OTTBYM Mission 1 - Flash Denies the Enemy - October 5th 1916

[flash]

Lt Bill Foldes, the somewhat unlucky leader of his Bulldogs flight, had received his briefing from Uncle first thing. It was quite simple, Jerry had put up a balloon and the local infantry would much prefer it was no longer there as they were somewhat under the cosh.
He could take a couple of lads along as cover but one of them had to load up some incendiaries and deal with it 'toot sweet'.
Bill decided he'd take on the task himself and had a quick chat with the armourer then nominated 2Lt Alan Keye, who was keen to try out the new SPAD they had on trial, and 2Lt Evan Keel who was still looking for his first victory as his cover men.
After he'd briefed the men he led them to the flight line, "What do you think chaps?" he asked waving a hand toward his aircraft with a grin
"That'll do it" mused Keye, "Wizard, sir" piped in Keel.

And so it was later that morning that the trio heading into the sun to the east approached to the left of the target (randomly determined) with Foldes in the lead, Keel to his left in the green N.17, with Keye to his right in the tan SPAD V.II.

The twin mounted Lewis guns so proudly shown off by their owner can be seen atop Foldes' top plane.

The balloon is not left unattended though and a couple of Albatros D.II hove into view intent on it's protection piloted by Obltn Hans Jörke on the right, Ltn Otto Hengl with the death head marking and red spinner.


Foldes makes his turn on the target


Jörke swerves away from the balloon at the last moment trading shots with the onrushing SPAD, "My God that's fast" he thinks as rounds patter through both machines. Foldes thumbs his left trigger and the incendiaries fly but have no effect on the gently swaying sausage


Stalling his Albatros Jörke is frustrated as the SPAD sweeps past him unmasking an onrushing N.17,it's Lewis gun spitting hate - more rounds clatter into his airframe.
Meanwhile on the other side of the balloon Foldes is surprised to meet a red nosed Albatros hurtling toward him at close range - he thumbs his right trigger but comes off distinctly second best in the exchange between his Lewis and the twin spandau's of his foe


Pleased with his efforts so far Keel took the opportunity to unload on the balloon as the dark Albatros cleared his path, knocking down one of the observers with this burst


Emptying his pan at close range Keel saw no obvious effect. Meantime Foldes on the far side has better luck with his incendiaries, starting a small fire.


Foldes swerves away from the tail of the sausage, Keel has to reload his Lewis, Keye Immels back to cover the German he just passed but he's already curving away around the balloon's nose as his comrade Immels too.
A figure tumbles from the basket of the balloon, a parachute blooms above it.


Keye recovers from his turn, races alongside the balloon and snatches a burst at the enemy as he turns about it's nose. As luck would have it Hengl was forced to duck to avoid collision with his leader so Jörke takes the hits.

(Hengl's card is his actual position, plane added for colour)

Jörke is alarmed with shots from the flank, as his head snaps forward his eyes widen as Keels machine appear before him once more, he reflexively pulls the trigger but the exchange is inconclusive for either


Foldes swoops about the tail of the balloon and empties his first incendiary pan into it at close range ripping more holes in it's rubberised carcass.


Foldes veers away from the balloon and starts to reload his left Lewis with a fresh pan of incendiaries. Jörke swoops around the tail of the balloon and sets off in pursuit. Keel & Keye begin to mill about as Hengl does the same


Keel meets the red nosed Albatros in the middle at close range - guns spitting hate and death. Keels machine staggers under the onslaught and his controls are damaged but his return fire strikes a telling blow on the Albatros.
Keye over does the turn and can't contribute


following through on his turn Keye takes the opportunity to lace some rounds through the balloon until his gun jams


Foldes takes on the sausage from the nose at close range as Keel joins the party from the tail - there is a loud whhoompf as the drachen dies in the air - the concussive force damaging both Foldes and Keye's planes.


Slipping past eyeing his handiwork Keyes is caught a surprising blow from his right as Hengl turns for home.


and from his left as Jörke's line of sight is no longer obscured by the balloon


The two Germans combine their talents as they close behind the luckless Foldes and swat him from the sky for his temerity in downing their sausage. Kill Hengl.


Jörke takes a punt at Keel as he hoves into view but again he does no damage. Foldes' plane drops away as Hengl stalls above him - "Ach, zwei machinegewehr" observes the young Eagle.


Following round behind the red nosed Albatros Keel gets a long range effort as it limps for home but jams his gun


Clear that they cannot stop him the Bulldogs break for home


Keye exchanges pleasantries with Jörke as they pass and is left smoking as they part company


Called it there as time was pressing

Victory points

Bulldogs
Balloon Destroyed--20 points
Eagle FRTB--5 points

Eagles
Bulldog shot down--10 points
Bulldog FRTB--5 points

Victory Bulldogs 25v15.


Butcher's Tally:

Eagles:
Obltn Hans Jörke: Alb D.II (MvR) RTB 0 kills

Ltn Otto Hengl: Alb D.II (Red) FRTB-E 1 kill
Rolled 6,4 - landed safely.


Balloon:


Bulldogs:
Lt Bill Foldes: N.17 (Silver #4) SD-ET 1 kill (balloon)
Rolled 8 -1SD = 7 Injured - Skip 1D2 Scenario rolled 4 = skip 2
E&E Rolled 10 -1WIC -1BEL = 8 Landed almost home! - Skip 1 Scenario. Total skips 2.

2Lt Alan Keye: S.VII FRTB-W / WIA 0 kills
Rolled 4,1 - stuck the landing
Rolled 10 -1WIA +1RTB =10 All well when you land well

2Lt Evan Keel: N.17 (PC10) RTB 0 kills




I flew as Foldes, his luck didn't hold - done in by my AI again, more by luck than judgement but it looked good in the view finder !
Keel's shooting was atrocious but that's the B deck for you, at least he sent Hengl packing.
That S.VII is fast and will be interesting to use up against the Albs and such. I think Keye will enjoy it, it may keep him out of trouble or drop him right in it !
Random placement of the Bulldogs employed as was the heading of the sausage, hence the slight angle it appeared at.
Good fun romp for game number 1, thanks Baz.

[flash]

Uncle says:


Well done chaps, the infantry chaps are well pleased with the result and are looking out for Lt Foldes as we speak. They saw where he went down but reckon he's lying doggo somewhere until the fuss dies down.
We shall celebrate his victory and his return when it comes
2Lt Cameron Paine will be acting Lieutenant on his return to duty next week.

[Kustenjaeger]

Let this result be an inspiration to the Bulldogs!

Edward

[Baz]

Nice mission and write-up, as always the damage cards are going to be telling, depending on their draw

“Unlucky” Baz

[ShadowDragon]

An excellent opening round for the Bulldogs, Dave. Another notch for Foldes...and a few rounds in the mess when he returns to the aerodrome.

[camelbeagle]

Good start for Flash's Bulldogs! Interesting to see how one of the Eagles fair.

[gully_raker]

Well done Dave.
Great to see a win for the Doggies even with one shot down & 1 FRTB.
That looked like a pretty balanced game & the Boom card made the difference as it always does!

Have some rep me lad!

[Stumptonian]

The Boom came in at a good time, with a redundant flame to boot!

Sure wish the German Eierkopf had their act together with an equivalent to the incendiary. (although the boom made that redundant)


Nice start to Act III for your 'dogs.
And our Adler came out of it intact as well ... well except for the "Wurst Jungs".

[Vagabond]

Well done Dave. First out of the trap and with a nice opener, victories are always sweet even if Foldes did get shot down and the gas bag exploding nearly took out Keyes as well.

I'm looking forward to flying the Spad, they've never been out of the box since they flew in to my drome. Maybe not for this game but soon.

Cheers

[camel crew]

good mission with a good AAR - well worthy of a REP

[flash]

Thanks chaps, it was a fun game playing round the mulberry bush with the balloon, it was burning nicely when the coup de gras came. I just realized the lads should have taken a C card being within half ruler instead of an A. Checking my deck they would have escaped that unscathed.. That'll teach me to check next time.
Hope you all have some fun with it.

[mikeemagnus]

Well done Dave. Great start to the campaign. Sorry I'm a little late with this, again - home decorating interfering with more important stuff Have some REP for setting a good example Aah ok - have it later - gun jammed at present. Shall have words with the amourer. Except its not jammed - seems i already gave rep for this one Silly me!

[Teaticket]

Well done for Foldes. Always a risk to be near a balloon whether it takes you with it or not. Job done and a little time off.

Your Bulldogs are off to a good start.