OTT BYM Mission 11 “Wo is der Truthahn?”(Where Is the turkey?) - 19th Dec 2016 by Baz
"Well, I think this is a pretty rotten war. Everything’s rotten. The weather’s rotten. This coffee is rotten – to say nothing of it being half cold. That record that some cad keeps playing on the gramophone is rotten. And our half-baked Mess caterer is also rotten – putrid in fact.
In a few days it will be Christmas and there’s no turkey for dinner, we need to do something about it".
“Well why don’t you go and find us one” was the response to my outburst.
"I jolly well will, I’ll go and fetch it right now, you see if I don’t" and I strode out of the Mess knowing I’d recently seen a flock of turkeys but after a few moments I realized I’d seen them 30 to 40 miles the other side of the lines, that gave me pause for thought.
This was the the rhetoric by Capt. James Bigglesworth the week before, and true to his word, he had gone over to the German lines and captured the bird which was now ensconced in a cage at 266 squadron headquarters.
This had not gone down well with the German hierarchy or the Eagle squadron. One of the newer pilots, Ltn Jurgen Grabowski had particularly taken offence to the fact that the theft had been undertaken under the German noses.
“Someone should return the favour and steal the bird back!” He had declared after one raucous night at the chateau with his fellow flying officers. Egged on by the other pilots, Jurgen had therefore agreed to undertake the task and had at once been nicknamed “Grabowski the Grabber” by his fellow pilots.as we shall see, this had a minor impact on the normal mission schedule.
A routine mission to be undertaken by the Zweisitzer crew of Vzwbl Wolfgang Overath (Pilot) and Obltn Helmut Haller (observer) was to photograph the latest trench positions of the English and to return with good ‘plates’ for intelligence to review and look at troop movement. They would be using their trusted Albatros C.III and would be escorted by Ltn Franz Beckanbauer in one of the new Albatros D.III’s. That same morning, Grabowski had set off in his red-tailed Albatros D.II to steal back the turkey!
Setting off along the trench line, Overath started to position the plane for the photo reconnaissance, Ltn Franz Beckanbauer to his 5 o’clock in escort. But who was that in front flying erratically pursued by a Sopwith Pup (Nr.1). Ironically, Grabowski in the D.II was on his return journey to the Aerodrome, but the only place to hold the turkey was on his seat and then to sit on him. This left him in awkward flying position and the movement of the turkey made it even harder. He was being closely followed by Capt Jame Biggleswoth (Biggles) intent on getting the bird back flying intently shadowing his every move and flying the Pup.
Beckanbauer closes, there also seems to be some aircraft closing in the distance, too far to identify at the moment.
Ltn Beckanbauer turns to face the closest Pup (Biggles) whilst Grabowski heads for the German lines. Haller takes the first photo from the rear seat of the C.III.
Grabowski sees that the approaching pair of scouts are both British Pups (Nr.2 & Nr. 3) but at that moment the turkey squirms and Grabowski twitches the joystick and turns right towards the incoming scouts! This puts him in range of the nearest Pup (Nr.2 flown by Acting Lt Lionel Atkinson who is out of arc), but at the moment of firing, the turkey manages to wriggle free a wing, blinding Grabowski who shoots wide. Biggles in the pursuit Pup flies in front of Overath who takes the opportunity to take a shot but just succeeds in jamming his gun.
By now, Pup (Nr. 3) flown by 2Lt Harry Mott has closed on the C.III and opens fire in a short burst that misses the mark. Haller takes the second photo under fire but successfully makes the shot, while Overath tries to unjam his gun. Grabowski tries to get the bird under control but only succeeds in turning right again, with Biggles shadowing, not knowing what to make of the flying in front of him.
2Lt Mott moves in closer to the C.III and gets a serious stitch of bullets along the fuselage, but missing anything vital. Overath continues to unjam his gun, whilst Grabowski gets the bird under control (under his seat) and turns back towards the German lines.
A/Lt Atkinson has been distracted by the antics of Grabowski and Immelmanns to turn towards him. Meanwhile Ltn Beckanbauer has caught up with the action but only succeeded in putting himself in the firing line of 2Lt Mott in Pup 3 who hands out double damage to the D.III at short range without reply. Haller takes the third successful photo and Overath finally manages to unjam his guns.
For a while the combatants separate and jostle for position, while Overath in the C.III starts to turn 180 degrees to come back down the line for the missing photos. Grabowski continues to make slow, erratic progress towards the lines and safety with Biggles in pursuit.
A/Lt Atkinson in Pup (Nr.2) finally gets a bead on The D.III at long range for minor damage. The C.III continues the turn.
Ltn Beckanbauer tries to manoeuvre back towards the C.III but comes into short range of A/Lt Atkinson gun and bullets fly all around the cockpit and engine area causing the D.III to spin to earth crashing in no-mans land. Shortly after, British artlillery bombards the plane, no-one could survive that, and Ltn Beckanbauer is lost.
Overath sees his escort spin to earth and knows this is going to be more difficult now, with two Pups closing in on him.
Grabowski makes headway towards safety followed by Biggles.
Overath nears the end of his turn and exchanges shots with 2Lt Mott in Pup (Nr. 3). The C.III comes off worse with a noisy engine, but Overath knows in returning to base he can still fly the reconnaissance path and hopefully complete the photo run and outrun the Pups. It will be dangerous with Haller concentrating on photos though.
Haller finds that he has the opportunity to fire at close range on the Pup of Harry Mott and scores major damage.
Meanwhile Grabowski nears safety with a birds eye view from Biggles wondering what on earth the flyer is doing.
Haller takes the fourth photo, while the Pups try to get on his tail.
Grabowski gets safely away, Biggles decides he must follow to see if there is an opportunity to steal the bird back.
Harry Immels to get on the tail of the C.III.
Haller takes the next photo whilst the Pups still try to close.
Biggles leaves the action.
Haller takes the final photo and Overath must now head for home without being caught which will be difficult with a stalling engine but has just enough of a lead.
Despite the Pups best efforts they are unable to close the gap sufficiently to get a shot, leaving Overath and Haller to exit safely. They return to their barn having downed an escort D.III, wondering what has happened to Biggles.
Victory Points
Adlers
Turkey safely home and being prepared for Xmas dinner - 20 pts
All Photos taken successfully - 15 pts
Total 35 points
Bulldogs
Scout shot down - 5 pts
Scout FRTB - 2 pts
Total 7 points
Win for the Adlers and a nice Xmas meal to boot.
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Originally Posted by flash
- bad news about Beckanbauer. 
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