|
918th BOMB GROUP (H) ARCHBURY,
ENGLAND GIVE UM HELL |
BRIEFING BOARD
DATE May 21,
1943 (AAR DEAD LINE: Apr 27, 2008)
MISSION # 42
MISSION # 42
SPECIAL NOTE
Earlier missions have been closed. If you have notified HQ you may still fly the missions you have missed and you can get a key to the Archives to access the files..
Earlier missions have been closed. If you have notified HQ you may still fly the missions you have missed and you can get a key to the Archives to access the files..
PRIMARY TARGET WILHELMSHAVEN, GERMANY, U-Boat Pens
SECONDARY
TARGET
LAST RESORT TARGET
LAST RESORT TARGET
IF YOU USE THE B-17: QOTS BOARDGAME OR VASSAL
MISSION MAP
HISTORICAL NOTES
This mission is based on the real mission to Wilhelmshaven, May 21, 1943.
The 303rd reported bad weather all the way to the target and no fighter attacks until the bomb run. They also reported a new type of attack which seems to be the Werfergranate 21 - a rocket, fired by Me 109s most likely from JG 11, probably the first unit which used them in combat on May 21, 1943. There seems to be no bombers shot down by these weapons on this day.
JG 11 also had pods with two MG 151 (20mm machine guns) under each wing, which could have made similar flashes from the wings, but they did not get these until July and would not create the bursts seen by crews among the bombers. It is most likely the first use of the W.Gr 21 that the crews experienced. However, there are sources stating that the first use of this weapon was on August 17 on the Double Strike, and other sources say that the first use was on October 14 to Schweinfurt. The German fighter pilot Heinz Knoke writes in his book that he received it for the first on August 15 and used them for the first time on August 17.
JG 11 Pilot Missing in Action
| 21/05/43 | Uffz. Erwin Pieler | 6./JG 11 | Bf 109 G-6 (18208) Yellow 13 |
Combat with four-engined, crashed into the sea |
No Me 110s appear to have attacked the bombers on this mission. Reports of JU 88s attacking come from the 303rd and 91st Bomb Groups. These are most likely from IV/NJG 3 in Denmark.
These groups participated:
Wilhelmshaven:
91st Bomb Group
303rd Bomb Group
305th Bomb Group
306th Bomb Group
351st Bomb Group
Emden:
94th Bomb Group
95th Bomb Group
96th Bomb Group
The YB-40 Gunship and Bomber Escort will arrive in England to the 92nd Bomb Group on May 8th and fly the first mission on May 29. Download a B-17 Queen of the Skies Variant of the YB-40: Part I and Part II.
In April a new formation was flown for the first time. The Wedge was now "Tucked in." The bombers flew closer and tighter together. View the April -43 formation here: http://www.918archbury.com/BriefingRoom/April-43.html Note the Purple Heart Corners. These positions were vulnerable to German Attacks and will fly with a "Tail-End Charlie" status in B-17: Queen of the Skies. It is a modification of the original TEC rules. You will find details on the Formation Diagram: http://www.918archbury.com/BriefingRoom/Formation_Diagram.html
From April 17, the Germans will use the "12 o'clock High" attack.