Extremely wet weather over the last week had turned the football pitch into a quagmire, and normally this would not stop things but a steady cold sleet had also swept across the front putting paid to any matches or indeed outside training. Obltn Hans Tilkowski had allowed the pilots to train personally within their rooms and the boredom was now setting in. Due to the weather, little flying had been undertaken either, although it had been a chance to patch up and repair the machines. All had become alert however as the office telephone rang and Tilkowski had called the men together.
“We have our next mission,” the Obltn began, “a fighter pilot has been downed just the other side of the enemy trench lines and as we are the closest Aerodrome, we have been ordered to escort a two-seater and pick up the survivor. It is not clear yet whether the pilot has survived so you may be asking why we are going to this trouble. High Command has an unconfirmed report that the pilot is none other than Erwin Bohme and it is too good an opportunity to miss for a good propaganda report, with an important pilot plucked from the clutches of the English.” A murmur of whispers echoed around the room. “I have been ordered to attend as one of the escorts in this case and will taking Ltn Horst-Dieter Hottges with me as second escort as we are also expecting some interest from the English Flying Corp. We will be joined by Fwbl Uwe Seeler from FF(A) 245 in this case without an observer to allow the wounded pilot to be picked up. We take-off straight away, as time is of the essence, to meet up with the two-seater and then find and investigate the area with a view to picking up the survivor. The weather is currently showing patchy clouds but no rain. If there are no questions we will see you gentleman in a couple of hours with a VIP guest.”
Eagles(Left to Right)
Modified Halberstadt D.III (2 guns) - Obltn Hans Tilkowski (Perfect Aim skill) - Squadron and patrol leader
Albatros C.III - Fwbl Uwe Steeler (Firm Hand skill)
Fokker D.I - Ltn Horst-Dieter Hottges
Bulldogs(Top to Bottom, downed plane target shown at right)
DH2 (CDL Tail) - 2Lt Fred Darwin
DH2 (PC10) - 2Lt Lionel Atkinson (Stuntman skill) - patrol leader
DH2 (CDL) - 2Lt Barry ‘Baz’ Evans (Lucky Pilot skill)
NB The Bulldogs due to recent injuries had been sent a replacement pilot, ‘Baz’ Evans, an Aussie with a lively character and efficacious spirit who always seemed to be in the mess with a brew.
The Eagles took off and met with Seeler over the Aerodrome. This was the position as they approached the trench lines with the Albatros one level lower than all the other planes, both sides in formation. A thin wisp of smoke and, if you looked carefully, small flames came up from the crash site, not visible until you came into close proximity.
As the Bulldogs approached the trench line on a standard patrol, they see a possible crash landing site. Atkinson stalls to get a better look and confirms the crashed plane but is unable to make out whether it is friendly or not due to the damage. There doesn’t seem to be anyone about but he makes a note in his pad to report the position once he lands.
The Eagle formation approach the German trenches looking for any tell-tale signs of the crash with Albatros diving to get nearer if he needs to land.
The combatants move over No-mans land and the first long-range shots are fired with minimal damage to either side.
The planes close and there is some damaging short range fire with Atkinson jamming his guns and Darwin taking some Rudder damage. “Baz” Evans and Hottges get too close and the machines collide. Baz’s machine seems to come off worst but he must have luck on his side today* as all that is sustained is ripped canvas which flaps in the wind but does not seem to affect his control. Meanwhile the Albatros has dived to Level 1.
*Lucky Pilot skill
2Lt Atkinson, seeing that the Albatros 2 seater below him has no observer, thinks this a little strange and decides to dive down and follow/take-out the plane from behind as there will be no danger. This will also allow him time to clear his gun jam. The other planes manoeuvre for position with Albatros looking for signs of the crash target.
Seeing wisps of smoke to his right, Seeler starts his landing sequence, reducing speed but unaware that Atkinson is of a mind to tail him. He thinks he sees a white flag waved nearby the crash start so decides to land. Meanwhile, with a number of Immelmann moves and slow turns the escorts once again close on each other with Atkinson taking further rudder damage.
Hottges has a close escape having just climbed a level with Atkinson diving to chase the Albatros.
Seeler overshoots the target on landing and will need to taxi back to near the crash site, still unaware that Atkinson is closing quickly.
Tilkowski meanwhile has his own problems with two escorts facing him but with typical skilful flying manages to overlap both planes without collision allowing no shots either way.
Atkinson dives to get to level 1 while the others all manoeuvre, Baz using an Immelmann to get a long range shot against Tilkowski with no effect apart from jamming his guns, with Tilkowski reciprocating causing minor damage and also jamming one of his guns.
Seeler starts his taxi with slow right turns with Atkinson closing, Hottges performs a Split-S to lose height allowing Darwin to get a long range shot which causes some damage and Hottges plane starts belching smoke.
Baz Evans and Hans Tilkowski get close up and personal, but with guns jammed both take the opportunity to try to unjam without firing, a disdainful glance across at their enemy is all they can do but this is masked by their apparel.
Tilkowski performs an Immelmann giving up on the jammed gun as he has a perfect aim* at short range at the unsuspecting Evans who has crossed in front of him. However, again this only causes minor damage and jams his one working gun (counters reset to 3). Hottges and Darwin have had the same idea and both turn in towards each other with a heart-rending collision. Fred Darwin definitely coming off worse with major damage and smoke now pouring from his machine too. Nothing for it but to head home.
*Perfect Aim skill adding +1 damage
Atkinson finally gets in long range of the Albatros on the ground and Seeler is a sitting target, unable to return fire. Bullets rip through the canvas upper wing and he feels the sting of bullets in his right shoulder and the slow, warm trickle of blood down his sleeve. Atkinson knows he has the pilot at his mercy and can end whatever he may be up to. It looks like the Eagles are taking a loss today.
Atkinson flies directly over Seeler only to see him taxi his machine to a stop near the smoke trail. Meanwhile, Hottges has flown through the collision and met Baz head on, the DH2 unable to fire due to his jammed gun. Hottges has the pleasure of seeing the plane catch fire.
Atkinson Immelmanns, takes advantage of the stationary plane, and has the satisfaction of seeing his bullets on target in the cockpit area again, with the pilot slumping in his seat from a second wound. Seeler has sustained a head injury and is drifting in and out of consciousness, what will happen with the rescue now?
Baz is worried about Hottges on his six, with flames all around so has to turn behind him. Unfortunately, Tilkowski is now there too and with both having untamed their guns they head for a close range frontal assault on each other. Tilkowski’s engine heaves and shudders as bullets penetrate something essential causing it to spiral towards the ground in no-mans land near to the English side. However his bullets have also found the mark and the flaming DH2 of Baz heads downwards into Friendly territory.
Tilkowski battles frantically with the controls and tries to find somewhere not pockmarked with shell craters to land. However a crash landing into a shell crater leaves him nose down in mud with the Halberstadt high finned tail sticking up like a signpost. Despite his injuries he clambers clear and crawls to another shell hole 20-30yds away. Not soon after English artillery and mortar fire hit their target and destroy the Halberstadt completely, Jasta 4 will not be happy at the outcome of their loan machine! Tilkowski will now need to lie low and make his way to friendly trenches under cover of darkness, which will not be easy with his injuries.
Baz Evans is not so lucky as his burning wreck crashes to the ground. Unlikely to survive such a crash the English infantry seeing the crash set out to see what has happened, but without luck. Baz has perished in the wreck, finding glory in his last moments by bringing down the Hun squadron leader.
The injured pilot from the original crash has reached the stationary Albatros and has had to put the delirious Seeler into the observer seat. Settling into the pilot seat he begins his take-off manoeuvre knowing that the enemy aircraft is close.
…and sure enough Atkinson turns and fires on the slowly rising Albatros, but only causes minor damage and a gun jam. Surely this is the chance to escape that ‘Bohme’ has been waiting for and guns the engines to full throttle to escape his pursuer, passing well below the unlucky Darwin.
Darwin has his own problems however, with Hottges diving and putting the finishing shots into Darwin as tries to flee the scene.
Darwin crash lands into friendly territory and crawls clear from the wreckage
The Albatros is now clear away despite the efforts of Atkinson who turns home passing under Hottges, with pilots showing respectful waves as both are short on fuel and ammo.
Epilogue
After a difficult night, Tilkowski had made it back to the German infantry trench lines, who treated him well as an ex-infantry soldier himself and was recovering in a local field station close to the front line. He was hoping that the newly promised planes would be available in time for him to take one up over the next couple of weeks which he would need to get back to full fitness.
Lt Franz Beckanbauer had taken over temporary command in Tilkowski’s absence and had ordered flights up to see if they could find him, but all came back with no news except seeing his burnt wreckage in no-mans land. They feared the worst and raised a schnapps toast to him that evening. All were relieved to hear the next day that Hans “Hands” Tilkowski was safe and well in the field station and expected back in a couple of weeks, having hidden in the shell craters for most of the day.
The Bulldogs meanwhile were also mourning their loss with new recruit Baz Evans not making it back, all raised a brew to him that night in quiet respect as he would be missed by everyone. In a short time his infectious character and loud laughter had affected everyone in the squad. Darwin had light wounds and was expected back within a week.
As for the rescued pilot ‘Bohme’, the news was partially right in that it was Max Bohme from Jasta 5 not the celebrated Erwin who was rescued. Jasta 24 Eagles still benefited from the crate of beer and box of Apfelschnaps provided by the grateful pilot, but not such a great news story for High Command.
Butchers Tally
Bulldogs
2Lt Lionel Atkinson: (DH2-PC10) RTB 0 kills
2Lt Barry ‘Baz’ Evans: (DH2-CDL) FLM-FT 1 kill (Tilkowski)
C&W: Rolled 3 -2FLM = 1 KIA
2Lt Fred Darwin: (DH2-CDL Tail) SD - FT 0 kills
C&W: Rolled 7 -1SD = 6 - Injured Skip 1D3 Rolled 2 = Skip 1 mission
Crash landed in Friendly territory
Eagles
Obltn Hans Tilkowski: (Halberstadt D.III) EXP-NML 1 kill (Evans)
C&W: Rolled 9 -3EXP -1NML =5 Injured Skip 1D3. Rolled 4 = skip 2 missions
E&E: Rolled 7 -1EXP +1NML -1WIC = 6 In hiding skip 1D2. Rolled 6 = skip 2 missions
Ltn Horst-Dieter Hottges: (Fokker D.I) RTB 1 Kill (Darwin)
Fwbl Uwe Seeler: (Albatros C.III) RTB (unconscious) 2WIA 0 kills
C&W: Rolled 5 -2WIA +1(RTB = 4 - injured skip 1D6 Rolled 2= Skip 2 missions.
Victory points
Bulldogs
1 kill = 5 pts
Eagles
2 kills = 10 pts
Retrieved pilot = 10 pts
Total 20 pts - decisive victory for Eagles (20-5)
Game notes
Deepcut No-mans land 4’x4’ game map used so slightly adjusted target and start positions.
Altitude used - climb counters randomly diced for at start (0 to (max climb rate - 1) range) indicated by numbered discs on bases.
Dive/climb only reduced/add level not Climb counters.
I flew the Albatros 2-seater and Used Dave’s solo rules for all others with some adjustments for diving, Split-S, etc.
Used 3 x A and B damage decks and 2 x C deck.
Only one double gun plane (A damage) which was modified Halberstadt D.III which is historically correct.
I made an early mistake on Gun Jam on this plane with a 0 green gun jam only taking it as 1 gun jammed. However, can be explained as before firing again, there was one phase of unjamming guns, which could be construed that 1 gun was unjammed. I did remember to increase unjam tokens to 3 again after interrupting unjamming.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the game and at stages could have gone either way. I had very limited space for landing which i fully used and enjoyed the fact that Atkinson got down to Level 1 to harass the rescue and in the end needed to use the rescue pilot to get home.
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