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#3592454 - 06/15/12 10:09 PM Re: Churchill Resigns / Chamberlain speaks: "The End of War" ***** [Re: HeinKill]  
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Seriously, was there anyone who thought the land of poet Dylan Thomas would go 'Gentle into the night'?

H


Do not go gentle into that good night,
Our age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.


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#3592472 - 06/15/12 10:40 PM Re: Churchill Resigns / Chamberlain speaks: "The End of War" [Re: HeinKill]  
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Except the poet was Welsh... which can only mean that 92 squadron will bomb Downing Street and get Winnie reinstated...

Or is it the wine?

#3592483 - 06/15/12 11:01 PM Re: Churchill Resigns / Chamberlain speaks: "The End of War" [Re: HeinKill]  
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Wales was/is no longer part of the British Empire?

Did I miss the secession? Sorry, I know you Brits get very particular about who comes from where on yer little island.

Just jokin. Actually Wales is one of the top 3 places I have ever visited, hence my soft spot for Dylan Thomas.

H


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#3592596 - 06/16/12 06:32 AM Re: Churchill Resigns / Chamberlain speaks: "The End of War" [Re: HeinKill]  
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I do like Dylan Thomas. There are recordings of him reciting - His voice is quite special.

Thoroughly enjoying this campaign, Heinkill.

#3593161 - 06/17/12 01:31 PM The Last Post [Re: HeinKill]  
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Well, you never know how a mission is going to turn out do you...let alone a campaign!

'The Last Post'

One month later: October 31 1940.

At Croydon airfield, 111 Squadron, 0920 GMT

All routine flying operations have been suspended, and in the officers mess pilots are huddled around the radio listening to the BBC broadcast of the Armistice Signing ceremony at the Horse Guards Parade in London. Present for the signing will be representatives of the Italian, British and German armed forces, with the co-signatories being the foreign ministers Galeazzo Ciano, Lord Halifax and Von Ribbentropp.

Dubbed the ‘Co-Prosperity Pact’ the armistic agreement assigns mutual trade and transport rights to Axis and British interests in the UK and Europe, but cedes to the Axis powers significant British interests in Africa and Meditteranean. British dominions in Asia, the middle East and sub-continent are protected by a non-interference clause, as are Axis interests in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Despite being anathema to British negotiators, German military forces have secured right of passage through British territories, ports and airports, and Axis air and naval forces are currently being ‘hosted’ in Dover, London, and Scapa Flow, while German air transports have been landing on the hour at Fighter Command airfields in 11 Group, ferrying troops, couriers and materiel between Europe and Britain.

Three 111 Squadron officers however are not in the mess.



Out on the flight line, Pilot Officers Gabriel Niedzwiecki, William Turner, and Warrant Officer Simon Dixon watch as a Luftwaffe aircraft drifts down to land on the other side of the airfield where a German liaison post – tents, store yard and repair facilities – have been set up.



“Storch,” says Turner.

“Third one today,” Dixon responds.

They grind out their cigarettes. Niedzwiecki looks at his watch. “It is time.”

The men shake hands with each other, and walk out to the two Hurricanes sitting at readiness, their engines already warm. Dixon runs between their machines, helping them strap in.

As they taxi out to takeoff, the squadron adjutant comes running up to him, “Those men! Don’t they know ops are suspended?”

“I believe so Sir,” Dixon remarks.

“Where’s the bloody Very pistol?!” the adjutant yells, running into the ready room behind their caravan looking for the flare gun to fire a red flare across the path of the Hurricanes. Dixon lets him fossick around for a few minutes, as the Hurricanes power up and start rolling down the field. “Damnation!,” the adjutant comes steaming out of the caravan empty handed. “It isn’t there!”



Dixon watches the Hurricanes lift into the air, then turns to the adjutant, “Really sir? I’ll investigate that immediately.”



Over East London

Negotiations on the exact composition of the Armistice Ceremony flypast dragged on so long the pilots were given no time to drill together, so the four squadrons of aircraft are flying in loose formation. Out front are Spitfires of 72 Squadron, then six 109s. The honour of representing Germany's fighters in the flypast went of course to LG2, who flew from British soil throughout the Sealion campaign.




Behind them come 6 BR20s of Corpo Aero Italiano, and 6 Luftwaffe FW200s in mirrored echelon formation. Finally, six Italian G50 fighters.





Their track will take them over the Horse Guards Parade near Westminster, just after the signing of the Armistice documents by the three foreign ministers. Then they will veer slightly to starboard, passing along The Mall, heading for Buckingham Palace, where they will split - the English aircraft heading north, the Axis aircraft heading symbollically south toward France. It was this last condition that the English had insisted upon, and which had been the main sticking point for the Luftwaffe, but in the end they agreed.

As Westminster comes into view, the flight leader from 72 Squadron reaches for his R/T, "Keep it together gentlemen, look sharp, even though it seems no one is watching down there..."

He is right. Except for a few military convoys, soldiers and police on the streets, they are empty. Even outside Buckingham Palace, there are no cheering, flag-waving crowds, no joyful bystanders marking this day.



It is a mood the pilots of 72 Squadron share - not happy to be pressed into duty escorting Axis bombers, they have removed the RAF roundels from their Spitfires in protest.



5 miles north of Croydon.

Niedzwiecki and Turner are also flying wingtip to wingtip, just as they had done, mission after mission, for nearly a year now.

"There they are Gabriel," says Turner as he sees the strange assortment of aircraft on the horizon ahead.

"Acknowledged," is all the Pole says.



Turner feels he should say something more. He and this man have been through ten months of war together. Since his wife Lilly died in the Blitz, there is no one in the world he would he trusts more than Niedzwiecki, but he realises he hardly knows the man. He was married too, he knows that much. His wife left behind in Poland, with his son, as he escaped west to continue the fight for his homeland, first with the French airforce, then with the RAF. But what is there to say? They have both been over the plan a dozen times.

In the end, he sticks to the script, "Take my six Gabriel. See you on the other side."

"Behind you flight leader," the Pole replies, and slides into place below and behind his friend.



The formation of ceremonial aircraft looms large in the sky ahead of Turner. Are they even armed? He supposes he will soon find out. They have deliberately placed themselves in the path of the flypast, in position for a head on merge. He sees Spitfires in the lead. The hated 109s behind them. But he places his pipper on the the line of heavy bombers, the Condors, behind the Luftwaffe fighters.



"This one is for you Lilly," he says under his breath.

As Turner sweeps under the Spitfires, then over the shocked and surprised 109s, the Condor rushes toward him at a combined 500 miles per hour, filling his sights...




Niedzwiecki

The Pole watches dispassionately as his flight leader ploughs into the Condor and his Hurricane evaporates into a ball of gas and schrapnel.




Niedzwiecki pulls up, watching with satisfaction as the formation scatters like startled geese. The right wing of the stricken Condor peels away, and it begins its earthward plummet.




This was exactly their intention, an initial attack so shocking it would cause chaos and fear. It was essential that the midair collision succeed, so that the Axis pilots would have no idea if it was an attack or an accident. He sees the trailing aircraft below him, trying to reform, and he drops down to join them, hiding for a moment in the confused maelstrom of circling aircraft.



None are firing yet, but he knows fingers are tense on triggers in every aircraft as they frantically cast about them for the cause of the explosion.

Niedzwiecki finds his targets.

The line of BR.20s has continued almost undisturbed and he pulls in behind them.



In the corner of his eye he sees Axis fighters, now aware they are being attacked, pull up to engage him.



He opens fire on the rearmost Italian.



On the streets below, troops and civilians, German and British alike, stop suddenly and look up at the skies, in shock at seeing again the once familiar sight of a dogfight over Buckingham Palace.



Tracer and cannon rounds burn past the Hurricane. The Pole glances quickly over his shoulder at the pursuing 109s, G50s further behind. Fires burning in the London streets below where fallen aircraft have buried themselves. He keeps his finger on the firing button, walking his .303s down the line of BR.20s





They had decided, Turner and he, that the people of Britain needed a sign that their armed forces had not deserted them. That they had been betrayed by weak kneed politicians and aged, cowardly bureaucrats. Sold into defeat at the very moment of victory. Every soldier, sailor and airman in the land knew it.

Now the people of London and everyone listening to the BBC across the Empire would know it too!

But as he flashes under the belly of a bomber, his guns hammering, he feels 20mm shells slam into his aircraft, and his control column goes slack.



His machine veers right, out of control. Matkojebca!



He throws back the canopy and leaps into space, the 109s breaking away satisfied with their kill.





Niedzwiecki is not satisfied. He watches as the BR.20 he hit the hardest goes sailing overhead, trailing vapour, but still flying.



Gówno! Had they done enough? Would the world even notice?

But he sees some Condors approaching and...what is this? A second Condor...going down in flames! How could this be?





Then he hears the unmistakeable chatter of .303s behind him, and twisting his neck, he sees why.

The 72 Squadron Spitfires have taken up the fight!!



He watches as the second Condor ploughs into the streets of London, about a mile from where the Armistice Ceremony is taking place.



He has no idea what will await him when he lands. But neither does he care.

He crosses himself, in memory of his friend, "We did it Billy..." he says under his breath. "For everyone who was betrayed, we did it."








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#3593174 - 06/17/12 01:54 PM The Last Post [Re: HeinKill]  
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THE END...


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#3593404 - 06/17/12 10:11 PM Re: The Last Post [Re: HeinKill]  
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Nice.

#3593555 - 06/18/12 07:54 AM Re: The Last Post [Re: HeinKill]  
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Awesome...
Just... awesome.

I wish I could read more... guess I'd have to buy the game, then, uh?


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#3593563 - 06/18/12 08:59 AM Re: The Last Post [Re: HeinKill]  
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Awesome story arc and writeup. It shows that you're a professional writer Hein.

#3593792 - 06/18/12 06:37 PM Re: The Last Post [Re: HeinKill]  
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Bravo!!

The End?

(Hope not)


I used to work for a living, but then I took an arrow to the knee.
#3593818 - 06/18/12 07:46 PM Re: The Last Post [Re: HeinKill]  
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Truly the work of a master! I know what I'll be loading up when I get home this evening!


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#3594072 - 06/19/12 10:44 AM Re: The Last Post [Re: theKhan]  
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Originally Posted By: vonKhan
Bravo!!

The End?

(Hope not)


Is it 'The End'? Hmmmm...

Let's see...the war continues...

The follow up campaign set is being built as we speak...here is a taste...could be a few AARs in this campaign:

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3572239/Re_Fri_6_April_ANNOUNCING_the_.html#Post3572239

It is 1941.

After the inconclusive battle that was Operation Sealion, Germany has turned its attentions to the East, initiating Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of Russia.

In the West, just 226 German fighters, primarily those of JG2 and JG26, are left to defend against the constant threat of RAF bomber and fighter attacks. The RAF Commander-in-Chief, Sholto Douglas, initiates Operation Circus - large scale bomber raids deep into France and Holland, with the intent of drawing the Luftwaffe into combat and reducing their ability to defend against RAF bomber command's planned incursions into Germany.

The Circuses and Rhubarbs Campaign mission pack Ch. 1

Chapter one available for download now as self installing file:

3 missions, all of which recreate historical events:

- Flight of the Intruder
- Operation Circus 1
- A Knight Falls



The Operation Circus mission recreates the first large scale air battle involving 2 wings RAF and 4 staffeln Luftwaffe over France in Jan 1941.

Screenies from "Flight of the Intruder"




From Operation Circus #1




From A Knight Falls




Briefings

Intruder flight: Jan 09 1941

Early January 1941 was a quiet time for both RAF and Luftwaffe. Licking their wounds after the conflicts of 1940, both sides conducted only nuisance raids intended to probe the other's defences and provide recon information. Jan 09 was no exception. Although the RAF had sent a major fighter sweep over Calais earlier in the day, the Luftwaffe had declined to respond.

This sweep was followed by an Intruder flight by two of 23 Squadron's Blenheims, a small low level hit and run raid conducted in dim twilight conditions. In this raid however, one Blenheim was lost, with Pilot Sgt. Jones: KIA 1 and Sgts. G.E. Bessell and R.W. Cullen taken prisoner.

It was the last such raid before the RAF began its more intensive campaign of Circuses and Rhubarbs.

Operation Circus begins: 10 January 1941

Objective: Caffiers airfield west of Guines forest.

At the start of January 1941, the RAF began Operation Circus. Much renewed after the Battle of Britain, the RAF now comprised nearly 800 front line fighters, while in France, most Luftwaffe units were being stripped of aircraft and/or moved East for the coming offensive against Russia. A force of around 200 fighters from Luftflotte 3's JG 26 and JG2 were all that remained.

RAF commander in chief, Sholto Douglas, authorised his forces to begin aggressor raids into France to keep pressure on the Luftwaffe in the West. Their primary intent was to draw the Luftwaffe up to fight, through raids on Luftwaffe airfields and German reserves in France and the low countries. But if the Luftwaffe avoided combat, the intruders' orders were to destroy them on the ground. Any and all German military targets in France were considered appropriate.

Luftflotte 3 Generalfeldmarschall Hugo Sperle ordered his geschwader commanders to conserve their forces. They were not to respond to enemy fighter sweeps, or engage in fighter to fighter combat unless the odds were significantly in their favour. Daylight bombing raids were to be met in force, to ensure a high toll was inflicted on the RAF intruders.

In this mission Hurricanes from 242, 56, and 249 Sq fly close escort for a force of Blenheims, being covered by Spitfires from 41, 64 and 611 Squadrons. Opposing them are 6 staffeln from JG 26 and JG 2.

A Knight falls: 242 Squadron, January 12 1941

Objective: Attack targets of opportunity in occupied France

242 Squadron's 'Willie' McKnight, of Canada, came out of the Battle of Britain as one of its most successful aces, and by the end of 1940 he had 17 confirmed kills, two shared and three unconfirmed credited to his score. On two occasions he registered three kills (two fighter and one bomber) in one day.

Led by the famous legless ace Douglas Bader, 242 Squadron was relocated to Coltishall in November 1940, followed by a further move to Martlesham Heath in December. On 12 January 1941, the squadron began a series of offensive sorties against targets in France, first acting as escorts for Blenheim bombers then beginning on 12 January, the first of the "Rhubarbs," low-level intruder attacks on targets of opportunity.

While strafing an E-boat in the English Channel, P/O M.K. Brown accompanying McKnight, broke off as the duo came under fire from anti-aircraft fire from the French coast just as Bf 109Es of JG26 attacked. Brown made it back home but McKnight was listed as "missing." OKW records suggest McKnight fell to Fw. Helmut Brugelmann of Jagdgeschwader 26 (three kills), west of Boulogne.

Bader was distraught at the loss of McKnight and vowed revenge, but 242's "top gun" was never found.


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#3594476 - 06/20/12 01:07 AM Re: AARs from Day 2 of Operation Sealion, the invasion of Britain (Cliffs of Dover) [Re: HeinKill]  
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Somewhere....over the Rainbow
I've made this topic a sticky.

Enjoy.


Miao, Cat
#3594551 - 06/20/12 05:54 AM Re: AARs from Day 2 of Operation Sealion, the invasion of Britain (Cliffs of Dover) [Re: Cat]  
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Thx for the gesture (I thought it had been removed!).

Am putting it together as a PDF, which will include hyperlinks to original source material on the historical events and figures in the AARs as all of the characters/events used in the campaign plot were based on real officers, aces or politicians.

H


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#3595728 - 06/22/12 01:52 PM Hyperlinked PDF now available! [Re: HeinKill]  
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Now avail for Download as illustrated, hyperlinked PDF!

DOWNLOAD HERE (45MB, 268 pp): http://airwarfare.com/sow/index.php/component/jdownloads/viewdownload/81/437?Itemid=241



FEATURES

Background information on Sealion operational developments at the start of every chapter...



Lavishly illustrated




Tactical maps showing front lines and unit positions throughout the campaign, and links to Google map views of the battlefield area




Extensively hyperlinked, to hundreds of sources of information on actual units, weapons, historical figures and events referred to in the storyline.



Supplementary chapters on important historical events of the time



Background material detailing political and social developments accompanying the invasion



Speeches and dialogue based on real speeches given by historical figures and adapted to the Sealion storyline - example, Edward VIII's abdication speech, 'repurposed'.



Links to Youtube video AAR content supplementing the text



Enjoy!

Heiny


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#3595733 - 06/22/12 02:06 PM Re: Hyperlinked PDF now available! [Re: HeinKill]  
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INCREBILE! Thank you so much for going through all you've been through! DWling now!


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#3596660 - 06/24/12 05:34 PM Re: Hyperlinked PDF now available! [Re: HeinKill]  
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Excellent and even more extensive than I expected. Nice!

#3596854 - 06/25/12 01:54 AM Re: Hyperlinked PDF now available! [Re: HeinKill]  
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Awesome read Heinkill. thumbsup


Wheels


Cheers wave
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#3629039 - 08/19/12 10:13 AM Re: Hyperlinked PDF now available! [Re: HeinKill]  
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Thx. Updated with some more historical hyperlinks.


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#3629093 - 08/19/12 01:20 PM Re: Hyperlinked PDF now available! [Re: HeinKill]  
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Hmm.. Heinkill, in all seriousness maybe you should see if you can get the PDF published. It'd make a great book.


I used to work for a living, but then I took an arrow to the knee.
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