At this time the P47 Thunderbolt, with its excellent high-altitude performance but limited range, was the only fighter type available to 8th AF. The Luftwaffe, fully committed to Russia, maintain a comparatively small but highly competent fighter force in Europe.

The Jagdwaffe is at its peak with regard to pilot quality, but the tide is inexorably turning against the Germans as they face increasingly bigger bomber formations. The Germans counter this with bigger formations of their own, and more advanced tactics.

Frame 1 Summary
Assembling over East Anglia and taking a northerly route to the target, the Allies sent a strong bomber formation to the Bremerhaven Werft. The formation was protected by a small close escort force of P47s and preceded by an equally strong fighter sweep which simulated a bomber formation on the enemy radar screens.

The P47 sweep encountered stiff opposition off the Dutch coast, was decisively scattered and suffered very serious casualties. The bombers were successfully intercepted before reaching the target area. A running battle ensued in which the main force managed to reduce the target a smoking shambles before being picked off piecemeal on egress. One whole bomber squadron was annihilated.

Scoring decision
The Luftwaffe wins the frame hands down (in the air) with the utter devastation of one whole bomber group and the dispersal of the P47 sweep. However, with the heavy bombardment of Bremerhaven Werft and other targets, the US achieved their long-term objective - albeit at a forbidding cost.

Frame 2 Summary
Today, the Allied bombers tricked German radar-operators into thinking that the formation was climbing further east than they did actually did. The Luftwaffe responded by sending the bulk of its interceptors against a force that consisted solely of P47s, and built up its defence in depth to greet the "viermots".

The fighters clashed off the Dutch coast in the midst of a particularly severe thunderstorm, which claimed more victims than the fight itself and wrecked unit integrity. The survivors returned to base.

The LW CO quickly rearranged his force and started fielding FW 190s to repel enemy attack as the target was early and correctly identified as Kiel. Two well arranged frontal attacks were delivered by separate formations, both before the bombers reached the target. Neither of the attacks did very much damage to the box though, and both had trouble shaking the Jug escort upon reversing for another go. Isolated elements saddled up and hacked down a couple of Forts, and several of the lightly crippled bufs later died on egress.

The attacking LW managed to strip the rather heavy escort force and did in several, taking a few licks in return. On the whole, the LW units only got one concentrated attempt each on the bufs. The stripped bufs had a few single fighters accompany them to the target, however a significant number of P47 pilots were forced to ditch their fuel-starved aircraft at sea. The bomber main force egressed safely and were not further molested by LW formations, leaving the target heavily damaged.

Scoring decision
Today's mission was very nearly destroyed by the Net, and both sides did extremely well in picking up the pieces after the thunderstorm. EMC HQ would like to issue a special commendation to the LW for displaying excellent discipline in their attacks on the box, and in combating the many fuel-disregarding P47s. A special commendation is also due the Allies for pressing on with a complicated mission plan despite the difficulties, and for successfully baiting the initial LW sortie. The P47s did distinguish themselves as escort, but did not show unit cohesion on the same high level as their LW counterparts. Poor flight disposition, neglect of fuel states and prolonged combat with better-turning aircraft marred the P47 effort, which is manifest in the many aircrew lost at sea.

On the strategic level, the Allies succeeded in severely damaging the Kiel Werft, this no doubt being the result of the two main LW attacks not achieving a particularly great success rate. For two frames in a row, the Allies have hit their intended targets, but at an excessive price. Result: Draw.

Frame 3 Summary
After the attacks on Bremen and Kiel in Frame 1 and 2 of EMC 9 "Kiel", Frame 3 saw an attack on the submarine pens at Wilhelmshafen, located east of Bremen.
An initial skirmish between the small P47 fighter sweep and the much larger Luftwaffe force sent to intercept them resulted in several Allied losses with no gains other than slightly disrupting the Luftwaffe momentum.

Meanwhile the bombers set up an approach to the Wilhelmshafen pens from the northwest, splitting into two groups that continued inbound to target just within visual range of each other. The sizeable P47 escort succeeded in delaying the main Luftwaffe intercept, but again suffered horrendous losses in aircraft shot down and ditched at sea. A few flights stuck to the bombers but had to return well before the target for want of fuel.

At T+86 the first bomber group dropped on the Wilhelmshafen submarine base, with medium coverage - nearly half the ordnance dropped ended up in the Jadebusen, providing a welcome help to the local fishermen. The second bomber group was finally intercepted just as it was dropping on target, losing some of their number while shooting down some of the attacking fighters in turn.

Following the attacks over target, the bomber formations egressed southeast, trailed by the Luftwaffe that was mounting occasional rear attacks against stragglers, losing several overeager and inexperienced pilots in these suicidal attacks although a general order to withdraw had been issued. The frame then wound down with the survivors landing at their airfields and inspecting battle damage.

Scoring decision
The US bombers managed to inflict a fair amount of damage to the target while suffering medium losses, as did the Luftwaffe. While still heavy, frame 3 saw the lowest bomber losses to date (50%). Frame 3 is judged as a draw, since both sides managed to accomplish their objectives without one having a major edge over the other.

The campaign concluded
Both sides performed very well, which makes a definite judgement tricky indeed. In the air, Luftwaffe certainly excelled against the generally poorly handled P47s and furthermore succeeded in inflicting severe casualties on the bomber formations. However, Luftwaffe losses to all causes (particularly B17 gunners) were not trifling either and the fact that Allied bombers hit all their intended targets with the majority of bombs sortied leaves food for thought. One cannot expect the defenders to completely annihilate strongly protected bomber forces before they drop, nor can one expect a bomber force to make about-face a few miles short of target and abort due to attrition.

EMC HQ wish to emphasise both the tactical and the strategic facets of the aerial conflict. While the overall campaign is judged an undisputable Axis victory in the air, the Allies may none the less celebrate a victory of sorts through fulfilling their operational directive in face of excellent opposition. The strategic value of disrupting the German submarine-production capability is deemed great indeed, however dearly purchased. As always, the REAL winners are those of you who flew this campaign with a sense of immersion, pride and enjoyment.

EMC HQ wish to congratulate both COs (lapwin, vati) for doing a great job, and thank everyone for flying and fighting with great gusto and oomph :-)