LFG Roland C.II Richthofen - Front gun?

By pegr2, in Wings of War (WWI)

Why is it that the LFG Roland C.II with Richthofen only shoots backwards? (I know there is special rules for the Roland if your using the rules for altitude.)

Is it to show that he is alone in the plane? And if so, why not use the front gun?

greetings Peter

I'm no expert on this plane; however, a quick google search shows that the plane was originally equipped with a single parabellum gun for the observer (near 360 degree firing arc). A single fixed forward firing Spandau gun for the pilot was added on later models so the plane could be used as an escort fighter.

http://wapedia.mobi/en/Roland_C.II

http://www.greatwarflyingmuseum.com/aircraft/germany/lfg_roland_cii.html

http://books.google.com/books?id=8tlOHHCRxuYC&pg=PA202&lpg=PA202&dq=lfg+roland+cii&source=bl&ots=VrmyofehzP&sig=2LRfQSKlkB9wNC-9obdohgAfTJ8&hl=en&ei=jKrnSfiCC5LFtgee6p3RBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10#PPA202,M1