LF 6 --- F-112. Bf 109G-6, FW 190A-4. CO's choice. Take-up Bar CAP on the NE portion of the Area of Operations. DTs recommended.
23rd FG --- F-173. Bf 109G-6, FW 190A-4. CO's choice. Take-up Bar CAP in the center of operations, but remain a few miles inland from the shoreline on initial patrols.
352nd FG --- F-167. Bf 109G6, CO's choice, Take-up Bar CAP over the SW portion of Operations.
All flights may rearm and refuel at ANY airport for the remainder of the Frame.
Axis defensive pilots are faced with an interesting set of circumstances in this Series. Allied raids are expected to be mainly NOE. Their escorts likely will not be. The escorts will not, likely, be "close" escorts or they would "give away" the location of the attacking aircraft. Nonetheless, they have to be "close enough" to answer the call IF the various attackers need help. They can be expected to come across the Channel at the maximum serviceable altitude for the aircraft they are flying. LF-6 and the 352nd can expect to encounter enemy aircraft at/near the 30 thousand foot range on initial contact. Flights need to be communicative in regard to numbers estimates on initial contact. The Bar CAP needs to be maintained in such a way that until there are several ground targets under attack, that there is an "intercept" presence over the Channel shoreline.
The 23rd FGs CAP position should be slightly more over land and a bit lower, possibly 20 to 25 thousand feet. They can become the "reinforcements" for whichever part of the forward CAP comes under significant attack first OR, they may be tasked with going after the NOE raiders which may go undetected until somebody reports smoke on the ground. Sooner or later, most all flights are going to work themselves very close to the terrain.
It should be noted by flight leaders that there aren't a whole lot of Axis airfields in the close proximity to the shoreline. This happenstance introduces "timing" into the equation. Flight leaders are encouraged to have their aircraft carry DTs. If we can climb to our altitudes and wait the Allies out on "economy cruise", that would avoid the Axis getting "caught" with everyone refueling shortly after an hour of patrol, and some distance from the "front'.
Axis forces are fortunate in the regard that when over France, the Allies do NOT have them on radar, but Axis radar covers the entire Area of Operations. Escort fighters and strikes that happen to fly too high on ingress will be visible on radar several minutes prior to their arrival in France.
The Allies also have choices in regard to strike and escort fighter aircraft. Fighter-wise, the Spitfire IXe will, likely be the most prominent.
It should be noted that the Allies have
specified targets at each of the "letter" locations. Each of the specified targets scores points. "Closing" the location is not, exactly, the plan. Just scoring points for killing objects. Object selection is "interesting". Not always what one might "expect" and not what one might "wish for" in regard to taking them out easily in short attack runs. Prior recon for EACH location will be required or a whole bunch of objects could be killed, wasting available ord, that score NO POINTS at all. This circumstance may require "loiter time" at a target that is good for the Axis defenders, but not so good for the Allied attackers. It is the lack of this close scrutiny of required targets in England that forces the Axis side to not run "Special Ops" missions this Frame.
This plan should work to get us off the ground and until the first round gets fired....
<S>
Sorry for the late publishing of "Orders". Individuals or Groups are encouraged to
Step Up to CO subsequent Frames.
dewolf
