I came across a unique raid called Operation Leader that has really peaked my interest to learn more about. Following Operation Torch, the USS Ranger (CV-4) took center stage to a task force designed to attack German shipping off the coast of Norway. She was supported by the battleships HMS Duke of York and HMS Anson, the heavy cruiser USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37), the light cruiser HMS Belfast, along with five British and five American destroyers. At about 6am local time on October 4th, 1943, aircraft from the USS Ranger launched while about 150 miles west of Bodø, Norway and 125 miles northwest of Sandnessjøen, Norway. These aircraft included a northern attack group of 20 SBD Dauntless dive bombers with eight F4F wildcat escorts and a southern attack group of ten TBF Avengers with six F4F wildcat escorts (additional F4F Wildcats provided a CAP around the task force). The two groups attacked roughly a dozen ships, including nine steamships, a freight barge, a troop transport, and a tanker. While flak and AA fire were described as intense and accurate resulting in the loss of four US aircraft, the Luftwaffe was caught by surprise and only managed to launch two Ju 88s and a heinkel floatplane as reconnaissance (two of which were shot down by the F4F wildcat CAP). The remaining US aircraft returned to the USS Ranger around 9am local time, no damage was taken by the Anglo-American task force ships. The raid was seen as a successful coordination between the two Allies to disrupt german convoy shipping in the area (and it was the only US carrier operation above the arctic circle during WWII).
So that was the historical background, now for how it could work in AH. I must admit, it would require a some artistic licensing given the fact that there was little aerial combat encountered. Based on other sources and evidence, the german response would have likely come from Trondheim to the south and perhaps Bardufoss to the north (Allied intel had speculated there would be about nine bf-109s or bf-110s stationed at Bodø, but I think the Germans only used it as an emergency field and may have had only dummy aircraft there). To that end, I figure the allies would have likely encountered Ju-88s, Bf-110G-2s, and Bf-109G-2s. The “North Sea” map terrain features the southern portion of Norway, but to my knowledge no map terrain exists for the central and northern portion of Norway where this action occurs. In the game, a standard CV group consists of a CV, a cruiser, and four destroyers while a a standard battleship group consists of one BB and two destroyers - I figure one CV and two BB groups would make a nice representation of the Ranger Task Force (TF 121). The land-based Germans (Luftflotte 5) would be tasked with protecting their merchant ships as well as counter-attacking the Ranger task force. Task Force 121 and the german merchant ships would be equal in numbers and point opportunities, but I think the Allies should have a slight numerical advantage given the nature of the surprise attack and more powerful German plane set. My vision is 20 F4F Wildcats [VF-4] (w/ DTs), 20 SBD Dauntless [VB-4] (W/ one 1,000lb bomb), and ten TBM Avengers [VT-4](W/ four 500lb bombs) versus 10 Ju-88s [1.F/22](W/ four 500kg bombs, no formations), ten Bf-110G-2s [13.Z/JG5](W/ DTs and two 500kg bombs), and ten Bf-109G-2s [Stab IV/JG5](W/ DT, no gondola 20mm cannons).
I think this setup will make for a fun 3-hour snapshot/TDI/SEC. October 4th this year is on a Sunday, so it could be featured like the old Sunday European Campaign time slot. This functions as both a historical matchup and a “what if” scenario had the Germans been able to respond (which was thanks in large part to Norwegian resistance efforts and static in communication channels). Don’t know if this has been discussed or tried before, but I’d be thrilled to see this play out in AH.
