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Operation Jericho

Operation Jericho

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Artist Credit: RAF photo recon
 
The many examples of the Mosquito's ability to bomb a pinpoint target included such classic examples as Shell House, Copenhagen, Aarthus, Oslo, Egletons and dozens more. All were outstandingly successful and valuable operations: destroying Gestapo archives or similar unique objectives. Probably the most poignant was Operation Jericho, the now legendary attack on Amiens Prison on 18 February 1944. Its purpose was literally to save lives-nearly 700 French Resistance workers were incarcerated at Amiens, many of whom were to be executed the following day.

Originally requested by the French Maquis in a desperate final attempt to free their doomed countrymen, the RAF initially had qualms about such a mission as it was inevitable that prisoners would also be killed in the attack. It was a mission that required utter precision, planning and no faint-heartedness. When the Australian and New Zealand crews of 140 Wing, 2 Group (487 RNZAF and 464 RAAF), were told the object of the mission at briefing on 17 February, every man wanted to take part. As one pilot described it, “There was no mistaking the air of determination”. Led by G/C Captain Percy Pickard DSO, DFC (who would be shot down and killed by a FW-190 of JG26 on this mission), and the Mosquitos of No. 140 Wing took off in a snowstorm with almost zero visibility. But there was no turning back, tomorrow would be too late. Two minutes out from the French coast, the sky turned beautifully clear and the Mosquitos roared in over the snowy fields and roads for their lunchtime appointment at Amiens Prison.
 
Historical Note: The Mosquitos attacked at 12:01pm as the German guards were sitting down for lunch. Of the 700 prisoners in Amiens, 255 escaped when the walls were breached. 182 of them were later recaptured. 37 prisoners died during the raid, though that total includes some who were shot by guards. 50 German guards were killed during the raid.
In this scenario, we simulate the attack on Amiens Prison on 18 February 1944. The allies must breach the defenses, without harming the prisoners and enable them to escape
 

Arena
SEA

Country Percentages
RAF/RNZAF/RAAF 60%
LW 40%

Allies:
Units:
Mosquito Mk VI - 60%
Typhoon Mk I - 40%

Orders:
Roll A10 Maidstone (Substituted for Hunsdon for time consideration) Allied Orders are to breach the walls of Amiens Gaol and enable the prisoners to escape. Amiens Gaol will be represented by a Town complex at an LW field in Northern France (13,9 or 14,8 grid).

Restrictions:
Typhoons must be escorts and are limited to 12k until enemy contacts are sighted.

Axis:
Units:
Fw 190A-5 - 100%

Orders:
T+4 (or at CM's discretion) Roll A50. LW orders are to shoot down allied aircraft and protect Amiens Gaol in the 13,9 or 14,8 grid.
 
Restrictions:
LW may not cross mid-channel.

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Victory Conditions
Axis:
Mosquito - 20 pts
Typhoon - 15 pts

Allied:
190A-5 - 15 pts
Each prison wall breached (bldg destroyed)- 25 pts.
Targets killed at other fields or strat targets will not be counted.
Allies will be penalized 50 pts for each prison building mistakenly destroyed

Arena Settings
1. Terrain - BoB04
2. Icon Range - short
3. Wind - None
4. Time - 10:30 x2
5. Fighter and Bomber Warning Range - 36,960 (about 7 miles)
6. Enemy Collisions - on
7. External view for bombers (F3) - on
8. Visibility - 12 miles
9. Friendly Collisions - off
10. Fuel - 1.0
11. Ack - 0.4
12. Kill Shooter - off
13. Tower Range - 36,960 (for display to aid players, set to match the above setting)
14. Radar - off

Designer Notes
To maintain an element of surprise, the exact target (Amiens Gaol) will not be revealed to the Luftwaffe. It will be in Northern France and will be a town complex at an airfield in Northern France (13, 9 or 14,8 grid). It will be revealed to the RAF CO before the start of each frame. Perimeter city buildings will represent Amiens prison walls. Interior buildings represent the prison itself. See image above.

CM Notes
The host CM should be prepared to provide additional intel as needed. The importance of pinpoint strikes with minimum damage to the adjacent prison buildings should be re-emphasized to the allied CO. Accidental destruction of the prison buildings will result in a heavy scoring penalty for the allies.

Design By
Skyfoxx 880 FAA
Updated to AH2 by 68Raptor

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