Operation Nostalgia: Axis bombing raid on US landing fleet & Swordfish locate a U-Boat

As the allied fleet transporting US landing forces destined for Karpathos steams towards that island, a formation of aircraft is picked up on radar heading in their direction. The sole remaining Seafire performing a CAP piloted by a Junior Ace Squadron Leader, is vectored towards the formation which is a mere 10,000 yards away.

The Axis forces consist of 9 x JU88 medium bombers escorted by 6 x Italian Folgore fighters. 

Allied Transport Fleet.

Overview at the start with the lone Seafire in the centre on his way to intercept the enemy bogeys.

Continued - 

More detail on the allied fleet. The landing forces are being transported on the Latimer, Taladega, Ashland and the LCT.

As the Seafire attempts to close on the bomber formation, it is bounced by a pair of unspotted Folgores.

The Seafire pilot knows he is in a desperate situation which will call for desperate measures if he is to have any chance of success. He intends to go down fighting and take as many of the enemy with him as possible.

He decides to perform a 'snap roll attack' which is a risky manoeuvre but if successful will put him on the tail of his pursuer. Unlike other manoeuvres, he has to roll against his attacker and if he beats him will be successful. He gets a +2 being a Junior Ace while the Italian will receive no adjustment as he is a regular.

The Seafire pilot rolls a '6' and the Italian a '2'. An outstanding success which will also allow the Seafire to fire a quick burst at the Folgore. 

Here the manoeuvre has been completed and the rolls reversed. He hits the Folgore causing critical instrument damage. 

In order to conserve ammo, the Seafire pilot refrained from firing long bursts. He was activated twice more with the first firing result being a fuel line damaged on the Folgore. 

The second was rather more dramatic causing the Folgore to explode. The Seafire now had to deal with the remaining Folgores rather than the JU88's who were now within long range AA fire of the fleet.

The view from the fleet. 

The JU88's begin their bombing run.

As the JU88's fly over the fleet it becomes apparent that the transport ship Latimer is the target. 

The bombers are at high altitude, the limit for the JU88. That also happens to be the limit for long range AA fire. Every available AA gun that is in range opens fire. They successfully shoot down 2 bombers before the bombs begin to fall.

Bomb splashes erupt around the Latimer, some rather too close! But all fail to hit much to the relief of the joint command.

With the bombing run completed, the Folgores are ordered to break off and escort the surviving aircraft home. The Seafire is content to leave them rather than risk being shot down. He triumphantly returns to the Avenger not expecting to see that small flight deck again!

Another action reported here is the hunt for U515 by the pair of Swordfish launched from the Avenger.

The Swordfish, equipped with light bombs, located the sub on the surface and prepared to attack. U515 spotted the aircraft at the maximum visual range of 12,000 yards and crash-dived. The slow speed of the Swordfish meant that they could not reach the sub before it submerged preventing an attack. The U515 posed a threat to the US landing fleet but this would at least be partially negated by keeping it submerged. Therefore, pairs of Swordfish were tasked with maintaining a constant patrol over the approximate location of the submarine. The U-Boat commander would have to decide whether to risk being spotted by surfacing allowing him to close with the allied fleet at a greater speed or to bide his time until nightfall.

As no action was forthcoming this was not wargamed on the tabletop.

NEXT: Map Moves