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, 13 March 2011

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Trench Strafing - April 18, 1917.

Zone C

Sir:

Lt Grün led 2Lts Bellefeuille, Kerneels-Pépin, and myself to strafe enemy trenches south of Bapaume. We took off under an overcast, but the weather began to improve. Just after passing over Albert, we were attacked by an Albatros D3 and three Albatros D2s. The Lieutenant's machine was damaged, and the dogfight developed into individual but ineffective combats until the Germans broke off.

The Lieutenant signalled that he would return to Corbie alone, so I continued toward the lines with Bellefeuille and Kerneels-Pépin. The weather had improved further by the time we arrived, and although we were able to engage in some strafing, we were attacked by hostile aircraft almost continuously. First, six Albatros D2s attacked. I took on four while Bellefeuille and Kerneels-Pépin each engaged one. The Germans eventually broke off, but two Albatros D2s and three Halberstadt D3s took their place. Kerneels-Pépin and I each found ourselves circling with a Halberstadt, but both Albatroses focused on Bellefeuille, shooting him down just behind the German trench lines.

I decided that Kerneels-Pépin and I should return, as the damage the two of us could do to the enemy trenches did not seem to justify the risk. Two more Albatros D2s attacked us as we began the flight back. Kerneels-Pépin drove one off, which was the extent of our success. On landing at Corbie, I learned that Lt Grün's controls had failed, but he had set his machine down safely just short of the landing field.

(signed) 2nd Lieutenant Gerald Carson-Jeffries
B Flt, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 18, 1917

****************
Victory Points
Trench Strafing +19
One Allied Aircrew Captured w/ Serious Injuries (Bellefeuille) -25
One Allied Scout Destroyed (Bellefeuille) -10
One Allied Scout w/ Minor Damage (Grün) -3
Mission Offset -10
Total -29
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