Special: Operation Flax

Pilots,

The military operation ‘Flax’ was a concentrated effort launched by the Allies in 1943 to destroy Axis capability to supply their only remaining stronghold on the African continent by air. This strategic mission took place from 5-27 April and consisted of hundreds of daily clashes between Axis and Allied air fleets in the heavily-embattled strait between Sicily and Tunisia. It ended with a heavy defeat for the Axis, who lost almost half a thousand aircraft in the process – among which many Junkers 52s - and hundreds of transport vessels. As we near the 72^nd anniversary of this decisive battle, we want to pay homage to its participants with a dedicated special in-game, offering you many great bonuses along with always-welcome discounts. Dig in!

In-Game Offers

Triple XP for first victory of the day for every aircraft

Nothing better than starting the day off with a little bit more XP after your first battle!

50% discount on barracks extension

Increase your staff by hiring more pilots for your services.

50% discount on the following aircraft:

				Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
				Supermarine Spitfire I
				Messerschmitt Bf 109 E Emil
				Focke-Wulf Fw 190 V
				Messerschmitt Bf 110 E
				Bristol Beaufighter
				Lockheed P-38F Lightning

Enjoy a generous reduction on a nice selection of German, British and U.S. aircraft which featured in the operation.

30% discount on the following aircraft:

				Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-5
				Supermarine Spitfire V
				Messerschmitt Bf 109 F
				Lockheed P-38J Lightning

Save even more credits when buying any of the listed Tier VI warbirds this weekend!

Special Mission

Grab an extra 50% of XP after each of your successful battles – all thanks to our helpful weekend special mission.

History Flashback

When U.S. troops landed in Morocco in November 1942, the Axis forces, who were already on the retreat since the Second Battle of El Alamein, found themselves trapped in Tunisia – the last significant territory they had left on the African continent. While the British 8th Army was advancing on them westward, the U.S. forces started closing in from the East, forcing the Germans further towards the coast and the city of Tunis. Their survival became heavily dependent on a steady stream of war supplies from Italy, which was sending troops, weapons and ammunition by plane through a narrow, safe corridor from Sicily.

‘Operation Flax’ was an Allied interdiction mission aimed at disrupting this stream of supplies and, at the same time, preventing the Germans from withdrawing their increasingly outnumbered troops. The operation began on April 5th when B-17 Flying Fortress bombers began carrying out coordinated bombing runs on Axis airfields. Later the Allies proceeded to trick the Germans into thinking their escape routes were safe, by sending decoy B-25 Mitchells that were escorted by P-38 Lightnings, which then disconnected from the bombers to attack the unsuspecting transport aircraft flying through the strait.

Allied aircraft advancing over the Mediterranean Sea.

The most violent of such clashes above the Mediterranean Gulf was an engagement that came to be known as Palmsonntag-Massaker (Palm Sunday Massacre). During this massive aerial battle between all kinds of fighter aircraft, several flights of P-40 Warhawks and Supermarine Spitfires downed 52 of the 90 Junkers Ju 52 aircraft that were evacuating German troops. This crippled the capability of the Axis forces to carry out evacuation missions in a long-lasting fashion, which led to other serious consequences such as the shortage of transport aircraft. ‘Operation Flax’ continued until 27th April 1943, shortly followed by the final surrender of the Axis forces in Tunisia on 13th May.

Make sure your Sunday does not turn into a ‘Palm Sunday Massacre’, pilots!