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

Tuesday, 8 December 2009

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Trench Strafing - 2 April, 1917.

Zone B

Sir:

I'm afraid I don't know all of what happened. Lt Howe led us (2Lt Johnson, 2Lt Cashmore-Whittenton, and myself) northeast at 1000 feet to strafe the German trenches. We reached them southeast of Arras as the light rain ended, leaving an overcast. Strafing our way south along the lines, an Albatros D2 and two Albatros D3s jumped on us from out of the clouds. Johnson and I went after the D2 with little luck, and when it finally broke off, Cashmore-Whittenton and the Lieutenant were nowhere to be found.

I hoped they'd just gotten ahead of us, so Johnson and I continued south along the front, strafing the German trenches as we went. We were opposite Mercatel when two Albatros D2s and two Halberstadt D3s attacked. I got separated from Johnson while evading their first pass out of the clouds. When I finally spotted the fracas again, I could see that it had about doubled in size, and Johnson was twisting and turning in the midst of eight German scouts! I think they got in each other's way, as Johnson was able to break out and join back up with me. He signaled that he was wounded, so I escorted him over Mercatel on the way to the Advanced Landing Field. Unfortunately, he went down over the town without making any further signal.

I returned to Corbie, where Capt Edeline had already received word from the front that Cashmore-Whittenton and Lt Howe were shot down by the D3s while Johnson and I were occupied with the D2 southeast of Arras. By the time Johnson's machine is brought back for repair tonight, Johnson himself will be on a train to Blighty.

(signed) 2nd Lieutenant Spencer Stramel
"B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 2, 1917

****************
Victory Points
Allied Aircrew Killed (Howe) -30
Allied Aircrew Seriously Wounded (Johnson) -20
Allied Aircrew Captured (Cashmore-Whittenton) -25
Two Allied Scouts Destroyed (Howe, Cashmore-Whittenton) -20
Allied Scout Badly Damaged (Johnson) -6
Trench Strafing +23
Mission Offset -10
Total -88
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