OTT-EYM Mission 3 - Take these broken wings and learn to fly - 19/01/1917 by Baz
Part one
Obltn Tilkowski was in a good mood this morning. In the last week the Jasta had received their new replacement machines, Albatros D.III’s, and this morning, with a full roster, he had led the offensive patrol for their first full flight. He had taken control of the blue machine, with Ltn Horst-Dieter Hottges next to him in the red one, Ltn Heinz Hornig next in line with the green machine and finally Ltn Friedel Lutz in the yellow one. He was feeling good about the way that they had handled so far, and had ventured deep into enemy territory looking for an adversary, confident in the fact that they had the best machines available at this time with strong armament. Eventually, he saw the enemy in the distance and positioned the flight in the most advantageous position, behind and at a higher altitude. From first sight it looked like a bombing raid with three of the new RAF RE8’s (“Harry Tates” - replacements for the ageing BE2C’s) in the central position with two Sopwith Pup escorts flanking them, which up to now, had not been a match for their D.II’s, let alone these new machines. He looked across and was pleased to se that they had formed in line, waiting to dive down and hopefully catch the enemy unawares.
For the British, Sopwith Pup Nr. 1 was flown by 2Lt John Fern, Pup Nr. 2 by 2Lt Harold Mott. In the RE8’s we’re Neville and Eldon in the red stripe, Foot and Gammon in Nr. 14 and Herbert and Hughes in the White stripe. Due to the heavy bomb loads the Harries could not go at top speed, besides which, they were certainly not expecting an attack from behind before their own lines and the sky in front was clear.
As the British closed on their own lines, the Eagles slowly closed on their targets.
Eventually, they were in sight of their trenches and still nothing was amiss, the wind had buffeted their formation about.
Lutz finally was in range and started his overdive.
Closely followed by his Jasta comrades. Still nothing was suspected by the enemy yet.
Lutz felt rather than saw that something was wrong with his power dive but he was fully committed and dropping altitude. All the others too felt that the machine lower wings or struts were unstable but continued with their dives.
All the D.III’s were suffering from Structural damage which would affect any future steep moves or dives. Lutz concentrated on his target, Mott’s Pup and sprayed both guns directly into his six, the bullets biting deep and seriously wounding Mott. Hughes in the rear gun of the white stripe RE8 had seen him coming and fired in response causing minor damage and jamming his gun.
All the British were now aware of the danger but the diving Albatros’s had advantage as a fire fight took place.
Lutz stalled (Structural damage 0) to get a consecutive shot at the retiring Pup Nr.2 doing more serious damage. Hornig fired on the White RE8 for major damage, the RE8 unable to return fire due to the jammed gun. Hottges in the red D.III exchanged shots with RE8 14, coming off worse and jamming his gun and finally Tilkowski (blue) used his perfect aim to inflict damage on the Red striped RE8 who again jammed his gun in the return fire.
Hottges in the Red D.III used the fact he was in overdive to exchange the 2 damage card … and got 4 damage instead!
Following through on their dive, Lutz (yellow) fires a consecutive shot at Mott in the Pup Nr. 2, causing the third serious damage to his plane and enough to take him down before he can leave the scene. The plane broke up mid-air and the unfortunate mortally wounded pilot fell out. Hornig fired on Herbert’s white RE8 and inflicted 4 more damage as did Tilkowski (blue) on Neville’s RE8. While Hottges (Red) was frantically unjamming his gun, Gammon in the rear of RE8 Nr. 14 got a second good shot, but not hitting anything major. (The 0 in shot is Lutz’s Structural damage from previous stall)
In the next round, Lutz fires on the white RE8 for minimal damage, with Hornig adding 3 more, taking it down over enemy territory. Tilkowski hits the red RE8 for 3 more and sets it on fire, whilst Hottges takes 4 more damage from Gammon whilst still unjamming guns. The Red striped RE8 of Neville is now forced to return to base due to fire and damage as is Hottges in the red D.III due to damage. Pup Nr. 1 is trying to turn to engage the attackers.
The fire does no further damage.
Tilkowski stalls (Structural damage=0) and fires again into the red RE8 but not causing any more damage and allowing the rear gunner to finally free his gun. Gammon in the rear of RE8 Nr. 14 piles more bullets into the red D.III, this time doing damage to the engine and finally bringing the plane down in No-mans land.
Tilkowski, seeing his comrade fall and landing roughly in NML, pumps another burst into the red RE8 of Neville and Eldon, bringing it down in flames. The RE8 fires back on Tilkowski causing minor damage to the rudder controls. Lutz stalls (Structural damage=1) and Hornig both turn to attack the remaining bombers, whilst Pup 1 is still trying to engage the D.III’s.
Foot’s RE8 and Tilkowski (blue) exchange fire, the D.III starting to smoke. Hornig stalls and feels the structure rupture (3 damage) but is still able to fly.
The three D.III’s start to chase the remaining bomber whilst the escort Pup tries to catch up. Tilkowski hits for 5 damage and the bomber starts to smoke, whilst the return fire does minimal damage. Lutz does 0 damage as he stalls again.
Tilkowski fires again but frustration sets in as he jams his guns, Gammon returns fire doing minimal damage. Hornig stalls but does not sustain any more damage.
The RE8 bomber is about to leave the scene and there is nothing the D.III’s can do. One parting shot from the rear gunner for no damage.
Fern, in Pup Nr.1 has had no engagement up to this point, but now faces three D.III’s to follow his bomber as escort. He first tackles Lutz (yellow) at long range, both doing no damage.
While overlapping Lutz, he then fires on Hornig at short range doing minimal damage and jamming his guns. Hornig gets in two good hits, damaging the engine but jamming his guns too.
Finally, Tilkowski zeroes in on the Pup at long range but using his Perfect Aim skill, which does no good.
While Hornig Immelmanns and Lutz starts a long, slow turn, Tilkowski again hits the Pup at long range for no damage.
Finally, at the third time of asking, Tilkowski shoots at short range, hitting the engine compartment and forcing the Pup to glide down in enemy territory.
A successful outing for the D.III’s showing that the stronger armament again is so telling in dogfights and engagements. With minimal damage, the three D.III’s go on to Part 2.
For the Entente, two bombers and two escorts down, one lone bomber continues on its way to it’s target, knowing it may have to face the enemy on it’s return.
(NB Structural damage is shown with spanner’s token on card)
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Originally Posted by Baz
due to being bounced, but the Tripers don't get that excuse.
And, for sure, the RE8 gunners did the lion's share of the shooting for the Bulldogs. 
for his 3rd & 4th victories for the Kaiser 
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