Reconnaissance Over the Trenches
Having set off from their lines towards the German trenches to take some important photographs, the Entente planes, Smith and Oldfield in the Sopwith, and Dowelling in the DH2, encounter two Halbestadts, Keller in camouflaged one, and Bornkamm in the brown one, that have left the relative safety of their own lines to block the incoming aircraft.
Bornkamm blocks Dowelling by crashing into him! Keller gets within range of the Sopwith.
Keller keeps harrying the Sopwith, but unfortunately is now within range of the guns of Oldfield and Dowelling.
Smith can focus on getting ready for the photographs as Dowelling takes the heat from Keller and Bornkamm.
But Dowelling gets a shot in, and Bornkamm’s gun jams, as Smith continues his progress.
Dowelling gets very close to Keller, but doesn’t stop him from firing at the Sopwith. Oldfield gives Keller some lead before his gun jams.
Enough lead to bring Keller down!
Oldfield has managed to take a photograph, while Bornkamm shadows the Sopwith even though he is busy unjamming his gun.
Maybe it is taking shadowing too far when you end up literally in the shadow of the other plane!!!!!
After untangling themselves, Oldfield manages to get shots at Bornkamm. Dowelling meantime is coming into the picture (both figuratively and literally).
Bornkamm shoots at close range, setting the Sopwith on fire. Meanwhile Dowelling’s long range shot just reaches Bornkamm.
And then his short range shot definitely reaches Bornkamm!
Oldfield has successfully taken another photograph, so Smith can head for home. Not without giving Bornkamm a “present”.
Bornkamm again tries to block the Sopwith, almost colliding with it. Dowelling manoeuvres to provide support for the Sopwith.
Again untangling causes Bornkamm pain as Oldfield fires.
(With a bit of generosity on the part of the Entente team, Bornkamm was allowed to keep flying, rather than falling off the edge of the known world.)
Bornkamm encounters Dowelling at close range while Smith makes progress towards home. Bornkamm’s gun jams.
Bornkamm and Dowelling successfully pass each other without any grief. Meanwhile the Sopwith is nowhere to be seen.
Ah! There it is! Can Bornkamm catch it?
It seems unlikely. And Dowelling will have no further influence, which is good for Bornkamm.
Smith pilots the Sopwith home safely with the two important photographs intact. Victory to the Entente.
Final positions and final scores:
Dowelling was severely knocked around in the collision early on, but managed to stay out of harm’s way for the rest of the time. 12/13 points.
Bornkamm was peppered with shots, but still managed to survive. 13/14 points.
The Sopwith did best of all. 12/14 points.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks