Eighth Overhead

Eighth Overhead

Artist Credit:
Robert Bailey, Formidable Fortress

Before the advent of the P-51B Mustang the American Eighth Air Force took the fight to the Germans, in daylight, largely unescorted in large "self-defended" armadas. Several hundred B-17 Flying Fortresses were carefully organized into boxes, then the boxes were stacked into a bomb group with the hope that they would be able to deter the German fighters. They took a lot of casualties, and did a lot of damage. Was it worth it? Time would tell, but they tried their utmost to hurt the enemy.

Arena
SEA

Country Percentages
40%-Axis
60%-Allied

Allies:
Units:
B-17G Flying Fortress

Orders:
Launch from A21 NE for Air start. Attack a target within the red boundary. No fighter cover is available. All B-17's will fly in formation mode, with an air start. There will be time to get into a tight aerial formation to assist in the defense of each other.
- IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT BOMBERS TAKE GUNNERS

Restrictions:
The American CO must choose a target from within the red boundary on the map. All B-17's must try to hit the target, they do NOT all have to take the same route. B17's get an air-start over the North Sea.

Axis:
Units:
40% Bf 109G-6
20% Bf 110G-2
40% Fw 190A-5

Orders:
The Germans are allowed to fly from any base. They can land and reload on the rearm pads, but cannot leave their aircraft to get a new aircraft.

Restrictions:
Bf 110's will fly with and use mortars as well as guns.
Gondola guns are allowed on Fw-190 and Bf-109G.
Germans takeoff at T+10

 
Victory Conditions
Bf 109G-6 - 15
Bf 110G-2 - 15
Fw 190A-5 - 15
B-17G - 20
Structures - 5

Arena Settings
1. Terrain - North Sea
2. Icon Range - Short
3. Radar - Off
4. Fighter and Bomber Warning Range - 79,200 (about 15 miles)
5. Tower Range - 79,200 (for display to aid players, set to match the above setting) 
7. Visibility - 17 miles 
8. Wind - none
8. External view for bombers (F3) - on
9. Friendly Collisions - off 
10. Enemy Collisions - on 
11. Kill Shooter - off 
12. Fuel - 1.5
13. Ack - 0.6
14. Time - 0900 x2

Designer Notes
This Snap Shot is a tough one for the Americans to win, just like it was in real life. Fly tight, support each other, use a gunner and conserve your ammo. If sufficiently organized, try using a Group bomb aimer who calls the drop. These should be the keys to success.

CM Notes
B-17's get an air start over the North Sea. If there are not a lot of Allies, then have them fly in formation mode. If there are lots of B-17 pilots, formation mode may be disabled.

Design by
Holder, 880 Fleet Air Arm
Updated to AH2 by 68Raptor