Finland: Color of Fall Frame 2 Results and AAR

[daddog]

This time the Russians were on the offensive and were attacking 4 targets (two trains, a truck convoy and a vehicle field) while Finland and Germany only attacked 1. The Russian side had complete success in attacking all their targets much to my surprise, (my squad was slotted to protect one of the trains). They earned 800 points for each target. They also shot down 865 points worth of fighters and bombers. Total for the Russian side was 1705 points for their frame.

The Axis side were to defend all the targets but were unsuccessful in doing so. They did shoot down 1190 points worth of aircraft and the target they were to attack (Belomorsk fuel depo) was 80% destroyed for 160 points. Total for the Axis side was 1190 for their frame.

A significant Allied victory!

Frame 3 will give each side two targets to attack and two to defend.

My squad was covering a train near Mikkeli. We ran into a lot of Hurricanes within 30 minutes. We kept our speed up and did quite well. It took about 15 minutes of heavy dogfighting, but we managed to shoot down most if not all of the enemy aircraft. We took a sweep over the train and noted it was still intact. We then rearmed and flew North East to escort some LW Ju88’s that were dropping on the Belomorsk fuel depo. We encountered only minor enemy activity and observed a successful drop on the fuel depo. Later I check the logs and found out the trains and truck convoys were completely destroyed!    Well done to whoever snuck in and destroyed them.

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CO CM daddog
332nd Flying Mongrels
Roster
Noses in the wind since 1997.

Truly superior pilots are those who use their superior judgment to avoid those situations where they might have to use their superior skills.

[AKIron]

Was a fun scenario. I knew that our assigned targets (V56 and convoys) were successfully hit but didn't realize that our hurri's met with so much oppostion (the guys were quitely stoic in this) .

You guys had a much stronger attack force aimed at Belomorsk than I expected and we (AK's) were decimated by the onslaught of 109s long before the JU88's arrived. Just proves that any plan is obsolete as soon as the shooting starts.

[jordi]

Originally posted by AKIron
You guys had a much stronger attack force aimed at Belomorsk than I expected and we (AK's) were decimated by the onslaught of 109s long before the JU88's arrived. Just proves that any plan is obsolete as soon as the shooting starts.

Our escort guys told us they would do a prelim sweep early in the frame to bust up anyone near the Ju88 Target.

About 1/2 of the escorts survived to meet up with us late in the frame and some other stragglers to escort us in on the bomb run. We saw 2 or 3 Hurries make one pass on the bombers and they did not return.

It was a boring but successfull Ju88 mission just as we planned it.

[AKIron]

Originally posted by jordi
Our escort guys told us they would do a prelim sweep early in the frame to bust up anyone near the Ju88 Target.

About 1/2 of the escorts survived to meet up with us late in the frame and some other stragglers to escort us in on the bomb run. We saw 2 or 3 Hurries make one pass on the bombers and they did not return.

It was a boring but successfull Ju88 mission just as we planned it.

Sorry we weren't there to give ya a proper welcome.

[Sikboy]

great frame, it’s good to be back.

The Shills played blocker for the Birds of Prey. We had just taken off, and begun to move our two elements into position for the sweep/escort, when everyone started calling out dots to the West. It was a flurry of activity at that point, as our 6 Yaks ran headlong into a force of about 10 109s. We nailed 8 of them, while losing 4 of our own. My Yak had taken a beating all along the left side, but I thought I could nurse it home. Instead I became field patty just short of the runway. Our Attack had blunted the protective force well though, and the IL-2s were able to reach their target and destroy it. Yet, for most of the Shills, the action was over within 1/2 hour of takeoff!

-Sik

[Nifty]

I had the FM-2's in the wrong place.  I should have had 109's covering V56 as they would have faired better against the Il-2's.  The USMC reported it took awhile to get all the Il-2's with just the four 0.50 cals.

What made it very interesting from a CO standpoint was the fact I had two countries on my side.  There were some friendly fire incidents on the south side of the map.   It was a little confusing at first getting people in the right place.  It was also interesting meeting up with the Ju88's to escort them in as they were red icons.  I didn't take one ping from them, even as I chased a Hurricane through their formation as the Damned fired at it!

Attendance woes also played a factor on our side.  The planes coming out of A18 should have met between 14-20 109s, but as Sik said, there were about 10.  Even us Mongrels only fielded 11 or 12 instead of our usual 16-21.   The Mongrels did a good job of killing the in bound Hurricanes, but apparently a couple got through to hit the train and convoy we were protecting.

Silly me forgot the Il-2's got two lives, so those re-ups finished off what they couldn't do with their first life.  Not that it would have mattered as I think only 5 or 6 FM-2s were left.  I could have used Ju87's to get second lives, but I chose to have the Damned use Ju88's and that's about the only thing that went right for us in the frame.  

[AKIron]

We met more than 10 109s near Belomorsk Nifty. Encountered 4 different squads there if I'm reading the logs right. Encountered the DOW, Airmageddon, JBs and Rogues. Did some miss their assignments?

[Sled]

I don't quite understand why the IL2s got second life, but JU88s did not?? IMHO, the IL2 is a much more formidable plane aginst fighters than a JU88. Although the IL@ is quite slow and not very agile, it has great fire power up front (2x 23mm). Plus the IL2 has grate armor! The russians already had numbers on us, so I don't think they needed anouther life from the IL2.

If JU88s don't get a second, I don't see how the IL2s do.

But Hey! we had fun, and it's just a game.

Sled
USMC TFW

[AKIron]

JU88's got 3 lives.

[jordi]

OK - So several DAMNED had been drinking before take off !

Those trees are a ***** to avoid on take off !

Diet coke for me - no excuses !

[Sled]

Originally posted by AKIron
JU88's got 3 lives.

If you are referring to Drones, I don't think that is same as being able to up in an aircraft, get shot down, and then be able to re-up in a fighter and go get some.

Yes in a Ju88 you get shot down three different times, but it is usually all over once the first plane goes down. Even more so considering the Ju88 rear guns are almost useless.

Sled
USMC TFW

[daddog]

I had a couple other players tell me they did not think the IL2 should have a 2nd life. Having been slaughtered in IL2's before it is not any fun.  IMHO at least the Ju88's have fair guns vs some early war rides and if you want to play it safe the only way to attack them is from 10 to 2 Oclock. If they have escort... well then you are really in for it. Of course IL2's would need an escort also just as Stuka's would.

IL2's, Stuka's, Val's, Kate's, any GV's I always give a second life. Who wants to fly around for an hour or two just to die? The idea is to have fun, and if it costs a bit, (small bit) of realism I will do it.

Like you said it is just a game.

[Nifty]

Who knows, Iron.  Tough to tell during the event who did what.    I just know that we didn't have as many pilots as we could have had, but that's always to be expected on the Axis side for Eastern Euro setups.  

[AKIron]

I know Nifty. There are plenty of German planes in the MA, don't understand why Axis numbers always drop in TODs.