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

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Balloon Bursting - 6 April, 1917.

Zones A & C

Sir:

Since yesterday's operation against enemy balloons in the north of our sector failed to find any, B Flt, No 54 Sqdn, was ordered up against them again today. As Lt Grün had not yet returned by this morning, Capt Edeline asked me to lead the rest of the flight. 2Lts Clark and Glenn had their guns loaded with Buckingham ammunition, while 2Lts Degrande, Carson-Jeffries, and myself carried a standard load. The Captain suggested a route heading northeast far behind our lines, crossing the trenches at the extreme north of our sector, and searching for balloons as we returned. This would give the clear skies a chance to cloud up a bit before we entered enemy territory. I followed his advice, and we enjoyed light clouds while we were behind the German lines.

We spotted our first balloon as soon as we'd passed over the trenches. It took us a while to find the range, but Carson-Jeffries and I saw hits on our third passes, and Glenn finished it off on his fourth.

The next balloon was only a few miles south. It was protected by three Albatros D2's, who left us after a short and inconclusive scrap. If they'd stayed with us longer, the balloon might have been winched to safety. As it was, we were fortunate that Degrande and Clark hit it on their first pass, and I administered the coup de grâce.

Passing over Hill 70, we found another balloon near Lens. My gun jammed badly while attacking it, but Degrande and Carson-Jeffries each hit it multiple times, with Carson-Jeffries finally bringing it down.

Once again, another balloon was nearby. On their second pass, Degrande and Clark scored hits, and then Glenn achieved his second victory of the day. We were fortunate in all of this, I think, that despite two of us firing incendiary ammunition, no explosions were triggered.

Returning to Allied territory near Vimy, I estimated that we could just make it to Corbie on our remaining petrol. Over Arras, however, we were attacked by three Albatros D2's with other plans. With my gun jammed, and Clark and Glenn under orders to save their Buckingham ammunition for balloons, Degrande and Carson-Jeffries had their work cut out for them. Carson-Jeffries managed to hit and drive off one of the D2's, but more importantly, we all burned enough petrol in the course of the dogfight that we could not possibly return to Corbie. I signaled a change of course, and we all landed safely at the North Advanced Landing Field.

Note that the Germans were much less aggressive today. On no fewer than five occasions we saw HA above us that declined to attack.

(signed) 2nd Lieutenant Spencer Stramel
B Flt, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 6, 1917

****************
Victory Points
Four Balloons Destroyed (Degrande, Glenn (2), Stramel) +100
Five Undamaged Aircraft using Advanced Landing Field (Degrande, Clark, Carson-Jeffries, Glenn, Stramel) -10
Mission Offset -20
Total +70
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