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, 3 April 2011

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Dawn Patrol - April 19, 1917

Sir:

While I would not, of course, normally conduct a Dawn Patrol, I had reason to want to observe Lt Grün in action, so I asked him to accompany me on this morning's mission. We took off and climbed to 1000 feet in a snow shower that soon stopped, so we made our way toward the lines under heavy cloud cover. Crossing into enemy territory between Bapaume and Cambrai, we passed west of Cambrai to skirt its defences. The snow resumed as we passed east of Doui and Beaumont, and changed to rain for the segment from the enemy Advanced Headquarters to Vimy. It was snowing again when we flew over Arras, changing to rain which stopped by the time we arrived at the aerodrome. Unfortunately, no HA were spotted, so my attempt to observe Lt Grün was frustrated.

(signed) Major Benjamin Wagner
C/O, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 19, 1917

****************
Victory Points
Patrolled 12 hexes +120
Mission Offset -80
Total +40
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1 comment:

Eric M. said...

Only one encounter was rolled, in the brief spell of rain between the HQ and Vimy, but it was out of visibility range.

3 April 2011 at 01:08

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