Biscay Duel (21-Nov-42)

by Joe Ferrara

Background: The Liberators of the 330th Bomb Squadron were detached to fly antisubmarine patrols for RAF Coastal Command. Ambushed by five Ju-88 fighters, a B-24 flown by Major Ramsay Potts shot down two of the attacking fighters.

Map: Blue sky map

Setup: The B-24 begins in hex 3027, heading east at speed 4.0, altitude 1.0, in level flight in a left bank.

Three Ju-88s begin in hexes 2227, 2127 and 2027, altitude 1.5, speed 7.0, in a right bank, heading NNW in a shallow dive. Two more Ju-88s are in hexes 2638 and 2839 at altitude 3.0, speed 5.0, level bank, heading east in level flight.

Game Length: 20 turns

Special Rules:

1. The B-24 is fully alert to the Ju-88s and may move and fire normally.
2. The B-24 begins loaded with depth charges. This load may be jettisoned for a 3 VP penalty.
3. The playing area is fixed. The B-24 must exit via the west edge or else it is considered to have been shoot down.
4. The Luftwaffe player wins if he shoots down the B-24 and has more points. The USAAF player wins if the B-24 survives to exit the west map edge. Any other result is a draw.

Additional Rules: Pilot Quality:

• USAAF: Maj Potts, the B-24 pilot, is a veteran. Treat all B-24 gunners as "crack shots" (they'll need it).
• Luftwaffe: Generate the Ju-88 pilots on the "average" table and roll for characteristics.

Variant: On turn 10, after all aircraft have moved, two RAF Beaufighter VIF enter from the west map edge at speed 6.0, altitude 5.0, level flight and bank. Generate RAF pilots on the "average" column and roll for characteristics..

ADCs: B-24D is available from Uncle Ted's. The Ju-88C-6 was published in Over the Reich and the Beaufighter VIF in Airpower #53.

Source: Birdsall, Log of the Liberators, pg 66.

Battle of the Bay (2-Jun-43)

Background: The Shortland Sunderland was a large flying boat used for anti-submarine patrols by RAF Coastal Command. They too were occaisionally troubled by interceptors. The Sunderland, large, slow, and bristling with defensive guns was nicknamed the "Flying Procupine." On 2-Jun-43, a Sunderland (N for Nuts, No. 461 Sqdn, RAAF, or N/461) flown by an Australian crew was attacked by eight Ju88C-6s. Why so aggressive a response? Unknown. However, the airliner to Lisbon was shot down the day before (taking actor Leslie Howard to his death), so perhaps the Luftwaffe thought this was another airliner.

It was 1900 hrs, but still light out (being summer - and the British used a double summer time to make most advantage of day light). The Sunderland saw the Ju88s closing from 1000 feet above them, some 6 miles distant. As they closed, the Ju88s split up to attack from different directions.

Not having much choice, the Aussies fought like hell.

Map: Blue sky map

Setup: The Sunderland begins in hex 2832, heading West at speed 4.0, altitude 3.0, in level flight in a left bank.

Three Ju-88s begin in hexes 1630, 1730, and 1831, altitude 4.0, speed 5.5, in a right bank, heading West in a shallow dive. One Ju-88 is in hexes 2139 and another in 3539, both at altitude 4.5, speed 5.5, level bank, heading West in level flight. Three Ju88s begin in hexes 3830, 3930, and 4031, altitude 4.0, speed 5.5, in a left bank, heading West in a shallow dive

Game Length: 20 turns

Special Rules:

1. The Sunderland is fully alert to the Ju-88s and may move and fire normally.
2. The Sunderland carries three extra crew. One can replace a wounded or killed pilot. Any can replace wounded or killed gunners. For each two spare crewman available during a fire, modify the fire roll by -1.
3. This Sunderland was field modified with "galley guns," Vickers MGs mounted at the port and starboard galley hatches to cover below the aircraft: L/R line to L/R -30, Level to low, 8 ammo, Gunnery factors: 4/3/2/1/1/1/-/-
4. The Sunderland begins loaded with depth charges. This load may be jettisoned for a 3 VP penalty.
5. The playing area is fixed. The Sunderland must exit via the west edge or else it is considered to have been shot down.
6. The Luftwaffe player wins if he shoots down the Sunderland and has more points. The RAF player wins if the Sunderland survives to exit the west map edge. Any other result is a draw.

Additional Rules: Pilot Quality:

• RAF: the Sunderland pilot is a veteran. Treat all Sunderland gunners as "crack shots" (they'll need it).
• Luftwaffe: Generate the Ju-88 pilots on the "average" table and roll for characteristics if desired.

History: Three Ju88Cs were shot down, the rest driven off. The Sunderland survived to crash on the beach at Praa Sands (near Penzance) in Cornwall, with one dead. Most of the crew was killed on another mission two months later.

ADCs: the Sunderland III is available from Uncle Ted's. The Ju-88C-6 was published in Over the Reich.

Source:

War in the Air. Lyall, ed.