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Flak suppression was developed as an artform by Wild Weasel Thud drivers dueling Radar and Sam Sites during Vietnam - but the goal was not to mangle the 23, 37, 67 and 85mm artillary in the rings surrounding the Fan Song sites - it was to kill the gunners and kill the radar site and guided Sam II's. Their load was CBU-24 cluster bobms, 20mm and Shrike missles plus Mk118 and/or M117 iron bombs
Wow, my books are stupid. All they list for the Thuds being used in that role are anti-radar missiles and various countermeasure devices.
On a topic related note, one would think that the best sort of plane for flack suppression would have nose guns for better spray on the way in to the target. Also, being able to carry significant amounts of para-frags, napalm, or bombs would also be a must.
I think it would be easier to replace the guns, than the trained gunners.
Of course it's much better if you can destroy both, but I think you'd need some pretty heavy and accurate bombs to destroy heavy flak guns.
I'm just reading a book about Costal Command Mosquitoes flying out of Banff against shipping off Norway and it mentions that some aircraft were specifically assigned to flak suppression duties. It seems that it was mostly MG and cannon but I don't think they were averse to putting rockets into flakships, understandably.
As for the MK XVIII I think the ammo used in the 57mm was AP for anti shipping so would be of limited use in flak suppression unless you scored a direct hit. It does mention that some fired it in air to air combat though I don't think any actually hit.
I remember reading about the Strike Wings, circling the target ships encouraging the enemy to fire then attacking when the gunners had to change ammo drums.
I still don't know whether or not to believe that.
Drums?
German AA guns, at least the most common ones, didn't use drums. The Allied 20mm guns did. Granted the air crews may not have gotten close enough to see the difference in WW II.
I don't think I could tell the difference between a drum and a box magazine at several hundred yards while doing 250-350mph AND being shot at
Some pilots (servicemen) recollections are the truth, some are the best that they remember, and some are great bar stories or "in jokes" that only people who are in the "know" would get.
I remember reading about the Strike Wings, circling the target ships encouraging the enemy to fire then attacking when the gunners had to change ammo drums.
I still don't know whether or not to believe that.
mhuxt, thank you.