Operation Bodenplatte

[Vincenzo]

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/avi...-do-17153.html (Operation Bodenplatte: how would you do it?)
http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/avi...tte-16205.html (64th anniversary of Operation Bodenplatte)

[Erich]

I still go by my thoughts on the second link posted, one of the stupidest ideas that the LW hierarchy ever came up with ....

no gain but alot of pain needlessly

[Colin1]

Originally Posted by Erich

I still go by my thoughts on the second link posted, one of the stupidest ideas that the LW hierarchy ever came up with ....

no gain but alot of pain needlessly

How do you think the plan in its original form would have panned out, Erich?
The 8th AF vs 3,000'ish Luftwaffe fighters...

[Erich]

it was senseless even the big LW boyz were not in agreement with the overall first plan to attack US heavies en-masse, the thought of carrying out an early morn daylight raid over snow covered hills/trees with even with Ju 88G nf crews was not too bright. nearly all the JG's and the Ju 88G pathfinders got lost nothing was recognizeable.

personally I would of pitted every single LW night figher on the northern coast and hit every conceivable RAF/US airfield at night and then repeated the raid numerous times instead of waiting till march of 45 with a small inkling of 100 nf's and then downsizing on 3 more occasions with 18 a/c then 4, etc. pointless to the extreme

the worst case of course was the broadcasting of the intentions of the LW high class over the sound waves easily picked up by Allied intel

the LW techies really should of been on the ball getting ground to air rockets in the works

[Njaco]

Originally Posted by Erich

it was senseless even the big LW boyz were not in agreement with the overall first plan to attack US heavies en-masse, the thought of carrying out an early morn daylight raid over snow covered hills/trees with even with Ju 88G nf crews was not too bright. nearly all the JG's and the Ju 88G pathfinders got lost nothing was recognizeable.

personally I would of pitted every single LW night figher on the northern coast and hit every conceivable RAF/US airfield at night and then repeated the raid numerous times instead of waiting till march of 45 with a small inkling of 100 nf's and then downsizing on 3 more occasions with 18 a/c then 4, etc. pointless to the extreme

the worst case of course was the broadcasting of the intentions of the LW high class over the sound waves easily picked up by Allied intel

the LW techies really should of been on the ball getting ground to air rockets in the works

I've been thinking the exact same thing lately - an enmass Intruder mission.

[Erich]

Unternehmen Gisela is covered quite well by Rod MacKenzie in Theo Boitens second volume on he Nachtjagd. From the very outset when I started studying this air engagementsome 20 years ago for March of 45 the whole thing was started on an inept behaviour level by LW high command, continual blaying over the loudspeakers if you will, Allied intel knew what was about an intruder raid of questionable proportions but knowing the date of the operation.

E ~

[Maximowitz]

For those interested in the long range intruder missions which were mounted by the Luftwaffe I suggest:

Intruders Over Britain by Simon Parry

Night Of The Intruders: The Slaughter Of USAAF Mission 311 by Ian McLachlan.

[Erich]

Paul, Simon's book still is a classic but a few errors within I would say although short Rod's addendum in Theo's book is unmatched but sadly there is still so much that has been lost about Gisela, I have tried hard but maybe not hard enough to find out just which UK bases were attacked..............so this sounds like an inquiry from those living in England

[Maximowitz]

Originally Posted by Erich

Paul, Simon's book still is a classic but a few errors within I would say although short Rod's addendum in Theo's book is unmatched but sadly there is still so much that has been lost about Gisela, I have tried hard but maybe not hard enough to find out just which UK bases were attacked..............so this sounds like an inquiry from those living in England

Time for me to make a trip to the National Archives I think.....

[Bug_racer]

Thanks for the info ,but I just dont have the time to read books (self employed working 7 days a week) . Im just interested in what happened on the side . Did the luftwaffe take advantage of these flights and do testing on aircraft during that time ?

[Erich]

you need to take a day off so you don;t get up and fall over dead, it isn't worth it take it from me.

sorry but not understanding your last sentance better be more specific please

Paul yes a trip to your archiv's may just prove up some wonderful materials

[Bug_racer]

Originally Posted by Erich

you need to take a day off so you don;t get up and fall over dead, it isn't worth it take it from me.

sorry but not understanding your last sentance better be more specific please

Paul yes a trip to your archiv's may just prove up some wonderful materials

Im booked for Wanaka next year so I need to save some $ for that

Last sentence : New FW190Z series is tested while operation is in effect due to no allied fighters doing search and destroy missions .

[Maximowitz]

Originally Posted by Erich

Paul yes a trip to your archiv's may just prove up some wonderful materials

I shall find the time at the end of this month to visit Erich. Naturally I'll send you any material I find or indeed any other researcher who might be interested.

National Archive UK