Noel Manley was a bit nervous on this patrol having just recently returned to the squadron from hospital following his close escape after being shot down by AA in No Man’s Land. He’d kept the jitters at bay in the mess with the aid of alcohol, and mostly hidden from the men, although at times an ever-hardening lump of anxiety seemed to be growing in his chest. This coastal patrol didn’t alleviate any of those feelings, but he was heartened by the company of the nearby Asbury and their new Sopwith Pups. The agility was amazing – if only they had the speed of their SPADs!
Suddenly Asbury dove on an unsuspecting tandem below. Manley also closed the gap to investigate as the observer fired wildly at Asbury.
Both groups quickly realized their mistake but that didn’t prevent an exchange of angry gestures. The Pups returned to altitude to serve as a wary escort to the Belgian Strutter as they followed the coast.
A tight formation of Germans approach from near Zeebrugge.
In an instant the Belgian plane is obliterated as all three Germans rake the target. Kuttner hears one of his guns fall silent.
The Pups seize the opportunity to attack but the unfortunate Asbury is in poor position trailing the Belgian plane now spiraling out of control. Asbury takes the brunt of the attack but gives Krallen additional concerns to add to his jammed gun. Manley misses from long range.
Manley corrects his aim and scores heavily on Kuttner.
Asbury reverses perfectly and fires on the helpless Kuttner who cannot align on either Pup, but his gun jams.
Krallen hits Asbury at long range.
Krallen and Kass combine to add to Asbury’s misery, who feels a round tear through his arm. He begins to look for an exit from this battle.
Krallen fires ineffectively at long range but takes damage from Manley as the right rudder sticks. Kass deals some payback to Manley.
Asbury heads for home while everyone else sorts things out.
Asbury hits Kuttner at long range as Kass fires up close.
Asbury safely lands his badly damaged Pup.
Everyone is out of position. Manley realizes he must run a gauntlet of Eagles.
Kuttner and Krallen send some heavy fire into Manley’s crate, which is enough to make the Englishman head for the barn.
Manley and Krallen narrowly avoid a collision.
Manley struggles with a much-needed left rudder.
Krallen nips the Pup at long-range sending it spiraling to the ground.
The Eagles return to their nest.
Butcher’s Tally
Entente
S/Lt Thijs Van Caemelbeke: (P2) Belgian 1 ˝ Strutter: EXP-ET / 0 kills
C & W: rolled 9 -3EXP = 6 Injured, skip 1D3 scenarios, rolled 4 = skip 2
E & E: rolled 6 -1EXP -1WIC -1BEL = 3 Captured and Escaped! Skip 1D3 scenarios, rolled 4 = skip 2
Cpl Arne Moerman: (O) Belgian 1 ˝ Strutter: EXP-ET / 0 kills
C & W: rolled 7 -3EXP -1WIA = 3 Injured, skip 1D6 scenario, rolled 5 = skip 5
E & E: rolled 3 -1EXP -1WIA -1WIC -1BEL = -1 Captured! The War is Over for this pilot.
2Lt Anthony Asbury: Sopwith Pup stripe: FRTB-W / WIA 0 kills
Landing – rolled 2, 3 = Landed Safely
C & W: rolled 6 -1WIA +1RTB = 6 Injured, skip 1D3 scenarios, rolled 2 = skip 1
Lt Noel Manley: Sopwith Pup “P”: SD-FT / 0 kills
C & W: rolled 11 -1SD = 10 All’s Well When You Land Well!
Eagles
ObLtn Karl Krallen: Alb D.III stripes: RTB / 2 kills (Strutter, Manley) / 1 probable (Asbury)
Lt Roman Kuttner: Alb D.II skull: RTB / 0 kills
Lt Torben Kass: Alb D.II Boelcke: RTB / 0 kills
Victory Points
Entente = 0
Eagles
Tandem shot down = 6
1 enemy scout shot down = 5
1 enemy scout FRTB = 2
Final score 13 - 0, Eagles win
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