kitplane01
Airman 1st Class
- 135
- Apr 23, 2020
In a different history ...
Lets suppose the Luftwaffe had 300 Me-262s all with fuel, weapons, spare parts and well trained pilots. They're launching from a set of bases that are reasonably safe. These Me-262s are suitable for dive bombing and the pilots practiced in this. Finally, the German High Command is making reasonable decisions with the knowledge they have (but they do fight the war; immediate surrender is not their plan).
Meanwhile, the Allies have landed at Normandy a week ago. And the allies know of the German capabilities (including these Me-262s.)
The D-Day ports are probably the most defended spot in the entire world. And the Me-262 is the best single seat aircraft in the entire world.
How does it go?
1) I assume the Me-262s can get through the CAP of the allies. The allies have to defend during every daylight hour, and the Germans can pick their time. Also, the German plane is just too fast to catch. Do you see the CAP shooting down significant numbers of Me-262s?
2) Can a Me-262 get through the super intense flak? It will be much lots! The allies will have a short warning to get the the guns manned because of radar.
3) Is the correct tactic level bombing or dive bombing? The Me-262 has no bomb sight so I would expect poor accuracy from high level. But I would also expect the Me-262 would be much safer at high altitude, especally since the gunners have never fought a target moving at such high speed. I would expect much better accuracy with a dive bombing attack ... but so much flak!
4) Is the correct target the D-Day ports. They are so heavily defended, and the southern UK ports are all within range too.
4) In the end, use some numbers. Describe the optimum German tactic, and how well it works. How many Me-262s shot down, how many ships heavily damaged?
Lets suppose the Luftwaffe had 300 Me-262s all with fuel, weapons, spare parts and well trained pilots. They're launching from a set of bases that are reasonably safe. These Me-262s are suitable for dive bombing and the pilots practiced in this. Finally, the German High Command is making reasonable decisions with the knowledge they have (but they do fight the war; immediate surrender is not their plan).
Meanwhile, the Allies have landed at Normandy a week ago. And the allies know of the German capabilities (including these Me-262s.)
The D-Day ports are probably the most defended spot in the entire world. And the Me-262 is the best single seat aircraft in the entire world.
How does it go?
1) I assume the Me-262s can get through the CAP of the allies. The allies have to defend during every daylight hour, and the Germans can pick their time. Also, the German plane is just too fast to catch. Do you see the CAP shooting down significant numbers of Me-262s?
2) Can a Me-262 get through the super intense flak? It will be much lots! The allies will have a short warning to get the the guns manned because of radar.
3) Is the correct tactic level bombing or dive bombing? The Me-262 has no bomb sight so I would expect poor accuracy from high level. But I would also expect the Me-262 would be much safer at high altitude, especally since the gunners have never fought a target moving at such high speed. I would expect much better accuracy with a dive bombing attack ... but so much flak!
4) Is the correct target the D-Day ports. They are so heavily defended, and the southern UK ports are all within range too.
4) In the end, use some numbers. Describe the optimum German tactic, and how well it works. How many Me-262s shot down, how many ships heavily damaged?