Ares Games
Results 1 to 19 of 19

Thread: OTT-DYM Mission 9: Timing is Everything - 6th March 1916 {Stumptonian}

  1. #1

    Default OTT-DYM Mission 9: Timing is Everything - 6th March 1916 {Stumptonian}

    Jasta 24 Headquarters – 6th March 1916

    Oberleutnant Bernhard Wienand has a strange feeling of déjà vu.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	00_Breifing.JPG 
Views:	55 
Size:	19.2 KB 
ID:	274422

    “Das ist das die Zielsetzung.” < This is your target > he said to the airmen gathered for the morning biefing.

    The pilots and crewmen look puzzled.

    “Haben wir diese Mission nicht schon geflogen?“ <Have not we already flown this mission? > asks Fwbl Lukas Himmel-Spaziergänger,
    stating what the others were all thinking.

    “Wir haben diesen Tunnel zerstört.“ < We destroyed that tunnel > adds Ltn Roland-Reinhart Dietrich-Daimler.
    „Ja, hast du.“ < Yes you have > replies Wienand, with a bit of a twinkle in his eye.

    “Jetzt werden Sie den der Auftrag beenden.“ < Now you will finish the job >

    Pointing at a new aerial photograph, Wienand explains.

    “Du hast den Ausgang zerstört.“ < You destroyed the exit >
    „Dies ist der Eingang..“ < This is the entrance >
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	00 Brief_Map.JPG 
Views:	61 
Size:	67.0 KB 
ID:	274423
    „Sie lagern große Mengen Munition, die mit der Eisenbahn geliefert werden.< They are storing large ammounts of ammunition, delivered by railway >
    „Mit etwas Glück können Sie auch einen Zug zerstören.“ < With luck you can also destroy a train >

    “Die Meteorologen prognostizieren eine starke Bewölkung.“ < The meteorologists predict a strong cloud cover >

    “Das Gebiet ist durch Flugabwehrkanonen und Maschinengewehre gut verteidigt.“ < The area is well defended by anti-aircraft guns and machine guns.>

    “Niedrig fliegen setzt Sie schwerem Feuer aus.“ < Flying low will expose you to heavy fire >
    “Wenn Sie hoch fliegen, wird es schwierig, das Ziel zu sehen.“ < If you fly high, it will be difficult to see the target >

    “Die Meteorologen sagen, dass es kleine Brüche in der Wolkendecke geben könnte.“
    < The meteorologists say that there could be small breaks in the cloud cover. >

    “Ich überlasse Ihnen die Wahl ...“ < I will leave the choice to you >

    „Viel Glück, meine Herren.“ < Good Luck, Gentlemen >

    Obltn Leonard Wiechers nods to the others. They all smartly salute and begin to exit the brifing.
    Wienands turns and adds „Oh übrigens. Nehmen Sie eine Halberstadt als Escort. Giesebrecht oder Hübner sollten verfügbar sein.“
    < Oh by the way. Take a Halberstadt as an escort. Giesebrecht or Hübner should be available. >

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	01-DSCN0811.JPG 
Views:	62 
Size:	328.7 KB 
ID:	274424
    Giesebrecht was the lucky one chosen to fly escort for the pair of Albatros C.III

    Obltn Leonard Wiechers and his pilot Fwbl ‘Siggy’ Nixdorf flew their usual brown machine, while Fwbl Lukas Himmel-Spaziergänger piloted
    Ltn Roland-Reinhart Dietrich-Daimler in the same pale blue machine that so successfully bombed the tunnel the week prior.

    They flew above the cloud layer, scanning the sky for any opening that could help them find their target.
    None of them were keen to dive under the carpet of cloud and face the meat grinder of multiple machine guns.

    Note: I decided against trying to modify the map with cloud cover – you must use your imagination.

    There would be a surprise waiting for them when they did get to the target area.
    The RFC had sent a pair of DH.2 to keep watch over the railway tunnel.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	02-DSCN0812.JPG 
Views:	61 
Size:	352.3 KB 
ID:	274425
    Lt Edward Fitzgerald (don’t dare to call him Eddie, or even Ed) flew the all-PC10 machine, while 2Lt Charles (not Charlie) Gordon handled the one with CDL tail.

    They were flying roughly an oval pattern, and were nearing the end of a very boring shift.
    “Bloody waste o’ time.” muttered Gordon to himself. The weather was heavy with cloud and drizzle.

    Like their German counterparts, the Bulldogs were patrolling above the thickest cloud layer, just a bit higher than their yet-unseen enemy.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	03-DSCN0814.JPG 
Views:	60 
Size:	335.9 KB 
ID:	274426
    Nixdorf is the first to see the DH.2

    “Englander!” he shouts, and waggles his wings to draw the attention of the other two pilots.

    That waggling has caught the eye of Fitzgerald as well, just as he was about to turn back toward the target area.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	04-DSCN0815.JPG 
Views:	58 
Size:	275.4 KB 
ID:	274427
    Meanwhile, there is in fact a munitions train approaching the tunnel, nearing the bridge over the river.

    Note:
    you might need a magnifying glass to see it. I have included a picture of the train at full size before resized to 7mm x 22mm
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	4-Train.JPG 
Views:	56 
Size:	13.3 KB 
ID:	274428

    Fitzgerald and Giesebrecht close in for combat.
    Unfortunately for the DH.2 the angle is not quite right to return fire.

    Tikka tikka tikka
    Giesebrechts Spandau chatters.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	05-DSCN0816.JPG 
Views:	62 
Size:	318.1 KB 
ID:	274429

    Fitzgerald barely has time to register what just happened.
    His DH.2 plummets like a stone to the ground below.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	06-DSCN0817.JPG 
Views:	64 
Size:	302.0 KB 
ID:	274430

    Gordon has seen the flash from across the battle area and sees the approaching enemy.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	07-DSCN0819.JPG 
Views:	61 
Size:	351.4 KB 
ID:	274431
    Nixdorf has spotted a break in the cloud and gets both Wiechers and Himmel-Spaziergänger’s attention.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	08-DSCN0820.JPG 
Views:	61 
Size:	331.8 KB 
ID:	274433
    The rail line guides them straight to their target.

    “Damnit!” Gordon curses his luck as he finds himself out of position.

    Wiechers prepares the bombs for release.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	09-DSCN0821.JPG 
Views:	63 
Size:	335.2 KB 
ID:	274434
    As Wiechers and Nixdorf count the seconds, Himmel-Spaziergänger shouts at Dietrich-Daimler to prepare for release.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	10-DSCN0822.JPG 
Views:	62 
Size:	259.2 KB 
ID:	274435
    BOOM!

    There is an explosion as Wiecher’s bomb strikes the ground.
    The train is safely inside the tunnel, so there is no secondary cataclysmic explosion.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	11-DSCN0823.JPG 
Views:	60 
Size:	283.0 KB 
ID:	274436

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	12-DSCN0824.JPG 
Views:	59 
Size:	269.6 KB 
ID:	274437
    Dietrich-Daimler releases his string of bombs while Himmel-Spaziergänger prepares to turn away.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	13-DSCN0825.JPG 
Views:	54 
Size:	333.6 KB 
ID:	274438
    KRAK!

    Nixdorf jumps in his seat as the British Archie fires from his left.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	14-DSCN0826.JPG 
Views:	56 
Size:	270.7 KB 
ID:	274439
    Giesebrecht gets in the way of Himmel-Spaziergänger.
    “Dummkopf!”

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	15-DSCN0827.JPG 
Views:	57 
Size:	337.1 KB 
ID:	274440
    BOOM!
    Dietrich-Daimler glances to the left.
    A massive explosion erupts from the tunnel mouth.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	16-DSCN0828.JPG 
Views:	58 
Size:	340.6 KB 
ID:	274441
    KRAK!

    His attention is startled as the other Archie fires.
    Himmel-Spaziergänger’s maneuver has likely saved them from almost certain destruction.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	17-DSCN0829.JPG 
Views:	57 
Size:	335.6 KB 
ID:	274442
    Tikka tik …
    “Verdammt!”


    Giesebrecht fires at Gordon’s DH.2 but his gun suddenly stops.

    Note
    : Perhaps I should have sent Huebner – his Bullet Checker skill would have finally come in handy.
    As it was, this was Giesebrecht’s ‘Sniper’ shot. The other rejected card was a 2 Gun Jam!
    Giesebrecht has been climbing every turn to get up to Level 4 where the Bulldogs were.
    He was still one chit short so this is treated as long range.

    Tikka tikka tikka
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	18-DSCN0831.JPG 
Views:	54 
Size:	325.8 KB 
ID:	274444
    “Rauch!”
    Gordon’s return fire has the Halberstadt smoking.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	19-DSCN0832.JPG 
Views:	50 
Size:	215.7 KB 
ID:	274445
    Nixdorf dives the Albatros down to the cloud layer.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20-DSCN0833.JPG 
Views:	54 
Size:	335.1 KB 
ID:	274447
    Giesebrecht finishes his climb, but now his target is behind him.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	21-DSCN0834.JPG 
Views:	48 
Size:	235.0 KB 
ID:	274448
    Himmel-Spaziergänger also drops his C.III into the heavy cloud layer.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	22-DSCN0835.JPG 
Views:	51 
Size:	321.3 KB 
ID:	274449
    Gordon has performed an Immelmann turn but is now far out of range of the Halberstadt.

    His aircraft still smoking, Giesebrecht wisely decides to fly away from the area now that the primary mission is a success.
    Only now does he realize he has claimed his 6th kill!
    “Ich habe Hübner eingeholt!” < I have caught up with Huebner >

    Butcher’s Bill

    Bulldogs

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	23-DSCN0818.JPG 
Views:	52 
Size:	276.3 KB 
ID:	274450
    DH.2
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	AAR-Fitzgerald.jpg 
Views:	50 
Size:	12.4 KB 
ID:	274453
    Lt Edward Fitzgerald EXP FT

    C&W roll 7 -3 EXP = 4 : Injured 1D6(5) : Skip 5
    The campaign has ended for “Don’t Call Me Eddie”

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	24-DSCN0836.JPG 
Views:	50 
Size:	257.0 KB 
ID:	274451
    DH.2

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	AAR-Gordon.jpg 
Views:	49 
Size:	5.2 KB 
ID:	274454
    2Lt Charles Gordon – RTB

    Adler

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	25-DSCN0837.JPG 
Views:	49 
Size:	248.4 KB 
ID:	274455
    Albatros C.III

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	AAR-Nixdorf&Wiechers.jpg 
Views:	49 
Size:	15.5 KB 
ID:	274457
    Fwbl ‘Siggy’ Nixdorf : RTB
    Obltn Leonard Wiechers : RTB


    Target damaged.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	26-DSCN0838.JPG 
Views:	51 
Size:	244.7 KB 
ID:	274456
    Albatross C.III

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	AAR-Skywalker.JPG 
Views:	48 
Size:	15.1 KB 
ID:	274458 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	AAR_R2-D2.JPG 
Views:	51 
Size:	14.6 KB 
ID:	274459
    Fwbl Lukas Himmel-Spaziergänger : RTB
    Ltn Roland-Reinhart Dietrich-Daimler : RTB


    Target Destroyed

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	27-DSCN0839.JPG 
Views:	51 
Size:	256.3 KB 
ID:	274461
    Halberstadt D.II

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	AAR-Giesbrecht.jpg 
Views:	48 
Size:	13.6 KB 
ID:	274462
    Ltn Günther Giesebrecht : RTB – 1 Kill (DH.2 – Edwards)

    Results:


    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	28-DSCN0840.JPG 
Views:	52 
Size:	276.5 KB 
ID:	274463
    Target obliterated.

    Train entombed in the rubble.

    Official Score:

    Bulldogs

    Nicht / Nada / Zip / Zilch / Not a Sausage / Diddly Squat

    Adler

    Tunnel Destroyed : 10
    Single Seater Shot Down 2
    Total : 12

    Decisive Victory!

    =====================================================


    An interesting mission, Sam.
    Definitely the shortest I have played Over These Trenches

    I think that was due to your down-to-the-second timing and initial placement and location of the targets.
    Well done that man!

    The only thing I missed out on was the train, which squeaked into the tunnel just in time.
    Nixdorf & Wiechers might have destroyed the target but when fiddling for photos I decided to call it just damaged, assuming the next crew would at least damage and thus finish the job.

    I was reluctant to play another bombing mission so soon, but the allowance of one scout enabled Giesebrecht his 6th kill on a very lucky card draw, so all is good in the Adler mess.

    The same cannot be said for ‘Don’t Call Me Eddie’ Fitzgerald. Just back from 3 weeks making his escape he is now out for the count after just his third mission.
    Looks like a new ranking officer will be needed, Uncle. I recommend 2Lt Robert Lewis, who has shown exemplary skill with 3 kills in just two outings, although only if he remains a Flight Leader, and not a Desk Jockey.
    Last edited by Stumptonian; 09-07-2019 at 15:13.

  2. #2

    Default

    Well played Pete, all seemed to go very smoothly for your chaps, that boom on the first draw must have come as quite a shock to both sides - what a result ! Like the train and how you wove the story into the last one.

    Onkel says:


    Outstanding work gentlemen, what more can be said, other than Prosit !
    Now, some news from HQ...
    Fwbl Siegfried Nixdorf is awarded the Iron Cross 1st class for his service to the Kaiser.
    They also noted that Ltn Herbert Fiedler who has returned through the lines & is being treated in hospital is eligible for the Iron Cross 2nd class and is so awarded.

    2Lt Robert Lewis is promoted to Lt and to command of your Bullogs.
    Last edited by flash; 09-08-2019 at 01:59.

    "He is wise who watches"

  3. #3

    Smile

    Short & sweet for you on this one Pete!
    Almost a replay of the previous mission.
    Luck was on your side as neither flak or AAMG had any effect & that lucky Boom gave your pilot his sixth victory.
    Have some Rep on me.

  4. #4

    Default

    Sorry Pete, I'm on very limited internet again and just got to read this, good result for your boys and Giesebrecht is racking up his score so a result for him.

    Well done for being the first into the breech. I did expect to see your table covered in cotton wool but I think just showing the hole in the cloud is the sensible thing. I need to re-read Sams scenario and get my head around the details but it will be a couple of weeks before I'm home to play the game so I don't think it's going to be this month.
    Cheers

  5. #5

    Default

    If it were not for the moving ‘hole’ and minuscule train I would have tried what Paul did.
    I could not fathom moving it every phase ...
    I guess the train would just be done with calculations and appear in the hole when the time came, now that I think of it ...

  6. #6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Stumptonian View Post
    If it were not for the moving ‘hole’ and minuscule train I would have tried what Paul did.
    I could not fathom moving it every phase ...
    I guess the train would just be done with calculations and appear in the hole when the time came, now that I think of it ...
    The train wasn’t much of a problem. The cotton batten was in sheets so I just had to make sure the train didn’t stick to the cotton as I flipped the cotton over. The hole on the other hand was more of a problem because of AA & target cards and that it moved pushing the cotton sheets ‘down wind’ causing them to bunch up at the table edge.

    I stopped using the cotton because I wasn’t sure if I should just end the game with the mission over but I got a suitable stopping point in terms of a storyline at the end of the turn I stopped using the cotton; so I kept the photos for that turn. However I as too late to go back and re do the mid turn photo with cotton.

    FYI my train printed out much larger than your Lilliputian one.

  7. #7

    Default

    Paul, I printed mine 7mm x 22mm per Sam’s instructions.
    Lilliputian is a good adjective for it.

    I think that size would be good from high altitude ( oh no! Let’s not go there again )
    but from level 3, and definitely from lower, the train should be larger.

    Ground scale gets tricky in this game. I wish there was an easier way to handle it.
    Each altitude level (or range of levels) needs to be represented differently.
    Best to stick with “in air” action more seems to be the best alternative.

  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Stumptonian View Post
    Paul, I printed mine 7mm x 22mm per Sam’s instructions.
    Lilliputian is a good adjective for it.

    I think that size would be good from high altitude ( oh no! Let’s not go there again )
    but from level 3, and definitely from lower, the train should be larger.

    Ground scale gets tricky in this game. I wish there was an easier way to handle it.
    Each altitude level (or range of levels) needs to be represented differently.
    Best to stick with “in air” action more seems to be the best alternative.
    I forgot about the measurements and just printed out normal size which is 7mm X 22mm - FOR JUST the locomotive. The full train including cars is 7mm wide but it's 90-ish mm long for the locomotive and the 3 rail cars. The full train (locomotive plus 3 rail cars) is clearly not a 1:3 ratio of width to length that's implied by 7mm X 22mm. Anyway, what I printed out -right or wrong - seemed to fit the track width appropriately; and my timing missed the train so it's a moot point in my case, but I think if yours was 90-ish mm long you might have hit it.

  9. #9

    Default

    Pete I'd not seen Pauls game when I read yours, the cotton wool battening looks great, I have a load of cotton wool balls, that I bought to protect my figures when I move house. They are all individuals about 1" dia I hadn't considered using these because it would be such a faff to do so, but you've both got me wondering if it would be possible to have a few hundred balls rolling round the table.


  10. #10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Vagabond View Post
    it would be such a faff to do so
    Yes, it would.

    ...if it would be possible to have a few hundred balls rolling round the table
    Possible but madness

    ...pause...

    I look forward to your AAR with a few hundred cotton balls rolling round the table.

  11. #11

    Default

    It appears that not only are we slowly but surely losing our roster of pilots but also what bits of sanity we had.

  12. #12

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ShadowDragon View Post
    It appears that not only are we slowly but surely losing our roster of pilots but also what bits of sanity we had.




    You might have a point.

  13. #13

    Default

    I really liked the German aerodrome part that you had set up.

  14. #14

    Karo7's Avatar
    Users Country Flag


    Name
    Florian
    Location
    Baden-Württemberg
    Sorties Flown
    445
    Join Date
    Sep 2018

    Default

    Lukas Himmel-Spaziergänger ... and his wingman Hans Einzeln.

  15. #15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Karo7 View Post
    Lukas Himmel-Spaziergänger ... and his wingman Hans Einzeln.
    This carried over from the previous Mission 8.
    That will explain the crew names I selected

    P.S. Did you miss Roland-Reinhart Dietrich-Daimler?
    Last edited by Stumptonian; 09-17-2019 at 15:32.

  16. #16

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by FlyBoy Nate View Post
    I really liked the German aerodrome part that you had set up.
    Thanks, Nathan. It’s just a print I found in the files.
    Several people have commented on it over the last year or so.
    It has no logos, so I use it in my AARs for all characters who make it back to base, German and Entente.

  17. #17

    Default

    Another excellent outing for the Eagles Pete and several gongs to boot. Congratulations to all As for the rest - well its all been said already. Great AAR as always - REP inbound. Sorry i took so long catching up but the wait was worth it

  18. #18

    Default

    Certainly a magnificent victory for our Eagles! I do love the period effect to the photos of the map sheet you do.

    You do seem to have a good point about the train-the original size I had-7mm x 22mm - ws scaled to the print on the map sheet. But yeah, from the lower altitude, it probably should have been larger.

    Definitely have to keep that in mind if I do anything involving low-level targets again, though.

    Meanwhile, have some rep.

  19. #19

    Default

    Well you made that look easy! A quick kill and then almost clear sailing. Good thing both your bombs made it to the drop. Boom goes another tunnel opening.



Similar Missions

  1. AAR OTT-DYM Mission 8: Operation Judgement - 27 February 1916 {Stumptonian}
    By Stumptonian in forum Over the Trenches
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 12-11-2019, 09:44
  2. AAR OTT-DYM Mission 7: Dit Fromage! 19 February 1916 {Stumptonian}
    By Stumptonian in forum Over the Trenches
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 10-09-2019, 08:27
  3. BRF OTT DYM Mission 9 - Timing Is Everything! 6 March 1916 - zenlizard
    By zenlizard in forum Over the Trenches
    Replies: 28
    Last Post: 10-02-2019, 15:52
  4. AAR OTT-DYM Mission 6: Where's My Gunner? - 12th February 1916 {Stumptonian}
    By Stumptonian in forum Over the Trenches
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 08-08-2019, 01:00
  5. Replies: 12
    Last Post: 08-03-2019, 02:24

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
  •