Situation: Opening day of the Battle of Vitorio Veneto, October
24, 1918. Austro-Hungarian army in full retreat... the Austro-Hungarian LFT (air service) is desperately short on machines
and equipment. Each campaign mission represents one day of the battle. Every day, each squadron will fly a combat mission,
and all those who survive through the five days of combat are assumed to have survived the war. A/H army surrendered after
this battle.
Italians will fly a variety of ground attack missions, since
their army is on the full offensive. They will attack balloons, strafe trenches and attack troop convoys, in addition to dogfighting
(one of each in random order, with one additional random ground attack mission). Pilots who survive the campaign with at least
2 kills may roll for Silver Medal of Military Valor. Italian aces may roll for Gold version.
A/H pilots have a desperate shortage of quality aircraft.
Only four Alb DIII 153's are available, and they cannot be replaced. In fact, A/H pilots will not receive any replacement
aircraft of any kind, regardless. At this late stage of the war and with trained pilots in short supply, A/H fliers may roll
a 1-3 for parachutes. Surviving pilots who score 2K may roll for Bronze Bravery Medal; 4K, Silver; 5K or outstanding bravery,
Gold. A/H pilots must fight defensively and not get shot down as their aircraft cannot be replaced. The odds against them
also make any feats of bravery more pronounced. To their advantage, all combats will take place over their own lines, since
the Italians are advancing and attacking.
Add 1 to all rolls for terrain on emergency landings, due
to mountainous terrain of Italy. When pilots of either side are captured or killed in action, the same player takes a new
pilot into combat on the next campaign game. Pilots with light or no effect wounds may continue to fly, but critically wounded
fliers who survive may not fly the rest of the campaign. New Italian pilots must fly a back up aircraft on their first mission
while waiting for their new SPAD to be delivered. New A/H pilots never get new planes; they must fly whatever is available
when they get to the Flik (squadron).
A pilot may never fly another pilot's aircraft without
specific permission.
This will be an interesting and fun way to build Italian and
A/H pilots... but you must survive!
