Dortmund Raid

WEATHER: Niteowl
INSERTS: Do217J-2 in Bf109G6
         optional
RADAR: AI MkVIII (map usable)

Dortmund was the target of 826 RAF
aircraft on the night of May 23-24,
1943.  It was the largest raid in
the 1943 Battle of the Ruhr, which
lasted from March to July of that
year.
Although night fighters were not
generally employed as "bomber escorts"
unitl mid-1944, per se, the venerable
Beaufighter was often used in sweeps
ahead of a raid to engage German
night fighters already in the target
area.  Timing was essential, because
showing up too soon could give the
true target of the night away; showing
up too late would allow any German
aircraft which HAD been routed to the
target to operate with impunity.

ORDERS:
Proceed with your wingman to the
target area and conduct a sweep for
German nightfighters. Attempt to 
lure as many enemy planes as possible
away from the Halifax bombers.

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