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, 28 January 2010

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Offensive Line Patrol - 3 April, 1917.

Taking Part:
Pilots:
Lt. Harry Brandt
2nd Lt. Wendell Austin
2nd Lt. Amory Blessing

Comments:
• I assigned Lt. Brandt to lead the flight in an offensive patrol into Zone “C”. He and two of the new pilots headed towards St. Quintin under overcast skies. Just south of Peronne an Alb. D-III and a Halb. D-III attacked out of the clouds. On the first pass Lt. Brandt’s tail was hit several times leaving him with little control of his aircraft; he was able to make off by going upwards into the clouds. He had no opportunity to signal to the others and left for the southern emergency field. Blessing was driven off also but uninjured and with one of the Huns struggling with a gun jam the two of them turned back to their lines.
• The two pilots joined up and decided to carry on with the patrol. Because they hadn’t climbed after the combat they passed over the lines at a thousand feet and were confronted with withering machinegun fire. A couple miles into German territory they were attacked by Richthofen accompanied by two Alb. D-II’s. Blessing soon found himself entangled with one of the D-II’s and a couple passes later Blessing, too, was in a duel with the other D-II. The Baron seemed to disappear, perhaps deliberately leaving his comrades to handle the two Allied intruders. Nothing came of the fight except Blessing and Austin gained experience dodging Hun bullets.
• Both pilots reported believing they saw several flights of Huns high above; at one point three times in about 25 miles! But the enemy never saw them or declined attacking for some reason.
• The only ground activity, other than machinegun fire, was a supply convoy passing below. They both attacked but think they did little or no damage.
• They contemplated flying up the line, but they were taking fire from our troops as well as the enemy and quickly decided against it.

(Signed) Capt. Everett Hopewell, ‘B’ Flight, 19 Sqdrn. (as related by Lt’s. Austin & Blessing)

Mission Points:
Zone “C” over flown
1 Sopwith Pup aborted (Lt. Brandt) &
to the southern emergency field: - 3
Mission Deduction: - 0
Mission TOTAL: - 3

[5-Tops Rule - effective once]
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