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, 13 September 2010

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Ballon Bursting - 11 April, 1917.

Taking Part:
Pilots:
Lt. Harry Brandt (acting flight leader)
Lt. Henri LeMaris
2nd Lt. Wendell Austen

Two-Seater Aircraft (5 Sqdrn.):
Sgt. Brian Cornell w A/M Paul Pressing

Comments:
• We were assigned Zones “A” and “C” and in light rain I took the two lieutenants the ‘back’ route to west of Vimy Ridge where I turned us directly east to “A”. We flew for about twenty miles before we encountered two Alb. D-III’s which drove off Lts Brandt and Austin. Sgt. Cornell in his DH-4 drove off one of the Huns and the other elected to follow shortly afterwards.
• After re-gathering we spotted our first balloon and Lt. Austin put the finishing touches to it just before it reached the ground. Almost to the northern boundary of “A” we found a second balloon and this time Lt. Brandt flamed it. In the process Lt. Austin took several machinegun rounds to his engine and had to abort. We were close to the lines and Austin crossed over on his own.
• We spotted another balloon but while we were attacking three Halb. D-III’s attacked us. The only result of the battle was my MG jammed and I couldn’t clear it. With the weather worsening by the minute I felt we needed to return while we could still fly so we could carry out further assignments.
• Thankfully the weather continued to deteriorate and after over-flying the northern emergency field to see that Austin was there we made it back to Amiens without further interference from the Huns.

(signed) Lt. Henri LeMaris

Mission Points:
Two balloons destroyed: 50
One balloon damaged: 5
Scout pilot (Austin) aborted with engine damage: - 3
Mission deduction: - 20
Mission TOTAL: 32
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