Low turnouts. Five pilots and one Dar operator for Axis (Green) and intially 5 then 6 pilots for Allied (Gold).
Allies sortied four Blenheims (2 players and 2 AI) from F19 who were escorted initially by three Spit Vbs joining them from Hawkinge. Axis pilots in their Bf 109F-2s waited on a high perch until after the buffs and escorts crossed into France before attacking. One SpitVb was quickly dispatched in a fiery explosion. The buffs proved to be rugged targets, with multiple attacks needed before any damage was evident. One AI was brought down, but its defensive gun and an aggressive Spitfire destroyed a attacking Bf 109F-2. Multiple LW attacks, fended off by the two remaining SpitVbs, could not prevent the remaining three buffs from reaching the Fuel Storage facility at F91. Their bombs severely damaged three of the large storage tanks, but did not destroy them. The LW continued to harass the buffs after they dropped, shooting down one player a/c and one more AI. Out of ammo, the LW withdrew to re-arm and refuel, allowing the last Blenheim to escape. One of the surviving spitfire pilots, mentally exhausted from battle, was heard to say, "I need a drink after that." After a tactical pause, the Allies sortied another group of four Blenheims, this time escorted by 3 SpitVbs and one Spit MkII. Once again, the LW intercepted the group near the coast, but the defending Spitfires prevented them from shooting down any of the Blenheims before they reached F91. Allied bombs caused severe damage to several warehouses, but did not put them out of action. LW fighters did manage to shoot down a Blenheim after their attack and so severely damage another that it crashed on landing. No Spitfires or 109s were lost during this action. The Allies sortied a third time using the same "bait" of 4 Blenheims. This time, the Circus was much more successful. In quick succession, and with the aid of his fighter wingmen and defensive fire from the bombers, the Allied fighter leader shot down three Bf 109F-2s. This allowed the buffs almost a free run to F91. On their initial pass only one bomber of the lead Blenheim pair dropped on target as it was shot down. Its bombs destroyed a 40mm AAA position as well as damaging a warehouse. The second Blenheim pair dropped causing additional damage to a warehouse. The Leader of the first pair re-attacked and destroyed a warehouse, allowing the MoD to consider the days effort a strategic success. By this time Bf 109E-3s had climbed into the fray. Just as one mortally damaged one of the second Blenheim pair, the Allied fighter leader too aggressively pursued an attack and collided with the Bf 109, resulting in both pilots taking to their parachutes. Another Spitfire dispatched another Bf 109E. While the trailing Blenheim jettisoned his ordnance to expedite a return home the leader of the first pair was shot down by Bf 109F-2. As the two forces withdrew to their bases and drinks at the Mess, an inexplicable accident occurred with a Spitfire MkII crashing before the end of the day. While Fighter Command is shooting down more enemy fighters than it is losing, the cost to Bomber Command's 2 Group would appear excessive! Gold (Allied) 6 pilots 353nd: juice=, =wilz=, vokker, redsgt, osker- Knights: okdoc- Spit Vb: 10 sorties, shot down 4 Bf 109F-2 and 1 Bf 109E-3. 2 aircraft lost. Spit MkII: 4 sorties, no kills, 1 aircraft lost. BlenheimMk4: 7 sorties, no kills, 2 ground objects destroyed at F91. 2 aircraft and 5 AI lost.
Green (Axis) 5 pilots and one player (WLDBIL) in the tower all night RCAF: muzz--, yukone 4th: jedijc 23rd: -splt-, hardad Bf 109F-2: 18 sorties, shot down 2 SpitVb, and 5 Blenheims (3 AI). 4 aircraft lost. Bf 19E-3: 9 sorties, shot down 3 Blenheims (2 AI). 2 aircraft lost.
Scoring Team Gold scores 12 VPs for Axis fighter losses and 10 VPs for destroying targets at F91, for a total of 22 VPs. Team Green scores 35 VPs for destroying 7 bombers.
F91 is not a valid target for frame 2.
Muzz muzz-- Sqn Ldr past-CO 417 Sqn RCAF "Supporting Liberty and Justice" -------------------------------------- Muzz's Maps
|