Channel Strike was way cool.

[Squire]

THAT, felt like a 1941 RAF fighter sweep, both sides darting in and out, seeking an advantage, but not getting careless.

to the Luftwaffe and AndyH, well done.

That should be a model for S.O. fighter combat, that we rtb'd such a high percentage in both fights.

I had sweaty palms the whole time, watching my fuel, giving orders, dodging 109s...

Damn I need a tea and a muffin now.

Later.

[AndyH]

Well it wasn't quite so much fun for the Axis, but there really isn't anything we can do about the numbers problem in this kind of setup.

I tried to have all squads waiting for you guys at A9, but when we dragged you all there nobody was waiting for you.

We managed to get the squads reasonably close for the second attack but no matter how high we went your spits always seemed to be higher.

All

[BlkKnit]

heh, looked like a pretty well fought frame from my view.

[Squire]

Im sorry about the #s thing AndyH, lets hope frame 2 and frame 3 are better that way. It was still high quality action, I realise you guys were fighting with your backs to the wall though.

In real life, the LW would have made 1 or 2 passes and skinned for home, thats what most of it was like in 1941-2 RAF fighter sweeps.

It felt as close to that as we probably can get in a sim.

[BlauK]

Can anyone explain why in 2 previous frames Axis had to give one whole squadron to Allies to even the sides?

This time such was not "authorized"

IMO, even close to even fight would have been much more enjoyable. Now we just tried to climb away from the horde of higher Spits and then dive away when they got close. Some of my pilots did not even fire their guns during the whole event.

[ghostdancer]

[list=1]

• In past frame, frame 3 of V1 Hunters, a whole squad did not turn out; not just low numbers for a squad. This left a hole in the battle plans of that side since there was nobody to accomplish their mission.

In this frame all squads turned out.

Yanking a squad to the other side is a drastic measure. Plans go out several days before an event and our based on certain squads doing certain things. Plus, a yanked squad has the full battle plan of the other side. And has been integrated into the other sides battle plan. It is not something to be done lightly. And it was not done lightly in the other event. Pulling a squad from one to the other at the last minute basically can disrupt the other sides battle plans drastically as they lose a squad to cover that the other side did not have a squad turnout out at all.

• It is up to the squad C.O.s to turn out their troops. On the Axis side their was a problem stemming from the contact person of one of the squads having a change of email address that I was not aware of. Their numbers dropped significantly from their average of the last event to this frame.

In this case the Allies maxed their numbers with the +2 advantage. Only the Firebirds went over by 1. The Axis had Lentolaivue 32 way under strength (reason noted above).

• The previous sited examples in the past squad ops is not the norm but a judgement called made by the admin CM who was present do to specific, unique circumstances. It is not the norm and not the policy and never has been since the inception of both Friday and Sunday squads ops to constantly balance sides at the last minute to produce balanced sides for every event.

CMs can not control all circumstances of an event. We setup the playing field, assign objectives, and divide the squads into balanced sides on paper. But the very fact that we assigned CiCs and give them free will and have them come up with battle plans forces us to allow for events out of our control.

Unfortunately in this case the LW was heavily outnumbered. But only lost 15 and shot down 8 in return even though heavily out numbered.
[/list]

All squad turned out .. just seems those assigned to allies, really were enthuisiastic about turning out and most did their max commiment number +1 or +2 .. within the rule limits.

I will be talking to the C.O.s and possibly switching an allied squad to the axis side to balance for LW squads turning out low numbers. If they turn out low to average numbers this should still allow them to match RAF numbers .. unless RAF turns out low next frame.

Short of it is numbers imbalances happen but unlike previous frames all the assigned squads turned out with pilots to accomplish their assigned missions.

[Vladd]

I really enjoyed the frame today. Whole point of squadops for me is to experience greater historical immersion than the MA can deliver, and this was definately the case this time. From what I've read of the 1941 RAF sweeps over France it was pretty authentic. And from our squads perspective it was the 109s who were always higher, and we got to 33k at one point

As for the numbers thing, squad COs should perhaps review their estimation of likely attendees - if the same imbalance is likely to occur next week then lets go for a swap, so long as it's done in advance. We had 3 more pilots than expected today - on that basis I'll up the Firebirds estimated attendance to 7-10 pilots for the next 2 frames.

Vladd

[ghostdancer]

Vladd, squads can not up their committments in mid frame. Yours is 4-6 +2. So you can field 8 every frame on average. I usually watch the average to see how squads do before I take any action. Unless their is a drastic drop or spike.

In this case I might switch a squad anyway, because even if LV 32 maxed out with 10 +2 the Axis side would have been at 37. So since the LW seems to be fielding average, moderate numbers and the allies are maxing .. I might switch one 4-6 now to address that.

[ramzey]

Originally posted by BlauK
Can anyone explain why in 2 previous frames Axis had to give one whole squadron to Allies to even the sides?

This time such was not "authorized"

IMO, even close to even fight would have been much more enjoyable. Now we just tried to climb away from the horde of higher Spits and then dive away when they got close. Some of my pilots did not even fire their guns during the whole event.

SO you have contact with enemy, but not have good position and chance to succesful fight? Blame your SL;) he is responcibility for  find good position, and time to attack ;-)

I think you taste som real flying with real spirit ;-)

Personal, i fire couople beans form my .303 to running 109
And i still have fun

I was "scared" during  attack to A9 when saw black clouds over my head.
I can say i feel same spirit like over year ago. Feel like in real battle.
Can somone can say he have not fun? can somone say he not saw enemy?

Numbers  unfortunly not match best (was 42 vs 24, on frame begin). We need to work more on this. But this depends from players , and here noone can blame CM's (once;-) )
and som other details

I hope next frame will give you all more fun then previous.
But pls dont forget this is not MA

ramzey

[Taiaha]

If this kind of situation happens again (last minute low numbers becoming apparent for one side) what are the drawbacks to allowing the side with the lower numbers (and it would have to be like it was today, almost two to one) to have an extra life each?  I'm sure you've all discussed this before, just wondering what the cons might be.

Had a great time, the frustration of having the 109s always dancing out of arms reach was actually really immersive. Well done Luftwaffe.

[ramzey]

Originally posted by Taiaha
If this kind of situation happens again (last minute low numbers becoming apparent for one side) what are the drawbacks to allowing the side with the lower numbers (and it would have to be like it was today, almost two to one) to have an extra life each?  I'm sure you've all discussed this before, just wondering what the cons might be.

well, one rule for all "one life on sops"

thats why LW have 190's (1/3 forces) and if somone in 109 not like to be shot down, can easy run away

[LLv34 Jarsci]

To my eyes it always seemed that spits were higher than us..

Probably it was due unfamiliriaty to high-alt engagements which made me think so.

Was fun when managed to squeese out a shot. I also managed to screw couple of really goop positions due plane oscillation. (in other words shooted all over the sky but the target)

But this kind of attacks need more weather visualisation!! Clouds would make gaming much more challenging, allowing more tactical choices. Now we had a visual range of zillion miles, and also if icons were friendly only, there would be a chance of surprise also. Now only chance of surprise was to wait for someone to fly with a target fixation.

In overall was fun until I noticed that spit v can dive faster than 109F4 and also remembering hizookas which have at least the double of useful firing range than our 20mm...

But still I like low to medium alt attacks more to my liking. More fast action that way.

Carry on.

[BlauK]

Just some additional points Ramzey:


Originally posted by ramzey
SO you have contact with enemy, but not have good position and chance to succesful fight? Blame your SL;) he is responcibility for  find good position, and time to attack ;-)

I was the SL. We climbed with WEP as much as we could. SpitV just climbs better, turns better and showed up in higher numbers.

 Personal, i fire couople beans form my .303 to running 109
And i still have fun

Exactly... we were the ones running and dodging and firing some desperate bursts to clear someones 6.

 I was "scared" during  attack to A9 when saw black clouds over my head.

Shouldn't have been scared of your own Spit clouds

[BlauK]

Originally posted by ghostdancer
Vladd, squads can not up their committments in mid frame. Yours is 4-6 +2. So you can field 8 every frame on average. I usually watch the average to see how squads do before I take any action. Unless their is a drastic drop or spike.

I did not quite understand the average thing. If a squad is averaging (i.e. constantly flying) with max numbers, wouldn't it be wiser to change the commitment numbers higher? Squad with coomitment 4-6 should average around 5, right? .. not around 8.

In this case I might switch a squad anyway, because even if LV 32 maxed out with 10 +2 the Axis side would have been at 37.

Wow.. did not know that LLv32 had commited that that high... 7-10 ?? Last post of their commitment I have seen was 4-6, which the fulfilled in -1 range in last frame (3 pilots).  4-6 mentioned at he bottom of thread "more squads to SSO" . maybe they have commited more by emails .... dunno?

LLv34 was +1. How were other Axis squadrons?

[ramzey]

Originally posted by BlauK


I was the SL. We climbed with WEP as much as we could. SpitV just climbs better, turns better and showed up in higher numbers.

urban legend of spitfire still alive, let them live;-)

highest numbers yes, but here is no design or setup  foult

Originally posted by BlauK

Exactly... we were the ones running and dodging and firing some desperate bursts to clear someones 6.

hmm , are you disapointed? how was you adrenaline lavel during this sortie? low as usual or a bit higher ;-)

was better then regular fuball on CT or MA? or worse?

Originally posted by BlauK

Shouldn't have been scared of your own Spit clouds

next time when i notice 109 red icon i should know its friendly spitfire, who like to invite me for glas of wine somwhere in france;-)

regards

ramzey