Operation Avalanche Frame 1 Screens

[Nefarious]

On the way to the Target, a lone C202 tried to penetrate our escort screen. I got hits on it as it tried to climb away.



Skatsr finishes him off.



After the Bombers split for home, they thanked us and cleared us free to engage. That's where we ran into JG11. Glad to see you made it home Vonmessa 



What ensued was a huge fight all the way to the deck. Here JB11 shoots a 109 off of Spark333, but it was too late, Spark was forced to bail and was captured by German Torpedo Boats.



All in all, a bad night for the 412th. All aircraft lost, 5 pilots killed, 2 pilots captured. Great fight, great FSO!

[Bino]

That was a great fight!   

Later in the frame, I suffered the inglorious end of disco-ing while in my chute. 

[Anaxogoras]

TAC Drivers on takeoff


On the way to CAP 56


A flight of Bostons.  Where are their escorts?


There they are!  A flight of pink SpitIXs, but they are too far away to effectively protect their charge.


We start taking out bombers...


"But I'm using that wing!"


The escorts finally catch up and hell breaks loose:


They seem upset that we shot down their bomers


In fact, they leave their bombers alone to chase us low


"What escort mission?"


I'm doing 550mph TAS


A conga line behind fencer


Now they've chased us to the deck


A target-fixated Spit loses half his wing


Poor Jenks is blown out of the sky


I desperately try to clear my wingman but it's too late


The Spit pays for it moments later


A flight of 38s and another flight of Spits showed up with altitude: "Screw this, I'm going home!"

[Saxman]

Ironically, if you were assigned to defend 56 you attacked the wrong strike package.

VMF-251 was assigned to hit 56 with P-38s, Jokers escorting. Unfortunately our plan depended on having so many 38s. We were short, so had to spend more time over target than we intended and got manhandled by what CAP WAS there. I think we also lost more planes to crashes than to actual enemy fire....

[oakranger]

WTG Anaxogoras.   

[Fencer51]

Ironically, if you were assigned to defend 56 you attacked the wrong strike package.

VMF-251 was assigned to hit 56 with P-38s, Jokers escorting. Unfortunately our plan depended on having so many 38s. We were short, so had to spend more time over target than we intended and got manhandled by what CAP WAS there. I think we also lost more planes to crashes than to actual enemy fire....

Yeah I figured that out after we were in on the bombers.  I was expecting an attack from the west/northwest and this fit the bill.  Initially I thought they were turning for A56.  We were clear with their escorts not in any position to stop us before we tore up the bombers.  So I rushed it when I should have taken a couple minutes to follow the bombers.  They did have their doors open, but as we were "in amongst them" it dawned on me that they weren't gonna turn to 56 but were still heading NE.  I tried the old "one pass then get clear back toward 56" routine and it worked about as well as the last time I saw something similar tried.  Fortunately Kermit and his gang and KV44 were also assigned to 56 with 205s and 190A5s.  We did strip alot of the spits off the Bostons and took out alot of Bostons so someone benefited from my mistake.

[Kermit de frog]

Allies attack A56 with P38s and spits?
That's it?
 

[TUK]

That was us!. We were wearing pink to honor breast cancer month. I think that our strike package was in the wrong place at the wrong time... Looking at those pics makes me shake... I see that there was 2-4 squads attacking our poor bombers.  glad to be the pink spits in your pics..  .. Nice pictorial.. Tuk151, 13ThMPG.. Ps . that decent was nasty!

[Anaxogoras]

I see that there was 2-4 squads attacking our poor bombers.

Nope, just us. (the other squads were only present when you followed us down as we tried to disengage).

[Fencer51]

Allies attack A56 with P38s and spits?
That's it?
 

Yeah before we engaged I called out the strike NW of A56 on country, I think you missed it.  Soon after you were asking Notch what he was up too.  By that time I was up to my Damlier Benz in Pink Spits, smoking and eventually had my engine shot out (see pic above) and was attempting a ditch when I got blowed up real good. 

[Kermit de frog]

Yeah before we engaged I called out the strike NW of A56 on country, I think you missed it.  Soon after you were asking Notch what he was up too.  By that time I was up to my Damlier Benz in Pink Spits, smoking and eventually had my engine shot out (see pic above) and was attempting a ditch when I got blowed up real good. 

I heard the call and asked which way those bostons were headed.  I was originally told they were headed up North.  That's when i tried to get Notch's group to the SW, but it was too late and Saxman along with his escorts got through.(notch kept disco'n which didn't help )  In the end, our 3 groups defended A56 very well.

So gava, how many P40s are there?  Enough for everyone?
5 P40s for 30 friendlies..(its' my story and these numbers reflect my interpretation  )

[DrDea]

  I always said if your gonna fly a spit it should be the pink one   Its the only one I'll fly

[Delirium]

Unfortunately our plan depended on having so many 38s.  I think we also lost more planes to crashes than to actual enemy fire....

Sounds like you were missing some fulltime P38 drivers. 

(weekend 38 drivers, geeze)