Andrew P
United States
Minnesota
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I havent written up our weekly games lately, but thought this one deserved a good writeup...
October 22nd, 1916. AP is proudly flying his 1500th mission of FITS, and he, Carl and Mike H. take off in their trusty Alb CIIIs and head across Allied lines for a ground attack mission.
On their way they spot a balloon, which is defended by Kurt, John B and John H in French Nieuport 17s. A dogfight ensues, and the Albs dive for the balloon, but not before the French catch up and trade some shots. Kurt, being venturous as ever decides to see if his foe actually has a front gun or not, and lines up for a head on w/ AP... both pilots hit, AP striking the Nieuports engine, and Kurt hitting both the engine AND the pilot! Tis but a scratch the pilot claimed and flew on with a light wound...until the collision next turn...The Nieuport raked the top wing of the Alb, doing 7 pts of damage to the CW, and ripping off its own landing gear in the process!!
The next few turns the pesky French proceeded to pick on the wounded ALb, and sure enough he started trailing smoke. The Germans finally made it down to the balloon, and all 3 were going to fire on it on the same turn, until AP realized his CW observer couldnt :( so Mike & Carl hit the balloon, but could not bring it down, all the while the French continued to fire at the smoking Alb. APs pilot miraculously unjammed his gun and was able to fire at the balloon on the 2nd pass, all three hitting it again and sending it wilting to the ground. APs engine was stuck for the 6th and final time though, and caught on fire. Being directly in front of a hydrogen leaking gasbag & needing to do a falling leaf, the pilot slipped through the gas ( we decided it had a 50% chance of exploding) and thankfully did NOT ignite the leaking gas!!
Landing from 250 ft w/ four crits, the poor wounded alb pilot only had a 20% chance to land, and crashed the feeble Alb. The Obs had taken a 2nd slug the turn before and his lifeless body was thrown from the wreck, but the wounded pilot was able to walk away - only to be captured.
The greedy French now turned to their next target, and proceeded to chase Carl all the way back to German lines at 50 ft... toying with the observer as they went, but in the end had to break off the fight.
Kurt, having no landing gear and a kill to his credit, unfortunately could not land his plane without wheels and the poor hapless pilot did not survive the wreck.
It was quite the exciting game for my 1500th, although I hope my next 1500 turn out much better...
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Martin
United States
Bainbridge Island
Washington
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It's nice to read the optional collision chart is in action.
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