OTTCYM - Mission 5 - Going Solo - 5th August 1916 by flash

[flash]

"Looks like you had a rum time of it." Commented Uncle as 2nd Lieutenant Evan Keel jumped down from the cockpit nacelle of his rather battered DH.2
"I should say so, sir " chirped Keel glancing over the damaged machine.
"We were getting worried as you're the last one to get back. What on earth happened ?" continued Uncle.
"I'm not really sure sir"
"Well we know you got separated from the other chaps in the kerfuffle, what happened to you after that ?"
"Well sir, by the time I got myself the right way up after that second attack there wasn't a soul to be seen so I took a while to orient myself and when it was clear there was no-one else coming along I pushed off for home. I was just coming up on the lines when I spotted a gaggle of Huns heading more or less in the opposite direction.."


"They were quite strung out and didn't appear to have spotted me so I thought I'd have a crack at then as I passed. I slipped along then turned in and slipped left catching the last one at close range.."


"Well done" said Uncle "So how did you come by all these holes" indicating the sad looking DH.2
"Well sir, they took umbridge at me shooting them up I suppose and they all turned on me."
"Ye-es, they can be like that sometimes" said Uncle " So what happened then ?"
"Well, I slipped left hoping to turn in behind the one I'd shot up - I hit him Jolly hard you know - but he surprised me by turning away from me, his chum's , however, I saw were turning toward me.."


"Anyway, I still caught him with another dose of close range lead as I turned but could see I might get involved with the others too.."


"I was most surprised when the blighter whipped round and gave me what for as I took on his chum in the stripey Fokker... He did a bit of damage but the shooting stopped abruptly thankfully so I reckon his gun jammed - I think I damaged his wingman's tail when I emptied the rest of my pan into him "


"Sounds hairy" said Uncle as he pictured the action in his mind's eye.
"Not the half of it sir," blurted Keel, "as I was trying to change the pan and put some distance between us I ran lap bang into the rest of the flight ! I dodged the green Fokker but the red one and a blue biplane following it let fly at me. They must have been surprised as I was as there was no real damage and I think the red one jammed his gun"


"The blue biplane must be one of the new Halberstadts that have been cropping up recently" said Uncle thoughtfully. "So how did you get out of it ?"
"I didn't think I would to be honest - as I went past them the stripey Fokker had reversed and took a long range pot shot at me"


"Sadly that was just a sighter as his next one got me this." Showing Uncle the tear in his jacket and his wound. "Good Lord man, you should have said something" cried Uncle, turning to the nearest man he shouted "Get me the Medico, this man's been wounded."
"It's really just a scratch sir, I can't feel anything." said Keel.
"No sense, no feeling lad." smiled Uncle "Tell me the rest while we wait."


"There's not too much to tell, sir, I knew I had to get out of there but that was back through the pack so I just threw my crate round, taking a hit from the red Fokker as I did so..."


"I'd seen how they were lining up as I'd turned so just went hell for leather for a gap between them and for our side of the lines. I got a close squirt at the blue one as he did to me and I took some more knocks from the stripey Fokker as he cut in but the red Fokker couldn't get a bead on me. Just as well as the the old bus was just about done in and was blowing smoke"


"As I wiggled through I used the last of my second pan on the first Fokker I'd shot up but I think I missed him altogether this time.."


"But I must have distracted him or something for as I looked back over my shoulder I saw he ran slap bang into the stripey one and both Fokkers went down" Finished keel with a grim smile.


"I managed to slip past the green one at the back of the pack and then it was full speed for the barn before they could get round after me"


"By Jove, that's well done." said Uncle. " I'm not sure I can credit you with the victories as Jerry seems to have played on to his own wicket but taking on five Huns on your own is worth a mention to the powers that be that's for sure. Right, here comes the M.O. and his party, time for you to be off and me to write this up."
"I understand sir, thankyou" replied Keel.

Butcher's Tally:


Ltn Otto Hengl: (Halb D.II) - RTB 0 kills
Ltn Hans Eberhardt Gossner: (E.III Red) RTB 0 kills
Ltn Stefan Loerzer: (E.III Stripey) COL-FT 0 kills
Rolled 9 -2COL = 7 Injured - Skip 1D2 Scenario Rolled 4 = Skip 2 (WW)
Ltn Hugo Stark: (E.III green) - RTB 0 kills
Ltn max Manschott: (E.III Plain) - COL-FT 0 kills
Rolled 10 -2 COL = 8 Injured - Skip 1D2 Scenario. Rolled 1 = Skip 1 (W)


2Lt Evan Keel: FRTB-D / WIA / 0 kills
Rolled 9 +1RTB -1WIA = 9 All well when you land well.

Well what fun that was ! No special damage to send anyone home under the altered rules was a surprise too !
Called it a day as I was short on time and the objective was achieved if only by an own goal.
Keel won't get the kills or the ace skill as he didn't reach any of the goals through his shooting but I was happy with the result and a fine afternoon's action. Thanks Mike.