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

Sunday, 21 November 2010

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Balloon Bursting - 14 April, 1917.

Zones A and B

Sir:

Lt Grün, 2Lt Perry, and I went looking for enemy balloons near Vimy and Lens this afternoon. Perry's gun was loaded with Buckingham ammunition, while my gun was removed so the aircraft could be equipped with Le Prieur rockets.

We took off under heavy clouds, but operated in thunderstorms until turning for home. A balloon was spotted shortly after we crossed the lines, near Vimy. I managed to hit it once, with my second salvo of four rockets. Grün also hit it, just before it was winched to safety. Perry's gun jammed, but he was able to clear it eventually.

Continuing north, we found another balloon near Lens. Out of rockets, I watched while Perry and Grün were frustrated on pass after pass. Grün did manage to make some small tears in the envelope, but this balloon, too, was winched to safety.

I was increasingly uneasy about our situation. My machine was unarmed, Perry is very inexperienced, and Grün's efforts had left him very low on ammunition. Ground fire near Hill 70 holed my fuselage, and shortly thereafter I decided we'd pushed our luck as far as it would go, and I signaled a return for home. Unfortunately, Grün was wounded by machinegun fire as we passed back over the trenches. However, he was able to continue, and our return flight to Corbie in rain and clouds was uneventful.

I cannot help but think that one more machine may have made the difference between damaging these balloons and destroying them. 2Lt Carson-Jeffries would have been a valuable addition to our flight, if only a replacement aircraft had been provided for him!

(signed) Captain Matthew Edeline
B Flight Leader, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 14, 1917

****************
Victory Points
Two Balloons Damaged +10
One Allied Aircrew Slightly Wounded (Grün) -10
Mission Offset -20
Total -20
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