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, 24 May 2010

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Balloon Bursting - 7 April, 1917.

Objective: Balloon Bursting (Zone “C” & “A”)

Taking Part:

Pilots:

Lt. Giles Kipp-Parr

Lt. Henri LeMaris

2nd Lt. Wendell Austen

2nd Gray Horton

2nd Amory Blessing

Comments:

• Lt. Kipp Parr lead us off directly to the east in bright morning sunlight. We climbed steadily for the first dozen or so miles until we reached about 15,000 feet. West of Peronne we spotted a lone E/A which was the first of four different enemy flights we sighted before reaching the lines. They were single planes, except for one pair, and well below us. Lt. Kipp-Parr kept us together and headed to the east to destroy balloons. We were near the lines and finally three planes slightly below rose to meet us. There was no way to avoid them so we dove on them before they reached our altitude. After a quite long dog fight I got on the tail of one of the Alb. D-II’s and sent him down in flames. (He crashed very close to the southern emergency field.)

• We dropped down towards the lines with them in sight when we spotted two E/A’s (again Alb. D-II’s). They were between us and the lines and K-P signaled the attack. I dove on one and destroyed him on the first pass.

• We crossed over the lines but in all of Zone “C” spotted no balloons. Northwest of Cambrai we spotted two Halb. D-II’s. The ensuing dogfight was a confused affair and Lt. Amory Blessing was shot down, his plane exploded when it hit the ground; there is no way he could have survived.

• Just into “B” attacked by two Jasta 11 Albatrosses. K-P took rounds into the engine and made off for the central emergency field. I took over the flight and we continued northwards to “A” but just before getting there we were met again by two Jasta 11 Alb’s. This fight finished after a lot of ammo and petrol expended - enough to make me realize there was no way we could search Zone “A” and be back to Amiens for the afternoon’s flights. I aborted the mission.

(Signed) Lt. Henri LeMaris, “B” Flight 19 Sqdrn.


Adjutant’s Note: Lt. Kipp-Parr is reported to have been forced down due to engine failure in the vicinity of Mercatel; he suffered no injury and his plane had only minor damage.


Mission Points:
Zone “C” patrolled (no balloons sighted): 0

Zone “A” not patrolled: 0

Two enemy scouts destroyed (LeMaris): 40

One Sopwith destroyed: - 10

One pilot KIA (Blessing): - 30

One Sopwith scout aborted (Kitt-Parr): slight damage: -3

Mission Deduction: -20
Mission TOTAL: - 23

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