Bloody April - 1917 is a campaign game from Terry Goodchild’s ‘Wings over France’ rules for solitaire play of WWI aerial combat during the Battle of Arras. Like all the combat of the war the offensive took a terrible toll, but in the air the Allied losses were especially heavy compared to those of Germany. This campaign attempts to recreate that bloody month . . .

ASSIGNMENTS & REPORTS


To the Men of the Amiens Sector:

We are about to undertake a great offensive. It will prove to be a challenge for all of you and your aircraft. Because of the defensive nature of the Hun air strategy we must take the battle to him, which we will do with the utmost vigor. Remember always our primary responsibility is to provide assistance to the ground forces; this is the highest priority, and to do so, we must do everything possible to protect our reconnaissance and observation aircraft. Set forth and do battle knowing that with you are the confidence and heart-felt appreciation of a grateful nation.
Colonel J.B. Wagner-Stowe DSO
Commanding Officer, Amiens Sector

Sunday, 22 November 2009

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Offensive Line Patrol - 1 April, 1917

Zone B

Sir:

Four pilots of "B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn conducted low-level mission against enemy ground targets this afternoon. Lt Downy, 2Lts Johnson and Stramel, and I took off under a solid overcast, and climbed to 1000 feet. By the time we crossed the lines southeast of Arras, strafing as we passed, the overcast was breaking up to low and light clouds. A troop train was spotted as soon as we reached the rear area. We all attacked and Stramel and I observed hits.

As we proceeded south behind enemy lines, two Albatros D2s and one red D3 dove on us. Johnson's fuel tank was hit, just like this morning, by the D3. I found myself separated from the rest of the flight with one of the D2s. When we finally re-formed, I was relived to find Johnson still with us. Just then a goods train was spotted, and while Johnson was in no position to attack, the rest of us did, and I obtained a hit.

Having successfully attacked two enemy trains, I decided to end the patrol so Johnson could be escorted to the Mercatel Advanced Landing Field by the entire flight. As we approached the lines, an Albatros D2 and D3 dove on us from out of the clouds. Lt Downy was shot down on this first pass, and his machine disintegrated on impact with the ground. Stramel managed to hit the D2, which began trailing smoke, but it got away before he could finish it off.

Accurate fire from the ground prevented Stramel from strafing the enemy trenches as we passed back over them, but I made a quick run. Johnson was seen safely to the Mercatel ALF, and Stramel and I returned to Corbie.

(signed) Lieutenant Melvin Howe
"B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 1, 1917

****************

Victory Points
    Two Hits on Troop Train (Howe, Stramel) +6
    One Hit on Goods Train (Howe) +2
    Trench Strafing +5½
    German Scout Damaged/Aborted (Stramel) +3
    Allied Aircrew Killed (Downy) -30
    Allied Scout Destroyed (Downy) -10
    Allied Scout Damaged/Aborted (Johnson) -3
    2 Hexes Patrolled -5
Total -31½
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