Results from the Indy Squadron's "Lost Battalion" Mission

Flown November 17, 2001

by Barton Stano

Germans: 239 pts.

Americans: 86 pts.

Turn 1

American pilots first turn stayed at 1,200 and moved to the target and the Germans, who had to move, first stayed near 2,000.

Turn 2

The battle starts! All planes clustered at about 1,000, with the DH-4a's proceeding to target at agonizingly slow 60mph. Barton's observer took a 400 opportunity side shot on Kevin, missed (Bart's only attack in the entire game). Cody's observer took an opportunity shot this turn. The Germans both attacked the SPADs. Stephen Dale got a shot this time. Stephen was heard to say that "plan A is working."

Turn 3

The battle moved to under 500'. Kevin and Stephen attacked Stephen Dale's SPAD and they both hit him hard. Kevin's Pfalz pilot hit did a pilot hit, doing a fatal chest hit... OUCH! Rick was unable to help the American cause this turn. The DH-4a's dove to the deck. Barton's aircraft (at only 50') took deadly accurate German ground MG fire. Barton's DH-4a Liberty engine started to emit smoke and engine 5/5 critical hit (luckily he rolled no effect and not an engine stoppage). Barton's observer tried to find the trapped American troops, but no luck. Things were not going well for the USAS.

Turn 4

Stephen Dale's SPAD went out of control and crashed. Kevin's Pfalz closed for what seemed to be a easy 50' top shot on Barton's DH-4a. He missed, things were looking up for the Americans. Rick's aircraft took a beating from Stephen. Rick's SPAD started to trail smoke and the plane was in deep trouble. Cody's DH-4 took ground MG fire and he started to trail smoke. At this point all of the American planes were trailing smoke. Barton's observer even from 50' still could not find the trapped troops.

Turn 5

All of the German ground MG's miss Barton.   Cody's observer took an opportunity head-on shot on Kevin and his Pfalz explodes! Kevin's pilot did not make his miracle survival roll. Stephen attacks Cody's DH-4a.  Barton's observer finally finds the trapped troops and fires a signal flare. Rick's SPAD lands on good ground. He was not able to quickly link up with friendly forces and the Germans troops shot him (light wound). Ricks pilot did eventually manage to get to a pocket of US troops. Rick did no damage to German aircraft in the entire game.

Turn 6

The smoking DH-4a's are now completely exposed. Barton's observer successfully drops a bundle of rifle bullets to the American troops. The ground MG did not fire this turn due to the Germans being so close to the Americans. Stephen attacked Cody's DH-4a from the side.  Barton's DH-4a takes a single hf from ground troops. The hit was in the engine (the 4^th hit) and caused a critical. Barton's DH-4's prop stops and he now is gliding at 50' altitude.

Turn 7

Barton's pilot attempted to land. The DH-4a still loaded, with a severe shortage of altitude, crashed into shelled ground. Barton's crew survived an end over end crash and was able to reach nearby US troops. Cody decides to stay in the fight, a brave move. Stephen's Fokker did a side attack on Cody's DH-4a after carefully maneuvering to avoid counter-fire. Cody's Liberty engine dies and the prop stops (another engine critical hit). Gliding from 50' is not fun.

Turn 8

Cody's fully loaded DH-4a crashes and loses its landing gear. The crew survived the crash and avoided German troops to get to the isolated American troops.

The Germans automatically won due to downing more than half of the DH-4a's. Cody got a kill (Kevin), the only bright spot for the Allies. Kevin got a kill (Stephen Dale) and did significant damage to the Allied planes. Stephen lost the card cut for the kill on Stephen Dale so he got a double kill (shooting down Cody and Rick) but did not get ace-hood. His pilot was put up for Military Merit Order, but the "brains" at HQ denied the request.