Returning from dawn patrol after a fruitless search for the enemy 2Lt Cameron Paine in a shiny new silver Nieuport 17 & F/Sgt Robert Pynne in a cammo Nieuport 16 marked D come across a pair of eagles heading to the front. They have the advantage, being slightly above and behind their targets at their five o'clock.
There's something odd about the nearer machine ... what is that ?
Pynne dives in but doesn't have the range, he slips lower hoping it's enough but the odd type has been alerted and turns into his attack - Gawd but he's quick...
Paine pushes on after the Halberstadt, flown by Ltn Max Manschott, who finally twigs there's a problem and breaks left when he sees the silver Nieuport dropping in above and behind him.
Pynne hauls his N.16 right in a hope he can get on the other type that is quickly reefing round him.
The chase is on ! The Halberstadt seems to have outfoxed Paine and Pynne can only hope he can out turn the faster Hun as he certainly won't catch him otherwise.
Paine throws his machine into an Immel - he's lucky as he catches the Halberstadt as it turns in after him and sets it on fire but it scores a solid hit itself.
The strange machine has turned on his pursuer and stalled - Pynne opens fire as he turns in the meet the threat -
'What the.. the blighter's got two spandaus !' Rounds crash through the fragile Nieuport 16, more pour in from that of the flaming Halberstadt as it seeks to avoid Paine's attention.
Paine gets in a long range effort at the strange new machine as he passes Pynne and the Halberstadt close aboard (it was a 4 but somehow I lost the card in the shot ! )
Though his next, final burst from that pan was less successful
Pynne catches a packet from the flaming Halberstadt at close range as they fly a switch back for position.
The damage is not bad but enough to send Pynne on his way home.
For a moment Ltn Raven Busse, the pilot of the new Albatros D.I machine, thinks he's dead as he sets to cross the nose of the silver Nieuport but much to his relief he sees the pilot is working to reload his Lewis gun.
Paine, gun now reloaded, gets a smashing view of the new type as Busse throws it into a reversal, Paine noses up and pumps another burst into it and knocking some lumps from it's tail..
Having found some space Pynne takes the chance to leave the battle space before his machine's integrity is fully compromised
Seeing his opponent leave Manschott turns his attention toward the other enemy machine - he is surprised to find it heading straight for him and they exchange fire - both scoring hits but no serious damage
As Paine closes he gets another chance at close range - he empties his drum but to his dismay the Halberstadt appears unaffected
Paine breaks right, reversing his turn and reloads his gun as the enemy jockey for position.
After more circling, close shave passes and a reversal by Paine the game is soon back on
Paine trades blows with the Halberstadt as it races in; his gun jams in the process.
He presses on after the new type, hoping to keep it in front of him while he clears the jam.
Both Huns reverse their turns with a hope of getting back onto the Paine's Nieuport but he had another idea and breaks out of the circle...
..Hooking back with a reversal catching the Halberstadt as it passes beneath him and damaging it's controls.
Turns out it's enough to send Manschott packing.
As he pulls out Paine runs straight into the new type and they exchange greetings as expected - the twin guns wreak more havoc upon the Nieuport and Paine, his gun empty, is also forced to retire from the battle.
A near miss with his opponent gives him a chance and Paine soon dives away from the fight leaving his supposed victims to make their way home.
Butcher's Tally
AM Patrol
Eagles
Ltn Max Manschott: (Halberstadt) FRTB-D 0 kills
Rolled double 4... crashed on landing when his undercart collapsed.
Rolled 11 -1FRTB +1RTB = All's well when you crash land well !
Ltn Raven Busse: (Albatros D.I) RTB 0 kills
Bulldogs
F/Sgt Robert Pynne: (Nieuport 16 D) FRTB-D 0 kills
Rolled 5,2 landed OK.
2Lt Cameron Paine: (Nieuport 17) FRTB-D 0 kills
Rolled 2,1 Landed OK. I flew as Paine.
***********************************************************************
Afternoon Sortie:
Later that day 2lt Percy Veer & 2lt Evan Keel in Nieuport 16's F & J respectively come across a brace of Fokker's in a very similar position to that of the Dawn Patrol.
They instantly dive into action, Veer has the range and his Lewis chatters it's song of destruction it's missiles finding the nearest Fokker's engine
He's up for a scrap and seeing his wingman is out of position Veer pushes straight on and empties his ammo into the second machine
Veer's target on the left promptly Immels, the other, trailing a thin trail of smoke from it's damaged engine, breaks right as Keel sets himself to the pursuit.
The slippery Fokker's leave the Bulldog's in their wake.
The damaged Fokker makes use of the separation and escapes toward home. Veer breaks left as his opposition breaks right in the background
Veer and the Fokker complete the circle with an exchange of compliments - Veer coming off distinctly second best as his engine blows smoke & his controls are damaged.
They both reverse their turns and within seconds Veer unleashes the killer blow that takes the Fokker out..
Butcher's Tally:
PM Patrol
Eagles:
Ltn Kurt Bertram Drekman: (plain E.III) FRTB-E 0 kills
Rolled 6,3 landed safely.
Ltn Hugo Stark: (striped E.III) SD-EXP-ET 0 kills
Rolled 11 -3EXP = 8 Injured - Skip 1D2 Scenario Rolled 5 = skip 2
E&E Rolled 7 -1EXP -1WIC -1BEL = 4 Captured and escaped! - Skip 1D3 Scenarios Rolled 5 = skip 3
Bulldogs:
2lt Percy Veer: (N.16-F) RTB 1 Kill (1 FRTB)
2lt Evan Keel: (N.16-J) RTB 0 kills
Well a similar start but a very different outcome... I flew Keel and didn't get a look in - Veer really got the bit between his teeth and snatched the win.
Victory Points:
1 point for each of your aircraft that successfully Return to Base.
2 points for each enemy aircraft shot down.
1 point for each enemy aircraft FRTB.
AM: Bulldogs: 1 Point for Eagle FRTB, 2 Points for 2 x RTB = 3 Points.
Eagles : 2 Points for 2 x Bulldogs FRTB, 2 Points for 2 x RTB = 4 Points.
Eagles Win
PM: Bulldogs: 1 Point for Eagle FRTB, 2 points for Eagle shot down. 2 Points for 2 x RTB = 5 Points
Eagles : 1 Point for 1 x RTB = 1 Point
Bulldogs win
Honours even in matches over the day, on points per game, but with a kill for them I think the Bulldogs could claim the day and as they have an overall points win on the day.
Well a slightly frustrating yet fun day's outing over the trenches, a lot to take from this to set up these kind of games.
Thanks Pete for the ideas & the double game !
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