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.
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.
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.
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.
