"Big Week" is coming -- strategic bombing, 8th AF vs. Luftwaffe

[Brooke]

The "Big Week" scenario is coming up -- Saturdays in June.



Classic US 8th Air Force vs. Luftwaffe in early 1944.

P-47D's, P-51B's, P-38J's, B-17G's
vs.
Bf 109G's, FW 190A-5's, FW 190A-8's

It's going to be GREAT! 

All are welcome to play.  If you can make most of the frames, please register here:
http://electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/scenarios/201706_BigWeek/registration/registration.html

[Brooke]

On October 14, 1943, the US 8th Air Force launched 291 B-17 Flying Fortresses to attack the ball-bearing factories near Schweinfurt.  26% of them did not return.  Of the 291 bombers, only 33 of them returned without damage.  It was named "Black Thursday."

If the 8th AF continued in this fashion, it faced extinction within a month.  As a result, Black Thursday was the end of 8th AF bombers attacking Germany without fighter escort all the way to target.

Now, it is February, 1944.  The 8th AF has gotten drop tanks for its fighters, greatly extending the range of its P-47's to suppliment its long-legged P-38's and new P-51's.  The game has changed.

Now, it's the 8th AF's turn to try for a killing blow against the Luftwaffe.

Now, it is time for . . . Big Week!

The strongest, best-escorted effort the 8th AF has ever mounted, against a Luftwaffe that just dealt murderous losses to the 8th.

In this Scenario, we will see which side prevails in this fight to the death.

[Brooke]

"Keep on your toes, high squadron, low squadron.
Here they come!
Twelve o'clock high!"

[Brooke]

(A better version of above video.)

"On your toes, high squadron, low squadron.
Here they come!
Twelve o'clock high!"

[Brooke]

"Gentlemen . . . This morning we have a mission of some importance.  For the first time --"

"Germany!"

"You said it!"

[Brooke]

[Brooke]

[Flossy]

I'm in!                   
                     
                           

[Ack-Ack]

Anyone know if the old Big Week newsgroup is still around?

[Brooke]

Anyone know if the old Big Week newsgroup is still around?

I'm not sure, but . . .

Ack-Ack -- there are P-38J's in this one!  How about flying in it for old time's sake? 

[Flossy]

Anyone know if the old Big Week newsgroup is still around?

I'm not sure, but . . .

Sent you PMs   

[Brooke]

Sent you PMs   

Thanks, Flossy! 

Folks, the upshot is -- yes, the Big Week newsgroup is still up and being used.  (It is a Usenet newsgroup started a loooooong time ago in Air Warrior days and was and is a hangout place for folks from from Air Warrior days.)

Ah, Usenet . . . I loved Usenet.  These days, I'm not even sure how to access it.  What's the easiest way?

[Shuffler]

I may find a P38J.

[Oldman731]

Ah, Usenet . . . I loved Usenet.  These days, I'm not even sure how to access it.  What's the easiest way?

Try Thunderbird, recommended to me by Trip, who has hosted Bigweek these many years.

- oldman

[Brooke]

I may find a P38J.

Oh, no!

Every scenario where I find a P-38 on my tail that I can't shake, and I'm wondering, "How the heck is that guy still there?", I check my film, and it is Shuffler!