March 12, 1916
The bulging sack of hydrogen looked like a beached whale.
Gradually it filled out and started to rise in the early morning mist.
Back at the Jasta 24 airfield:
„Meine Herren, wir haben den Befehl erhalten, einen englischen Ballon zu zerstören.“
< Gentlemen, we have been ordered to destroy an English balloon. >
Oberleutnant Bernhard Wienand addresses the three pilots he has summoned to a special briefing.
“Es ist nicht weit von hier positioniert.“
< It is positioned not far from here. >
„Gleichzeitig müssen wir unseren eigenen Ballon schützen.“
<At the same time we have to protect our own balloon>
“Es ist nur wenige Kilometer westlich von uns.“
< It is only a few kilometers west of us.>
“Ich kann nur euch drei für diese Mission verschonen.“
< I can only spare the three of you for this mission >
Leutnants Till Huebner and Günther Giesebrecht eye each other knowingly.
The last time the Adler defended drachens their own idiot AA crews had taken down one of their own.
„Ich weiß was du denkst ...“
< I know what you are thinking >
Wienand addresses Huebner sharply.
“Unsere Flugabwehrgeschütze haben es noch nicht in die Gegend geschafft!“
< Our anti-aircraft guns have not made it to the area yet >
“Giesebrecht, Sie werden die Ehre haben, unseren Ballon zu verteidigen.“
< Giesebrecht, you will have the honor of defending our balloon. >
“Hübner, du nimmst Oelker und zerstörst den feindlichen Ballon.“
< Huebner, you take Oelker and destroy the enemy balloon.>
Oelker looked nervously toward Huebner .
Ltn Dietrich Oelker had just recently transferred to Jasta 24 as a replacement for Karsten Rüdiger.
Although not considered a rookie, he was by no means a veteran – especially for a mission like this one.
Wienand continued. “Ich habe eine Überraschung für dich, Hübner.“
< I have a surprise for you Huebner >
„Ich weiß, wie gern Sie Ihre Munition inspizieren.“
< I know how you like to inspect your ammunition > {Huebner is a Bullet Checker}
„Schau dir das an.“
< Have a look at that. >
He puts an unusual-looking bullet on the table.
„Brandgeschosse!“
< Incendiary bullets. >
Over to the west a similar situation is unfolding.
The Caquot balloon that will be the target for the Adler is rising into the air.
“Ee, I don’t know about you lad, but I am not too bloody keen about being sent uppards wi’out Archie below.”
The British observer was obviously upset.
In the rush to get the balloon into the air, the commander had decided to risk sending the balloon skyward before the usual anti-aircraft unit had arrived.
“No bother. Jus' get eyes on’t targets. But I will say I can’t wait to pack it in ..”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Huebner and Oelker cross the river.
They have not seen their counterparts crossing just to the south.
Aussie pilot 2Lt Arthur Allison and his gunner AM1 Patrick Francis, flying Fe.2b “A” alongside Fe.2b “B” piloted by Lt Alan Wood with gunner AM2 Henry Collinson have not seen the Adler either.
Francis and Collinson are having trepidations as they remember the last time they went “Balloon Busting” just two months prior.
Both hoped to avoid the harrowing fall from the sky they had experienced this time around, especially Francis, whose pilot ,John Kelly, did not survive the crash.
The ‘Fees’ approach their target, anticipating the crash of welcoming Archie at any moment.
Huebner and Oelker approach their target.
The observers in the gondola do not appear to have seen them yet, as there are no parachutes in sight.
The Adler also note the absence of anti-aircraft fire.
Lt Robert Lewis has been assigned a similar role as Giesebrecht and has spotted the Halberstadts nearing the Caquot.
He is trying to get used to his DH.2, having flown a Nieuport 11 for the past few weeks.
The visibility is better, but the roar of the engine just behind him is disconcerting.
The Nieuports were returned to Escadrille 67 which had been asked to lend them to the RFC ‘for consideration’.
Lewis hoped they would become part of the regularly available aircraft.
“They were a damned sight better than those Morane ‘Bullets’…’” he said to no one but himself.
In an eerily parallel moment, Giesebrecht sees the Fe.2bs as he rounds his charge.
Da da da da
Huebner fires his incendiary bullets for the first time.
They have done some damage but it is not noticeable.
“Ich hatte ein besseres Ergebnis erwartet ...“, Huebner mumbles.
< I was expecting a better result >
Tikka tikka tikka
Oelkers' regular bullets have done more damage than the Brandgeschosse, but the Caquot hides it well.
Da da d …..
Francis fires a tentative burst at the bratwurst and his Lewis jams.
“Bloody hell!”
The two Fees fly wingtip to wingtip.
Allison struggles to avoid contact, while Wood appears oblivious.
Da da d.. BOOM!
A definite result from Huebner’s second burst of incendiaries.
“Mein Gott!”
The giant behemoth explodes in a mass of flame and smoke.
Huebner has not even realized his LMG-08 has jammed.
Huebner’s D.II takes a massive hit from the exploding balloon.
Oelker is stunned by the explosion and then sees that his aircraft is on fire.
“Flammen!”
Perhaps one should not get so close when firing at a huge bag filled with hydrogen …
Whooomp!
Lewis does not escape the repercussions either.
His DH.2 takes serious damage, nearly putting it out of action.
Da da da
Collinson’s turn to take on the drachen.
Like his German counterparts he is unable to see any damage.
The German observers are reluctant to jump with the enemy so close.
Da da da da
Firing a steady stream from his Lewis, Collinson gets a much better result this time.
A bit of smoke turns into flame.
His Lewis has also been armed with incendiary bullets.
Giesebrecht uses his sniper skills on Wood’s Fe.2b
Tikka tikka tik …
His Spandau has jammed, but not before setting the ‘Fee’ alight.
Collinson sees the flicker.
“We’ve got a bit o’ trouble, Guvnah!” he shouts to Wood.
Even though they are nearly on top of each other it is difficult to hear anything over the roar of the Gnome engine.
Da da da
Lewis fires his namesake at the reddish-brown Halberstadt, but has misjudged the lead.
Oelker’s flames are a serious issue for the young pilot.
He remembers the dictum that was stressed in training and repeats it to himself.
“Fliegen Sie nicht in gerader Linie. Fliegen Sie nicht in gerader Linie. Fliegen Sie nicht in gerader Linie."
< Do not fly in a straight line >
The fire grows in the German balloon as well.
Lewis files between the two Halberstadts and Oelker takes a quick opportunity shot.
Tikka tikka tik..
His gun has jammed but he has added enough damage to force Lewis to retire.
Lewis heads for home while Huebner eyes him warily.
Oelker turns back toward the German lines as well, hoping to at least get to friendly territory in case he is forced down.
The Fe.2bs are still flying dangerously close together.
Giesebrecht has performed a Split-S and heads back toward them.
One of the observers sees his moment and leaps from the basket.
His parachute opens and he drifts to the ground.
The British crew simultaneously ponder why the RFC does not provide them for aircrews.
“Vater im Himmel …”
< Father in heaven >
Oelker prays aloud and the flames do die down a bit.
The fire in the balloon is now well-established.
A blood-curdling scream is heard as the flames engulf the basket.
The ground crew are madly pulling the balloon down.
The flames continue to eat fabric on Wood’s Fe.2b as well.
Da da da da
Ignoring the flames pouring from the ‘Fee’ Collinson puts another burst into the balloon.
Again smoke turns to flame.
Huebner sees Lewis is abandoning the battle, but decides he has too much of a head start and gives up the chase.
Da da da
Like the Yeomen of his ancestry, Collins continues to harass his enemy and empties the Lewis drum.
The incendiaries are working as intended and yet another fire begins in the balloon.
Da da da
Francis adds a bit of damage to the burning mass.
The first of the fires is really taking hold, while the newest is not adding much yet.
Wood worries that his Fe.2b will soon lose control surfaces to the flames.
Oelker’s prayers seem to have fallen on deaf ears and the flames again consume his Halberstadt.
Even without the fire there is too much damage to continue.
The young pilot is heading back to the airfield ‘schnell’.
Da da da da da
Having swapped his Lewis drum in record time* Collinson fires a fresh burst into the blazing balloon.
Yet another fire begins.
* Note: scenario rule allows for a drum swap in one phase instead of the usual three.
Tikka tikka tikka
Giesebrecht takes a long shot at Allison/Francis but misses.
Tikka tikka
Giesebrecht nails the Fe.2b this time.
He thinks he might have seen the gunner collapse in his seat.
Da da da
Francis* and Collinson fire simultaneously into the burning sausage.
* Note: and just like that I forgot about Francis’s wound that should have put him out of action for awhile.
(Not that it mattered.)
The incendiaries must have done the trick.
THOOOM!
The drachen is kaput
The explosion catches Wood/Collinson with serious damage.
Allison/Francis and Giesebrecht are unscathed.
Tikka tikka tikka
Sniper Giesebrecht does significant damage to Fe.2b “A”
The rudder controls are affected and light smoke begins to appear. *
* Note: I totally missed placing the smoke
Oelker appears to have beaten the flames, but looks up to see Fe.2b “B” right in his sights!
Tikka tikka tikka
Da da da da
Collinson empties his incendiary drum into Oelker while the Adler’s return fire is enough to finish off the ‘Fee’.
Collinson’s dread has come to pass as he again is tumbling to the ground, this time in a flaming ‘Fee’.
The aircraft plows into what looks like an old airfield and abruptly bursts into flames.
Wood manages to scamper to cover, while his Gunner staggers behind in a bit of a daze
“Halt!” Collinson’s day just went from bad to worse.
Although the incendiaries from Collinson’s Lewis did not set the Halberstadt on fire, they were enough to end Oelker’s day as well.
The D.II ends up nose-down in a shallow ditch near a clump of trees.
Tikka tikka tikka
Giesebrecht’s burst is enough to finish of the last Fe.2b
“Nummer sieben!” Giesebrecht is keeping track of kills better than the last time.
“Ich bin jetzt vor Hübner!“ < I am ahead of Huebner now! >
He is not aware that Huebner has also added to his score today, with a balloon, no less!
Allison's piloting skills are put to the test as he struggles to get his ‘Fee’ to the ground.
He heads quickly for the cover of nearby thicket. Looking back he sees Francis limping to cover as well.
The blazing balloon nearby has taken the attention of anyone who might have caused them trouble.
Giesebrecht circles around the smoking pyre that was once a balloon, searching the sky for his squadron mates.
Just as he was about to head back to the airfield he sees a familiar silhouette.
Huebner catches up and the victorious Adlers head back across the river toward home.
They are both excited about their personal victories, albeit tarnished by the loss of their balloon.
Giesebrecht definitely feels a sense of failure in that regard. Huebner sees the burning mass and realizes their drachen met the same fate as their target.
And what has become of young Oelker?
Butcher’s Tally
Bulldogs
DH.2
Lt Robert Lewis – FRTB-D – 0 Kills
Fe.2b “B” SDF ET
Pilot Lt Alan Wood SDF ET
C&W: 7 -2 FLM = 5 : Injured 1D3{6} = 3
E&E: 8 -1 BEL -1 FLM -1 WIC = 5 : In Hiding 1D2{2} = 1
Skip 3 missions i.e. he's done for this campaign.
Gunner AM2 Henry Collinson SDF ET – 2 kills (Halberstadt D.II and Balloon)
C&W 8 -2 FLM = 6 : Injured 1D3{1} = 1
E&E 5 -1 BEL -1 FLM -1 WIC = 2 : Captured! The war is over for Collinson.
Fe.2b “A” SD ET
Pilot 2Lt Arthur Allison SD ET
C&W 8 -1 SD = 7 : Injured 1D2{2} = 1
E&E 9 -1 BEL -1 WIC = 7 : Almost home – Skip 1
Skip 1 mission.
Gunner AM1 Patrick Francis SD ET WIA
C&W 8 -1 SD = 7 : Injured 1D3{3) = 2
E&E 11 -1 BEL -1 WIA -1 WIC = 8 : Almost home – Skip 2
This campaign is over for Francis.
Der Kaiser’s Adler
Halberstadt D.II
Ltn Till Huebner – RTB – 1 kill (balloon)
Halberstadt D.II
Ltn Günther Giesebrecht – RTB – 1 Kill (Fe.2b)
Halberstadt D.II
Ltn Dietrich Oelker – SD – 1 Kill (Fe.2b)
C&W 7 -1 SD = 6 : Injured 1D3{1} = 1
Skip 1 mission.
Targets
British Caquot - Destroyed
German Drachen - Destroyed
Victory Points:
Entente
Balloon destroyed = 10
1 fighter destroyed = 2
Total : 12
Adler
Balloon destroyed = 10
2 fighters destroyed = 4
1 fighter FRTB = 1
Total : 15
Adler Marginal Victory
(but we’ll take it!)
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Observations and Comments
"Double Jeopardy" became “Tit for Tat” in this mission with nearly identical results.
It definitely started out with a Bang!
The Bulldogs were behind the 8-ball by Turn 2.2!
As I stated in the Briefing, I think that maybe there should have been regular “Archie” instead of the special rules AAMG that did not come into play.
With the balloons starting at Level 6 it was going to take a lonnnng time for attackers to get down to Level 2.
Didn’t happen.
My game ended just at the start of Turn 6, when the burning balloon would have be pulled down to Level 4.
In fact, the German balloon was lowered to Level 5 in Turn 4, but even though I removed a peg I totally spaced making the ‘Fees’ drop down accordingly.
It’s hard to notice with the scale of the balloon to altitude pegs.
I don’t think it mattered to the result since they could have dropped a level easily.
Just another thing for the aging brain to keep track of ….
Still, the Bulldogs got the Bratwurst to almost even the score.
Those ‘Fees’ of mine seem to end up on the ground (and not in a good way) every time they make it to the table.
So my leading aces each got a kill, as did my Newbie Oelker on his first outing.
The first ever time to the table for the camo Halberstadt, so that meant Oelker was doomed to be shot down ….
I am not particularly fond of that livery. I got a second one that I had hoped to repaint to pale blue but never got the time.
I flew Giesebrecht. All others were Dave’s D8 charts (modified for Excel).
And, finally, I got Hunter’s Nexus mats to the table for the first time.
I got them thinking they would work for lower altitude scenarios, but since Baz was using them for this mission I decided to put them to the test.
R.I.P. Hunter
Thanks for jumping in while Carl is unavailable, Baz.
It was an enjoyable mission to play.
Roll on, Mission 11 –
“We’re getting very near the end …” (to use a Beatle-ism)
P.S. I forgot to mention that the pic of the British balloon crew is sa snipped version of one I took at the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio a few years back.
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