Once again Pernix and his Italian Stallions have created a dynamite event in North Africa!!!
Scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 19:00 GMT/UTC on the ATAG Axis vs Allies Public Server.
Looking forward to seeing everyone there. All are welcome!!!
[Army None]
<Name>
Army None
<Description>
ARP OPERATION CANARY
May 8, 1941
Conditions: Partly cloudy at 6:30 PM
Situation:
The Italian-German army is pursuing retreating Allied troops toward Cyrenaica and Tobruk. A large rearguard force has been surrounded near Derna, numbering several thousand men, who are about to leave the city and its airfields.
A slowdown and hold positions is requested, as the Battleship Queen Elizabeth, sailing from Malta to Alexandria, was attacked by German air forces this morning. She suffered some damage and approached the coast
to disembark the wounded and put out the fire on board before departing for her base.
Prologue to an Axis mission that did not actually occur:
Superaereo, the Italian High Command of the Royal Air Force, convinced that there were no viable alternatives to the problem of inflicting serious damage on the British fleet by level bombing alone,
on July 18, 1940, then-Colonel Ferdinando Raffaelli sent a written proposal to the High Command explaining that it would certainly be possible to inflict serious losses on enemy convoys using unmanned aircraft. These, guided by radio control, would crash into enemy ships, detonating one or two extremely powerful bombs.
The intended aircraft (A.R.P. aircraft) could be guided by radio signals sent by the crew of another aircraft (P. plane), which would follow it, but at a safe distance.
Such a mission would have had the following advantages:
a) inflicting significant damage on enemy convoys (precise strikes with highly powerful bombs);
b) doubling the aircraft's range, as the sacrificed aircraft (not requiring a return) could use all its fuel for the journey to the target, and the pilot aircraft (not burdened by the weight of the bombs) would have increased its range;
c) avoiding risking the lives of the pilots, who would otherwise have had to fly directly above the target to drop the bombs, exposing themselves to enemy fire (in fact, in the final phase, the P-plane would have remained approximately 4,000 meters from the ARP aircraft);
d) using aircraft that were decommissioned or close to being decommissioned, which would have been too risky to fly with men aboard.
Having obtained the necessary authorizations, in 1940 studies and practical tests for the construction of the ARP began at the Guidonia DSSE experimental center.
The attack tactic was "always based on the principle of direct collimation, that is, keeping the P aircraft's course constantly pointed at the target or (in the case of a moving target) at the future point and remotely guiding the ARP aircraft so as to keep it, in turn, constantly on the same line."
Evidently, such a tactic presupposed perfect understanding, on the P aircraft, between the pilot and the co-pilot, who acted as remote control.
To improve the ARP's visibility, especially in the final phase, when the two aircraft were at maximum distance, it was decided to paint it yellow and give it the nickname "CANARY."
On August 18, 1942, the actual Operation Canary took place based on these principles, but in May 1941, a task force had already secretly tested this system against the British flagship in North Africa. Calling it ARP Operation Canary, we imagine it flying tonight.
[Army Red]
<Name>
Army Red
<Description>
ARP OPERATION CANARY
May 8, 1941
Conditions: Partly cloudy at 6:30 PM
Mission beacons:
None (already dismantled beacons deactivated)
Situation:
The Desert Air Force (DAF) command of the British air forces in North Africa has been informed that the flagship of the Alexandria fleet, HMS Queen Elizabeth, was not seriously damaged during an attack this morning by German Stukas.
The ship, which is required to put out a fire on board and evacuate some wounded, has moved close to the coast, but, unable to enter the port of Derna due to its size, it is at anchor, three miles from the shore.
The Royal Navy has arranged a small naval escort and everything necessary for repairs, and has also sent a hospital ship, which has reached it for medical assistance. However, given the situation on land, with the DAK and Italian armies
pressing our troops from the west, it requests that the coast, the city, and the airfields remain under our control for as long as necessary (at least two days).
Communication from the Commander of the DAF, to Ma'aten Bagush (Egypt), to the groups: No. 6 Squadron RAF - No. 45 Squadron RAF - No. 55 Squadron RAF. Gentlemen; The Navy needs us; our flagship is anchored off the coast you man for urgent repairs.
Slow down the operations to abandon the city and the airfields to allow the ship to comfortably carry out the necessary operations.
Tactically, you are requested to extend a protective umbrella over the city, the ship, and the still operational airfields. Some enemy units have outflanked you and have managed to gain positions to the east overlooking the Gulf of Bomba.
And by occupying two airfields, they are pressing towards your city from the southeast. You must not allow them to strengthen their positions, otherwise you will be surrounded, and this waste of time could cost you dearly.
We will send you heavy bombers that you will need to destroy the fuel dumps that have fallen into enemy hands.
Below
Summary of Available Aircraft and their locations:
Derna Al-Ftalath: RAF1
Hurricane IIa
Hurricane I-FB
Wellington Ia
Wellington Ic
Tomahawk MkII
Martuba No. 2: RAF2
Blenheim IV
Hurricane IIc
Tomahawk MkII
Objectives:
= Bomb Gazala Airport No. 1 I1-9
= Work with other squadrons to maintain air supremacy over the city and the operational airfields.
= Defend the HMS Queen Elizabeth at anchor in E8-2 and the coastal infrastructure that requires repairs.
= Objective Victory = Destroy the fuel dumps at Timmi No. 1 F3-3
Ultra Decryption Room, Bletchley Park, London:... Sir, this is the decryption of what the Italians sent this afternoon to their air squadrons on the coast of Derna.
But... there must be a mistake, they're talking about... canaries, and mountains... what the hell are they thinking?? Anyway, from the WEST, they clearly say attack from the WEST. We're warning the Navy, the Queen Elizabeth may be in danger.
God Save the KING!!
Pernix Mission
[Army Blue]
<Name>
Army Blue
<Description>
ARP OPERATION CANARY
May 8, 1941
Conditions: Partly cloudy at 6:30 PM
Mission beacons:
None
Situation:
The momentum of the Italo-German army, eager to avenge the defeats of the previous year, led Rommel's armored troops to rush south past the city of Derna. The confusion of those days and the vastness of the desert led, on more than one occasion,
Axis columns, perhaps poorly organized but with ample fuel, to wedge themselves into the enemy front, unknowingly overtaking British units, who, by choice or by orders received, were slowing their retreat for tactical reasons.
During this mission, some armored units of the DAK and Ariete reached the Gulf of Bomba, occupying the airfields of Timmi and Gazzala, believing that the British rearguard had already evacuated Derna and the entire Bomba peninsula some time ago.
In reality, the British slowed their retreat after receiving word that their flagship, for some reason, would have to anchor near Derna.
Unaware that they had outnumbered a large Allied contingent, the Regia Aeronautica, supported by its ground troops, also occupied the airfields, making them operational in a very short time.
When aerial reconnaissance and reports from the outskirts of the city confirmed the pocket and the presence of the ship at anchor in Derna, the command of the advanced operational squadrons issued the following dispatch:
Operational dispositions for the 151st, 153rd, 154th squadrons and the 5th Bombardment Wing.
Gentlemen, The speed of the advance, which these days is taking our troops eastward, to reconquer lost colonial territories, and which, with the help of our German ally, is turning in our favor.
Today must necessarily see a moment of pause.
Large numbers of Allied troops have slowed the retreat around the city of Derna. It is assumed that in a few days, once they have reorganized, they will leave the city and
resume their retreat towards Egypt, finding the Timmi and Gazala airfields, currently in our hands, on their way, which will therefore be in danger.
Halting their advance and organizing their defense is mandatory.
The squadrons stationed there will have to contribute actively to the conquest of the city and the defense of the airfields. The Luftwaffe, through the 10th CAT, sends STG3 and LG1 bombers daily to weaken the British resistance,
while the fighters of II/JG 27 are fighting to reduce the presence of enemy aircraft in the area. Gentlemen, your duty is not to lose the occupied positions, but rather to help the enemy leave the area, inflicting as little damage as possible on us.
P.S. News has just arrived that a large British ship has arrived at Derna, having been attacked this morning by German bombers, perhaps for repairs.
Absolute and peremptory order... Sink her!!
PA.PA. Please communicate to the "Raffaelli group" of the DSSE....(encrypted)..PRA enoizarepO oniranaC-otla è li etneom ad eralacs-li oniranac òup eralov--30,81 (encrypted) halt.stop.end.
Further orders will be issued by radio.
Available aircraft:
AXIS 5,000m (in flight)
JU 88 a
JU 87 b
Bf 109 E7
Gazala No. 1 in AXIS 1:
Fiat Cr42
Fiat Br20
G50
MC202 III
Bf 109 E7
Timmi No. 1 in AXIS 2:
Bf 109 E7
HE 111 H6 Torp
JU 88a
Fiat Cr42
MC 202 III
Fiat G50
AXIS objectives:
=Locate and attack the fuel depots in the port of Derna.
=Maintain air supremacy over the city of Derna and along the entire eastern coast of the city.
=Attack the British ships and the ship repair facilities in the roadstead at position E7-5.
=Attack any enemy motorized columns moving eastward.
=Objective Victory=Locate and attack the battleship Queen Elizabeth anchored near Derna. Presumed position E8-2.
Pilot Sergeant!! Do yourself honor!
Long live the KING!
Pernix Mission
[Info]
<Name>
Info
<Slide>
<Caption>
12-ARP OPERATION CANARY
<Slide>
<Caption>
Ground and naval attack mission, and air protection, focused on Derna-Bomba Bay
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Originally Posted by IIJG27Rich
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