Roland Photo Recon February 2024 AAR#1 :
CaptWillard set up a photo recon mission for the Central Powers. There were three potential photo targets but only the Central Powers knew which one the two-seater Roland was to photograph. After flying over the target, the Roland had to return back to the starting edge. The Entente aircraft were to deny the Central Powers their objective.
Three Entente scouts were located in advance of the targets while the Central Powers came on the far table edge heading toward the targets and the Entente. Todd/Pseudotheist is flying the Snipe at the top of the photo next to Target card #1. Robert/RJG173 is in the middle with the SE5a, defending Target #2. And I’m at the bottom with a Belgian Camel. Target #3 is just off to the left of me.
Coming onto the field of battle, actually above it, is Jim flying the red-striped Fokker D.VII and Michael/CaptWillard in the Roland C.II.
Jim in the Fokker moves ahead to clear the way while Michael swings wide right.
Irish John arrives in the left corner in his Central Powers Camel.
The Fokker goes after the Snipe while the SE5a goes after the Fokker.
The SE5a continues to fire on the Fokker while the Snipe looks to escape the Central Powers sandwich.
The SE5a jams its guns firing on the Roland which subsequently jams its observer’s gun. The Fokker prepares for a shot at the Belgian Camel next phase with the Snipe trying to do likewise to the Roland.
The Belgian Camel is just out of range of the Fokker but the Snipe has gotten a short range shot on the Roland.
But the Belgian gets a crucial shot on the Roland by wounding the observer which loses the ability to take any photographs and ending the primary mission. Target #2 was the target to be photographed by the Roland. At this point all decide to turn the scenario into an aerial gunfight ..er, dogfight.
Irish John’s Camel, just off the photo’s right, is able to close on its Belgian counterpart with two bursts one of which is a Boom card, causing half total damage on the Belgian.
Irish John follows up with his attack on the Belgian causing rudder damage, while the other pilots jockey for position.
The Snipe is able to fire into the Fokker which starts to trail smoke.
The Belgian and the SE5a fire into the German Camel resulting in a Boom card plus engine damage.
The Belgian is rewarded with the Roland and the Fokker firing into it.
Soon after with its primary mission terminated early, the Roland decides that discretion is the better part of valor and returns to base. The Fokker valiantly entertains the Entente pilots to facilitate the Roland’s escape.
More fighting and flying results in the Fokker getting a great position on the Belgian while Robert’s SE5a does likewise on Irish John’s Camel.
And down goes my Camel!
Immediately followed by Irish John’s Camel.
Now all eyes and synchronized Vickers are on Jim’s Fokker.
And the Fokker succumbs to the weight of all that Entente lead.
The Snipe took some damage but is still airworthy.
Likewise Robert’s SE5a.
The Roland is heavily damaged with just 3 damage points left. But is refitted in short order and prepares for its next mission which Robert has already posted here on the ‘Drome under Gritty Goblin Games Wings of War/Glory, 8 Feb 2024 as AAR #2.
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