Mission 5: Convoy Cover

The Germans intercepted communications between the French Resistance and SOE and learned of a convoy moving radio equipment from the outskirts of Amiens to Harponville, and planned an air sortie to destroy the convoy. The Dragons took to the sky that morning in search of targets of opportunity. 

Blue Flight:

Maj Hull, JA

2Lt Price, Reg

1Lt Holcomb, TA

2Lt Lawrence, Reg

Over northern France, they spotted a flight of Bf 110s and an escort of Bf 109s. They watch as the 110s dive towards a group of trucks rumbling along a road and the 109s climb towards the P-38s.

Bf 110s and 109s in search of their foe

The 109s scream towards the American planes, but overshoot their first pass. Holcomb and Lawrence maneuver behind them and stick on their tails, each focusing on one 109. Holcomb fires, but his shot goes wide. Lawrence, however, hits his mark, and the 109 begins streaming fuel out of his left wing. The 109s break hard, and shake the less maneuverable Lightnings.

Holcomb and Lawrence swing behind a pair of 109s

Lawrence’s fire strikes home

Meanwhile, the 110s dive to 500 ft above the ground, and scream towards their target convoy, cannons bristling. Hull and Price lead turn their targets, making ground on them and planting on their tail. Hull fires and the first 110 explodes, killing the flight leads wingman. The flight lead presses on towards the convoy, rear gunner hammering away at the pursuing 38s. 

Hull and Price tailing the Zerstorers

110 explodes with no chute observed

The convoy begins firing small arms fire at the incoming 110, but to no avail. The 109s see their attackers being harassed, and dive down towards Hull and Price, but before they can finish their attack run, Holcomb drives them off and sticks with them.

109s scream in to protect the 110s

109s unable to drive off attackers

Hull approaches the attacking 110s, but as he begins firing, his cannons jam and the opportunity passes. Meanwhile, the 109s shake Holcomb and break towards the convoy. Price maneuvers to pursue the 109s but is immediately rocked by a flak burst, and with a missing wing, plummets towards the ground rapidly approaching. He’s able to get the canopy open, disconnect his leads, and his chute blossoms once clear of the stricken aircraft. His wingman shot down, Holcomb lines up for a deflection shot on one of the 109s, cannons ripping into the canopy. The 109 flies along aimlessly before spinning into the ground. Lawrence, on the tail of another 109, likewise attempts to take him out, but his shot fails to inflict any meaningful damage.

Hull’s guns jam as he attacks the lead 110

Holcomb shoots down a 109

Meanwhile, the three remaining 110s begin their attack runs on the convoy, with the rear and middle trucks going up in flames. Hull swings in and gets on the tail of one of the attackers, but can’t seem to get a shot.

110s hitting the convoy

The 109 with Lawrence on his tail performs a Split S, shaking his pursuer. Free to take the initiative, he screams after Holcomb and gets on his tail. Firing, his cannon rounds hit home, and Holcomb feels his flight controls go sluggish. Seeing one of their finest pilots under attack, both Lawrence and Hull dive down on the pursuing Messerschmitt.

A smoking convoy and Holcomb under attack

Lawrence’s fire on the pursuing 109 fails to push him off of Holcomb’s tail, but Hull’s fire (even with jammed guns) causes the German pilot to lose control of his aircraft. 500 ft above the ground gives the pilot little time to recover his plane or even bail out, and he goes down into the French countryside. 

With Holcomb limping home, and Lawrence and Hull’s attention devoted to clearing his tail, the 110s make a final gun run against the remaining truck. Despite the truck’s attempt to drive them off with the small arms fire, their truck and the remaining radio equipment is destroyed. With that, the attackers wheel to the east, and make for home. 

The final vehicle falls pray to 30mm cannons

The 110s break for home

The two remaining 38s press after the exfilling 110s, approaching their own bingo fuels. The lone 110 that lagged behind falls prey to Hull’s (recently cleared) cannons, exploding in a furious plume of flame. 

110s heading home, rear gunners put to work

The tail 110 fails to shake off Hull and pays the price

Two of the 110s make it beyond the Dragon’s reach, and the American pilots head home for Kings Cliffe. Holcomb is able to limp his damaged P-38 back home and set it down safely, followed shortly by Hull and Lawrence. No word on Price, as he was last seen floating beneath his canopy down to the countryside.

The reputation of the squadron fortunately didn’t fall after this mission, remaining slightly lower than average. They were able to get one of their aircraft repaired, but none replaced, leaving them with eight 38s and 9 pilots. Holcomb claimed his fifth kill and fifth Air Medal, thereby earning a Distinguished Flying Cross. Hull, with three kills in this sortie alone, earned three Air Medals and the Silver Star for his actions today. 

I flew this mission probably around a month ago, but have been pretty busy with work and Holiday travel, on top of more hobbying than actual gaming. I’m working on some scatter terrain and a 1940 French Infantry Platoon for Chain of Command. I’d like to get a post up showing those dudes off once they’re finished. Till next time!

Caleb