OTT-FYM Mission 2: Close Air Support April 12th 1917 by Hu Rhu
Dawn was breaking as Lt Basil Blenkinson flew Eastwards towards the balloon barrage. The rising sun silhouetted the giant balloons but hopefully his Sopwith Pup was still in darkness and hidden from the prying eyes of the German AA guns and air patrols. He glanced right to see his wingman 2Lt Barry (Baz) Quartermain, flying his rocket fitted Nieuport 16. He longed to test his gun but, given that he was armed with incendiary bullets, held off. ‘With a bit of luck, we can have the first balloon down before the Hun realises we are here’ he thought, ‘then on to the second balloon and create a diversion for the second wave to hit the main target.’
On the other side of the lines Ltn Helmut von Bauer was wondering just what was so important about the Chateaulin that needed to be guarded by a balloon barrage and an entire Staffel of scouts. He was assigned the area directly in front the Chateaulin with other members of the Staffel to the north and south. They had instructions to move to any area attacked by the Tommies.
The Chateaulin itself was also protected by AA guns and as dawn broke von Bauer was slightly envious that the gunners had had a good night’s sleep and were probably tucking into a hearty breakfast of Bratwurst and tea, whilst he was up here just before dawn freezing his proverbial's off.
Back across the lines Quartermain turned to make his approach from the south, whilst Blenkinson made straight for the balloon.
Von Bauer headed west, still unaware of the approach of the British planes.
As he approached the barrage, he immelmanned, which put his back to the approaching British just as Blenkinson opened fire with his incendiary bullets on the brown balloon. He saw his bullets strike home but could see no major damage. However, the AA gunners saw the flash of his bullets and hurriedly manned their guns, dropping their mugs of tea in their haste. Von Bauer noticed the frenzy of activity and looked over his shoulder. ‘Gott in Himmel’ he thought, ‘Verdammt Tommies.’
Quartermain now straightened his aircraft ready to launch his rockets as Blenkinson let rip again, this time at short range further damaging the balloon but at the same time jammed his gun. (Photo should show +1)
Quartermain lined up the balloon and let’s go half his rockets. To his satisfaction, they hit the target and the balloon bursts into flames.
Von Bauer immelmanned again to face the barrage and saw to his horror the rockets of Quartermain’s N.16 arc towards the balloon, setting it on fire.
Meanwhile, Blenkinson turns sharp left to avoid the balloon barrage as he attempts to un-jam his guns. The flames now alerted the other Adler pilots and they headed towards the scene. From the north, Ltn Dieter Roth headed towards the yellow balloon.
ObLtn Carl Ziegler and Ltn Johann Kleine approached from the south towards the burning brown balloon.
Although the barrage was not yet breached, the Adlers now had four aircraft in the vicinity of the Chateaulin.
Blenkinson turns away from the barrage whilst he continues to clear his guns, whilst Quartermain heads for the next balloon in line. The brown balloon continues to burn.
The follow up wave of aircraft now appear in the West consisting of another Sopwith Pup flown by 2Lt Douglas Caulfield, escorting a Sopwith 1 ฝ Strutter piloted by 2Lt Ernest Capon with his observer AM.3 Percy Lindup, who had carefully checked his bullets just before take-off.
With his guns now unjammed, Blenkinson has another go at the Brown balloon at long range scoring some minor damage. Meanwhile Quartermain manoeuvres to engage the yellow balloon.
With the integrity of the barrage still intact, the Adlers can do little except mill around in the vicinity of the Chateaulin.
Lining the brown balloon up in his sights Blenkinson again fires but is surprised to see little damage.
The Adlers again stooge around, trying not to get in each others way.
Quartermain now realises that he far too close to the yellow balloon and will have to go round again. Caulfield attacks the brown balloon but misses as does Blenkinson on the yellow balloon.
Ziegler chances his arm by getting very close to the barrage and fires at Quartermain, hitting the Nieuport heavily.
The brown balloon is burning very slowly.
Quartermain pulls out of the attack and narrowly avoids colliding with the yellow balloon, however Blenkinson finally gets his shooting boots on and his close range burst causes the Yellow Balloon to explode. Burning hot gases engulf the Nieuport but fail to ignite anything and Quartermain breathes a sigh of relief at his close shave with death.
Meanwhile both Caulfield and Capon fire at the brown balloon resulting in minor damage but jamming Caulfield’s gun in the process. However the barrage is now breached.
On the other side the Adlers still mill around.
In the confusion, Caulfield and Capon touched wingtips causing minor damage to the Strutter. Blenkinson Had reversed and fires into the brown balloon adding more fires.
The fire on the brown balloon continues to burn slowly.
Temporarily the British had turned away from the intact portion of the barrage, whilst Lindup fired at the brown balloon.
Meanwhile the Germans had turned towards the open area as if in a pack. If they can keep out of each other’s way, it might be very dangerous for the British.
Caulfield reversed and hit the balloon hard, whilst Blenkinson and Capon set themselves to re-engage. Blenkinson took the time to reload from incendiary to normal ammunition.
Meanwhile Quartermain swung slowly back into position.
The Adlers swarmed towards the gap, like sharks scenting blood in the water.
Caulfield was determined to take down the balloon and closed to close range before firing a savage burst into it, an with a cry of exultation saw it crumple and fall to the ground below. The way was now clear to attack the prime target.
With the barrage now breached, both sides hurled themselves towards each other. Von Bauer and Quartermain both gave each other hefty damage. Quartermain’s cockpit was peppered with bullets and one struck him over the heart but luckily for him (Lucky Pilot discarded 5W card) it hit his cigarette case and di him no harm. Blenkinson and Kleine scored minor damage and both jammed their guns but Kleine’s Albatros began to smoke. Ziegler weighed in with his sniper skill and inflicted more damage on the Pup damaging Blenkinson’s rudder controls.
Roth and Caulfield exchange fire with Roth taking minor damage, as Capon brings up the rear.
Kleine, von Bauer and Caulfield pass each other without firing but Quartermain finds Ziegler in his sights and lets off a burst, setting the Albatros on fire. Ziegler returns fire for little damage.
Roth passes Caulfield and engages in a duel with Capon at close range. Roth takes minor damage but is nicked in the arm and in return manages to jam his guns. The Strutter takes minor damage.
No Photo
Both sides now find themselves past their opponents and there is no firing except by Percy Lindup who gleefully finds Ziegler in his sights at close range. Sadly he misses and despite his ritual bullet checking still manages to jam his Lewis gun.
However the onrushing British now find themselves in range of the German AA guns who both open up on Caulfield – and miss.
Ziegler’s fire continues to burn fiercely.
Despite being in the perfect position to immelmann, he is forced to turn as sharply as he can. Roth and von Bauer prepare to do a split-s, whilst Kleine reverses.
Both Caulfield and Blenkinson turn away from the AA fire but Capon doggedly pushes on towards the Chateaulin. Quartermain turns back to protect his rear.
The Germans are now heading back towards the enemy but sadly Ziegler can’t turn fast enough and the nippy Nieuport piloted by Quartermain damages his rudder. Roth is hampered by his wound and can’t fire during a immelmann.
Blenkinson and Caulfield are protecting the Strutter, which is headed for the target.
With Roth coming out of the immelmann and the slower moving Nieuport 16 unable to turn faster, the two collide. (Random draw for the first card). The result is deadly for the Nieuport 16 and Quartermain can’t control the aircraft as it crashes into the ground behind enemy lines. Kill to Roth
Kleine and Caulfield exchange fire at long range with the Pup taking the worst of the damage. Von Bauer hits Blenkinson at long range and wounds him in the process.
Capon announces his intent to bomb.
Ziegler’s fire continues to burn fiercely and it is clear he must head home before he is forced down.
Kleine overshoots the more manoeuvrable Pup and takes damage from Caulfield, who in turn takes damage from a long range shot from Roth.
Von Bauer an Blenkinson exchange close range shots, which damage the Pup’s rudder controls. Blenkinson’s Pup has now taken heavy damage and must also return to base.
Capon bombs the target with a direct hit.
However, Blenkinson fails to see Roth coming in from the side and takes heavy damage, causing him to crash into the ground behind enemy lines. Kill to Roth.
Meanwhile with Ziegler and Kleine far enough away from Capon, the two AA guns open fire. The first misses but the second explodes right next to the Strutter sending a shower of shrapnel into the plane.
Roth and Caulfield miss each other as von Bauer contemplates his next move.
Capon continues to turn for home, outmanoeuvring von Bauer but finds the hapless Ziegler in his sights. However his gun jams at the most inappropriate time.
Ziegler’s fire splutters and goes out but he must still head for home.
As Ziegler twists and turns away from the two-seater, Kleine turns to help out his Staffel leader. Lindup is faced with a choice of targets (dice roll decides) and decides to shoot at Kleine, who is closest – and misses.
Further West, Caulfield and Roth vie for position as von Bauer swings slowly round.
Lindup takes careful aim at Kleine – and misses again. He clearly needs to spend more time on the range rather than checking his bullets.
Roth and Caufield fly past each other without firing.
Ziegler escapes back to the aerodrome. (Probable to Quartermain).
Kleine again misjudges his angles and the two-seater heads for home. Kleine gives up the chase and the two-seater makes it home safely.
Von Bauer belatedly re-enters the fray and he and Caulfield exchange shots, resulting in damage to the Albatros’ rudder controls and a jammed gun.
Von Bauer and Caulfield are both out of position but Roth is now heading in the right direction.
Von Bauer and Roth join forces to hunt down Caulfield who realises he is almost alone in the sky and heading the wrong way.
Realising the barrage is still intact northwards, Caulfield has no option than to prepare to reverse and run the gauntlet of the approaching Albatrii. As he does so the northern AA gun opens fire but misses. Roth and von Bauer are in hot pursuit.
Caulfield immelmans and exchanges long range fire with von Bauer. Both miss.
Caulfield takes avoiding action to miss Roth but exchanges close range fire with von Bauer. He misses but takes minor damage in return.
Both Roth and von Bauer reverse but the Pup is a long way ahead. There seems little chance of catching it unless Caulfield does something silly.
Just then he turns west. That turn allows von Bauer a chance to get a long range shot off against the Pup – and misses.
As the angle closes von Bauer gets another shot off, which starts a fire. (photo should show +1)
Caulfield finally slips across the lines but has to cope with the fire.
Sadly, the fire burns fiercely and brings him down in flames just short of his own aerodrome. (kill to von Bauer).
Butcher’s Tally
Adlers
ObLtn Karl Ziegler: White-tailed Albatros D.III: FRTB-D / 0 kills
FRTB Rolled 3+2 = Nailed the Landing
Ltn Dieter Roth: Black-tailed Albatros D.III: RTB / WIA / 2 kills (Blenkinson and Quartermain-collision)
C&W Rolled 4 +1RTB +1ACE -1WIA = 5 - Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios, rolled 2 = Skip 1
Ltn Johann Kleine: Blue Albatros D.III: RTB / 0 kills
Ltn Helmut von Bauer: Red-tailed Albatros D.III: RTB / 1 kill (Caulfield)
Bulldogs
Lt Basil Blenkinson: Sopwith Pup #1: SD-ET / 1 Kill (Balloon)
C&W Rolled 8 -1SD = 7 - Injured - Skip 1D2 Scenario, rolled 3 = Skip 1
E&E Rolled 6 -1WIC -1BEL = 4- Captured and escaped! - Skip 1D3 Scenarios, rolled 3 = Skip 2
2Lt Barry (Baz) Quartermain: Nieuport 16: COL-ET / 0 kills, 1 probable (Ziegler FRTB-D)
C&W Rolled 8 -2COL = 6 - Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios, rolled 3 = Skip 2
E&E rolled 10 -1WIC -1BEL = 8 - Landed almost home - Skip 1 scenario
2lt Ernest Capon: (P2) Sopwith 1 ฝ Strutter: RTB / 0 Kills – Bombed Target
AM.3 Percy Lindup: (O) Sopwith 1 ฝ Strutter: RTB / 0 Kills
2Lt Douglas Caulfield: Sopwith Pup #4: FLM-FT / 1 kill (Balloon)
C&W Rolled 9 -2FLM =7- Injured - Skip 1D2 Scenario, rolled 4 = Skip 2
Victory Points:
Adlers:
Enemy aircraft shot down = 2 x 10 = 20 Points
Enemy FRTB = 5 points
Total = 25 pts
Bulldogs:
Target bombed = 4 x 5 = 20 Points
Balloons destroyed = 2 x 5 = 10 points
Aircraft FRTB = 5 points
Total 35 pts
Bulldog Victory - 35 to 25pts
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for his third victory for the Kaiser and the Fatherland 
Originally Posted by mikeemagnus
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