19 September 1916
Two Roland C.II are concentrating on finishing their strafing runs over the British trenches and have not noticed a trio of Nieuport N.17s approaching from their 5 o’clock.
To the east a pair of Albatros D.IIs are nearing No Man’s Land on another routine patrol, looking for ‘targets of opportunity’.
The lead Roland is flown by Fwbl Lukas Himmel-Spaziergänger with Observer/Gunner Ltn Roland-Reinhart Dietrich-Daimler.
Following close behind in the camouflaged C.II are pilot Ltn Justus Raucheisen with his usual partner, Ltn Max Jungbauer.
Also unseen by the Roland crews, another Nieuport has been flying Overwatch in the area.
Acting Lieutenant Charles Gordon has spotted the Rolands and is planning his attack.
Just as he was about to take on the Rolands, Gordon notices movement to his 11:00
The Albatros D.IIs have arrived on the scene.
The yellow machine is flown by Adler ace Ltn Günther Giesebrecht, whose 13 confirmed kills lead the Jasta.
His wingman in the camouflaged livery preferred by the famous Oswald Boelcke, is the Jasta’s ace holding the second-highest tally, with 11 victories, Ltn Till Huebner.
The Germans have not yet noticed the Nieuport.
They are all at roughly the same altitude.*
*Level 4
Back over the trenches, the Nieuports jockey for position.
Aussie 2Lt Stan Pateman gets ready to pounce, while fellow Australian 2Lt Percy Herbert maintains his heading, followed just slightly behind by ‘Pommie’ 2Lt Richard Glen.
* The Nieuports are at Level 3 – the Rolands at Level 2
Himmel-Spaziergänger gets Raucheisen’s attention and the Rolands turn toward the German lines.
Jungbauer and Dietrich-Daimler have still not seen the Nieuports.
Across the lines, Gordon flies at Giesebrecht and both pilots fire their weapons.
Tikka tikka Da da da
The deeper sound of the Nieuport’s Lewis drowns out the chatter of the Spandaus.
Round one goes to the Adler as Gordon’s *Le Rhône 9Ja is obviously damaged and the N.17 loses power, making a dreadful racket.
Gordon curses quietly, realizing he can not take on two Albatros and will be forced to retire from the field.
Tikka tikka
Da da da da
Huebner and Glen trade shots as well, both doing damage, but again the Adler comes out on top as flames start to flicker from the Nieuport.
Huebner’s ‘Sniper’ skill has definitely made a difference
Da da da da
Raucheisen has gained enough altitude for his gunner to have a chance to hit the Nieuport, but Jungbauer’s Parabellum rounds have either missed or done no noticeable damage.
Gordon flies between the Rolands but is too high for either of them to get a worthwhile shot at him.
Flames nibble on Glen’s Nieuport.
Both Rolands climb.
* Mainly to give the Nieuports a chance to catch them.
Huebner performs an Immelmann in hopes of catching the trio of Nieuports still stalking their prey.
Da da da da
‘R2D2’ fires at Glen.
Tikka tikka Da Da Da Da
Glen and Jungbauer fire at each other.
This time, it’s Glen’s turn to damage the Roland’s power plant, and the Mercedes D.III starts to cough noisily.
Da da da da
Dietrich-Daimler hits Glen again.
Da da da da
Jungbauer squeaks off a burst that just catches Glen’s N.17 and damages his rudder controls …
… and that was enough to end the fragile Nieuport’s day.
The young British pilot struggles to control his aircraft and keep the flames away from his face, and the N.17 plows into No Man’s Land, attracting the attention of German infantry in the area.
Da Da …. Tikka Tikka
More furious action as Gordon and Huebner fire from close range.
Gordon’s Lewis jams at the most inopportune of times, while Huebner’s ‘Sniper’ ability comes through for him again.
His bullets find Gordon, who can be heard letting out a scream of pain as they rip into his left shoulder.
Huebner has not gotten away ‘Scot Free’ either however.
“Flammen!”
Da da Da d…
Pateman and Dietrich-Daimler exchange volleys and this time it’s the German who curses as his MG-14 jams.
Da da da
Pateman gets another burst into the blue Roland.
Tikka Tik …
Giesebrecht has ‘Sniper’ skills on par with Huebner’s.
He manages some serious damage on Herbert’s Nieuport, but curses his amourer as his one of his Spandaus jams.
Da da da da
Pateman empties his Lewis drum into the blue Roland and believes he sees some results, although it’s hard to be certain.
Huebner’s fire seems to be under control, but it is still a concern for the Adler pilot.
Tikka tikka
Giesebrecht decides to go with a single barrel rather than attempt to clear his jammed Spandau and is sure he hears a chirp from the Aussie pilot.
Pateman starts swapping out his Lewis drum while Dietrich-Daimler works on his jammed Parabellum.
Huebner decides to do something about his fire problem and begins an Overdive.
Da da da da
‘R2D2’s MG-14 begins barking again and does major damage to Pateman’s Nieuport!
Da da da da
Da da d….
Herbert and Jungbauer both fire simultaneously, but now another German has choice words for the Jasta’s armourers
Tikka tikka
Giesebrecht is doing fine with his single machine gun.
Herbert is hit again and this time the pain is more than he can stand!
The damage is too much for both the airframe and the airman and the Nieuport crashes into the town below.
It will be very tough to survive this one!
Huebner continues his overdive in earnest with a steep dive…
… and successfully completes his maneuver. The flames have been extinguished!
Meanwhile Gordon quietly exits the area.
Well, maybe not that quietly as his Le Rhône howls in protest …
Pateman finishes swapping his Lewis drum, but it appears he has run out of time.
As ‘Skywalker’ and ‘R2’ leave the area, Dietrich-Daimler fires a parting shot, but misses the Nieuport.
Tikka tikka
Giesebrecht scores a minor hit on Pateman.
Pateman surprises Giesebrecht with an Immelmann and a quick shot.
Giesebrecht’s instincts save his day and he narrowly avoids what would likely have been a debilitating result.
Shortly after, Huebner and Pateman exchange hot lead.
Tikka tikka
Da da da da
All that noise, and not much to show for it.
Giesebrecht takes an opportunity to work on his jammed gun.
Pateman climbs.
Giesebrecht performs an Immelmann but is well back from the Nieuport.
Huebner looks like he is in range but the altitude difference says ‘no’.
Pateman climbs again.
* He is actually at Level 5 – I forgot to swap the chit and add a peg.
Giesebrecht is finally at Level 4, but still a level below Pateman.
The climb rate differential between the N.17 and the D.II is significant.
Pateman climbs again.
He is now two levels higher than Giesebrecht, and three higher than Huebner.
Pateman and Huebner both climb, but for the Germans it’s “too little, too late”.
The Adler realize they will never catch the Nieuport as he climbs ever upward while they struggle.
Huebner glances back over his right shoulder, waggles his wings, and points back toward German lines.
The Adler have done their job admirably.
Both Rolands are safely on their way home, one with a credited kill, and there is another less Nieuport to encounter in the future, while a third was sent packing early.
There will be schnapps in the mess tonight!
Butcher’s Bill
Bulldogs
Nieuport N.17
2Lt Richard Glen: SD FLM NML
C&W: 7 -2 FLM -1 NML = 4 : Injured 1D6 (1) : Skip 1
E&E: 6 +1 NML -1 FLM -1 WIC = 5 : In Hiding 1D2 (2) : Skip 1
Total : Skip 1
Even with great luck in die rolls this campaign is over for young Richard Glen
Only takes one ‘skip’ at this stage …
Nieuport N.17
2Lt Percy Herbert: SD ET WIA x2
C&W: 10 -1 SD -2 WIA = 7 : Injured 1D2 (3) = Skip 1
E&E: 8 -1 BEL -2 WIA -1 WIC = 4 : Captured and Escaped! Miss 1D3(4) = Skip 2
Total: Skip 2
Herbert is also out for the rest of this campaign.
Nieuport N.17
A/Lt Charles Gordon: FRTB-E WIA
FRTB 3 & 5 = OK
C&W: 6 +1 Landed -1 WIA = 6 : Injured 1D3(4) = Skip 2
… and the guy who made it home and landed perfectly is out longer than the one who went down in flames in No Man’s Land.
The dice can really mess with you sometimes
Nieuport N.17
2Lt Stanley Pateman: RTB
Adler
Albatros D.II
Ltn Günther Giesebrecht : RTB 1 Kill (N.17 Herbert)
Albatros D.II
Ltn Til Huebner : RTB
Roland C.II
Pilot - Fwbl Lukas Himmel-Spaziergänger : RTB
Observer - Ltn Roland-Reinhart Dietrich-Daimler: RTB
Luke Skywalker and R2D2 live to fly again.
Roland C.II FRTB-E
FRTB Roll 2 & 3 = OK
Pilot – Ltn Justus Raucheisen : FRTB-E
Observer – Ltn Max Jungbauer : FRTB-E 1 Kill (N.17 Glen)
Jungbauer has his first kill and will be paying for the first round in the mess tonight!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Results
Adler
2 shot down x 3 = 6
1 forced exit x 2 = 2
2 Two-Seaters exit x 3 = 6
Total : 14
Bulldogs
Shut out!
Adler Decisive Victory!
========================
An interesting mission, Dan.
I expected the initial Nieuport attack to do better than they did.
Probably should have started just over half a ruler away from the Rolands instead of a full ruler (due to altitude difference).
Still, the nimble Nieuports could have run rings around the Albatrosses but for some unlucky damage draws.
In future games with altitude differences like this one I think my Adler will likely opt for the Halberstadt over the Albatros D.II
They do like the dual machine guns, though ….
I am down to three able Bulldog scouts, so depending on the next mission, I may need a new recruit or two, Dave.
I have lots of tandems, though, especially counting my French crews.
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