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

Wednesday, 7 July 2010

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Bombing Raid - 9 April, 1917.

Objective: Bombing Raid (Zone “B” - Airfield at Douai)
Taking Part:
Pilots:
Lt. G. Kipp-Parr
Lt. H. LeMaris
2nd Lt. W. Austen
2nd Lt. P. Fellows

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

Comments:
• Still heavy weather but the mission was seen as very important to lessen two-seater casualties. We flew under dark heavy clouds most of the way with periods of thunder and lightning and some mist. I took the “back route” as I felt I was least apt to get us lost (or encounter any enemy craft), and then directly west of Douai I turned east and we proceeded to the Hun airdrome there. There were no enemy aircraft about and even as we attempted to bomb the airfield none rose to challenge us.
We circled for some time waiting for a break in the weather but it wasn’t to be. We took several machine gun hits. Of their bomb loads the two-seaters were sure of only three hits.
• Having had the skies to ourselves we were perhaps not as alert as we should have been and four miles east of the lines we were dove on by Richthofen and two Alb. D-II’s. The fight broke into several duels with Sgt. Emmett with Lt. Hamilton paired with the Baron. Fortunately the clouds were low and heavy enough that we were able to climb to them before the Huns could do any damage. Lt. LeMaris drove one of the Alb’s off and Emmett was able to get clear of Richthofen.
• We returned via the back route and made it to Amiens without further encounters.

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

Mission Points:
Bombed Objective (3 hits): +30
Mission Deduction: - 10
Mission TOTAL: +20
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