S3 Series

Frame 3

Axis

May 21, 1941

Gentlemen,

Herr Hitler has ordered, Operation Rheinübung. The Pride of the Kreigsmarine, Battleship Bismark along with the Battle Cruiser Prinz Eugen, 3 destroyers and a flotilla of minesweepers has left the Baltic and is heading out to the Atlantic to block Allied shipping to England. It is hoped that this “unsinkable” state-of-the-art battleship will sever the Allied lifeline and starve the British into submission.

Two days ago, May 19, Prinz Eugen reported that it will need to refuel before heading out to the Atlantic. This has been anticipated and Command has instructed the Bismark to lead the Prinz Eugen North to the port at Kors Fjord in Bergen, Norway. From there they are instructed to continue due North, proceed around Iceland to avoid British warships, then head south into the Atlantic.

Intel has it that there are several British Battleships with one possibly two Aircraft Carriers anchored at Scarpa Flow. We have it on great authority that many destroyers have been lurking in the North Sea hunting Uboats. Unfortunatley that is all we know at this time. If the battlegroup stays near the Norweigian shore they should be able to get through undetected.

Orders: Escort the Bismark and support ships to the port at Bergen. We have no reports that the Battlegroup has been spotted by enemy reconaisance aircraft. However with this weather and cloud cover, anything is possible. Be on the lookout for enemy aircraft and warships. Defend the Bismark at all costs, if the opportunity arises, sink any and all British Vessels and destroy enemy aircraft.




Notes:
Battleships are Dest 1 (all grey) and have been hardened. Destroyers are Dest 2 (wooden deck). Mine sweepers are frigates with 2 30 cal and 2 50 cal guns.
Bismark with be in front of the Prinz Eugen. (both are Dest1)

Important: due to the lack of finished airfields in this section of the map, you will be given a 500ft airstart at airfields: 134, 141, 155, 156, 159
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LAND ON AIRSTRIPS! they are graphic in nature only and not actual airstrips (you may notice they are floating above the ground) PLEASE LAND ON GRASS near the airstrips and near the tower. The grass has been tested and is not sticky. Land at 90 mph and if your aircraft starts to nose over, just add throttle to bring the nose up. Sorry but this was the only way to get axis close to the action. Report any bad landings immediately to the janitors in ths buffer.

NO GROUND ATTACKS OF ANY KIND THIS FRAME. TARGETS ARE AIRCRAFT AND SHIPPING ONLY.
Axis does not have ack (or any other structures) at airfields. For this reason allies have been instructed that there will be NO attacks on axis aircraft over land in Norway under 10k. The battle is over the sea this frame.

German order of ships:
front
Minesweeper (Frieghter with 2x .30 cal and 2x .50 cal)
Minesweeper (Frieghter with 2x .30 cal and 2x .50 cal)
Minesweeper (Frieghter with 2x .30 cal and 2x .50 cal)
Dest (wooden deck)
Bismark (Battleship all grey)
Prinz Eugen (Battleship all grey)
Dest (wooden deck)
Dest (wooden deck)
rear

It is imperative that you save the Bismark!
Bismark represents the power of the Kreigsmarine. She is considered unsinkable.

I took the aforementioned advice and practiced in the S3 arena. After numerous attempts I was able to land in the sticky grass in and around the "airfields". Full flaps and the stall horn blaring at touch down will get you down in one piece. At 190kph (118 mph) you'll lose those beloved wheels on sticks and destroy your prop/engine.

I tested each plane until I was able to consistently bring them down on each Norwegian "field" without destroying the undercarriage and/or the engine.

Full flaps and barely floating does it every time.

<S>

Nick