http://www.squadselectseries.com - final map, points summary and mission list up.
For the final frame both sides changed their leadership styles. The Luftwaffe decided to be aggressive and sent almost half their force in FW190F8 jabos to hit targets near the English coastline. The RAF had leadership delays due to a huge planning conference in London with the Prime Minister. With most of the high command away it fell on a doughty Canadian to throw a plan together in the wee hours of the morning.
As the medium bombers of the RAF formed over England with their Spitfire escorts reports of attacks on Dover forced them to divert some of the escort to channel defence. German FW190F8s proved elusive during the day with only 3 being claimed by Spitfires and 6 more to the deadly AAA in the area. They were very effective though proving that the Luftwaffe still had some strike pilots left over from the Stuka glory days. At least 31 targets were destroyed including 5 ships and 7 radar masts at Dover. F31 was hit hard as well with 7 hangars being destroyed along with many other field structures.
With only light escort the B25s hit two coastal targets near Fortress Calais. The Spitfires held off the enemy attacks for the most part allowing the B25s to sink all the shipping at Calais and bust down the walls of the nearby Gestapo prison allowing several hundred condemned prisoners to escape into the countryside. Losses to the Spitfires was high. Over the night they would claim five 109s but lose 17 to the defending Messerschmitts.
A return mission by B25s later in the day hit radar installations and some coastal targets of marginal military importance. By this time both sides were weary of the fight with only a few fighters on either side available to contest the mission.
The Luftwaffe outscored the Allies in mission points 57 to 30 and took the final frame 123 to 66. Winning 3 of the 5 frames gave victory in the series to the Germans.
A tough series to plan and execute. Maybe too ambitious for the final series of the season. Summer was calling. Great job by everyone though picking it up and executing it. A big part of the planning was Beaver and Dewolf. It saddens my to do the final write-up without the XO of the 352nd here to comment.
Enjoy the summer sun!
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jabo
