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, 11 October 2010

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Photo Reconnaissance - 12 April, 1917.

Objective: Photo Reconnaissance

(Zone “C”)

Taking Part:

Pilots:

2nd Lt. Wendell Austin

2nd Lt. Peter Burnett

2nd Lt. Michael French

Two-Seater Aircraft (5 Sqdrn.):

Sgt. Owen Cadell / 2nd Lt. Max Faraday

Comments:

• What started as a bright sunlit day turned to light cloud, low cloud, and then overcast by the time we had finished the assignment; we were exceptionally fortunate! Our first encounter happened before we were into German territory - about four miles northwest of Mercatel we were attacked by two Alb. D-III’s. Nothing came of the fight except our DH-4 was driven off.

• Just short of the armaments depot at (coordinate K1o) we were attacked by three Alb. D-II’s. Nothing came of that fight either except Lt. Faraday’s MG jammed permanently.

• One photo was taken and then three Halb. D-III’s came out of the clouds at us. The fight broke up with nothing gained or lost.

• Back to photographing and when they were nearly finished an Alb. C-III flew past us apparently without realizing until the last moment that we were British - he made for the clouds before we could get to him.

• We finished the photographing and turned for the west. Heavy MG fire from the ground holed Burnett’s wing. We were about halfway to the lines when three Halb. D-III’s came at us. French was driven off and my gun jammed. I cleared it in time to greet the next three Huns, again Halb. D-III’s!, which came at us through the overcast. The fight ended with nothing dramatic occurring other than French had to take to the clouds to get away from a very aggressive Hun.

• We made it back to Amiens without further contact and with hardly any fuel or ammunition remaining.

• With the exception of the first two planes we saw no other Alb. D-III’s or Jasta 11 planes. I can say, even with my limited experience, that the Sopwith Pup is decidedly superior to either the Alb. D-II and the Halb. D-III. We often out-flew them but our shooting was not good. It was an excellent exercise for myself and the two other (new) pilots. With stiffer opponents it might have ended in tragedy.

(signed) 2nd Lt. Wendell Austin (acting flight leader)

Mission Points:

One average quality photo: 20
Mission deduction: 0

Mission TOTAL: 20

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