ObLtn Krallen addressed the men standing in front of him as the late afternoon sun sat low on the horizon.
“The Feldluftschiffertruppe have just reported the location of a downed allied aircraft behind enemy lines. The pilot has been seen in the area. There is not much time. Your mission is to retrieve this pilot and return him to the Jasta. Brennen, you and Schnecke will escort Fwbl Esel. Good luck. Bring the prize home to our nest.”
“We shall not fail you, mein herr!” exclaimed Esel.
Brennen glanced at Schnecke and thought, or possibly muttered under his breath, “Crazy tandem pilots, always so eager to please.”
As their flight approached the enemy lines, it became obvious they were not alone. Closer inspection revealed a trio of Belgian Nieuports guarding the site of the crash.
Brennen and Schnecke began the attack as Esel dove like a madman.
The guns abruptly stop firing, and Schnecke is glad to have a spare.
Esel continues his landing as Schnecke fires once more into the Belgian who has reversed perfectly to attack Brennen.
Rolling to a stop in the gathering gloom, Esel carefully scans the edge of the field as the combatants maneuver above.
A figure appears running toward the front of the aircraft. As he rounds the wing, the pilot suddenly stops, confused. Willi has leveled his revolver at the pilot. “Treten Sie ein!” The pilot hesitates. Willi fires a shot over his head, and the pilot hurriedly scrambles into the rear seat despite an obvious shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, Brennen misjudges his opponent and slips left as bullets rake the fuselage. Schnecke continues to try to free the jammed gun.
Willi maneuvers for takeoff as Schnecke dives to protect him.
Many meters above Esel, Schnecke’s bullets find a home.
(*mistake: should have been one card drawn on long-range same altitude, but the 3E was definitely first drawn)
The battle spreads out as Brennen scores.
Brennen is rewarded with a lucky shot at long range on Deboeck as Esel approaches takeoff.
Vanhoutte faces a terrible dilemma as his engine sputters and he parallels the lines with the enemy on his tail.
Hauling his crate hard to the right he makes a break for home.
Wouters has one chance to bring down the two-seater before it escapes and dives hard and fast to pursue.
Brennen reverses in an effort to assist Esel. Schnecke also begins the task of closing the lengthy gap.
Vanhoutte carefully limps his machine across friendly lines as it threatens to come apart.
Diving all-out, Wouters approaches the two-seater.
… and overshoots his target suffering some damage (Alt difference, one card).
Pulling hard to the right, Willi yells “schieBen!” but his passenger again hesitates. Willi reaches for his revolver as his would-be gunner wildly sprays the air causing minor damage to the Nieuport.
The two-seater heads for home as Wouters does the same.
Brennen and Wouters narrowly avoid one another.
Esel crosses into friendly territory.
Schnecke faces his own dilemma (what scholars would later term “the Stumptonian Predicament”). To pursue the enemy, or follow his flight leader safely to the aerodrome?
Another hero is born.
The diving Schnecke stalls* as the Nieuport turns to engage; shots are exchanged, the rotary engine paying a high price.
*Daredevil skill used
Both pilots yell in disbelief as their target fixation causes them to collide. They hold their breath at the sound of tearing fabric, but all seems intact.
Relieved at their good fortune and out of position to continue the attack, both pilots head for safer territory.
Back at the aerodrome, Esel escorted his passenger to ObLtn Krallen. “Oberstleutnant, I present leutnant Thurston Mavery!”
Mavery tried to sound deferential as he protested. “Look here, chaps, this is a topping show you have here, but I simply must be returned to my unit. Preferably forthwith, but if not, perhaps a prisoner exchange could be arranged.”
Krallen eyed Mavery steadily. “Sir, you will be shown every hospitality. However, you were rescued by an enemy plane, and Esel tells me you fired the rear gun at the Belgians. Surely, the English believe you to be a spy.” “Come, join us for schnitzel and schnapps, we have much to discuss.”
Victory Points
Eagles
Pilot Rescued = 10
1 plane shot down = 5
2 planes FRTB = 4
Eagles victory 19 – 0.
Butcher’s Tally
Eagles
Ltn Max Brennan: Alb D.II camo: RTB / 1 kill (N17 Deboeck)
Fwbl Willi Esel: DFW C.V “artillery grenade”: RTB / 0 kills
Ltn Wilhelm Schnecke: RTB / 0 kills / 2 Probables both FRTB-E
Poedels
1.emeLt Jens Vanhoutte: N17 PC10 streamer: FRTB-E / 0 kills
Rolled 5&4 landed safely.
S/Lt Antoine Wouters: N17 aluminum: FRTB-E / 0 kills
Rolled 6&5 stuck the landing.
S/Lt Pieter Deboeck: N17 green stripe: EXP-NML / 0 kills
Crash & Wounds: rolled 11 – 3EXP -1NML = 7 skip 1D2 scenarios. Rolled 3, skip 1.
E&E: rolled 11 -1EXP +1NML -1WIC = 10 They didn’t even see me!
Total: skip 1.
This was a fun one, many thanks, Dan for the mission. The cards definitely fell the way of the Eagles, especially the engine damage. The fight was all over the map, and some tough decisions.
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