Battle Over Lateau Wood

Battle Over Lateau Wood

6 or more players, Western Front, British Camels vs. Albatrosses

It's Tuesday morning, November 20, 1917 and the Battle of Cambrai began less than 90 minutes ago. Low clouds, heavy mist and scattered rains have turned the battlefield to a quagmire and reduced visibility to impossible levels for even the bravest pilot. In spite of the weather, RFC 46 squadron is assigned to low level bombing and strafing for support of the advance troops.

Flying Clerget-powered Camels, the British aviators are given strict orders: bombs must be dropped on the 5.9 inch German field guns positioned in Lateau Wood, a few miles south of Cambrai itself. In addition, the Cambrai-Arras road must be strafed between Cambrai and Estourmel to disrupt enemy reserves being rushed to the front. Bombing must be carried out at all costs, regardless of weather, enemy aircraft or ground fire. Aviators are to avoid aerial combat if at all possible. Get straight to the ground targets, then immediately return to the forward field for re-arming and re-fueling for the next mission... 46 squadron will have no rest today.

At the German aerodrome at Estourmel, the leader of Jasta 5 had defied orders since dawn to send his men out on patrol against the British Camels. Thinking it suicide to send men flying in such weather, he reluctantly sent volunteers out only after the aerodrome itself had been bombed by another flight of three Camels of No. 3 squadron. The Jasta 5 Albatri shot down one Camel, and the other two crashed in the mist. The Germans were regrouping and heading back to Estourmel when No. 46's Camels appeared over Lateau Wood. The Albatri climb and turn south. The battle is on...

This scenario is based on Arthur Gould Lee's account of No.46 squadron's role in the Battle of Cambrai found in his autobiography, "No Parachute." It is well worth reading.

There is no No Man's Land. The British were on the offensive and when they crossed the front to initiate the attack, all of what had been No Man's Land came into their possession. For game purposes, No Man's Land is non-existent. You will either land behind Allied lines or behind German lines.

At the beginning of the game the field guns are assumed to be 60 squares behind the German lines and the width of the front is calculated per the game rules. However, as the battle on the ground continues, the distance to the front will change dramatically and each Allied aviator who cannot make it back to his home field must make the following rolls to determine the distance to the front on - and only on - the turn of landing. (Even under good conditions, aviators had great difficulties distinguishing friendly and enemy troops during an offensive.)

During the battle, the front was constantly shifting. There is a 60% chance that the front will shift east (in favor of the British) and a 40% chance that the front will shift west (the Brits won the battle). If forced to land, the pilot first flies as far as possible towards his own lines. When he must land, roll the 60/40 chance to see which way the front has shifted. Once the direction is determined, the amount of the shift, which can be as large as 50 squares, should be determined by dice. The pilot rolls percentile dice and divides the result by two (rounding odd numbers down) to determine the number of squares the front has shifted in that direction.

The above rolls must be made by each aviator landing in that game turn, even if two pilots land relatively close together. The rationale is that the front, in an offensive, is never a solid line; it consists of pockets of friendly and enemy forces.

The field guns may not be used as anti-aircraft weapons.

Because of the wide-spread ground battles, machine guns must be placed at least eight squares apart. Camel pilots must make three strafing runs along the Cambrai-Arras road or suffer a -10 point penalty for each run not made. The standard point system is used for all other point calculations.

Because of the earlier engagement with Camels of 3 squadron, the German pilots must roll for ammunition expenditure, gun jams and damage prior to this battle. A roll of 2D6 indicates the rounds of ammunition spent before the dogfight. Additionally, a roll of 1 on 1D6 indicates a jammed gun when the battle begins. If a jam occurs, roll to determine whether it was the left or right gun. (Albs will not start with two jammed guns). The gun can be cleared in the normal manner.

A roll of 1 or 2 on 1D6 indicates that the Albatros has previous battle damage. Consult the anti-aircraft tables and roll angle of attack and damage normally from 1,000 feet. If a head-on angle is indicated, disregard and re-roll. Pilots will not begin the game with critical hits.

Each Albatros pilot in the flight must make these rolls for his individual aircraft.

At 06:55 hrs, a light rain starts to fall and the weather worsens. The cloud level beings to drop 50' at the end of every game turn, with the first drop occurring prior to the 2nd game turn. Should a plane of either nationality be forced to land (except at it's own field) after the clouds drop to 900' or below, subtract 10% from the normally-calculated landing chance. Clouds will never drop below 300'. Clouds drop prior to all movement.

Results

German pilots scoring two kills may make a special roll for promotion at the end of the mission (1 or 2 on 1D6). British pilots scoring a kill, completing their strafing runs and successfully bombing at least one field gun are eligible for the Military Cross (1-4 on 1D6); those completing their strafing runs, scoring a kill and successfully bombing at least three field guns are eligible for the Distinguished Service Cross (1-2 on 1D6, normal prerequisites are disregarded).

This is a historically accurate and extremely dangerous mission. The British Camels actually suffered 67% casualties, and the Germans fared little better due to the weather. Let the Indy Squadron Dispatch know how the battle turned out at your squadron's next game day!