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

Tuesday, 15 June 2010

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Dawn Patrol - 8 April, 1917.

Objective: Dawn Patrol
Taking Part:

Pilots:
Lt. Miles Kipp-Parr
Lt. Henri LeMaris
2nd Lt. Gray Horton
2nd Lt. Wendell Austin

Two-Seater Aircraft (5 Sqdrn.):
Sgt. Brian Cornell w/ 2nd Lt. Paul Pressing


Comments:
• For a flight that gained us so little it cost greatly; 2nd Lt. Gray Horton was killed by Richthofen when he and two Alb. D-II’s dove out of the clouds as were crossing the lines on our return. Horton’s Sopwith was engulfed in flames all the way down to where it crashed in no-man’s land. For a short time Lt. LeMaris was in a dogfight with the “the Baron” but the fight broke up before either could do any damage.
• The first attack had come before when we were a bit north of Douai; the enemy were not Jasta 11 but none of us were able to score.
• As to the assignment we did a lot of spotting in weather that included low cloud, mist and light rain and saw pairs of Hun aircraft two or three times (we’re not sure of one as it was very high) which declined to give battle. There was a lot of activity by the Germans infantry but it was difficult to tell if they were preparing to attack or withdraw. We went to the east of Vimy Ridge and saw that it is still occupied by the Huns. The Allied artillery barrage was something to experience - it is difficult to believe that humans can withstand that kind horror.

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

Mission Points:
Zones “A” “B” and “C” patrolled: + 120
Fighter pilot KIA (2ndLt. G. Horton): - 30
Fighter destroyed : - 10

Mission Deduction: - 80
Mission TOTAL: 0
Posted by at
Labels: ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)