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

Thursday, 3 December 2009

19 Sqdrn. 'A' Flight - Defensive Line Patrol - 1 April, 1917.

Mission # 1 - Defensive Line Patrol

Cpt. Apple took off with Lt's Corky and Ernie bound for Albert. The trio climbed to 12,000 feet. Near Bapaume, the skies cleared to a brilliant blue. Flying from this altitude, a man could almost forget a war to end all wars was going on below . . .

In hex S8, 2x D3's were encountred heading back to the Hun lines at 10,000 feet. Apple gave the order to attack - and the dive bonus. A heated dogfight ensued. Apple noticed that the young LT Ernie seemed to disappear . . . Hummmmm. Apple was involved in a duel with one ALB and took an engine hit. Trailing smoke, he annointed Corky the flight leader and Apple took the Pup into the adjacent emergency airfield.

The 2 pups continued and spotted 2x ALb D2's over Baupame. One was trailing smoke! The pair attacked, the Huns again escaped. Corky noticed that again in the fight, Lt. Ernie seemed to disappear . . . Hummmmm.

Corky and Ernie regouped at 9,000 feet and headed toward Mercatel. Almost at Mercatel, the pair met 4x D3's from the Flying Circus itself. This time, Ernie didn't have the opportunity to run! Lt. Corky was wounded and his engine damaged. the huns broke off. Corky signaled for Ernie to continue the mission and officailly became a straggler. Ernie reported last seeing him heading toward the emergency airfield at hex N5 . . .

Ernie climbed back to 12,000 feet. The clouds moved in. Over Mercatel, after examining his fuel gauge, Ernie decided to head back to Amiens. He did so successfully without encountering any additional German aircraft.

Upon returning to the airfield, he and the squadron learned that a truck convoy heading to the front, noticed a limping Pup get shot down by a couple of german aircraft in the sector of Mercatel. The pilot was killed . . .
Posted by at
Labels: ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)