[303rd-Talk] WWII Planes

[rex pearce]

D-Day preparations.
Night 5/6 June, Deception sorties.
Operation Taxable. 16 Lancaster bombers of 617
Squadron ( Dambusters) dropped precise window
(chaff) patterns at low level in conjunction with a
Royal Navy deception operation to simulate the invasion convoy approaching 
the French coast at Cap d'Antifer.
Operation Glimmer.
6 Stirling bombers of 218 Squadron conducted a similar window ( chaff) 
dropping operation to that of 617 to simulate an invasion convoy approaching 
Boulogne.
Operation Titanic.
A force of 40 Hudsons, Halifaxes and Stirlings dropped dummy parachutists, 
rifle fire simulators, window and two SAS teams to simulate airborne 
landings away from the invasion area.
Type in 617 Squadron, RAF into Google for much more information.
Rex.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Van Pelt" <bvp6565 at yahoo.com>
To: "303rd Bomb Group Talk Forum" <303rd-talk at 303rdBG.com>
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 3:39 PM
Subject: Re: [303rd-Talk] WWII Planes


> The YB-40 was another that escorted the bombers in 1943.  This was a B-17 
> fitted out with extra guns and ammo with no bomb load.  They proved 
> unpratical, though, as they were heavier than a fully loaded bomber and 
> could not keep up with the formations.  Several were allocated to the 
> Aphrodite Project.
>
>  C-47s were also used to drop chaf (window) over the Channel to confuse 
> enemy radar.  I read a story about several B-17s and C-47s that flew a 
> retangular pattern over the Channel on D-Day dropping window.
>
>  The Scouting Forces also accompanied bombers, using P-51s and P-38s, and 
> flew ahead of the bombers to relay info on weather, target obscurity 
> (smoke pots), and fighters in the target area.  (Spider, where are you?)
>
>  The 7th Photo Recon unit flew behind the bomber stream, using P-38s 
> fitted with cameras that took photos for Bomb Damage Assesment.  They also 
> flew in advance of missions for aerial phot recon and intel.  The a/c 
> carried no weapons, the theory being the lighter load would increase 
> airspeed to outrun the enemy.  (I can't imagine flying into hostile 
> territory with no means of defense - these men had guts!)
>
>  Rex:  The Spitfire was a remarkable plane, and did escort bombers early 
> in the war, but limited range prevented them from deep penetrations over 
> the Continent.
>
>  One of the facinating facts of the air war was the use of diversionary 
> forces.  These bombers streams, sometimes B-17s, B-24s, B-26s, A-26s, and 
> even Mosquitos, were sent ahead of the Main Force to divert enemy fighters 
> from the main effort.  By splitting up the enemy fighters with good 
> timing, the Main Force was able to skirt areas of enemy fighter 
> concentrations,........at least in theory....allowing more bombers to 
> reach the primary.  The movie Target for Today underscores this principle.
>
>  The men who flew these planes were all heros in my book.
>  Bob Van Pelt
>
>
>
>
>
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