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Thread: OTT-EYM Mission 2 - Flash Hunting & Hunted in the Clouds - 12th January 1917

  1. #1

    Default OTT-EYM Mission 2 - Flash Hunting & Hunted in the Clouds - 12th January 1917

    Lt Bill Foldes was quietly pleased to be off the ground alone again, it had been a while as solo missions were generally frowned upon but this time Uncle had sought him out for special run to take a look to see what, if any, damage had been caused by yesterdays bomber mission.
    The weather was bloody cold, as you'd expect at this time in the new year and visibility was good other than the clouds marching east on a reasonably fresh breeze.

    He made his way to Mauberge as he knew one of his target's was just north east of the town, the clouds appeared to thicken toward the east, not a good sign as that's where the other targets lay.
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    Foldes skirted between the town and a cloud off to his left - he was surprised when a white nosed Albatros appeared in front of him from the other side of the cloud - guns already charged he had only to squeeze the triggers to send a burst into it.
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    Unbeknownst to Foldes there were other foes amongst the clouds - to this right coming from the south Ltn William Pozner in an Albatros D.III with blue trim was feeling his way round and through thick clouds; ahead of him coming out of the west was Ltn Hugo Stark in an Albatros D.III with green trim - He'd just made his presence known to Ltn Franz Theiller in his Albatros D.III with white trim who'd come out of the north to his left.
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    Jinking wide left to the edge of the cloud Foldes watched as the startled Theiller broke left - Choosing his shot Foldes unleashed a close range barrage - one of the Lewis guns stuttered to a stop but the Albatros burst into flame.
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    Foldes rolled left through the edge of the cloud as the stricken Albatros continued it's left turn
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    As he broke cover toward the objective Foldes gets another close range effort on the Albatros with his remaining gun. (shouldn't be a +1)
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    As Foldes gets that third burst in the other Albarii are fast closing on the scene - Stark in the open, Pozner into another cloud.
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    Stark gets a shot off but Pozner, revealed now by a moving cloud doesn't get the opportunity, Foldes returns the compliment but neither scores any significant damage. Theiller's fire gutters momentarily but the damage is sufficient to see him head for home.
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    Foldes slips between the onrushing Eagles who somehow manage to avoid a collision in the next moment. Theiller leaves the battle area trailing smoke & fire. His machine is subsequently engulfed with flame and plummets from the sky.
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    Foldes realising he'll struggle to make the cloud turns right to make his way around it
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    Pozner Immels his machine as Stark rolls left to avoid any further risk of a collision
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    They set off in pursuit of Foldes as he skirts the large cloud to his left
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    Foldes locates the second objective and spying his pursuers turns right toward the next cloud to give them the slip; Pozner finds himself in amongst another cloud as he attempts to close the gap.
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    The cloud in which Foldes had flown reveals him with the next objective beneath his nose but a large following cloud obscures much of it and he can't make out any detail before it engulfs him too. Pozner and Stark spot their quarry as he scoots across the gap
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    The Eagles plunge into the cloud after their prey
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    Foldes could swear he'd flown straight and level in the white mass so was most surprised to find he emerged not too far from where he went in !
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    (the cloud moved 3" & rolled 2 for exit )


    He was even more surprised as the two Hun's popped out of the cloud both in front and behind him moments later - He took a long range snap shot at the one before him - was that pink mist ?
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    (rolled 2 & 8 for the Eagles)

    Holding his turn, Foldes headed back to the safety of the cloud
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    Wounded, Pozner loses altitude and heads for the barn
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    Foldes flies straight and level through the cloud again as Stark enters behind him in pursuit
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    Or, does he ?!
    The cloud moves and Foldes breaks into clear sky out of the battle area, looking back at the large cloud over the last objective he cuts his losses and heads home.
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    Butchers Tally

    Bulldog:

    Lt William Foldes: N.17 #4 - RTB 1 kill, 1 probable (1FRTB-W). Two observations.
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    Eagles:

    Ltn Franz Theiller: Albatros D.III white trim- SD-FLM-FT 0 kills
    Rolled 4 -2FLM = 2 KIA

    Ltn William Pozner: Albatros D.III blue trim - FRTB-W / WIA 0 kills
    Rolled 4+3 = stuck the landing
    Rolled 8 +1RTB -1WIA = 8 - Injured - skip 1D2 scenarios. Rolled 2 = Skip 1

    Ltn Hugo Stark: Albatros D.III green trim - RTB 0 kills

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    Last edited by flash; 12-08-2022 at 23:19. Reason: Pilot Correction !

    "He is wise who watches"

  2. #2

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    Thanks John. A fun, enjoyable mission, if a bit fiddly with clouds moving under aircraft and revealing them when unexpected but all in all a wizard wheeze. As you can see I used basic cut out clouds for ease of movement and added soft toy stuffing for the photos.

    Uncle says:
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    Well done, Bill, those HQ wallah's will be pleased to see the results of the bombers mission - if they want a report on the last one they can go fish ! Well done on bagging one, by the way. That's worth of a pint or two in the Mess
    Last edited by flash; 12-07-2022 at 04:30.

    "He is wise who watches"

  3. #3

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    That's a very good way to use the clouds making them both 2D and 3D simultaneously.

    You had a little more action in your mission with Foldes despatching two (?) huns but failed to get the last target. Was that because he ran off the table edge or a deliberate choice? Either way a great AAR and some super photos to go with it. Rep inbound.

  4. #4

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    Great game, Dave. Loved the fluffy clouds - one might almost forget there was a war going on. Pity about Franz.

  5. #5

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    Theiler's luck ran out, in the air and with the C/W roll ! One of the newer mensch, I was getting to like him, he'd had 3 missions, 1 kill, 1 probable & survived a flamer too but not this one. I hope it was quick
    Ltn Franz Werner takes his place in the roster.

    "He is wise who watches"

  6. #6

    Default

    Well done Will Foldes and RIP Ltn Franz Theiller That flamer was certainly harsh. After the first flame card I thought he was going to make it home. Not to be huh!
    Drinks on Foldes tonight then Nice use of the clouds there Dave and the deviation / disorientation worked out pretty well I would say. Couldn't but help thinking of you getting rather cold out in your games room, especially after poor Theiller got such a warm send off to Hades. And two targets successfully reconnoitered into the bargain. An all round success for the Doggies I believe - must have made the temperature conditions worth the pain

  7. #7

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    Thanks chaps, Franz Theiller was unlucky in the air and with the C/W roll this time out. One of the newer Eagles, I was getting to like him, he'd flown 3 missions got 1 kill, 1 probable & had even survived a flamer but not this time. I hope the end came quickly for him
    He'll be replaced by Ltn Franz Werner.

    "He is wise who watches"

  8. #8

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    Well done, Dave.
    Your clouds look great.
    Definitely one-sided damage draws

    RIP Theiller

  9. #9

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    Enjoyable AAR Dave. And as others above have remarked, great job on the use of 2D & 3D clouds

  10. #10

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    Well done, Dave! These are fun to read, I'm enjoying the cat & mouse chase.

  11. #11

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    That seemed to go well for Foldes and a wise decision to head for home with such solid cloud cover over the last target. Stooging around in a fridge is a little different to stooging in the warmth.

    Shame about Ltn Franz Theiller but he helps rack up Billy Foldes score so all in a good cause.
    Good looking clouds and a good story line, what more could we ask.
    Cheers

  12. #12

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    Heading for home was somewhat forced upon him by the cloud exit die roll but time was pressing and it seemed an appropriate end for the game as it could have taken several more game turns before the large cloud cleared the objective - I could simply have had Foldes dive beneath it but that wasn't really the point of the game, so returning to the warmth of the house & some scoff was the winner !

    "He is wise who watches"

  13. #13

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    Heading for home was somewhat forced upon him by the cloud exit die roll but time was pressing and it seemed an appropriate end for the game as it could have taken several more game turns before the large cloud cleared the objective - I could simply have had Foldes dive beneath it but that wasn't really the point of the game, so returning to the warmth of the house & some scoff was the winner !
    As they (sort of) say, "He who fights, then flies away, lives to fly & fight another day."

  14. #14

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    Heading for home was somewhat forced upon him by the cloud exit die roll but time was pressing and it seemed an appropriate end for the game as it could have taken several more game turns before the large cloud cleared the objective - I could simply have had Foldes dive beneath it but that wasn't really the point of the game, so returning to the warmth of the house & some scoff was the winner !
    I had a warm room and so stooged a little. but not too much.

  15. #15

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    Nice one Dave. Those circular markers add to the scenario. Got some of 'em in a box. Must remember to dig them out

  16. #16

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    Hi Dave,

    Good storyline and win for the Brits, nice fluffy clouds!

  17. #17

    Default

    Good use of the clouds served Foldes well. 2 out of 3 spottings but bagging a Hun makes 3!



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