Mustangs: English Channel Raid

German Airstrike on a Channel Convoy

We had not tried a Channel raid game in quite some time and with interest in Dunkirk at an all time high, this would seem to fit right in. Here it is early in the summer of 1940 and the British are trying to sneak a small convoy through the Channel with an escort of Hurricanes and Spitfires. The Germans have assembled some forces and are sending a strike towards the convoy, escorted by fighters. The strike consists of 4 JU-87s, 4 HE-111s, and 4 Me-109s. We started the German raid so that it could be over the convoy in about 6 turns, which would give both sides a chance to not only intercept the other, but for the bombers to actually attack the convoy. The first few turns were pretty calm, but by turn 3 a pair of Spitfires tore through the HE-111s, scoring a few hits and sending one down in flames. This was the signal for the inevitable free for all, where the fighters of both sides went after each other for the next several turns. The Stukas ignored the melee and pressed on towards the convoy, trying to take up a position to drop on the leading edge of the formation. One Spitfire that had emerged from the other melee dove on tthe JU-87s and although scoring a few hits, was miraculously shot down by the Stukas! Both sides scored a lot of hits on each other, but nothing serious enough to actually shoot down an aircraft. The exception was the naval flak, which took out three German aircraft. In the end, two freighters were sunk, one escort damaged, five German aircraft shot down, and several damaged for the loss of one Spitfire, although the remaining Spitfires and Hurricanes all had damage. It was a great battle that worked out well and we finished in about 4 hours, which was pretty good.

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