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 - Offensive Line Patrol - 11 April, 1917.

Squadron adjutant reporting to Col. Wagner-Stowe:

"Colonel, I have here as much information as I can get at this time; I believe it to be a rather clear picture for scheduling tomorrow’s assignments - which, incidentally, I will have for you shortly. It seems that 19 Squadron’s “B” Flight pilots are scattered in various locations, the majority being in the northern emergency field, and their third assignment today, defensive line patrol, cannot be carried out. . . Thank you, sir, a whiskey would be just the thing. . . It’s possible, Colonel, we might have a full flight tomorrow, but then again, depending on personnel and plane allocations, we might not. Perhaps you could make a call, sir? As I understand it, your school chum “Smarty” . . . er, excuse me, sir . . . Major Smartly, has been re-assigned to distribution. Here’s a list of “B” Flight’s lads and their statuses:

Lt. Darren Bayliss: as you’ve undoubtedly heard, received multiple leg fractures when he crash-landed this morning while on Dawn Patrol. According to first reports he will not fly again this war.

2nd Lt. Wendell Austin: while balloon bursting earlier today took several rounds in his petrol tank and is in the process of having it repaired at northern emergency field.

Lt. Henri LeMaris, acting flight leader: after having to abort due to engine damage received in combat east of Ypres was attacked a second time but managed to escape and put the plane down south of Nieu Chapelle. From what I could gather from the infantry officer who reported, he made a rather miraculous landing with no injury to himself or damage to his craft. Northern field chaps are at this moment retrieving both him and his aircraft.

Lt. Morris Bellamy: a new chap, was forced down near Ypres after an oil line was hit; he has minor injuries but the plane has extensive damage. He will come down with an ambulance going to Amiens field hospital. It looks he will be out a minimum of three days

2nd Lt. Peter Burnett: (arrived yesterday) apparently was also hit in an oil line during combat and had to abort to the northern emergency field.

Lt. Brandt is available but he is without an aircraft."

Mission Points:
Goods train strafed: 4
Goods train (2nd) strafed: 8
Column of troops: 14
1 Scout pilot (Bellamy)minor injuries: - 3
2 Sopwith Pups aborted (LeMaris & Burnett) with minor damage: - 6
1 Sopwith Pup (Bellamy) heavily damaged: - 6
Mission deduction: 0
Mission TOTAL: 15
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