Captain Jerome could not be found anywhere. Remy stormed into the briefing room, he had gone full circle throughout the aerodrome looking for the Captain. While he was away in town with the quartermaster, mission 8 went out. He returned to the aerodrome well after the mission should have concluded and have landed back at the airfield. Not one of the three planes had reported back. What he found out from the ground crew was shocking to him. Remy couldn’t believe it. All three of the unit’s tandem crews were sent out on a suicide mission by Captain Jerome. A suicide mission only because of the tactical restrictions put on the flight under Captain Jerome’s orders. Their fate is still unknown at this time.
Remy was now the ranking officer on the spot so he decided to act. He quickly sent Omer Michaud out on a solo recon flight. He flew a roundabout route so to draw as little attention as possible.
Immediately on Omer’s return the information was passed on to HQ. HQ found out to it’s dismay that the tunnel in German hands was still intact. HQ insisted another mission be undertaken and the tunnel neutralized.
Remy begged HQ for 3 new tandem crews with planes. The Bouledogues were no longer able to carry out the mission as their scouts could not carry a bomb large enough. Once Remy explained the situation HQ quickly agreed and told him they would send them out ASAP. Within the hour two tandems were in the air on their way to the Bouledogues airfield. Only two were available so that’s what was sent. When they landed Remy asked where the third was? The new crew had no answer.
Remy brought the new crews into the briefing room where they meticulously went over the maps. While the ground crews fueled and armed the planes, a flight path was decided upon. One of the new pilots, Maurice Lyon, told Remy the direct route was the best. There were several easily recognizable landmarks along the route so finding the tunnel should be easy. The second tandem pilot, Leo Monet, agreed with confidence. Remy, knowing these new pilots were not familiar with the sector, agreed so to make it easier for them.
Remy did not want to send these newcomers off on their own so he made the easy decision to fly escort with them. Soon the three planes took off climbing into a slight headwind with a clear sky towards their destination. (Remy in Bebe(left), Maurice Lyon, aluminum N12, Leo Monet, canvas N12)
The sky didn’t stay clear for long though as when they reached altitude they could see on the horizon where they were headed a white layer obscuring the ground. As they approached the cloud layer the three instinctively climbed above it.
Lucky for Remy one of the new pilots was an expert at instrument flying. Maurice, who had passed 1st in his class during navigation studies, made hand signals to let Remy and Leo know they were right on course. As they got within a few miles of the target they all spotted the two black dots circling ahead.
Paul Wolff (grey) and Werner Hengst (canvas) were flying patrol over the sunken rail area keeping an eye out for any activity in the air. This morning’s fight was a near run thing as one French plane got within a hundred meters of the tunnel mouth. Now with the low cloud layer they really weren’t expecting any visitors this afternoon.
“Hmmm, some birds off to the west”, Wolff waved to Hengst and they flew to investigate.
The French boys tighten up their formation around Maurice. Leo starts to slowly slide in behind the aluminum colored Nieuport.
As the opposing planes close, Maurice notices a hole in the cloud layer below. He checks his compass, looks at the map, rechecks the compass. A smile comes to his face. He vigorously waves to the others. There is an excellent chance the target will be in the opening, what luck! He points and gives more hand signals until he feels confident the others understand.
Little do the French know there is an ammunition train also approaching the tunnel.
Hengst gets to the enemy first and dives down to attack, not waiting for Wolff to reach the French.
The first exchange is violent as both planes spew out smoke from damage received by accurate shooting. Unfortunate for the French their lead bomber catches fire as well.
The fire flares up quickly and spreads to the upper wing.
Hengst flies right through the French flight passing ever so close to the flaming Nieuport.
Wolf dives in at the lead Nieuport hitting him hard.
Remy catches the diving Wolff and make him pay for ignoring him.
Hengst, engulfed in smoke, doesn’t notice the tracers flying pas him. He concentrates as best he can through his own smoke to get a shot off at another Frenchman.
The damage on the lead N12 is too great. Maurice can’t keep the flaming Nieuport level and drops down into the clouds never to be seen again.
Remy reverses at his attacker but the smoke blinded Hengst doesn’t see him and almost collides with the Bebe.
Wolff, concerned with the badly misfiring engine, dips down just under the third Frenchman. (bases just overlapping)
Leo pays no heed to the eindecker slipping just below him and keeps his eyes on the hole in the clouds.
As the sputtering eindecker clears the N12 the observer, Oscar Tasse gets off a quick burst before his Lewis jams.
Remy also puts Wolff into his sights and rips into the Fokker’s controls.
Wolff, engine failing, plane not responding to his wish to turn, instantly decides to leave the fight and dives into the clouds to head home.
As Hengst turns after Leo, Leo dives into the clouds to get away. Hoping to come out of the clouds on target he does his best to stay on course keeping one eye on his compass.
The train slows as it approaches the tunnel, oblivious to the activity above.
Remy can’t see Leo but easily spots the smoking Fokker and makes for it.
Hengst is frustrated above the cloud knowing the enemy was in it below him.
Leo spots the tunnel opening just as he comes out of the cloud, unfortunately just too soon for him to be ready for a drop.
Remy is not yet close enough to help Leo and harass the Hun.
A machine gun opens up on the N12 as it passes through the hole in the cloud.
As Leo turns back into the cloud Hengst dives down to his level.
Remy curses as no planes now are in sight. He can still see where the hole in the cloud is and heads for it. Maybe he can help Leo by strafing any ground positions.
One plane in the clouds, one above and one in the opening.
Hengst heads into the clouds where the N12 entered. He thinks he knows what the Frenchman will do. Hengst figures the Frenchman will stay in the clouds until it’s time for another pass at the tunnel. By then the cloud opening will be long gone so he will have to drop below. Now to guess where and when the Frenchman will dive below the clouds….
Remy reached the edge of the hole. He slows down and takes a good look below. He spots a machine gun position and knows what to do. (He dives down to level 2)
Hengst dives below the clouds desperately looking for the French bomber.
Hengst guesses correct. Down from the cloud ceiling dives the N12. As Leo corrects his course for the drop Hengst takes them by surprise.
Remy preforms a split-s and drops to slightly above the trees and peppers the mg position from behind.
He comes in a bit quick and can’t get a second shot at the first position but spots another and lets rip.
Leo pulls the release.
As the bomb falls bullets rip through the N12 and strike the fuel tank with devastating results.
The bomb falls true and soon the tunnel opening is engulphed in a great explosion. When the smoke clears the tunnel entrance is no longer there, just a mass of rocks and dirt.
Remy takes out the AAMG position as the gun emplacements open up on him. One misses badly but the other is too close and rocks the plane. A quick look and with relief Remy sees no damage.
Remy turns away from the guns and spots a third AAMG and fires. (click…click…actually he can’t fire as his drum is empty!)
Having seen the last N12 fall, Remy has no reason to stay. He climbs back into the cloud and follows his compass home.
Butcher’s Bill
Eagles
Ltn Paul Wolff FRTBe 1 Kill
Ltn Werner Hengst RTB 1 Kill
Les Bouledogues de la Republique
Lt Remy Martin RTB
Lt Maurice Lyon FLM ET 0 Kills
C 8-2(flm) = 6, injured. 5 = miss 3 missions – out for the duration
E -1(bel) -1(wic) -1(flm) = 3 captured but escapes. 4 = miss 2 missions
Cpl Louis Faure FLM ET 0 Kills
C 6 -2(flm) = 4 injured. 4 = Miss 4 misions – out for the duration
E 10-1(bel) -1(wic) -1(flm) = 7, landed safe miss 1 mission
Lt Leo Monet EXP ET 0 Kills
C 7 -3(exp) = 4 injured. 2 = miss 2 missions
E 10 -1(bel) -1(wic) -1(flm) = 7 landed safely miss 1 mission
Cpl Oscar Tasse EXP ET 0 Kills
C 10 -3(exp) = 7 injured. 5 = miss 2 missions
E 7 -1(bel) -1(wic) -1(flm) = 4 captured but escapes. 2 = miss 1 mission
Destroyed tunnel opening
Final points:
Train survived -5
Tunnel opening destroyed +10
2 French two seaters down -6
German scout FRTB +1
Total 0 - a draw!
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