RAF 73 sqd campaign - Announcements

[delta7]

I made error in first post , mission start is usual time of 2100 uk time

[delta7]

Gentlemen

Between our air effort and the SAS ground forces in destroying the bunkers the invasion fleet is ready to sail for the Italian mainland without fear from the guns.

The fleet is gathering at the South East of Sicily, we must protect this from the enemy bombers who are en route to destroy the ships.

Once enemy air cover is destroyed there are secondary targets of trucks and tanks that are transporting reinforcements to the key enemy defensive position in 0611.

 

Mission is scheduled for Sunday 2nd March 2100 hrs

 

[delta7]

Gentlemen

The landings have been a success . Ground troops are preparing to push forward from the beachhead. Our task is to destroy enemy ground artillery and tanks which stand in their way. If successful we can try to take out enemy reinforcements and supplies.

Mission is scheduled for Sunday 16nd March 2100 hrs,

[delta7]

Gentlemen

We have successfully cleared the enemy front lines. They are fighting a rear-guard action and preparing to withdraw troops and equipment to the north.

Our next task is to hit the trains and transport convoys before they depart.

Intelligence suggests that air opposition will not be as much as previously as the Luftwaffe regroup after heavy losses.

 

The next round will be delayed as I am on holiday next week. Scheduled to take place on Sunday 6th April 

[delta7]

Congratulations , we have seriously hampered the enemys retreat.

Italy has capitulated but the German forces have established strong defensive lines in the mountains.

A major obstacle is the Monte Cassino abbey which has been fortified. This overlooks our main roads north. Our troops have not been able to break this fortress and are suffering heavy casualties. Although a religious centre the high command has taken the decision that this will be bombed to destroy the enemy emplacements. We must drop accurately as a village lies just beyond.

This will be a level bombing mission with escort. The bombers are b25s and escort P-51d. We except light air cover but we must protect the bombers to enable them to target accurately.

One the abbey has been destroyed there are further targets of opportunity for ground attack.

 

Mission is scheduled for the 20th april at 2100hrs uk time.

 

 

The Battle of Monte Cassino, also known as the Battle for Rome, was a series of four military assaults by the Allies against German forces in Italy during the Italian Campaign of World War II. The objective was to break through the Winter Line and facilitate an advance towards Rome.

In the beginning of 1944, the western half of the Winter Line was anchored by German forces holding the Rapido-Gari, Liri, and Garigliano valleys and several surrounding peaks and ridges. Together, these features formed the Gustav Line. Monte Cassino, a historic hilltop abbey founded in 529 by Benedict of Nursia, dominated the nearby town of Cassino and the entrances to the Liri and Rapido valleys. Lying in a protected historic zone, it had been left unoccupied by the Germans, although they manned some positions set into the slopes below the abbey's walls.

Repeated artillery attacks on assaulting allied troops caused their leaders to incorrectly conclude that the abbey was being used by the Germans as an observation post, at the very least. Fears escalated, along with casualties, and despite evidence, it was marked for destruction. On 15 February 1944, Allied bombers dropped 1,400 tonnes of high explosives, causing widespread damage.[5] Fallschirmjäger forces occupied the area and established defensive positions amid the ruins.

 

[delta7]

Following discussion with 352nd, as this falls on easter Sunday afternoon for the USA , we will reschedule this for the 27th April

 

[Squee7e]

@delta7 i have a suggestion for the next mission:

in the last mission we had this giant furball situation in the beginning of the mission but after that it was very calm

If you think it would fit the mission setting could we please have a couple of enemy sorties fly around behind their lines to spice things up a bit? Doesn't have to be a lot. Just small sorties that try to defend rear objectives after they lost air superiority in the initial battle. This would keep everyone on their toes and emphasize sticking together more. I really liked when we attacked the bunkers together and watched each other's six during the attack runs but it wasn't really necessary since there were no enemy fighters left.

 

[delta7]

2 hours ago, Squee7e said:

@delta7 i have a suggestion for the next mission:

in the last mission we had this giant furball situation in the beginning of the mission but after that it was very calm

If you think it would fit the mission setting could we please have a couple of enemy sorties fly around behind their lines to spice things up a bit? Doesn't have to be a lot. Just small sorties that try to defend rear objectives after they lost air superiority in the initial battle. This would keep everyone on their toes and emphasize sticking together more. I really liked when we attacked the bunkers together and watched each other's six during the attack runs but it wasn't really necessary since there were no enemy fighters left.

 

The last mission was the first time that I did not add the later enemy flight,

usually I have secondary spawns around 30 and 45 mins. However this was designed to be a ground attack mission so I cut these out. 

In future these additional flights will normally be included unless for mission specific reasons 

[Squee7e]

1 hour ago, delta7 said:

The last mission was the first time that I did not add the later enemy flight,

usually I have secondary spawns around 30 and 45 mins. However this was designed to be a ground attack mission so I cut these out. 

In future these additional flights will normally be included unless for mission specific reasons 

Well that makes sense then. Thanks for the reply o7

[delta7]

Here are some tips for level bombing, wind settings are given in document below, we will be flying at 3000m

bomb tutorial.docx