Carlos Lopes
12-08-2009, 09:16
The Cuxhaven Raid (Christmas Day, 1914)
On Christmas Day, 1914, happend the first aircraft-carrier-based air strike. It was use three seaplane carriers HMS Engadine, HMS Riviera and HMS Empress, supported by a naval combat group of cruises, destroyers and submarines.
The mission objective was to reconnoiter military installations in the area and, if possible, bomb the the dirigible sheds housing German 'Zeppelin' airships at Cuxhaven, to prevent the airships from attacking the United Kingdom.
The seaplanes carried were:
4 seaplanes - 100 hp Mono-Gnome Short Improved Type 74 "Folders"
2 seaplanes - 160 hp Short Type 81 "Folders"
2 seaplanes - 135 hp Short Type 135 "Folders"
1 seaplane - 200 hp Short Type 166 "Folders"
All the seaplanes where carrying three 20-pound bombs
At that day the air temperature was 0ºC and of the nine seaplanes only seven were able to start the engine and take off.
Fog, low cloud and anti-aircraft fire prevented the raid from being a complete success, although several sites were attacked. Nevertheless the raid demonstrated the feasibility of attack by ship-borne aircraft and showed the strategic importance of this new weapon.
It is worth noting that the crews of all seven aircraft survived the raid, having been airborne for over three hours. Four regained their aircraft-carrier and were recovered.
the others three landed off the East Friesian island of Norderney. The crews were taken on board the submarine and the aircraft were scuttled to prevent them from falling into the Germans hands.
Why not use this for a scenario?
A simple one, solo game, but with weather conditions:
1) At level 0 "fog" it means no visibility at more than half a ruler.
2) At level 1 and 2 clouds (diameter one ruler) running from our side to enemy side at a velocity of one movement card size and use as many as you wish.
3) The clouds prevent from bombing the target, but not from being shoot from the antiaircraft.
To defend the dirigible sheds use 4 "B" antiaircraft machine guns, 1 antiaircraft artillery gun and 2 balloons.
On Christmas Day, 1914, happend the first aircraft-carrier-based air strike. It was use three seaplane carriers HMS Engadine, HMS Riviera and HMS Empress, supported by a naval combat group of cruises, destroyers and submarines.
The mission objective was to reconnoiter military installations in the area and, if possible, bomb the the dirigible sheds housing German 'Zeppelin' airships at Cuxhaven, to prevent the airships from attacking the United Kingdom.
The seaplanes carried were:
4 seaplanes - 100 hp Mono-Gnome Short Improved Type 74 "Folders"
2 seaplanes - 160 hp Short Type 81 "Folders"
2 seaplanes - 135 hp Short Type 135 "Folders"
1 seaplane - 200 hp Short Type 166 "Folders"
All the seaplanes where carrying three 20-pound bombs
At that day the air temperature was 0ºC and of the nine seaplanes only seven were able to start the engine and take off.
Fog, low cloud and anti-aircraft fire prevented the raid from being a complete success, although several sites were attacked. Nevertheless the raid demonstrated the feasibility of attack by ship-borne aircraft and showed the strategic importance of this new weapon.
It is worth noting that the crews of all seven aircraft survived the raid, having been airborne for over three hours. Four regained their aircraft-carrier and were recovered.
the others three landed off the East Friesian island of Norderney. The crews were taken on board the submarine and the aircraft were scuttled to prevent them from falling into the Germans hands.
Why not use this for a scenario?
A simple one, solo game, but with weather conditions:
1) At level 0 "fog" it means no visibility at more than half a ruler.
2) At level 1 and 2 clouds (diameter one ruler) running from our side to enemy side at a velocity of one movement card size and use as many as you wish.
3) The clouds prevent from bombing the target, but not from being shoot from the antiaircraft.
To defend the dirigible sheds use 4 "B" antiaircraft machine guns, 1 antiaircraft artillery gun and 2 balloons.