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

Monday, 22 March 2010

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Long Reconnaissance - 5 April, 1917.

Objective: Long Reconnaissance (Zone “C”)

Taking Part:

Pilots:

Lt. Harry Brandt

2nd Lt. Wendell Austen

2nd Lt. Darren Bayliss

2nd Lt. Miles Diehl

Two-Seater Aircraft (5 Sqdrn.):

Sgt. Owen Cadell w/ Lt. Max Faraday

Sgt. Brian Cornell w A/M Paul Pressing

Comments:

• Lt. Kipp-Parr speaking with Col. Wagner-Stowe: “Yes, Sir, we made it back; a little worse for wear, I'm afraid, but we did get the photos with only one casualty, a new chap, one of mine, Diehl, I’m afraid. I have a couple minutes before they finish arming my kite so I can tell you a little about it.

We crossed over northeast of Mercatel and you have to know, sir, from then on we caught hell from Archie. About f0rty miles into Hun land the No. 5 Squadron planes both took hits; Cadell's plane through the fuselage and Faraday, his observer, took a piece of shrapnel in his foot. The other DH-4 (a new '5' chap, Cornell) had a part of his lower wing blown away. A few miles on, Diehl - the one that crashed - caught a piece in his neck and probably took a hit in his engine.

We were seeing a lot of enemy flights below but even with the Archie they ignored us, or just plain didn't see us 'cause we were so high. The whole trip there was with excellent visibility – for the Huns, that is – but just as we got to the assigned area the weather started deteriorating rapidly, eventually with some pretty low cloud. I took our flight down to six thousand and the '5' lads went down to four. As we were descending Diehl's engine quit and wouldn't re-start, maybe from the shrapnel earlier. We could see him all the way down; he made a bad landing with his plane going arse over teakettle, but Cadell said he could see he got clear. By the time the photos were taken the Krauts had him loaded in a lorry. As soon as they had finished with the photos I turned us for home. The only thing that happened getting back was Sgt. Cadell was wounded by Archie when we crossed the lines.

Believe me, Sir, we didn't dally, and the weather continued to worsen all the way home. I'm wondering how long this heavy cloud will last; we’re on to take out some balloons shortly.”

Col. Wagner-Stowe: “ I say there, ol' man, a fine morning's work that, especially with your downing that Hun earlier on. I'll mention you in dispatches; HQ might add a gong to it. Oh, and by the way, I understand with Hopewell's loss you are the new flight commander - should be a captaincy in it down the road.”

Mission Points:
Zone “C” photographed (average photo): + 25

One scout pilot captured (Diehl): - 25

One Sop. Pup captured: - 10

Two - Two-seater personnel minor wounds (Cadell & Faraday): - 20

Mission Deduction: 0
Mission TOTAL: - 30

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