OTT CYM Mission 9 “Who’s Stalking Who?” 5 September 1916 - teaticket

[Teaticket]

Dawn Patrol

Lother had a funny feeling. Not a Ha-Ha funny, more a something is not right funny. Paul was flying just off to his left. They were approaching the front for their dawn patrol over their sector of the lines. The air was perfect for flying this morning, clear and still.

For at least a minute Lothar wasn’t sure what was wrong. Paul waved and smiled as they got closer to the lines. There was nothing to be seen in the sky along the lines. Nothing coming up from the French side. No clouds, no planes. This wasn’t like the French.

Finally it hit Lothar. He snapped his neck around to look behind.



“Scheiss”! There they were. A pair of Nieuports tailing him and Paul and closing. He fired off a quick burst to get Paul’s attention as he Immelmanned.

Lothar’s kept firing as he came out of his maneuver hoping to catch the Frenchman but failed.
The Frenchman was either a great shooter or very lucky as a round hit Lothar’s fuel line and a fire started.



Wolff reversed seconds after Lothar, catching the pilot of the silver N17 as he was replacing his Lewis drum. Unfortunately Wolff’s machine gun also jammed.
Joining the party, the green N17’s Lewis went silent after two rounds sailed under Wolff.



The two Frenchmen pass by Wolff and all three ignore each other as they worked on their weapons.
Lothar’s fire flared up a bit, and then quite a bit more.







As soon as all weapons were ready Wolff turned to take on the Frenchmen. One had taken a wide turn but the other reversed straight back to Wolff.

Wolff takes a close one but it’s only a scratch. His French target isn’t so lucky and his green Nieuport begins to burn.



Lothar smirks as he sees the Frenchman that set his Halb on fire now sprouting flames of his own.
“Thanks Paul”!



A few bullets fly but none fine their target. Must be all the smoke in the air.



Wolff gets in trouble with the silver N17 on his tail. Lothar does what he can to help Wolff.



The fires burn strong. The fire reaches Ochs’ fuel tank. The effect is immediate, and the result is bad.
Och’s Halberstadt falls like a brick.



The burst of flames must have distracted the Frenchman as he misses his shot. Wolff thankfully shakes Joubert and reassesses the situation.



Wolff spots the smoking St. Martin heading right at him. With Joubert temporarily out of position Wolff has to deal with St. Martin fast.



Wolff can’t believe it as another lucky bullet from St. Martin sets him on fire.



The two pass too close for comfort. Wolff pulls away to avoid crashing into the Nieuport.





The fires sputter with the Frenchman’s blowing out.



Wolff decides to stay on the green Nieuport hoping the silver one won’t be able to lock on to him.





It seems the green Nieuport pilot was thinking the same as Wolff. They turn so fast they are at point range in a blink of the eye. Wolff is not fooling around this pass and aims straight. His rounds find the cockpit and then the fuel tank.



St. Martin’s N17 can take no more and nosedives down towards a field below.



Now the last two pilots in the air, both wounded, have a difficult time guiding their planes to be able to shoot again. In their long clumsy dance in the sky Wolff’s fire dies out.







Wolff finally pulls the trigger. Sadly there seems to be no real damage. So the dance continues on and on. (2 wounded pilots are really clumsy as they can’t shoot on a steep maneuver, so several opportunities are missed.)







The Frenchman finally gets the upper hand and puts a new hole into Wolf’s Halberstadt.



They sail past each other with the same thought in mind. Get out far enough and Immelmann. It works…for one of them.









The damage to Wolff comes up just short of the last straw but Wolff’s bullets find a crucial spot and the Nieuport falls apart.

Wolff quickly looks around and finds he is alone in the sky. He circles a few times and finds Ochs burning wreck. As Ochs is walking away from the burning pile of wood and canvas that used to be an airplane he looks up and waves when he sees Wolff above.



Butcher’s Bill

Bouledogues de la Republique


Lt. Remy St. Martin FLM ET WIA 1 Kill
C 10 – 2(flm) -1(wia) = 7, injured, 4 = miss 2 Missions
E 7 – 1(wia) -1(wic) -1(flm) -1(bel) = 3, captured but escapes, 5 = miss 3 Missions


s/Lt Marcel Joubert FLM ET WIA 0 Kills
C 3 -2FLM -1WIA = 0 - KIA


Kaiser’s Eagles


Ltn Paul Wolff FRTB-D WIA 2 Kills
FRTB-D 5 & 2 lands ok.
C/W 7 +1RTB -1WIA = 7 Injured - Skip 1D2 Scenario, 5 = miss 2 Missions


Ltn Lothar Ochs EXP FT 0 Kills
C 7 -3EXP = 4 injured - Skip 1D6 Scenarios. 1 = Miss 1 Mission


Dawn Patrol 2 kills to 1 in favor of the Eagles.

[Teaticket]

Afternoon patrol

Obltn Konrad Dahl liked to keep his flying skills sharp and insisted on flying at least one patrol every day. HQ kept on pestering him to command the unit from the ground as his experience was invaluable. Risking it every day was not worth it in HQ’s eyes. Konrad knew though that to keep the respect of the unit he must put himself through the same risks he sends them on.
Reinhold Schäfer was next on the roster and flew as Konrad’s wingman. He was more than happy to fly with Konrad knowing he would not endanger them needlessly.

The two lifted off for an afternoon patrol. After hearing Paul Wolff’s report from the dawn patrol, they kept their eyes all over the sky knowing the French were a bit frisky today. They would not get caught off guard as the two self-claimed ‘best pilots’ of the Eagles had done earlier.

“We let them think they had us so we could take them down. They would have just run away if we had jumped them.” Paul and Lothar tried unsuccessfully to convince Konrad why they were attacked from behind.

“Was it worth the bruises Lothar”? Konrad tapped Lothar in the ribs. Lothar tried to hide his clenched teeth and Konrad went on, “It definitely wasn’t worth losing one of our Halberstadts now was it”?

“What? I downed the pair so we..” Konrad stopped Paul.
“You can complete the mission and still bring back our planes. We don’t have an endless supply. And we can’t afford to have any of you grounded for any amount of time. Think about that while we’re gone”.

Wolff and Ochs quietly watched as Konrad and Schäfer lifted from the earth.

The day had stayed clear, but a light breeze had started to come in from the west, as usual. As the pair of Eagles neared the lines, they couldn’t help but spot the pair of Nieuports crossing no-mans-land.





The French easily spotted the Eagles and turned to engage right over the German lines.



“Blast”! screamed Konrad. After hearing of the dawn patrol’s battle with fires he wondered if the French were using incendiaries.



Schäfer’s aim was spot on and he placed his burst right on the engine. Cordonnier immediately knew he was done with this fight and hoped he would be able to make it home.



The initial spray of bullets ended as all four scouts passes dangerously close to each other. One could have hopped from wing top to wing top across all four planes.



Konrad’s fire started to turn his Halberstadt from brown to black.



They parted quickly but the more nimble French turned first and were firing again before the Eagles were ready.





Schäfer reversed and traded blows like heavyweights with Porcher. Schäfer definitely took the worst of it with his Halberstadt now burning along with Konrad. The round that found him hurts like hell. Schäfer knows he must get back for medical attention post haste.



Konrad’s flames are heating up but Schäfer’s so far are not a worry.



Turning to avoid his flames Konrad notices too late the N17 bearing in on him. He turns to face the Frenchman but the faster Nieuport slips just beneath him out of his arc of fire.





Ouch! Schäfer ended last turn on an Immelmann so had to take damage for flying straight.



Porcher reverses on Schäfer’s tail but has his Lewis drum run empty at an inopportune moment.



Konrad sees the predicament Schäfer is in and does his best to chase off Porcher.



Konrad’s fire alarmingly flares up but somehow miraculously goes out! (had to use Konrad’s lucky pilot skill or he too would have to head home)



Both sides have an advantageous position they can’t cash in on. Konrad just can’t get the pesky N17 in arc while Porcher is fumbling with his ammunition drum.






By the time Porcher has his Lewis ready to fire again Schäfer is too far away to catch.





The fire finally blows out with little canvas left. Just enough to get Schäfer home, just enough.





Konrad thinks he had this Frenchman in the bag until his gun stops firing. This Frenchman will get home today by his pied de lapin chanceux. (lucky rabbit’s foot)(not so lucky for that rabbit)





Now it’s down to Konrad and Porcher. Nothing in their way so it shouldn’t take long for a decision on who will remain.



They engage at first opportunity but do little damage to each other. (Porcher uses his Perfet Aim skill but come up with a donut)



The dance begins and Konrad quickly gets the better position. His rounds eat away at the Nieuport’s control surfaces.







Just as before, thinking he has the Frenchman in the bag, another gun jam. Now, how to clear it and keep the upper hand in position?



Try as he might the slippery Frenchman work his way closer to his friendly lines.







Just as he clears his gun Konrad stalls hoping the Frenchman will fly in front of him. Porcher is no fool and also stalls, ending with Konrad in a punishing position.



Konrad’s Halberstadt has taken a beating and pulls off letting Porcher off the hook. (Or is he just trying to get of a hook of his own?)
Both he and Porcher nurse their severely damaged aircraft back home.





A messy encounter ending in a draw with all involved limping home with tails between their legs. One plane with engine damage and three planes down to their last point!


Butcher’s Bill

Bouledogues de la Republique


S/Lt. Lucien Cordonnier FRTB-E 0 Kills
FRTB-E 4 & 6, lands ok


Asp Andre Baux FRTB-D 0 Kills
FRTB-D 3 & 4, lands ok


Kaiser’s Eagles


ObLtn Konrad Dahl FRTB-D 0 Kills
FRTB-D 4 & 6, lands ok


Ltn Reinhold Schäfer WIA FRTB-W 0 Kills
FRTB-W 1 & 3 no total crash
C&W 8 +1RTB -1WIA = 8 - Injured - Skip 1D2 Scenario. roll 2 = miss 1 Mission

[camelbeagle]

Awesome Pete! The afternoon patrol looked like a real meat grinder! Everyone shot all to heck!

[malachi]

Quite a battle! Or quit a battle

I wonder what Paul and Lothar will have to say.

[ShadowDragon]

Well, Peter, with all of this fire around, perhaps your chaps are auditioning for the Human Torch job with the Fantastic Four.

Great job with the AAR - and, except for Joubert (RIP ), the pilots made back safe baring a scratch here and there. And...what was that Konrad had to say about bringing back the kites??? Well, I suppose he did...sort of, but likely those machines are write-offs. LoL

[Teaticket]

Quite a battle! Or quit a battle

I wonder what Paul and Lothar will have to say.

Well, Peter, with all of this fire around, perhaps your chaps are auditioning for the Human Torch job with the Fantastic Four.

Great job with the AAR - and, except for Joubert (RIP ), the pilots made back safe baring a scratch here and there. And...what was that Konrad had to say about bringing back the kites??? Well, I suppose he did...sort of, but likely those machines are write-offs. LoL

I think our supply depot has found a great source for fireproof flying kit. Either that our our Jasta wizard casts stone flesh on our pilots as they take off! Somehow we got back with minimal injury.

Konrad will get an ear full before next outing I'm sure.

[Stumptonian]

Nice victory for our Adler in the morning patrol, and Ochs is only out for one sortie.


The afternoon was definitely full of 'Factory Recalls' - has anyone had near that many FRTB ??
BTW I think you forgot to roll for Schäfer's WIA (?)
Hopefully 'tis but a scratch.

[Teaticket]

Nice victory for our Adler in the morning patrol, and Ochs is only out for one sortie.


The afternoon was definitely full of 'Factory Recalls' - has anyone had near that many FRTB ??
BTW I think you forgot to roll for Schäfer's WIA (?)
Hopefully 'tis but a scratch.

I guess I'm still confused when to roll. I thought all FRTB-Xs were rolled for doubles. If no doubles you land ok?

[Stumptonian]

You land OK but have to do the regular E&E roll when wounded.
You get to add +1 for landed safely, but -1 for WIA.

[Teaticket]

You land OK but have to do the regular E&E roll when wounded.
You get to add +1 for landed safely, but -1 for WIA.

Didn't think you rolled E&E when behind friendly lines.

[Stumptonian]

You always have to roll for WIA

[Teaticket]

Ok, will do.

So if WIA there is no need for a FRTB-W roll, just go straight to a C&W roll?

Since I rolled for FRTB I should just use that roll. My roll was a 1 & 3, a 4 -1(wia) -1(frtb) +1(trb = 3, injured, roll 2 = miss 2 Missions. Yes?

The FRTB roll explanation is a bit muddy. It should not have the W result if WIA goes straight to C&W roll.

[Stumptonian]

The FRTB roll is a separate "prerequisite" to see if the pilot crashes his plane.
If there is a crash you roll without the +1 landed safely modifier and use the -1 for WIA.
If there is no crash you get the +1 Landed Safely modifier but still have -1 for the WIA.

I will let Dave chip in, but that's how I understand it.

[Teaticket]

Ah, so you have double jeopardy and can fail both! Re-reading it several times again I see it now. Roll FRTB to see if you keep the +1 modifier or not.

So Schafer didn't crash with his 1 &3 but then will roll for C&W with the +1, got it!

Have to do Wolff too! Ugh, now 3 of 4 are OOA.

[Vagabond]

Was it Jerry Lee Lewis that said it, great balls of fire, another fire ridden story, well done to most of them for surviving the patrols, and another marathon game.

The Halberstadts are just too sturdy for the Nieuports, in the afternoon both of them would have gone down if taking the same damage level as the Nieuports. This isn't going to improve for a while and will only get worse when the 2 gun Albatrii make a concerted entry in the listings.

Well you're neck and neck with Mike on the charge to the finish line, well done for catching up so well.

[Teaticket]

Thanks John. I hope I've burned through the fire cards in my damage decks for a while.

N17s are nimble and a bit faster than the Halberstadts but a bit weaker. I hope to get a few Fokker D.IIIs in here before the Albatros. The way my poor Eagles have been handled I need all the help I can get.

Mike is charging on fast, it will be a neck and neck finish!

[gully_raker]

Well this mission is proving to be very hard on both pilots & aircraft!
Really enjoyed your 2 part AAR Peter. Lots of fire & destruction. Quite surprised most pilots survived by the skin of their teeth.
Have some rep for 2 enjoyable AAR's.

[milcoll73]

so whens the sequel; "look whos stalking 2"

[Teaticket]

so whens the sequel; "look whos stalking 2"

2 Who's stalking Whos were enough. We all know sequels usually aren't as good as the first so better to leave this one as a 2 off.

[flash]

A fine brace of games on show Peter, that last one was nasty but everyone made it out alive so that's something. There may be crow to be eaten over the wreckage brought home though.

Onkel says:

Well, a mixed bag of results on the day. 2 claimed, 1 lost, 2 trashed and 2 men on the bench.. I think we won - at least it seems the came off worse but we need to drink on it.

Meanwhile across the line:

S/Lt Guy Porcher was not available for combat (downed in mission 7) Asp Andre Baux was the pilot involved - if you want to adjust the tale.
Guy Porcher becomes A/Lt for the Bulldogs on his return to duty.


And you still rolled the C/W wrong !
FRTB - any cause - roll 2D6 - if you roll a double the plane crashes & you roll on the C/W table. inc +1RTB and -1FRTB modifiers.
If you don't roll a double the plane lands safely. No roll required UNLESS your pilot or crew are wounded
Then a standard C/W roll is made. no -1FRTB modifier included.

[mikeemagnus]

Wow Hot stuff and no mistake. We're going through a sharp cold spell just now so I was able to warm my hands on all of those burning aircraft. What a bundle. Great AAR as always Peter and as for the result - well I'm still not sure, but I'll drink to the victors whichever side they are on.