OTT-EYM - Mission 4 - Flash, Bombs and Blondes - 4th February 1917
Well it all sounded straight forward enough as Uncle put the premise of the initial mission to them. The Bulldogs were tasked to escort a bomber, a 'ruddy great Italian Caproni type' that was to target some new port facilities under construction at Zeebrugge. The importance of these was made clear - they were to house those 'damned German submarines' that had been the bane of allied shipping. The chaps were quite clear they wanted to help put this to a stop as soon as they could. The plan was simple, they'd r/v with a bomber raid routed over their 'drome and track it toward it's target, as they bypassed Brugge their chap, who would be at the back, would peel off and head for Zeebrugge, coming at it from the south east. It was unlikely the Hun would expect them to approach from that direction but there was plenty of flack around the port so they'd stay at altitude to drop their eggs. There would likely be enemy air patrols which is why the Bulldog's leading aces 2Lt's Robert (Bobby) Pynne (sharp eye) & Cameron (Cam) Paine (Perfect Aim) would be along for the ride.
It was then that Uncle added the wrinkle in the straight forward plan "Just one other thing... They want us to pick up some spy chappie as the Hun have got wind of their work". So that was why 2Lt Justin Hale was in with the briefing. Uncle went on to explain they'd scrounged up a Strutter that Hale would fly to a strip just to the north east of the port to pick up his passenger. He'd dump the ballast get 'em on board and off for home 'toot sweet'. The passenger was familiar with a Lewis so the rear gun would be carried.
All went well, they met the bombers, tagged on behind the last man, in a 'ruddy great Italian Caproni type', prayed the navigator knew his job and followed him as he turned for the North Sea coast. Right on cue the port appeared to their north west...
The target was clear just to the south west of the main port facilities and, by design, more or less on the route home
Moments later the German air patrol became evident..
The Eagles had been tasked with a protection patrol, shadowing the coast from the front lines to the port of Zeebrugge. They were cold and tired and not seen anything unexpected in their first two runs, Obltn Georg Pütter had been keen to lead his first patrol but the shine had gone off it now, particularly as they had been forced to fly the older, tired Halberstadt D.III's. He led from the centre in an off white machine, to his right of was Ltn William Pozner in green/brown cammo; to his left Ltn Hugo Stark in an unfortunate brown jobbie.
Stark had spotted the large machine off to the north east more or less straight away as they'd approached the port, he'd fired a short burst to attract his comrades attention and indicated with a chop of his arm
They made a climbing turn as one and headed toward the threat.
As they approached the port the Bulldog escort spotted the enemy patrol on the coast and began to climb. Hale, trailing the group, on seeing the field he needed to land at, dived below them.
The nimble Caproni adjusted his line on the target.
The Eagles began climbing in an effort to get at the bomber approaching from above them
Hale breaks away to the right making long diving turns to line up for his landing.
As the antagonists reach altitude and close for combat Hale's almost going the opposite direction way below them all.
The opposing gladiators close at speed, bullets fly thick and fast at long and close ranges.
Pütter begins to regret taking such an obviously painted machine as he becomes the recipient of most of the enemy's attention. He exchanges at close range with Pynne's on-rushing Nieuport taking a wound, takes a long range beam shot from Payne as he climbs from just below on the left, who jams his gun, and takes some attention form the front gunner of the Caproni. Pozner, just above to the right, gets the full attention of the Caproni's rear gunner and is set ablaze... Not the best start !
Way below this scrap Hale turns in to make his final approach..
Stark takes his chance, turning in on the bomber and raking it at close range, the gunner responds but his Lewis jams solid almost straight away. The rear gunner adds to Pozner's woes with another long range effort.
Payne coming up from below grazes the bomber's undercart but luckily no damage is suffered by either machine; Pütter, struggling to stay conscious, veers toward the bomber (just overlapping) a move that saved him from further damage.
Throwing his Nieuport around in a reversal Pynne gets a close range squirt into Stark's brown job, his gun jams momentarily but he's sure he raked the cockpit.
Below them Hale can be seen sideslipping toward the threshold of the landing field.
As Hale touches down below them, the bomber drops it's eggs - it's going to be close - and the rear gunner adds to Stark's troubles but setting his machine ablaze.
As Hale rolls out along the field the fight between the bomber's rear gunner & Pozner goes on apace as he finally gets on target.
The bombload lands in the construction area - not a direct hit but not wide of the mark either. BOOM, BOOM, BOOM to quote a well known poem !
Unlike the gunner, Pozner can't make the most of his opportunity as the Bomber crew note their handiwork and the prodigious dust & smoke with a grin and a thumbs up.
Hale, meanwhile, has issues of his own, as he runs into the shallow ditch bordering the field. Blast. Fortunately there are willing hands to help him get back on the field proper.
Dealing with the fire Pozner suddenly realises there's a Nieuport bearing down on him - Gleefully, Payne opens up at long range, his 'perfect aim' is enough to finish the job even as the rear gunner adds his final burst. Pozner's reply is not for nought, though his gun jams solid he clips Payne with his last effort.
Pozner's brown job falls rapidly away as the bomber turns for home. Payne climbs a tad.
Hales helpers start to get him back into position to leave.
Pynne meantime has failed to catch up with the off white D.III that is making good his escape and is playing round the Mulberry bush with the chap in the burning green & brown job.
When the damage seems critical the Hun makes off, leaving a frustrated Bulldog in his wake and Pynne can only turn after his comrades and run down the coast for home.
Meantime Payne has circled back and once he's sure Hale is off the deck he can turn after the Caproni to follow them along the coast.
Victory Points:
Entente:
Bomber hits target. 20pts = 0 pts
Near miss. 10pts = 10pts
Scout shot down 5pts = 5 pts
Scout FRTB 2pts = 4pts
Spy returned to base 10pts = 10pts
Central:
Bombs miss target altogether 10pts = 0pts
Bomber SD or FRTB a before dropping bombs 15pts = 0pts
Bomber SD or FRTB after dropping bombs 7pts = 0pts
Scout/2-seater shot down 5pts = 0pts
Scout/2-seater FRTB 2pts = 0pts
Bulldogs clear winners
Butcher's Tally:
Obltn Georg Pütter: Halb D.III (cdl) - FRTB-W / WIA 0 kills
Rolled 6+6 = Crashed !
Rolled 12 (!) -1FRTB +1RTB -1WIA = 11 - All well when you (crash) land well.
Ltn Hugo Stark: Halb D.III (brown) - SD-FLM-FT 0 kills
Rolled 7 -2FLM = 5 - skip 1D3 scenarios; rolled 2 = skip 1
Ltn William Pozner: Halb D.III (green/brown) - FRTB-F 0 kills
Rolled 3+2 = stuck the landing
Caproni: RTB 0 kills bombs on target
2Lt Robert (Bobby) Pynne: N.17 geen (sharp eye) - RTB 0 kills 1 probable (FRTB-W Pütter)
2Lt Cameron (Cam) Paine: N.17#A (Perfect Aim) - RTB 1 Kill (Stark)
2Lt Justin Hale: Strutter - RTB 0 kills - spy retrieved
Hale had a tale to tell as the chappie he picked up turned out to be a very attractive, capable young woman named Kaeti who seemed comfy in the cockpit and au fait with the Lewis gun but before he could invite her to the Mess she was whisked away by some Admiralty type for a debriefing he said.. Lucky beggar.
Well, there it is, done and dusted.
A great scenario, Baz, thanks for that. Sent the Eagles after the bomber but they were very unlucky with their damage deck and that rear gunner was a bit of a demon ! I assisted the Strutter with landing and both sides with climbs etc but otherwise the AI did most of the heavy lifting.
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What was that photo of "Kaeti" taken from? 
Originally Posted by ShadowDragon
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