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Thread: AAR OTT DYM - Mission 11 Hoisted by His Own Petard

  1. #1

    Default AAR OTT DYM - Mission 11 Hoisted by His Own Petard

    OTT DYM Mission 11 – Hoisted by His Own Petard
    The Italian Front – 29 December 1917

    The original scenario, by Flying Officer Kyte, is set on the Western Front, 19 March 1916, and can be read here:
    https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sh...19th-1916-Kyte

    Backstory
    I’ve been without a sea mat until now. I’ve played a few naval battles but these had been on a bare ping pong table top. It had been my intention to get one to fit the table (i.e., about a 9’ x 5’ mat) but, you know, money. Then along comes scenario 11 by Rob which requires a sea mat (technically one sea mat and one coastline mat) and a sand bar; and I had neither. Fortunately Meeplemart had Sails of Glory sea mats. They have fast service and I had my sea mats in 4 days. I wasn’t worried about a coastline as I could use stuff I already had. That left the sand bar whether contiguous with the mainland or as an island. I had a couple of Woodland Scenics rock molds, so this was an opportunity to create some rocky/sand pit terrain pieces with those molds. I had to work with two constraints, one was that the ‘sand pit’ had to be the specified size for the sand bar in Rob’s scenario and the other was the size limitations for terrain pieces in a some land warfare rules I use. This was that you had to be able to fit 4” x 6” rectangle inside the terrain piece and the terrain piece had to fit inside a 12” diameter circle. There would have been some slight differences if I had made the terrain only for the scenario, but I’m a lazy so-and-so which meant no special, one-time use terrain.

    Errors: I made some major errors in the playing of the scenario which happily enough didn’t change the outcome. I will note these errors as I go through the story.

    Note on the terrain. The rocky island and the mainland are at level 1 with respect to the sea surface. Planes need to be at level 2 or higher if over these areas, otherwise they crash.

    The Story
    “Two no trump!”

    “You rascal, Günter. You have all the luck”, sighed Wolfgang.

    Wolfgang really didn’t mind that much. He was actually overjoyed to have his wingman back from convalescence –with good luck or back luck at cards. He reflected on how scandalous it would have been before the war to have two enlisted men, Günter and Sandy, in the officer’s mess. In war the brotherhood of warriors of the sky trumps social class. At least it did in some of the more progressive Fliks and is was in many of the German Jastas and Flik 55J Bis, following the lead of its mentor Flik 55J, was one of the most progressive in the KuK.

    Just then the duty officer, Oberleutnant Karl Klimt burst in.

    “Wolfgang, the boss want to see you.”

    When Wolfgang hesitated tossing in the cards, Karl added, “That would be NOW!”

    Wolfgang got up and winked at his opponents, Günter and Ryan, “sorry for reneging on the hand, but it’s to your advantage as you’d have a terrible time making that contract.”

    Moments later Wolgang and Karl where in the Hauptmann’s office where two of the feldwebels, Friedrich Steinbrecher and Josef Hauser, from Karl’s observation detachment were already waiting.

    “Gentlemen, it would seem the Italians where doing some experimental work off the Dalmatian coast when they had an accident with what was probably a mine. A SOS radio signal was picked up by our intelligence. Observers on the mainland have spotted two survivors, technical workers, on some rocks just off a very rugged section of the coastline. We can’t risk any large ships with the enemy’s naval superiority. Even a small boat in daylight would be in danger. High Command wants those technical workers captured before the enemy rescues them. Our observers have reported that there’s a sand bar between the rocks that’s just large enough for an aeroplane to land but we must hurry as it is below water at high tide. The two feldwebels here will pilot a couple of the Rumplers and, Wolfgang will fly escort. You have your mission.”

    “Why not the naval air service?”, queried Wolfgang.

    “There’s a lot of enemy activity in the vicinity of the naval air station at the moment. Any rescue attempt would be detected at once and intercepted. By flying behind our lines and coming out over the Adriatic near the sand bar, we hope the enemy will have no time to react.”

    “Sir”, Friedrich spoke up, “how will we convince the Italian technical workers to become our guests?”

    “Gentlemen,” shouted the Hauptmann.

    Two infantrymen entered the room.

    “We have here two volunteers from Infanterieregiment 4, Hoch und Deutchmeister. They will be your passengers on a one-way flight to the sand bar. They will encourage our Italian friends to be cooperative. They will stay there until a small boat picks them up at night. Much success, gentlemen.”

    The two Rumplers were approaching the sand bar. Wolfgang, in his Oeffag, was to the right and above providing overwatch. Friedrich would land first. Josef would fly a holding pattern until after Friedrich took off with his ‘passenger’.

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    By pure coincidence, two Italian Pomilios escorted by a French SPAD approach from the opposite direction. Apparently with the same idea – well, without the infantrymen as it is assumed the Italian scientist and technician that were stranded on the sand bar would not no such encouragement to board the Pomilios.

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    Wolfgang peeled off from the Rumplers to intercept the enemy scout while Friedrich’s aeroplane touched down on end of the sand bar. Slightly further away one of the Pomilios lined up to land on the sand bar.

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    The two escorts exchanged fire to no effect whatsoever. As the Rumpler made its way down the sand bar, Friedrich and his infantryman passenger flinched. The crazy Italian was bringing his Pomilio in as well. Just inches to spare but both the aeroplanes were down safely. Friedrich and the infantryman let out a sigh of relief, which the Italian pilot merely shook his fist them as he passed over head to land just behind them.

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    [Mistake 1: I lost 2 critical photographs for the next bit.] As the Pomilio neared the end of the sand bar, the scientist ran towards it; hoping in the observer’s seat as Lovato turned the aeroplane around for an immediate take off. On the other end of the sand bar the infantryman had jumped out and was running towards the Italian technicians when the Pomilio prepared for takeoff. Torn between rounding up the remaining technical worker and firing at the Pomilio, the infantryman chose the latter course of action but his shot went wide. (Not much else happened otherwise – Wolfgang missed a deflection shot at the other Pomilio but that was par for the course.)

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    Patiently waiting for the infantryman to round up one of the technical workers, Friedrich noted with alarm the fast approaching Pomilio. With naught else to do he opened fire. The infantryman continued his firing. As crazy as it was, the Italian returned fire at the Rumpler. The infantryman looked on with horror as an enormous explosion engulfed the Rumpler.

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    Lovato’s Pomilio just cleared the wreckage of the Rumpler as infantryman continued his wild firing.

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    Lovato was greeted warmly by Wolfgang and returned fire somewhat ineffectually. [Mistake 2: I should have drawn 2 cards for Lovato but only noticed afterwards. I drew a B card which was a ‘0’.] Coming in just as Lovato took off, Josef landed his Rumpler. At the other end of the sand bar Giovanni sideslipped in just behind Lovato but a shot from the infantryman found an oil line and smoke blinded Giovanni’s face – an ominous sign when landing, no?

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    Following the lead of his comrade in arms, Giovanni managed to come in just over the Rumpler. [Mistake 3: Lovato should not have turned left due to the critical damage from the infantryman. Mistake 4: Why in the world did I have Lovato not return the way he came in. For some reason I got turned around and had the Entente planes fly off where the Central Powers came in and vice versa. Sigh.]

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    The smoke from Giovanni’s Pomilio was thicker – blinding the Italian.

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    *SPLASH* Not surprising when landing blind with VFR equipment. Giovanni clung to the wreck of his floating Pomilio. Josef was more fortunately as he avoided the wreckage of his comrade’s Rumpler. His infantryman passenger jumped out and waved at his partner.

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    [Mistake 5: Another missing photo but nothing much happened. However, it messed up my counting of the turns as I was using the photos to keep track. Missing 3 photos by this time I was out by one turn. This should have been the last turn for the scouts, but due to the mistake they hung around a turn longer.] Not much for the following phase. With two infantryman to encourage him, the Italian technician has boarded Josef’s Rumpler and Josef starts his takeoff run. Wolfgang misjudges his turn and ends up slightly ahead of the slower Pomilio. Side by side, the two pilots wave at each other. The scientist thinks both are crazy.

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    Josef lifts off safely.

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    Pleasantries aside, Wolfgang gives Lovato a farewell salute with an ineffectual burst – well, not quite ineffectual as it did jam his schwarlose.

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    With fuel low and his machineguns jammed, Wolfgang headed for home. He just needed to avoid the enemy SPAD. No problem – a sideslip to the left and under the SPAD and all is good. Of course, Boom-Boom low on fuel also headed for home. On the sand bar, the infantrymen pulled an injured Friedrich from the wreckage of the Rumpler and then hauled in the sodden Giovanni. Later that night a launch picked up all four castaways.

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    Last edited by ShadowDragon; 11-13-2019 at 16:29.

  2. #2

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    Butcher’s Bill

    Oeffag 153):
    Ltn Wolfgang von Augustin / RTB / - / 0 kills

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    Rumler C.IV
    Fw Friedrich Steinbrecher / EXP - FT / (WIC) / 0 kills
    C&W: Roll 8 - 3 EXP = 5; Injured – Roll 1, skip 1

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    Rumler C.IV
    Fw Josef Hauser / RTB / - / 0 kills, captured the technician

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    SPAD XIlI
    Lt Phillipe ‘Boom-Boom’ Dumoulin / RTB / - / 0 kills

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    Pomilio PD
    Serg Lovato Catalan/ RTB / - / 0 kills; rescued the scientist

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    Pomilio PD
    Serg Giovanni Levi-Civita / Crash landing in SEA / (WIC) / 0 kills; rescued the scientist
    C&W: Roll 6 - 1 SEA = 5; Injured – Roll 5, skip 3
    E&E: Roll 3 – 1 SEA – 1 WIC = 1; Captured

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    Final Tally

    Central Powers: Captured the technician; lost one aeroplane

    Entente: Rescued the scientist; lost one aeroplane – pilot captured.

    Result = Marginal win for the Entente as the scientist is more valuable than the technician; although the Central Powers will get information on the nature of the experiment.

  3. #3

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    Great looking fight there Paul. Models really added to the feel of the game.


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  4. #4

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    Great job on the scenic's Paul, looks like you had a comedy of errors playing that one out, so maddening when things crop up post event.

    "He is wise who watches"

  5. #5

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    Well a fair bit of cut and thrust there Paul. How you managed to get two aircraft down at once and off again with one down is nothing short of a miracle on that tight airstrip.
    Liked the sandbar idea, as it prevented the scientist hiding from the enemy somewhere on the island.
    Thus the tide had less of an impact than if you had to spend time chasing down two civilians.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by tikkifriend View Post
    Great looking fight there Paul. Models really added to the feel of the game.
    Thanks, Paul. I'm happy that Rob gave us a mission where I could use the Pomilios. Note: One Pomilio model is a PC (CDL) and the other a PE (Camo), but the cards are the PC ones by Nexus. I'm not sure why Nexus choose PC Pomilio's for the cards as so few PC were built. Anyway I used PD stats in the game with a forward firing MG for both.

  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    Great job on the scenic's Paul, looks like you had a comedy of errors playing that one out, so maddening when things crop up post event.
    Yes, it is maddening. The flying off in the opposite direction from arrival is the funniest but had no effect. The missing photos from a crucial part of the story was irritating. I'm using my iPhone and it's happened sometimes that I think I've taken a photo and I haven't. From the photo numbers it's clear I didn't take them.

  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte View Post
    Well a fair bit of cut and thrust there Paul. How you managed to get two aircraft down at once and off again with one down is nothing short of a miracle on that tight airstrip.
    Liked the sandbar idea, as it prevented the scientist hiding from the enemy somewhere on the island.
    Thus the tide had less of an impact than if you had to spend time chasing down two civilians.
    Rob.
    Thanks for the interesting scenario.

    Although I placed the sandbar equidistant from the arrival points the angle was such that the Pomilios had to pick a point further out to turn since we all know that planes can only turn a fixed angle each phase. That meant that each Pomilio landed a little after the corresponding Rumpler. I used the collision rules from the game to determine if there was a chance or not of a collision (i.e., centre peg overlaps opposing base) and if so I drew collision cards with a '0' meaning they avoided each other. Drew collision cards to see if planes avoided the wreckage as well. It just happened that the only damage was minor. it could easily have turned out much different with wrecked planes everywhere. The planes firing at each other on the ground was my version of Mike's gunslinger duel.

    I was going to go with a dark story by having Wolfgang be ordered to ensure the scientist and technician were not rescued and have the angst of does he or doesn't he strafe unarmed men, but in the end decided that it was near AH territory and they could fly riflemen out and leave them there to be picked up during the night.

    And now I have a terrain piece to use for an abandoned road.

  9. #9

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    The technician may only have been a consolation prize, but I'm sure our Austro-hungarian allies will still be able to get some useful technical information from him.

    Well-done with the infantrymen, nice addition to the story. Makes a lot of sense.

    Overall, I do like the way you've adapted this campaign to the Southern Front.

    Rep on the way.

  10. #10

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    Sam, thanks for the comments. They’re appreciated. Sometimes I do feel like an interloper in the DYM campaign.

  11. #11

    Thumbs up

    Nice take on the Mission Paul.
    I enjoy how you transfer the DYM missions to the Italian Front.
    Great models & good scenery.
    Have a drop of Rep on me.

  12. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by gully_raker View Post
    Nice take on the Mission Paul.
    I enjoy how you transfer the DYM missions to the Italian Front.
    Great models & good scenery.
    Have a drop of Rep on me.
    Thanks for the rep.

    I was for a moment thinking of using my Curtiss flying boat but then remembered I had 2 Pomilios. I intended to check flying distances for a likely spot on the Dalmatian coast but forgot. No matter there are some suitably rugged spots.

    I've been looking at what planes I might have used if this were set at the same dates as the official AAR. Seems like Nieuport 10s, Caudrons and Farmans, but looking the Aerodrome site one of the AH aces is credited with shooting down Moranes in 1916. I presume these are French aircraft brought in to augment the Italians. So looking at getting some of these and Hansa-Brandenburgs in the New Year from Shapeways. Except for the Nieuport 10s the others would be suitable up until late 1917. Just thinking forward.

  13. #13

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    Finally up to checking out the site after last Monday's surgery.

    Typing 'caggy 'anded' as my Dad would have said, so I will have to keep it short.
    Nice take on the mission. I know the frustration of missing photos, or critical ones that are not as clear as they seemed.
    Still, you got there in the end.

  14. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stumptonian View Post
    Finally up to checking out the site after last Monday's surgery.

    Typing 'caggy 'anded' as my Dad would have said, so I will have to keep it short.
    Nice take on the mission. I know the frustration of missing photos, or critical ones that are not as clear as they seemed.
    Still, you got there in the end.
    Rest well, Pete.

  15. #15

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    Just played my game so catching up on you all. Nice version of events, I'm impressed that you had more than one plane on the sandbar and they didn't collide, good flying there and no mistake.

    I usually make notes for games I'm intending writing up, I've found if I don't, things happen, people get shot and I've no idea who done it. I played a long complicated western game with a couple of friends recently, I'm currently trying to write a story about it, and there are pictures of some poor cowpoke dead in the street but I can't remember who shot him, or why. Although the why is usually irrelevant in a wargame.

    Good story and its always interesting to see a later take on whats happening in 1916 is you know what I mean.

  16. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by Vagabond View Post
    Just played my game so catching up on you all. Nice version of events, I'm impressed that you had more than one plane on the sandbar and they didn't collide, good flying there and no mistake.

    I usually make notes for games I'm intending writing up, I've found if I don't, things happen, people get shot and I've no idea who done it. I played a long complicated western game with a couple of friends recently, I'm currently trying to write a story about it, and there are pictures of some poor cowpoke dead in the street but I can't remember who shot him, or why. Although the why is usually irrelevant in a wargame.

    Good story and its always interesting to see a later take on whats happening in 1916 is you know what I mean.
    Multiple planes on the sandbar was more dumb luck than playing skill; although we can put it down to flying skill for the characters. The other part was deciding to use the collision rules. There was a draw for damage but not significant.

    I’m looking forward to your story.

  17. #17

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    Aah yes Paul, I like the story beginning with the class divide being abridged - but "No Trump"? Are you sure (Used to love playing that game - always managed to drink too much whiskey at the same time. Mmmmmm good days)

    Well
    a comedy of errors
    indeed. Almost like the two German volunteers ended up as the two gentlemen of Verona! But what the heck. Well played and well landed. Never mind the damage (there's a merchant in Venice can fix you up there), the important thing is nobody got themselves knocked off.

    Nice Pomilios (plane cards noted). I have one of those and have been inspired to buy a second. Lovely scenics and well done getting hold of those mats
    Rep inbound - thanks for sharing.

  18. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by mikeemagnus View Post
    Aah yes Paul, I like the story beginning with the class divide being abridged - but "No Trump"? Are you sure (Used to love playing that game - always managed to drink too much whiskey at the same time. Mmmmmm good days)

    Wellindeed. Almost like the two German volunteers ended up as the two gentlemen of Verona! But what the heck. Well played and well landed. Never mind the damage (there's a merchant in Venice can fix you up there), the important thing is nobody got themselves knocked off.

    Nice Pomilios (plane cards noted). I have one of those and have been inspired to buy a second. Lovely scenics and well done getting hold of those mats
    Rep inbound - thanks for sharing.
    The class divide was a bigger factor for the AH Empire than the German one, but Flik 55J was an exception. Plus it’s all part of Wolfgang’s character development.

    2 NT? Seemed appropriate as an outrageous opening bid as well as a wink and nod to our times.

    Full credit to the supplier to get me the mats within a few days.

    I almost forgot about the Pomilios which would have been a shame as they might of missed out in the campaign.

    Thanks for the rep.



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