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Thread: OTT-CYM Mission 8 – “Formation Flying” - 26 August 1916 {Stumptonian}

  1. #1

    Default OTT-CYM Mission 8 – “Formation Flying” - 26 August 1916 {Stumptonian}


    Adler Airfield Briefing Tent

    Oberleutnant Bernhard Wienand is describing the upcoming mission to four of his pilots.

    Der Feind wendet neue Taktiken für seine Bomberformationen an.
    < The enemy is using new tactics for their bomber formations.

    “Sie fliegen in einer Diamant Formation, vier Flugzeuge pro Einheit.“
    < They fly in a diamond formation, four planes per unit. >

    “Dies gibt ihnen viele Feuerfelder.“
    < This gives them many fields of fire >

    „Es gibt genau eine solche Gruppe, die sich von Westen her nähert. Wir müssen sie daran hindern, ihr Ziel zu erreichen.“
    < There is just such a group approaching from the west. We need to stop them from reaching their target.”

    “Pass auf! Versuchen Sie, wenn möglich von der Seite anzugreifen.“
    < Take care! Try to attack from the side if possible.>

    “Das ist alles, meine Herren. Viel Glück!“
    < That is all, gentlemen. Good luck! >

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    The four Halberstadt D.III pilots see the enemy approaching: Ltn Felix Eisenhardt in the CDL one, Ltn Till Huebner in the dark brown, and Leutnants Burkhard Baumann and Dietrich Oelker in a pair of camoflaged ones.

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    Their targets are the new Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutters*

    The lead aircraft is flown by 2Lt Douglas Winterbottom, with AM3 Frank Wilkinson in the rear seat.
    The left flank is covered by Lt Alan Wood and AM1 Patrick Francis.
    The right flank has 2Lt Charlie Hall and AM3 Billy Holder.
    And bringing up the rear we find 2Lt Arthur Raymond and AM3 John Morris.

    *Note: I had to use two Comics as ‘stand-ins’ for the 2-seater Strutters


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    Huebner mutters to himself “Keine einfachen BE.2s mehr …” < No more easy BE.2s >

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    Baumann and Oelker prepare to strike.

    The group had all determined to approach the enemy from an angle, hoping to avoid the forward-firing Vickers and the Observer’s Lewis.

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    Tikka tikka tikka
    First blood to Baumann, who gets a solid hit on Wood’s Strutter.

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    Next up, Felix Eisenhardt.
    Tikka Tikka Tikka
    Wilkinson sees bits of fabric ripped from the lower left wing.

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    Da da da da
    Wilkinson’s Lewis comes to bear on Huebner.

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    Tikka tikka Tikka tikka
    Huebner’s sniper skill does some major damage to Wood, while Woods Vickers return fire is barely noticeable.

    Baumann’s timing is off and must make a quick maneuver to avoid slamming into the Strutter.

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    Tikka tikka
    Raymond tries to help but his shots do no noticeable damage.

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    Tikka tikka tikka

    Eisenhardt chooses a new target and his bullets rip through Hall’s Sopwith, damaging the rudder controls.
    Not that Hall will notice for a while as the group sticks with the planned formation.

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    Tikka tikka
    Eisenhardt is caught in a vice, but Raymond’s Vickers causes no damage.
    Luckily for him he is Wilkinson’s blind spot.

    Da da da da
    Morris fires at Baumann and does some minimal damage, but
    BOOM!

    Baumann has hit Raymond’s fuel tank!

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    One down!
    Baumann has kill number three.

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    Da da da da
    Francis hits Huebner and sees oily smoke start to stream from the Halberstadt.
    Huebner is too concerned with avoiding Baumann to notice at the moment …

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    Eisenhardt closes in on Hall and Holder.
    Tikk ….

    “Um Gottes Willen!”
    Eisenhardt’s gun has seized!

    Da da da da
    “Ach nein! Feuer!”


    Holder has started a fire with his Lewis.
    “Have that ye bar steward!”

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    Da da da
    Wilkinson adds to Eisenhardt’s troubles.

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    Da da da
    Lewis ends the day for Oelker!

    “Gott im Himmel”


    Oelker’s Argus engine immediately loses power.
    “Ich habe noch keinen Schuss abgegeben!“
    < I haven‘t fired a shot yet! >

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    Da da da
    The bark of Holder’s Lewis brings even more trouble for Eisenhardt.

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    Luckily for Eisenhardt the fire seems to be under control.

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    The Strutters pull away from the Adler.

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    Eisenhardt weaves from side to side, Huebner streams black smoke, Oelker is looking for an exit and Baumann struggles to catch up with the Strutters.
    Things are not looking great for the Eagles at the moment ….

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    Oelker starts to turn away from the chase.
    He signals to Baumann that he has to leave the battle.

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    Eisenhardt’s movements seem to be keeping the flames down.

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    Tikka Tikka
    Eisenhardt takes an opportune shot at the Strutter.

    Da da da
    Hall returns the favour and empties his drum.

    Nada nada
    Neither sees any damage for their effort.

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    “Vorsicht!”
    < Watch out! >

    Eienhardt nearly clips Baumann while focused on the flames.

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    Other than the drone of multiple engines, the air is silent.

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    “Nein!”

    Eisenhardt’s flames flare up ….. But just as suddenly, stop.

    Gott sei Dank dafür …”
    < Thank God for that >

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    Tikka Tikka
    Eisenhardt can finally focus on the task at hand.

    Hall’s rudder controls are damaged some more.
    Holder has swapped his Lewis drum and prepares to shoot.

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    Tikka tikka
    And again!

    Hall has no idea his rudder is badly damaged.

    Da da d …
    The air is blue with profanities as Holder’s only just reloaded Lewis jams!

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    Oelker does some cursing of his own as he leaves the area with nothing to show for his day’s outing but a damaged engine.
    The C.O. will not be happy.
    „Wienand wird mit mir nicht glücklich sein....“

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    Tikka tikka
    Making up for lost time, Eisenhardt really gives Hall and Holder what for.

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    Tikka tikka
    Like a Rottweiler on a rat, Eisenhardt stays on the Strutter.
    “Rauche” he muses to himself as he sees smoke.

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    The Rottweiler has broken the rat’s neck and the Strutter slips to earth, narrowly avoiding both a water landing and some warehouses.
    Things don’t look good for Hall and Holder.

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    Tikka tikka
    Huebner has finally got within range of Wood and Francis.
    Another Sopwith sustains unrealized rudder damage.

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    Da da ... click
    Francis empties his Lewis drum and misses with his return fire.

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    Tikka tikka
    Huebner hits the Strutter again and braces for return fire that is not forthcoming.

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    That last burst was the final nail in the coffin.
    Wood brings his aircraft down near a railway embankment.

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    And then there was one.

    Huebner signals his wingmen.
    With fuel levels dangerously low, they must turn about and return to base.

    Tantalizingly close, the three Adler see their prey slip away.

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    One may have got away, but the Adler think Wienand will be happy to hear that each of the returning pilots has added a kill to his tally.

    “Getränke heute Abend rundum in der Messe!“
    < Drinks all round in the mess tonight >


    Butcher’s Tally

    Bulldogs

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    Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter

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    Pilot: 2Lt Arthur Raymond EXP ET
    C&W: 8 -3 EXP = 5: INJ 1D3(4) : Skip 2
    E&E: 2 -1 BEL -1 EXP -1 WIC = -1 : Captured! “The War is Over for this pilot.”

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    Observer: AM3 John Morris EXP ET
    C&W: 9 -3 EXP = 6: INJ 1D3(6) : Skip 3
    E&E: 4 -1 BEL -1 EXP -1 WIC = 1 : Captured! “The War is Over for this airman.”

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    Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter

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    Pilot: 2Lt Charles Hall SD ET
    C&W: 6 -1 SD = 5: INJ 1D3(6) = Skip 3
    E&E: 4 -1 BEL -1 WIC = 2: Captured! “The War is Over for Charlie Hall”

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    Observer: AM3 William “Billy” Holder SD ET
    C&W: 5 -1 SD = 4: INJ 1D6(5) = Skip 5
    E&E: 5 -1 BEL -1 WIC = 3: Captured and Escaped – Skip 1D3(3) = Skip 2
    Total: Skip 5 “Although he managed to get away from his captors, his wounds were serious and will force him to miss the remainder of this campaign.”

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    Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter

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    Pilot: Lt Alan Wood SD ET
    C&W: 10 -1 SD = 9 :“Not even a flesh wound!”
    E&E: 3 -1 BEL = 2 : “Captured! The War is Over for Lt Wood”

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    Observer: AM1 Patrick Francis
    C&W: 8 -1 SD = 7 : INJ 1D2(2) = Skip 1
    E&E: 9 -1 BEL -1 WIC = 7 : “Almost Home!” : Skip 1
    Total: Skip 1

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    Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter

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    Pilot: 2Lt Douglas Winterbottom RTB

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    Observer: AM3 Frank Wilkinson RTB

    Adler

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    Halberstadt D.III

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    Ltn Till Huebner RTB 1 Kill (Wood/Francis)

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    Halberstadt D.III

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    Ltn Felix Eisenhardt RTB 1 Kill (Hall/Holder)

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    Halberstadt D.III

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    Ltn Burkhard Baumann RTB 1 Kill (Raymond/Morris)

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    Ltn Dietrich Oelker FRTB-E

    Victory Points

    Bulldogs

    1 Bomber exits: 2 pts

    Adler
    3 Bombers shot down: -6 points

    Adler Victory!


    ==============================
    Well I was surprised to pull a victory out of that.


    It started off well but then turned south on me when Eisenhardt first drew 0/0 w/ Gun Jam and then caught fire (flying the CDL Halb for the absent Giesebrecht – maybe that’s his problem?)
    and then to top it off, Oelker drawing engine damage.

    I started getting déjà vu


    It was a slow creep to catch up with the Strutters.
    Without the scenario’s obligatory stall each turn they would have all escaped.

    It was an interesting mission, John, albeit a tough one for my Entente crews.


    My E&E rolls were godawful!

    5 Bulldogs out for the duration.
    Sorry, Dave.
    Last edited by Stumptonian; 10-11-2020 at 15:42.

  2. #2

    Thumbs up

    That did not go well for the Strutters but your Eagles had a field day albeit with a bit of a hiccup with a fire & engine damage.
    Well done Pete!
    Have some Rep for your efforts!

  3. #3

    Default

    The Eagles had the luck of the draw during that first pass - those Bulldogs must have thought they'd loaded blanks !
    Well played Pete, that shows how it should be done. Better in the bag than in the ground I think as far as the pilots are concerned !

    Onkel says:

    Wunderbar ! The tactics worked. An enemy formation all but destroyed und a victory for all there at the death is some cause for celebration. Hard luck Oelker but rather bullets in the engine than yourself - at least you could get home to fight another day; your time and Iron cross will come.

    Ltn Felix Eisenhardt und Ltn Burkhard Baumann are each awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class for their third victories on this day

    Now, lets run up their Mess bill... Prosit!


    Meanwhile across the lines...

    Lt Douglas Winterbottom takes command of the Bulldog tandems on his promotion from 2Lt and is awarded the Military Cross for his services to King & country (5 missions)

    AM1 Patrick Francis is awarded an overdue Military Medal for his victories and service to King & country as well as the Croix de Guerre avec silver star (2 kills & 4 missions)

    AM3 John Morris (now POW) is awarded the Military Medal for his services to King & country (5 missions)

    2Lts Alfred Shepherd & Lindsay Moore arrive as replacement Bulldog pilots (P2)
    Last edited by flash; 10-12-2020 at 08:48.

    "He is wise who watches"

  4. #4

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    2Lts Alfred Shepherd & Lindsay Moore arrive as replacement Bulldog pilots (P2)
    Thanks, Dave.
    It was tough to see so many heading for 'camp'.

    Through sheer luck I see that two survivors are Bulldogs with past kills recorded.

  5. #5

    Default

    Well done, Pete. Yours was similar to mine except I couldn’t catch the two escaping bombers in my run. I didn’t have German 2-seaters slower than my Nieuport 11.

  6. #6

    Default

    What awful dice rolling for your E&E Pete but your tactics paid off handsomly. The Halberstadts are tougher birds than the Nieuports which helped Eisenhardt but it would still have brought victory to your Eagles.

    The Bulldogs seem to have collected a hat full of medals for their troubles and will have to rethink their formation flying practices.

    Great report

    Rep gun jammed I'm afraid.
    Last edited by Vagabond; 10-17-2020 at 21:29.

  7. #7

    Default

    Thanks, John.

    We really must get new weapons for our REP distribution ...

  8. #8

    Default

    Yep, liked that one Pete. The initial angled approach was my choice too, aiming for blind spots. Didn't like the rear attack approach because of speed and the fact I didn't want to play altitude. The early draw of damage cards was similar too, although mine mostly went against the two seaters and the two seaters also drew a lot of gun jams which helped my lot enourmously. Well done on shooting down three of your opponents. That was well beyond my guys and that gave you a great result. Well played.

    I do think the diamond formation is strong though and ordinarily I'm sure it would go against attckers in real life, unless the latter could get beneath them.

    Rep gun jammed for you right now, but I'll be back Now unjammed - inbound
    Last edited by mikeemagnus; 03-11-2021 at 09:59.

  9. #9

    Default

    Well done Pete. What's the Luck of the Irish equivalent for the Germans? Whatever it is you have it and those RFC boys won't forget. Especially all the ones spending the the next few years in 'camp'.

    I couldn't catch the lot and 2 got away so good to see an Alder victory!



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