Close Escort :Crossing the Rhine

 Artist credit: Dace Screenshot

 With the elimination of the "bulge" and the repulse of NORDWIND, the campaign in the west moved into its final phases. The Allies paused only briefly before resuming the offensive. Eisenhower had earlier decided that his armies should advance to the Rhine all along its length before crossing; he wanted to shorten Allied lines, provide a defensible position in the event of further German counterattacks, and free troops to build up strong reserves. If Hitler persisted in defending every inch of German territory, most of the enemy's remaining forces would be destroyed west of the Rhine. Once across the river, American and British forces would be able to advance into Germany almost at will. http://www.worldwariihistory.info/WWII/Germany.html

 

Frame 1	Allies	Axis
Units	Based at A75  Typhoon Mk.IIb  Spitfire Mk.IX  Spitfire Mk.XVI	Based at A4  Bf-109G14  Bf-109K4  Fw-190D9
Orders	Attack army supply depot  (town at A28)	Defend army supply depot  (town at A28)
Restrictions	Typhoons must operate under 12k  until enemy is in icon range.  Spitfires must stay in contact with  Typhoons until enemy is spotted.	All axis A/C must stay east of the  10 sector line.

 

 

Frame 2	Allies	Axis
Units	Based at A3  P-47D40  P-38L  Spitfire Mk.XIV	Based at A29  Bf-109G14  Bf-109K4  Fw-190D9
Orders	Attack ammunition depot at  Cologne. (sector 9,14)	Defend ammuntion depot at  Cologne. (sector 9,14)
Restrictions	Allies fighter-bombers must  operate below 15k until enmey is  in icon range. Spitfires must keep  visual on fighter-bombers until  contact is made with the enemy.  There is no restriction on Spits  altitude.	All axis A/C must stay east of the  8 sector line.

 

Frame 3	Allies	Axis
Units	Based at A63  B-24J  P-51D  Spitfire Mk.XIV  Tempest	Based at A4  Bf-109G14  Bf-109K4  Fw-190D9  Me-262A1
Orders	Attack Radar Facility East of  Frankfurt. (sector 12,12,3)	Defend Radar Facilty East of  Frankfurt. (sector 12,12,3)
Restrictions	Bombers must operate between  15-20K altitude. Escorts must  keep visual on bombers until  enemy is spotted.	All Axis A/C must stay east of the  11 sector line.