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[No1_Cheese]

No1 Press Officer,P/O Jacko’s Weekly report

[No1_Cheese]

Tonights Breifing Mission made by F/lt Bunny
He normally throws a spanner in the works so this wont be and easy one.

•   * ALL PILOTS WILL FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE FOLLOWING OPERATIONAL INFORMATION * * * *

BoF38

13th May 1940 ZERO:- 06:50 hours – Reims-Champagne (Arras on our map)

OPERATIONAL INFORMATION:-73 Squadron:

Squadron Scramble!!!
Large formations of enemy a/c seen heading towards Reims (Laon on our map). Last reported at Angels 20, last known heading approx 120.

Dont just stand there, get a ruddy move on!

Aircraft: Hawker Hurricane 12lb boost
Skin: TP_1940_Hurricane (markings off)
Arming: Default & 100% fuel

METHOD:- Take off from Reims-Champagne and head towards Reims. Try to climb to Angels 20 as soon as possible. Bombers are priority! Be mindful of enemy fighters escorting the bomber formations.

INTELLIGENCE:- Low cloud and worsening enemy ground fire is hampering our reconnaisance flights, so information is sparse. We expect the enemy to continue to target communication centres.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT:-
6/10ths cloud at 1500ft extending to 3,000ft.
Wind 090 at 04 knots.
Visibility Poor to fair.

SIGNALS:-
No. 1 Squadron call sign - F I L M S T A R
No. 43 Squadron call sign - I M P I
No. 145 Squadron call sign - R A B B I T
No. 601 Squadron call sign - A N G E L
Ground Control call sign – T O P H A T

MISSION POINT AWARD:- 1 Mission Point will be awarded if 50% of Hurricanes that took off, land back at home base and would be able to take off again.

This mission is to be in Squadron strength.

Good luck
Bunster
_________________
F/Lt Bunny DSO** DFC***
145 Squadron B Flight Leader, Blue Section
Executive Officer 145 Squadron.


No1Cheese

[No1_Cheese]

Last nights mission(No38 of our current campaign) was made by F/Lt Bunny DSO** DFC***
145 Squadron B Flight Leader, Blue Section
Executive Officer 145 Squadron.

Now as stated before, he normally throws the odd spanner in the works but this week the GIT did well.
As from now Baron Von Bunster is not being spoken too by the rest of the tangmere pilots(and rightly so).
I can only talk for No1 squadron(but I think the other 3 lesser squadrons ? followed in the same path) climbed to angels 20.
Then our C/O No1 MothyP gave the order for B Flt and Green Flt to climb to angels 25.
Now at that height in an early mk Hurribus is one thing,we was pretty well strung out as we tried to form on Blue Flt Ldr Charlie,but it all come together when  it mattered most.
We encountered 8 110s as they attacked A flt,I called”BREAK BREAK” to the C/O and he managed to miss the attention of the ferocious guns of the the 110 that was diving on him.
After that it was was all for himself as we dived and turned to try to get the upper hand on the enemy fighters,bearing in mind that we was after the bloody bombers that we had not seen.As we made it back to base,in dribs and drabs we had accounted ourselves well.
P/O Griffin managed to land in one piece and was saying to “See Boss I can do it” when 3  He 111s appeared over our base as we was on finals!!!!
Griff took off once again(having a full load of ammo)into the fray again,climbing and making contact with Madmick to have a go at the hun again.
Know what followedwill go down in No1(virtual)Folk law.
Griff took off(after landing successfully(PHEW) to get another crack at the bombers over head,Mick(who just happens to be a bit of a dab hand at shooting the b**tards from the sky was with him!!!!
As they both went into attack Griff shouted” theres a smoker and thers another 1”
And then couldn’t make it back to base because of engine trouble!!!
Mick on the other hand landed back at base with a few shared kills(1 of my 110s) and was heard to say”cheers for the back up griff,but you weren’t really needed!!)

Bloody Great mission with more than a few surprises,how they do it week in week out really does amaze me,and im a noobe only being with them 2 yrs!!!!!

All the Best

Cheese


As Usual what follows is the of No1s own Press officer
P/O Jacko

[No1_Cheese]

Good eveng gentleman
Just the update for this Sundays mission.This should be ok because like me P/O Duth supports THFC !!!! unlike Bunny who watches Munich or something like that!!!
Things are hotting up around here!
We are getting reports of the enemy at all fronts and everyone is starting to feel the strain.
Constant air patrols,early morning readiness and the last minute flights are taking there toll,how the poor bloody erks manage one only knows.

Cheese

* * * ALL PILOTS WILL FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE FOLLOWING OPERATIONAL INFORMATION * * * *

Mission 1 of 1

OPERATIONAL BRIEFING – Battle of France 39
------------------------------------------------------

DATE:- 12th May 1940 ZERO:- 15:45 hours

3 Squadron - Cambrai airfield.

OPERATIONAL INFORMATION:-

Just had a communiqué from Panther – sketchy gen, but things aren’t looking too good. Jerry is pushing into Belgium at a rate of knots, & it looks as though The Dutch may not last too much longer.

All we can do is keep knocking down as many Hun as we can. Orders are for a squadron strength patrol along the route marked on the briefing map. We’ll be up quite a long time, so watch your fuel situation - we’ll patrol at angels 10.

Take off in half an hour – any questions?......no……good.

Hawker Hurricane 12lb boost
Skin: TP_1940_Hurricane (markings off)
Arming: Default & 100% fuel

ROUTE :- CAMBRAI > HIRSON > DINANT > CHARLEROI > VALENCIENNES > CAMBRAI.

HEIGHT:- 10,000 feet

INTEL: Reports from this morning indicate that the Luftwaffe is making a concerted effort to knock out our airfields with it’s medium bombers.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT:- Bright, some cloud.

SIGNALS:-
No. 1 Squadron call sign - F I L M S T A R
No. 43 Squadron call sign - I M P I
No. 145 Squadron call sign - R A B B I T
No. 601 Squadron call sign - A N G E L
Ground Control call sign – T O P H A T


MISSION SUCCESS:-

No more pilots are killed or captured than shown below:

5 player – 1 pilot
6 player – 1 pilot
7 player – 2 pilots
8 player – 2 pilots
9 player – 3 pilots
10 player – 3 pilots
11 player – 4 pilots
12 player – 4 pilots

This mission will be flown in squadron strength:

Hurricanes will take off from 2 parallel runways.
_________________
P/O Dutch DSO*, DFC
Green 2
145 Sqn.

[No1_Cheese]

Absolutly GUTTED!!!!! 
I couldnt join last nights mission due to tech problems.
Really gutted about this because i love to get comfortable with a few beers,relax and enjoy the dogfights before the mission(which i joined,but when it come to mission time thats when probs started).
Anyway P/O dutch posted this about the mission he tried to depict,and by all accounts it was a very tough mission.
35+ pilots of Tangemere took part in this mission,8 Pilots from No1 took part(less me :rolleyes:) and only 1 pilot,Flt Sgt Kluge made it back to base safe and sound managing to take down a 109.
__________________________________________________________
Based on.....

Sqn Ldr Gifford set off at the head of 6 Hurricanes of 3 squadron to patrol the Wavre-Louvain area.

8 a/c were seen flying low by red section; identified as Hs126 observation a/c, & attacked. 2 were claimed destroyed by Sgt Roy Wilkinson & Sgt Dennis Allen.

An He111 of KG54 was then sighted & engaged by F/L Walter Churchill & Allen, who together with P/O Frank Carey of blue section, claimed that the bomber fell to their attack.

Carey then joined F/O Dickie Ball in pursuit of a Do17, but the latter was heard to call for help having been bounced by 5 109s [of 1/JG21]. Ball was seriously wounded in the thigh, crash-landed & was taken prisoner, but succumbed to his wounds on 4th June.
_________________
P/O Dutch DSO*, DFC
Green 2
145 Sqn.
------------

No1 Cheese

[No1_Cheese]

P/O Jacko
No1 Squadron
Yellow 2 (JX-J) & No1 Sqd Press Officer




No1 Cheese

[No1_Cheese]

This Sundays mission,made by Flying Officer Hatter No145 Squadron.
Sounds like a good one (as usual),I like the missions when we team up with another Squadron.
We normally fly on different comms channels(Ventrillo) so we are all up in the same part of the sky together  but going about the mission in each Squadrons own way.
I wonder who’s going to get the job at Angels 20?

No1 Cheese



•   * * ALL PILOTS WILL FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE FOLLOWING OPERATIONAL INFORMATION * * * *

Mission 1 of 1

OPERATIONAL BRIEFING – Battle of France 40
------------------------------------------------------

DATE:- 13th May 1940 ZERO:- 08:00 hours

Nos. 85 & 87 Squadrons, 60 (Fighter) Wing, No.14 Group - Lille

OPERATIONAL INFORMATION:-

Jerry's up early this morning, chaps, and he's come in numbers.

Group has received reports of Luftwaffe activity from observers north-east of Antwerp: numerous, large formations of enemy aircraft were observed crossing the front on heading 240 towards Antwerp and Ghent.

SCRAMBLE and intercept the raid.

Hawker Hurricane 12lb boost
Skin: TP_1940_Hurricane (markings off)
Arming: Default & 100% fuel

ROUTE :- LILLE>COURTRAI>GHENT>ANTWERP

HEIGHT:- Intercept Squadrons to fly at ANGELS 10 and ANGELS 20.

INTEL: There are confused reports that German armour is crossing the River Meuse at Sedan and Dinant. Additional reports that Queen Wilhelmina and the Dutch government are preparing to evacuate to London.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT:- Clear skies with excellent visibility.

SIGNALS:-
No. 1 Squadron call sign - F I L M S T A R
No. 43 Squadron call sign - I M P I
No. 145 Squadron call sign - R A B B I T
No. 601 Squadron call sign - A N G E L
Ground Control call sign – T O P H A T

MISSION SUCCESS:-

The following criteria apply PER Squadron. If either one of the two squadrons lose more than amounts indicated below, neither will gain a Mission Point.

E.g. for 24 player game: Squadron A loses 1 pilot and 3 aircraft and Squadron B losses 3 Pilots and 4 aircraft = No Mission Point for A or B.

20-24 Players = no more than 3 Pilots KIA and 4 aircraft lost.
16-19 Players = no more than 2 Pilots KIA and 3 aircraft lost.
12-15 Players = no more than 1 Pilot KIA and 2 aircraft lost.

MISSION NOTE:-

The Mission will be flown in PAIRED squadron strength.

Brass will assign the pairings on Sunday, depending on available strength.

The Squadrons will take off from neighbouring airfields north/south of Lille.

The mission will be available in the following flavours:

20-24 Players
16-19 Players
12-15 Players
_________________

Looking forward to this one,cheers Hatter.


No1 Cheese

[No1_Cheese]

S! Gents

I am posting two breifings here as i couldnt make last weeks mission and what a mission to miss.
Battles protected by Hurricanes and it seems the boys did ok aswell which surprises me as i wasnt there!!!!
Anyway heres the breifing for the 1st mission.....................................

* * * ALL PILOTS WILL FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE FOLLOWING OPERATIONAL INFORMATION * * * *

Mission 1 of 1

OPERATIONAL BRIEFING – Battle of France 41
------------------------------------------------------

DATE:- 14th May 1940 ZERO:- 05:15 hours

No. 88 Squadron, 75 (Bomber) Wing, Mourmelon
No. 1 Squadron, 67(Fighter) Wing Vassincourt

OPERATIONAL INFORMATION:-

Operation Order No 664 to 75 & 67 Wings, repeated 71 &76 Wings & N Eagle. From Panther. 14.5.40

Cancel my ops No 662, 13.5.40. Confirming telephone conversations at 0100 hrs with G/C A.H. Wann. Requirement is now to attack two bridges west of Sedan to deny the enemy their use.

Strength of attack: 2x section of three battles

Aim of Attack: To destroy bridges

Tactics left to the discretion of section leaders but attack shold be made at first light.

One flight of fighters to be detailed by OC67 Wing to operate in support of bombers.Method of co-operation to be concerted between 75 & 67 Wing.

Enemy opposition expected to be strong in neighbourhood of target.
timed at 0145
IMMEDIATE

Hawker Hurricane 12lb boost
Skin: TP_1940_Hurricane (markings off)
Arming: Default & 100% fuel

Fairey Battle
Skin: TP_1940
Arming:TBA

ROUTE :- Mourmelon>Sedan>

METHOD: Battles to fly a direct line to Sedan at no higher than 3000ft, bomb the two bridges in BC2 North East corner, they straddle two rivers joining the Meuse and are on the same road out of Sedan.
Hurricanes are to take off from your temporary base and head south to RV with Battles in AW1/2

Section leaders are to decide on the tactics, the height is mandatory for the Battles.


HEIGHT:- 88 Squadron 3000FT.

INTEL: The enemy is in Sedan and about to break out to the west across the only two bridges in the area, we expect heavy Ground and airbourne resistance

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT:- Hazy morning mist and reduced visibilty.

SIGNALS:-
No. 1 Squadron call sign - F I L M S T A R
No. 88 Squadron call sign - S E R P E N T
Ground Control call sign – T O P H A T

MISSION SUCCESS:-

Both bridges are destroyed

BATTLES ARE TO BE FULLY CREWED WITH LEFT OVERS TAKING HURRICANES
SEPERATE COMMS FOR FIGHTERS/BOMBERS

That Mission and Breifing was made by W/Co Mothy P


Now this weeks mission see us taking off with ALL TANGMERE PILOTS in 1 mission,flying together.
It doesnt happen that often we fly as a Wing(obvious reasons really,it takes a long time to get 40+ pilots airborne etc etc) but its a great online experience.

Heres this weeks Breif...

* * * ALL PILOTS WILL FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE FOLLOWING OPERATIONAL INFORMATION * * * *

Mission 1 of 1 (Combined Tangmere Wing Ops mission)

BoF42

14th May 1940 ZERO:- 12:20 hours

OPERATIONAL INFORMATION:- No. 21 Squadron (Blenheim), No. 110 Squadron (Blenheim), No. 1 Squadron (Hurricane) and Armee de l'Air (French Hawk 75)

Operation Order No 667 to 2 Group (UK) and No1 Squadron AASF. From Panther. 14.5.40

Confirming telephone conversations at 0900 hrs. Planned attack is to be brought forward to 12:20 hrs. Requirement to attack enemy pontoon bridges and enemy troop convoys in the Sedan area.

Strength of attack: 2 x Flights of 8 Blenheims

Aim of Attack: To destroy pontoon bridges and enemy troop convoys

Gentlemen, Earlier this morning the AASF were given orders to attack three bridges in the Sedan sector and two in the Dinant area. During the night information has been received to the effect that the French have destroyed the bridges at Dinant and have attacked German road convoys in the same area. Therefore we are to concentrate our attacks on the pontoon bridges at Sedan.

Two Blenheim Squadrons will lead the attack escorted by Hurricanes and Hawks from the Armee de l'Air. A number of Battles have already attacked the Sedan area earlier today and have met with heavy flak and large numbers of enemy fighters, be in no doubt that this will be a difficult mission.

No. 21 Squadron (flown by No145 Squadron)
AIRCRAFT:-8 x Bristol Blenheim Mk IV
SKIN:- TP_ skins
FUEL & WEAPON LOAD:- 100% fuel & 2x500lb bombs

METHOD:- Take off from St Quentin (AQ3). Head to your RV point at Hirson (AX5). Hurricanes from No1 Sqd will RV with you at Hirson. When all a/c assembled, continue to RV point at Charleville-Mezieres (BA3). The Blenheims from 110 Sqd and the French fighters will RV with you at this point. Your group will arrive some 5 mins after 110 Sqd and their French escorts. Keep to tree-top height at all times. When the whole attack group is assembled, head to the targets at Sedan (BC2 - Centre). Proceed to attack pontoon bridges and enemy road convoys in this area. When your attack is completed, head back to home base.

No. 1 Squadron (flown by No1 Squadron)
AIRCRAFT:- 8 x Hurricane Mk I 12lb
SKIN:- TP_ skins
FUEL & WEAPON LOAD:- 100% Fuel & default weapons

METHOD:- Take off from the airfield in (AU5). Head to your RV point at Hirson (AX5). Blenheims from No21 Sqd will RV with you at Hirson. When all a/c assembled, continue to RV point at Charleville-Mezieres (BA3). The Blenheims from 110 Sqd and the French fighters will RV with you at this point. Your group will arrive some 5 mins after 110 Sqd and their French escorts. Height to be decided by flight leader. When the whole attack group is assembled, head to the targets at Sedan (BC2 - Centre). Provide escort for the bombers of 21 Sqd at all times. When the attack is completed, head back to home base.

No. 110 Squadron (flown by 601 Squadron)
AIRCRAFT:- 8 x Bristol Blenheim Mk IV
SKIN:- TP_ skins
FUEL & WEAPON LOAD:- 100% fuel & 2x500lb bombs

METHOD:- Take off from Laon (AT1). Head to your RV point at Charleville-Mezieres (BA3). Hawk 75's from the Armee de l'Air will RV with you at Charleville-Mezieres. When all a/c assembled, loiter at this position until the Blenheims from 21 Sqd and the Hurricanes from No1 Sqd arrive. Your group will arrive some 5 mins before 21 Sqd and their escorts. Keep to tree-top height at all times. When the whole attack group is assembled, head to the targets at Sedan (BC2 - Centre). Proceed to attack pontoon bridges and enemy road convoys in this area. When your attack is completed, head back to home base.

Armee de l'Air (flown by 43 Squadron)
AIRCRAFT:- 8 x Hawk 75
SKIN:- TP_ skins
FUEL & WEAPON LOAD:- 100% Fuel & default weapons

METHOD:- Take off from the airfield in (AW2). Head to your RV point at Charleville-Mezieres (BA3). Blenheims from No110 Sqd will RV with you at Charleville-Mezieres. The Blenheims from 110 Sqd and the French fighters will RV with you at this point. When all a/c assembled, loiter at this position until the Blenheims from 21 Sqd and the Hurricanes from No1 Sqd arrive. Your group will arrive some 5 mins before 21 Sqd and their escorts. Height to be decided by flight leader. When the whole attack group is assembled, head to the targets at Sedan (BC2 - Centre). Provide escort for the bombers of 110 Sqd at all times. When the attack is completed, head back to home base.

INTELLIGENCE:- Expect heavy flak around the Sedan area. Enemy fighters will now undoubtedly be on high alert after the previous attacks. There are 4 pontoon bridges in the area.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT:-
3/10ths cloud at 5000ft extending to 8,000ft.
Wind 030 at 02 knots.
Visibility Good.

SIGNALS:-
No. 21 Squadron call sign – W A S P
No. 119 Squadron call sign – H A T C H E T
No. 1 Squadron call sign – F I L M S T A R
Armee de l'Air call sign – P A R I S
Ground Control call sign T O P H A T

MISSION POINT AWARD:- 1 Mission Point will be awarded if 2 or more pontoon bridges are destroyed AND at least 6 Blenheims make it back to a friendly base.

Mission Notes:-
This will be a 4 Squadron combined Ops mission with 1 host.

No1 will be in Hurricanes
No43 will be in Hawks
No145 will be No.21 Sqd Blenheims
No601 will be No.110 Sqd Blenheims
Depending on numbers on the night, we may change the positions as required.

Both Blenheim Squadrons will share the same comms, Hurricanes and Hawks will be on seperate comms.

These positions were selected by random of course. If any Sqd/Ldr has a very good reason for not wanting to fly their respective positions, please let me know.

We will fill the bomber slots first on Sunday night to a maximum of 8 Blenheims in each Blenheim Squadron. Extra pilots in that Squadron will take gunner slots.

Good Luck

Bunster
_________________
F/Lt Bunny DSO** DFC***
145 Squadron B Flight Leader, Blue Section
Executive Officer 145 Squadron.


I wont be missing this mission.Its surprising how gutted i feel when i cant make a Sunday Op,feel like ive really missed out!!

Anyway Cheese signing out,wait for after battle report....

No1 Cheese

[No1_Cheese]

The excellent missions of the last 2 weeks by Mothy & Bunny have portrayed the heroic, but ultimately fruitless & costly attempts by the RAF & the French Air force to stop the German crossing of the Meuse in the vicinity of Sedan.

For those interested, here is a bit more info.......

On the 10th May 1940 the German Army launched massive ground attacks against The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and France supported by the formidable power of the German Air Force with its extensive numerical superiority over the Allies. By the evening of the 13th May the situation had become extremely grave as the Germans began to cross the River Meuse in considerable strength. This threatened the front and also the whole area around Reims where the RAF Advanced Air Striking Force was based. The RAF squadrons in France had already incurred very heavy losses in intensive operations during the first three days of the invasion.

Shortly before midnight on the 13th May the AASF was ordered by its commanding officer, Air Marshall Barratt, to prepare to attack three pontoon bridges in the Sedan sector and two in the Dinant area on the following day. Both attacks were given the highest priority. During the night information was received to the effect that the French had destroyed the bridges at Dinant and had attacked German road convoys and troop movements in the same area. The AASF Squadron were therefore instructed to concentrate on the pontoon bridges at Sedan from dawn on the 14th May.

103 Squadron was on stand by at 03:30 and eight Fairey Battles led by F/O Havers took off at 05:05. A fighter escort by Hurricanes from 73 Squadron was provided. As they arrived in the target area they found there were four pontoon bridges over the River Meuse and one over the River Cheres, all within a radius of six miles from Sedan. The eight Battles attacked and one bridge was seen to be hit. No fighter opposition was encountered but there was considerable light flak and small arms fire. All eight Battles returned although Sgt C D Parry was badly wounded by ground fire. He managed, with great difficulty, to fly back to the vicinity of the Squadron airfield at Betheniville and crash-landed. He was later awarded DFM.

Four Battles from 150 Squadron took off later that morning with fighter escort and made further attacks. Despite considerable opposition from light flak they managed to score several hits and escaped back to their airfield at Ecury. Shortly after a single Bristol Blenheim from 114 Squadron carried out an armed reconnaissance around Sedan-Givonne-Boullion to report on enemy troop movements. Large numbers of German troops and motor transport were noted in the area. A shallow dive bombing attack was made on a German column near Bosseval and the aircraft sustained some damage.

The French Air Force launched three attacks with fighter escort in the area of Sedan later that morning and into the afternoon.

As the afternoon progressed the pressure was still on in the Sedan area and it became imperative that a major effort was required by the AASF to try and stem the German advance. Orders were given that every available bomber was to be made ready and a plan was devised with the French Air Force for concerted attacks to take place in the Sedan area throughout the rest of the day. The air battles of the previous four days had already taken a heavy toll and the 10 bomber squadrons of the AASF had only 71 aircraft operational between them for the operations that afternoon.

19 Battles from 12 Squadron, 142 Squadron and 226 Squadron of 76 Wing were first into action in mid afternoon. 12 Squadron were tasked to bomb enemy columns on the road from Sedan to Givonne. These attacks were made in the face of fierce flak and fighter opposition and four of the five Battles were shot down. The fifth managed to limp back to base at Amifontaine. The eight Battles of 142 Squadron and six Battles of 226 Squadron were tasked to attack the bridges between Sedan and Mouzon. Again the opposition from flak and fighters was intense with the attacks pressed home through withering ground fire and walls of tracer. 142 Squadron lost four aircraft and 226 Squadron lost three. Several hits were claimed on the bridges and at least one Bf 109 was claimed as shot down by a returning air gunner with several more claimed as damaged.

It was then the turn of 71 Wing. 15 Battles of 105 Squadron and 150 Squadron were tasked to attack bridges in the Sedan area and eight Blenheims of 114 Squadron and 139 Squadron were to attack enemy troop columns. All four Battles of 150 Squadron were shot down and six out of 11 from 105 Squadron. The Blenheims of 114 Squadron and 139 Squadron observed large numbers of enemy troops and transport on the roads in the area and pressed home their attacks losing a total of five aircraft.

The position was clearly hopeless and the operations almost suicidal but the raids continued. 75 Wing made up of 88 Squadron with 10 Battles, 103 Squadron with eight Battles and 218 Squadron with seven Battles flew the next attack. The targets were again to be the bridges and enemy columns in the Sedan area. 103 Squadron made dive-bombing attacks on the bridges at low level and once more the defenders took their toll. Three Battles were shot down. The aircraft of P/O V A Cunningham received a direct flak hit and exploded in mid air killing the pilot and his gunner. F/O T B Fitzgerald was wounded by flak but pressed home his attack. He crash landed returning to base but was able to return to the squadron the following day with his gunner. F/O Fitzgerald was awarded the DFC for his actions on this day. Sgt G Beardsley was shot down by a Bf 109 and crash-landed. With his gunner he walked 15 miles through the forward battle area and was picked up by French forces. They returned to the squadron on the 17th May.

88 Squadron fared comparatively well losing only one aircraft but 218 Squadron lost five aircraft.

In view of the appalling losses sustained during the afternoon further attacks by the AASF were cancelled and an attack by the French Air Force was postponed.

An attack by Blenheim squadrons of 2 Group in the UK was, however, brought forward. 21 Squadron, 107 Squadron and 110 Squadron tasked 30 Blenheims to bomb targets at Sedan and were provided with a fighter escort by the RAF and French Air Force. The aircraft of 107 Squadron all bombed enemy columns despite being subjected to moderate flak, which damaged five aircraft. All returned to base. 110 Squadron encountered Bf 109s and intense flak whilst making low level bombing attacks on enemy columns losing five of their number. 21 Squadron met similar opposition attacking pontoon bridges and troop columns. Two Blenheims were lost to fighter attack and another was written off in a crash landing on return to base at Bodney. The returning air gunners claimed several Bf 109s shot down.

That night the French Air Force mounted a raid. 226 Squadron of the AASF made a token night attack with two Battles taking off at 20:50. Both bombed troop movements in the area of Sedan. Sgt Hoyle was the last to return at 23:35, his Battle with leaking fuel tanks caused by flak.

During the day the bombers of the AASF and 2 Gp had detailed a total of 112 sorties. Of these 42 aircraft had been lost with several more crash landing on return and at least 15 others sustaining various degrees of significant damage.

Since the 10th May 50% of the AASF Battles had been lost and the two AASF Blenheim squadrons had almost been wiped out.

On the 14th May RAF fighter squadrons of the AASF and Air Component based in France had been stretched almost to breaking point. The Luftwaffe had been mounting raids of their own in considerable numbers. The fighters had been heavily engaged in intercepting these attacks and had not had sufficient numbers to provide effective escort to the RAF bombers as well. The RAF fighter squadrons lost 27 Hurricanes during the day. French fighter squadrons were similarly heavily committed during the same period. Luftwaffe reports show a total of 38 of their aircraft destroyed and eight damaged in combat with the RAF fighters on that day.

Subsequent reconnaissance showed that at least one pontoon bridge and one permanent bridge were destroyed and several more were damaged. As for the road targets some success was achieved but the German army was advancing in such force that these were not sufficient to cause them major problems.

During the day the French army had mounted a counter attack which had stabilised the situation for some hours but a much greater effort was going to be required in the days to come to check the German advance fully.

Air Marshall Barratt knew that his depleted bomber squadrons would be unable to repeat their efforts of the 14th and a few more days of these horrendous casualties would wipe them out all together. On the 15th May he ordered that the Battle squadrons were to fly operations only by night unless absolutely necessary.

Important lessons had been learned from the first four days of the Battle of France. It was clear that the Battles and Blenheims were unable to operate by daylight against targets heavily defended by fighters and flak without the protection of close supporting fighter escort in large numbers. Low level attacks in daylight had proved very costly bringing the aircraft into the range of the highly effective and well-organised German light flak. The Battles and Blenheims themselves lacked adequate performance and were too lightly armed so were unable to look after themselves. Both aircraft were lacking in armour and self-sealing fuel tanks and were very vulnerable in combat.

The commitment and quality of the pilots and crews was, however, above any criticism and all had shown remarkable courage and skill in the face of the most difficult of situations.

The tactics regarding fighter escort were quickly reviewed and whenever possible future daylight operations were supported by close fighter escort from the RAF squadrons in France and/or fighter units based on the South coast of the England. The bomber force was used more sparingly and often by night and attacks were now usually made from an altitude which was beyond the effective range of light flak and small arms. These measures cut the losses amongst the bomber force significantly. The end of the Battle of France brought the end of the Fairey Battle as an operational bomber and it was soon phased out. The Bristol Blenheim soldiered on for a number of years and, in spite of its limitations, gave valuable service operating over Western Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Far East.

The events of the 14th May 1940 and the three previous days had been traumatic for the RAF and the experience had showed that many lessons that had been learnt the hard way in WW1 had already been forgotten. These lessons were, however, quickly relearnt and acted on during the coming years when the RAF fighters and bombers grew to become highly effective and played a major roles in the final defeat of Hitler and the Third Reich.
_________________
P/O Dutch DSO*, DFC
Green 2
145 Sqn.

[No1_Cheese]

S! Gents

Tonights mission briefing.Mission built by P/O Dutch.
Section strenght tonight.


* * * ALL PILOTS WILL FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE FOLLOWING OPERATIONAL INFORMATION * * * *

Mission 1 of 1

OPERATIONAL BRIEFING – Battle of France 43
------------------------------------------------------

DATE:- 15th May 1940 ZERO:- 07:30 hours

No.1 Squadron - Cambrai airfield.

OPERATIONAL INFORMATION:-

Wing have just reported a Jerry formation heading our way - looks like we might be the target.

They were on a heading of 240 degrees, approaching Charleroi at approx 10 to 12 thousand feet; 10+ bandits – twin engine types.

Scramble 2 sections, head for Charleroi & intercept.

Hawker Hurricane 12lb boost
Skin: TP_1940_Hurricane (markings off)
Arming: Default & 100% fuel

ROUTE :- CAMBRAI > CHARLEROI

HEIGHT:- At Flight Leader’s discretion

INTEL: Things aren’t looking good. The Dutch surrendered yesterday, & we have reports that the German Army have broken through the French line along the river Meuse at Sedan.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT:- Bright, some cloud.

SIGNALS:-
No. 1 Squadron call sign - F I L M S T A R
No. 43 Squadron call sign - I M P I
No. 145 Squadron call sign - R A B B I T
No. 601 Squadron call sign - A N G E L
Ground Control call sign – T O P H A T


MISSION SUCCESS:-
Destroy as many enemy aircraft as you have pilots in your mission. Plus, suffer no more than 1 pilot KIA.

This mission will be flown in flight strength.
There will be missions for 3/4/5/6 players
Hurricanes will take off from 2 parallel runways. (except for 3 player mission)
_________________
P/O Dutch DSO*, DFC
Green 2
145 Sqn.
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[No1_Cheese]

At about 07.30, six Hurricanes of 1 squadron's A flight were scrambled on the approach of a raid, & met 40 Do17Zs of I & II/KG3 escorted by about 15 Bf110s of III/ZG26.

In the ensuing series of dogfights, 110s were claimed by F/L Johny Walker, F/O Iggy Kilmartin, Sgt Frank Soper & Sgt Taffy Clowes. Walker force landed after being hit, while F/O Paul Richey's a/c was shot down in flames, although he claimed one & a probable.

Despite the attention of the Hurricanes, some of the raiders got through & bombs dropped across the centre of Berry-au-Bac airfield.

So many of the sorties the real life chaps flew were against impossible odds - so that's what I was aiming for - lots of baddies against not many of you....although to give you half a chance the majority were rookies.

I tried to manipulate it so that you'd primarily engage the 110s (as in RL) - but that didn't quite work out, at least in 145 B flight's fight.
_________________
P/O Dutch DSO*, DFC
Green 2
145 Sqn.