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The progress continues, I thought I'd post some mission descriptions. Writing these damn things is always the most challenging part for me.
"title_string"=Beaus in the sand - Deployment to Malta
"summary_string"=Listen up! Today we'll leave North Africa and join the hard-pressed forces on Malta. The ground situation here continues to deteriorate, though we hope to stop Jerry's advance into Egypt at Mersa Matruh.
"objective_string"=June 22nd, 1942 saw the deployment of six crews from 89 squadron, based in Egypt, to assist night operations around the beleaguered island fortress of Malta. Big setbacks continued for Allied forces in Africa, with Tobruk having fallen into General Rommel's hands several days before.
"intelligence_string"=You may fly along the Egyptian coastline as far as Sidi Barrani, but from then on you must keep to the sea and fly on the deck to avoid detection and interception by any Axis air patrols. A patrol from Malta will provide cover your arrival. Watch your fuel carefully, it is a long flight.
"title_string"=Beaus in the sand - Salerno cover
"summary_string"=Listen up. chaps! Today we'll be flying protection for the invasion forces coming ashore at Salerno. Our FAA comrades have provided assistance for the Desert Air Force and the USAAF, loaning their fighters to this effort. They are now in need of relief, and it's our job to pick up the slack so that they can resume their task to protect the fleet.
"objective_string"=The Allied landings at Salerno encountered strong resistance from the outset. This was due in part to the distance between the beachhead and Sicilian fighter bases. Consequently, many Allied fighters during Operation Avalanche were operating at the ragged edge of their range. To bridge the gap, the FAA flew Martlets and Seafires over the beaches at dawn and dusk until Beaufighters were moved to Sicily, relieving pressure on the USAAF P-38s and allowing FAA fighters to resume their fleet defense.
"intelligence_string"=The Italian surrender hasn't provided a free ride for our chaps coming ashore, who've encountered strong German resistance from the outset. You are to fly a CAP over the beachhead, putting a stop to these German tip-and-run fighter-bomber attacks. Orbit at angels four, and leave any high-altitude intruders to the P-38s Lightnings flying top cover.
"title_string"=Beaus in the sand - On loan to the DAF
"summary_string"=After securing Southern Italy in Mid-October, the front moved north until it stalled near Christmas on the Cassino-Ortona line. Difficulty in supplying the 8th Army made any ports on the Adriatic coast crucial. Your orders are to transfer to Giola Del Colle aerodrome to help reinforce the Desert Air Force in the area.
"objective_string"=Because of their versatility, Bristol Beaufighters were used throughout the Mediterranean theatre in numerous capacities, from long-range fighter to coastal reconnaissance. Armed with rockets and bombs, it proved a highly capable strike aircraft against both land and naval targets, and with its array of machine guns and cannons, it could also strafe targets with aplomb.
"intelligence_string"=After departing Salerno, follow the Sicilian coast down to Messina, then turn to the northeast and hold course until you reach the mainland. Upon reaching the Italian peninsula, hold your course until almost reaching the other shore. Make sure to watch out for enemy reconnaissance aircraft in the area as you make your way to Giola Del Colle.
"title_string"=Beaus in the sand - Defense of Bari
"summary_string"=Listen up! Your flight has been chosen for routine duty tonight, so get your Beaufighters into the air and fly a patrol over Bari harbor, looking for any enemy formations that attempt to strike the harbor facilities. Intelligence indicates that the Germans might be planning a major raid tonight, so keep a sharp lookout!
"objective_string"=On December 2nd, 1943, the Luftwaffe performed a devastating night strike against Allied shipping in Bari harbor, severely curtailing use of the port for three weeks. Eisenhower called this raid "The greatest single loss from air action inflicted on us during the entire period of Allied campaigning in Europe." (During the historical mission, only four American Beaufighters were airborne to meet the raiders, and they did not engage the enemy.)
"intelligence_string"=Once in the air, maintain an altitude of angels ten for this patrol. Your patrol will begin southeast of Bari, paralleling the coastline as you overfly the harbor. Any enemy bomber formations will likely come in from the Adriatic rather than the Italian peninsula. Good luck!
"title_string"=Beaus in the sand - Attack coastal shipping
"summary_string"=Listen up, chaps! Our orders are to fly an armed anti-shipping reconnaissance mission, paralleling the Italian coast. Enemy forces have begun using shipping to send supplies to the frontlines in lieu of our efforts to prevent travel by land. Your job is to close off this loophole. Good luck!
"objective_string"=To choke off enemy supply lines, Allied leaders in the Mediterranean launched Operation Strangle to interdict the movement of supplies by road & rail. The Axis countered this strategy by sending any needed supplies by ship convoys to the frontline.
"intelligence_string"=On this patrol, you will pass Elba on your way to the Italian coastline. Be aware that Elba is still in enemy hands, so keep far enough away to avoid anti-aircraft fire. Making landfall, follow the coast down to Rome, keeping a very sharp lookout for enemy convoys trying to slip supplies to the front. Make sure to maintain an altitude of angels four, or your ability to spot enemy convoys may be obscured by clouds.
"title_string"=Beaus in the sand - Preparation for Dragoon
"summary_string"=Allied Commanders diverted a significant portion of their resources from the Italian campaign to create another front, landing in Southern France in Mid-August 1944. Considerable air effort was also diverted from Italy to support this invasion. Today, you will fly a coastal patrol off Provence as part of the initial preparatory raids in support of Operation Dragoon.
"objective_string"=Significant Allied Air, Ground, and Naval forces were diverted from the Italian peninsula for the buildup to Operation Dragoon. Both the American and British Air Forces on Corsica participated in fighter sweeps and fast strikes along the French Riviera, attacking fighter bases and other enemy fortifications that might be used by the Germans to impede the Allied landings.
"intelligence_string"=To support the Allied landings along the French Riviera, today you will be flying a coastal patrol. You are to pursue any targets of opportunity that you see. Patrol at angels four, making landfall on the coast near Nice. Once over France, continue to hug the coastline as you patrol down to Toulon before heading home. Remember that the American forces are also conducting their own preparations for the invasion, which include Naval fighters that might appear similar to the Fw-190, so attempt to identify other flights in the area before engaging them.
"title_string"=Beaus in the sand - Ferry to Ancona
"summary_string"=Listen up, chaps! Today, your orders are to ferry your Beaufighter across Italy to the aerodrome at Ancona in preparation for operations tomorrow in the Adriatic region. You should not expect enemy interception en route, most of their fighters have been pulled to the Po River valley or further north into Germany.
"objective_string"=September, 1944 saw the Soviets, Americans, and British firmly on the offensive, pushing all German forces back toward the Third Reich. Massive raids and heavy losses have depreived the Luftwaffe of air superiority. Starved of fuel & ammunition, the Third Reich finds itself in a desparate situation.
"intelligence_string"=Due to the establishment of total air superiority, you can expect an uneventful flight. After leaving Corsica, proceed on an easterly heading until you reach the Italian coastline, then turn northeast to cut across the peninsula, reaching your airfield at Ancona. Be aware there is a major USAAF fighter base at Ramitelli, a few miles to the southeast, so if you encounter any aircraft, be sure to identify the nationality before firing at them.
"title_string"=Beaus in the sand - Strike the Rex
"summary_string"=On September 8, 1944, eight Bristol Beaufighters, escorted by eight Mustangs, attacked the ex-liner "Rex" near Trieste, Italy, in order to stop it from being scuttled to block the ports of either Trieste or Venice. The Beaufighters flew from Corsica to Ancona on the 7th of September before attacking and critically damaging the Rex the following day. Today, you'll participate in this daring attack as one of the Beaufighter pilots!
"objective_string"=September, 1944 saw the Soviets, Americans, and British firmly on the offensive, pushing all German forces back toward the Third Reich. Massive raids and heavy losses have depreived the Luftwaffe of air superiority. Starved of fuel & ammunition, the Third Reich finds itself in a desparate situation.
"intelligence_string"=Today's objective is to sink the Rex, a converted pre-war Italian passenger ship. She was spotted by resistance forces four days ago away from her berth in Trieste, and intel surmises that she is to be used as a blockship, possibly in Venice harbor. A flight of American P-51s will escort you to the target. You will rendezvous with the Mustangs at angels five, but will then drop to angels two for your approach to the Rex. Send her to the bottom!
