Wings of Glory - The Twenty Minuters, part 4

The Twenty Minuters, part 4

The chase is on!

NOTE: to see what happened last time in this Wings of Glory battle report, go to here.

TURN 7

Berty searches quickly around for any sign of Captain Flashheart, but to no avail. He then focuses on the White Albatross ahead of him attempting to Tail his opponent by anticipating the Bosch's moves.

Phase 1

Berty closes the distance on the two interloper German Albatross aircraft whilst the Brown Albatross, having completed his reconnaissance run, turns back towards the German lines and safety. The White Albatross, seeing his comrades' manoeuvre, also begins to turn for home.

"Time to go home, Fritz."

Berty again gives the White Albatross a burst of gunfire. Fortunately for our Twenty Minuter, both German aircraft are either out of range, or out of firing arch due to a dead gunner. Berty, once again, inflicts only a single point of damage at long range. The White Albatross has now suffered a total of six points of damage and has a dead gunner.

Phase 2

Berty continues to Tail the White Albatross. In an attempt to close in on that aircraft, he misses the fact that the Brown Albatross is closing in on him. The White Albatross ducks under the Brown Albatross and Berty finds himself face to face with the oncoming Brown Albatross.

Berty kicks himself for this Rookie mistake and hammers the trigger of his guns just as the sound of the ratta-tat-tat from the German aircraft cracks across the intervening distance. At Close Range both aircraft pummel each other with machine gun fire. Berty's aircraft suffers another two points of damage and smoke begins to issue forth from his engine. The Brown Albatross meanwhile receives four points of damage.

The Brown Albatross now has eight points of damage and an injured pilot. Berty however looks around at all the holes in his aircraft and smoke and oil issuing from the engine. At the eleven points of damage, his Sopwith Camel is not in good shape.

With a smoking engine, Berty can no longer Tail the White Albatross and may need to pull out of this fight and let the Germans escape. "Where are you Flashheart?" he says under his breath as he wonders what to do next.

Phase 3

Berty and the Brown Albatross now pass each other as Berty continues to follow the White Albatross.

As Berty now finds himself to the rear of the Brown Albatross, the unwelcome sound of another ratta-tat-tat is heard from that aircrafts' rear gunner. Berty meanwhile also fires on the White Albatross ahead of him.

Again, the shooting is at close range from both aircraft. Berty receives another two points of damage and his rudder jams so that he can't make either left or right rudder manoeuvres. His beleaguered aircraft has now suffered a total of thirteen points of damage.

The White Albatross however suffers another three points of damage, taking it to a total of nine points of damage overall.

TURN 8

Berty's aircraft is shot up badly and his rudder is now completely jammed. Meanwhile his engine is smoking. As such, he is limited to only moving straight ahead this turn. On the positive side, Berty is facing his own lines and so can make it back to his airfield safely enough if he disengages now. The Germans likewise and facing their own lines but will need to cross No-man's Land to get back to safety with the reconnaissance photos on the Brown Albatross intact.

Phase 1

Images of Lord Flashheart fill Berty's mind, and he begins to fear that his mentor and hero may have been shot down as he is nowhere to be seen. He is also keenly aware of the British PBI's (i.e. Poor Bloody Infantry) below him watching this sceptical unfold and no doubt cheering him on. Anger stirs in the Englishman and decides to attempt an Immelmann Manoeuvre. If he survives, he'll be back on the Bosch tail and will try to make Lord Flashheart proud of him by taking down one of their aircraft.

The Germans meanwhile aim straight for home, eager to get their intelligence to their own command.

As no aircraft are either in range, or firing arc, no shooting occurs this phase.

Phase 2

Berty survives the Immelmann Manoeuvre as his quarry flee for home.

But again, none of the aircraft are in range and so no shooting occurs this phase.

Phase 3

The chase is on once again.

On the Brown Albatross, the gunner yells out to his pilot, "Fritz, zere zeems to be a small cloud chasing uz." Fritz looks over his shoulder and sees the speck of the Sopwith Camel coming after them and growing steadily closer, a trail of smoke issuing from its beleaguered engine.

Can Berty, in a crippled Sopwith Camel, chase down the Germans and exact revenge for the loss of Lord Flashheart's aircraft? Will the Brown Albatross make it across the German lines and thus escape with vital intelligence of the Entente lines?

Stay tuned!

Wings of Glory - The Twenty Minuters, part 3

The Twenty Minuters, part 3

Things aren't looking the best for the Royal Flying Corps lads. Both British aircraft have been shot up rather badly and their German counterparts seem to be having the run of the day. Lord Flashhearts gun is jammed, and he's been injured by shrapnel. You can read all about their misfortunes back here in Part 2.

TURN 5

Although the German AI determines their flights throughout this scenario, if they approach their objective, they will tend to have movement cards selected for them that move them in the general direction of obtaining that objective and then retreating back across the German lines. That said, movement cards are still randomised but with a general directional push towards obtaining the objective.

Phase 1

With Flashheart's gun out of action, and the Brown Albatross being the only German aircraft with an Observer still alive and capable to achieving the observation objective and gaining a Victory Point (VP), the Brown Albatross will be pushing towards the Entente lines.

Berty disappears into the cloud cover after having received some nasty fire from the White Albatross. Flash meanwhile plays around with the jammed bullet blocking his gun. This distraction sees the White Albatross get on Flashhearts tail. Meanwhile the Brown Albatross makes haste towards the British lines so as the gain vital intelligence.

Flash cops another spray of German gunfire from the White Albatross. A bullet passes through his fuel tank and punches a large hole out the lower side. Fuel starts pouring out from underneath Flashheart's SE.5a and the engine starts to splutter. With a last puff, the engine goes out and Flashheart's aircraft begins to drop precipitously.

As his aircraft rapidly descends, Flashheart looks at the fuel gauge. "Damn Bosch. Wait, what's this? Out of fuel. Crickey! Looks like it's another crash landing. Let's DOOOooooo IT!" He manages to pull up his aircraft long enough to crash into the British trenches and jumps down, gun in hand, to hammer a Captain to the ground whom he mistakes for a German Officer. Only after he questions Captain Blackadder does Lord Flashheart realise that he's back on the right side of No Mans Land. Better make a phone call. "Woof!"

Phase 2

Berty, in an attempt to get onto the White Albatross tail, performs the second movement of an Immelmann Manoeuvre whilst hidden in cloud cover. He has no idea of what has just become of Lord Flashheart.

Trying to get correct movement in 3d clouds isn't easy!

Meanwhile, as the German aircraft now aim for the Entente lines, they have gained a VP for downing a British aircraft and want another for their primary mission objective.

"Za coast is clear of zoes pesky British flyers. Letz get za photoraphz!"

Phase 3

As the Germans continue onwards towards their objective, they have lost sight of the remaining British fighter. Thinking they have fended off the British, their mood lightens up after the downing of one British aircraft and chasing off another.

But not so fast. Berty completes his Immelmann Manoeuvre inside the cloud bank and prepares to return to the fight.

TURN 6

For movement this turn, the Germans will automatically move as directly as possible to the Entente lines before turning to dash back towards their own lines and safety.

Phase 1

Berty reappears out of the cloud bank and onto the White Albatross tail. With the German observer dead, the White Albatross won't be able to fire behind the aircraft, nor can it gain any VP for observation of the Entente line.

The Brown Albatross however, makes it over their reconnaissance objective. If they can stay over the Entente line for the rest of the turn then make it safely back across their own lines (i.e. off the German table edge), the Germans will gain a VP.

"Surprise Hun!"

"Start taking photorgraphz, Schultz"

Phase 2

Berty quickly begins to close the gap on the slower White Albatross. The Brown Albatross begins its photographic run of the Entente trenches. Berty is at long range but has the White Albatross in his sights. He opens fire on the German, eager to repay the kindness he suffered before going into the cloud bank earlier.

Being at long range however prevents him from getting in an accurate hit as the German throws his Albatross around the sky in an attempt to avoid damage.

Phase 3

As the Brown Albatross continues its reconnaissance run as Berty closes in on his prey, the White Albatross.

Berty lets rip with on the White Albatross with another salvo from his guns. But yet again fortune is not with the British pilot as he only manages to score a single point of damage.

With that, the turn comes to an end. The Germans have managed to shoot down Lord Flashheart, who has fortunately survived, and are undertaking the reconnaissance run of the Entente lines. Meanwhile Berty is frantically trying to take down the Germans single handedly. Not bad for a Rooky pilot of the 20 Minuters but things look bleak for the British Royal Flying Corps.

Wings of Glory - The Twenty Minuters, part 2

 The Twenty Minuters, part 2

We left of last turn (you can find it here) with the Brown Albatross' observer firing on Berty at close range. The first burst caused no damage passing safely past the plucky aerial newcomer. However, the second burst drew a damage card that saw Berty's aircraft suffer 2 points of damage and his rudder hit. This caused him to lose the ability to undertake right hand manoeuvres for the next three phases. So, for this next turn, Berty's manoeuvring options will be limited.

TURN 3

The Germans, being managed under the scenario AI rules, randomly choose their movement cards for this turn.

Phase 1

The British movement this phase sees Lord Flashheart closes in on his quarry. Whilst Berty sets himself up for an Immelmann Manoeuvrer so that he can turn back on his Hun quarry. Meanwhile the experienced German pilots push to put as much distance between themselves and the British so that they can complete their mission.

Flashheart and the White Albatross' observer exchange fire whilst Berty just manages to avoid another burst of fire from the Brown Albatross' observer.

Flashheart makes use of his Sharp Eye ability firing at the White Albatross at long range as though it were at short range. However, fate strikes Flashheart as his gun jams as he fires. The White Albatross suffers little damage as a result but fortunately for Flashheart his SE.5a suffers very little damage in the return exchange of bullets.

"Blast. Jammed gun. And the Hun in my sights too."

Phase 2

Flash proceeds to work on his jammed gun whilst manoeuvring to get onto the tail of the White Albatross. Berty meanwhile commences the climb on his Immelmann Manoeuvre. Both of the Albatrosses turn to their right hoping to avoid taking more fire from the British.

The observer on the White Albatross fires another short burst at Lord Flashheart for good measure, his SE.5a taking another 2 points of damage.

"Get avay from uz British!"

Phase 3

Lord Flashheart eye's his quarry as it gets out of range, all the while working the mechanism of his gun to expel the accursed jammed bullet.

Berty comes out of his Immelmann Manoeuvre and chases after the Brown Albatross. Both of the German aircraft turn again to their right in an attempt to circle the British and come up on their tails. As a result, the Brown Albatross comes into close range of Flashheart.

The wounded pilot of the Brown Albatross gives Lord Flashheart a spray. Bullets fly around the cockpit of Flashheart, causing splinters and shards of glass from his windshield and instruments to injure the British Ace. Distracted by fixing his gun, the Squadron Commander of the Twenty Minuters didn't see it coming. Checking his nether regions to ensure that all was still intact and well, he lets fly a series of curses at the Bosche for their impudence and for his own lack of situational awareness.

So that's 3 points of damage the SE.5a took in that exchange. Berty, now that the turn has come to an end, is able to fix his rudder issues and will now be able to turn to the right. Turn 3 comes to an end with Lord Flashheart shouting obscenities at both the Bosche and his aircraft.

TURN 4

The British aren't having the best of the flying today. The Germans meanwhile have a few issues of their own, with the pilot of the Brown Albatross injured from earlier gunfire.

Phase 1

Lord Flashhearts' colourful language somehow helps him to finally clear the jam in his gun. However, he has missed a golden opportunity to tell the wounded pilot of the Brown Albatross just how much he appreciated the German's recent gift of bullets as the aircraft escapes from his gun sights. He decides to undertake an Immelmann turn in order to share his feelings with these Hun interlopers.

However, the Brown Albatross' observer / gunner has the SE.5a in his sights and, at short range, lets off another series of unanswered barks from his machine gun. Once again, Flasheart's poor SE.5a gets additional tares in the fabric as bullets pass through them doing just 2 points of damage.

This enrages Flashheart even more. His SE.5a has now suffered a total of 9 hits out of the sixteen hits the aircraft can take before it drops from the sky. And all of these recent hits have gone unanswered due to his gun jam. To add insult to injury, Flashheart is now sporting some wounds himself. Ah well, the ladies will swoon even harder of his risking life and limb for Ol' Blighty.

Phase 2

Flash climbs and rolls over in the Immelmann Manoeuvre getting onto the Brown Albartoss' tail so as to let them know what he thinks of the impudent Hun.

The White Albatross heads for a cloud bank with the hopes of breaking LOS with the British as Berty pursues it.

Flashheart meanwhile now has the Brown Albatross in his sight. Flash's Immelmann turn has him now on the Brown Albatross' tail at long range. However, his Sharp Eye skill grants him the ability to shoot as though the long range was actually short range.

The German observer on the Brown Albatross however is out of firing arc and can't shoot back at Flashheart.

"Take that Hun!"

Berty and the White Albatross exchange fire at long range also.

Incredibly, Flashheart's gun jams yet again doing no damage to the Brown Albatross. Being injured, Flash is going to have to take a total of four phases now to clear this new jam. Moreover, he has now used up his Sharp Eye skill for the game and seen no benefit for it, having a jammed gun on both occasions he has used the skill.

Meanwhile Berty and his targeted White Albatross exchange blasts of machine gun fire at long range. Berty's bullets shoot past the pilot and slam into the observer killing him outright and taking the rear gun out of action. This means too that the White Albatross can no longer gain a victory point for undertaking an observation run of the Entente lines. Berty's Sopwith Camel meanwhile takes a single point of damage.

Flashhearts swearing can be heard all the way back to Ol' Blighty!

Phase 3

Berty and the White Albatross head into partial cloud cover meaning that any shooting can only be conducted at short range and will be treated as though being conducted at long range. That said, both aircraft will get a shot off at one another this phase.

Flash completes the Immelmann Manoeuvre snarling at the smug German crew in the Brown Albatross. Across even this distance and the roar of their engines, he can hear the Hun taunting him. "Ah, ze famous Lord Flashheart. You should have put bullets in your gun before battle!" Then the observer opens fire again at the British Ace.

Dogfight in the clouds.

The observer on the Brown Albatross fires away at Flashheart's aircraft and does a single point of damage. Flash's SE.5a has now taken a total of 10 hits.

Berty meanwhile cops a heavy burst of gun fire receiving 4 points of damage. The spray at short range, even though it's treated as being at long range due to the partial cloud cover, shocks the Twenty Minuter throwing off his aim as he does no damage in return to the German aircraft. Definitely not a good day for the British aviators.

As Turn 4 draws to a close, Berty's Sopwith Camel has suffered a total of 9 points of damage out of the fifteen points it can take. Flashheart's SE.5a meanwhile has suffered a total of 10 points of damage out of the sixteen points it can take.

The German Albatross's however have only suffered light damage. But the observer on the White Albatross has been killed and the pilot on the Brown Albatross has been injured. Should that pilot take another injury it will kill him outright and the aircraft will tumble to the ground.

Flash has also suffered injury, but he has the Charmed and Fated Life special rule for this scenario and, as the Red Barron is not present in this game, he won't be killed here if he takes another wound. He will crash though taking him out of the scenario. Lord Flashheart does have three more gun jammed tokens that he has to remove and so won't be able to shoot through the entirety of Turn 5 either. He will probably shoot one of his mechanics when he returns to the British Aerodrome assuming that the fool didn't load his gun belt correctly as he is a German spy. He would probably be right there too. Two jams in as many attempts at shooting is unacceptable.

Things indeed are looking grim for our British airmen. The Germans on the other hand are feeling upbeat that they can get the intel needed and make it back safely across the German lines. What happens next is anyone's guess. Stay tuned!