Gentlemen,
You have exceeded all expectations. Ours was not an easy or simple task, but you have proven your capabilities immensely.
At T+0 all elements launched with a minor time delay for the London raiding bombers due to a break down in the lines of communication. The American Eagles headed to the north of the channel to cover the right flank, the 4th Fighter Group headed to the middle of the channel and covered the gut, and Luftflotte 6 headed to the south of the channel to cover the left flank. Two flights of bombers launched from Field 21 and headed directly to London; their main purpose was to occupy the RAF while the Strikers/Bombers launched from Field 5 to hunt/sink the Royal Navy fleet.
Not long after reaching the northern patrol area, patrolling pilots reported spotting the Royal Navy fleet and gave location and heading information to the Striker/Bomber group. Soon after, the bomber group heading to London was over England and inbound to London, so the Striker/Bomber group was given the order to proceed directly to the Royal Navy fleet. During the highly successful attack on the Royal Navy fleet, the American Eagles provided cover.
The 4th Fighter Group maintained CAP over Field 1 and the channel while Luftflotte 6 headed south along the English coast to spot any Royal Navy movement from the south. It was soon reported that multiple Royal Navy vessels—including some CV's—were heading toward the channel between Dover and the French coast. During this time, the RAF approached Field 1 and was engaged by the 4th Fighter Group but then moved away and the 4th returned to their patrol area rather than get drawn into a protracted fight away from their patrol area.
After the Strikers/Bombers returned to their field for rearming and refueling, the headed to the south to attack the ships previously spotted by Luftflotte 6. It was at this location that some of the most intense aerial combat ensued as the Strikers/Bombers attacked enemy destroyers under the cover of all three fighter groups. The aerial artillery of the destroyers was thick as the Strikers/Bombers worked tirelessly to drop their bombs on the elusive, smaller ships. Above, the fighter groups pushed the enemy fighters away from the Strike Group until the enemy fighters huddled in the warm blanket of the their own ships' aerial artillery.
Not finding any CV's, the Striker/Bomber group headed back to base after dropping their ordinance on the destroyers.
The Fighter groups returned to their patrol areas and the RAF made a raid on Field 1 using Wellingtons with escorts. Again, the fighter groups converged and kept Field 1 open while our wehrmacht was ferried safely back to France.
Over all, it was a very successful day. Fantastic coordination between squads and air groups made my job much easier. Thank you to everyone who participated.
<S>
Nick MOL Frame IV CO
"Tod von Oben"
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