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Thread: OTT CYM Mission 6 – Dog Days of August – 11th August 1916 by teaticket

  1. #1

    Default OTT CYM Mission 6 – Dog Days of August – 11th August 1916 by teaticket

    Mission 6 report

    The German air attack warning system had failed at a critical moment. A fast moving rain storm covered the front so the ground observers were lax, not expecting any activity above. Reports were not relayed in the timely manner that the system depended upon to work. A French bombing raid flew north of the weather to cross deep behind the lines and then turned south, well past the Eagle’s sector. Warnings were given to units to the north and they were sent up. These units couldn’t find the French who had turned south well before they could get to altitude.

    The deep raid went off unhindered to the amazement of the French. They reached their objective, dropped their bombs and headed straight for home as the foul weather had blown clear of the sector of the front they were to pass through to get home. With the headwinds encountered, the formation began to be strung out with different plane types slowing more than others.

    Konrad Dahl picked up the ringing phone on his desk. He quickly straightened up, listening very carefully so not to miss anything. Before even getting up from his chair he was yelling out for his adjutant.

    The available pilots were quickly assembled, and a plan was laid out by Konrad. Not knowing exactly where the bombers were heading presented quite a problem. Scouts were to be spread out to cover the whole sector and attack any enemy bombers spotted heading west. This may lead to piece meal attacks, but it was the best way to at least spot and attack some of the enemy bombers on their return flight.

    The ground crews scrambled to ready planes for takeoff. Even as Konrad climbed into his cockpit the armorers were still frantically feeding belts of ammo into his Fokker. The Fokkers were still new so the crews weren’t comfortable yet for a fast readying. To Konrad the process seemed to take forever in his state of haste.
    “Am I good to go?” Konrad barked out at the crew working on his plane.
    “Ya”. Answered a nervous looking armorer, who quickly scurried away.
    The chocks were pulled, the wings were set free and Konrad was bounding across the field till he was airborne. He was the first one up. As he circled the airfield gaining altitude, he watched several others take off before he headed east.


    First to spot the French was Paul Wolff. Eager to let go of his cursed Fokker E.IV, he happily tried on a Fokker D.II. He felt, or hoped, this new biplane would surely outperform the old eindecker.
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    Reinhold Schäfer spotted the same French stragglers and came in from the opposite direction from Wolf.
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    Wolf headed for the lead aircraft, a Caudron G.4. It’s forward gunner could fire to the rear awkwardly over the head of the pilot. A long-range exchange inflicted little damage.
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    Schäfer attacked from the front and the French gunner quickly repositioned to face him. Schafer cursed as his gun jammed in it’s first rounds fired.
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    Wolf misses on his second attack, distracted by the Nieuport firing on him.
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    Wolff slips under the Nieuport to avoid it’s guns but cuts his maneuver a little too close for comfort.
    The surprised observer sprays bullets wildly after Wolff’s passing just meters beneath the Nieuport.
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    With no incoming fire the French observer punishes Schäfer as he flies past.
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    Konrad reaches the battle and attacks from the Caudron’s 10 O’Clock.
    “What the hell”? His own rounds bounce off of his face as they fail to feed properly into his machine gun. He desperately works to realign the belt to it’s proper position.
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    Wolff Immelmanns and fires off a burst with a lucky round (if you are not French) setting the Nieuport on fire. (not sure why Uteau did not shoot back, guess the fire distracted him!)
    The fire is annoying but not deadly so far.
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    Konrad somehow keep out of the French firing arcs while working on his malfunctioning weapon.
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    Konrad hugs the tail of the Nieuport to keep hidden from it’s rear gun but Soucy in the Caudron ahead is not fooled. His shot is difficult as he does not want to hit his friends.
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    Uteau waits for Konrad to clear his tail and tries but fails to place rounds into the Fokker.
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    The trio of Eagles now begin the chase, hoping to catch the French before they escape.
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    Little do they notice another Caudron G.4 coming up behind them.
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    The nuisance fire continues.
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    Schäfer, like Konrad, has trouble with his machine gun failing to work properly. To add to his trouble, smoke blows into his face as he tries to clear the jammed round.
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    Out of nowhere a Nieuport 11 charges into the Eagle formation. Wolf is ready and wounds the Frenchman but not without sustaining severe damage to his aircraft.
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    Uteau keeps up firing at the now smoking Fokker but his pilot’s erratic flying makes it almost impossible to score a hit.
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    As the N11 roared straight at Wolff, Wolff evades with a violent maneuver almost hitting Schäfer.
    A quick look over Wolff’s shoulder, he sees the Nieuport pilot slumping down in the cockpit with only his back showing above the rim.
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    The lead Caudron has had a break from the fight but the Eagles are not about to give up the chase.
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    The fire whimpers out. It could have been a lot worse, but the damage is real.
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    Uteau, now with a clear view and steadier ride, plunks a round into Schäfer.
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    Schäfer, finally able to fire again, exchanges accurate blows with Uteau.
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    Marie Dubois, clutching his arm, flies home leaving the bombers on their own.
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    Trying to regain his bearings now that the fire is out, Lyon finds himself face to face with a pair of Hun Fokkers.
    Paul Wolff’s itchy trigger finger pulls first and rips into the fire charred Nieuport.
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    Lyon returns fire into Wolff but receives more incoming from Schäfer and Konrad.
    Konrad’s acurate rounds are more than the Nieuport can take. It noses up before gently gliding down into the French countryside below.
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    Konrad finally gets into range of the leading Caudron, but was it worth it?
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    Wolf also joins in on the hunt drawing off fire as Konrad slips behind the Caudron’s wide tail.
    The Caudron bursts into flames as it takes a brutal blow from Konrad.
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    The fire isn’t kind to this French aircraft.
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    Just before reaching to point where the Eagles have to break off the final blows fall.
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    Konrad delivers more than the Caudron can take. It falls to the ground leaving a black column of smoke following it’s demise. Konrad’s second killing of the day.
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    Konrad is left alone as Schäfer and Wolff have to leave due to damage or wounds.

    One more Caudron is spotted by Konrad. It had done well not to be noticed while all attention was focused on the lead Caudron and Nieuport.
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    Konrad carefully approaches the last bomber.
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    Coming in fast from a position where the gunner can’t fire back, Konrad feels good that this could be his third for the day. Just as he gets into range he slowly pulls the trigger. Nothing!
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    Konrad can’t believe his eyes as the Caudron looms within touch and he is unable to fire.
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    Staying just under the bomber Konrad thinks he has time to fix a jam.
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    To his bewilderment there is no round jammed in the breech. There are no rounds left to fire! How could this be? Oh yes, there was a problem 15 minutes ago. How many did he lose at the engagement’s beginning and why? There will be a long discussion with the armorers later today.
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    Konrad watched the French Caudron fly home with no means to stop it. He saluted to it’s crew and also flew for home.
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    Butcher’s Bill

    Entente

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    Sgt. Marie Dubois: FRTB-W WIA 0 Kills
    FRTB 4 & 3 landed ok
    Rolled 5 +1RTB -1WIA = 5 - Injured Roll D3. Rolled 6 = Skip 3

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    Lt. Maurice Lyon: SD ET 0 Kills
    C 9 -1(sd) = 8 injured, 2 = miss 1 mission
    E 6 -1(wic) -1(bel) = 4 captured but escaped! 1 = Miss 1 Mission

    Cpl. Basil Uteau: SD ET 0 Kills
    C 5 -1(sd) = 4 injured. 1 = Miss 1 Mission
    E 11 -1(wic) -1(bel) = 9 made it home ok!


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    S/Lt. Jacques Rosseau: FLM ET 0 Kills
    C 6 -2(flm) = 4 injured. 6 = Miss 6 Missions
    E 10 -1(wic) -1(flm) -1(bel) = 7 landed but miss 1 mission

    Sgt. Herve Soucy: FLM ET 0 Kills
    C 7 -1(sd) = 6 injured. 4 = miss 2 missions
    E 3 -1(wic) -1(flm) -1(bel) = 0 Captured!


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    Lt. Etienne Martin: RTB 0 Kills
    Cpl. Louis Robert: RTB 0 Kills

    Eagles

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    Ltn. Reinhold Schäfer: FRTB/D WIA 0 Kills
    FRTB 6 & 1 landed ok.
    C/W Rolled 11 -1WIA +1RTB = 11 All well when you land well


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    Ltn. Paul Wolff: FRTB/D 0 Kills
    FRTB 4 & 3 OK


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    ObLtn. Konrad Dahl: RTB 2 Kills
    Last edited by flash; 01-14-2021 at 15:38. Reason: Tally adjust

  2. #2

    Default

    Konrad Dahl has his day and the Eagles squeak out a win.

    Eagles points

    Downed tandem 2x 3 = 6 points
    Scout FRTB 1 1 point
    Total 7 points

    Bouledogues points

    Downed scouts 0
    Scouts FRTB 2 x 1 = 2 points
    Tandem reaching home +3 points
    Total 5 points

  3. #3

  4. #4

    Default

    Nice one, Peter!
    Congratulations to our Adler.


    That first Caudron crew certainly needed a bit more luck!
    From almost free to down in flames, severe injury and capture.
    I guess all the luck went to the last one.

    We must send some of our armourers back to training class - mine have not been as bad as yours, but still ...


    Nice to see those Fokkers in more than a 'tease' this time.

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stumptonian View Post
    Nice one, Peter!
    Congratulations to our Adler.


    That first Caudron crew certainly needed a bit more luck!
    From almost free to down in flames, severe injury and capture.
    I guess all the luck went to the last one.

    We must send some of our armourers back to training class - mine have not been as bad as yours, but still ...


    Nice to see those Fokkers in more than a 'tease' this time.
    Thanks. Yeah, that poor Caudron sure took it all just before it was about to escape. That said, I think we need inherent bullet checkers!

    I see Dave now has a Fokker D.III. Hmmmm, when will my Shapeways order land?

  6. #6

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    Thanks for the AAR, Peter. A fun read and a real slug-fest even if some of the slugs were flying backwards into the faces of pilots. Really nice to see your Fokker's in action; although they seem a bit jammy for my liking. Maybe the armorers will sort that out for the next mission. Still all in all the crew are back reasonably safe and sound and Konrad has 2 kills to add to his score. Lagers at the mess....

  7. #7

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    Great stuff Peter. Well thought out scenario. Good looking custom planes. Nice documentation of the story too. Everything an enthusiast could want. Bravo!

  8. #8

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    Very well done Peter, splendid action tale and a slim victory but your boys worked hard for it

    Onkel says:

    We count that as a victory - just; at least a couple of French planes won't be bothering the rear area again !
    We have good reason to celebrate though:
    ObLtn Konrad Dahl is awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class for his third victory with the double today
    Last edited by flash; 01-14-2021 at 15:44.

    "He is wise who watches"

  9. #9

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    Very well done Peter, splendid action tale and a slim victory but your boys worked hard for it

    Onkel has stalled - Did Dubois & Schäfer crash on landing ?
    It's not clear but you have included -1FRTB in their C/W calculation which you should only do if they crashed but it's not mentioned so cannot tell if an error or deliberate.


    Still Held for Onkel
    Maybe I should read through the rules again...I thought if you were WIA you had to roll for a crash landing....Just did. That 2 die roll again.

    Dubois rolled 4 & 3, Schafer 6 & 1 so both landed safely. Butcher's Bill edited.
    Last edited by Teaticket; 01-14-2021 at 10:00.

  10. #10

    Thumbs up

    That was a thrilling AAR Peter & a close run thing.
    Loved to see those Fokker Biplanes in action. Very nice paint jobs too!
    Luck certainly played her part & your armourers need to get retrained.

    Rep inbound.

  11. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by Teaticket View Post
    Maybe I should read through the rules again...I thought if you were WIA you had to roll for a crash landing....Just did. That 2 die roll again. Dubois rolled 4 & 3, Schafer 6 & 1 so both landed safely. Butcher's Bill edited.
    Yeah, maybe you should.
    In a nutshell; if your pilots are FRTB-E/W/F/D.. Roll2D6 - They crash on a double.
    If they crash - roll for the C/W result inc +1RTB and -1FRTB modifiers.
    If they don't crash - they stuck the landing & no c/w roll required unless they're WIA.

    Dubois & Schäfer landed ok but were WIA so had to roll for that as normal but no -1FRTB modifier as they didn't crash.
    Schäfer was ok as he rolled 11 ? Dubois was out for 3, not 6, as he rolled 5 modified.

    "He is wise who watches"

  12. #12

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    Nice one Peter, the Fokkers look great you did a good job on the stripes are they decals? I like to see the planes with a uniform look to them, of course I like to see them as individuals as well.

  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by Vagabond View Post
    Nice one Peter, the Fokkers look great you did a good job on the stripes are they decals? I like to see the planes with a uniform look to them, of course I like to see them as individuals as well.
    Thanks John. The Fokker stripes are hand painted. I didn't have any black decal stripes that tapered down. I tried to cut one but it was beyond my ability with scissors and quickly put then away.

  14. #14

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    Pete, those stripes are quite amazing. More patience than I have. Lovely.

  15. #15

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    Good fight that one Peter. Congrats to Konrad Dahl. Tasty looking Fokker DII he flew too Well fought and a delight to read - thanks.

    Rep gun jammed - sorry; and with quite a few of yours to read through its going to be difficult to do them all justice I think - but I shall try



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