(Title a nod to Peter Hart)
Sept 15th saw the first full use of tanks in the Battle of the Somme . The RFC was tasked with as Trenchard put it prevent all German machines from getting close enough to the lines to observe this new weapon. They were to be shot down on sight and given no rest.
The Bulldogs sector had the additional problem of an observation balloon close to the front.
The mission is therefore in 2 parts.
A single plane armed with rockets is to destroy, or force to the ground the Observation balloon.
The remaining scouts are to engage all enemy planes ensuring they get no closer than 1.5 rulers from the British lines .
Forces
RFC
1 rocket carrying scout plus 4 other scouts of your choosing.
CP
1 2 seater circling the balloon.
This plane can join the reserve flight when it arrives .4 scouts of your choice on standby plus a balloon at alt 7.
Set up and objectives:
2 mats - 1 being a NML /Trenches from which the RFC will fly and located to the West .
CP
The Balloon is placed 1 ruler from the German edge of the mat and approximately central. The cover scout is placed at random 2 rules from the blimps centre peg at between alt4-6 , your choice.
The Balloon will start to wind down when the first rocket is fired. Rate of decent 1 Peg per turn(3 cards).
The reserve scouts will enter when the Balloon has reached peg 4 from the German long mat side in line abreast ˝ ruler between each plane. Their objective is to get within 1.5 rulers of the NML mat edge.. Should any of the planes succeed in this objective the immediately head for their lines to report the tank movement
RFC
The balloon buster starts at the centre where the 2 mats join. Should he destroy the balloon before it reaches 5 peg he is deemed to have prevented the tanks being spotted .
For each peg up to peg 3 after that a roll of 5/6 means the observer spots the tanks. Below 3 the balloon is blind. The balloon buster cannot engage the reserve scouts . If he succeeds to destroy the blimp its home for tea and crumpet via the fastest route available.
The rest of the scouts enter from the Allied edge of the mat ie NML 3 turns after the first rockets are fired . They cannot attack the balloon , their mission is to prevent the CP scouts getting within 1.5 rulers of the NM mat long edge
VP
RFC
Balloon fails to spot Tanks 5pts
Balloon destroyed 10pts
Each scout shot down ,FTR before reaching the 1.5 ruler 5pts
Each scout shot down ,FTR after reaching the 1.5 ruler 2pts
CP.
Balloon spots the Tanks 5pts
Each enemy plane shot down 5pts
Each plane that spots the tanks and returns to 1.5 rulers of their mat edge 10 pts
AMENDMENTS If the balloon is destroyed the CP planes arrive the 1 full turn after.
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