Author Topic: Mission Debrief: Operation Sledgehammer (Read 230 times)

Rojo · « **on:** November 30, 1999, 07:03:00 PM »

Promised everyone I'd put out the final (though incomplete) mission results from last Friday's Operation Sledgehammer. Unfortunately, I didn't get AAR's from all the buff drivers, so there was some damage done that isn't reflected here.

THE PLAN: It was actually a three-pronged attack. Wraith flight was a composite tactical strike package that launched from 18. It's job was to hit f8, f7, and f4 (in that order), destroying the fuel (#1 priority), and any other targets of opportunity. This, it was hoped, would restrict any LW types launching from there to 25% fuel (not enough to climb to 30K and attack the two main buff formations attacking strategic targets. Battle Axe Flight came next (Dragon Flt as escort), and attacked the city and the refinery; it was also to attack the ammo factory if possible -- it wasn't! Finally came Broadsword Flt (Angel Flt as escort), which passed over the mountains several about 10 min behind Battle Axe. It's targets were the refinery, and both ack factories. By staggering these three flights, it was hoped the Bishops would be unable to react in time to concentrate against any one of them.

BDA:
   City: 12 buildings
   Refinery: 14 hits, taking out approx 80-85% of refinery.
   Ack Factory 1: 75-80% of that complex
   Ack Factory 2:
   Paratroop Training Facility:
   Radar Facility: 1 building
   Field 7: tower, barracks, fuel tanks, ammo bunker, and 50% of AAA
   Field 4: Tower and all 4 fuel depots

Air To Air Victories (confirmed):
   Sabre: 1 kill
   Jinx: 4 kills
   214CaveJ: 1 kill
Mayse: 1 kill

Losses: 10 of 11 B-17s

My thoughts: In a way, this is very much like what the Luftwaffe had to deal with in 1943/44. If the weather was clear, they knew the Mighty 8th was coming. They always knew what time the bombers launched from England, via their excellent radio intercept capablilities. What they didn't know was where, and with what force the 8th would strike. This was the experience I was trying to create for both sides with this event. I think it succeeded.

Quite frankly, when our two bomber formations and their escorts lifted from f17, I was sure we were going to have a walk in the park (relatively speaking). As we climbed out, the Bishop's numbers climbed until they had about three-quarters of the Rook's numbers. Then the attacks on our formations began, first lone wolfs, then more organized resistance. The Bishops did a great job of defending their homeland, but couldn't stop the buffs from reaching their targets and decimating them. Unfortunately, only ONE B-17 rtb'd. War is heck, eh?

Thanks again, to all who participated. We'll definitely do it again sometime.

Sabre (a.k.a. Rojo)

juzz · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 1999, 07:56:00 PM »

You mean you will repeat a mission that suffered almost 91% losses?

214CaveJ · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 1999, 11:23:00 PM »

but accomplished 80-90% of its goal, hell yeah. besides, it was ALOT of fun. If ya'd been there ya'd have seen all the people on both sides talking about how much fun it was on radio channel 1 =)

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Air power is a thunderbolt launched from an egg shell invisibly tethered to a base. - Hoffman Nickerson

jarbo · « **Reply #3 on:** December 01, 1999, 01:13:00 AM »

I always have a blast with large-scale coordinated missions. I would be willing to participate in any mission someone takes time and effort to prepare.

90% losses is steep, but it sure was fun. Enemy intel may have contributed to those losses.

I hate to die, but if you gotta ..............do it in style.

Jarbo
of the Buccaneers

214CaveJ · « **Reply #4 on:** December 01, 1999, 02:34:00 AM »

yeah, they knew we were coming. They were waiting for us when we lifted off. My flight got hit about 5 minutes after we lifted off and turned south east. I'd do it again though, lost engine and all for the whole flight. It was a lot of fun =)

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Air power is a thunderbolt launched from an egg shell invisibly tethered to a base. - Hoffman Nickerson

juzz · « **Reply #5 on:** December 01, 1999, 05:17:00 AM »

Maybe next time, don't make the mission details known to the enemy so easily

Once the B-26 is here, you can run a combined force

Lephturn · « **Reply #6 on:** December 01, 1999, 09:37:00 AM »

I think the main trick next time will be to fly around and drop enemy radar before we bring in the big hitters. The real prolem was the uber-radar that made it easy for them to find the buff formations.

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Lephturn
The Flying Pigs

214CaveJ · « **Reply #7 on:** December 01, 1999, 10:30:00 AM »

there was a flight tasked with just that job lephturn, and they launched at least 10 minutes ahead of the main group. The problem was the bishcuit fighters already in our rear area at launch. Remember the spit and 109 that jumped us between 17 and 18, getting camel and my #4 engine? =) And then from field 21 all the way to Chain crossing the mtns headed back home they were on us. The radar won't matter one whit once just 1 fighter spots us, as he gives the coords to his country men and they come try to kill us =)

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Air power is a thunderbolt launched from an egg shell invisibly tethered to a base. - Hoffman Nickerson

buhdman · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 1999, 10:39:00 AM »

I had a blast, too. Having a gunner (thanks NiteFlyr) made my job a lot easier. The only regret I had is that I didn't take A BIGGER GAS CAN!!!

<SALUTE> to all

buhdman, out

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Walt (buhdman) Barrow
(formerly lt-buhd-lite)
home.earthlink.net/~wjbarrow

Chain · « **Reply #9 on:** December 02, 1999, 02:18:00 AM »

Rojo add two kills for Broadsword Flt. I shot down two LW fighters in a B17