Round table - YMMV Sqdn
Roll call
Seeker
Shane
Badboy
Des
Flying Dutchmn
Iron2
Oldman
Anrky
Troll
Otter
Sortie #1
Strike on 19 SB's.
After intial pre-sortie nerves (nameless pilot #1 "I bailed on the RW!") and excitement (nameless pilot #2 "oh look! Killshooter's off; Hahahaha!") all ten ships made take off and formed for the sortie with out event.
On leaving the English coast, we were spotted by I believe two enemy aircraft, possibly 109's. We lost at least one pilot (Iron2) during this engagement (possibly to friendly fire, nameless pilot #3), and I'm under the impression we lost Anarky there too., Luckily for us Funked's boys came to the rescue and other than the occasional tallying of other friendly Squads as bogies we proceeded to target.
(note to Funked, sorry we didn't call, I blame Shane!)
Due to fuel concerns, The Kraits were running at less than maximum cruise, with the result that both squads reached the IP at the same time, and in conjunction with higher bogies at the target location. In the resultant over crowded airspace all thought of formation attack was forgotten, and individual pilots engaged ack, shore batteries and enemy A/C in what ever order they happened to drift in front of their sights. Whilst in the target area, Des and Oldman were brought down by the enemies ack, while Shane was, in so far as I am aware, given the coup de grace by a Messerschmitt.
The Round Table claim four acks and five shore batteries from this engagement.
The remaining five ships set course for 41 due to fuel concerns and a need to replenish stores; and RTB'd without further incident.Sadly, upon arrival Troll's Mosquito was found to be too severely damaged by ground fire to continue.
Sortie #2
Strike on 19's Shore batteries.
Re-armed and replenished, the surviving Round Table pilots took off for Sortie #2 in good order, merrily waving goodbye as Otter (who wishes he could be nameless pilot #4),stuffed his at the end of the runway.
FD, Badboy and myself thus left for 14.
Upon arrival at 14, we found to our horror the enemy were assembling at 14 at a height of around 8K. Typically for the Germans, they were so absorbed by the task of gaining a perfect formation before goose-flying further we were able to make a perfect dive run for the target. Unfortunately 14's shore batteries had as yet been untouched, and a veritable wall of ack rose to meet us, killing FD on approach, removing my left wing on egress, and leaving Badboy smoking like a steam train. As the enemy had by now at least deigned to notice us, Badboy and I made a second attempt in the target, in the certain knowledge they'd run us down anyway if we attempted to extend to safety. In vain sadly, as Badboy, unused to static targets, missed completely, and I was deftly dewinged by the ack gunners whose nemesis I had become. Hanging in the Silk, I looked on helples as Badz attempted to fight off the NMA horde with smoking engines, shattered wings and some prayers. Alas, it was not to be......
The Round Table make no further score from Sortie #2.
We await our further orders.
Seeker, Round Table X.O.
(Film available upon request)
And...thanks to all involved we all enjoyed it immensley!)
(Note to Nim, after more thourugh post frame BDA Round table have the sad duty to reduce thier claim by one SB. The person responsible has had his knees stapled together.....)