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

Saturday, 24 July 2010

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Artillery Spotting - 10 April, 1917.

Zone B

Sir:

2Lt Hamilton was assigned to spot for our batteries near Mercatel this afternoon. Sgt Steele was his pilot, and I led 2Lts Carson-Jeffries, Barrington, and Stramel as escorts from B Flt, No 54 Sqdn. We flew to the front at 1000 feet under a solid overcast, which became a light rain by the time we reached the trenches. While Hamilton was making contact with the battery, Carson-Jeffries' engine was hit by groundfire, so I sent him back to the Mercatel Advanced Landing Field on his own.

The spotting process was briefly interrupted when two Albatros D3s attacked. Barrington is to be commended for luring them both away from the DH4, and then quickly breaking free from and returning to the formation.

The guns were registered shortly after this attack, and the rain stopped as we returned to Corbie. Stramel and I both found holes in our fuselages after landing. A telegram from Carson-Jeffries was waiting for us stating that he'd arrived safely at the Advanced Landing Field.

(signed) Lieutenant Wolfgang Grün
"B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 10, 1917

****************
Victory Points
Successful Spotting +20
One Allied Scout Damaged/Aborted (Carson-Jeffries) -3
Total +17
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