[Blond]

As I am making missions of BF-109/FW-190 patrols over Norway ( I like new Norway maps ) I have a simple question:

What RAF planes could be active over Norway coast in 1942 ?
- // RAF/USAAF planes -//- - // - - // - in 1943 ?

As starting point... I assume Boufighter activity in 1942 and Mosquito activity in 1943 ?
Also I assume... that Spitfire could not reach Norway coast from Scotland ?

Any help from people familiar - with Allied activities over Norway in a mid WW2 is much appreciated !
:roll:

[Fireskull]

As I am making missions of BF-109/FW-190 patrols over Norway ( I like new Norway maps ) I have a simple question:

What RAF planes could be active over Norway coast in 1942 ?
- // RAF/USAAF planes -//- - // - - // - in 1943 ?

As starting point... I assume Boufighter activity in 1942 and Mosquito activity in 1943 ?
Also I assume... that Spitfire could not reach Norway coast from Scotland ?

Any help from people familiar - with Allied activities over Norway in a mid WW2 is much appreciated !
:roll:

Hi, Blond

Remember that the RAF used a significant number of lend-lease aircraft, especially during this period. The Catalina flying boat was very active in the North Sea and North Atlantic off the coast of Norway. The RAF used some A-20 Bostons to patrol the waters between Scappa Flow and Norway in the naval interdiction role during this time.


Fireskull

[Blond]

Yes... A-20 Bostons are just fine! Do You know when would first P-51b reach the Norway coast ? in 1943 ?

Many thanks...

Is it possible to reach Norway coast with P-47 in 1943 ?
Maybe P-38 ?

[Fireskull]

Yes... A-20 Bostons are just fine! Do You know when would first P-51b reach the Norway coast ? in 1943 ?

Many thanks...

Is it possible to reach Norway coast with P-47 in 1943 ?
Maybe P-38 ?

These are very good questions for your missions. I don't remember any P-51bs assigned to Norway actions, but that doesn't mean that they weren't. Later, the longer range planes were all used over Norway.

By the way, I know someone who was a boy growing up in Norway during WW2. He and his friends witnessed a Spitfire being shot to the ground by AAA fire. The plane crashed about a block or two from them. This shows that Spits were active over Norway.


Fireskull

[Blond]

To my surprise - Sptifires really reached coast of Norway... just saw on web a few lines of recon-Spitfire searching for German ships shot down by two FW-190 in January43.

[Fireskull]

To my surprise - Sptifires really reached coast of Norway... just saw on web a few lines of recon-Spitfire searching for German ships shot down by two FW-190 in January43.

After the Battleship Tirpitz was attacked by Allied bombers launched from Russia, German Naval Command made the mistake of sending Tirpitz to his doom by taking anchor further south with no smoke screen.

Spitfires were active in air superiority to help bombers get to the Tirpitz. In fact, on one of the missions when Tirpitz was hit, Spitfires flew cover to prevent Bf-109s from reaching the battle. There were engagements, too.



Fireskull

[Blond]

Another fact - Halifax bombers attacked Kriegsmarine ships and u-boats at Norway coast.


...recovery from lake in Norway.

It seems there will be enough features for "Eismar" campaign...

[whiskey111]

P-51 Mustangs Mk III of Polish 315 figher squadron were assigned to several flights over Norway in the middle of 1944. They used to fly with Canadian Beaufighters over Norwegian coast.

Here you have all story
http://www.elknet.pl/acestory/cwynar/cwynar.htm

[Juri_JS]

Hi Blond,
I have look at the claims of Luftwaffe units over southern Norway in 1942 and 1943. The plane types that were reported as shot down are:

1942:
Hudson
Spitfire (reconplanes)
Blenheim
Beaufort
Beaufighter
Mosquito

1943:
Hampden
Beaufighter
Mosquito
B-24 (RAF ?)

Here some additional information:
In November 1943 the USAAF used B-17s to bomb targets in Norway, but no claims were reported by Luftwaffe units.
The RAF used Halifax, Lancasters and Wellingtons, moreover Royal Navy carrier aircraft saw action over Norway.
In October 1943 US-Navy aircraft attacked targets along the Norwegian coast, the planes were Avengers, Dauntles and Wildcats.

[Blond]

Many thanks guys


- This story about US Navy is very,very interesting... Avenger formation is the last thing I would expect in FW-190 patrol...
What skin was it? Was it a clasic Pacific skin or Atlantic grey/green ?

-Recon Spitfire should be lighter plane than regular Spitfire with load of guns&ammo... so it was easier to reach Norway and get back to Scotland... right?

[Juri_JS]

The US carrier operation in October 1943 was called Operation Leader, some information is available here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Leader
http://www.uss-corry-dd463.com/more_photos/bodo.htm
http://www.airgroup4.com/norway.htm
http://www.airgroup4.com/book/indx/index1.htm

[Vpmedia]

http://www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk/sorties.html
http://www.luftwaffe.no/SIG/index.html

[Blond]

Thanks Vpmedia,

It is new fact to me - that Jg1 was also present in Norway during 1942...

Afterall... it seems that 1942/1943 there was no much dogfight over south Norway coast... most of RAF activity were courageous attempts of bomber-crews to inflict a damage on German installations, Kriegsmarine units and ports.

...but in 1944/45 there were all kind's of arial combat...

[caldrail]

Coastal command would have been active thus aircraft such as the Avro Anson (perhaps an early Blenheim could substitute?), Fairey Swordish, Albacore, Fulmar, were active. I'm not sure if Sunderlands flew over the North Sea on a regular basis but there are skins for H8K to cover that. The Supermarine Walrus and Sea Otter (Use an MBR2) conducted patrols and SAR.

I think the upshot here is to realise that instead of the Norway map as simply an arena for dogfights, you can extend that idea by considering what flights are necessary for day to day operations. Patrols and reconnaisance, minelaying or sweeping, search and rescue, anti-submarine, transpiort, training flights by secondary aeroplanes, even courier flights to neutral Sweden.

[Blond]

Is it just my impression... or Spitfires never used auxiliary fuel tanks (drop tanks) in combat activities ?

I Have seen and modelled many fighter planes, from various sides, with fuel tanks - but never Spitfire...