Doolittle’s First Command
Artist credit: Harold W. Clover, U.S. Army
The 15th Air Force was established on November 1st, 1943. Its first base of operations was Tunis, Tunisia (later moved to Southern Italy) and its first commander was Jimmy Doolittle, the famous leader of the “Doolittle Raid” on Japan. The 15th was comprised of 21 Bombardment Groups, 15 of which were B-24 Liberators. The other 6 were B-17 Flying Fortress’s. It also contained 7 Fighter Groups, one of which being the famous 1st Fighter Group (1st Pursuit Group in WW1). 3 of the groups (1st, 14th, and 82nd FG’s) flew P-38’s. The other 4 (325th, 31st, 52nd, 332nd FG’s) flew P-51’s. In this snapshot, we will re-create a 15th Air Force Raid on Italian Factories.
Country Percentages:
60% Allied (15th Air Force)
40% Axis (Italian Air Force/German Luftwaffe)
Allied 15th Air Force:
25% B-24J’s of the 47th Bomb Wing, 99th Bomber Squadron.
25% B-17G’s of the 5th Bomb Wing, 98th Bomber Squadron.
25% P-51B’s of the 332nd Fighter Group, 100th Fighter Squadron.
25% P-38J’s of the 1st Fighter Group, 27th Fighter Squadron.
Orders:
B-24’s and B-17’s are to roll from A28 and hit factories in 8,13,8 (Fuel) – 8,14,4 (City) – 7,14,9 (AAA) and 8,15,2 (Ammo).
P-38J’s are to roll from A68 and rendezvous with bombers.
P-51B’s are to roll from A81 and rendezvous with bombers.
Restrictions:
Target must be hit by T+50.
Fighters cannot take bombs/rockets.
No Vulching!
Italian Air Force/German Luftwaffe:
33% 109G-6’s of II/JG77.
33% 190A-5’s of III/SchG 2.
33% C.205’s of 1* Stormo.
Orders:
109G-6’s and 190’s are to launch from A34 and CAP the factories.
C.205’s are to launch from A35 and CAP the factories.
Restrictions:
May not cross vertical “9” Line.
Scoring:
15th A.F.:
B-24J – 20 points
B-17G – 20 points
P-38J – 10 points
P-51B – 10 points
IAF/LW:
109G-6 – 10 points
FW-190A-5 – 10 points
C.205 – 10 points
Structures:
Building – 2 points
AA emplacement – 1 point
The event begins at 10pm EST in the SEA11...Walkons are welcome
