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, 28 February 2010

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Bombing Raid - 4 April, 1917.

Objective: Bombing Raid (Zone “B” - Railway Yards)
Taking Part:
Pilots:
Lt. Harry Brandt
2nd Lt. Wendell Austen
2nd Lt. Darren Bayliss
2nd Lt. Amory Blessing
2nd Lt. Miles Diehl

Two-Seater Aircraft (5 Sqdrn.):
Sgt. Owen Cadell w/ Lt. Max Faraday

Comments:
• The weather in the afternoon continued to be overcast as we took off for Zone ‘B’ and our target, a rail yard about twenty miles NNE of Douai. With Capt. Hopewell’s death and Lt. Kipp-Parr still convalescing I was assigned to lead the mission. One of 5 Sqdrn’s new DH-4’s could not accompany us as it had gone out earlier without having been checked out sufficiently, so we were left with only one two-seater for the bombing raid. With the overcast interspersed with rain all day I was a bit apprehensive as to what the bombing conditions would be.
• As we crossed the lines at Vimy Ridge a light rain began. But more critical was the inferno of archie, which caused me to leave the flight briefly. Two Albatross D-III’s were spotted not far away, but high above; they declined to attack and though I was tempted otherwise, I kept us headed towards the objective.
• We were close to the train depot when Blessing took some archie fire which damaged his engine. I signaled for him to abort to the northern emergency field and that Bayliss was to accompany him.
• Two thousand feet below 5 Squadron had begun its bombing attack on the rail yards when we were dove on by two red Albatrosses of Jasta 11. We managed to keep them off the two-seater at first and Owen and Faraday continued to bomb while we did battle with the Hun fighters. In spite of the rain and finally being sucked into the dog fight, Faraday did some excellent bombing. They made what Faraday believes was a hit on an ammunition car, the explosion of which destroyed rail stock and many buildings. (The concussion lifted myself and my opponent several hundred feet into the sky.) Nothing came of the aerial contest and the Germans made off into the cloud and rain.
• As we made our way to the lines we spotted a lone Albatross which I am sad to say I was only able to drive off.
• Diehl reported by phone that he had to make a forced landing a few miles from the emergency field and is now waiting for minor repairs to be finished. He and Blessing will be back for tomorrow’s operations.

(Signed) Lt. Harry Brandt, ‘B’ Flight, 19 Sqdrn.

Mission Points:
Zone “B” Rail yards hits: 30
Two-seater aborted to emergency field: - 3
Mission Deduction: - 10
Mission TOTAL: 17
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