January in Berlin

WEATHER: Nitefire
INSERTS: None
RADAR: None (Use map only for
       limited course plotting)

In late 1943, Harris set in mo-
tion what came to be known as the
Battle of Berlin.  Between 
November, 1943 and March, 1944,
Bomber Command crews made 16
major raids against the German
capital, despite bad weather and
strong German defences. Between
Nov. 18 and December 30, 1943,
Berlin was attacked 8 times by
a total of 3,646 aircraft drop-
ping 14,000 tons of bombs <!>.
183 British aircraft were lost.
By 1944, the Germans had intro-
duced new radar which was unaf-
fected by Window. Mounted with
increasing frequency on their
increasing numbers of night-figh-
ters, these new radar sets and
the new Zahme Sau (tame boar)
tactics brought Bomber Command
attrition to very high levels.
On Jan.28, 1944, Berlin was the
target of 648 bombers; 55 were
shot down. By March 24, the situa-
tion for Bomber Command was criti-
cal; on this night it lost 72 out
of 810 bombers flown to Berlin.
The offensive against Berlin ended
with the British tactically defeated.

ORDERS:
You are on the January 28, 1944 raid
on Berlin. Expect heavy resistance,
both en route and flying home, par-
ticularly from new aircraft such as
Ju88s and He219s. Bomb the target and
return home via a route of your choice.

