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 17 April 2011

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Artillery Spotting - April 20, 1917.

Zone C

Sir:

2Lt Kerneels-Pépin and I escorted 2Lt Ford and Sgt Barnes to spot for our artillery south of Cambrai this morning. Sgts Woollacott and Hill were piloting the DH4's from No. 5 Sqdn. I could not help but think that, despite our experience, Kerneels-Pépin and I constituted a rather thin escort for the DH4's.

We climbed to 1000 feet and headed southwest in light rain and mist. Before reaching the lines, two Halberstadt D3's came out of the clouds forcing Barnes and Hill down on their first pass. I caught one of the Halberstadts, with Jasta 11 colourings, and forced it down as well. Both Hill and the German pilot somersaulted their aircraft on landing. Later I learned that the German was pulled from his machine with serious injuries, while Barnes and Hill, fortunately, sustained only minor injuries.

We crossed the lines and Ford soon made contact with our battery. He was able to correct the fall of shot almost as quickly, and we turned for home about the time my fuselage took superficial damage from ground fire.

Passing over the trenches, two Albatros D3's dove on us. Ford and Woollacott were shot down immediately, crashing to Earth with no possibility of survival. One of Kerneels-Pépin's struts was damaged before the Germans broke off. I escorted him to the South Advanced Landing Field and saw him down safely.

As soon as I set course for Corbie, a single Albatros D2 attacked me from heavy cloud. The pilot seemed very inexperienced, but managed to disappear into the clouds before I could bring him down. I resumed my path to Corbie, and arrived without further incident.

(signed) Lieutenant Wolfang Grün
Acting B Flight Leader, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 20, 1917

****************
Victory Points
Successful Spotting (Ford) +20
Two Allied Aircrew Killed in Action (Woollacott, Ford) -60
Two Allied Aircrew w/ Minor Injuries (Barnes, Hill) -20
One Allied 2-Seater Destroyed (Woollacott) -15
One Allied 2-Seater Badly Damaged (Hill) -10
One Allied Scout Damaged/Aborted (Kerneels-Pépin) -3
One Jasta 11 Scout Shot Down (Grün) +40
Total -48
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1 comment:

Eric M. said...

Just when I think I have this game figured out ...

18 April 2011 at 03:54

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