To balance the odds.....Norway 1940

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Sneak attack at Trondheim

Sneak attack at Trondheim (Or Trying to Punch Above Your Weight).

"Hello Tonic 1 and Gin 1 lone bandit at angels 12. Intercept over"
"Hello Optic, Hello Optic. Received Tonic 1 out".
"Hello Optic, Hello Optic. Received Gin 1 out".

The lone HE III sneaks in.

A Tonic 1 (Norwegian) and a Gin 1 (RAF Gladiator) move to intercept.
They decide to split and take the HE III from both sides.


The Gin 1 strike the first blow...tickle more like and get hurt in return. (Punching above their weight)
"Hello Optic, Hello Optic this is Gin 1, bandit sighted tally ho!"


The Tonic 1 was well out of it, the HE III finished its bomb run (partial hit) then turned for home and into the Gin1 again.

"Hello Tonic 1, Tonic 1, this is Gin 1, close up, close up we can still get him".
"static - no reply".




Gin 1 managed to tail the HE III a trifle too close. Then got blasted again.
"Tonic 1 where the bloody hell are you?".
"static - no reply".




Meanwhile Tonic 1 (radio not working I might add) joined in for a bit of one way traffic. And then Gin 1 got shot up again and caught fire!


The HE III rear gunners were dishing it out, but Tonic 1 now peppered the bomber hitting the pilot.


Tonic 1 was taking some damage and then his engine got hit. Gin 1 succumbed to fire damage and went down. Sadly Tonic 1's engine was blasted again and down he went.


The Butchers Bill:

Gin 1: 17 damage. SD/FT.
rolled 4 -1 SD = 3 Bailed out OK.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4608076/

Tonic 1: 8 damage. 2 engine hits. SD/FT
rolled 1 -1 SD = 0 KIA
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4608077/


Luftwaffe: 4 damage. Pilot wounded. Target bombed (partial hit). RTB



Summary:
1. The two Gladiators were doing ok then it went pear shaped as I maneuvered in front of the HE III guns time after time. Mounting damage and 2 engine hits and it was all over. However only 1 wound on the pilot, 2 wounds and it would have been all over. But such is fate, fickle as ever.

2. Tactics: From the rear and both aircraft together to split fire. Well that's my thoughts anyway.

[gully_raker]

Well that was nasty for the Allies!
At least they must have distracted the German Bomb Aimer as he only got a partial

[Blackronin]

Good AAR, Neil. Very close to the truth as in the initial stages of the war, both bomber and fighter doctrines were still being shaped.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

That will be a brave act to follow Neil.
Getting in the blind spot is almost de rigueur for those bi-planes if they are going to have a chance with the big boys.
Rob.