OTT EYM - Mission #10-12 March, 1917 - der Feldluftschiffer in Flandern - by malachi
Wilhelm Schnecke fiddled with the controls of the Roland. It was sturdy enough, but the forward view was limited, and it seemed less maneuverable than his trusty Albatros. The order had been to take up the pair of Rolands and combine the outing with balloon protection – likely to be an uneventful and pleasant flight this far behind the lines. Wilhelm noted the gorgeous crystal-clear day and how far one could see on the flat horizon!
To his left, Max Brennen signaled to the west. Schnecke saw them almost immediately, a ragtag group of Belgian scouts up to no good. So much for that quiet, relaxing patrol.
The artillery showed they were on alert today and immediately found the range on the nearest scout.
As they closed, Schnecke could see the Nieuport 16 laden with rockets undeterred in its course heading directly for the drachen. A Sopwith Pup lay dead ahead but he turned to challenge the N16 hoping to disrupt its intentions as bullets whizzed all around. Brennen had the same idea as the two traded shots at long range.
Schnecke fires but doesn’t notice any effect on the N16. Vanhoutte prepares to unleash both groups of rockets at close range as the terrified observers bail out.
Vanhoutte’s rockets immediately set the beast ablaze as Schnecke misses again. The artillery focus on Wouters’ aluminum Nieuport as the N16 is too close to the balloon but come up empty. Brennen’s Roland begins to smoke taking damage from Wouters but he punishes the Pup as the Spandau's jam.
Wouters sticks with Brennen and adds to his troubles as Schnecke begins to wonder if his guns are even working.
[Daredevil skill used]
It takes no time at all and the fire engulfs the drachen which explodes in a ball of flame. It takes its revenge on its killer and Schnecke feels the Roland quake from the shock wave.
Wouters keeps the pressure on Brennen as both Germans reverse.
The artillery exacts some revenge as it obliterates Rouselle’s Pup.
[1 vs 2 I plotted then rolled a D6 to see if Wouters would fight or RTB (RTB result) then rolled again for a heading and maneuvers]
Smoke billows from the Nieuport as Brennen covers the back door.
Schnecke sees Wouters twitch in the cockpit as the Nieuport takes more damage.
It’s all too much for the N23 and Wouters spirals towards No Man’s Land hoping for a spot to land.
The Eagles head home certain in the knowledge that they did their best, and their best wasn’t good enough.
Balloon destroyed = Entente victory
Butcher’s Tally
Eagles
Ltn Wilhelm Schnecke: Roland D.IIa ‘J’: RTB / 1 kill (N23 - Wouters)
Ltn Max Brennen: Roland D.II ‘half moon’: RTB / 0 kills
AAA: 1 kill (Pup - Rouselle)
Balloon: destroyed
Belgian Buldogs
Lt Jens Vanhoutte: Nieuport 16: SD-ET / 1 kill (balloon)
C&W: 9 -1SD = 8 - Injured, skip 1D2 scenarios, rolled 2 = skip 1
E&E: 5 -1WIC -1BEL = 3 - Captured and escaped, skip 1D3, rolled 1 = skip 1
s/Lt Antoine Wouters: Nieuport 23 ‘Vampire’: SD-NML / WIA / 0 kills
C&W: 6 -1SD -1WIA -1NML = 3 - Injured, skip 1D6 scenarios, rolled 2 = skip 2
E&E: 8 -1WIA -1WIC +1NML = 7 Landed, Almost Home, skip 1
s/Lt Jacques Rouselle: Sopwith Pup: SD-ET / 0 kills
C&W: 11 -1SD = 10 - All’s Well When You Land Well!
E&E: 7 -1BEL = 6 - In Hiding, skip 1D2 scenarios, rolled 6 = skip 2
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on attaining his third victory for the Kaiser and Fatherland 
Originally Posted by malachi
) and the rocket effect was spectacular - might have to try that ...
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