In the Beginning - Essen

WEATHER: Niteowl
INSERTS: None
MIN.TIME: 12:30
RADAR: Lichtenstein C-1
       (map usable)

The attack upon Essen on 5-6 March,
1943, can be considered the true
beginning point of Harris' bomber
offensive. The tactics, techniques,
and force composition used on this
raid were to be used again and again
with little variation all the way
until the end of the war. Pathfin-
ders laid down colored target indi-
cators and track markers using the
"Oboe" positional refernce system;
back-up aircraft made slight correc-
tions; then the Main Force (412 bombers
in this case) attacked - this took 38
minutes. Only 14 aircraft were lost
as the bomber formations swamped the
Himmelbett boxes of the Kammhuber
line. The Krupp Works in the center
of Essen sustained considerable ap-
parent damage, but as was to the pat-
tern for most bombing operations of
World War II, buildings had been des-
troyed but the machinery inside was
still intact. Krupp remained func-
tional until 1945, when bombing of
transportation routes prevented it
from shipping goods.
ORDERS:
You are on patrol in your himmelbett
box over Holland. Engage any bombers
which pass through your patrol area.

