Dawn Patrol

In my previous game of Spandau & Lewis I tried out the Taubes for the first time. In my next game I wanted to use the Bleriot XIs. They didn't seem to hang around on the Western Front for as long as the Taube did (at least not in any numbers) so it was harder to put together a scenario that allowed a mix of machine-guns and rifles. So I didn't. I just went for an all-rifle scenario.

It's early in the war and both sides need to check out what's happening around a village on the front-line.

The Germans send a couple of Taubes, escorted by an Albatros B-type. Escorting with aircraft just equipped with a rifle-armed observer does seem to be a thing. They seem to have just acted as a deterrent. 

The French send a couple of Bleriot XIs. They are escorted by a Morane L. The latter plane is a two-seater and the rear observer is equipped with a rifle. 

I varied the firing arcs for the planes. My rules pretty much give rifles free firing except to the front (on tractor planes) and rear (pushers) but really they were just as restricted as machine-guns, so I'm less generous these days.

Taube (Front-seat observer) - 2*,4,8,10*
Albatros B (Front-seat observer) - 2*,4*,8*,10*. All arcs are restricted because of all of the stuff in the way.

Bleriot XI (Rear seat observer) - 2*,4,6*8,10*
Morane L (Rear seat observer) - 4,6*8
I reasoned that the parasol wing on the Morane would restrict firing to the front.

I didn't take detailed notes, but here's everyone closing in on the two objectives. The Bleriots failed to notice any enemy aircraft for ages, and were pretty much scouting the targets before they saw planes with black crosses on the wings. Both sides kept their scouting planes on mission (of course) and sent the cover off to harass the enemy.

The Albatros and the Morane exchanged a shot as they passed each other in the centre, more for form's sake than anything else. 

One of the Bleriots finally spotted the Albatros, just as it passed alongside. A single shot rang out from the German plane and the French observer slumped in his seat, mortally wounded.

For practical purposes this now left the French down one plane and, to make matters worse, they now had an unarmed aircraft that had nothing better to do but go home, but had to avoid enemy planes whilst doing so. 

Both of the Taubes spotted a target, and one closed in on the second target. The other Taube swung wide (right of the picture). The operational Bleriot spotted both targets with ease and looked at heading home. A few shots were exchanged, to no effect. 

As the operational Bleriot turned for home its observer got of a couple of shots at he Albatros. One went home, doing some minor structural damage, but nothing more. 

Both Bleriots were heading for home unmolested, as did one of the Taubes. The Morane went after the last Taube, but couldn't line up a shot. 

The action ended with the Albatros and the Morane meeting briefly in the middle again. They both shot at each other to no effect, then went home. 

This was another German win, with a French observer killed and three observations brought back to their lines compared to the French who only got two. Still, they could have lost their Albatros to that shot from the Bleriot. 

This was a very sedate game, and made a change from the usual frantic dog-fighting you get with WW1 games.