Allied Frame 3 debrief

[daddog]

Thought I would share the plan in general with the outline of the Allied attacks.

I would like to thank Hamblue and Fencer who pointed out a couple problems with my orders and was corrected on the fly. Several other C.O.’s on 150 who had some suggestions that improved our plan. Hamblue in particular pointed out the Spits would not make it to escort them all the way and his reply was “Don’t worry about it we can go it alone”. Hamblue is awarded our Good Doggie Ribbon – Awarded to members who shows a willingness to help others, do what is needed, take a ride they don't want with a consistent good attitudes toward all other pilots.


Here is a picture of the Allied attack routes and the orders in general if the Axis wants to take a peek.




Blue Route
325th Checkertails 11-15
Roll from A25 in the B-25C head East (Blue line) and drop on A70

Duxford Wing RAF 4-6
Roll from A25 in the B-25C head East (Blue line) and drop on A70

The Killuminati 7-10
Roll from A25 in the Spit V and escort the Checkertails and Duxford Wing (Blue line) to A70

USMC 71st 11-15
Roll from A25 in the Hurricane IIC with 500lb bombs head East (Blue line) and drop on A68

Mighty 316th 4-6
Roll from A25 in the Hurricane IIC with 500lb bombs head East (Blue line) and drop on A68

334th FS Eagles 11-15
Roll from A25 in the Hurricane IIC with 500lb bombs and head East (Blue line) and drop on A68.

Green Route
Arabian Knights 16-21
Roll from A14. (4) Pilots in the Typhoon with 2-1000lb bombs. They are to head south east (dark green line) directly for A63. Dive bomb A63 and egress south to draw off the CAP. The rest of the AK’s are to roll A14 in the B-25C and head East (light green line) to about 15.11.9 and then south to drop on A63. AK’s are to time the Typhoon attack about the time the Bombers turn south.

JV44 Butcher Birds 4-6
Roll from A14 in the Spit V and provide close escort to the AK’s in the B-25C’s heading east to 15.11.9.

Black Route
Nightmares VMF 101 16-21
Roll from A10. (4) Pilots in the Typhoon with 2-1000lb bombs. They are to head provide close escort until they are about two sectors from A33 then they are to dive bomb A33 and egress south to draw off enemy CAP. The rest of the Nightmares in the B-25C are to bomb A33 in the B-25C

VFA 169 Excaliburs 7-10
Roll from A16 in the Hurr IIC and rendezvous with the Nightmares over port 105 and provide close escort to A33

Purple Route
353rd Fighter Group 16-21
Roll from A18 in the B-25C head South East (Purple line) and drop on A41. You may place 4 of your pilots in the Hurricane IIC (with 500lb bombs) to help provide close escort.

77th FS Gamblers 4-6
Roll A18 in the Spit V
Provide close escort for the 353rd Fighter Group (Purple line) to A41

Red Route
Rolling Thunder 16-21
Roll A21 in the Hurricane IIC with 500lb bombs. Head South (Red line) to A72 and dive bomb the target.

332nd Flying Mongrels 16-21
Roll A21 in Spit IX and provide close escort for the Rolling Thunder. About 2 sectors out sweep A72 of enemy CAP.

As far as defense it was light at 51 and 22. Both covered by small squads, but heaver east and north. At least two squads were able to carry out their attack RTB and reup to catch some LW on the way home.

[Saxman]

Air Raiders and VMF-251 were assigned defense of A33. Air Raiders patrolled the line between 33 and 37, while VMF-251 maintained a close orbit around 33 itself. Air Raiders made first contact with the enemy and relayed position of the strike package before engaging the escorts. VMF-251 intercepted the bombers just W of 33 and went in, focusing primarily on the bombers. However enough escorts remained that VMF-251 wasn't able to concentrate on the strike package as planned.

Altogether the Bucs downed 12 of the B-25s and two of the escorts,before losses, discos and aircraft either ditching or landing due to damage put the squadron out of action by 2352. The Air Raiders provided a major boost by stripping off part of the escort before VMF-251 engaged, although in hindsight it may still have been better to hit the strike in force. Damage assessment conducted at the field showed negligible results by the bombers. Only one hangar went down, along with a couple barracks, fuel and ammo bunkers so damage in the end was rather light.

[WxMan]

DD thanks for stepping in and taking over as CiC  . As far as the AK's are concerned it was an excellent plan. 

The Green Strike Force left A14 consisting of: 51 B-25's (3x17), 3 Typhoons and 7 Spit V's. We proceeded along the light green route in mass until the force approached 14,11,8 where at this point the Typhoons made at turn to the south southwest. When the bombers made their turn to the south, the Typhoons began to flash A48 and A49 in an attempt to draw off the CAP at A63. As the Typhoons left A49 we encountered 10 to 12 109's. The bombers while on their southern leg of the route dropped ordnance on A63 unmolested. The Typhoons also dropped on A63 shortly after with the intent of drawing the persuing CAP downward. While this was successful to some extent, they remained high enough to eventually attack the bombers. JV44 did an excellent job of fighter escort, managing their limited fuel while maintaining station with the bombers. They kept most of the 109's busy and below the bombers after the drop, allowing most of the bombers to escape.  The remainder of the strike forced then egressed to the south and west landing at A16 about 65 minutes into the frame.

Our Losses:
15 B-25's (3x5) This number was calculated on the number that bailed.
2 Typhoons (after rearming - not strike related)
5 Spit V's

Damage Done:
8 kills
6 hangers destroyed
3 barracks destroyed
8 guns destroyed
2 ammo bunkers destroyed
1 fuel bunker destroyed

[Kermit de frog]

Killuminati took MkIIc instead of the MkV spitfire.

Turned out to be a good call as both have same performance, except the MkIIC has the option for a DT and x2 ammo, which was needed.
I had went to max cruise and e6b said I would still be short 2 miles, but I figured I'd glide by then. 
Too bad the enemy had other plans and found me while I was out in the middle of the North Sea!

<S> Daddog and thanks for lettings us switch rides as the last minute.
<S> Duxford Wing for letting us escort you and for providing the continuous information updates.