Hey, everyone. Back with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 4- Air Power
(0140 hours, June 6)
At an RAF air base in southern England, an American pilot, Captain Jack Rollings, climbs into the cockpit of his A-10 Warthog. His squadron will soon be launching on their first mission of the day.
After the massive bombing over France with RAF Bomber Command and the B-52s, the future forces are preparing for a series of air strikes on German targets to ensure the safety of the invasion forces.
The operation has already begun. Four EF-111 Ravens from the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing are flying up and down the English Channel and over the French coast, jamming German radars. They are concentrating around Normandy, but also ranging as far up as Calais, to try and avoid the Germans thinking there was a strange concentration around Normandy. This is not only to keep the Germans from seeing where aircraft were going, but also preventing them from detecting the invasion fleet as it moved across the Channel. At the same time, the F-16s and F-4Gs that had flown in ahead of the transports dropping the 82nd had destroyed a ton of German radar stations and air defense batteries.
The airstrikes will be launched against a series of targets, both in the Normandy region and in other places to prevent the Germans from reinforcing Normandy. Rollings' squadron, the 509th Tactical Fighter Squadron, was assigned to attack the 21st Panzer Division just outside Caen, the closest Panzer division to Normandy. The other squadron of the 10th Tactical Fighter Wing, the 511th, would be attacking other fortifications in the area and other defenses within Caen.
There was also the problem of the reserve Panzer divisions far back from Normandy. These divisions would be attacked by F-111s from the 48th tactical Fighter Wing, A-10s from the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, and Tornados of the RAF's 617 squadron. At the same time, FB-111s from the 509th Bombardment would bomb German targets in Paris. Also, F-4 Phantoms from the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing and F-16s from the 138th Fighter Squadron would attack German airfields in the area. Further, F-111s from the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing would attack targets in the town of Saint Lo to eliminate German defenses in the town to prepare it for an attack soon after the landings. A British Harrier squadron would be attacking defenses in Cherbourg.
The Navy would not be taking part in this. Hornets, Intruders, and Corsairs from the two supercarriers were being held in reserve to attack the German defenses at the beaches once the sun rose and the landings began.
Rollings straps into the seat in the cockpit and starts powering up the plane. Once he's ensured everything is good to go, he closes the canopy and powers up the engines.
Within a matter of minutes, the A-10s of the 10th are ready to go. The wing commander calls out the order for the A-10s to taxi to the runway. One by one the A-10s taxi to the runway.
Rollings watches as the first two pairs of A-10s throttle up and roll down the runway and into the air. Then, it's him and his wingman's turn. Rollings does a final check, then pushes the throttles forward and the strike fighter rolls down the runway, his wingman right behind him. The two A-10s climb smoothly into the air and circle, waiting for the other two Warthogs in their flight. Once the next two Warthogs take off, they form up and set off for Caen.
The Warthogs, travelling at 320 mph, quickly reach the Channel, and are across the Channel in about 20 minutes. As the Warthogs reach the French coast, Rollings calls out over the radio, "Alright. Start your attack runs."
The Warthogs nose down and dive down to about 3,000 feet before setting a direct course to Caen. Rollings and the other pilots arm all their weapons and set their armament switch to their cannons.
As the Warthogs reach Caen, they can already see some fires on the ground from burning vehicles. The first flight of A-10s had already made their first attack, and the vehicles they destroyed are helping to illuminate the target area with their flames.
"Light 'em up," Rollings calls out over the radio before he noses down to make his attack run.
Rollings looks at the information displayed on his HUD, combined with his night vision goggles, Rollings is able to see a line of 8 Panzer tanks, along with several other vehicles, right in his path. Rollings center the tanks in his gunsight, then squeezes the trigger. His cannon springs to life, sending 30mm depleted uranium rounds lancing across the ground below. The rounds tear through five of the tanks and blast right through them and set them ablaze, as well as one of the trucks parked alongside them.
Rollings pulls out of his attack run and turns slightly to the right. He glances back behind him, and sees his wingman make his own attack run, destroying the other three tanks in the row and the other two trucks parked next to them.
The two A-10s pull up to about 1000 feet and circle the area, looking for more targets. As they do, they can see two more flights of A-10s making their first attack runs. With their cannons and a few Mavericks missiles, Rollings can see almost 20 more tanks destroyed.
Rollings circles the area, looking for a new target. By now, the Germans realize what's happening and are starting to fire into the night. However, their anti-aircraft fire is missing for the most part.
However, not all. As Rollings is looking for a new target, he feels an anti-aircraft blast go off right next to his fuselage. Looking back, he can see some blast damage back just behind his right wing, and some light damage to the wing. However, Rollings knows that the A-10 can survive a lot worse, and decides to keep going.
Looking at the ground below them, Rollings can see a group of 5 assault guns and several trucks gathered in a circle. Rollings wings over and dives towards the circle. Switching over to his bombs, he lines the circle up in his bombsight and punches off four 500 pound bombs. As he pulls up, his wingman adds two bombs of his own. The bombs impact all around the circle, destroying all of the vehicles they had targeted.
Rollings climbs back up to a thousand feet and surveys the scene. They had received intel the day before that the 21st Panzer had about 150 tanks and 50 assault guns, on top of artillery pieces. By the looks of it, at least 50 tanks have been destroyed so far and about 30 assault guns. They've already destroyed about half of the division's equipment and vehicles.
Rollings then spots a formation of Panzers. It looks like their crews have gotten to them and have started them up, as they are now moving towards a wooded area, perhaps trying to take cover under the trees.
Rollings breaks in their direction, powering up his Mavericks. Lining up on the tanks, he fires one of his Mavericks at the lead tank, then fires his remaining three at three more tanks. As the Mavericks hit home, blowing apart the four Panzers, Rollings switches back to his gun, lines up his gunsight, and squeezes the trigger, firing off a three second burst. The rounds tear through the tank formation, destroying five more Panzers. Rollings then pulls out his run, and his wingman flies in and finishes off the remaining four Panzers with two Mavericks and a burst of cannon fire.
Rollings feels a slight grin cross his face. He's already claimed 14 Panzers, almost ten percent of the division's beginning tank force.
Right then, Rollings hears the voice of the squadron commander. "All aircraft. Tanks have been destroyed. Weapons free on any and all targets," he orders.
Rollings nods, and almost immediately spots some German soldiers running towards the town. Rollings noses over and dives. He lines up his gunsight and squeezes the trigger. As he does, he feels a sense of grim satisfaction. The Germans have next to nothing that can touch the Warthog, nor anything that can withstand it. Until the war is over or they go back to their own time, the Warthogs will have free reign on germany's armored forces.
(Paris)
In the French capitol of Paris, it's business as usual. German commanders have been aware of some of the air attacks conducted tonight, and that they do seem to be both heavier and more effective than usual. However, they have heard nothing of airborne troops being landed. None of the air attacks have come anywhere near Paris either. They also have not heard of the unusually specific and highly effective precision air strikes going on along the French coast right now. The German commanders in Paris feel very safe. They have no suspicion that anything major will happen tonight.
However, they couldn't be more wrong. Not only are the landings at Normandy mere hours away at this point. But a more immediate threat is out there.
At an altitude of just 150 feet, streaking in towards Paris at just over 500 mph, are three flights of four FB-111s. Each aircraft is carrying a eight 1,000 pound bombs. They are assigned to hit a variety of targets in and around Paris, including anti aircraft batteries, fuel tanks, train lines, troop barracks, and an airfield near Paris.
The FB-111s are also not going in alone. Two flights of F-15 Eagles are protecting them. One flight is circling near paris at 24,000 feet, their radar scanning the entire airspace around Paris for any threats. The other flight is following about ten miles behind the FB-111s at an altitude of 500 feet to ensure no German aircraft try to surprise them from behind.
As the FB-111s near Paris, they slow down to 450 mph to allow for greater accuracy with their bombing, and they then separate into pairs to strike their individual targets.
As the first pair of FB-111s near their target, a train depot just outside Paris, the pilots arm their bombs and rest their fingers over the pickle button. The two watch their bombsight as they near the target. Then, at the right moment, both bombers punch off their bombs. Immediately, they turn around to begin the return trip back to England.
The bombs plummet towards the train depot. Seconds after release, the first bomb hits home. Within a matter of seconds, the remaining bombs also hit their target. The train depot is consumed in a series of violent fireballs. It's shattered remains are set ablaze.
Within Paris, most of the city can hear the explosions marking the destruction of the train depot. Then, they hear more explosions as train lines leading towards Paris are destroyed by another pair of FB-111s as, simultaneously, out of earshot, two more pairs of FB-111s bomb the airfield outside Paris, cratering the runway and destroying a number of aircraft on the ground.
In the city, civilians and German occupiers alike feel a bit unnerved by the sound of the explosions, so close to the city. Then, they hear a rumbling roar as the remaining flight of FB-111s streaks low over the city, the sound of their turbofan engines heard throughout most of the city.
The FB-111s, completely unaware of the surprise they're causing on the ground, make their runs on their final targets, including anti-aircraft batteries, fuel tanks, and troop barracks. The FB-111s separate into individual aircraft to strike their targets. Within moments, bombs are falling. Over two dozen anti-aircraft batteries, several clusters of fuel tanks, and a number of troop barracks currently housing over 2,000 men are destroyed in a series of fireballs, as well as a power station and several power lines. In seconds, a large section of Paris, along with german communications, goes dark.
The FB-111s quickly turn around, once more flying over the city. Again, the sound of their engines is heard across the city as they all head for home.
Meanwhile, the flight of F-15s that had been following them beginning a wide circle, circling around Paris so they can maintain their ability to keep the tails of the FB-111s covered.
Suddenly, one of the pilots, the number 3 man in the formation, spots several contacts on radar. "This is Dagger 3. I've spotted several contacts on radar. No IFF signal. Requesting permission to engage."
"Press," his flight leader simply responds.
"Got it. Sunburn, with me," Dagger 3 calls out, and he snaps his Eagle into a hard left turn towards Paris. His wingman follows close behind.
Dagger 3 can see that the contacts are on the far side of Paris, and closing at high speed towards the FB-111s. The contacts are angled at such a way that, with the FB-111s slightly slowed down to under 400 miles per hour, they have a chance at intercepting the FB-111s.
"Let's go, Sunburn," Dagger 3 calls over the radio. He then throttles up and heads straight into airspace over Paris.
On the ground, the citizens of Paris and German soldiers can hear the sound of the FB-111s fading away. Then, they hear something else. An ever louder roar.
People on the ground look up. Then, near the Eiffel Tower, people on the ground scream and cower to the ground as the two F-15s streak overhead at close to 600 miles per hour, the roar of their powerful engines deafening. The F-15s streak past the Eiffel Tower, shocking everyone who sees them. Never before have such aircraft been seen in all of Europe.
Although this was an intended side effect of flying so low over the city, Dagger 3 and his wingman are completely uncaring about it. They are entirely focused on protecting the FB-111s. Streaking out the other side of Paris, Dagger 3 sees they are down to just 5 miles away from the contacts.
"Alright. Let's take a look at what we got," Dagger 3 calls over the radio.
With the Eagles closing at a closing speed of 200 miles an hour, it doesn't take long before the targets come into view. With his night vision goggles, Dagger 3 can see that the contacts are a flight of 4 Fw190s.
"Hostiles, confirmed!" Dagger 3 calls out. He immediately pulls up into a climb and starts a wide looping turn to put him back behind the Fw190s. In a matter of seconds, he's pulled around behind them again, about a mile behind them.
Dagger 3 powers up his Sidewinders, as does his wingman. Within a matter of seconds, the missiles have picked out the heat of the Fw190s engines against the cool of the night. Dagger 3 squeezes the trigger, and the missile leaps from the launch rail as he calls out, "Fox Two!" His wingman echoes the call as he launches his own Sidewinder.
The two missiles close the gap quickly, shredding the Fw190s in a pair of flaming fireballs. Realizing they're now under attack, the remaining Fw190s break hard away from each other. Dagger 3 stays on the leader while his wingman follows the other. Dagger 3's wingman quickly gains lock with another Sidewinder and shoots down the Fw190.
Meanwhile, Dagger 3 is pursuing his Fw190 when he realizes that the Fw190 must be slowing down, as he's closing the gap way too quickly. Quickly switching over this 20mm cannon, Dagger 3 manages to line up the Fw190 in his crosshairs ant at a range of just under 200 yards, squeeze the trigger. The rounds rip the Fw190 apart, and the flaming wreckage falls to the ground as Dagger 3 does a barrel roll to avoid any debris.
Dagger 3 climbs up to 800 feet, and his wingman quickly forms up on him. The two do a circle to ensure there are no other bandits in the area, then head back to rejoin their flight leader.
(England, Eisenhower's HQ)
In his HQ in England, Eisenhower is listening to all of the reports coming in from the assets in the field. What he's heard so far is highly encouraging. This mass wave of precision air strikes had caused massive damage. The 21st Panzer Division had been all but wiped out, and most of Caen's defenses were now in ruins. The reserve Panzer divisions had suffered heavy casualties. Saint Lo and Cherbourg had also lost a number of their defenses,.
Everything is all set. The naval bombardment is now scheduled to begin in just three hours, with the landings beginning within an hour of that. The airborne forces were moving quite well, even better than expected, and had accomplished most of their goals in helping to isolate Normandy. Now comes the question of "Can they get the troops onto the beaches?"
And, I'll end the chapter there. Hope you liked this one.
So, next chapter will be the naval bombardment, and the troops getting ready to start the landings. Each beach will have its own chapter.
Next chapter will be up soon. Until then, leave a review and stay tuned!