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, 11 April 2010

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Bombing Raid - 6 April, 1917.

Objective: Bombing Raid (Zone “A” - Troop Encampment)

Taking Part:

Pilots:

Lt. Miles Kipp-Parr

Lt. Harry Brandt

2nd Lt. Wendell Austen

Two-Seater Aircraft (5 Sqdrn.):

Sgt. Brian Cornell w/ Lt. Paul Pressing

Comments:

• We were assigned a morning bombing raid on a troop encampment in Zone A. I assigned Lt.’s Harry Brandt, Wendell Austin and myself to accompany our DH-4.

• Bright sun: in the hope of avoiding Huns I took us to 15,000’ heading directly north from Amiens. We had gone only about 12 miles when we spotted two Jasta 11 aircraft about 5000’ below. I decided that our best course of action was to attack, which we did.

• The two Germans were already climbing as we dove on them at considerable speed; I attacked one Alb. D-III head-on but missed. On his dive Harry says he misjudged his opponent’s angle, but he immediately reversed into a climb which put him close on the Hun’s tail and firing into his fuselage - and sent the Hun down in flames! The next thing Harry knew he had his control lines shot away!

• After a brief mêlée the same Hun shot up my fuel system. Both Harry and I aborted back to the aerodrome; Austin and Cornell’s DH-4 had just landed.

• This will leave us both without mounts for the afternoon’s artillery spotting so we will have to “borrow” two from the newer lads.

(Note: I have been instructed to report to Col. Wagner-Stowe in regards to what might be interpreted as a breach of rules.)

(Signed) Lt. Miles Kipp-Parr, ‘B’ Flight, 19 Sqdrn.


Mission Points:
Two Pup scouts damaged/aborted (Kipp-Parr, Brandt): - 6

One Jasta 11 destroyed: 40

Failure to carry out mission: - 10

Mission TOTAL: 24

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