OTT CYM Mission 3 - Flash's Oxymoron of Military Intelligence - July 19th 1916

[flash]

Part One

The mission was straight forward on the face of it - get over the lines - photograph four suspected locations - get home in one piece and hand over the plates to the experts who will identify the real targets. Simple.

"Yeah, right" mused Lt Terry Bull as he followed his three escorts parallel to the lines in his Morane Saulnier BB at level 3


His old comrade Lt Bill Foldes led the formation in his cdl Nieuport Bebe, followed by 2Lt Phil Atterley in his camouflaged version and tailing them both was 2Lt Ali Gaither in his supposedly more powerful Nieuport 16.


The target was in sight - a pair of Fokker's awaited them, circling over the target, waiting to pounce

Ltn Raven Busse piloted the Green Fokker, Ltn Walter Gandert the plain.

Foldes turned to cross the lines and they followed in progression


The escorts broke left to engage the oncoming plain Fokker; Bull took the opportunity & slipped behind them.


Atterley took some fire from the lead Fokker as he tried to sideslip, a mistake but no damage suffered, Foldes had similar luck when firing back.


Though he had better luck against the Green Fokker - taking damage but returning it in kind with the addition of fire


Gaither bringing up the rear demonstrated his shooting skill by knocking the blazes out of the plain Fokker with a close range effort, Bull, turning into the threat added to the party by setting the enemy ablaze. One down !


The Eagles were beginning to flock ! Climbing into the battle space a pair of blue kites had appeared from behind one of the furthermost targets on the left (pos 3). The Halberstadt D.II at the hands of Ltn Otto Hengl, the (captured) Nieuport 11 at those of Obltn Johannes Achilles


The crack of Archie announced they had more than the Eagles to worry about - no damage this time though


The rattle of AAMG at extreme range might be a cause for concern also

(I used the solo AA rule for the AAMG - drawing a B card on Special damage to get them in the game. Later wished I hadn't !)

The Halberstadt catches Bull's Morane but does no real damage - Jack Dawe knocks out some woodwork with his return fire.


Then disaster strikes ! As Gaither reverses he is caught by both the Halberstadt and the Nieuport - Achilles aim proving fatal for the Nieuport 16... Dawe exacts a small measure of revenge by hitting the Halberstadt again - pink mist - he's hit the pilot !


AAMG fire zips about but to little effect - Atterly whips past Bull's Morane and catches out the Halberstadt, battering the same. Dawe takes a pot shot at the N.11 but his gun jams


Foldes catches some MG fire but other than some holes no damage results


Bull's Morane is rocked by a near miss from Archie but Jack get a photo of the first target.


Folde's luck doesn't hold and he cops it from the other Archie, he and his machine are peppered with shrapnel - time to head home


flying between the two blue Huns Atterley is caught in a head on exchange with the flaming green Fokker, coming out second best and burning to boot.


Bull's Morane is set smoking by the MG of the next target


The Halberstadt and it's wounded pilot slip away before it catches any more trouble as Foldes makes his way back over the lines for the same reason in the background.


Atterley's Nieuport, already aflame draws the attention of Archie and eats Flak head on - he's done !




Dawes gets another photo as another flak round bursts nearby ripping up some canvas


The green Fokker, severely damaged by fire makes good his escape


Dawes has now cleared his jam & captures his third image as the pass over the next target area


Archie misses but the machine gunners have better luck and Dawes is felled

(1=both hit; 2,3,4=gunner; 5,6=pilot)

The blue Nieuport now catches up to them and with no opposition pours it on


Bull uses his skill to avoid further damage - Lucky Git !


Archie misses again; their tormentor scores further hits but his gun stammers to silence - this might be the break they need.


Despite putting a little distance between them it proves not enough as the Nieuport swings after them but again the gun stammers to nothing and it's too late now to stop them as the slip over their lines





Butchers Tally

Eagles:

Ltn Walter Gandert: SD-EXP-FT 0 kills
Rolled 5 -3EXP = 2 Dead ! KIA


Otto Hengl: FRTB-W / WIA 0 kills
Rolled 3 -1WIA +1RTB = 3 - Injured Skip D6 Scenarios. Rolled 1 = Skip 1


Ltn Raven Busse: FRTB-D 0 kills


Obltn Johannes Achilles: N.11 (blu) RTB 1 kill



Bulldogs:

2LT Ali Gaither: N.16 'D' - SD-EXP-ET 1 Kill
Rolled 7 -3EXP = 4 - Injured Skip D6 Scenarios. Rolled 1 = Skip 1
E&E: Rolled 5 -1EXP -1WIC -1BEL = 2 Captured ! The war is over for this pilot.


2Lt Phil Atterley: N.11 (cam) SD-FLM (Flak)-ET 0 kills
Rolled 2 = Dead ! KIA


Lt Bill Foldes: N.11 (cdl) FRTB-W / WIA / 0 kills
Rolled 7 +1RTB -1WIA = 5 - Injured Skip 1D3 Scenarios. Rolled 1 = Skip 1


Lt Terry Bull: P2 MS.BB: FRTB-D 0 kills
AM.1 Jack Dawe: O MS.BB: FRTB-D / WIA 0 kills - 3 Photos
Rolled 6 +1RTB -1WIA = 6 - Injured Skip 1D3 Scenarios. Rolled 1 = Skip 1




Well that was one heck of a ride ! Really didn't think I was going to get anything back from this foray at all.
I flew as Terry Bull - everything else was AI. Used Lewis restricted ammo rules for Tommy, played my alt rules as usual.
I didn't picture all the AA & AAMG fire esp if it didn't cause damage.
Hard work but enjoyable scenario... What d'ya mean I'm only half done..?!

[flash]

Part 2

Lt Terry Bull taxied his tattered machine as close to the M.O's office as possible before switching off.
Willing hands helped him lift the stricken airman Jack Dawe from his cockpit as equally willing hands stripped the plates from their storage and the camera before legging it toward the photo shed where the so called experts would develop their images and pore over them in the hunt for clues.
He ambled over to the Top Office where he met Bill Foldes and they discussed the mission with Uncle.
"Dawe should be fine in a week or so according to the doc - just nicked him he reckons though Dawe's not so sure about that !"
"I saw Gaither go down just as my engine copped it" said Foldes.
"I think he made it down in one piece but the area was thick with Hun so chances are he's in the bag" replied Bull.
"I'll make some enquiries" said Uncle. "What about young Atterley?"
"I'm afraid he's bought it" said Bull matter of factly, "He was already pretty shot up and on fire when Archie caught him, he didn't have much of a chance".
"Right" said Uncle, "I'll see what I can find out. Now get yourselves a drink and some food while we wait for the boys in the box to come up with something - I take it you got some pictures ?"
"Only three sir" stated Bull, "Dawe stopped one before we could finish and we were too badly knocked about to go back for another, we were damned lucky to get back at all let alone with some pictures. That Hun had the bit between his teeth and no mistake !" he finished with a wry grin.

Within the hour they had their answers - two targets had been identified and soon after they had lifted off and were on the way. Bull took Reg Sole as his gunner in a tandem and led the flight, 2Lt Justin Hale followed on in a single seat bomber (#23), 2Lt Chris Cross followed on in another (#24) and 2Lt Cam Paine brought up the rear in his Nieuport 16. He had heard what happened to his friends and was out for blood.

( I know, I know - before anyone gets their knickers in a bunch - I know I should only have used the two bombers but I was so pleased to get Bull through part one I just focused on 3 P2's and didn't remember the machine restriction until I was halfway through part two - I was too far in to restart by then)

Careful what you wish for should be the advice to that feeling - the target is well covered by a pair of Fokkers
and a blue captured Nieuport 11 is seen to be climbing to join them

(Obltn Johannes Achilles in the N.11; Ltn Hans-Eberhardt Gossner in the Dirty Red Fokker & Ltn Stefan Loerzer in the striped one)

They followed on in progression as Bull turned to cross the lines, Paine climbed hard to get on a par with the enemy.


Bull gets a hot reception from the Nieuport as they trade shots at close range and the striped Fokker pokes a few holes in the wing,


The bombers take their chance to run on for the targets as Paine plays catch up and another Fokker climbs into the fight - a new green one piloted again by Ltn Raven Busse, getting it ready had obviously delayed him !


The Germans blow past Bull's Strutter and open up on the bombers but Paine seizes his chance and dashes the Nieuport from the sky. Sole jams his gun shooting at the same target and Bull sets the green Fokker ablaze.
(not pictured but he got 0 in reply)


As the blue Bebe falls away the green Fokker gets a poke into Cross' Strutter but jams in the process.


Paine noses down & exchanges fire with the red Fokker - he gets clipped but leaves the Fokker trailing smoke


Archie says hello but does no damage


Paine sweeps past the red Fokker & gets onto the tail of the green one at close range, emptying his pan.


As Cross swerves left Bull cuts off the green Fokker and opens up at close range


Continuing his turn Bull then engages the striped Fokker as Sole shoots up the green one, Paine works on replacing his pan as he closes in.


Suddenly the green Fokker tumbles from the sky - overcome by flame but lost immediately after Sole shot him up so he'll claim that one. Paine is furious, not only has he lost a sure thing to Sole but his wound has hampered his reload and he cannot engage the striped Fokker either.


In spite of Archie Cross drops his load; Hale heads for the next one as the dirty red Fokker closes in .


Maybe Archie threw off his aim - as Cross turns for home he sees his bombs strike along the edge of the target area and smoke billows.


Hale toggles his bomb release and away they go !


As Hale turns for home the bombs straddle the target and set off secondary explosions but the dirty red Fokker drops down and lashes his machine with lead before his gun jams.


Bull and Paine close on the striped Fokker as he tries to get onto the bombers and exact some revenge


Even as the striped Fokker opens up on Cross as he fires at the red Fokker he's caught between two fires - Bull hits the pilot - and Paine uses his skill to add to the Fokker's strife.


Cross slips under the striped Fokker's nose as it's pounded by Bull and Paine -


As the striped Fokker falls to Paine's guns, he's emptied his pan at the red one but no damage is apparent


The red Fokker is now onto Cross's Strutter and causing damage - Paine can only watch in frustration as he laboriously reloads again


The Fokker is unrelenting


The Strutter's split and run as everyone tries to follow


As the Fokker turns after Cross Paine, now reloaded, shoots him up at close range.
Bull is surprised as Archie interrupts proceedings and shrapnel clatters into his engine.


Paine's gun jams at the most inopportune moment & his potential third victory is denied.


But it appears he has done enough damage as the red Fokker breaks off his pursuit and makes for a hasty exit,


Butcher's Tally

Eagles

Obltn Johannes Achilles: (blu N.11) SD-EXP-FT 0 kills
Rolled 8 -3EXP = 5 - Injured Skip 1D3 Scenarios. Rolled 4 = Skip 2


Ltn Raven Busse: (Green Fokker): SD-FLM-FT 0 kills
Rolled 7 -2FLM = 5 - Injured Skip 1D3 Scenarios. Rolled 4 = Skip 2


Ltn Stefan Loerzer: (striped Fokker) SD-FT / WIA 0 kills
Rolled 11 -1SD -1WIA = 9 All's well when you land well !


Ltn Hans-Eberhardt Gossner: (red Fokker) FRTB-D 0 kills


Bulldogs

Lt Terry Bull: (P2 Tandem Strutter) FRTB-E 0 kills
AM.2 Reg Sole: (O) FRTB - 1 kill

2Lt Cam Paine: N.16: RTB WIA 2 kills
Rolled 6 +1RTB -1WIA = 6 - Injured Skip 1D3 Scenarios. Rolled 4 = Skip 2

2Lt Justin Hale: (P) Strutter (#23) RTB 0 kills - Target Destroyed

2Lt Chris Cross: (P) Strutter (#24) RTB 0 kills - Target Damaged



Victory Points:
Rolled 2 for the targets with +3 for the snaps it made 5 so there were two targets in play - randomly decided and they were the two furthest from the lines and safety.. !
+10 Genuine depot destroyed
+5 - Genuine depot damaged
+3 - photos taken
+4 - enemy planes downed
-2 - friendly planes lost

+20 = Bulldog Victory !

So there it is - another wild ride but with fewer deadly consequences.
Archie was not so bad and at level 4 didn't play AAMG, I was impressed with the bombing, a direct hit & a near miss off a turn I thought was a pretty good result from that altitude.
Apart from the screw up with plane numbers it went well I thought and I had two decent games from the scenario.

[flash]

Well that was a blast and quite a lot of effort - some shocking moments & good fortune shaped it to a satisfying tale. Very sorry to lose a pair of the more experienced pilots - Gaither & Atterley - they were shaping up nicely but at least Gaither will survive the war. Annoying to screw up the plane numbers but hey-ho, it made for a decent scrap in the end.

Uncle says:

Well done chaps, the Bull Terriers got the job done thanks to some good work and brilliant leadership from Lt Bull, well done that man. It cost us Bulldogs dearly though, we've lost two brave pilots - Young Phil Atterley has gone west but I'm told that Australian rascal Ali Gaither made a half decent pancake and is now in the custody of the Germans. I pity them but hope and expect he'll makes their lives miserable ! At least he bagged one of the blighter's before they got him.
Being made an ace seems to have agreed with Cam Paine as he added two to the bag and Reg Sole did the lads proud by knocking down his second so well done to them both - I think we should send a crate of beers over to the OR's mess to mark the occasion and as a reward for all the hard work they'll have to do to get some machines back into the air.
Replacements should be here pretty quick - I'm told we have another colonial coming to us - a 2Lt Percy Veer from South Africa and a chap from home 2Lt Evan Keel. We may get more depending on our next mission.
Time for a beer I think.

PS.
Good news from HQ 2Lt Christopher Cross is awarded the Military Cross & the Croix de Guerre with palm from our allies for his service to King, country and le Republic.
Likewise AM.2 Reginald Sole is awarded the Croix de Guerre with palm from our allies for his service to le Republic.

[ShadowDragon]

Can't wait for part 2. That's going to be interesting - just one scout plane as escort. Well done to get those photos back.

Those butcher's bill rolls were especially brutal - 2 KIA and 1 POW.

[flash]

Should get part 2 up tomorrow....

[Kustenjaeger]

Excellent stuff. Looking forward to Part 2.

Edward

[Stumptonian]

Some familiar looking action there, Dave.
I found the AA (or should I say it found me!) a definite problem in this mission.

I stayed above the AAMG because I did not want a repeat of the 'Star Wars mission' - especially so close to May the Fourth ...

I think I will follow your example and try to limit photos of some of the 'misses' in my AAR and just mention it in the script.
I have a hard time figuring out how to edit my stories down when there are so.many.photos. ....
I'm not as 'chuffed' with my score today - looks like I might be one point short of victory, assuming I am tallying it up correctly.
Still have my C&W / EETs to roll as well ....

[gully_raker]

Ye Gods! That was a bloody stouch Dave.
I am amazed you got back with some photos.
Looking forward to your follow up AAR but have some rep for Part 1.

[flash]

Thanks Baz, Bull escaped by the skin of his teeth & made it back in part 2 (in error) which has now been posted. Uncle will be along later..

[ShadowDragon]

Good job with part 2. That gave the Hun something to think about. I wouldn’t worry about the plane mix up. I will have to come around latter with rep for part 2.

Got my photos done but not the story. So later today or tomorrow. AA was only a nuisance for the RNAS; the only hit they got was one of their own it that’s they way Archie goes.

[gully_raker]

Great come back for your Doggies in Part 2 Dave.
Excellent work with the Bombing from that altitude.
Some Aussie Shiraz on its way from C Flight for your chaps to celebrate.

[flash]

Thanks Baz, I'm sure the boys would appreciate that - they'll drop the empties on the Hun trenches !!

[flash]

...I think I will follow your example and try to limit photos of some of the 'misses' in my AAR and just mention it in the script. have a hard time figuring out how to edit my stories down when there are so.many.photos. ....

Went back over my pics - and counted a dozen AAMG shots - 9 misses, 1 no effect & 2 damaging - in part one. There were none in part two due to alt.
There were 7 AAA shots - 2 misses, 2 close but no cigar and 3 damaging hits in part one; 6 shots with 5 misses & only 1 damaging hit in part two.
I reckon I saved almost a dozen pics from the AAR overall.

[mikeemagnus]

Wow Dave, that first part of the mission was a bit of a bash and no mistake. Good bye Gaither & RIP Atterley For a while there I didn't think you were going to get any photos home. Well done for that. Second half of the mission was a great deal better for the Bulldogs. Good to see that and it must have been a relief to see the captured Bebe go down A fine result for our boys and congrats on the gongs. Rep on the way

[flash]

Thanks Mike

[Teaticket]

Whew, what a ride. After the first struggle the encore was quite unexpected. Well done to the boys!