The next tour of duty will begin January 25th and will be titled The Big Show. Unfortunately we have not been able to get it uploaded to the events website. Here is the write-up and the aircraft we will be using. Pick a side and I'll do my best to accomodate you.
On the 10th of January 1941, the RAF flew their first "Circus" mission. These were light bombers squadrons coupled with strong fighter escorts flying short daylight raids into Europe. These missions put fighter command on the offensive for the first time in the war.
There were several different types of attack but the main objectives were to draw the German fighter force into combat, to inflict as much loss on it as possible and by maintaining constant pressure to ensure that the Luftwaffe units concerned had to be kept at full strength, preventing their use on other fronts.
The intense activity led to the fighter aircraft used by both sides being constantly improved and new types being introduced. The Hurricane soon went on to, and excelled at, fighter bomber operations and the Spitfire, with ever improving armament and performance, was an outstanding fighter.
The RAF developed other offensive tactics that were "fighter only". These were termed "Rodeo's". Several squadrons would form up and head towards occupied Europe engaging the Luftwaffe whenever possible. At times during these attacks they escorted Hurribombers. These raids, although sometimes costly, kept the pressure on the Luftwaffe and gave the RAF pilots valuable experience.
Sometimes the RAF would go in low level and shoot up targets of opportunity such as trains, convoys, gun emplacements and airfields. They were dangerous, nerve racking missions in which the pilot had to remain alert at all times concentrating on low level obstacles, enemy ack and of course enemy fighters. Often the only means of escape for the RAF pilot was to pull up into low cloudcover and make good his escape.
After the U.S. aircraft arrived in England bombers such as the B17's and B24's were used. These bombers carried more payload than the smaller British ones and had better defensive capabilities which allowed the bombers to get to their target and cause significant damage. With the arrival of the USAAF bombers the target became the priority rather than focusing on the Luftwaffe. These missions were termed RAMROD's.
The Lufwaffe were not idly sitting back and taking it from the enemy. The Messerschmitt Bf109 went through a series of different marks, each type an improvement on the last. Like the Spitfire, it flew throughout the war and on every front where the Luftwaffe fought. In the summer of 1941 RAF pilots were taken by surprise by the first appearance of the sleek Focke Wulf Fw 190 fighter.
They Luftwaffe also carried out raids on British targets. Even though the Luftwaffe was divided between the Russian front and the Western front they were able to put up strong, experienced pilots. The German tactics varied much like the RAF ones. Sometimes the Luftwaffe would bring a large bomber formation with fighter escort at both high and low altitudes or they would carry out fighter sweeps of their own.
Offensive fighter operations from bases in England took many forms, with a great variety of code names.
SWEEP
An offensive formation flight of fighters or fighter bombers, made with the object of drawing the enemy fighter force into combat.
RODEO
Fighter sweeps over enemy territory, composed entirely of fighters.
CIRCUS
Fighter-escorted daylight bombing attacks against short-range targets to draw enemy fighters into battle.
RAMROD
Similar to a Circus operation but with the destruction of the target as the main objective.
RHUBARB
Small scale fighter or fighter-bomber attacks on ground ground targets of opportunity. Normally flown in inclement weather which allowed the fighters to retreat into the cloud should they be bounced by the Lufwaffe.
ROADSTEAD
Operations by fighters, or bombers escorted by fighters, to attack by dive-bombing or low level bombing attacks on ships at sea or in harbour.
RANGER
Operations of Squadron or Wing Strength (12-36 aircraft), as free-lance intrusions over enemy territory, the main aim being to wear down the enemy fighter force.
JIM CROW
Reconnaissance flights over the English Channel in search of shipping targets for attack by fighters and fighter bombers.
INTRUDER
Offensive small-scale sorties over enemy territory to destroy enemy aircraft near their own airfields when they were taking off or landing. A secondary aim was to dislocate the enemy defence organisations. Mostly, but not always, flown at night.
AIRCRAFT USED:
Allied
-Spit V (A40,A42,A43,A44)
-Spit IX(A41)
-Hurricane IIc(A40,A42,A43,A44,A45)
-Typhoon(A42,A40,A45)
Axis
-Bf109F4(A1,A11,A19,A20)
-Bf109G2(A2,A14,A20)
-FW190A5(A1,A19)
-Ju88(A1,A15,A17)
By the end of the week sides will be picked as well as Frame C.O.'s. If any C.O. wants to volunteer to command a frame speak up.....
