OTT-EYM - Mission 5 - Bulldog's Home Run - 5 February 1917 by Hu Rhu
Lt Basil Blenkinson eased his stiff body in the cockpit of his Sopwith Pup and noted with satisfaction that the flight was almost home. To his left were the two RE8s being escorted home, one flown by 2Lt James Lightbody(Red Rings) and the other by 2Lt FRaser Norris (white markings) beyond him the other Sopwith Pup being flown by 2lt Douglas Caulfield.
Suddenly, Blenkinson saw a flash of light off a wing tip and saw the three German scouts on an intercept course with the British. ‘I shouldn’t have spoken' he thought.
On a routine patrol led by Ltn Dieter Roth were three Albatross D.II scouts standing in since the Albatross D.IIIs had still not been cleared for flights. On his left was Ltn Gunter Huber, an old hand with a couple of kills under his belt, and on his right Ltn Stefan Maier a relatively newly joined pilot albeit one who came with a rising reputation.
Roth spotted the approaching British planes and signalled for his Kette to attack.
Molyneux (aka Norris) veers away from Maier.
The German AA gun fires at Pilditch (aka Lightbody) but it was a near miss and scored no damage but it did make the British a touch wary.
Pilditch and Roth exchange fire with a slight advantage to Roth.
Maier fires at Molyneux (Norris) but misses, whilst Caulfield’s shot is blocked by Molyneux (Norris) turning in front of him.
Pilditch (Lightbody) turns to avoid Roth who flashes past narrowly and manages to get a shot on Huber but misses. Huber and Blenkinson exchange shots but whilst the British shots miss, Caulfield’s Pup is set on fire.
Molyneux (Norris) keeps on turning trying to allow Medlicott, his rear gunner, a shot but the Albatros is temporarily in his blind spot. Meanwhile Caulfield closes to close range and fires at the Albatros, damaging its rudder. Maier returns the fire, wounding Caulfield but jams his guns in the process.
Huber Immelmans and ends up flying alongside Caulfield but the manoeuvre puts him to one side and slightly behind the RE8, who opens fire at close range scoring some minor damage but jams the Lewis gun. However, Huber’s aim is much better and at almost point blank range fires into the engine. The shots must have hit a fuel line because the RE8 explodes and crashes down behind the German lines. Kill to Huber.
Meanwhile Molyneux (Norris) turns again to give his rear gunner a clear shot on Maier who Immelmans, narrowly missing Caulfield.
Whilst Huber is committed to the Immelmann, Blenkinson executes a wide sideslip and the two planes come together with an almighty crash. The Pup is severely damaged but the collision rips away the left hand wing of the Albatros which plummets to ground. Kill to Blenkinson (albeit a lucky collision).
Maier and Caulfield continue to fly alongside each other whilst Molyneux (Norris) turns slowly back on course for home.
The German AA gun fires and misses Blenkinson as he and Roth pass each other by.
Blenkinson seems to have the fire under control but he is quite badly damaged and will make for home as quickly as he can.
Caulfield turns away from Maier who is still trying to unjam his gun and cursing his luck.
Blenkinson manoeuvres to avoid fanning the flames, whilst Roth Immelmans.
Caulfield turns back to help the RE8, whilst Maier is still trying to unjam his guns.
The situation is now quite desperate for the British. One of the scouts is badly damaged, the other pilot wounded and both German scouts are back between them and their own lines and are positioning for another attack.
Blenkinson fire now rears up again and he can feel his plane getting less responsive.
However, that wasn’t his only problem. The German AA gun now seems to lock on and with another salvo scores a direct hit on the Sopwith Pup which falls from the sky behind enemy lines. Roth Immelmans just in time to see the Pup disappear in a huge explosion. Kill to German AA Gun.
Caulfield Immelmans and Norris keeps on going. Maier prepares to complete a Split-S.
Roth is now a long way from the action as Maier turns but Molyneux (Norris) is almost at No Mans Land and Caulfield is now heading back towards his own lines.
Maier completes his Split-S but this manoeuvre has allowed Molyneux (Norris) to slip by him and puts his head down for his own lines.
Roth turns towards the action and tries to cut Caulfield off.
In his haste to chase down the RE8, the inexperienced Maier has allowed Caulfield to get the drop on him.
Caulfield continues his attack on Maier scoring heavily, however he to has forgotten about the other scout and Roth gets a shot at long range but curses as his guns jam at the most inopportune moment.
Meanwhile Molyneux (Norris) escapes across the lines and fortunately for Maier, Caulfield turns the wrong way as Roth tries to unjam his guns.
Caulfield realises he is now caught between the two German scouts as Maier prepares to Immelmann back towards him. However, luck is on his side as Roth’s guns are still jammed and he is now positioned to fire on Maier, scoring heavily and wounding him in the process. The damage is too much for Maier and his planes crashes just inside his own lines. Kill to Caulfield.
However, Roth’s guns are now clear and he lets fly at close range but does little damage.
Roth stalls and gets one last chance to down Caulfield before he escapes across the lines but scores badly and Caulfield escapes.
Butchers Tally
Adlers:
Ltn Dieter Roth: Albatros D.II – RTB – 0 Kills
Ltn Gunter Huber: Albatros D.II – EXP(COL)-FT / WIA – 1 Kill (Pilditch aka Lightbody)
C&W Rolled 5 -3EXP -1WIA = 1 Dead!
Ltn Stefan Maier: - Albatros D.II – SD-FT / WIA 0 Kills
C&W Rolled 6 -1SD -1WIA = 4 - Injured - Skip 1D6 Scenarios. Rolled 1 = Skip 1
(Author’s note – It was only when I was writing this account up I realised I had flown the RE8s with already wounded aircrew So in this AAR anything referring to Norris should read Molyneaux. I have adjusted this in the Butcher’s Tally below.
I will also need Uncle to provide me with a P2 name to replace Lightbody in the mission.)
Bulldogs:
2Lt Basil Blenkinson: Sopwith Pup (4) - SD-FLM-ET / WIA 1 Kill (Huber - Collision)
C&W Rolled 7 -1SD -1WIA = 5 - Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios. Rolled 6 = skip 3
E&E Roll 10 -1FLM -1WIA -1WIC -1BEL = 6 - In hiding! - Skip 1D2 Scenarios. Rolled 4 = Skip 2
Lt Douglas Caulfield: Sopwith Pup (1) – RTB / WIA 1 Kill (Maier)
C&W Rolled 7 +1RTB -1WIA = 7 - Injured - Skip 1D2 Scenario. Rolled 5 = Skip 2
2Lt Ernest Pilditch: (P2) – RE8 (Red Stripes aka Lightbody!) – SD-EXP – 0 Kills
C&W Rolled 5 -3EXP = 2 Dead!!!!
AM.3 John Lowe: (O) – RE8 (Red Stripes aka Lightbody!) – SD-EXP – 0 Kills
C&W Roll 10 -3EXP = 7 - Skip 1D2 Scenario. Rolled 1 = Skip 1
E&E Rolled 4 -1EXP -1WIC -1BEL = 1 Captured! The war ended for this airman. (after the last two missions I expect he's quite happy with that)
2Lt Russel Molyneaux: (P2) RE8 (White markings - aka Norris!) – RTB – 0 Kills
AM.3 George Medlicott: (O) RE8 (White markings) – RTB – 0 Kills
Victory Points
Adlers
Bomber shot down =6 pts
Scout shot down = 5 points
Scout FRTB = 2 points
Total = 13 Pts
Bulldogs
Bomber returned to base = 6 points
Scouts shot down x 2 = 10 Pts
Total = 16 pts
Victory to the Bulldogs
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by ShadowDragon
A very close fight. Your Pups look teriffic! 
Bookmarks