study of the diagram and time over the practice field for you m'lad !!

    2nd Lt Oliver Hardie wasn't available for this mission still recovering from wounds received in mission 3 - he will be grounded next mission on MO's orders.
    Last edited by flash; 06-25-2019 at 04:38.

    "He is wise who watches"

  5. #5

    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by Vagabond View Post
    Excellent looking game Barry, the old mats certainly show off the planes nicely and I really must get a BE2 or two your CDL one looks so smart and elegant.

    The bombing went very well, I think you might have missed out on the bomb card that should have been between each manoeuvre card, but if you dropped the bombs at the right time expecting to hit the target at that distance that's fine with me.

    You're right, that German pilot of yours needs to buck his ideas up, mine was much more aggressive. He continued to harry one of my bombers all the way across the board, just missing being in firing range quite a few times.
    Actually Fife-Brand did a great job distracting the German Fokker as every time he tried to go after the Fee F-B got on his tail & he had to react to that. Both scouts were flown by AI.
    I would have flown Dusty as my "named" pilot but he arrived too late to get involved.

  6. #6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gully_raker View Post
    Actually Fife-Brand did a great job distracting the German Fokker as every time he tried to go after the Fee F-B got on his tail & he had to react to that. Both scouts were flown by AI.
    I would have flown Dusty as my "named" pilot but he arrived too late to get involved.
    Hahaha maybe it was my escorts that should have bucked their ideas up. all they achieved was getting in the way and getting shot down

  7. #7

    Default

    Uncle has reviewed Baz

    "He is wise who watches"

  8. #8

    Default

    I waited for Uncle’s take before chiming in, to see what he would have to say about the bombing.

    It didn’t look right to me (far too easy!
    but you were consistent so there is that.
    I hope we get a chance to dissect the process and add to the house rules before trying high level bombing again.

    Your pics and story were great, Baz, and I enjoyed the read.

  9. #9

    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    Well You certainly winged it Baz - the bombing was completely incorrect but the visuals were great !

    Uncle says:

    Bombing was a complete shambles, having asked the question in post #60 of the BRF it looks like you missed the answer in post #61.
    More study of the diagram and time over the practice field for you m'lad !!

    2nd Lt Oliver Hardie wasn't available for this mission still recovering from wounds received in mission 3 - he will be grounded next mission on MO's orders.
    OH DEAR! I thought I got the 3 Cards for the Bomb fall right Uncle had better wack me with his cane!
    Don't know how I stuffed up on Hardie I thought I checked on your spread sheet before I chose the crews.
    Oh well I can only blame advancing age!

  10. #10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gully_raker View Post
    OH DEAR! I thought I got the 3 Cards for the Bomb fall right Uncle had better wack me with his cane!
    Don't know how I stuffed up on Hardie I thought I checked on your spread sheet before I chose the crews.
    Oh well I can only blame advancing age!
    The most fitting response to this is... “Its a fine line indeed between going out in a Blaze of Glory or having Crashed & Burnt!"

  11. #11

    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by ShadowDragon View Post
    The most fitting response to this is... “Its a fine line indeed between going out in a Blaze of Glory or having Crashed & Burnt!"
    I knew that would come back to haunt me one day!

  12. #12

    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    Well You certainly winged it Baz - the bombing was completely incorrect but the visuals were great !

    Uncle says:

    Bombing was a complete shambles, having asked the question in post #60 of the BRF it looks like you missed the answer in post #61.
    More study of the diagram and time over the practice field for you m'lad !!

    *******************************************Snipped************************************************************
    Thanks Dave. I went back & read # 61 again but in my defence it did not highlight enough you had to add the Bomb card to each of the 3 cards as you ran the bomb.
    Probably not helped by me speed reading all the posts on High Level Bombing.
    Would have been much clearer with a photo showing the Progression from "Move--Card + Bomb card--Card + Bomb Card etc".

  13. #13

    Default

    We did muddy the waters somewhat with the rules discussion that's for sure.
    I was going to respond to your question myself but thought John had covered it so well there was nothing more I could add:
    ...So play a movement card for the plane, then move the plane, then the same movement card for the bomb, then the bomb card. Then repeat the same movement card and bomb card twice more and it hits the ground...
    The diagram is the best visual I've seen for bombing but of course it is only for the lowest level (which was level 1 when it was produced !) and maybe even pre-dates the FotG which brought in the high level bombing option.
    Here's a link to an old thread that shows it in action which may help:
    https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sh...t-(Revision-C)
    Last edited by flash; 06-26-2019 at 00:53.

    "He is wise who watches"

  14. #14

    Default

    A spectacular success for the RFC! Just remember, it's not how many aerial victories one might score, it's all about accomplishing the mission at hand. (Of course, if the mission is to gain and/or maintain air superiority, the it is about how many aerial victories are scored).

  15. #15

    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    We did muddy the waters somewhat with the rules discussion that's for sure.
    I was going to respond to your question myself but thought John had covered it so well there was nothing more I could add:

    The diagram is the best visual I've seen for bombing but of course it is only for the lowest level (which was level 1 when it was produced !) and maybe even pre-dates the FotG which brought in the high level bombing option.
    Here's a link to an old thread that shows it in action which may help:
    https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sh...t-(Revision-C)
    Yes Dave a photo display of how the High Level Bombing should be done would certainly helped.
    Oh well we "live & learn!"

    I have no problems with the Low Level bombing & have followed the way shown in that old thread.

  16. #16

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gully_raker View Post
    ...I have no problems with the Low Level bombing & have followed the way shown in that old thread.
    Then you should be able to master it quickly as you're only adding movement & bomb cards to the low level bombing method to extend the flight of the bombs as they drop from a higher altitude - as Hayden demo's in the last sequence of the thread with an Alt 4 drop.
    If I get time I may well re-visit this & create a new thread.

    "He is wise who watches"

  17. #17

    Default

    Hahahaha, love the "commercial artist cobbled version of a gunner in the Fee The straw dummy was also a great idea in another AAR (Pete's was it???) Never even occured to me to explain the presence of an extra body in an aircraft supposedly carrying only a pilot.

    the bombing was completely incorrect but the visuals were great !
    Interesting take on it Baz and anyway its your mission to do with as you wish (Oh dear that probably sounded very subversive - apologies Uncle ) Might explain your remarkable success rate though.

    Sooo glad nobody got shot down in this one and all got home ok. Makes a very pleasant change indeed. Rep inbound.



Similar Missions

  1. AAR OTT DYM Mission 5--5th Feb 1916 Adler Tag Team--gully_raker
    By gully_raker in forum Over the Trenches
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 07-18-2019, 19:22
  2. AAR OTT DYM-Mission 4-27th Jan. 1916- Some Mothers do 'ave 'em!--gully_raker
    By gully_raker in forum Over the Trenches
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 06-23-2019, 16:33
  3. AAR OTT DYM Mission 3 - Knowledge Is Power - 19th Jan 1916---gully_raker
    By gully_raker in forum Over the Trenches
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 03-24-2019, 15:03
  4. AAR AAR OTT-DYM--Mission 2- 14th Jan 1916-Coming & Going--gully_raker
    By gully_raker in forum Over the Trenches
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 02-19-2019, 07:40
  5. AAR DYM-Mission 1--Luftwachtdeinst-Sperreflug Jan 5th 1916--gully_raker
    By gully_raker in forum Over the Trenches
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 01-21-2019, 10:34

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •