Uncle called all the 2 seaters crews of C Flight together. "Right Chaps I want a crew to volunteer to undertake an artillery spotting mission using a new flying pattern some wallah at HQ has dreamed up. There are two heavy German Batteries causing havoc to our lads in the trenches & this is an ideal time to try this new approach".
Young 2nd Lt. Patrick Thyme, known in the flight as "Part time" due to his initials from Patrick Arthur Roland Thyme, immediately called out "Sir! I would like to take on that mission with my regular observer AM2 Alf Apsland" "Excellent" said Uncle. "You will fly the CDL Strutter which has just had a full overhaul & I will detail Sgt Al Foyle to act as your escort in De Havilland C 3." Now here is the chart for the mission".
The two British aircraft took off & headed for the German Lines.
AAR 02.jpg Views: 30 Size: 186.9 KB ID: 300930" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
Ahead in the distance they could see 2 Hun Halbertstadt scouts headed their way. Earlier from the Eagles Nest Ltn Otto Schoenfielder in his grey D.II & Ltn Kurt Rudiger in a cream D.II had taken off for a morning patrol & seeing the enemy machines headed towards them.
AAR 03_edited.jpg Views: 30 Size: 193.2 KB ID: 300931" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
Sgt Foyle headed for the grey D.II & they exchanged shots but both guns immediately jammed. "Bugger" muttered Foyle banging on the breach of his Lewis.
AAR 04_edited.jpg Views: 30 Size: 198.1 KB ID: 300932" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
Rudiger had a clear shot at the Strutter as it headed towards its turning point & missed but Apsland found he was out of arc to try to return fire.
AAR 05.jpg Views: 29 Size: 184.4 KB ID: 300933" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
As the Strutter continued its turn it allowed its observer to fire & the 2 aircraft exchanged shots with equal results.
AAR 06_edited.jpg Views: 28 Size: 158.3 KB ID: 300937" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
As he was preparing to radio in to the Artillery Apsland had to concentrate on the Halberstadt who continued to chase them. They exchanged close range shots & Alf's aim was perfect wounding the German Pilot. Al Foyle also tried a deflection shot at the D.II but missed.
AAR 07.jpg Views: 31 Size: 198.0 KB ID: 300945" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
The Strutter narrowly avoided a collision with the Halberstadt as the pilot was stunned & continued to fly ahead. Sgt Foyle had another shot & this time did not miss damaging the Germans rudder!
AAR 08.jpg Views: 30 Size: 129.5 KB ID: 300951" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
The British Artillery fired but missed the target.
AAR 10.jpg Views: 30 Size: 60.8 KB ID: 300953" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
The grey Halberstadt now joined in the battle damaging Sgt Foyles rudder but Al's close range shots blew the D.II of Rudiger out of the Air!
AAR 11_edited.jpg Views: 30 Size: 172.4 KB ID: 300954" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
As the grey D.II banked to avoid a collision with Foyle's DH-2 Alf Apsland put a damaging burst into the Halberstadts engine.
AAR 12.jpg Views: 32 Size: 153.8 KB ID: 300955" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
As the Halberstadt turned for home with its damaged engine Foyle fired off the last of his drum & the gun jammed.
AAR 13.jpg Views: 31 Size: 173.2 KB ID: 300956" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
The British Artillery now again fired to the corrections radioed to them & this time scored a direct hit on the German emplacement.
AAR 15.jpg Views: 31 Size: 70.7 KB ID: 300957" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
AAR Explosion 1.jpg Views: 31 Size: 44.0 KB ID: 300958" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
Foyle continued to hunt down the damaged Halberstadt but realised he would not be able to catch it before it reached safety & he also spied a Fokker E.III approaching from German territory.
AAR 17.jpg Views: 30 Size: 137.7 KB ID: 300959" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
The Fokker immediately headed for the British 2 seater.
AAR 18.jpg Views: 29 Size: 181.4 KB ID: 300960" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
The two aircraft closed & exchanged shots but neither caused any damage.
AAR 19.jpg Views: 28 Size: 160.2 KB ID: 300961" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
The Strutter banked to avoid a collision after their head on attacks.
AAR 20.jpg Views: 28 Size: 139.8 KB ID: 300962" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
As they separated Alf Apsland took a long range shot at the E.III & caused slight damage,
AAR 21.jpg Views: 28 Size: 141.3 KB ID: 300963" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
Turning back to radio to the Artillery to fire on the second target the Strutter saw the Fokker had Immlemanned & was headed back towards them.
AAR 23.jpg Views: 28 Size: 150.2 KB ID: 300964" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
This time the Artillery was spot on & the second German emplacement exploded spectacularly!
AAR 24.jpg Views: 29 Size: 71.9 KB ID: 300965" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
AAR Explosion 2.jpg Views: 28 Size: 59.1 KB ID: 300966" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
With the mission completed the two British aircraft turned for home with the satisfaction of a very successful mission & another victory for Sgt Al Foyle.
AAR 25.jpg Views: 29 Size: 139.3 KB ID: 300967" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
Thoughts & Observations
Well that was a fun mission to fly! Bit of a struggle to try to keep to the pattern but did my best.
I think I was very lucky with the damage draws as the Germans copped the worst however the cards always turn eventually.
I flew the Strutter & all other aircraft were AI. The 3rd German scout came on too late to really make an impact.
Used Dave's D8 charts as usual & altitude was not required.
Thanks Mike for a most enjoyable mission.
And many Thanks to Dave (flash) for all the hard Admin work & corrections to my Butchers Bills!
VICTORY POINTS
British:
2 targets destroyed = 20 points
1 scout shot down = 5 points
1 scout FTRB = 5 points
TOTAL 30 points
German
No Points
BRITISH VICTORY
Bookmarks