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Thread: OTT CYM – Mission 11 – Attack Plane Surprise - 19th September 1916 – Mike’s AAR

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    Default OTT CYM – Mission 11 – Attack Plane Surprise - 19th September 1916 – Mike’s AAR

    OTT CYM – Mission 11 – Attack Plane Surprise - 19th September 1916 – Mike’s AAR

    “Good afternoon Uncle. You wanted me to let you know how the two new lads got on this morning.”
    “Ah, yes Bo. Come in. Sit yourself down. Not very comfortable in this cramped space I’m afraid, but one gets used to it.”

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    Something was wrong. A/Lt Bo Fletcher couldn’t put his finger on it at first. Then Uncle coughed and immediately Bo knew what was up.
    “Good Lord, Uncle. You’re not smoking your pipe. You haven’t given it up, have you?”
    “Not damned likely, Bo. Things are difficult to get hold of right now and I’ve run out of my favourite “Stokkebye” tobacco. A bloody disaster! But, nil desperandum. I’m popping over to see Mick & Dubh in the casualty clearing station in a bit, before they’re whisked off to hospital. One of the doctors there, an old school pal of mine, said he’d let me have a couple of tins from his personal stash. It’s what friends are for don’t you think?” and he twiddled his pencil nervously, obviously stressed and not feeling comfortable without being surrounded by a fog of aromatic tobacco fumes.
    “OK, well good luck with that.” said Bo. “How are the two wounded heroes? Wrapped around the necks of female nursing staff, no doubt.”

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    “No chance of that, Bo, not there. I went over yesterday evening, briefly, and the place was a heaving, groaning, crying, screaming mess of torn up bodies. Pretty well all of them infantry from the latest run of offensive pushes. Looked to me like the orderlies were totally overwhelmed with work and not a female nurse in sight. As for those two; they are alive, but I don’t think we’re going to see them back here for some months I’m afraid.
    “Now, what about our two new boys? You were going to take them out for a familiarisation run, in the Nieuports, this morning. How did they get on?”
    “Not so good, I’m afraid Uncle! One of them, Roger Andover, did ok. He’s got a few hours more flying than the other lad and seemed a bit more with it. But the second chap, Justin Aminet, was pretty hopeless if you ask me. Won’t last five minutes up there in a real set to. Neither has had any time in Nieuports before today.

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    “Why they keep sending us lads, almost straight from school, with only a handful of hours on a Vickers Gunbus is just beyond my comprehension.”
    “Are you sure its not just you being nervous at having to take charge for a while?” said Uncle. Then he shook his head. “No, no, no, I know it isn’t that Bo. Sorry, that was out of order. I know what you mean too. But we don’t have the luxury of choice in the matter. Both of them are on active duty as of now.”
    “Are you serious, Uncle?”
    “Never more so, Bo. There’s another push on, over at Flers Courcelette. According to orders received, a New Zealand force are trying to take a key German trench named Flers.

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    Aircraft are being sent, on rotation, to lend them a hand and our turn starts in 45 minutes. I’ve decided to send you up with those two new boys. You shouldn’t have a lot to do unless the hun interfere from the air in numbers, but I’ll send Simon Hawker along with you, just to keep an eye on your back.”
    “Right, Uncle. I like Simon, but he can be a little impetuous at times.”
    “Well he has to learn too, Bo. Losing Mick Taker and Dubh Beard from our line up, takes out a huge amount of experience. So it’s up to you now. For the time being anyway. Just try and look after those young lads and bring them back in one piece. Make it very plain indeed that they should stick together and under no circumstances are they to cross over the enemy lines. Maybe give Andover a little responsibility if you really think he’s more switched on. Ask him to look out for Aminet. Also, if you believe Aminet just isn’t up to it yet, tell him to stay out of trouble and keep away if the hun turn up.”

    Briefing over and feeling the weight of his own new responsibilities, A/Lt Bo Fletcher went away and made all the preparations necessary, including passing on Uncles wisdom to the new boys. This morning had been their first flight in one of the available Nieuports. Now they were going to have to smarten up their act pretty sharpish. Both of them were, obviously, nervously over excited. That made Bo feel quite uncomfortable.

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    Forty five minute later, after Bo had outlined, on a map, the position they were to patrol, between trenches known as Switch and Flers, they were in the air.

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    The New Zealanders were likely already crossing No Man’s Land, so there was no time to spare. The Bulldogs had also been warned that they were going to see a new wonder. One they had not seen before. Large metal, gun carrying machines, that were supposed to batter their way through anything the Germans could throw at them. These machines were called “Tanks” and it was the first time they had ever been used, or so they had been advised.

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    Shortly after that, they were flying on a south easterly course, getting their bearings and relating landmarks to the map they had studied before leaving their air field. There were the trenches sure enough and by the activity down on the ground, the New Zealanders were already well on their way. A barrage of artillery fire preceeded them, in the hopes of keeping the huns in the trenches with their heads well down and Bo prayed firstly, that it wouldn’t hit any of the infantry and secondly, that none of the shells would hit them. Army co-operation of this type necessitated low level flying and it wasn’t unknown for unlucky pilots to wind up at the sharp end of a high explosive artillery round! And there were the tanks! Good Lord but they were odd looking beasts. He saw two of them immediately below and it was when spotting the furthest one away that he saw something else. Something that was causing a lot of grief for the boys on the ground. Two large two-seater aircraft, with large black crosses adorning their top planes. The hun had a couple of DFWs out strafing the attackers as they picked their way over the muddy shell torn terrain.

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    Nothing for it. New boys or not, Andover and Aminet were on their own now. Lessons absorbed or forgotten in the heat of the moment were likely to determine their fates in the next few minutes.

    Interestingly enough, perhaps because of the light in the direction from which they were arriving, not one of our Bulldogs noticed the approaching Halberstadts. Ltn Kurt Jentsch and Ltn Erich Wedel, the latter in the same CDL aircraft he had flown so successfully a few days before, happened to be on an offensive patrol in the area and were delighted when they spotted three potential victims, just to the west, about to cross their path. How nice and convenient of them.

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    Unaware of this and therefore unconcerned about it, Bo Fletcher was about to try and creep up on the tail of the hindmost DFW and surprise it with a volley of shots from all three of his patrol, when things went almost horribly wrong.
    Simon Hawker, who was supposed to stay aloft and watch their backs, had obviously arrived at the rendezvous point a few seconds before them. He’d seen a couple of lumbering two seaters, that he mistakenly took for easy meat and had promptly and impetuously attacked them from the front.

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    Well, that was the end of any chance of surprise. Next thing you know, Roger Andover opened up at hopelessly long range, whilst Justin Aminet was so excited that he didn’t even notice he had dropped back out of position and then turned in behind his flight leader. As soon as he realised this he froze and for a few seconds could do nothing but grit his teeth hold his joystick with a fierce grip which took his Nieuport further out of position and off to the right of everyone else. Meanwhile, Roger Andover was getting a taste for his machine gun and continued to blast away. Luckily he managed to do quite a bit of damage to one of the DFWs. But what he didn’t notice, was the effect his enthusiasm was having on his navigation. Side slipping to the left , he came so dangerously close to his flight leader that Bo Fletcher could do nothing but hold the same course. Fletcher couldn’t even turn off to port, because that crazy man Hawker, who had prematurely kicked off this whole affair, flew right down his throat, before veering off to Bo’s port side, just in time to avaoid a collision! This was a comedy of errors, which right then did not amuse our newly promoted Australian one little bit. Aminet hadn’t even noticed his machine being hit by bullets coming from his left. So it was just as well for him that Kurt Jentsch had occasion to use german profanities, when his gun went silent. Another verdammt jam.

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    It was in these few split seconds that Hawker now made another hasty decision. He flipped his agile Nieuport through one hundred and eighty degrees, only to see a rather large and unpleasant adversary roaring directly towards him with guns blazing and nothing he could do about it, because he had misjudged his turn. The Spandau spat its lethal little packages at him and Fwbl Rudolf Buddecke, piloting this DFW, had the satisfaction of knowing he could not have missed. The rudder controls on Hawker’s Nieuport went slightly slack and there was no way he could now turn right to avoid further trouble.

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    The same DFW, meanwhile, was acting as the other half of the sandwich in which Bo Fletcher was the filling. He too found he could not move, with the other DFW having followed the first to turn. They had now reversed their relative positions. With no other options immediately available, Bo opened fire, as did his opponent, Vzfwbl Hans Achterberg. Both scored hits, but it was Bo Fletcher who was the more accurate. He hit a fuel line, which in turn started that chain of events so feared by all airmen. Fire! Unless Achterberg could manoeuvre his bird to put out the flames, the German aircraft would be doomed.

    The Halberstadts had now joined the circus and given that Jentsch and Wedel had decided it was necessary to help their fellow countrymen, they gave a wide berth to Buddeke who now sensibly turned east and towards home. Their targets would be the two Nieuports attacking the now burning DFW crewed by Achterberg and Ltn Franz Hennig.

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    The same two that were now being target by both DFWs, only it was Hawker who was paying the price of his folly and was now bearing the full brunt of both. Not that Ltn Dieter Geigl did any damage. He missed with everything as his pilot turned for the barn. But Hans Achterberg was a better shot, as was his observer Ltn Franz Hennig. (The observant reader will now notice my error. I drew two “A” deck damage cards for Hawker’s Nieuport, instead of “B” deck damage. I didn’t notice until the mission was over, so my bad The result stands)

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    That was enough for Hawker. His bus had taken more than enough damage by now and he didn’t fancy a very long walk back to the barn. He was heading south west, where a few clouds were gathering. So he made up his mind just to keep on going in that direction, pursued by the two Halberstadts!

    By now Bo Fletcher had stopped worrying about the rest of his flight and had managed to extricate himself from that initial traffic jam. It was time to concentrate on doing the job he was good at. Turning on the now homeward bound DFW he caught it in the flank at short range. Black smoke began to pour from somewhere in the engine compartment and it’s crew noticed the immediate result when the engine coughed and spluttered unhealthily. They prayed there was still sufficient life left in her to get them to safety.

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    Not surprisingly, whilst under attack from two Halberstadts, the self same prayers were being silently offered up by Hawker, only in English, of course. The two new boys did seem to be trying hard to help him, but sadly their endeavours were not terribly effective. Better than their efforts was the further gun jam that appeared to have been inflicted on his nearest follower’s machine gun. That really was a godsend.

    By now, both DFWs were heading east, so having severely damaged one of them, Bo Fletcher turned his attentions to the burning version. His aim was good today. Makes a nice change doesn’t it, Bulldogs?

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    A quick burst at long range caught the DFW from nose to tail, spraying the engine cowling then bursting over both cockpits. Achterberg and Hennig both felt the shock of something hitting them.

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    The pilot was stunned and, in the act of making his turn to the east, he locked up in that same position, forcing the DFW on a circular course. The observer was knocked unconscious, which may just have saved his life, because now the swirling air surrounding the turning aircraft fanned the flames which roared into activity. Amazingly neither of the wounded occupants suffered burns in this way, but large amounts of fabric covering on both wings and fuselage was being destroyed. The big bird could take no more and drifted, out of control, to the war torn earth beneath. Infantry scattered every which way, to avoid the burning wreck, and none of them noticed that both the pilot and the observer had been thrown clear on impact and were lying, unconscious, but not too seriously knocked about, in a shell crater. A dry one! And there they remained until some time after the assault by the New Zealanders had ended; it had grown dark; they had recovered consciuosness and were able, painfully, but determinedly, to make their escape. They would need a long time to recover, but at least they would not end the war as prisoners on this occasion.

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    Back with Hawker and his little helpers, there was more trouble afoot. 2nd Lt Justin Aminet tried to exchange machine gun ammunition with Ltn Eric Wedel. But whereas Wedel already had a proven track record for this skill, Aminet, most decidedly, did not. He had never even heard the term deflection used in association with shooting, although it should be understood that he did have an education and if asked would probably have acknowledged having a vague recollection of the word, used during a game of cricket.

    And whilst Aminet was generally panicking about not really wanting to be there right now, 2nd Lt Roger Andover had closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable horrible death he was going to have when his Nieuport collided with a rather good looking camouflaged Halberstadt. When he opened his eyes again, he realized that the German pilot had simply flown over him, without so much as scratching the paintwork. Good job, somebody knew his business!
    One wonders, therefore, whether or not 2nd Lt Simon Hawker was aware of any of this, or if he would later give them some credit for his escape, which thankfully he now effected. Flying into a cloud, he disappeared from sight, leaving the two Halberstadt pilots feeling much like angry dogs that had just missed tearing apart a much hated cat, when it scrambled up a tree.

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    Now came the time when Andover showed he had great promise and more than a little pluck. Because his whole being now celebrated the fact he was still around, another surge of adrenalin kicked in and he flipped his Nieuport around, just as Hawker had done earlier, and let the CDL Halberstadt have it in the rear end, with three successive bursts. One of these even set the Halberstadt alight, although, at the time, he didn’t realise this fact. The fire began almost unnoticeably and it would be a short while before it became apparent, as you will see

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    Sadly, he then discovered, at the point where he had these hun dead to rights, the meaning of the term “empty pan”. In a previuos life he had associated this with being ill in hospital when he was just seven or eight. Now the significance hit home when he pulled the trigger of his machine gun, only to find the “pan” was empty! Ah well, time to learn how to fly this bus whilst performing a new trick.

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    As for Aminet. Further examination of the above evidence will show that he had been caught totally by surprise when Andover performed the famous Immelman turn (not that he’d heard that term before either). He nearly wet himself and then finally remembered his instruction to “keep out of the bloody way”. So he flew in a big circle, latched on to Andover’s tail and decided it was best if he stayed there.

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    The surviving DFW, meanwhile, had continued its dogged struggle eastwards and the experienced Halberstadt pilots, noticing he was in a bit of bother, made the decision to attempt to escort him back home again. So they too turned to the east. Followed by the youngsters Andover and Aminet, the former of which now realized that one had to fly in a straight line, if one was going to successfully change the pan on a Nieuport’s overhead mounted machine gun. Either that or one was going to end up upside down and hanging on for dear life to something or other, just like another strange incident he had heard of. Or was that an incident about a strange person? Either way, it was a bloody nuisance, especially as he was more or less following his intended prey, both of whom were calmly able to ignore him, for now.

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    Up ahead, the DFW had coughed and spluttered its way further and further east. A/Lt Bo Fletcher tried to catch him up, but unsuccessfully so. The big bird flew away to safety and Bo realized he could follow no further. It wasn’t that he was going deeper and deeper into enemy held territory. He’d done that many times. But he had warned the new boys not to do so. Not yet anyway. He couldn’t abandon them and he was already running a little low on fuel, which he wasn’t expecting! “Was there a leak somewhere?” He thought to himself. So he turned back.

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    And there to the west were the rest of the gang. Two Halberstadts, one now visibly on fire, and two Niueports, one of which fired a few rounds as he watched. Actually, that was our young Andover. He’d finally finished changing his pan and had gleefully tested the result. And totally missed. I think that was because, in the back of his mind was the realisation he’d just flown over the German trenches below and he’d been ordered not to do that. With some regret, therefore, he banked to port and headed for the relative safety of his own side’s territory. Aminet dutifully followed.

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    The burning Halberstadt was now significantly damaged and it was all Wedel could do to stop the flames from burning his face. Side slipping, first to the left and then to the right and repeating this whilst heading home, was his prefered option. He might have just landed, after all he was over home ground, but he didn’t dare attempt that whilst those Nieuports were around.

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    And all the while, to his credit, Kurt Jentsch was there as the good shepherd, watching his back and keeping the hounds at bay, now that the boot was on the other foot, so to speak.

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    But in the end, all that was in vain. A/Lt Bo Fletcher, already an Ace, was on their case. Having been frustrated by the escape of the DFW, Bo was not about to permit these guys to escape without a fight. As he approached the CDL aircraft the two of them exchanged another sort of fire, consisting of hard lead. Wedel hit Fletcher’s Nieuport and oil leaked from the engine and smoked badly. But in return, Fletcher had inflicted the “coup de gras” on Wedel’s bird. The eagle must land, which it did, nose first into a nearby road. Wedel was unhurt. He unbuckled his safety harness, climbed from what was left of his Halberstadt and gazed west to where his adversary was disappearing.
    “He’ll be back,” thought Wedel, “but I shall be ready for him. Next time with a newer bird perhaps!”

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    But Bo Fletcher wasn’t thinking along those lines right now. As he flew on to pick up his new wing men (or boys), he was already piecing together, in his mind, what he was going to say to Uncle about their performance today.

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    He had a lot of work to do on them before he took them out again, but at least they had shown spirit. That last Halberstadt he’d shot down had been on fire until just before their altercation. Where had that come form? Had one of his lads caused that and if so which one. He would find out and buy them both a drink to celebrate. Yes, they had what it took to survive, for a time, he prayed!

    As for Hawker. Well the lad needed a talking to, but that could remain just between the two of them. He had to learn and learn fast, for all their sakes.

    The end.

    Butcher’s Bill

    Entente

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    A/Lt Bo Fletcher / RTB / 2 kills
    result: All good

    2nd Lt Simon Hawker / FRTB – D / 0 kills
    Roll 2D6 = 2 + 1 = No crash landing.
    Result: All good

    2nd Lt Roger Andover / RTB / 0 kills
    Result: All good

    2nd Lt Justin Aminet / RTB / 0 kills
    Result: All good

    Central Powers

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    Ltn Kurt Jentsch / RTB / o kills
    Result: All good

    Ltn Erich Wedel / SD FT / 0 kills
    Roll 2D6 = 10 – 1SD = 9
    Result: All well when you land well.

    Fwbl Rudolf Buddecke (pilot) / FRTB – E / 0 kills
    Roll 2D6 = 3+4 = No crash landing
    Result: All good

    Ltn Dieter Geigl (observer) / FRTB – E / 0 kills
    For crash landing 2D6 Roll see above.
    Result: All good

    Vzfwbl Hans Achterberg (pilot) / FLM NML / WIA 0 kills
    Roll 2D6 – 8 – 2 FLM – 1 WIA – 1 NML = 4 Injured skip 1D6 = 6
    E & E
    Roll 2D6 = 7 – 1 FLM – 1 WIA – 1 WIC + 1 NML = 5 In hiding skip 1D2 = 3
    Result: Skip 6 scenarios

    Ltn Franz Hennig (observer) / FLM NML / WIA 0 kills
    Roll 2D6 = 7 – 2 FLM – 1 WIA – 1 NML = 3 Injured skip 1D6 = 4
    E&E
    Roll 2D6 = 8 – 1 FLM – 1 WIA – 1 WIC + 1 NML = 6 In hiding skip 1D2 = 5
    Result: Skip 4 scenarios

    Victory points

    Entente: Planes shot down x 2 = 6; two seater FRTB x 1 = 2: Total = 8 points
    Central Powers: Scout FRTB x 1 = 2: Total = 2 points

    A Victory for the Bulldogs

    Notes
    Various decisions and other points related to trying to keep within the spirit of the objectives set.
    a) Halberstadts, having chased off a Nieuport, turned and focused on escorting the surviving DFW, rather than stay and fight it out to the death.
    b) The DFW that survived had turned for home early as that seemed to be it’s objective.
    c) Nieuports (blue and yellow spots on bases) turned for home early because I had to try and make sense of the “Comedy of Errors” that were their early moves! So I gave them orders not to cross the german trenches; something I decided only when they were off to chase the two Halberstadts.
    d) Altitude was played although I confess I got lazy at some point, ‘cos I was bloody tired and a little under the weather – again Excuse, excuses – yes, I know
    e) Nieuport (green spot on base) copped a couple of “A” damage cards in stead of “B”s. My bad, I simply took them from the wrong stack in the tray. Tough on Hawker and serves him right.
    f) Some sharp eyed merchant may also notice, if I included the appropriate photos, that the CDL Halberstadt performed two consecutive stalls at one point, mainly because I had gone to sleep on the job – shot at dawn I think the penalty is. I only noticed when going through the paperwork for the AAR – my bad and tough. He went down anyway, without the need for an extra “A” damage card.
    Last edited by flash; 04-03-2021 at 08:43. Reason: Tidy Tally

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    Dan, that was a very enjoyable mission – thanks a bundle. The furball in the first few moves was a little cause for concern, especially as I had rather stupidly sprinkled infantry all over the show to boot, but it worked out well in the end and certainly provided me with a story line about the behaviour of the two new boys. Not sure how I would have handled that were they supposed to be experienced pilots It was also a relief, in my situation, to be able to get it done and dusted in 8 turns. So full marks for that. Hope you enjoy mission 12 as much as I did number 11. Mmmmmm

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    Wonderful AAR! Love the the game board. Nice action. Thanks!!!! Glad you enjoyed the mission!

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    Quote Originally Posted by mikeemagnus View Post
    ...especially as I had rather stupidly sprinkled infantry all over the show to boot ...
    Those infantry really added to your depiction, Mike. I was going to comment even if you hadn't mentioned them.
    What scale are they?

    All in all a most enjoyable read, and a victory for your boys as well.
    Good to see everyone survived, although Achterberg and Hennig will miss the curtain call for this campaign.

    Well deserved REP incoming.

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    Good show and story, Mike. Empty 'rep' pan, so will need to circle around until it's reloaded, but a well-deserved 'burst' of rep is coming your way.


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    Thanks again guys.
    Re the infantry
    What scale are they?
    10mm if memory serves me correctly Pete. I bought them as a job lot, already painted, years and years ago and never really knew much about them. I thought one day I'd use them for gaming, but never did. Now they come in handy as scenery pieces. A bit on the large size for this present job, but they are all I have and they do just about fit if you don't look too closely

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    great AAR, good background story REP on its way

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    Another wonderful Story & AAR from you Mike!
    Your scenery & 3d models are a great credit to you.
    Excellent action that you wove into the AAR so well & a Victory to put the icing on the cake.
    Have some well deserved Rep from me old mate!

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    Thanks guys - I must say I did enjoy the result of this one too

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    Another cracking outing Mike, the boys done good, if a little rough around the edges - Bo seems to have taken to being in charge and bagged a brace for the pot, great job. Way to catch up by the way !

    Uncle says:

    Well done chaps, a very creditable performance seeing those Huns off, the CO of that part of the line has been on the blower and is very happy with your days work - incidentally he confirms both victories for Bo Fletcher, which is nice.

    meanwhile on t'other side:
    Ltn Dieter Geigl is awarded the Iron cross 2nd class for his services to the Kaiser
    Vzfwbl Hans Achterberg is awarded the Iron cross 2nd class for his services to the Kaiser
    Last edited by flash; 04-03-2021 at 08:44.

    "He is wise who watches"

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    Thank you kindly Uncle. Hans Achterberg thanks you from the bottom of his heart; not, thankfully, the bottom of a shell crater. He will have to wait a while, though, to share his good fortune with the rest of the Eagles by way of buying a round or three.

    Ltn Dieter Geigl, on the other hand, has already got his round in and is celebrating in style, especially since somebody just phoned in and gave him the latest on the Eagle's performance over Thiepval. Something about a 1 1/2 Strutter seen with flames licking past its tail fin

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    Excellent story Mike, you really wove the new boys into it, right from the off I was worried for Bo having 3 inexperienced pilots but it all came good in the end.

    Scenery as always is excellent although the planes were flying very low to the ground and I'm sure in a couple of photos I can see the New Zealand lads ducking to avoid having their helmets removed by a spinning prop. Their Push seemed to take them almost through the German lines so the Brass will be pleased.

    I've noticed you are taking a lot of portrait photos which give a great sense of distance on the table, which combined with your backdrops look really effective. Are you actually photographing the length of the table rather than the width? And what size is the gaming area?

    Not that I'm envious at all, well not much.
    Cheers

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    Hi John, sorry but I only just saw your comment today - My table is 9' x 5'. A nice size, although clearing for action when the room is wanted as a bedroom is a pain For our games, believe it or not I mark out an area equivalent to just two ares official mats, each 68cm x 98 cm using shell craters as markers. Yes the photos are often taken over the full length of the table, but only because the far end is the only place I have so far managed to successfully support the backdrop. Previous attempts at using backdrop pics at the sides have ended up with the boards falling on top of my models and wrecking the game, let alone the models I need to work on that one Its all very Heath Robinsonesque, but I try to hide that
    Chau
    Mike



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