Actually, I live at GMT-14. It's still Friday over hereBattle Report, Late Winter 1915This turn, the KPAF unveil several new pieces of equipment for their squadrons. The first, and literally the flashiest, is the introduction of
tracer rounds for their Type 11 LMG, across all squadrons. These rounds burn a bright red out to 250m with similar ballistics as normal rounds, allowing their pilots to clearly see where their fire is going and improving accuracy. The second is the new
Oracle Camera, a tri-lens camera heavily modified from their existing Lvoc Cameras. It takes three photographs at a time, which can be later stitched together to form a larger wide-angle photograph to be overlaid onto maps. The Oracle also comes with a glass plate magazine system, which doesn’t work, and a mounting bracket with a remote trigger, which does. Impromptu bombings by photoreconnaissance squadrons should now cease. The last new piece of equipment is the
Tactical Escape Parachute, often abbreviated to TEP. This is a cloth backpack parachute with a ripcord deployment system, meant to allow a pilot in distress to evacuate his plane (non-fatally). It’s heavy and bulky, requiring that it be stored under the seat, but it works to slow a fall to survivable speeds if the pilot opens it at reasonable altitudes.
The Verusan Sky Crusaders, in contrast, only introduce one new innovation this turn. It’s the
Bar’s Shelf Bomb Rack Actually A Bomb Rack Edition (shortened to Bar’s Shelf-AABR for the sanity of the logistics clerks). Despite the name, it’s even less of a bomb rack than the original Bar’s Shelf. Instead, it’s an under-fuselage semi-retracting pair of clamps that each hold a single “Bottled Fury” bomb, being more of a rudimentary hardpoint than a conventional in-fuselage bomb rack. The Bar’s Shelf-AABR also comes with a handy scope, which is definitely not a sawed-off half of Barnson’s Bird-Watching Binoculars.
The Northern MountainsTemperatures drop even further in this section of the frontline, and aircraft engines must be defrosted before starting up. In this environment, the weather impedes operations on both sides, and a few pilots lose toes to frostbite. Blizzards also hamper army operations as well, which bog down in the snow due to delayed logistics.
However, the generally terrible weather on this front affects the Sky Crusaders less than it does the KPAF. This isn’t actually due to better equipment or anything, but simple numbers. The Emus have flown elsewhere, and the Sky Crusaders are only operating a single squadron of Rhinos in this theatre, supposedly to gain air superiority. On the other side, the KPAF have deployed three squadrons of planes and one of Hykib balloons. It’s no contest – one of those squadrons is of the Equilibrium, which firmly establishes itself as a superior Rhino-killer. Backed by another squadron of Feathers, very few Rhino pilots make it back to their aerodromes this month.
The third squadron of Feathers here is a photoreconnaissance variant, equipped with the new (and expensive) Oracle cameras. Operated by a pull of the lever and fixed in place, they’re a great improvement over the old Lvoc Cameras, requiring much less pilot attention to operate. They do still require manual changing of the plates, which is awkward to do through a hole in the cockpit floor. It’s also hard to make out terrain features under the thick snow this month, but Kolechian Army personnel manage to do so anyway – being stuck in tents because of the cold has a way of inspiring productivity. Combined with spotting from the Hykib balloons, the Kolechians advance down the Derboise-Demisonne road, but are slowed by inclement weather.
The Central PlainsOn the central plains, it’s the opposite – Kolechian troops cower in the trenches as the Sky Crusaders fly overhead, absolutely unopposed. For some unfathomable reason, the KPAF is a no-show, having abandoned the entire front. After an incredulous few days when Sky Crusader pilots report zero enemy aircraft, the squadron commanders switch all their planes earmarked for air superiority over to reconnaissance instead.
The squadrons switched over – one of Emus, one of Rhinos – aren’t quite as effective as the dedicated Rhino-P squadron, mostly because they aren’t equipped with cameras. However, they do make more use of the Firefly flareguns issued in this role. By firing specific combinations of flare colours, they can quickly and reliably signal to Verusan troops on the ground, warning them of enemy movements and concentrations. Such signalling is much faster than the old, mostly abandoned method of “fly in specific patterns until someone down there figures out that you’re trying to signal them”. These missions turn out to be quite different from the photoreconnaissance ones, complementing their effect in supporting the army’s efforts. In addition, the Emu turns out to be good at the reconnaissance mission as well, largely due to the observer serving as an extra pair of eyes who isn’t preoccupied with flying the plane.
Photoreconnaissance missions also see greater effect, as this turn the Sky Crusaders are also using the intelligence to direct their bombing efforts, cutting out the middleman of passing it to army commanders and seeking targets from them. The lone Rhino squadron on bomber duty here, while not yet equipped with the newer Bar’s Shelf-AABR, nevertheless wreaks havoc on the Kolechian lines despite continuing inaccuracy. Without any defensive fighters, the mere sight of Rhinos approaching can send troops scurrying for cover, even if those Rhinos aren’t carrying any bombs.
The overwhelming Verusan advantage in aerial reconnaissance, along with the effect of artillery spotting from two Sky Eye squadrons and the ongoing bombing, cause their army to make great strides forward this turn despite some snow, which isn’t as serious as on the northern front. In a daring raid, Sky Crusader planes bomb a few crucial Kolechian supply depots far behind the frontlines, and the army takes advantage of the confusion to capture the city of Estwice in a major push.
The Southern IslandsOkinso sees the major battle for Basselton, where both sides have brought significant forces to contest the Verusan port. The weather here is also quite cold due to its southern latitude, with the occasional vicious winter storm in the Straits of Midako.
The air battle over Basselton sees the matchup both sides have been anticipating – the KPAF’s Equilibrium Fighter Monoplane against the Sky Crusader’s VRAC A.1 “Emu”. In terms of pure performance, the Equilibrium is superior, being about equal in manoeuvrability to the Emu and faster too (although not as much as hoped, given the Emu’s powerful engine). In terms of combat however, it’s a lot more complex. The Equilibrium looks like it should have the advantage of better gunnery, with its synchronised Type 11 LMG allowing the pilot to sight directly ahead using the entire plane. However, the fact that a separate observer mans the guns on the Emu means that he can focus entirely on shooting and traverse his fire more swiftly than the Equilibrium while the Emu pilot focuses on dodging. Furthermore, the Emu turns out to have one thing it’s actually superior to the Equilibrium in – it can climb faster, giving it an advantage that grows as the engagement continues, albeit one that makes its rearward gun less useful. If an Equilibrium pilot fails to shoot down the Emu on his first or second pass, he becomes very vulnerable as the dogfight devolves into a turning contest, where the Emu with a large field of fire has a significant advantage over the fixed guns of an Equilibrium.
The outcome of the air duels between the EFM and Emu this month goes in favour of the EFM, for two or three reasons. Firstly, the KPAF have introduced tracer ammunition to the Type 11 LMGs, improving their pilots’ accuracy. Combined with the experience mismatch (EFM pilots have had several month’s longer service, albeit in Feathers, than the Emu crews), this means that EFM pilots have the gunnery advantage. Finally, the contest is not solely between EFM and Emu – the KPAF has an additional squadron of Feathers on air superiority duty too. While these Feathers would be butchered if up against the Emus alone, Kolechian pilots are well coordinated, exploiting their superiority in numbers to the fullest. Piotr, the Kolechian Equilibrium Ace, adds a few more marks to his tally of enemies downed.
On this front, the KPAF’s Tactical Escape Parachute is first used in combat. In practice, retrieving the TEP from under the seat, attaching it, then jumping out of the aircraft and waiting to pull the ripcord, all while the plane disintegrates in fire proves to be a Herculean task for pilots bailing out. Some are lost when their parachute gets snagged on the plane, but some also survive certain death thanks to the TEP. It doesn’t make much impact on the air war yet, but the reduction in pilot losses should see an effect over time. Notably, some pilots refuse to carry the TEP with them, citing its weight as impeding the performance of their planes.
In the field of lighter-than-air craft, the Sky Crusaders have two squadrons of Sky Eyes, with a squadron of Rhinos to protect them, while the KPAF has deployed one of Hykib balloons in a spotter role. Alderic, the Verusan ace, is annoyed by his deployment to protect the balloons instead of going up against the Equilibriums again. However, he does get his wish, shooting down an Equilibrium fighter in his old Rhino biplane when the former makes an attack run on the Sky Eyes. For the most part, the ongoing battle for air superiority isn’t biased enough for the Kolechians to go balloon hunting, and the Verusans lose few balloons this month.
The battle for Basselton also breaks new ground in the field of naval aviation. On September 17th, a large Kolechian force is spotted off the coast in the morning – several balloon tenders in tow. They zigzag at the very maximum range of their guns, firing at the Verusan fleet sallying out to meet them while keeping the range open. For a while, it seems as if the Hykib balloons may swing this battle, directing the fire of the main batteries more accurately than the Verusan cruisers can match.
Then, a shout goes out on several ships. Enemy aircraft overhead! It’s another Sky Crusader squadron of Emus, who have trained specifically for the task of bombing enemy ships. With the pull of lever, several “Bottled Fury” bombs go screaming down to the Kolechian ships far below, and Emu observers peer over the side clutching their half-binoculars. To their disappointment, it turns out that hitting a frantically manoeuvring ship from high altitude isn’t that easy after all, and the “scopes” don’t help. Only a few hits are seen, none of which look to be fatal yet. At least one of the bombs has hit a Hykib balloon, making these pilots possibly the first to down a balloon with a bomb.
The naval battle continues past noon, with the Verusan ships getting drawn further and further from the port by the need to close the range with the Kolechians. In the afternoon, the Emu squadron has refuelled and rearmed, and sorties again to meet the Kolechian fleet. After a hurried discussion, they’ve changed their tactics completely, going in just above the waves in the hope that extremely low-level bombing, as was done in the Battle of Derboise, will prove more effective.
A flight of EFMs intercepts them as they cross the coast, but to the Kolechian pilots’ dismay, it turns out that the rearward-and-upward facing gun of the Emu gives it defensive capability when at low levels. Used to downing Rhinos which are near-defenceless when carrying bombs, several Equilibriums are shot down engaging the bombers, and the rest break off. The daring attack continues, and the Emus speed out over the water toward the Kolechian ships.
The second attack proves much more devastating than the first, as the Emus pitch up at the last minute to pass over and drop their bombs at extremely close range into the Kolechian vessels. One bomb, whether by luck or skill, goes directly into the funnels of a destroyer, and the resulting explosion leaves it dead in the water. The others explode across the decks, causing chaos and setting ships ablaze. Several Emus are lost to close range machinegun fire, but the attack succeeds in forcing the Kolechian fleet to break off. To add injury to injury, the remaining Emus shoot down almost all of the Hykib balloons deployed navally. At the end of the day, losses for the Kolechian Navy are three destroyers, with several others damaged by fire.
However, while the Verusans might have triumphed at sea, the land is a different matter. The KPAF has a squadron of Feathers on photoreconnaissance duty, equipped with the new Oracle cameras. With the air duels going slightly in their favour, enough of these Feathers succeed in their mission to map out enemy lines to give the Kolechian army an intelligence bonus. It’s enough to outweigh the Sky Crusader’s slight advantage in artillery spotting, and the Kolechian army completes the capture of Basselton this month.
Behind the FrontlinesThis month, the KPAF’s Official Acrobatics Squadron makes a dazzling return. The Crimson Eagles have been recalled from the frontlines just in time to avoid the furball developing over Basselton, a fact for which many pilots are grateful. Their return is marked by the introduction of Rainbow flares, developed last month, into aerial displays. The airshows prove to be a great success, improving the view of the KPAF in the eyes of the Kolechian public.
At the same time, a proposal to dedicate all Sky Crusader forces into some sort of “travelling circus” is promptly rejected.
The Outside WorldThe German Navy fails to destroy Russian forces in the Battle of the Gulf of Riga, hampered by a British submarine attack. Adolphe Pegoud, the first French Ace, is killed in action by his former student, now flying for the Germans. Airship raids on London result in mixed successes. The British deploy poison gas of their own in the Battle of Loos. Overhead, the Fokker Scourge continues, and German pilots such as Oswald Boelcke and Max Immelmann continue to rack up kills, while the Allied media feeds the panic over the purported capabilities of the Eindecker.
Ottoman Equipment Sale
1) VRAC A.1 “Emu”
2) Mk. I "Bottled Fury" Bombs
3) Bar’s Shelf-AABR
The most crucial thing an aircraft can do is destroy vital enemy targets with an accuracy and range that simply can't be matched by artillery. An artillery barrage can't cut off a supply line or derail a train in the back field, but an airplane can.
The Emu is unique in that the gunner position is isolated from the pilot position and equipped with machineguns that cover a 360 degree field around the aircraft. This reduces the need for support and gives a bomb-laden plane the ability to defend itself and complete its mission. With each Emu able to fight off incoming attackers, it is a trivial matter to release bombs over vulnerable targets; in fact, the monocular sight in the Bar's Shelf-AABR allows even more accurate bombing than standard drops.
Alternatively, the Emu without the bombs is uniquely equipped to defeat more agile planes and down vulnerable balloons without dangerous attack runs. The pilot is never distracted with reloading, and the rearward firing guns give the Emu the defensive capabilities that literally no other plane can match.
We humbly ask that you give yourselves the best chance for success possible and accept our proposal.
Buy the Emu.
Buy Verusa.
Plane: Equilibrium Fighter Monoplane
Equipment: Oracle Camera & Tactical Escape Parachute
Sales Pitch: Glory to the Sultanate of Rum! We offer a cutting-edge fighter aircraft, equipped with synchronisation gear, easily capable of keeping the sky clear of enemy aircraft, as well as performing scouting missions when needed. To aid in the scouting endeavours- for we have heard that you could use some help in that area, hearing that your intelligence is such that the British could evacuate from Gallipoli tomorrow (Note how the Ottomans didn't realise the british were retreating for quite some time, being fooled by things like self-firing guns, or simple traps) and you wouldn't know- we present the Oracle Camera, a state-of-the-art aerial reconnaissance piece that may be installed into the EFM for use in scouting missions, so you can fly over those dastardly brits/russians and figure out what they're up to! It's easy to use while flying, and look at this fine example. Imagine how much your generals will love having a fleet mapping the British lines with these!
We've also heard that after many years of war following a drastic modernisation of your army, you are lacking in elite personnel like pilots. Not to worry, because the TEP will ensure that your small stockpile of airmen can be preserved!
It may appear less flashy than our rival's plane, but we have gone through painstaking efforts in pursuit of superior combat performance. The EFM offers great value for cheap. It can fight on-parity with last-generation's fighters when outnumbered 2-to-1 and fighting an ace, is fast, and maneuvers like a dream.
In a duel against any the newest fighters on the continent? I would bet on this, hands-down.
Both sides have opted to send some designs to the Ottomans for possible purchase. The Sky Crusaders are offering the Emu, with “Bottled Fury” bombs and the Bar’s-Shelf-AABR to go with it, while the KPAF are offering the EFM, Oracle Camera, and the TEP. The Verusan pitch focuses on the Emu’s ability as a bomber and its capability to defend itself, while noting its use as a pure fighter. Meanwhile, the Kolechians have tailored their pitch more to their equipment, selling the TEP as a solution to pilot attrition and the Oracle as a means of mapping the British lines. This is enough to sway the Ottoman officials, and
Kolechia wins the contract. Plans for the manufacture of the EFM, TEP and Oracle camera are handed over, and Kolechia will receive +2 PP for 3 turns.
It is now the Design Phase, Early Spring 1915.
Poll
13 (33.3%)
Author
Topic: Knights of the Skies: an Arms Race Game - Early Summer 1916 (Read 14574 times)