I realize this is 'Gaming' and that nobody on this site seems to think there's anything except electronic gaming, but come on. Why can't we at least have a pity 'Board Game' subcategory here?
The following is a session report I wrote for Board Game Geek, but since this is where I actually blog I want it posted here too. I will continue to write these as more missions are run.
And now, the story:
I was on the ground when we got word - the English were coming, a couple patrollers it seemed. Immediate scramble orders.
I ran to a Halderstadt and jumped in, taking off just as the English were about to arrive. They were coming for our observation balloons, and I wasn't going to let them take them. Luckily, there were two other pilots up here with me, and big AA guns on either side of the balloons.
We were three novices - hadn't even learned to immelman yet. But the good pilots were all off taking pictures and bombing the countryside, never mind the base.
I flew past the balloons and cut right, knowing I would get shelled with an up the middle run. This got me behind the outside pilots, and I followed my wingman to circle in behind the Brits.
I got off a couple shots, following them in, but then - these guys were good, they could immelman! They had good accuracy too, and one of them could really hit you if you let him stay on your tail. Also had a really tricky 90 degree right turn! Luckily, or unluckily, they were both busy shooting our balloons to fire at us.
The pilots would fly straight by the balloons, sticking in the middle as best they could, and then turn right around and get another pass. This was terrible, as my non-maneuverable plane took a while to turn and get another shot on them. Luckily, when I did get a pass I would hit them two times, and usually get close enough to really do some damage.
One of the English started heading for home, too damaged to continue. I was coming around for another pass at the other guy, and the most amazing thing happened - my wingman shot the guy, the guy shot the ballooon... as I was directly on top of the balloon. The guy's plane started to go down fast, and the balloon, seemingly in slow motion - exploded!
KABOOM!!! The explosion was coming my way, and before I could react.. KABOOM 2! My plane blew up! And I with it.
The other balloon survived, but I did not. Every other pilot except me survived. The worst part is... I had not been shot once when the balloon went up and took me with it.
And that is the complete story of Jaeger Hess.