WI: Target Rosyth

Matt, I'm pretty sure the experienced He115 pilots could navigate in daylight to a target they had been to many, many times quite often at night ... next you will be telling me they will be delayed because they need a toilet break mid-flight (sorry I couldn't help that one, its just that your reasoning is getting a little far fetched now).
You admitted yourself that without careful timing things would be screwed up, and I really don't see how putting that much work together for in effect a dozen mines and a bunch of torpedoes (which will probably have to be fired against minor targets) is actually worth it, especially as the fact that the aircraft will be under observation will allow the mines to be swept much more quickly than those dropped at night.
 
You admitted yourself that without careful timing things would be screwed up, and I really don't see how putting that much work together for in effect a dozen mines and a bunch of torpedoes (which will probably have to be fired against minor targets) is actually worth it, especially as the fact that the aircraft will be under observation will allow the mines to be swept much more quickly than those dropped at night.
Well thank you ... points well made and noted :)
 
Thanks to JN1 I can slowly begin to put together an idea of the AA defences on the aproaches to and in the area of Rosyth. Things like this Mire End (or possibly Myre End??) was a four gun battery with 3.7" guns situated appoximately 4 miles west of Rosyth. Looks like the kind of place I would love to visit ...

Mire End HAA.jpg
 
Thank you this is perfect :D

I don't suppose I could be cheeky and ask if you know what was there a year earlier?

YAQW

Dobinson's book seems to suggest that the batteries I've posted above were what existed before the war. The only change during 1940 was that 8 mobile 3.7inch guns were redeployed elsewhere. I'd be guessing but I'd suggest they went south to combat the Blitz.

Which means that a force of Spitfires with 2 1/2 times the number of aircraft as the raiding bombers (who were unescorted) only managed to down three of those bombers.
Not really surprising really. In 1939 those squadrons had only recently re-equipped with the Spitfire and its pilots were fairly inexperienced. Fighter Command had also yet to learn what the appropriate tactics were for dealing with bombers. In mid to late 1940 the defenders would have done better, IMVHO.
 
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