Jasta 24 Headquarters – 27 February 1916
Oberleutnant Bernhard Wienand finished setting up a map for his officers to peruse.
“Das ist das die Zielsetzung.” < This is your target > he said to recently promoted Oberleutnant Leonard Wiechers.
The loss of Melbeck in the last major mission had left a large hole in the Zweisitzer group.
Wiechers had proven his merit over several missions, with his steady nerves and excellent photography skills.
He and his regular pilot, Feldwebel Siegfried Nixdorf, would now lead the group.
This would be their first official chance to prove their leadership.
“Dies ist der Tavannes-Tunnel.”
“Vielleicht hast du davon gehört ?“ <perhaps you have heard of it? >
“Ja, habe ich …” < Yes, I have >
Wiechers went on to describe it.
“Es wurde kurz vor dem Deutsch-Französischen Krieg 1870 gegraben.“ < It was dug just prior to the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 >
„Es ist 1400 Meter lang ...“ < it is 1400 meters long > „... ein eingleisiger Eisenbahntunnel, der Verdun mit Metz verbindet.“
<a single-track railway tunnel connecting Verdun with Metz >
“Ich habe vor dem Krieg in der Gegend von Verdun studiert.“ < I studied in the Verdun area before the war >
Wiechers explains to his somewhat surprised commander.
„Ich denke, Sie wissen mehr darüber als ich!“ < I think you know more about it than me! >
„Vielleicht. Was ist unsere Mission? Sollen wir wieder aktuelle Fotos für die Artillerie bekommen?“
< Perhaps. What is our mission? Should we get back current photos for the artillery? >
“Dieses Mal nicht ...” < Not this time >
“Ihre Kette wird Teil einer großen Operation sein.“ < Your kette will be part of a large operation. >
„Operationsurteil!“ < Operation Judgement >
“Eine Einheit, die die neuen LFG-Rolands fliegt, greift zuerst an.“
< A unit that flies the new LFG Rolands will attack first >
„Attacke?“ < Attack ? >
Wiechers was stunned.
„Ja. Jedes Flugzeug wird eine einzelne Bombe tragen.“ < Yes. Each aircraft will carry a single bomb. >
„Aber der Tunnel wird sicher gut geschützt sein!“ < But the tunnel will surely be well-protected! >
„Wir brauchen einen Präzisionsschlag, den die Artillerie nicht leisten kann.“
< We need a precision strike that artillery cannot provide >
Wienand was suddenly very stern in his demeanor.
„Du sollst deine Dreiergruppe führen Albatros C.III“ < You shall lead your group of three Albatros C.III >
„Wir haben aber keine drei!“ < But we do not have three! >
„Beruhige dich!!“ < Calm yourself! > „Ersatz ist unterwegs.“ < Replacements are on the way >
„Sie sollen sich dir in der Nähe des Ziels anschließen.“ < They will join you near the target. >
The silence was deafening.
„Sie haben Ihre Bestellungen“ < You have your orders >
And with that, Wienand abruptly picked up his hat and gloves and left the tent.
“Wahnsinn ….” < Madness .. >
Wiechers shook his head and looked at Leutnant Gunnar Wrangel.
“Jetzt müssen wir unseren Piloten von diesem Wahnsinn erzählen.“ < Now we must tell our pilots about this insanity >
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Explanatory notes:
The tunnel lies at the end of a railway cutting.
There are 4 AA positions along the cutting floor and 3 along the edge.
There is also another mounted just above the tunnel entrance.
These are a mixture of artillery and machine guns which will be revealed as the aircraft come into range.
Entente scouts will arrive at the beginning of each turn, from either the northern or southern edge.
Cards numbered 1 through 5 are positioned with each potential defender, with pilots assigned to either a DH.2 or Nieuport N.11
A draw of the remaining cards will determine which aircraft and pilot will enter each turn.
A D6 roll will determine if which side they will enter from: 1-3 = North, 4-6 = South.
==================================================================
And so it begins ...
The Roland C.II that were mentioned by Wienand approach the cutting.
There are three, identified by a coloured sticker on the base: Blue, Yellow and Green.
These will be referred to as Roland B, Roland Y and Roland G
The first Bulldog to arrive, flying his usual N.11 is Canadian Edward Duke, arriving from the NE
AAMG-1 fires at Roland B and manages to jam with the first shot, although there is some minor damage.
KRAK!
From further up the cut, AA-2 fires and definitely makes up for the previous effort!
A direct hit.
The Roland plummets to the tracks below.
Not a good omen for the mission.
Roland Y has seen the demise of his companion and fires at AAMG-1.
Revenge! The machine gun is wiped out.
[Note: At the beginning I interpreted the aircraft at 2 would get +1 versus ground targets.]
Another Canadian, 2Lt Duncan Moore arrives in his CDL DH2 from the same direction as Duke.
Roland G brings up the rear, a short distance behind Roland Y.
Roland Y fires at AA-2 hoping to at least take out some of the gun crew.
He does manage to disrupt them slightly.
But not enough.
KRAK!
A second shot very close to the Roland leaves the observer riddled with shrapnel.
Da da da da da
Before the pilot can get his concentration back, AAMG-3 has ripped an oil line and started a fire!
Roland G fires at the offending AA and disrupts the crew some more.
Too little too late.
Da da da da
The action is intense!
AAMG-3 punches some more holes into Roland Y
The fire is under control for now, but the pilot will have difficulty dealing with the flames inside the railway cutting.
Tikka tikka tikka
Roland G fires at the charging Duke.
Tikka tikka tikka
Duke’s simultaneous return fire rips through Roland G and wounds both crewmen!
[ Note: The 3 was against the observer so the Roland is not forced to leave the battle.]
2Lt Robert Lewis enters in his N.11
(also from the NE)
Roland G’s wounded observer sees the DH.2 cresting the ridge but cannot yet bring himself up to man his machine gun.
AA-2 is not yet reloaded.
Tikka tikka tikka
Roland Y fires at AA-4 and does some damage.
KRAK!
AA-4 returns fire but this time the shot goes wide.
But Roland Y is by no means safe.
KRAK!
AA-5 fires from over the tunnel entrance.
The Roland pilot is aghast! But, amazingly, there does not appear to be any further damage.
But then ….
The fire flares up.
The second casualty as Roland Y crashes to the ground!
A second CDL DH.2 arrives, again from the NE
This one is piloted by Australian 2Lt Percy Herbert.
The sole surviving Roland G fires at AAMG-3
Tikka tikka tikka
No effect.
[Note: AAMG-3 cannot return fire because Moore is in the cutting.]
Duke performs an Immelmann and heads back toward the cutting.
Da da da
Moore fires at Roland G from behind and damages the fabric.
Da da da
The Roland’s return fire is ineffective.
Tikka tik …
Roland G fires at AA-4
Not only is there no damage, but his Spandau has jammed!
This is indeed a black day for the Luftstreitkräfte.
Da da da da
More simultaneous fire.
But this time the Roland’s rear gunner has managed to hit the DH.2’s engine.
A godawful racket ensues and Moore realizes he must call it a day.
“Crap!”
Da da da
Moore empties his Lewis drum but again sees no damage from the Roland.
Da da…
The wounded observer in the Roland now has to deal with a jammed Parabellum.
[Note: Because the Roland pilot was wounded and the last move of that turn was a sideslip, there is no way to line up the target so Roland G aborts the mission.]
Tikka tikka tikka
Lewis jumps in and takes up the chase.
His aim is no better than Moore’s.
Tikka tikka
Lewis’s bullets whiz past the Roland.
The observer frantically struggles to clear the Parabellum.
[Note: +1 likely kill opportunity missed]
An overview of the situation:
Lewis chases the Roland in the top right.
Duke flies up the cut at the left
Moore heads for the barn in the center
Herbert prepares to fly over the tunnel.
Da da da da
Lewis’s frustration is relieved as he, like Moore before him, empties his namesake drum into the Roland.
“About bloody time!” Lewis shouts as his bullets finally do some major damage.
Smoke begins to stream from the Roland.
But the Roland is no longer defenceless as the observer has cleared his jammed gun.
Da da da
“Nimm dir selbst was zu rauchen!“ < Have some smoke yourself! > the observer shouts back.
Da da da
„Wie magst du es, wenn ein Feuer mit diesem Rauch einhergeht?“
< How do you like it when fire comes with that smoke? >
The observer is feeling pretty chuffed, as his opponent might say.
More smoke than fire.
The flames on Lewis’s Nieuport seem to be under control for the moment.
As he fiddles with the Lewis gun drum he looks up and the Roland has managed to escape!
As Lewis turns back toward the cutting his flames flare up again.
The Eagles arrive at the Tavannes cutting.
Pilot Leutnant Herbert Fiedler and his Observer Leutnant Gunnar Wrangel lead the way, followed by Oberleutnant Leonard Wiechers with pilot Feldwebel Siegfried ‘Siggy’ Nixdorf.
Through a smoky haze they determine that the target is still in place.
At roughly the same time, 2Lt John Moncrieff, flying a PC10 DH.2 arrives from the Southeast, not far from the area where the Nieuports are.
Moncrieff must have just missed seeing the Roland in the clouds.
He notices the flames and smoke pouring from Lewis’s N.11 …
“Bloody hell, that’s not a good sign” , he thinks to himself.
KRAK!
AA-2 fires at the leading Albatros.
A near miss that rocks the C.III.
“Ein wärmeres willkommen dann würde ich gerne!“, shouts Fiedler to Wrangel. < a wamer welcome than I would like >
Luckily the aircraft and crew are unscathed
Herbert Immelmanns and the four Bulldogs regroup.
Not yet noticed by Wiechers and Nixdorf, a third C.III is closing in from behind.
These are the replacements that Wienand had mentioned in the briefing.
Feldwebel Lukas Himmel-Spaziergänger and his observer/gunner Leutnant Roland-Reinhart Dietrich-Daimler approach the cutting cautiously.
The flames on Lewis’s Nieuport have taken hold and continue to eat up precious fabric.
Lewis tries to get Moncrieff’s attention, indicating he will have to break off and head back to base.
Moncrieff is puzzled at first but then nods in understanding.
Back in the cutting, Fiedler fires at AA-2
Tikka tikka tikka
The few remaining crew dart away and the bullets find some ammunition.
There will be no more trouble from this anti-aircraft unit today.
Da da da da da
The exhilaration is soon forgotten as AAMG-3 fires and does some damage to the C.III
“Das ist eine große Reichweite für ein Maschinengewehr!“ < That‘s a long range for a machine gun! >
Fiedler is noticeably flustered.
[Note: The original briefing indicated that all AA would fire at two rulers range]
As Fiedler closes in AAMG-3 fires another burst.
Da da da da
The rudder controls seems to slacken.
“Gibt es kein Ende für diese verdammten Waffen?“ < is there no end to these damned guns? > shouts Fiedler in frustration as yet another AA fires.
Luckily this one misses by a wide margin.
Da da da da
Fiedler trades bursts with AAMG-3
His shots have no effect, but the machine gun hits the Albatros fuel tank!
BOOM!
“Was zum?!” < What the ? >
Wrangel was caught totally by surprise as the C.III falls quickly to ground on the railway tracks.
The smoke and flames will give the Eagle crewmen cover.
Fiedler hoists himself out of the cockpit.
“Wrangel! Lass uns gehen!” < Wrangel – Let’s go >
But gunner Gunnar Wrangel is unresponsive.
Fiedler realizes that he is alone now and scrambles through the brush.
While this is going on Lewis and Moncrieff come very close to finishing their day.
Only last minute maneuvers save them from certain catastrophe.
Nixdorf and Wiechers fly over the remains of AA gun #2.
Da da da da
Wiechers takes an opportune burst at Moncrieff’s DH.2 and does some rudder damage.
Almost simultaneously, Moncrieff and the latest arrival trade shots.
Da da d ..
Both guns suddenly stop firing.
“Argggh!”
A bullet has pierced Himmel-Spaziergänger’s shoulder near the collarbone.
Blood is flowing profusely, but adrenaline helps the young pilot keep his focus.
Just ahead Nixdorf fires at AAMG-3
Da da da da
There is slight damage, but Nixdorf cannot tell.
He braces for return fire that does not come.
Unknown to the Eagles, the defending guns have been told to hold their fire if friendly aircraft are in the cutting.
Da da da da
Roland-Reinhart Dietrich-Daimler fires at Moncrieff as he tries to nip past the C.III resulting in serious damage to the DH.2
Da da da da
Nixdorf fires at the next gun emplacement.
BOOM!
A lucky burst finds a stack of ammunition and AA-4 is silenced!
Da da da
Duke has crossed over the embankment right into the sights of Roland-Reinhart Dietrich-Daimler
While the Eagles are otherwise engaged, Lewis sneaks his damaged Nieuport out of harm’s way, hoping he can make it back to base.
Da da da da
Back in the cutting the Eagles continue to take out the defending guns as Lukas Himmel-Spaziergänger finally finishes off AAMG-3.
Da da da
In an almost identical replay of the moves made by Moncrieff and Duke, Herbert comes into the cutting and is also rewarded with a burst from Dietrich-Daimler.
Moncrieff flies an Immelmann turn and proceeds back up the cutting toward the tunnel.
Nixdorf has closed the gap and is in the final approach to the tunnel entrance.
“Lass die Bombe los!”
He shouts at Wiechers to release their payload.
Fiedler has misjudged the speed.
The bomb misses the tunnel and lands on the AA emplacement above it.
[Note: I could not get the movement cards to stay in place for the photo due to the slight slope.]
BOOM!
AA-5 is obliterated!
Nixdorf darts to the left out of the cutting as Lukas Himmel-Spaziergänger and Roland-Reinhart Dietrich-Daimler take their turn.
Luke shouts at R2-D2 “Lass die Bombe fallen!”
[Note: In the confusion of the previous attempt I missed getting a picture of the placing of the bomb card]
This time there is no mistake.
KA-BOOM!
The explosion echoes through the tunnel.
Herbert, Duke and Moncrieff see the massive explosion and realize they have failed.
Da da da da
Luke and R2-D2 are startled out of their revelry when a new menace fires at them from the crest of the cutting.
AAMG-6 hits from long range.
“Scheiß!”
Himmel-Spaziergänger feels the rudder slacken to the left.
KRAK!
Yet another AA gun fires from across the cutting.
“Flammen!” Dietrich-Daimler shouts to Himmel-Spaziergänger.
They are not out of the woods yet.
The flames worry the Albatros crew.
Lukas Himmel-Spaziergänger and Roland-Reinhart Dietrich-Daimler look back over their shoulder and see the Bulldogs in pursuit.
Da da da
AAMG-6 fires again to keep the pressure on.
Nixdorf enters a cloud bank. Luke and R2-D2 are not too far behind, but still streaming flames from their Albatros.
Luke and R2 hold their breath as the flames die down a bit as they enter the cloud.
Lukas Himmel-Spaziergänger and Roland-Reinhart Dietrich-Daimler feel the moisture of the clouds put a damper on the flames.
Like a posse that comes up short in an old Western movie, three remaining Bulldogs pull back on their flight sticks and prepare to turn for home.
Oh to be a fly on the wall when they give their report to ‘Uncle’.
The fire finally dies as Luke flies out of the clouds.
Dietrich-Daimler slaps Himmel-Spaziergänger on the shoulder, not realizing that Lukas is wounded.
“Wir haben es geschafft!” < We made it! >
“Ja, wir haben es getan ...“ < Yes, we did > Lukas says through gritted teeth.
The real pain will come after the celebrations back at the mess.
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