Bloody April 1917

Bloody April 1917

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A campaign for First Eagles.

This is a historical campaign for the Flanders terrain in First Eagles, to recreate the nadir of the Royal Fying Corps, "Bloody April" 1917. It requires a standard install of First Eagles, plus Edward's Flanders terrain, and a number of extra add-on aircraft. There is a TXT file which explains all that is required.

The campaign uses a variety of early-1917 aircraft, and every mission will provide extensive aerial action, with large numbers of aircraft from different squadrons going about their various missions along the Front.

Historical Background

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A major British offensive was planned to commence in the Arras area in Flanders in April 1917. The First Army (General Horne) and the Fifth Army (General Allenby), comprising British, Australian, Canadian and Indian troops, would make a major push along the River Scarpe, and towards Vimy Ridge. A month of bloody fighting yielded little except heavy casualties on both sides, on the ground and in the air. A brilliant Canadian assault captured Vimy Ridge, and a tenacious Australian attack at Bullecourt penetrated the Hindenurg line for a time, but stubborn German resistance limited the gains to no more than a few miles overall.

In the air, early 1917 was a difficult time for the Royal Flying Corps. The Fokker scourge of early 1916 had been defeated by aircraft such as the DH.2 and the FE.2B, but by early 1917 these aircraft were obsolescent, and were facing newer German machines such as the formidable Albatross D.III. In addition, the German air force was now operating on the Flanders front in larger "Jastas", or "Flying Circuses". Newer British machines such as the Sopwith Pup and Triplane and the Bristol Fighter F2B were becoming available, but in small numbers. The Royal Flying Corps would suffer grievous losses in "Bloody April".