Uncle called the members of the Bulldogs C flight to a briefing in the Squadron room.
"Right chaps! Listen up! Seems the Intelligence chappies have got wind of a Hun plan to attack Fort Douaumont & plan to send a flight of Recon Aircraft to photograph the Fort & surrounding areas prior to laying down an artillery barrage. The French flyers are stretched thin will all the activity around Verdun & have asked for assistance."
"A temporary airfield has been prepared about 6 miles from the Fort so you will leave Bentangles & be prepared to scramble when the French lookouts have sighted the German Aircraft. They will fire off a Red Flare to signal the enemy approach. You must stop the Huns from getting those photos. Watch out as they are sure to have some fighter escorts."
"Lt. Fife-Brand will lead the attack accompanied by 2nd. Lt. Rhodes & Flt Sgt. Stark in the 3 DH-2's & Lt. Hill with AM3 Quartermain will bolster their force in the FE 2b."
"Ground crews are already on their way in trucks with ammunition & fuel & the French will provide food etc." "Good Luck & remember the importance of this special mission!"
The next day found the crews at full readiness with their aircraft being warmed up for a quick reaction.
Over at the Eagles Nest The Germans who had been selected for the mission listened to the Staffel Fuhrer who numbered off the crews. Obltn Helmet Dahlmann with Ltn Hans Schobinger as his Observer would fly the Albatross C.III while Ltn Julius Gilly with Ltn Hans Groos would fly the Aviatik. Fighter escort would be provided by Ltn Caul-August Schwartz & Ltn Richard Arntzen flying Fokker E.III's..
The German crews took off & flew over the Trenches looking for the Fort as they studied their map references.
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Before too long they spotted the Fort & proceeded to line up their approach with the two fighters keeping a lookout on the outside of the formation. There was no sign of any French Aircraft & the 2 seater pilots smiled at the thought they may have caught the French napping.
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As they approached the Fort, a French listening post picked up the sounds of multiple aircraft engines coming from the lines & immediately fired off the Red Flare to alert the waiting British aircraft.
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The Albatross was the first in range & took a photo of the Western approaches to the Fort.
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It continued & took a photo of the Southern approach whilst the Aviatik took one of the Northern side.
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The German Aircraft now came under attack from the Anti Aircraft Machine guns mounted on the Fort but little damage was done accept for a lucky shot from some Infantry who caused minor damage to the Aviatik's rudder.
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Both German Aircraft had now closed to short range of the Fort & both took good photos of the Fort itself!
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The defending British DH-2's had now closed to within range & opened fire but to little effect.
"Gott in Himmle!" exclaimed Dahlmann "Verdammit Britishers! Vot are zey doing such a long vey from home?"
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The second wave of British aircraft now arrived on the scene & exchanged fire with Schwartz's Grey Fokker which was set on fire but not before it did some damage to the Fee.
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The German 2 seaters continued to circle the Fort & again came under attack from the Forts Machine Guns one of which then jammed.
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Dusty Rhodes who had closed on the Albatross got a nasty shock when the German opened up with his front gun & Dusty felt a stinging pain along his left upper arm. However a quick check showed it to be only a slight flesh wound.
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It was now Fife-Brand's turn to feel the wrath of the German fliers as he was bracketed by both 2 seaters & Arntzen's E.III.
Not only was he wounded but his engine was badly damaged which forced an immediate forced return to base. The Germans were certainly doing their best to complete the mission!
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The FE 2b got behind Schwart's grey Fokker which continued to burn & added more damage.
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Brandon Stark now got into a perfect side position on the Albatross & dealt it some serious damage.
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The FE tried a deflection shot at the other Fokker but perhaps affected by the flames from Schwart's plane missed completely.
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The German 2 seaters continued their mission again photographing the Fort & the Southern approaches.
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Brandon Stark in spite of coming under fire from both the Albatross & the Fokker of Arntzen, pressed his attack & was gratified to see he had set the Albatross on Fire!
"Mine Gott"! screamed Hans Schobinger, Dahlmann's Observer, "Flammen!"
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On the far Port side of this battle the Fee got some good shots into the CDL Fokker whilst the grey E.III continued to blaze. Surely it could not withstand this damage for much longer!
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The fire & accumulated damage destroyed the Albatross which was soon followed into the French countryside by the grey Fokker.
The Fee now started the other Fokker smoking whilst the Aviatik continued its mission fully aware of the burden of completing its mission now that the photos taken by the Albatross had been lost.
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Richard Arntzen preformed an Immlemann which put him in a perfect position to damage the FE 2b only for his gun to jamb at the very first round.
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Lofty Hill guided the Fee into a close encounter with the Aviatik which continued its Photo mission & although he caused it some damage his gunners Lewis also jammed!
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Brandon Stark now further damaged the CDL Fokker while Arntzen struggled to clear his machine gun.
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While Alex Quartermain was working on the jammed Lewis gun of the Fee, Dusty Rhodes attacked the Aviatik causing it to smoke & finally crash to earth in the French country side but before he could rejoice in his first victory the return fire from the German 2 seater wounded him for the second time as he felt a hammer blow to his left thigh & the shock & pain caused him to momentarily black out only regaining consciousness in time to effect a hard crash landing where he was soon taken by French troops to their field hospital.
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Having changed his Lewis drum Quartermain & Arntzen who had also cleared his jamb, exchanged shots & while the Fokker pilot missed Alex damaged the E.III"s rudder.
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Brandon Stark now honed in on the damaged Fokker & further damaged its rudder & the German aircraft now suffering critical damage also crashed to the ground leaving the remaining 2 British aircraft in control of the Sky.
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The loss of both German 2 seaters resulted in a major British Victory to the pleasure of the French defenders of Verdun.
Victory Points
2 German 2 seaters shot down = 4 VP
2 German Scouts shot down = 2 VP
TOTAL = 6 VP
German Forces = NIL
Comments & Observations
I flew Dusty Rhodes DH-2 & the FE 2b. All other aircraft were AI.
All aircraft flew at Level 4 & I used Dave's D8 charts.
That was a surprising result as most games had the German recon planes completing their mission.
I was fortunate that I rolled for the Huns to be heard in Turn 2 & the second wave of my fighters rolled to come in at an advantageous position. A couple of Fire damages certainly helped my result.
Looks like Flt Sgt. Brandon Stark got 3 kills which added to his 2 previously achieved will make him my First Ace in this Campaign!
Anyway the jolly old Hun sent one Pilot home wounded with a damaged engine & Dusty was lucky to survive his second wound at his moment of Glory. LoL (I rolled a 6 for his survival roll & he will be out of Action for 3 scenarios).
I must say I really enjoyed that game & the action came thick & fast. I think I missed a couple of + 1's for both sides but it seemed to even out OK.
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