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, 6 February 2011

54 Saqdrn. 'B' Flight - Trench Strafing - April 16, 1917

Zone B

Sir:

2Lts Carson-Jeffries and Kerneels-Pépin returned from the Advanced Landing Field in time to join 2Lt Bellefeuille and myself on our first mission with B Flt, No 54 Sqdn. I led the group to strafe the German trenches between Arras and Mercatel.

We flew to the lines at 1000 feet and under low cloud, which began to clear when we reached the trenches. After two strafing passes, visibility became unlimited, and I thought it best to retire to our side of the lines. We circled for a while until some cloud moved in, and then returned to the lines to continue the operation. By this point, however, the Germans were ready for us, and six Albatros D2s dove on us before we could resume strafing. The fight broke up into three separate duels, with Carson-Jeffries and Bellefeuille each taking on two HA. None of us were hit, and I managed to set my opponent plunging to Earth in flames. The remaining Germans broke off shortly thereafter.

After one strafing run, we were attacked by two Halberstadt D2s and two Albatros D2s. Carson-Jeffries' machine took some superficial damage, and he was separated from the rest of us. Kerneels-Pépin did some serious damage to one of the Halberstadts. Bellefeuille tried to finish it off, but it got away.

I signalled a final strafing pass, as I felt we were attracting too much attention to risk staying over the front lines. We passed over Mercatel and the Advanced Landing Field, where we were set upon by our most dangerous adversaries yet — three very well-handled Albatros D3s. This fight split into three duels, with Bellefeuille doubling up with me against one of the HA. Fortunately, the Germans were better pilots than shots, and they soon retired without causing or taking any damage.

We returned to Corbie without encountering any additional HA. Bellefeuille's engine threatened to give him trouble on our approach to the field, but he kept it going and we all landed safely.

(signed) Lieutenant Hamish Lumley
"B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 16, 1917

****************
Victory Points
Trench Strafing +36
One German Scout Shot Down (Lumley) +20
One German Scout Damaged/Aborted (Kerneels-Pépin) +3
Mission Offset -10
Total +49
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