The Western Front Patch Moving Front adds improved historical accuracy to the Western Front Patch by moving the positions of the front lines several times during 1917-18 and adding and fixing many aerodrome assignments.  A realistic front line position enables much more realistic squadron movements, and so the patch greatly revises the names and positions of aerodromes. 

 

NEW in WFPMF 4

 

This update of the moving front patch is a little different from the previous ones.  There is very little alteration to the front line changes made for previous versions.  There are a few corrections to aerodrome positions, but only a few.  What this version is about is to improve the history provided by basic WFP2.  There are many details of aircraft usage that could be improved in WFP’s setup.  Much of the content of the Squadron files dates from years ago, back to Beery’s patch in fact.  Since then, this info, although a quantum leap forward compared with RB original, has become out of date.  Many details of squadron movements, types used, camouflage, and unit and personal markings have become available but have not been incorporated into RB.  There is enough information to make probably hundreds of such changes - I have made some where they were relatively easy or the errors really bugged me.  There are many more that are still needed to make the game as accurate as it could be given its setup. 

 

 Unit Changes

WFPMF version 4 contains changes to the squadron mix to squeeze a few more units in (or back in) to the game, at the expense of minor units or units that primarily operated by night, or to improve the balance of forces in certain regions at certain times, or to improve the mix of aircraft types in the game.  Accompanying this is a general tweaking of historical items as I came across them.

 

Slot

 Current Squadron

New Squadron

New date-based replacement

01

B.A.O. > Kagohl I, Staffel 3   > Bogohl 1, Staffel 3

 (171001)  84 Sq RFC/RAF

02

B.A.M.> Kagohl II, Staffel 10 > Bogohl 2, Staffel 10

(180401)  99 Sq RAF

89

9 Sq RNAS  > 209 Sq RAF

(150801) 3 Wing RNAS  (170201)

Complete replacement

00

Kagohl.IV, Staffel 21   >  Bogohl 4, Staffel 21

Kagohl.V, Staffel 28      >  Schusta 10

06

Kagohl IV, Staffel 22  >  Bogohl 7, Staffel 22

Kagohl.VII, Staffel 42   >  Schusta 18

31

Jasta 61

Jasta 64w

2E

MF 16  >   AR 16   >   Sal 16

C 64      >     Spa-Bi 64

47

C 59    >   Sal 59

MF 20    >    AR 20     >     Spa-Bi 20

4B

FFA 62 > FA 27

AFA 222  >  FA(A) 222

4C

FFA 69 > FA 38

FFA  7b >  FA(A) 293b

4D

N 76    >   Spa 76

N 315      >     Spa 315

58

FA(A) 245

AFA 216   >  FA(A) 216w

68

N 158  > MS 158  >  SPA 158

13th Aero USAS

6C

Esc 4 Belgique

Esc 3 Belgique

81

MF 50     >   AR 50    >   Sal 50

V21  >  C 21  >  AR 21 >  Spa-Bi 21

A1

3 RFC/RAF

65 RFC / RAF

B4

12th Aero USAS  (Salmson 2)

96th Aero USAS  (Breguet)

 

01            Restores 84 Sq (SE5) to the game

02        Adds new RAF day bomber squadron (DH 9) to Alsace in 1918

89        Adds new RNAS day bomber squadron (Sopwiths) to Alsace in 1916

00, 06            Replaces two Kastas that became night bombing units with others that become Schustas

31            Replaces minor Jasta (61) with Jasta 64w for action with USAS in 1918

2E, 47, 81  Replaces three French Salmson escadrilles with SPAD 2-seater escadrilles

4B, 4C, 58  Three German 2-seater squadrons replaced with longer serving units that stayed on the Western Front

4D            Replaces minor fighter escadrille (Esc 76) with Esc 315 for game balance in the Belfort area, 1918

68            Replaces Esc 158 (used MS AI parasol fighter) with 13th Aero to add another 2PG squadron (and a cool insignia)

6C       Esc 4 renamed to Esc 3, which flew Breguets (3 flew Spad 2-seaters)

A1            Replaces 3 Sq (flew Morane P parasols, not in game, prior to Camels) with a 1917-18 Camel Squadron

B4            Replaces a USAS Salmson squadron with a USAS Breguet day bomber squadron

 

French specialized bomber squadrons identified by their Groupe de Bombardement (GB) affiliation

 

Revised early war German fighter units. 

Because Fokkers were initially issued to FFA units in 1915 in ones and twos, there were no fighter squadrons as such in 1915.  So to have Fokkers in 1915 they have to be with FFAs.  During 1916 the Fokkers of one or more FFAs were augmented and amalgamated to form detachments of 2-6 Fokkers as KEKs  or Fokkerstaffeln, but most of these did not begin to establish until March or even later. 

The table shows my latest compromise for getting Fokkers into the game and staying (fairly) close to the historical dates of formation of German fighter units.  Each line of the table represents a squadron ‘slot’ and shows the name changes that happen during the course of the game and the approx dates of those changes:

 

Front

 

Flanders

(150801) FFA 62         (160315) KEK Douai                                                  (160928) Jasta 10

 

        (151001) Marine FFA I      (160415) Marine KEK                                             (170201) MFJ

Marne

             (160101) FFA 11  (160315) KEK West    (160701) Fokkerstaffel West  (160928) Jasta 12

 

(151001) FFA 1(160315)KEK Bantheville  (160701)Fokkerstaffel Martincourt (160928) Jasta 7

 

                (160101) KEK Vaux    (160415) KEK Sud                                       (160928) Jasta 4

Verdun

(150801) FFA 19                           (160601) Fokkerstaffel Porcher                 (160928) Jasta 13

 

(150801) FFA 25          (160315) KEK Sivry   (160701) Fokkerstaffel Sivry (160928) Jasta 6

 

               (160101) KEK Avillers                                                                        (160928) Jasta 5

 

 (151001)   BAM     (160101  KEK Metz      (160601) Kampfstaffel Metz  (160928) Jasta 17

Alsace

(150801) FFA 48          (160315) KEK Habsheim                                             (160928) Jasta 15

 

       (151001) Kasta F (160201) Fokkerstaffel Falkenhausen                          (160928) Jasta 14

 

               (160101) FFA 9b  (160315) KEK Ensisheim                                        (160928) Jasta 16

 

 

Flyable 2-seater squadrons

I have also changed some names associated with the early war flyable 2-seaters.  In Pat’s original version he used the same squadron names as were already in the game (FFA 7 and FFA 23, Esc 8, 2 Sq), with the awkward annotation ‘Not yet’ on the main entries for these units.  I have now given the flyable early war 2-seater new unit designations.

So if you want to start the war as a 2-seater pilot and then ‘transfer’ to scouts at the start of 1916.  

·        Start a career in one of the following four fighter units in 1916. 

·        Go to CM11 and use the Change Date facility to move the date back to 1915 (earliest date is 1 August).

·        Go back to the Campaign, generate a mission.  Start and immediately finish the mission. 

·        Generate a new mission. It should be at the new 1915 date and will be a 2-seater style mission (bombing, recon).

The squadrons that you must select to fly an early war career are:

German

Jasta 12. Begin war in FFA 11 flying Aviatiks, stay with FFA 11 but fly Fokkers from 1 January 1916.  Detached as KEK West in March, then Fokkerstaffel West in June, and at end September 1916 reformed as Jasta 12

Jasta 15.  Begin war in FFA 9b flying Aviatiks, stay with FFA 9b but fly Fokkers from 1 January 1916.  Detached as KEK Ensisheim in March, and at end September 1916 reformed as Jasta 15.

French

Esc 38. Begin war in MF 35 flying Farmans, ‘transfer’ to N 38 on 1 January 1916 to fly Nieuports

British

60 Sq. Begin war in 7 Sq flying BE2s, ‘transfer’ to 11 Sq on 1 January 1916 to fly Gunbuses, then ‘transfer’ again on 1 June 1916 to the newly arrived 60 Sq.

 

Colour and markings

Albatros D.III – begins with green-green-brown camo and D.II-type squared-off rudders.  Lilac-green camo comes in during May, and rounded rudders not until September when most Alb DIIIs still in service were OAW-built and used the DV shaped rudder.

Crazy mixed up Jastas – Three pairs of Jastas have their colour schemes muddled in WFP2.

            Jasta 15 and Jasta 18 have the red and blue ‘Berthold’ scheme arbitrarily applied to some aircraft and not others at the same time period.  Jasta 22 has been given Jasta 21’s black and white fuselage band.  Jasta 21 has the white diagonal line sometimes used by Jasta 22.       Jasta 7 has the white tail section of Jasta 40.  Jasta 40 Albatroses all have the markings of one of its leaders (Dilthey), while the Pfalz has orange lines on the fuselage (source?); both should be black with white tail surfaces.

            I have untangled them and they now have markings closer to what they should.  The correct default scheme of J21 matches those of the aces that flew with it (Schleich and Thom).  Jasta 15 now has its characteristic 1917 Albatros scheme of green dappled camouflage applied to the fuselage and tail.  The red and blue scheme of Berthold’s Jasta 18 transfers across to Jasta 15 when he takes command of JG 2 in late March 1918.  At the same time, Jasta 18 gets a new CO and the red and white ‘raven’ scheme is introduced.  Jasta 7 is now all-black on the fuselage and tail.  The scheme with the white tail and black fuselage has now been transferred to Jasta 40. 

The unit called “Jasta 16 Freistadt Bayern” was a bit of fun introduced into the WFP by Pat Wilson. In fact,  Jasta 16’s aircraft famously had black tails and spinners, and at least two had black rings round the rear fuselage.  The beautiful Bavarian diamonds shown in WFP2 were the personal markings of Bohning, CO of Jasta 79b, and were applied to just his Albatros.  Changed Jasta 16 to its black colours.  Jasta 16 also had characteristically marked Fokker DVIIs, with blue noses and a black and white stripe around the tail – now supplied.  

The markings given for Jasta 50 Pfalz are those of a Jasta 21 pilot, Fritz Höhn.  Made Jasta 50 factory standard. 

Two Jastas had tail colours not given in WFP.  Jasta 19 used a unit marking of a black-V-on-yellow stabilizer (game has it on Tripes, but not Albatri).  Jasta 17 had an unusual black and white combination on its Albatros tail surfaces.  Threw in an extra Buckler scheme too.  There are still quite a few dodgy Albatros markings in the game, but some will need more extensive file changes - I couldn’t face dealing with them.

Boelcke’s Fokker EIII was not distinctively marked, but his EIV was. This is now reflected in the game. 

Date-based colour scheme change in Von Schleich’s personal schemes, with the all-black scheme starting when he moves to Jasta 32.  Similarly, RFC aces (e.g. Mannock, Bishop) who change squadrons have the appropriate changes in squadron markings.

French unit markings – corrected/supplied.  Many 2-seater squadrons used the default scheme in WFP2; all of the later types now have their correct escadrille markings.  

Some French single seaters have also been tweaked

Spad VIIs now have 5-colour camouflage in 1918

B.Es. –  have fuselage roundels. 

All RFC 2-seaters have the right unit markings (from April 1916 when they were instituted). BE 12 has the correct 19 Sq ‘dumbell’ marking.  A few other RFC squadrons that lacked unit markings now have them.

Vickers Gunbus, DH2s and Nieuport 10 have the RFC cockades right from the start, not the silly union jack things that the RFC stopped using in early to mid 1915..

RFC/RAF scout squadrons change markings at the end of April 1918.

Bellies – for some reason the fuselage undersides of many camouflaged German and French types have the topside camo wrapped underneath.  AFIK, this never happened and I have given some of these types a pale blue, varnished or CDL fuselage underside.

Marking changes and unit name change are reflected by insignia picture changes in the ‘Intelligence’ folders.

 

Other Stuff

Victory List names.  As WFP changes aircraft types, victory list will change.  There is now a file included that will correct this, but there is a cost to this benefit – see the item SIX in the Loading section.

 

Early in the war, using MissionGen can actually cause a few anomalies (large patrols by scouts of both sides, for instance.  Also, if you start a career in one of the newly available Détachements de Chasse (small units later expanded or amalgamated to form escadrilles 90 to 96), you would need to keep patrol sizes small.  So I have an alternative version of MissionGen.ini that has such small patrol sizes a maximum of 4 in most cases (max 6 for offensive patrols).  See item SEVEN in the Loading section.

 

I have knocked up a set of date based (approx 2-monthly) title screens following Nowi’s idea. Images come from several different patches, mostly my home brew. (If you prefer Nowi’s, just reload them after you load WFPMF4)

 

A few small changes have been made to aerodrome positions (Cruyshouten and Ferme d’Alger) and TED files.

 

Fixes to errors detected in the previous version have been incorporated in this one. This version also includes the river junction fix.  Bertangles aerodrome has been reoriented and moved slightly north of its previous position, and this (in my testing so far) seems to have fixed the odd issue of DH2s crashing on takeoff.

 

Loading

 

The loading instructions assume use of CM11, von Tom’s Campaign Manager.  If you are using WFP loaded via Gabi’s Reload program, overwrite the WFP date files with the WFPMF files.  No change to the way the TED files are loaded.

 

ONE, WFP2 is the baseline patch for this addition (NB It will NOT work with other patches, such as HA or FCJ).  Also make sure any other additions, like terrain and redux patches etc are in place.

 

Before You run WFPMF4, read the info below.  The patch will over-write important basic RedBaron files. And two files that support the SquadronEditor program (if you have it). 

You may wish to backup, move or replace your existing versions of these files in case you wish to delete the WFPMF versions later on.  Do this now.

 

TWO, after any backing up:

 

The TWO patch files should each be unzipped to DIFFERENT target directories:

 

A    MF4_date3_files.zip  - unzip to the Sierra/RedBaron II or 3D/CM11/patches directory

 

B  MF4_ted_files – unzip to the Sierra/RedBaronII or 3D/Data directory

 

·        Two files, Rbaero.txt and Rbplanes.txt, should be moved to the folder that contains your copy of Squadron Editor, overwriting previous versions.

·        The files MissionGen_small.ini, MissionGen_standard.ini, Pnamechg_active.txt and Pnamechg_inactive.txt are alternative versions of optional files (see Items SIX and SEVEN below).

·        The PowerPoint file summarises the changes in the front incorporated in the patch.  The file Squadron changes MF4.doc summarizes what changes occur to squadron names and roles at each date change.

 

THREE.  NB.  do not try to continue an existing campaign (including existing WFP careers) once you have loaded the WFPMF4.  Its altered Lo files may cause any existing campaigns to freeze or DTD the game.  Purge all of your existing campaigns and start fresh.

 

FOUR.  Open CM.  Delete any previous version of WFPMF, and add the WFPMF4 patch to the Current Patches list.

 

FIVE.  In CM, set a game date.

 

SIX (optional).  If you want to, you can get CM to re-write your pilot victory lists so that even when WFP substitutes a later type for an earlier one, each victory entry will maintain the correct identity.  To set this up, take the file called pnamechg_active. txt and save it to the 150801 directory as pnamechg.txt, overwriting the WFP version that is already present.  If you do this, you will not be able to use the Editeur de Campagne by Tymophil.  If you want to restore the original WFP2 file, save the alternate version pnamechg_inactive.txt as pnamechg.txt.  Note that once you have used the active version of this file and changed victory entries, restoring the original pnamechg.txt file will not reverse any changes made to the victories in the campaign file, which will remain unreadable by the Editeur.

SEVEN (optional).  If you want the (many) advantages of Pat  Wilson’s MissionGenerator, but want to have smaller formations (as in the early war period, or if flying with a Détachement de Chasse), rename the file MissionGen_small.ini as MissionGen.ini and overwrite the standard version.  The standard version can be reinstated whenever you wish to have larger formation sizes.  No reason why you couldn’t swap them in or out at any time.

 

Game play

***To have this patch work correctly you have to be conscientious in using CM to refresh files.  Note the times when the front lines change:***

 

1 August 1915

10 October 1916

19 March 1917

15 May 1917

1 June 1917

15 June 1917

1 October 1917

26 March 1918

15 April 1918

1 June 1918

1 July 1918

1 August 1918

15 August 1918

15 September 1918

20 September 1918

15 October 1918

 

For the patch to work properly, refresh the campaign using CM immediately one of these dates has arrived.  To be sure, do it after every mission. Do it BEFORE you generate the next mission.  If you don’t the next mission may well tell you to attack a friendly or protect an enemy location.

If a mismatch does happen to occur, you may get the ‘Mission Planner’ screen when you hit next mission.  If this happens, select a Lone Wolf patrol for yourself, then start and finish the mission immediately.  The game should then operate normally again.

You can continue to use MissionGen with MFP to improve mission realism. 

Likewise, you can use Captain Darwin’s FCJ control panel with no problems.

 

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Steve Fabert (Sfabert), Ted Harrity (Shredward) and Pat Wilson for testing early versions and suggesting further improvements.  Special extra mention for Steve who, years ago, gave me a lot of info on historical movements and the localities of aerodromes that got me started with more with realistic placement of squadrons. He also suffered through trying early versions of the patch – all frustrating failures. The fact that the patch became workable is due to a critical insight by Sygrod regarding the way Campaign data files track local landmarks.  This finally enabled the elimination of a persistent and fatal flaw in earlier prototypes of this patch.

Shred (who has the invaluable French publication Les Escadrilles de l’Aeronautique Militaire Francaise, summarizing unit histories of the French escadrilles) and Bletchley added info on unit movements and AAA, and provided ideas and encouragement that have moved the project along.  My thanks to Zsolt Fazekas and the TED primer notes prepared by Rens for helping me improve my terrain editing.

 

Some of my most useful sources of historical information:

 

The major events along the Western Front 1915-1918

            http://www.worldwar1.com/

WW1 air war historical information of all kinds

http://www.theaerodrome.com/

Osprey Books ‘Aircraft of the Aces’ series

Australian Flying Corps

            http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/

Belgian Air Force                                                  

            http://www.baha.be/Webpages/Navigator/Belgian_Aviation_History/Historyindex.htm

French Air Force

            http://www.traditions-air.fr/

http://gaubs.free.fr/

German Air Force

http://www.frontflieger.de/

            http://patriot.net/~townsend/WW1AirMap/ (summarizes and amends info from The Jasta Pilots by Norman Franks, Frank Bailey, and Rick Duiven)

British Air Forces

The war in the air; being the story of the part played in the great war by the Royal Air Force. Volume 1 by Raleigh, W.A.; Vols 2-6 by Jones, H. A.

http://clubweb.interbaun.com/milesc/oob1.html  http://www.rafweb.org/Menu.htm

USAS

            http://www.acepilots.com/wwi/us_1st_pursuit.html

            The US Air Service in World War 1: Vol 1: Final Report and a Tactical History by Maurer, M. (accessible on-line through Google Books: http://books.google.com/ )

 

If you notice any problems/bugs or, better, have information for improving the historical accuracy, let me know at mrars@bigpond.com

 


Background and notes for previous versions

WFPMF 3

 

This version concentrates on the appearance of the terrain and maps, and fixes (mostly) a couple of long-term bugs.

Balloons. This version goes some way towards removing the indestructible balloon bug that was in earlier versions.  Most balloons can now be destroyed by gunfire, but you generally need two to four passes to do it.  A diving approach to the target is more effective than a horizontal attack.  This actually adds realism in that, historically, single firing passes at balloons often failed to ignite them.  Le Prieur rockets are almost useless (but then they mostly were).

It is possible that balloons at a few sites remain indestructible; if you think you have found one, let me know.

Terrain.  The patch restores topographic relief.  This was absent in earlier versions due simply to my unfamiliarity with the terrain editor.  The terrain appearance may vary slightly from the RB original as I have not been able to find the precise numbers used in the out-of-box release.

The south-western corner of the Marne map sheet is supposed to reach the north-eastern outskirts of Paris (le Bourget) so I have dressed up this area of the terrain file by placing numbers of town type tiles instead of grassy countryside.

Several errors or mismatches in aerodrome positions have been corrected and the positions of some aerodromes improved. 

Alsace front: Burscheid aerodrome has been added E of Sarreburg, using the slot for the unused Schlellstadt (Fr: Selestat) aerodrome. The position of Morchingen has been improved.  Dieuze aerodrome has been renamed as St Medard, historically a significant Jasta base just west of Dieuze. 

Flanders front:  Poperinghe aerodrome’s position has been fixed.  The Belgian towns of Jabbecke and Varsenaere are only a few kilometeres apart, such that one RB aerodrome would cover the two sites. The more northerly RB drome (Jabbecke) is closer to the historical position, so I have stuck with that as "Jabbecke".  RedBaron's "Varsenaere" is closer to the position of another German aerodrome at Erkeghem and has been renamed accordingly.  RB's aerodrome Koekhoek (the old "Hooey Hook") becomes redundant with the deletion of Jasta 58.  The site is close to Thourout (=Thouroube; today: Torhout) a 1917 base for Jasta 7 and Jasta 29, so Thourout replaces Koekhoek.

Verdun front:  Aerodrome positions between Briey and Montmedy have been improved (Spincourt, Mont, Hivry, the “Mercy”s, Longuyon).  Boulay (G: Bolchen) aerodrome dropped and its slot used for St Mard, E of Montmedy.  Niederum (French: Many) is used instead of Vatimont.  Behonne’s buildings are now oriented correctly.

Marne front:  The northern railyard at Soissons is visible (data corrupted in earlier version).  The “Vaux” of KEK Vaux was not a town but a chateau, Chateau Vaux just outside Roupy.  Jastas 4 and 22 start their careers there.  RedBaron’s “Vaux” is renamed La Selve.  The aerodrome SW of St Quentin now has three date based alterations starting as Chateau Vaux, changing to Roupy, then Foreste.

 

Maps. Background maps now have additional town names – just about all town locations that are not immediately adjacent to an aerodrome have their own names.  The position of an extra city, Bruges, has been added to the northern edge of the Flanders sheet.  No city added to the terrain, as Bruges just misses, but it was an important landmark that northern fliers ought to “know” about.

All major rivers and some of the major canals are also named.  Named structures are picked out in blue (rivers) or blue-grey (canals).  Two rivers have inaccurate gaps in their courses, the Vesle should run between Fismes and Rheims and the Moselle between Toul and Azelot.  Fixing the underlying terrain file is beyond me, but I have shown the rivers’ actual courses on the maps.  A few place name mis-spellings have been corrected, and names in German Alsace and Lorraine (“Elsass” and “Lothringen”) have now all been switched from French to their German equivalents.

Squadrons. Historically accurate squadron placement has created some game play anomalies.  For the second half of 1917 none of the WFP German fighter units are in Alsace, and in the second half of 1918, none of the WFP Allied fighter units are.  So I have changed three squadrons to ensure that there will always be at least one fighter unit from each side present in Alsace.  Jasta 58 and Jasta 77b (two of the worst-performing Jastas of the war) have been deleted and their places taken by Jastas 33 and 41.  Similarly Esc 79 (which simply clogs up the Marne front with yet another mediocre French fighter unit) is dropped in favour of the Alsace-based Esc 90.  Several data files have been changed and new squadron-specific colour schemes added.

Other minor squadron changes are present.  Alteration of bases in Verdun and Alsace means a few improvements to some Jasta movements.  Several German 2-seater units have been renamed, as some of those in use had spent much or all of their time on The Eastern or Italian fronts.  Some persistent errors in date-based unit name changes have been fixed.

Release 2:  Errors in landscape and landmark files corrected (position and terrain around some aerodromes).

           

WFPMF 2.0

 

            The new version has several major additions.

 

·        All four map sheets now have new, renamed and relocated aerodromes.  On the Flanders and Marne sheets, over half of the aerodromes have now been adjusted.  On the Verdun sheet, those flying USAS will notice relocation of their aerodromes as well as quite a few French bases.  On the Alsace sheet hardly any of the original set of Entente bases have survived.

·        A few bases that were historically important lie close to map overlap areas, so they appear twice and units get ‘transferred from one sheet to another to enable them to operate in both map areas while based at these places.  Included in this is Cachy (Flanders and Marne) and the bases around Toul and Nancy.

·        The positions of the front lines have been refined.  Flanders, Marne and Verdun now have alterations that more accurately place parts of the lines compared to the previous patch.

·        Additional town names.  Many of the ‘town’ and ‘village’ symbols, all anonymous in original RB, have now been given realistic identities.  As a result, there are now even more points on the map that can be used to describe the site of a victory or the course of a mission.

·        French escadrille movements.  Thanks to excellent info uncovered by Shred, all French units now undergo much more accurate movements during the course of the war.  Many of these new moves are to bases that were not in original RB and have driven the choice of quite a few name changes.

·        Town appearances.  Most cities and towns near the front were more or less damaged by shellfire.  This version substitutes shell-damaged versions of the BMPs for the three types of town buildings and the cathedral.  As you fly low over them you’ll see the damage.  The cost is that towns well away from the fighting will also show damage, but the damage is not extreme, and as most action takes place close to the front, it seemed to me most buildings should look damaged.  Farmhouses on aerodromes, however, are in good repair.

·        Antiaircraft fire.  Over the course of the war, AAA fire becomes heavier over the front lines.  The ‘Brigades’ start with relatively small numbers of flak guns and MGs, but these increase over time, slowly at first but more rapidly in 1918.  German AAA is thicker on the ground than Entente.   Thanks to Bletchley for this suggestion and for testing it.

·        Map sheets (PlanregX.bmp) have been adjusted here and there to improve the correspondence between in-game positions of cities and the positions shown on maps.

 

BUG: An unsolved bug using the moving front is that balloons can no longer be shot down.  Altering the landscape has somehow made them impervious to guns and rockets, although they can still be destroyed if a plane collides with them.  You may wish to use Captain Darwin’s FCJ control panel to eliminate balloon attack  and defense missions.

 

 

 

BACKGROUND

The RBII/3D front line positions are static throughout the game and represent a compromise position historically.  In reality, from early 1917 there were some changes that significantly altered the positions of the lines and of aerodromes in use.  This patch moves the front line from time to time to better reflect its historical position and to allow a closer approximation between historical squadron placements and game placements. 

NOTE that the underlying landscape (specified by the .TED files) will not change, so that the nomans land tiles will stay where they are (the old battlefield areas took a long time to recover, so it’s not completely unrealistic).  So when flying over altered lines you'll need to keep a keener eye on where you are as enemy gunners will be shooting at you from more difficult-to-spot positions.

 

In the patch

The novel features of the Moving Front patch are date based versions of Lndmrks#.dat, Brigade#.dat and modified Squadron.dat files, planreg0, -1, -2 and-3 .bmp files, new aerodrome Lo.files.  Together these move the front lines and enable squadrons to advance or retreat as the lines move.  The new versions of  Baron0.ted, Baron1.ted, Baron2.ted and Baron3.ted include new aerodrome tile sets, eliminate others, and alter the layout of many aerodrome landscape ‘tiles’.  Also present is a set of new aerodrome lo files that alter the appearance of aerodromes (Lo020000.dat to Lo02000D.dat) and provide more diversity, and more small dromes with relatively few buildings.  Two of these lo files (-02 and -09) are used for a few aerodrome locations when no planes are based there; they provide groups of buildings and tents to simulate army camps.  The operating aerodrome lo files get extra buildings and AAA in October 1917 to reflect increasing numbers of squadrons  (see Aerodrome Appearance on pp 5-6 below).  Improving AAA is also represented by date based increments in the numbers of flak guns and MG nests along the front lines (Lo130000.dat to Lo130300.dat).  Low flying over the trenches should become increasingly hazardous as time goes by.  The town buildings and cathedral (0906-, 0907-, 0908-, 0908-. bmp) now start the game in their damaged state, to give the appearance of battle-damaged towns. The file also includes sets of date-based printable maps for the different fronts showing the variations that occur to the lines.  These maps (labelled Alsace, Flanders, Marne and Verdun) can be used to try your hand at navigating RB by eye.  As well, I have a PowerPoints file (Changing front.ppt) that sums up the major changes in the lines at a glance. The zip also contains two files to enhance the use of the Squadron Editor as a way of looking at the Squadron data file.  Use these to replace the default rbaero.txt and rbplanes.txt that come with the Squadron editor.

 

 

A.  Moving Front

The patch has the following date-based modifications of the front lines:

 

150801

The game starts with the German lines bulging towards Albert on the Flanders map and towards Ste Menehould on the Marne and Verdun fronts. 

 

161020

            After three months of fighting the lines have been pushed back to RB original on the Flanders map.

 

170319

Flanders and Marne Maps:  The Germans withdraw to the massively defended Siegfried Positions (“Hindenburg line”), in so doing cutting out a great curve of the old front line.   Much of the old battle lines, including all of the Somme battlefields, are now well inside Anglo-French territory. 

Flanders Map: In the south the lines run SE from Arras to Cambrai then south to St Quentin.

Marne Map: In the northwest, the lines run south from St Quentin to Soissons. 

 

170515

            A localised British offensive led by Canadian forces captures the tactical highpoint of Vimy Ridge, pushing the Germans away from Arras and towards Lens – minor movement of the lines.

 

170601

            A major French offensive on the Marne map towards the ridge of the Chemin des Dames is a near total failure.  Minor gains occur NE of Soissons, but the disaster precipitates mutinies in French units.

 

170615

            British offensives centring on the town of Messines make small gains along the front between Bethune and Ypres.

 

171001

            After several months of attempting a break through in northern Flanders, the British have merely pushed the Ypres salient east as far as the town of Passchendaele, with huge losses on both sides.

 

180326

Operation 'Michael' opens on March 21st and the British and French lines are breached where they meet along the Somme valley.  Germans advance west towards Amiens.

            Flanders Map:  Following the German assaults, the front lines in the south bulge west to Villers-Bretonneux.  Many Entente aerodromes change to German.  Albert in German hands.

            Marne Map: Front moves south in the west, Montdidier and Noyon taken by the Germans.  Several aerodromes captured. 

 

180415

            On April 7th a second German assault (Operation 'Georgette') is launched in the north along the Lys River valley.  The attack is halted but a new bulge has appeared in the lines.

            Flanders Map:  Front lines in the north bulge west between Ypres and Bethune.  British aerodromes including la Gorgue, Merville and Bailleul occupied.

 

180601

Operation Blücher hits worn out British units moved to the ‘quiet’ French sector for a rest.  The line around Fismes disintegrates and the Germans roll south to the Marne before being stopped by, among others, the first US forces to see serious action.

Marne Map: Front lines in the centre bulge south to the Marne and Chateau-Thierry.  Several French aerodromes change hands. Soissons and Fismes now German.

 

180701

            After what the Germans call Operation Yorck, and the French the Battle of Reims, the Germans fail to take the French city, pushing their line only slightly south and east.  It is the last gasp of the German offensive.  The French forces with their newly readied US allies are about to counterattack

 

180801

French and American counter attacks known as the Second Battle of the Marne have forced the Germans out of the Chateau-Thierry bulge.

            Marne Map:  Front lines and aerodromes in centre return to March 1918 position. 

 

180815

A massive Anglo-French assault on August 5th smashes through the German lines in front of Amiens.  Australian and Canadian shock troops, supported by great numbers of tanks, give the Germans their blackest day as they fall back towards the old front lines.

Flanders Map:  Front lines in south moved to the game original lines (150801).  Entente aerodromes, towns, bridges revert to original status. 

Marne Map: Front lines in west revert to game original.  Noyon and Montdidier back in French hands.

 

180915

The Entente forces have now pushed the Germans back to the Hindenburg line and are gearing up to make their final breakthrough.  Entente squadrons, especially the army-cooperation ("Corps") squadrons, move up behind the new front lines to stay in touch with the advancing troops.  In the south, French and US forces are starting to push the Germans northwards.

Flanders Map:  Front lines in north revert to original status.  Front lines in south now the Hindenberg line arrangement of March 1917. Several aerodromes now back in Entente hands.

Marne Map:  Front lines in west pushed  to March 1917 Hindenberg line.  Aerodromes in the northwest corner back in Entente hands. Lines in east to RB original.

Verdun Map: Lines in the west to RB original.

 

180920

Verdun Map: The Germans decide to evacuate the long-standing St Mihiel salient, but US forces choose this moment to attack, capturing many German troops and equipment as they occupy the old salient.. 

 

181015

The Entente forces have broken through and the Germans are in retreat.

Flanders Map:  The Germans have abandoned much of Flanders and northwest France.  Most of the large towns and cities are now liberated.  Many RAF squadrons will shortly move further east to occupy former German aerodromes, while the Germans withdraw their squadrons to the east.

Marne Map: Lines pushed northeastwards, now running through Laon.  Many German aerodromes abandoned or in Entente territory. Lines in east bulge north to Rethel.

Verdun Map: Lines in the west move north to Vouziers.

 

 

B. Aerodrome changes

Historical positions

SD made a lot of compromises to real geography in order to achieve the incompatible aim of using historical names of aerodromes and an un-historical static front line.

By bringing some movement to the line I had an opportunity to fix some of the un-historic aerodrome placements.  Where I could, I renamed a number of SD aerodrome sites to more accurately reflect actual French geography and correct RB errors.    The ability to do this is limited by the TED files, which dictate where aerodromes can be by providing sets of aerodrome tiles at appropriate coordinates.  The most problematic area is the Somme valley where the greatest oscillations of the front occurred. This is very unfortunate because this is where the Marne and Flanders mapsheets meet, and SD avoided placing aerodromes close to the map limits.  The cost is that on Flanders all of the most southerly aerodromes are too far north, while those at the top of the Marne sheet are too southerly.  On both there are not enough aerodromes and there seems too much east-west compression.   So I have used the TED editor to create new aerodrome sites on the map sheets that more correctly place several game aerodromes; other sites no longer used have been eliminated or reduced to irregular patches.  Other aerodrome sites have been renamed. 

 

Date-based changes

The above changes are 'permanent' alterations to the SD maps and files.  In addition to these, during 1918, some aerodromes change names, to represent bases that were close to RB dromes but used at different times.  For example, Cachy on the Marne sheet becomes Harbonnières.  Etc.  Some compromises, where several closely placed aerodromes are represented by one, mean that a few squadrons will visit places they didn't really go to (still very close to the right region though).  Forgive me, history buffs.  SD knew not what they did.

 

Place names

I have also taken the opportunity to correct the spellings of many of the place names (there are probably still a few I haven't got). [Rant:  The level of mis-spelling of French and Belgian place names in the original RB was incredibly slack]

In spite of all of this tweaking, the aerodrome positions are STILL very approximate.

 

Aerodrome appearance

Aside from historical adjustments, the MFP also changes the in-game appearance of aerodromes.

SD made all aerodromes on a relatively large landscape patch consisting of 16 terrain tiles.  It used six different layouts for the aerodrome buildings, with a German and Allied version of each layout.  To me, the result is that most aerodromes look too big in area and have too many large, permanent-looking buildings compared with what I’ve seen in photos of aerodromes of the period.  And there is too much similarity from drome to drome.  So I have added diversity to aerodrome appearances in two ways.  Firstly, I reduced the number of tiles on many aerodrome sites.  Some bases are now on only 8 tiles, and look more like the farmers fields that many were.    Then I took the six German and six Allied aerodrome Lo files and made 12 new aerodrome layouts.  German and Allied versions of the original six layouts differed only in having German or Allied trucks and gun positions, differences that are trivial as far as the look in-game is concerned.  So now on each side of the lines you can see 12 different building layouts.  One layout is for very large permanent aerodromes (for places like St Omer), some are medium-sized, and more are small, with one or two groups of three to five temporary hangars.

RB included two Lofiles for aerodromes that were to be Zeppelin or airship bases.  As the game has no such dirigibles, I use the two Lofiles to make ‘army bases’ – collections of tents, AAA, vehicles and other military stuff to be placed on a few aerodrome locations that are not being used by any squadrons.  So you may find yourself flying an airfield attack on an ‘army camp’ rather than an aerodrome. 

 

C.  Squadron movements

Thanks to Miles Constable's web postings detailed information is available for the bases used by all British squadrons for the entire war.  I have used this info along with the revised positions of bases to update squadron movements.  Similar information has been posted by Dave Townsend for the Jastas. Shred provided detailed data fro French unit moves. No such detailed info is available for most German 2-seater units; these include a lot of guesswork, or are simply arbitrary to ensure German two-seaters are spread across all of the fronts. 

 

Mark 66

 

This patch is for private exchange only and neither it nor any of its contents are to be posted on the web or used for any financial gain whatsoever without prior written permission from the owners of original work contained in this patch.