OTT CYM Mission 1 – Back to Front
The Italian Front – 25 March 2018
The original scenario, by flash, is set on the Western Front, 27 March 1916, and can be read here:
https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sh...-1916-by-flash
Prelude
Hauptmann Michael von Taaffe, commander of Flik 55J bis, impatiently paced up and down in front of his office as waited for his fledglings to return from their leave. While the Germans had withdrawn most of their troops for their offensive in France, they still had a predominantly German reconnaissance that was co-located with the scouts of Flik 55J bis. The battle had been relatively quiet as both sides recuperated from Caporetto. Consequently the High Command had chosen to send the pilots of Flik 55J bis on a tour to boost the flagging home morale. The public taken to the Flik’s young, aristocratic ace, Leutnant Wolfgang von Augustin. The newspapers had started to call Wolfgang the Austrian Flying Baron. Michael was displeased with this public attention. He worried that it would further the deteriorating mental state of the young pilot. It had been a brutal Autumn and Winter and the unit had suffered five killed airmen out of eighteen. Every other pilot had been wounded at some time during those months.
Soon enough the lorry arrived with the non-commissioned Flik pilots – Sandy, Günter, Pav and Karoly. Sandy had recently been promoted to Offiziersstellvertreter which in Michael’s view as long over due. The lorry was followed by the personal automobiles of Ryan von Taaffe, Michale’s cousin, and, last of all, Wolfgang. The pilots were glad to see Michael and thronged around each telling their story of being feted my Viennese high society – except for Wolfgang was seen heading into this quarters with a bottle of brandy in hand.
Michael looked quizzically at Sandy.
“Except for duties he’s been like this the whole time.”
The next morning the pilots were gathered for Michael’s briefing.
“Welcome back, gentleman. Somethings have changed at the front, so today’s mission will be an easy one. Patrols over the front lines – well above rifle and AAMG fire – just to familiarize yourself with any changes. Ryan, you and Karoly will take the southern sector; Sandy you will take the rest to the northern sector.”
Michael looked to see if Wolfgang would protest the assignment of a junior rank to command the patrol, but the young pilot simply gazed impassively – looking at no one in particular. Once they were in their flying machines, the Wolfgang’s demeanour changed. Michael thought it was almost feral.
“Watch Wolfgang carefully”, he whispered to Sandy.
The Mission
Postlude
The feldwebel poked his head into Michael’s office, “They’re back, sir.”
Michael ambled out to watch the return of the Flik….Ryan, Karoly, then Sandy. As Sandy climbed out of his aeroplane, Michael could see he was hurt and went over to him.
“Just a scratch, Michael.” Sandy and Michael had a first name familiarity ever since Michael was a leutnant observer and Sandy his pilot.
Then, Günter, Pav and Wolfgang. All six. Michael breathed a sigh of relief. Wolfgang was the last. After jumping down from the Oeffag, he threw his helmet and googles at this orderly and stormed off to his quarters.
Michael frowned and looked at the others for an explanation.
“Didn’t get his 10th kill, I expect, sir”, answered Günter to the unspoken question.
Michael would need a quiet chat with Wolfgang, but not just yet. Time enough to let him cool off.
P.S. A couple of weeks later Vlad was on a train heading to the Ukraine – under escort mind you.
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Score:
Central Powers = 1 kill + 2 FRTB = 3 + 2 X 2 = 7 points
Entente = 1 FRTB = 2 points
Central Power victory
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