Try as I might I've been stumped when drafting the last scenario for the Lard Mag project, as it's almost impossible to balance it in favour of the Australians but still give the Germans a fighting chance, with six Albatros up against two Brisfits.
To cut my losses in going for scenario Plan B based on a dogfight on the 28th April 1918 between two Brisfits and four Albatros scouts of Jasta 1F. Unfortunately, the 'Eagle of Jericho' can't feature in this one, so he's being replaced by the veteran CO of Jasta 55, Ltn.d.R.Karl Meierdirks.
The Albatros kette will be a mix of D.III and D.V aircraft, which you can see together in the contemporary photograph. These have some very distinctive markings and personal insignia, so should be fun to paint up. The pilots will also be a mix of Veterans, Regulars and possibly a Sprog, but I'm still working on the individual identities.
In the actual dogfight the Australian Brisfits forced down three of the four Albatros scouts, with one pilot killed in action, so I do have at least one definite name for the unfortunate Jasta 1F Kette line up, Leutnant Fritz Bötzow. The Official History is also a good source of information on the scenario specifics and, of course, the Australian crews involved:
28 April 1918
Out in Palestine, 1 Squadron AFC is supporting British and Australian Forces in preparation for an attack on Es Salt.
At around 1100 this morning, 2nd Lieutenant Edward Patrick (Ted) Kenny and Lieutenant Frederick Cecil Hawley set off on reconnaissance of the Nablus area in Bristol F2b C4626.
They were escorted by another Bristol F2b (C4627) with Lieutenant Ernest Cecil Stooke and Lieutenant Howard Bowden Fletcher on board.
They got into a fight with four enemy Albatrosses over Nablus and claimed 3 aircraft forced down out of control.
I'm hoping to get this written up over the weekend...
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