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, 25 April 2010

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Defensive Line Patrol - April 6, 1917

Sir:

Capt Edeline said he'd seen enough perfunctory defensive line patrols, and he wanted this one to be conducted aggressively. To that end, I took off this afternoon and climbed to 15,000 feet, even though my SPAD doesn't have the range to patrol all the checkpoints at this altitude. I was, however, well placed to spot and dive on hostile aircraft in the exceptionally clear skies.

After passing over Albert, I headed for the South Advanced Landing Field, where I found two Halberstadt D3s patrolling 7000 feet below me. I dove to attack, but they got away.

I returned to 15,000 feet and was approaching Mercatel when I spotted three Albatros D2s at 12,000 feet. Again, I dove to attack, damaging one on my second pass before they got away.

Mercatel and its Advanced Landing Field were patrolled at 15,000 feet, and I was halfway back to Albert when I encoutered an entire flight of hostile aircraft from Jasta 11 at my altitude. I managed to out-maneuver four of them, but two very well-handled Albatros D3s made head-on passes, damaging my aircraft and putting it into a spin. I struggled to pull out, and did so at tree-top level, setting my machine down (rather roughly) in a small clearing.

(signed) Lieutenant Wolfgang Grün
"B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 6, 1917

****************
Victory Points
Patrolled 5 Checkpoints +10
Allied Scout w/ Minor Damage -3
German Scout Damaged/Aborted (VP's doubled) +6
Mission Offset -12
Total +1
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