Brought to you by the 1.JaVA Squad
December 1, 2006
59 years ago (odd, it's the same month, almost 60 years as I write this), in the dark winter days in northern Europe, the 352nd Fighter Group was tasked to Y-29, more informally known as "Asch", to support the Allied effort at Bastogne. The weather was gawdawful, the temperatures low enough to freeze the enthusiasm of any sane man, but the need to do battle remained critical.
On January 1, 1945 the German High Command decided to attack Allied airfields "en masse". In a coordinated attack in the early morning hours hundreds of German aircraft lifted off their airfields to attack Allied airfields while the aircraft were grounded and the airmen recovering from the previous night's festivities.
At Asch, Col. John Meyer's 487th Squadron of the 352nd Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, sat on the runway ready for an unscheduled sortie. Col. Meyer had a "hunch" and asked for and received permission for the flight. As the 487th sat on the runway ready to depart, the first waves of German aircraft began to attack the airfield.
The ensuing air battle has been called "The Legend of Y-29". Details of the engagements from the 352nd Fighter Group records can be read at our Y-29 Section done with painstaking care by 352nd Jinkers.
1.JaVA_Sjonnie and 1.JaVA_Serval have put together a wonderful campaign which lets you experience those days leading up to and including the morning of January 1, 1945. The file is 35 megs in size and includes campaign files and skins for both the participating 487th Squadron aircraft and the attacking German forces.
It's a worthwhile download, an immensly enjoyable campaign, and a step back in time. Kudos to the 1.JaVA group for their efforts.
You can obtain the entire campaign files and skins here.
352nd VFG Mission Files
352nd Bomb Run
March 21, 2003
This mission is designed to duplicate a Bremen night raid. The targets are near Leningrad. German He-111s leave Helsinki in late evening heading for the targets. Defenders are based in and around the targets, flying early model Hawkers. The idea is to match nearly equal planes in a strategic contest.
We have also prepared a map of the Brun area and enclosed recon photos of the four target areas. The zip file containing those images is available here.
Kuban 352nd Bomb Run
April 12, 2003
The "Bremen" bomb run uses the Finland map and proves to be hard on many systems. This mission uses the Kuban map and attempts to accomplish a similar purpose -- a shorter run from Krasnodar to coastal targets. Because the map is smaller most systems should be able to handle it easier.
We have also modified the BRun mission to present an easy practice scenario -- a short run directly on target with the bomber placed at 5000m, speed 300. The idea is that the pilot has enough time to level the plane, turn on level stabilizer, move to the bombardier position, and set up the bombsight before the plane reaches the target. A player can fly this mission over and over in a relatively short time period to learn the bomb sight with comparative ease. The file is available here.
A daylight version of the same mission is available here.
Destroy the Generals
April 18, 2003
CO 352nd_Deacon has developed a slick little scenerio using the Kuban map. Two teams each have a "General" who is the primary target of the other. The challenge -- destroy the other's General whilst protecting yours. The file is available here.
Set of 3 Bomb Run Scenerios
May 11, 2003
A former member prepared a group of three bomb run files using the Lvov map.
Night Brun
Blue Team: Crew 2 He111s on a night bomb run over an enemy airfield. Several AI He111 are flying with you. Cover is by 2 x Bf109s.(flight starts in the air). RED: 6 x Hurricanes try and intercept the red bombers approaching their base.(flight starts in the air).
Day Brun (same as the night run but in the day time).
Blue Team: Crew 2 He111 on a night bomb run over an enemy airfield. Several AI He111 are flying with you. Cover is by 2 x Bf109s.(flight starts in the air). RED: 6 x Hurricanes try and intercept the red bombers approaching their base.(flight starts in the air).
TB3_Brun
Red Ream: American TB3 bombers escorted by Brewster Buffalo fighters bomb Krosno. Blue Team: 2 x Bf109 attept to intercept the bombers.
One of the favorite missions from CFS days was developed by Bill Potvin entitled "Afd_Leiston". We attempted to recreate the feeling of that mission here. A flight of P-51s are sitting on the runway readying for flight when the base is attacked by a horde of Axis fighters, ala Y-29.
July 27, 2003
April 20, 2004 (updated)
February 12, 2004 (updated again)
May 3, 2008 (updated again)
Ms. Kitty's Map
We enjoyed the original Ms.Kitty map from IL2 so well that we "copied" it, brazenly, added a few things to customize it to our way of flight, and use it as a warm-up map and for general all-round good fun. We updated the file to include the flyable P-51 when Forgotten Battles was released, and updated it again upon the release of AEP. When Pacific Fighters was released, we updated it to add a plane set from the merged install. With version 3.04 of IL2/FB/AEP/PF smoke and runway lights became available .... the newest version has many of these additions; the mission load time has increased substantially but the visuals are worth it.
We also made a winter version of the same map. You may get your copy of both versions here.
Festus' Map
Worried about getting tired of the Ms.Kitty map, and just for a change of pace, we developed this map using one of the Forgotten Battles on-line maps. With most of the simplicity of the Ms. Kitty map, but with inspiring scenery and longer flight, the Festus map adds a different touch to the traditional dog-fight. The 352ndFG uses the map for warm-up and all-round fun. This file too, has been updated to include the flyable P-51 when Forgotten Battles was released, and updated it again upon the release of AEP. With the merged Pacific Fighters install the plane set was adjusted and two carriers added. You can get your copy here.
Doc's Map
When the Beta Patch for Forgotten Battles was released and the Ardennes map available, we created a dogfight map along the same lines as the other maps in this series, Ms.Kitty and Festus. Like them, this map uses one Red and one Blue base - the map is larger and flight times are extended. The P-51 is here, of course. The map has been updated with the releases of both Forgotten Battles, AEP, and now PF (merged, always). You can get your copy here.
Chester's Map
With the Beta Patch a beautiful new map was included, Islands8. We used that map and created a dogfight map along the same lines as the other maps in this series, Ms.Kitty, Festus, and Doc. Like them, this map uses one Red and one Blue base that are close enough together to minimize flight time to the fray, much closer than the bases in the Doc map. The P-51 is also here, of course. The map has been updated with the releases of Forgotten Battles, AEP, and now Pacific Fighters. After PF became available we added two carriers to the map, too. You can get your copy here.
Deacon's Snow Map
352nd Deacon developed a dog-fight map in the snow and early morning hours. The map uses one Red and one Blue base that are close enough together to minimize flight time to the fray. The P-51 is now in this mission, also. Like the others, this map has been updated with the releases of Forgotten Battles, AEP, and now, Pacific Fighters. You can get your copy here.
You can obtain a copy of all the 352nd VFG's dogfight server maps in one zipped file here
D-Day Campaign Files
September 26, 2003
D-Day Campaign
352nd Deacon developed a series of 7 missions that form a D-Day campaign. Pilots assume the role of fighter cover and begin the campaign in the early hours of June 6, 1944 with instructions to soften up the landing zone near Pont Du Hoc. The campaign progresses through paratroop landings and culminates in daylight fighter sweeps.
The missions include both dogfight and co-op scenerios to complete the campaign and lend themselves to squadron on-line play more than individual play. The 352nd flew the campaign with great gusto and enjoyment. The missions are a bit dated; they lack the P-51, using instead the P-47d, but the fun remains. You may get your copy here.
Oscar's Co-OP Mission Files
May 1, 2004
Trainz
352nd Oscar has developed a self-installing co-op mission he calls "Trainz" that will keep definitely you on your toes. The mission description: "The German Army, specifically Seventh Army, is being re-supplied by railroads during the late evening and early morning hours. IX Tactical Command has sent down orders to intercept all rail traffic headed in to the Normandy peninsula. This is a Coop Mission for 16 players.” You may get your copy here.
Retribution
If you liked "Trainz", you'll like "Retribution" even more. Again from 352nd Oscar, here is a self-installing co-op mission that will bring a smile, or a wince, to your face. He describes it thusly: "On the night of April 27, 1944, German E-boats attacked ships participating in Operation TIGER – a dress rehearsal for D-Day. On April 29, P-47’s were assigned the mission of flying to Le Harve and neutralizing those E-Boats to prevent future occurrences. This is a Coop Mission for 16 players. You may get your copy here.
AAA Mission Files
The AAA Squad, particularly AAA_LeadSled, is adept at creating missions and very willing to share their work. They developed some fine bomb run practice missions using several maps from Forgotten Battles. While the missions are dated, developed early in the Forgotten Battles release, they are worthwhile nonetheless. With Lead's permission we are proud to make them available.
The Wermacht's December '44 success, a breakdown in US-Soviet relations following the death of Roosevelt and the surprise cessation of Soviet-German hostilities has prolonged the conflict in Europe.
Now in its seventh year, war on the Western Front is gripped in stalemate as the Allies stumble under the growing weight of internal political unrest and external struggles for power. Meanwhile, freed from committments on its eastern frontiers, the Third Reich's war machine is begining to recoup its losses. Fresh troops led by battle-hardened officers and new weapons such as the He-162 fighter and V2 ballistic missile have cast doubt in the minds of the Americans who believed that a swift victory was at hand during the summer '44. Now, as the spring of '46 turns to summer, no one can say when, or how, this war might end...
352nd CoolBreeze has created a five-mission campaign based on this creative scenerio. Fly as a "Blue Nosed Bastard" under these assumptions .... attack Nazi missle bases and try to stave off the Third Reich as it attempts a resurrection.
Creative, and great fun. CB was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal for his work on this brief campaign.
You may download them here. The file is in RAR format ... you'll need WinRAR or a similar de-compressor.
Deacon's Bodney Missions Campaign
August 16, 2006
Bodney
The 352nd Fighter Group arrived in Bodney, England in early July, 1943 followed within days by their aircraft, P-47 Razorbacks. They began their nearly constant missions shortly thereafter, flying bomber cover and ground attack missions through mid 1945.
Robert "Punchy" Powell, a veteran pilot of the 328th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group (PE-L in the "Jug") is the official "group historian" for the 352nd Fighter Group Association and co-author of "The Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney", a thoroughly enjoyable book full of detail about the Group, its personel, aircraft, and history. Using the book as a primary resource 352nd Deacon has put together a campaign of missions based on the missions actually flown by the Group during those years. Deacon has omitted the missions where no enemy aircraft were encountered.
Bodney is in England; the missions were all "cross-channel", many deep into Germany. IL2 does not have a map that truly portrays the geography within which the Group operated. Cobra487 spent untold hours modifying the Kuban map to depict the coast of England for his "Hurricane Season" campaign and has graciously permitted Deacon to use his map and work from which to develop this campaign.
Deacon painstakingly recreated the base at Bodney using maps and photos of the base at the time that the "Blue-Nosers" were there. Within the available limitations of IL2 the base is a fair depiction of Bodney as it existed in 1943-45.
This campaign consists of 23 co-op missions designed for on-line squadron play. The "enemy" is all AI controlled. A revised copy of the Kuban map, with the renamed England cities and bases, is included, as is a "Readme" file describing what is intended.
352nd SamDog has produced a terrific "Era Radio" sound byte .... kinda takes you back 60 years or so. Click the Speaker below to enjoy. Approximate run time is seven minutes.
This will take you back in time!!
Hall of Honor Video
Sgt.Booze has created a movie of our 2007 Hall of Honor Ceremony. The movie is 433 megs in size and is available here".
Extra Special!!
1.JaVA.Serval and 1.JaVA.Sjonnie have created a campaign depicting the days leading up to January 1, 1945 in the Bastogne area of northern Europe. The file is 35 megs in size and includes the campaign files and associated 352nd FG and German skins. It's a great download and a wonderful addition to the IL2 experience. You can get your copy on our Missions" Download section.
P-51d Blue-Nose Skins
Monguse has created a stunning "Cripes a' Mighty 3rd HO-P P51d skin with his unique polished metal appearance. You can download a copy from our Fighters" Download section.
Savannah Reunion 2004
The 352nd Fighter Group Association had a Reunion/Gathering in Savannah October 9-11, 2004. Veterans, their families, friends and associates of the Group attended a glorious affair Several members of this Virtual Group attended, as did members of the Warbirds Virtual Group. We took lots and lots of photographs .... they are now sorted posted in the Scrapbook section.
More P-51 Skins!!
1.JaVa.Serval's "Legend of Y-29" 352nd Fighter Group Skin Pack has been added to our "Fighters" Download section. Thank you, Serval, for permitting us to host your work.
Vengence!!
352nd CoolBreeze has created a five-mission campaign based upon the premise that the war was NOT over in 1945 - that the Third Reich continued to fight after a settlement on the Eastern Front. Find the brief and creative campaign on our "Missions" section.
