Volume 37, Number 2
Four players gathered for four games in Lewisville on Saturday, February 8th for the Indy Squadron's second gaming day of the new year. Present were Rick, Ben, Jon and Stephen while Nelson served us a great snack smorgasbord as well as lunch and dinner.
The final game of the night was wrought with mayhem and unbelievable ground fire carnage, so we'll start at the end of the night with our report on Game 4.
Four players gathered for four games in Lewisville on Saturday, February 8th for the Indy Squadron's second gaming day of the new year. Present were Rick, Ben, Jon and Stephen while Nelson served us a great snack smorgasbord as well as lunch and dinner.
The final game of the night was wrought with mayhem and unbelievable ground fire carnage, so we'll start at the end of the night with our report on Game 4.
World Record Ground Fire Wrecks Both Teams
Jon and Rick were in French SPAD XIII's against Ben's Pfalz DIII and Stephen's Albatros DVa. The Germans were on a balloon attack mission deep behind French lines. Heavily outmatched by the faster SPADs, they nevertheless looked forward to a chance at getting some kills since there were two Allied balloons on the game board. But the crazy thing that no one anticipated was the troop fire... not just AA and machine guns, but the rifle fire of the troops in the trenches below.
On their first try, the French sharpshooters on the ground shot both of their own SPADs but missed the attacking Germans entirely (I had never seen that in 38 years of Dawn Patrol). They reprised their efforts on the next turn, again shooting both of their own planes while the Germans remained unmolested. "The guy on the ground shot my pilot's seat," Rick said. "I've never seen that critical hit before." Rick was forced to add 1 spot to his initiative roll from that point on, which was a considerable help to the inferior planes of the Germans.
Meanwhile, Ben was doing his best to hold off the SPAD's of Jon and Rick. At one point he nailed Jon's French pilot with 8 hits as they scrambled across the sky at just under 1,000 feet. Ben also hit and knocked out one of the machine guns on Rick's SPAD.
Stephen's Albatros slipped away during the confusion, maneuvered at treetop level into range, then climbed sharply and shot down the nearest German balloon in flames with a single burst. This moment was the high point for the Germans and for a moment it looked as if they might pull off an upset.
The troops in the trenches below continued to perform miracles, this time hitting both of their own planes for a third time and giving Jon's SPAD a critical hit, but at least they managed to lightly wound Stephen's Albatros pilot as well. Their aim was improving. It took six game turns before the troop fire finally missed everyone in the sky.
Stephen's lightly wounded Albatros pilot had no sooner turned for home when he passed out from blood loss and died in the ensuing crash. That left Ben's ungainly Pfalz alone in the sky against both SPADs. The comedy of errors concluded when Rick jammed his lone remaining machine gun, broke off combat and survived a landing crash at his home field.
Jon and Rick were in French SPAD XIII's against Ben's Pfalz DIII and Stephen's Albatros DVa. The Germans were on a balloon attack mission deep behind French lines. Heavily outmatched by the faster SPADs, they nevertheless looked forward to a chance at getting some kills since there were two Allied balloons on the game board. But the crazy thing that no one anticipated was the troop fire... not just AA and machine guns, but the rifle fire of the troops in the trenches below.
On their first try, the French sharpshooters on the ground shot both of their own SPADs but missed the attacking Germans entirely (I had never seen that in 38 years of Dawn Patrol). They reprised their efforts on the next turn, again shooting both of their own planes while the Germans remained unmolested. "The guy on the ground shot my pilot's seat," Rick said. "I've never seen that critical hit before." Rick was forced to add 1 spot to his initiative roll from that point on, which was a considerable help to the inferior planes of the Germans.
Meanwhile, Ben was doing his best to hold off the SPAD's of Jon and Rick. At one point he nailed Jon's French pilot with 8 hits as they scrambled across the sky at just under 1,000 feet. Ben also hit and knocked out one of the machine guns on Rick's SPAD.
Stephen's Albatros slipped away during the confusion, maneuvered at treetop level into range, then climbed sharply and shot down the nearest German balloon in flames with a single burst. This moment was the high point for the Germans and for a moment it looked as if they might pull off an upset.
The troops in the trenches below continued to perform miracles, this time hitting both of their own planes for a third time and giving Jon's SPAD a critical hit, but at least they managed to lightly wound Stephen's Albatros pilot as well. Their aim was improving. It took six game turns before the troop fire finally missed everyone in the sky.
Stephen's lightly wounded Albatros pilot had no sooner turned for home when he passed out from blood loss and died in the ensuing crash. That left Ben's ungainly Pfalz alone in the sky against both SPADs. The comedy of errors concluded when Rick jammed his lone remaining machine gun, broke off combat and survived a landing crash at his home field.
Gaming Report, February 8, 2025
And now for the rest of the day's games in chronological order...
Game 1
An airfield bombing mission was set in November 1916. The Sopwith Strutters of Rick and Ben bombed the airfield successfully, destroying two of the field's six buildings. Jon and Stephen's pilots scrambled into the nearest running airplanes (Fokker EIII and Fokker DIII, respectively) and took off under heavy fire from Rick while Ben continued to waylay the German airplane hangars.
Stephen's Fokker DIII, flown by VZ Wilhelm Weyerhausen (13/1), tried to even the score with a 10-hit megaburst into Rick's Strutter that wounded the observer. Hoping that the observer was now incapacitated, Stephen closed in for a 100 foot tail shot with both airplanes at only 50 feet altitude. However, Rick's observer had only suffered a light wound and was still in the fight. His return fire knocked out the Fokker's engine and the German ace safely landed in his own lines.
Jonathon, who has struggled with low level dogfights in the past, flew extremely well in this fight. Overall, Benjamin was the star of the mission as his bombs were more effective and accurate than Rick's. The British wreaked havoc on the German airfield, forced down an enemy ace and blew up to airplane hangars for a solid victory.
A debate occurred over whether the Observer's Defense Rule could be invoked when the attacking plane ended it's movement within the normal firing range of the two-seater, or whether this was to be considered standard opportunity fire (the rule was intended as the latter) A clarifying statement has been added to the rule. Anyone who would like to amend the rule to the former may do so by vote at any gaming day.
Game 2
A classic dogfight indeed, featuring a pair of German Fokker DVII's (Rick and Ben) against two American SPAD 13's (Jon and Stephen) at high altitude over the front. The SPAD is clearly among Jon's favorite airplanes as he once again flew superbly despite multiple gun jams. The DVII's had every advantage. Not only are they far better in a dogfight, but the 12,000 foot altitude gave them an ever better performance advantage. But the Americans rolled better initiative and were able to fight the Huns to a draw.
Game 3
Rick and Ben flew SE5a's against the Fokker Triplanes of Jon and Stephen in June 1918 at low altitude over German terrain. The game offered a few good laughs when Rick - flying one of his SE aces - continually refused to box with his own wingman in order to avoid enemy fire. Interrupted by bratwurst, chips and dip and dessert, the game progressed slowly and took 8 turns to complete. It was another draw with no kills scored on either side.
The Red Baron's First Albatros
And now for the rest of the day's games in chronological order...
Game 1
An airfield bombing mission was set in November 1916. The Sopwith Strutters of Rick and Ben bombed the airfield successfully, destroying two of the field's six buildings. Jon and Stephen's pilots scrambled into the nearest running airplanes (Fokker EIII and Fokker DIII, respectively) and took off under heavy fire from Rick while Ben continued to waylay the German airplane hangars.
Stephen's Fokker DIII, flown by VZ Wilhelm Weyerhausen (13/1), tried to even the score with a 10-hit megaburst into Rick's Strutter that wounded the observer. Hoping that the observer was now incapacitated, Stephen closed in for a 100 foot tail shot with both airplanes at only 50 feet altitude. However, Rick's observer had only suffered a light wound and was still in the fight. His return fire knocked out the Fokker's engine and the German ace safely landed in his own lines.
Jonathon, who has struggled with low level dogfights in the past, flew extremely well in this fight. Overall, Benjamin was the star of the mission as his bombs were more effective and accurate than Rick's. The British wreaked havoc on the German airfield, forced down an enemy ace and blew up to airplane hangars for a solid victory.
A debate occurred over whether the Observer's Defense Rule could be invoked when the attacking plane ended it's movement within the normal firing range of the two-seater, or whether this was to be considered standard opportunity fire (the rule was intended as the latter) A clarifying statement has been added to the rule. Anyone who would like to amend the rule to the former may do so by vote at any gaming day.
Game 2
A classic dogfight indeed, featuring a pair of German Fokker DVII's (Rick and Ben) against two American SPAD 13's (Jon and Stephen) at high altitude over the front. The SPAD is clearly among Jon's favorite airplanes as he once again flew superbly despite multiple gun jams. The DVII's had every advantage. Not only are they far better in a dogfight, but the 12,000 foot altitude gave them an ever better performance advantage. But the Americans rolled better initiative and were able to fight the Huns to a draw.
Game 3
Rick and Ben flew SE5a's against the Fokker Triplanes of Jon and Stephen in June 1918 at low altitude over German terrain. The game offered a few good laughs when Rick - flying one of his SE aces - continually refused to box with his own wingman in order to avoid enemy fire. Interrupted by bratwurst, chips and dip and dessert, the game progressed slowly and took 8 turns to complete. It was another draw with no kills scored on either side.
The Red Baron's First Albatros
Best Von Richthofen Book in Decades
Pen and Sword's new volume on the Red Baron is a mandatory addition to your library. Written by Tim Hillier-Graves and titled, "Manfred von Richthofen: The Red Baron and The High Price of Glory," readers are finally blessed with something more than a recitation of the Baron's skill or personality traits.
This book pulls back the curtain and reveals how Richthofen was manipulated as a puppet by the warmongers and war profiteers of his day. His privacy was destroyed, he was left in combat long after he became utterly disillusioned with the mass murder we call "war," and sources previously unknown to this reviewer are brought forth by name and carefully examined.
This is the story you're not supposed to read. The individual names of the propagandists are named. The fatigue and distress heaped upon Richthofen is revealed. His disenchantment and disgust with the reality of war is laid bare.
If you buy only one Great War aviation book this year, make it this one. Read it... and then pass it along to an acquaintance who may be considering a military career. It's the biggest favor you could do them.
Pen and Sword's new volume on the Red Baron is a mandatory addition to your library. Written by Tim Hillier-Graves and titled, "Manfred von Richthofen: The Red Baron and The High Price of Glory," readers are finally blessed with something more than a recitation of the Baron's skill or personality traits.
This book pulls back the curtain and reveals how Richthofen was manipulated as a puppet by the warmongers and war profiteers of his day. His privacy was destroyed, he was left in combat long after he became utterly disillusioned with the mass murder we call "war," and sources previously unknown to this reviewer are brought forth by name and carefully examined.
This is the story you're not supposed to read. The individual names of the propagandists are named. The fatigue and distress heaped upon Richthofen is revealed. His disenchantment and disgust with the reality of war is laid bare.
If you buy only one Great War aviation book this year, make it this one. Read it... and then pass it along to an acquaintance who may be considering a military career. It's the biggest favor you could do them.
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