The Twenty Minuters, part 1
The scenario background, mission objectives and house rules can be found here. This battle report was a solo game so that I could learn the rules for Wings of Glory. Ever late to the game when it comes to finding great wargames, I'm often learning when everyone else has long stopped playing the game and its pretty much out of print. Well, better late than never, I say!
TURN 1
The Germans in this battle report will be governed by the scenario Solo AI movement rules. As such, suitable options for their flight paths throughout the game were chosen by a roll of the die.
The Germans are sporting two Albatross C.III with observer/rear gunners. These will be referred to as the "Brown Albatross", and the "White Albatross" in this battle report. This may cause some confusion as the White Albatross is more of a lighter blue than white, and the Brown Albatross has tan coloured wings. It's confusing, I know, but you'll work it out.
The British today comprise of Lord Flashheart in his SE.5a, and a Rookie pilot named Berty Pemberton flying a Sopwith Camel.
Note of continuity: if one remembers the Blackadder episode correctly, Lord Flashhearts' crashed aircraft looked like a Sopwith Camel and the flying aircraft where Baldrick was fooling around in just before he and Blackadder were shot down by The Red Barron appeared to be a single seater SE.5a. So, because they look good, and because both appeared in the Blackadder episode, I'm running with them. The SE.5a looks too cool for Lord Flashheart to not have chosen it for himself in this little adventure, so he will be flying the SE.5a.
Phase 1 to 3
The opening phases of the battle see the contenders closing on one another.
Lord Flashheart hand signals to Berty to take the Brown Albatross to his 1 O'Clock position whilst he will attack the White Albatross dead ahead. The Bosch meanwhile spot the incoming threat and move to intercept. Neither side however is currently in range and so no shooting can take place this turn.
TURN 2
The combatants have a clear LOS to each other, and the Germans choose their three movement options before randomly selecting the turn's movement cards for each aircraft.
Phase 1
While the combatants close. Lord Flashheart decides to attempt to attack his targeted Albatross from the side, thus narrowing its options to fire back at him. In order to do this, he is going to attempt to use the cloud bank to his left side to block LOS. Thus, attacking the German aircraft for out of the cloud bank as the Germans pass by.
Phase 2
Berty and his German opposite number close to maximum firing range. Both pilots firing salvos at one another. Berty scores 5 damage on the German aircraft and injures the pilot. His bullets hitting just as the German fired as amazingly Berty suffers no damage in return. "Wow, not bad Rookie", Lord Flashheart quips as he observes the confrontation before the cloud bank blocks his line of sight. If the German pilot suffers a second hit, then he will be either dead or incapacitated, and the aircraft will careen out of the sky. Observers only require one hit to be incapacitated. Pilots are more important you see. Just ask them.
Phase 3
As the aircraft pass one another, the observer on the Brown Albatross fires on Berty at close range. The first machinegun burst (i.e. the first damage card drawn) does no damage, but the second damage card drawn sees Berty's aircraft suffer 2 points of damage. However, the shot also hits Berty's rudder. This causes him to lose the ability to undertake right hand manoeuvres for the next three phases. So, for the next turn, Berty's manoeuvring options will be limited. Not a good start for our Rookie pilot.
With that Turn 2 comes to a close. Berty experiences his first taste of battle and the Germans head relentlessly towards their main objective, the observation of the Entente forces. What will happen next?
Will Flashheart be able to out manoeuvre his opponent? Will Berty survive for more than 20 minutes in their air?* Will the Germans achieve their objective and make it back to their airfield safely. Stay tuned!
* The average life span of a British pilot towards the middle and later part of the war was 11 weeks if I remember correctly. But don't take my word for it.
