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

Tuesday, 5 October 2010

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Offensive Line Patrol - 12 April, 1917.

Objective: Offensive Line Patrol

(Zone “A”)

Taking Part:

Pilots:

Lt. Harry Brandt

Lt. Henri LeMaris

2nd Lt. Michael French

Comments:

• I took the flight north to St. Pol and from there headed due east to begin our patrol in Zone "A”. The weather, which had been low clouds at Amiens, had cleared to the point where there was unlimited visibility by the time we reached the lines.

• The first incident was Lt. LeMaris was hit by MG fire as we dove on a lorry load of troops; part of his tail plane was shot away. He signaled for us to carry on and he made it back to the northern emergency field without further mishaps. We hit nothing.

• Next, before we could find another target, we were attacked by three Alb D-II’s. French immediately was into a duel with one of them and the other two tried to box me. I shot one down and drove the other off. French’s gave up and left.

• Our next target was a car full of Hun brass. It went off the road and into the remnants of a farm where we couldn’t get a clear shot. We came out of our dive to find three Alb. D-II’s on our tail. I was able to get above them but my gun jammed. At about the same time French’s gun did likewise. Our flying saved us as we both got far enough away to clear our guns. French, his first flight with the squadron, drove off an enemy and the others quit the fight.

• Over Armentieres and spotted a Hun supply train - again no hits. And a Hun attacked, this time an Alb. D-III which was immediately in a duel with French. A good flyer and he drove French off. My gun jammed again and at the same time it appeared the Hun lost one of his guns. He flew off trying to fix it. (I can’t understand why as he still had another . . .) Before we found a target (I had cleared my MG) another Alb. D-III attacked us; he picked out French for his victim. The most he could do was drive French off and I got out of there. I signaled a return because I was low on ammo.

• We were about four miles west of the line when six Huns caught us at one thousand feet - a mix of Alb D-III’s, D-II’s and Halberstadts. In their first pass French was driven off, and I was caught in a ground leaping duel with a D-III. I came out from behind the remnants of a church steeple to find him dead ahead of me and close - an easy shot - I pulled the trigger, and no ammo!

• Six of them on us, me with no ammo and French with little, and we were able to escape. That’s either some bloody fine flying or was it bloody good luck? But I have to say, even though I was able to put one Hun out of the war, my firing was off - I missed too many shots at Alb. D-II’s.

(signed) Lt. Harry Brandt, acting flight leader

Mission Points:
Zone “A” spotted: 20

One non-Jasta 11 E/A shot down: 20

Scout pilot (LeMaris) aborted with damaged tail plane: - 3

Mission TOTAL: 37

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