Stuka Ace: France Mission 6

 29 May 1940

Dunkirk, Northern France

The call came through in the dim dawn light—Dunkirk again. The British were clinging to the coast, cramming every mole, quay, and sandbar with men. Reports said they were evacuating by sea under the cover of thick smoke screens and punishing RAF air cover. Losses had been high on both sides the past few days. The Fliegerkorps was throwing everything it had at them now, desperate to choke off the escape.

Voss stood by his machine, the morning mist still clinging to its wingtips. Four 50kg bombs were slung beneath her belly—standard load for infantry targets. The targets were enemy formations spotted near the dunes, likely troops trying to regroup to be used as a defensive reserve force.

He had been assigned new wingmen days before - fresh replacements from the training schools, barely through their field checks but keen as mustard. They’d learn by doing, as all of them had.

The forward airstrip they were operating from  launched in strong formation, climbing into the humid air. The Channel shimmered off the port side, and columns of smoke already rose ahead like pillars of warning. Midway to the target, a fast-moving recon plane zipped past. A Lysander or perhaps a Hurricane scout. It veered off rapidly, no doubt reporting their presence to the RAF fighters over Dunkirk. Voss keyed his throat mic.

“Eyes open. They’ll know we’re coming.”

Ground targets hit by Stukas Dunkirk France 1940

Soon after, columns of smoke appeared, as well as black dots peppering the sky — British flak, heavy and angry. The Kette closed up. Voss eyed the white sand and the clusters of infantry weaving between slit trenches, trucks, and supply crates near the dunes.

“Target in sight. Low dive. Follow my lead.”

His Stuka peeled forward, siren screaming, and the world narrowed to a trembling crosshair. The bombs dropped clean, walking a neat row across the infantry’s rear. Men scattered — some diving for cover, others thrown into the air like rag dolls. He pulled out hard, skimming just above rooftop height. His wingmen followed — solid drops, no flak hits. The formation held. Discipline. Training.

But the sky wasn’t done with them yet.

It was mayhem around his kette. Flak bursts, glints off canopies assumed to be enemy fighters, tracer streams reaching from the ground, contrails of 109s, 110s and Spitfires mixing it up, and constant radio transmissions. 

A 109 screamed past, trading fire with a Spitfire angling to come in on Voss's tail. Voss got down low and advanced the throttle to exit the area as fast as possible.

Off to his left, he saw a parachute canopy land near the marshland south east of the main battle area. Nearby a crash site was marked with wreckage that looked to be the remains of a Me 110. Against protocol—but he was close, and the radio reported no enemy fighters in the immediate vicinity—Voss circled and dropped low.

A single man waved from the reed-choked shallows, wading through the mud and smoke. Under the Mae West he wore a Luftwaffe flight suit. That decided it for Voss - he told Milo what he planned and Milo replied with a tense but focused "Jawohl"

Double checking for enemy ground troops, Voss flared the Stuka down hard into a drainage channel just wide enough to hold the aircraft. Milo unstrapped and ran into the reeds, dragging the man back as Voss kept the engine hot. 

With his eyes peeled skywards for threats, Voss was starting to second guess his decision as Milo helped the fighter pilot into the rear of the cockpit and crammed in behind him. As soon as he heard Milo slap the canopy in signal, Voss gunned the throttle. Moments later they were airborne again, the extra man crammed in Milo, nursing a bloodied shoulder and a wide grin.

"Its a bit cramped back here Andreas, and I can't operate the MG, but we'll manage if you don't throw us around too much." Milo reports on the intercom.

Voss didn't speak, focused on scanning for the threats and getting back as fast as possible. He radioed in his situation to Operations and they promised to have an ambulance standing by. He landed without incident, swarmed with mechanics and medics both as his Stuka rolled to a stop.  He remained strapped in, allowing them to do their duties as he mopped his brow and waited for his pulse to return to normal.

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Later that evening Andreas returned to his tent, exhausted, to find two letters. One formally typed, the other handwritten and attached to a bottle of French champagne. He opened the formal one first

Fliegerführer West – Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"
Forward Airstrip, Pas-de-Calais
29 May 1940

Subject: Commendation – Rescue of Downed Jagdflieger

To: Leutnant Andreas Voss, 5. Staffel, III./StG 2
Via: Staffelkapitän, 5./StG 2

Leutnant Voss,

During Staffel operations on 29 May 1940 against British positions at Dunkirk, your actions following the primary strike demonstrated both courage and exceptional presence of mind.

After leading your Kette through heavy anti-aircraft fire and coordinating a highly effective bombing run, you identified a downed German fighter pilot, later identified as Leutnant Otto Brenner of II/ZG 26, who had been forced to crash-land behind the forward line after an engagement with RAF Spitfires.

Despite your aircraft sustaining operational stress from the earlier bombing run and in the presence of continued British patrols, you chose to descend and land on uncertain terrain. With the assistance of your Bordschütze, Unteroffizier Behr, you secured and evacuated Leutnant Böhler under conditions that could have easily led to your own capture or destruction.

This act of bravery and loyalty is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Luftwaffe and the camaraderie that binds our flying community across units. Your decision likely saved the life of a skilled Jagdflieger who will now return to the fight, thanks to your intervention.

Your actions will be entered into your personnel record, and I am recommending you for consideration of the Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg (Goblet of Honour for Special Achievement in the Air War), to be adjudicated at Gruppe level.

Your comrades in StG 2 take pride in your example.

gez. Adler
Hauptmann, Staffelkapitän
5./StG 2 "Immelmann"

With a lump of pride in his throat, he reached for the second letter:

Andreas,                                                                                                                    29 May 1940

There are few moments in a man's life when he is entirely at the mercy others- exposed and alone. You found me in one of those moments and pulled me out at risk to yourself, your crew and your mission.

I owe you my life, and I don’t say that lightly.

This bottle was “liberated” from a cellar the staff at Gruppe HQ are now using as a map room. The French vintners would no doubt object to its reassignment — but if anyone deserves a drink tonight, it's you.

Consider it a placeholder for the many I owe you.

May our paths cross again in calmer times so I can buy another.

Mit Kameradschaft,
Otto

II/ZG 26

Sweeping up the bottle and two battered canteen cups, Andreas went off to find Milo.

He found him by the edge of the dispersal area, stripped to his waist and wiping down his boots with a rag that had once been a tunic sleeve. The fading light cast the field in amber, the day's strain momentarily forgotten. Voss held up the bottle with a faint smile.

"Rescued fighter pilot says we’re owed a drink."

Milo grinned, eyes tired but bright. "Tell him I’ll collect mine in Paris."

They sat on an overturned crate, enjoying the champagne as the sound of aircraft engines murmured low over the horizon. They had done more than just survive again today. It felt good.

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Here is a true life account of what it was like flying a Ju 87 over Dunkirk, from Hemut Mahlke's Memoirs of a Stuka Pilot

 https://www.ww2today.com/p/40-06-01-stuka-pilot-over-dunkirk?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

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Game Notes

Infantry positions (4 x 50kgs)

Damaged Airstrip - no effect

Clear/ high alt/ VIC

Approach

1. Perfect Formation + 1 card

2. enemy recon plane!

3. aa Defence  discard 1 random card

Target - Low

Dive 2+2 AA NE REL2+2+2 HIT 6+1 DEST PullUP 9

FORMATT 9 =- DEST

Return - Rescue Crew Successful! +1 Presitge Point (home rule)

Landing NSTR

VPs 2+1+1=4