OTT FYM Mission 3 : Bloody April - 19th April 1917 - by Mikeemagnus
“Na, that’s bull****, Sir.”
“I’m telling you it most definitely was him!” Lt Mick E taker was trying his hardest to convince everyone, but they were all drunk and the party was very rowdy.
“There’s loads of them Huns out there, flying around in red aeroplanes. An’ if it were ‘im, you’d be a gonna by now, sir. Meaning no disrespect or nuffink. Sir!” and a big knowing grin appeared on the face of AM2 Walter Lewis. “Added to which. ‘e’d ave ‘ad us for supper too, not flown orf as you’d ‘ave us believe. Eh sir? I was there remember, sir!” And all those within earshot cheered, even though some of them were not quite sure what they were cheering about.
“An’ I don’t recall seeing no Red Baron, neiver!”, he shouted above the noise of the party.
More cheers from the mess, that today, unusually, was being shared by all ranks of both the Bulldogs of 52 Sqn RFC and their Tandem flying neighbours of 57 Sqn RFC. A kind of celebration come wake!
A wake, because men had been lost today, during two separate missions. 2nd Lt Justin Aminet was missing, his SPAD having gone down in flames over no man’s land. And one of the tandems, flown by 2nd Lt Timothy Brooke had been shot down too. News had come through from the Germans that Brooke’s observer, AM3 William Oddman had been killed. His smashed up corpse was recovered and identified from the wreckage of his Bristol F2A.
The German report had added that both Aminet and Brooke, the pilot of the Bristol F2A had been captured.
The celebration, on the other hand was for the claims being made. Two enemy aircraft confirmed shot down, one in flames, and two more possibles. 2nd Lt Simon Hawker had set the celebratory ball rolling when he crashed his kite on his return. Before he was carted off to hospital, (where his crash injuries were to be dealt with by those very attractive young nurses, new out from Blighty and under the care of a very mysterious nurse with a German sounding name – a story for another day perhaps), Simon Hawker had been babbling on about the “Red Baron” and having helped “See him off”.
Everyone thought he was delirious, but soon after a very excited Lt Mick E Taker had come in and claimed the same. He hadn’t stopped talking about it since, and yet still nobody believed him. The crew of the BE2c that he and Hawker had been shepherding, were quiet on the matter. These latter were rookies and very uncertain of everything and everybody around them. Not wanting to upset such an experienced pilot as Mick Taylor they had not denied it. The observer, Irishman AM 3 Bas Feoil had simply grunted into his beer, whilst his pilot 2nd Lt Ait Dorcha, also Irish by the way, had smiled broadly and offered Taker another whisky by way of thanks for his having unexpectedly brought them home safely. And so the drinking went on until the early hours of the morning, despite everyone knowing that there would be patrols going out at first light and that this latter part of April, this bloody April, would likely bring more of the same results with it on the morrow.
Earlier, both Lt Taker, the Flight Leader for an artillery spotting patrol and A/Lt Bo Fletcher, sent out on a photographic reconnaissance escort duty, had reported to “Uncle”, the squadron’s Recording Officer. They had, as usual, had to sit through clouds of aromatic pipe tobacco smoke, whilst giving their reports in his claustrophobic little hut of an office. Uncle had found this a useful way of helping his officers keep their reports brief and to the point.
“You first” said Fletcher, politely deferring to the more senior officer, with a not so polite wink and a nod. They knew each other well, so Taker had no issue with taking advantage.
“We took off at 0700 hours once the cloud cover had lifted sufficiently, flying east towards the coordinates given in the briefing.
Near our destination we encountered an enemy patrol comprised of four Albatros types that attacked us just on the west side of their trench lines.
The firing was brisk and I believe I observed damage done to both sides. Perhaps more to my wingman’s SPAD. Unfortunately, the aggressive shooting of the Hun continued accurately and was successful in immediately sending one of the Bristol's down”.
Uncle interrupted at this point and gave them the news already imparted above, concerning the fate of the crew of the F2A and Fletcher’s wingman, 2nd Lt Justin Aminet. Fletcher looked towards Mick Taker and the two of them shrugged their shoulders sadly, before Bo Fletcher continued.
“After that, the fight broke up and became the usual confused mess as Aminet and I circled around the attackers, trying to keep them off the other tandem. I believe we did this successfully as I briefly caught sight of the F2A heading away from us and towards its photographic target.
“Will you stop fidgeting Mick, for heaven’s sake what’s the matter with you?”
Lt Mick E Taker had been unusually restless throughout Fletcher’s report so far.
“Sorry Bo! I think its just a reaction!”.
“Reaction to what?”
“Coming face to face with von Richthofen!”
“What” chorused Uncle and Taker.
“What are you talking about Fletcher? Von Richthofen is not in this area according to advice from the top.” exclaimed Uncle.
“Well I bloody well saw him and so did Justin!”
“So that’s what he was mumbling about.” mused Uncle. “You better go on, Mick. Sorry Bo, but this is important. If Manfred von Richthofen is in the area with Jasta 11 the Brass needs to know as soon as possible.
“What makes you so sure it was him, Mick?”
“The colour of his machine and the fact their were two of them, both red. Add that to the aggressive way he attacked us and I’m 90 per cent sure it was him and one other of his Jasta.”
“Right, so tell me exactly what happened.”
“Well, we were returning at the end of our patrol. I say we, by that I mean 2nd Lt Hawker and myself, escorting the new boys in that dreadful old BE we still have lying around.
“We were not far from crossing over No Man’s Land when we were bounced by two Albatros types, coming in fast from the north west. Both of the EA were red and whilst what I assume was the wingman tucked himself in behind his leader, the latter opened fire and hit me at long range with some very accurate shooting.
I had to make emergency repairs to both of my rudder controls, which fortunately freed up quickly, but by the time I looked up they were both past us. Bullets were whining all around me and I instinctively ducked. I think some of the bullets came from the BE but I’m not certain about that.
“At that point we had scattered and so had they. I swung back in the direction from which we had come to find that the two of them had turned in a wide arc off to my starboard side.
“I followed and saw Simon Hawker doing the same.
“It was then that I noticed another fight going on further to the south west. Several Hun machines involved with some of ours. There was also a Bristol in the distance but all of this only registered in a flash, as I was focused on our two red birds.
“Next thing I know, there was this large red Albatros type directly ahead of us and we just opened fire, probably too soon. I didn’t really care about that though as I could see Richthofen in front of me and the other one bearing down on me from starboard, whilst Simon Hawker was veering off to avoid the latter. I spoke to Simon about that, briefly, before they took him off to hospital and he swears he got a shot in on Richthofen.
“Any how, that was pretty much it, so far as the two red Albatros types is concerned. They flashed past us, firing as they went, then disappeared into the clouds. I can’t imagine why they would do that unless I had hit one of them. In the back of my mind I can see the lead pilot jumping in his cockpit, like he’d been hit or something. So I’m claiming a possible, if that’s alright.”
“No harm in claiming that Mick, but its not a done deal of course. There haven’t been any reports from the other side, confirming what you say, one way or the other. Doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. More likely they’ll keep quiet about it if it has though. Time will tell.
“OK that’s a really interesting one and I shall pass that on to Head Quarters immediately. Take a break and I’ll be back with you in a jiffy. Corporal Jones will get you some tea and a couple of biscuits too if you ask him nicely. He’s next door so wait for me there if you wouldn’t mind.”
And that was their temporary dismissal of course.
The call to HQ only lasted a few minutes during which time the two Flight Leaders took the opportunity to take tea followed by a leak.
Then it was back into the smog!
“OK, that went down well at HQ. Seems that the Red Baron has been making his presence felt elsewhere in this sector, so your information further confirms that Jasta 11 have moved back into this sector again. Bad luck chaps!
“So now, on with the reports, please.” and Uncle re lit the pipe that had gone out during his phone call. More, thick clouds of tobacco smoke filled the small space they were in, but the two Flight Leaders were used to it. Mick Taker stood up and opened the only window as wide as it would go, which gave Bo Fletcher the opportunity to continue his tale.
“By this time, the remaining Bristol had circled the target area, by the looks of things, and I was hopeful they had taken their photos successfully.
Also, I had seen two Sopwith Triplanes playing around further east, which turned out to be this reprobate and his side kick ,“
“Hey, enough of that if you please! Playing around my arse!”
Bo just smiled – he enjoyed winding up his friend.
“As I was saying, Justin and I were desperately trying to keep that pack of wolves off the back of the other Bristol, by largely flying around one another in circles and hopping up and down like bunnies on the run, continuously changing altitude to avoid hitting one another. How we all avoided any collisions is beyond me. Until, I’m pleased to say, I sent one of the beggars down, following a short range exchange of unpleasantries that also resulted in my own machine taking a belting. He spun away and I clearly saw him hit the ground beyond its own trench line. Justin will confirm that one!
“The fight then seemed to break up and I found myself in clear air. It gave me the chance to look around and assess the situation. I headed for the other tandem and it’s pilot 2nd Lt Pat Goggins waved, indicating that his observer, AM2 Walter Lewis had successfully taken the required photos and that they were therefore heading back home. Wonderful what you can communicate with arm signals whilst flying around in the sky.”
“Get on with it!” muttered Uncle, puffing more clouds of smoke into the room by way of encouragement.
“Well, I could also make out a BE heading across No Man’s Land, apparently untroubled by any of this. I assume that was your guy, Mick!”.
Mick nodded in reply.
“So that’s the point when Justin got himself into a spot of bother. He had circled back towards the enemy flight, attacking one of them neatly in flank but then found himself caught by two more of the blighters.
I flew in to help out, attacking a green Albatros and eventually hitting him hard enough for him to clearly make a bee line away from the action, but by this time Justin’s SPAD looked like it was on fire.
“So, while the BE and the Bristol crept past us and the two Tripes joined us, Justin took another hit and went down.”
I was doing my best in there, but it wasn’t enough to prevent that I’m sad to say!”
He paused at that stage and a far away look came into his eyes.
“Not good he added.”
“Not your fault, Bo. Nobodies fault. Its but the fate of the Gods. Go on, Bo” said Uncle.
“Ah, yes. Well the fighting continued for a time after that. The Hun fought back fiercely while the BE continued to make good its escape from the fighting.
“I attacked a blue Albatros just as one of the Tripes joined in.”
“That was me” said Taker.
“And I think the other Tripe was hit hard by that same blue Albatros that had ducked under us all, again to avoid a collision.”
“Yes, and I guess that was the point Justin’s machine received the engine damage that forced him out of the fight and now into the arms of that bunch of pretty nurses, heaven help him” added Taker.
Fletcher continued “And the Green Albatros was taking a beating all this while, first from the Bristol then from one of the Tripes. And it wasn’t firing back at anybody, so I guess the pilot had jam problems.
“Then, again the fight broke up. Away flew all of the birds, searching for something to occupy their time. The BE disappeared home side; the Bristol was now nearing that self same point, and Justin was heading in the same direction too, with an engine that was burping like a new born babe after meal time. Which left the two of us,” he said, indicating himself and Mick Taker, “ to face the remaining two Albatros types. And we were still up for it. One last fray!
“The chap in the blue Albatros came roaring in towards us, not waiting for his friend, and we both opened up at long range. Well, he definitely got the worst of that exchange because my shot set his bus alight!”.
“I’ll give you that one Bo!” said Taker, because although I also fired at him I know my shots went wide”.
“Thanks old chap”.
“I also know,” added Taker, “that my bloody gun jammed at that point, shortly after I took on the last of those Huns. And he gave me a good hiding too. For a moment there I thought I was a goner. But, lucky git that I am, none of his shots hit anything vital, so here I am still. Fortunately he too stopped firing then. Gun jams happen to the best of us at the worst moments, always!”
“And that was pretty much that. The pilot of the blue Albatros tried to put out the fire by flying around in a circle but the flames got too good a hold and down he went. Second victory of the day to moi, I think! The other chap then left because we’d had enough. We headed off home and he wasn’t going to be fast enough to catch us”.
“So that means you are claiming two shot down and one possible, from amongst those Albatros fighters, Bo?”
“Correct, Uncle”
“Well done, sir. That’s worthy of a celebration. Yours too Mick, especially if it turns out you did actually force the Red Baron to go home, along with his wingman. Lets hope Justin makes it back safely.
“Pity about Timothy and young Oddman though. We’ll have to send them off in style, won’t we?” he finished, trying to be positive about the situation.
Which is where we came in and the party had already started and everyone got drunk, because there may not be another chance tomorrow!
The End
Butcher’s Tally
Entente
Group 1 Heading out:
2nd Lt Pat Goggins: (P2) Bristol F2A (green spot): RTB / 0 kills
AM2 Walter Lewis: (O) Bristol F2A (green spot): RTB / 0 kills – 1 photo of target
2nd Lt Timothy Brooke: (P2) Bristol F2A (orange spot): SD-NML / 0 kills
C/W roll: 10 -1SD -1NML = 8 - Injured - Skip 1D2 Scenario, rolled 1 = Skip 1
E&E roll: 2 -1WIC +1NML = 2- Captured! The war ended for this pilot...
AM3 William (Bill) Oddman: (O) Bristol F2A (orange spot): SD-NML / WIA / 0 kills
C/W roll: 4 -1SD -1WIA = 2 - Dead ! KIA
A/Lt Bo Fletcher: SPAD VII (orange spot): RTB / 2 kills - Yellow D.III (Gabriel) + Blue D.III (Gerbil); 1 probable FRTB-E, green D.III (Thom)
2nd Lt Justin Aminet: SPAD VII (yellow spot): FLM-NML / 0 kills
C/W roll: 6 -2FLM -1NML = 3 - Injured - Skip 1D6 Scenarios, rolled 4 = Skip 4
E&E roll: 3 -1FLM +1NML -1WIC = 2 - Captured! The war ended for this pilot...
Group 2 Heading home:
2Lt Ait Dorcha Rookie (P2) BE2c (PC10): RTB / 0 kills
AM3 Bas Feoil:Rookie (O) BE2c (PC10): RTB / 0 kills
Lt Mick E Taker: Tripe (orange spot): RTB / 0 kills, 1 probable FRTB-W (MvR)
2nd Lt Simon Hawker: Tripe (green spot): FRTB-E / 0 kills
FRTB roll 4+4 = Crashed !
C/W roll: 7 -1FRTB +1RTB = 7 - Injured - Skip 1D2 Scenario, rolled 5 = Skip 2
Central Powers
Group 1:
Ltn Heinrich Gabriel: Albatros D.III (yellow): EXP NML / 0 kills
C/W roll: 11 -3EXP -1NML = 7 - Injured - Skip 1D2 Scenario, rolled 1 = Skip 1
E&E roll: 9 -1WIC +1NML = 9 - They didn’t even see me !
Ltn Kurt Thom:Albatros D.III (green): FRTB-E / 1 kill (F2A red spot)
FRTB roll 4+2 = Stuck the landing
Vzfwbl Georg Wenelmuth: Albatros D.III (red spot): RTB / 1 kill (SPAD yellow spot)
Ltn Otto Gerbil: Albatros D.III (blue): FLM-NML / 0 kills, 1 Probable FRTB-E (Tripe green spot - Hawker)
C/W roll: 9 -2FLM -1NML = 6 - Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios, rolled 2 = Skip 1
E&E roll: 7 -1FLM -1WIC +1NML = 6- In hiding! - Skip 1D2 Scenarios, rolled 2 =Skip 1
Group 2:
B]Manfred von Richthofen:[/B] Albatros D.III Red: FRTB-W / 0 kills
Result Used Lucky Git to discard pilot wound card so exits along with his wingman
Jasta 11 Wingman: (Unknown pilot)Albatros D.III (Skull): RTB / 0 kills
Result exits with MvR
Victory points
Bulldogs
Photo 5 points
Scouts SD 6 points
EA FRTB 2 points
MvR FRTB 10 points Total 23 Points
Eagles
Scout SD 3 points
Tandem Recon SD 5 points
EA FRTB 2 points Total 10 points
Notes
A complex mission that seemed at times like two missions being played at once. Despite that it was very interesting. So thanks Pete. Thirteen models on the table at once was a lot and fewer in future would be appreciated
The initial set up, on reflection, did no favours for Manfred von Richthofen and his wingman, both of whom, quite realistically, headed directly for their prey, only to overshoot them by a long way and virtually fly off table. That would have meant their exit immediately, so I deliberately changed things a bit (cheated if you like, or alternatively used the I in AI) and had MvR fly a different set of moves which brought his DIII back into play (randomly thrown for until something that could work came up). It still didn’t work out for him as he picked up a pilot wound on the next play. Given that that also would have forced him out of the game, he played his Lucky Git card, and survived the shot. However, the rules of the mission stated that in the event he uses his Lucky Git card he sets course for home from the next play. So no matter what I did, MvR was not in the mission for very long and did very little damage whilst he was there. Perhaps that was the intention, but I have to say it was a little disappointing. Setting up the returning RFC group further onto the playing area might have helped. Hope my saying this does not offend.
The rest of the game played out really well, although it was difficult to keep track of and I’m sure I have made mistakes. If the reader spots any, please feel free to point them out
Also, I believe the scenario may have been really different if I had not played with altitude. There would have been multiple pile ups. As it is I assumed no collision where there was at least 1 counter of altitude difference between aircraft, rather than 1 peg. Along with the optional campaign altitude rules, sort of applied, this allowed me to avoid all collisions. Not sure that was the correct thing to do but it is what I did
The outcomes of the mission are much closer than they look, given that MvR left early and also that one of the Tripe pilots used his Lucky git ace ability to avoid an FRTB E result. So take 10 points away from the Bulldogs and add an extra 2 points to the Eagles score and the difference is only 1 point. A close run thing!
Once again, thanks Pete, the exercise, walking around my table, did me the world of good
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) - wonderfully told tale & scenic presentation as we've come to expect from you though. 
for his tenth & eleventh victories for King and country 
) but I felt we needed to see how dreadful 'Bloody April' was.
Thanks for the corrections 
Originally Posted by mikeemagnus
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