Squadnight, Saturday 12/19 930PM EST Operation Stosser

[VBF-12 Whitey]

Operation Stösser (English: Operation Hawk) was a paratroop drop into the American rear in the High Fens area during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Its objective was to take and hold the crossroads at Belle Croix Jalhay N-68 - N-672 until the arrival of the 12th SS Panzer Division. Both roads were main supply routes, the N-68 Eupen to either Malmedy or Elsenborn and the N-672 Verviers up to Belle-Croix hence up to either Malmedy or Elsenborn. The operation was led by Oberst Freiherr Friedrich August Freiherr von der Heydte, who was given eight days to prepare the mission. The majority of the Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers) and pilots assigned to the operation were undertrained and inexperienced. Kampfgruppe Von Der Heydte took up a position at Porfays in the forest east of the N-68 and conducted some local skirmishes on small US convoys and even captured some POWs. The mission was a failure.

Ju-52, Operation Stosser Skins
drive.google.com/file/d/1bLtShaUCTc-hwC7XVsaCH5KiUJlikstB/view?usp=sharing


Great mission by Stele, this will be different and fun.. If you don't own the Ju-52, there's He-111s

[VBF-12 Whitey]

December 17, 1944

Wx: Heavy snow, winds moving west at 5 m/s

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Wacht am Rhein is in full force as of yesterday. In our sector, the 6th SS Panzer Army is pushing westward under cover of storm with a surprising amount of mechanized vehicles and heavy tanks. The 12th SS Panzer Division requires assistance holding a key road junction in the Hohes Venn area. We are sending a small force of Fallschirmjagers led by Oberstleutnant Graf von der Heydte, an experienced jumper. His men are to secure the drop zone and will be relieved by the 12th SS Panzer Division during the daytime.

We are sending Ju-52s from Paderborn for the job to drop van der Heydte's men in the area under the cover of night. With the snow starting this hour, we expect visibility to be extremely minimal. The winds may present a problem as they could veer you off of your waypoints along with turbulence at times.

Our ground forces will guide you to your waypoints during the night. We have lit the runway with lights and will guide you out with searchlights. Your first waypoint is at Plettenberg. Look for the searchlights and flares from our ground forces, there. Second waypoint is Bonn. The airfield will be lit up and the ground forces will also shine searchlights and flares. Third waypoint is near Monschau near the frontline; again look for the searchlights and flares. Once you pass over it you will head directly to the dropzone. Look for incendiary fires in the form of a cross to drop the Fallschirmjagers. Return to base once you complete your drop.

Threats may consist of enemy searchlights and flak near the frontline. Due to the weather conditions, it may be difficult to spot you, but anti-air fire could be heavy. The weather conditions may pose a problem near mountainous regions. Be careful not to fly into the side of a hill or mountain if the cloud base is too low.

Historical note: The operation was a failure on many levels. Only one third van der Heydte's original force of 1,300 men assembled. Most of the transports scattered the jumps near the drop zone, others were shot down by anti-air fire, and the rest completely missed their targets by 8 miles or more. The 12th SS Panzer Division never advanced far enough to relieve van der Heydte's forces. The Ju-52 pilots did not have enough combat experience prior to the operation. Many became disoriented due to the night and heavy weather with some returning to Panderborn with their men still on board.

Play note: This is a long flight to the drop zone. If a player is disconnected, they can return and join up by spawning at any of the respawn points. Players should only respawn there and join the flight. Players that don't own the Ju-52 can fly the He-111h6 as a pathfinder, however at least one Ju-52 must drop troops in the dropzone.

[VBF-12 Lobo]

I'm in and I own the Ju-52. Stosser skins installed.

[VBF-12 Gosling]

In and ready. Well maybe I need to set some weird controls !!!

[VBF-12 Stick]

Have the 52, should be there.

[VBF-12 Daduck]

OOOK!! All set, see ya at 9:30

[VBF-12 Whitey]

I really enjoyed that mission.. I'll grab some screens later and post. Good job by everyone flying in that soup

[VBF-12 Stick]

Here are some screenies of the operation.