AAR and screenies from the Sealion Mission Pack, missions 3 & 4. (Missions 3,4 are in testing, for release next week). All screenshots taken from in game flyable sorties within the two Day 2 'single mission' files.

21 September 1940: Operation Sealion, S-tag Minus One, afternoon
This morning the Luftwaffe began operations in response to Reichmarshall Goering's 16 September directive to resume attacks on RAF fighter bases and production facilities. Ju88s hit Brooklands Hawker factory but in general it was a quiet morning. Hit and run raids by small formations of enemy aircraft attacked both Kenley and Biggin Hill aerodromes but these were met by fighters from Kenley, Biggin Hill and Croydon. 238 Squadron had accounted for one destroyed while the Spitfires of 602 and 611 Squadrons accounted for one each destroyed. One Do17 damaged by 802 Squadron managed to get back to the French coast, but crashed at Landerneau killing all on board. However reconnaissance of the French coast indicates significant shipping movements at the ports of Le Havre, Calais and Dunkerque. Further reconnaissance was ordered and confirmed German shipping was marshalling off the French coast, including freighters, converted barges and car ferries.

21 September 1940: Operation Sealion, S-tag Minus One, evening
Further recon indicated a large fleet was being assembled off Calais for a possible night crossing, in calm and clear conditions. British GHQ put all forces on full alert with codeword 'Cromwell' indicating 'invasion imminent'. Bristol Blenheims of 23 Squadron and Wellingtons of Bomber Command 2 Group, flying from Ford airbase hit the fleet at dusk, destroying several ships, but losing 8 out of 11 Blenheim and 4 out of 8 Wellington aircraft in the attack. Luftwaffe Bf109s of Lehrgeschwader 2 at Calais and Bf110s of ZG76 out of Abbeville claimed the downed bombers, while Spitfires of 64 Squadron were also engaged, claiming 3 Bf109s and 1 Bf110 destroyed without loss. During the night, Bomber Command and Coastal Command conducted further raids on the German fleet, without significant effect. Admiral Raeder's Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe FW200s mined the Eastern approaches to the Channel, while intercepted radio traffic indicated a second invasion force was being prepared in Norway for a possible landing near the Thames estuary. German heavy guns concentrated fire on Dover, indicating a possible second landing zone.

22 September 1940: Operation Sealion, S-Tag, Dawn

The first wave of a planned 330,000 men hit the English beaches at dawn. Rather than land at Dover or the Estuary (these were diversions) 4 divisions of Army Group A land between Folkestone and Rottingdean (near Brighton), XIII Army Corps under General Der Panzertruppe Von Vietinghoff gannant Scheel, 17th and 35th infantry division together with VII Army Corps under Generaloberst von Schobert, 1st Mountain Division and 7th Infantry Division. In addition 7th Paratroop Div land at Lympne to take the airfield.

Further West the 9th Army made shore between Bexhill and Eastbourne. 2 Divisions of the XXXVIII Army Corps under General von Mannstein, 26th and 34th Infantry Divisions, and from the VII Army Corp under General Heitz, the 6th Mountain Division, 8th and 28th Infantry Divisions.

Opposing them on the British GHQ stop line are the rebuilt forces of the VII Corps (1st Armoured Div, 1st Canadian and elements of 2nd Canadian Div, elements of New Zealand Army Corp Inf Div and the recently arrived Australian 9th infantry division diverted from Africa), Strategic Reserve centred on Surrey and North Hampshire, and the XII Corps (1st London Div, 45 Inf Div, 29 Inf Brigade, 1st Tank Brigade) based in Kent and West Sussex.

At first light, Blenheims make a run on a beach-head a Folkestone


Ju88s sweep across the battlefield to hit British reserves in the rear




German 7th Paratroop division attacks poorly prepared defences at Lympne as 111 Squadron scrambles to get their machines away





Gunners on German car ferries cover the beach as the armour unloads under fire from British defences





LG2 109s and 64 Sq Spitfires in a deadly dance



22 September 1940, S-tag, afternoon: West of Folkestone (flyables, as above, plus Bf109E4bs and Bf110C7s of Erpro 210)

German troops of the 17th and 35th infantry divisions supported by the 8th Panzer division have established a beach-head west of Folkestone and are driving through the town of Hythe for the Port. Their objective is the bridge over the Canal. The land battle is taking place house by house, street by street, as British mobile reserves throughout Kent are mobilised. A second invasion fleet has been spotted leaving ports in Norway. Large numbers of German fighters and bombers are sweeping the coast, and attacking naval forces in the Channel.

64 Sq Spitfire scramble from Hawkinge in their third sortie of the day


British forces are caught on the bridge at Hythe as German troops, with motorcyle borne MGs in the vanguard, race to take the crossing


British light armour reinforcements, on the move to strengthen the GHQ stop line, while British anti-tank guns lie in wait in the grass outside Hythe



Anarchy on the beachhead west of Folkestone as Blenheims strike and freighters collide



Erpro 210 moves in to hit British land and sea forces around Hythe




German armour and troop carriers advance on the village, as the concealed British anti tank guns hit back




Erpro 210 strikes British positions along the canal



While in the air, the defenders and attackers tangle

Continued . . .

British armoured forces reach the front line and engage the Panzer force in the village





But are beaten back, and the village and bridge are taken




While at sea, Erpro 210 despatches a British destroyer which has penetrated the mine cordon





So starts the invasion of Britian...

Sweet AAR and screenshots Heinkill.


Wheels

A most excellent read! Beautiful screenshots.

22 September evening: Margate

Throughout the night of 22 September and the next day, Kriegsmarine Minensuchboot have been mining the shipping lanes at either end of the Channel to prevent the Royal Navy from entering the Channel to attack the invasion fleet. The British Home fleet, with its cruisers and battleships, is the primary threat, and is currently steaming south past the Thames Estuary. Luftwaffe FW200 aircraft have also been mining ports such as Dover to prevent shipping there from sallying forth. The British 11th Destroyer Flotilla, comprising HMS Vimy, HMS Walker, HMS Warwick, HMS Whirlwind and HMS Winchelsea has steamed ahead of the main fleet to engage the Kriegsmarine mine layers. RAF 11 and 10 Group squadrons are heavily engaged further west between Folkestone and Brighton assisting with the invasion defence. Luftwaffe fighter units are providing cover for the German ground forces, while the Erpro 210 experimental ground attack unit is harrying British merchant and naval shipping up and down the coast. At 1330 hours a British hospital ship made a desperate escape from Folkestone harbour and is now steaming for the Thames Estuary.

In the poor evening light, Blenheims locate the Kriegsmarine Minensuchboot fleet and attack





64 Squadron takes off to cover the destroyer flotilla, their 5th sortie of the day



Erpro 210 Bf109e4Bs attack the Royal Navy 11th Destroyer Flotilla, steaming south to disrupt the mine laying







Destroyers and mine layers clash





Stukas of StG 3 take off for a low level hit and run raid on Manston



A British hospital ship steams into the danger zone



Spitfires of 64 Sq arrive at the scene, better late than never! They outnumber the 109s, but are outclassed







The Stukas close on Manston as 111 Squadron arrives





A British gun emplacement is shelled by heavy guns on the Minensuchboot fleet





The Stukas strike Manston







Manston burns



As the Kriegsmarine mine layers head to Davy Jones Locker...



if you have Cliffs of Dover, you can get the Operation Sealion missions here: www.bobgamehub.blogspot.com

Wow, great AAR and some awesome screens! Thanks.

More (please)!


Hint: There's a typo in the link to the missions.

Thx all! Next installment...


23 September, morning, Folkestone falls

During the night, British forces retreated from Folkestone Port, and Lympne airfield. Large numbers of civilians remain trapped behind enemy lines due to the speed and surprise of the attack. German ships are now able to unload directly to the docks at Folkestone and an air bridge has been established at Lympne to ferry Luftwaffe aircraft and supplies to this new Luftwaffe base in England. British reconnaissance indicates further German forces massing at Cherbourg and British land forces have been diverted to the South-West to counter this anticipated second landing. The German XXXI army corps is en-route to Lympne, while British long range artillery targets the airfield. Overnight the Blitz on London continued unabated.

In the hills overlooking Folkestone, AT guns dig in and wait







At the captured port, an invading army pours ashore



The 8th Panzer breaks out of Folkestone and begins a push on Hawkinge.





But the British line holds...as long as they can hold the ridge.





111 Squadron scrambles from Manston, while Blenheims of 212 and Spits of 64 squadron close on Folkestone







The newly arrived LG2 lifts off from their new base at Lympne





While JG26 escorts an air train of fuel and ammo laden He111s bringing in vital supplies





Erpro 210 wheels above the British lines, striking with fury







While the Blenheims drop their noses for the port - their targets, the massive heavy cranes



And they miss...the AAA driving them wide



In the sky above, fighters wheel











While the wounded stagger home

Another good one Heinkill.


Wheels

Seems to be an interesting campaign. I wonder how it'll end.