AAR - Under the flag of Money

[Paukenschlager]

Some of you might remember the Italian/French comic series "Corto Maltese".
The romantic main character, pirate turned adventurer Corto Maltese, waltzed through early 20th century, meeting some remarkable historical figures.
In one story set in WW1 («Sotto la bandiera dell'oro», «Sous le drapeau de l'argent» tr. «Under the flag of Money»), a Lt.Radetzky of the k.u.k.Armee is discovered attempting to desert while acting as observer in a balloon. As the ground troops try to winch him down, he cuts the bonds of the balloon loose and starts drifting in the wind.
Unfortunately for him, Austro-Hungarian ace Godwin Von Brumowski is close enough to attempt taking him down before he gets behind Italian lines...



Has anyone else seen the inspiration for a solo WoW scenario??? I did.
I setup the balloon at the center of my gaming surface.
On one side, Hauptmann Von Brumowski is flying his Albatros D.III, charging at the traitor.
On the opposite side, the Italians keep watch on land and sky with ground troops and AA machine guns.



The balloon, carried by variable winds, moves half ruler at the beginning of each turn, in the direction determined by a roll of a d12. This does not happen at the beginning of the first turn to simulate Radetzky's delay in realising Brumowski is hunting him.

Time limit set to 10 turns or when the balloon exits the gaming surface, whichever comes first. No altitude rules in use.



The Albatros charges at the balloon, opening fire as soon as in range, but misses



Radetzky is stirred and shaken around the air, with his chaser passing underneath him and being forced into an Immelmann to keep the Drachen in its cross hair, but failing again to hit the target and jamming his machine guns in the process.






Flown past Radetzky, the red fighter banks right and finally manages to draw first blood
at short range, before passing again under its prey.




As turn n.10 begins, a gust of wind carries the balloon out of reach of the Austro-Hungarian ace, leading him to safety - and to enjoy a rich share of the gold Corto Maltese is after!

[CrashCraig]

Creative scenario Valerio

[RJG173]

If only I had a balloon.

[Larry R.]

I like it. Throw in some AA action, maybe an Italian Nieuport......

[Paukenschlager]

I like it. Throw in some AA action, maybe an Italian Nieuport......

I kept it quite plain for simplicity and to stick to the original story, but it can definitely be expanded! (Also I'm away for work and I brought with me just a my WoG travel essentials)
It was also by chance that the game didn't drift towards the Italian lines causing the Albatros to be peppered with ground fire!

[Baxter]

So the treacherous pig escaped his just deserts ....... Oh wait a minute he was working for the Entente ....... Well done that man (and a good AAR too).

[flash]

It rings a dim and distant bell in the annals of OTT, after a little digging I found the closest thing to it was this scenario by Joaquim (blackronin) back in 2012, a free flying balloon loaded with treasure heading across NML with both sides chasing it down.

[RJG173]

Dave, is there supposed to be a link in your post? Nothing pops up.

[Paukenschlager]

It rings a dim and distant bell in the annals of OTT, after a little digging I found the closest thing to it was this scenario by Joaquim (blackronin) back in 2012, a free flying balloon loaded with treasure heading across NML with both sides chasing it down.

The story is very similar to what's depicted in the comic, I wouldn't be surprised he's a fellow Corto Maltese appreciator!

[Flying Helmut]

Dave, is there supposed to be a link in your post? Nothing pops up.

Hover over the words was this scenario, and click on them; the words themselves are the link!

[flash]

Hover over the words was this scenario, and click on them; the words themselves are the link!

Maybe the italics were too subtle ..