Author Topic: Frame 3 Results (Read 1157 times)

skernsk · « **on:** December 20, 2003, 08:25:20 AM »

Unfortunately IJN had very low numbers compared to the Allied side (almost 40 more allied pilots).

Allied sent about 2 dozen SBD's to attack the destroyer convoy. Some scored hits but no ships were sunk. The IJN CAP were excellent at disrupting the drops and also had VMF 101 Wildcats to worry about.

Allied CV attack met less resistance and were successful in sinking the Japanese CV once again.

Total - 1000 points

IJN with low numbers bravely fought on and attacked A1 .. some hit A41 also. The CV did have some torps launched against it but once again none hit.

Towards the end of the frame it was 4 MAW pilots against the rest of the Allied side. These 4 put on a good show and tangled with the remaining CAP near the allied fleet. Then with time winding down they came in and Kamikazee'd the Carrier - RedMAW planted his zeke into the port side forward and the other two (d7MAW and 38MAW) had a near miss and one airbursted over the ship raining debris on the deck. It was pretty cool to watch .. I hope they had as much fun doing it as I did watching.

Total - 200 points (100 for A1, 100 for the MAW Kamikazee attack)

Thanks for participating in the event. Looking back there are a couple of things I would have done different but overall I think most players had fun. Some players were not happy but I have not read anything here .. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on the event if you would prefer to e-mail me skernsk@332nd.org

I won't be doing any early Pacific set-ups in the near future because it is so hard to find a happy medium in the numbers so that it comes out more balanced. Late war Pacific set-ups would be a little easier since the Japanese have a couple of better planes to utilize and players have a better chance at getting kills and surviving agains the USN fighters.

Sikboy · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2003, 10:25:32 AM »

I was talking to Nomi about this last night... I think my first step would be to bump up the number of A6M5s to a ratio of mayby 2/1 over the number of F4U1s. I might also swap the P-40b for the P-40e (which I know isn't historical, but it's a compromise that will allow for the "look and feel" of the Solomons, yet keep things competitive in the air). Just a couple of ideas there.

Also, put my guys in Ju-88s for the Japanese, I'll sink the whole damn fleet

-Sik

BlkKnit · « **Reply #2 on:** December 20, 2003, 10:56:32 AM »

I will say that flying A6m2's felt like DOOM! (not the game

) Maybe more 5's would have helped, maybe not. Problem with the zeke is lack of speed, so if you are not in good position, you will not be able to intercept the enemy until after they have levelled your field or sunk your CV. That is what happened to the MAW in Fr 1. In Fr 2 we just got clobbered. Frame 3 was actually a lot of fun for most of us, I just wish everyone in the other squads could have had that much fun.

Flaps a for your efforts in the JU88, sorry they enemy didn't come down to us as I had hoped.

Dux and the Rogues a for your efforts in guiding and covering the torpedo run, and allowing us to get away to rearm for another run. Sorry we failed to take full advantage of it.

to the IJN for its efforts. I dont know how bad things were on that side of things, but I had thought we would not get anyone into the bases by the early reports, and the fleet defenses were sure to be outnumbered, so I am amazed by the effect you had at slowing the attacks.

Allies, whupped us again.

~~CM's for your fine work.~~

TracerX · « **Reply #3 on:** December 22, 2003, 11:39:53 AM »

Please, early war Pacific setup is MUCH better than late war setup for the IJN. I would much rather fly against F4F's in A6M2's and A6M5's than fly against F6F's and F4u's in a N1K2. Also, I have not seen a scenario yet where the IJN had a chance to win when their numbers are fewer than the USN. The only way to balance the equation is to over populate the IJN side, AND give two lives for specific aircraft. The speed factor of Allied aircraft is a MUCH more important factor in the TOD events than it is in the Main Arena. The only two things that I could point out in this scenario is first, I thought that F4F's were the first planes based at Henderson Field. I am not sure how much later they got better aircraft. Second, when were TBM's introduced? I expected to encounter SBD's, not TBM's. We encountered a flock of TBM's in Frame 1, and had a hard time keeping up with them in our A6M2's even though we had an alt advantage. I am not complaining, since our squad enjoyed all three frames, and had good success in each frame, but if I had to make things more balanced, those are two items that should be considered regardless of historical accuracy.

A side note for everyone, we have learned to fly the IJN scenario's much different than any others. It requires much more patience, planning and luck than any other scenario. The IJN just can't go toe to toe with the USN aircraft, so you have to make your own luck and create your own advantages out there.

Salute to the planners and everyone. We had fun regardless of the outcome.

Sikboy · « **Reply #4 on:** December 22, 2003, 02:07:49 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by TracerX
Also, I have not seen a scenario yet where the IJN had a chance to win when their numbers are fewer than the USN.

Now you have

But the point is well taken.

-Sik

skernsk · « **Reply #5 on:** December 22, 2003, 02:46:21 PM »

All good points tracer. I did plan to add more IJN pilots but talked myself out of it. I will NEVER make that mistake again.

The TBM was actully not there at that time they had TBD's which we don't have. The Ju's had the ability to carry 6 torps to the TBM's one so I figured that would balance out in the wash. However, I did not think the speed factor would play such a key role.

As for other planes. There was 1 squadron of F4u1's on Guadalcanal.

VMF-124 was formed September 7, 1942 at Camp Kearney. The squadron left San Diego on January 8, 1943 on the USS Lurline and arrived in Guadalcanal on February 11, 1943. There they were equipped with F4U Corsairs, the first squadron to receive the new plane. VMF-124 remained in the Solomons until September 7, 1943, participating in the Russells, New Georgia, and Vella Lavella operations.

The USAAF had P400's and P39's and P-40's on Guadalcanal. I haven't got a source to quote but can dig one up from somewhere.

Sikboy · « **Reply #6 on:** December 22, 2003, 04:10:42 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by TracerX
We encountered a flock of TBM's in Frame 1, and had a hard time keeping up with them in our A6M2's even though we had an alt advantage.

You should know though, that because of your bounce, only 3 out of ten TBMs made it to the target area.

5 were shot down/bailed (you hearded us right into another Zeke group that got 2 of us in addition to the 3 you got)
1 received gear damage and was unable to re-arm (we had dumped ord when you bounced us)
1 had a re-arm mishap (that was me lol).

Again, I agree with your points, but you have to admit, your engagement against us was pretty successfull, all things considered.

-Sik

TracerX · « **Reply #7 on:** December 22, 2003, 05:54:03 PM »

Thanks for the feedback Sikboy. I did not intend for my first post to sound like sour grapes. Here is part of my original post:

Quote

I am not complaining, since our squad enjoyed all three frames, and had good success in each frame, but if I had to make things more balanced...

We were happy to down the 4 aircraft we did in that frame, and even happier now to know that we forced at least some of you to drop ordinance. It was a target of opportunity for us. We were assigned to drop on P31 (Tulagi) in that frame, but we ditched ord. and attacked hoping to rearm later. You don't often have an opportunity like that, so we took it. We lost one or two in the engagement, and I was wounded, and later on perished on the way to land. The rest of our squad pushed on to rearm, but were taken down by higher alt F4F's on the way. Both sides it seems bloodied each others noses'.

~~I will look at that IJN frame you provided. Very good for the IJN. I presume you contributed to the success on that frame?~~

TracerX · « **Reply #8 on:** December 22, 2003, 06:18:00 PM »

Wow, those allies oblitterated whatever they were attacking on the ground. I hope it wasn't your backup supply of vintage Saki and sushi.

TracerX · « **Reply #9 on:** December 22, 2003, 06:49:59 PM »

Skernsk,
Are you saying that the 40 structures we destroyed for the IJN side only ammounted to 200 points? Another squad destroyed 35 structures (some other location). Were some of these structures at the wrong location? It is almost impossible to differentiate A1 from A41 if that was the problem. From the air, it looks like one base. We were not given specific targets, so if we were supposed to target something specific, what was it? Just asking for curiosity purpose, and for reference in later frames.

dfl8rms · « **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2003, 08:45:12 AM »

Tracerx,

Remember on this map, there are a lot of objects that are destroyable, but don't impact base availability. For example, the majority of the land bases the Allied hit, we deforested the base, but missed some vital things. Most trees around the bases are objects and can be destroyed. Alot of those objects were just that, trees. Hope that helps answer your question. Skernsk can further clarify if you wish.

Sikboy · « **Reply #11 on:** December 23, 2003, 09:16:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by TracerX
I will look at that IJN frame you provided. Very good for the IJN. I presume you contributed to the success on that frame?

Yeah, I contributed by designing the Frame, and as a player, I contributed by driving an LVT2 during an Amphibious attack. It was one of my top 5 AH missions, swiming that slow bellybutton tank to the shore, then driving uphill to take the base, with F4Us diving on me the whole time!

Quote

Originally posted by TracerX
Wow, those allies oblitterated whatever they were attacking on the ground. I hope it wasn't your backup supply of vintage Saki and sushi.

The Allies had several Cruiser fleets and mannable guns. Actually, in several frames, we had Naval Surface Engagements where CAs fought one another (and one instance where the Japanese CVs lumbered into Allied CA range lol).

But it's a bit missleading. That was a CAP frame, and some of what was done there can't really be done in Squad Ops.

In another CAP event two weeks ago, the IJN obliterated the US forces in a similar setup.
-Sik

skernsk · « **Reply #12 on:** December 23, 2003, 05:45:47 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by TracerX
Skernsk,
Are you saying that the 40 structures we destroyed for the IJN side only ammounted to 200 points? Were some of these structures at the wrong location? It is almost impossible to differentiate A1 from A41 if that was the problem.

Alot of those objects were trees which are destroyable on this terrain for some reason - makes it a nightmare when looking at the logs. I zoomed in real close with the CM eye over the base and had a look at what was down.

Some structures at 41 were hit but it looked like at least 80% of A1 was still up.

TracerX · « **Reply #13 on:** December 24, 2003, 12:33:58 PM »

Bummer about the trees. At least we were happy to get past the F4U's and make it to target. I know that I droped on some kind of tower thingie that blew up, but I got no structure destroyed message. It was surrounded by sandbags it appeared. Thanks for the explanation.