| Against AVM Harris' recommendations, the Bomber Command was tasked to conduct risky daylight raids against the heavily fortified Vengeance Weapon storage sites near St-Omer.  Promises of 2TAF escorts softened the request, but Harris considered this a distraction from his strategic bombing campaign. The LW was ready, and although most fighter forces had withdrawn to defend the Reich, those left behind were among the LW's best.The circuitous route followed by the RAF bombers did not fool the LW, who attacked early and hard, stripping away several high altitude Tempests.
 Bomber Command flew two missions, and while all of the storage sites were destroyed, losses were catastrophic.  Two Squadrons of Lancasters were essentially wiped out.  Even Churchill realized these losses were not justified for the long term, and Bomber Command was released from NOBALL operations to continue its night attacks against Germany.
 
 The numbers.
 
 Allied
 14 unique pilots, 39 sorties
 14 Lancaster sorties
 23 Tempest sorties
 2 SpitIXe sorties
 
 Losses
 5 Tempest, 7 player flown Lancasters, and 17 AI Lancasters
 
 Kills
 Tempest - 2 Bf109G14, 2 FW190A4, 2 FW 190A8
 Lancasters - 3 storage facilities closed
 
 Axis
 6 unique pilots, 28 sorties
 12 FW190A8 sorties
 6   FW190A4 sorties
 10 Bf109G14 sorties
 
 Losses
 3 FW190A8
 2 FW190A4
 2 Bf109G14
 
 Kills
 Fw190A8 - 1 Tempest, 3 Lancasters
 Fw190A4 - nil (some AI Lancs)
 Bf109G14 - 3 Tempest, 3 Lancasters
 
 Frame ruled a tactical victory for the LW.  2TAF will commit B-25Js for frame 3, but no RAF bombers will be available for frame 4.
 
 Muzz
 muzz--
 Sqn Ldr
 past-CO 417 Sqn RCAF
 "Supporting Liberty and Justice"
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 Muzz's Maps
 
 
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