Battle of Vimy Ridge

This Vintage Mission is a work in progress. v1.2 will solve some bugs, increase AAA over no-mans land and add some objectives. All units are on their historical airfields (or very close to it) and the aircraft flown in that area in that time are:

• RE 8 for reconaissance and artillery spotting

• Fe2b as escort fighter ( in this mission replaced with RE 8)

• Nieuport 17 ( three RFC squadrons)

• Sopwith Triplane (8 Naval)

• DFW CV for artillery spotting

• Albatros DII (limited), DIII (three Jastas)

Background information (from Wikipedia):

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was fought as part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the Canadian Corps, of four divisions, against three divisions of the German Sixth Army. The battle, which took place from 9 to 12 April 1917, was part of the opening phase of the Battle of Arras, a diversionary attack for the French Nivelle Offensive.

The Royal Flying Corps launched a determined effort to gain air superiority over the battlefield in support of the spring offensive. The Canadians considered activities such as artillery spotting, and photography of opposing trench systems, troop movements and gun emplacements essential to continue their offensive. The Royal Flying Corps deployed 25 squadrons totalling 365 aircraft along the Arras sector, outnumbering the Imperial German Army Air Service by 2-to-1.

Aerial reconnaissance was often a hazardous task because of a requirement to fly at slow speeds and at low altitudes. The task was made all the more dangerous with the arrival of additional German flying squadrons, including Manfred von Richthofen's highly experienced and well equipped Jasta 11, which led to sharp increase in Royal Flying Corps casualties.

This period would later be remembered by the RFC as "Bloody April".

Objectives:

To support planning of the larger offensive, the British reconaissance aircraft need to photograph objects behind the lines, East of Vimy. British scouts are sent on offensive patrols, to secure safe passage of the two-seaters. Outnumbered, the German scouts concentrate their forces and focus on defensive patrols.

When the Allies have completed two successful recon sorties, they will switch to bombing sorties until their primary target has been destroyed. When successful, they will switch back to recon sorties.

Both sides will have artillery spotters that will try to direct the big guns on targets around Vimy Ridge as a secondary objective.

Notes:

• • This map will run from morning to late afternoon (8 hrs) and then restart.

  • Both sides will be given orders through subtitles at regular intervals. One AI RE 8 (recognizable by red stripes) will lead each reconnaissance or bombing sortie. You can just form up on him and fly along. The RE 8 needs to be flown in formations to have a chance of survival!

  • RE 8s may start in the air because of their abysmal climb performance