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, 19 July 2010

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Bombing Raid - 10 April, 1917.

Hill 70

Sir:

Once again, 2Lt Hamilton and Sgt Barnes from No 5 Sqdn were bombing the enemy position on Hill 70, with Sgts Steele and Hill piloting. Since the Captain was injured earlier today, I led 2Lts Carson-Jeffries, Barrington, and Stramel as escorts. Taking my lesson from 2Lt Clark's unhappy encounter with ground fire yesterday, we flew by a back route to minimize our time over the lines. The length of this route required that petrol be conserved by climbing to only 1000 feet.

I was concerned that the weather was improving as we approached the front. At one point the sky cleared completely, so I turned the formation away from our goal to see if the clouds would return. They did, and we crossed the lines and attacked the Hill 70 under light cloud. Hamilton and Barnes each made two runs over the target, scoring hits on each run.

Returning to the British side of the lines, we were attacked by two Albatros D3s, which soon became three. I escorted the DH4s out of the dogfight, while Carson-Jeffries, Barrington, and Stramel took on the hostile aircraft. Once the Germans had enough, we regained formation and continued southwest. We hadn't gone far when two Albatros D2s dove on us. I let the DH4s make their own way out of the scrap, which turned out to be a short one. Barrington was instrumental in convincing the German leader that discretion was the better part of valour.

The remaining flight back to Corbie was made in steadily worsening weather, which I would have preferred while we were over the German lines!

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

****************
Victory Points
Five Bombs on Target +50
Mission Offset -10
Total +40
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