Bloody April 2017

**Nightbomber** · 03-23-2017 05:12

Since the Bloody April 100 years anniversary is coming I oredered my Flight

to recreate a historical clash that might have taken place over the trenches during a usual recon mission last Saturday.

The rules/points we used you will see on lower section of the whiteboard on which we recorded kills and points on.

There were 3 German Aces (Sławek and his sons: Maciek and Filip) flying D.IIIs, each of them with one official ace skill (Perfect Aim, Sniper and Bullet Checker) against 2 Strutters (me and Andrzej R) escorted by 2 D.H. 2s (Wiktor and Darek).

The Entente Flight drew 1 out of the 3 target cards that colours reffered to the targets behind the trenches to be photographed (this way the Germans did not know which target card is valid)

Although the British could not accomplish a single photo mission, they stood really well against those A firing deadly fighters!
The overall score after 2 hours of constant fighting was:
The Germans: 6 kills, 12 points
The British: 4 kills, 11 points.

Sorry for the low pictures quality, but you know how it is when you are flying manning a gun and a camera is difficult

.

Thanks for reading

.
Andy.

**Marechallannes** · 03-23-2017 05:34

Great AAR, my friend.

This scenario represent exactly my ideas for the Summer Con Bloody April mission.

A lot of German D.III fight versus a mixed underarmed Entente force with scouts and two-seaters heading for some recon pictures to support the ground offensive.

Slavek & Macius scored a tripple - not bad.

**zenlizard** · 03-23-2017 06:09

Certainly true to historical form.

**Flying Helmut** · 03-23-2017 06:53

Nice scenario Andrzej!

Looks like plenty of fun to be had by all.

**Lt. S.Kafloc** · 03-23-2017 07:09

One must remember too that many RFC recce missions were flown without cover and time and time again missions were flown to ensure success. (Most scout missions were behind enemy lines to interdict enemy scouts and take them away from the recce missions).

Great AAR Andy, I am in game withdrawel at present, my last being York in Early February......perhaps one of the nurses in hospital will want a go..?

**flash** · 03-23-2017 09:07

Nice one Andy, I think you were generous giving the Tommy that many machines but it did make for a target rich environment !
It's an interesting time & allows you to put many different types in the air for the RFC. The Baron scored 21 kills in this month alone at the controls of his Albatros D.III(2253/17) - That's just over a quarter of his total ! Look at the different types he downed (I highlighted those that are nexus/Ares models that might be used)
B.E.2d (5841)
Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A2401)
F.E.2d (A6382)
Bristol F.2a (A3340)
Bristol F.2a (A3343)
Nieuport 17 (A6645)
Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A2406)
B.E.2g (A2815)
B.E.2d (2501)
R.E.8 (A3190)
F.E.2b (A831)
F.E.2b (4997)
Nieuport 17 (A6796)
B.E.2e (3156)
F.E.2b (7020)
B.E.2f (A3168)
B.E.2e (7221)
SPAD VII (B1573)
F.E.2b (4898)
B.E.2e (2738)
Sopwith Triplane (N5463)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...von_Richthofen

**Flying Helmut** · 03-23-2017 09:11

Reading my newly-arrived book "Under the Guns of the Red Baron" last night, one section dealt with a flight of six RE8s, one camera plane and 5 escorts, being sent out on a mission.<< 59 Squadron, on 13th April 1917>>

Jasta 11 hit them first, scattering the survivors, then chasing them down, before Hans Klein of Jasta 4 picked off the sixth and last.

All six planes were lost, all 12 crew killed.

The ground crew at the airfield waited in vain for their return - I found myself quite struck by the sudden impact on a single Squadron, on a single day.
I can't seem to shake it off.

**Ken at Sunrise** · 03-23-2017 09:55

Originally Posted by flash

Nice one Andy, I think you were generous giving the Tommy that many machines but it did make for a target rich environment !
It's an interesting time & allows you to put many different types in the air for the RFC. The Baron scored 21 kills in this month alone at the controls of his Albatros D.III(2253/17) - That's just over a quarter of his total ! Look at the different types he downed (I highlighted those that are nexus/Ares models that might be used)
B.E.2d (5841)
Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A2401)
F.E.2d (A6382)
Bristol F.2a (A3340)
Bristol F.2a (A3343)
Nieuport 17 (A6645)
Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A2406)
B.E.2g (A2815)
B.E.2d (2501)
R.E.8 (A3190)
F.E.2b (A831)
F.E.2b (4997)
Nieuport 17 (A6796)
B.E.2e (3156)
F.E.2b (7020)
B.E.2f (A3168)
B.E.2e (7221)
SPAD VII (B1573)
F.E.2b (4898)
B.E.2e (2738)
Sopwith Triplane (N5463)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...von_Richthofen

Sorry I'm not home so I can't check, even then I'd need a magnefying glass,

The planes that you have in bold. They all have numbers after that; are you saying / do you know if these number match the Area release?

Thanks

**grumpybear** · 03-23-2017 10:17

Thanks Andy I am going to use your rules on Sat. when we play

**Flying Helmut** · 03-23-2017 10:53

Originally Posted by Ken at Sunrise

Sorry I'm not home so I can't check, even then I'd need a magnefying glass,

The planes that you have in bold. They all have numbers after that; are you saying / do you know if these number match the Area release?

Thanks

It's the Airframe number of the plane shot down on that given occasion.
I very much doubt that the serial numbers will match the Ares model, but, even if they do, they'll be so small that picking out the differences will be tricky!