Frame 5 saw the Allies attempting to close the rail yards at Amiens, the last location on the 8BC target list. Six B-17Fs escorted by a loose formation of 8 Spitfires penetrated axis airspace from the Channel, overflying Dieppe. They were met early by a mix of high flying 109s and 190s. First kill was a FW190, credited to the B-17 gunners. Subsequent kills were in the axis favour. First sortie caused extensive damage at Amiens, but failed to close the field. A second sortie by three B-17s destroyed the last of the structures at the rail yard as well as the bridge spans to the west. The Head Janitor was not aware/had forgotten that the bridge spans northeast of the Amiens airfield (MAF122) were also associated with the rail yard. Had he remembered this, he would have ensured allied strike plans included these targets. As such, the Allies are being given a "bye" and the Rail Yard at Amiens is ruled as closed.
Allies 14 pilots (36 sorties in Spit IXb and 6 in B-17F) Spits shot down a 190 and a 109, but a the cost of 7 Spitfires lost to enemy fighters. B-17 gunners also brought down a 190 and a 109
Axis 7 pilots (10 sorties in the Bf 109F and 17 in the FW190A-4) The two Bf109F pilots shot down 5 Spits and 1 B17F and two B-17 AI wingmen, although both were killed in combat. The five Fw190s shot down 4 Spits, 2 B17Fs and six AI wingmen, with only two pilots forced to bail out of their damaged aircraft.
While axis dominated the air-air fight, the closure of the rail yard scores the frame as an Allied victory.
As for the series, two frames were won by the Allies and two frames were won by the Axis, with one frame ruled a draw (corrupted log). Series ruled a draw. Good efforts by all. Low turnouts continue to make side balancing difficult.
Muzz muzz-- Sqn Ldr past-CO 417 Sqn RCAF "Supporting Liberty and Justice" -------------------------------------- Muzz's Maps
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