Finland; Color of Fall Frame 3 Results and AAR

[daddog]

Targets for the Allies were the Joensuu Supply train and the Lappeenranta Bridge. Both were destroyed for 200 points each. Axis also had 71 deaths which gave the Allies 710 points since all were single engine AC.

Targets for the Axis were Leningrad and either train East of A59 and South West of A53. Leningrad was totally destroyed (actually I saw one building standing) for 200 points and they destroyed 5/9 of the train for 110 points. Allies then receive the other 90 points. Allies had 61 deaths which gave the Axis 610 points.

Totals

Allied 200 + 200 + 710 + 90 = 1200 points

Axis 200 + 110 + 610 = 920 points

Frame 3 goes to the Russian swine. Well done!

I had heard some reports of LW attacking Fin’s or some Fin’s attacking some LW aircraft. That certainly may have contributed to the loss of the frame for the Axis. It also shows the importance of reading the setup and for C.O.’s to inform them pilots of what to expect. The Axis had a handy cap since they (Germany and Finland) had to work together, but had two separate countries. Often communication between the two was poor (in WWII) and resulted in friendly fire incidents, no doubt this happened in at least 2 of our 3 frames. Another problem my squad encountered in frame 3 was being assigned to protect a Finish target while we were flying LW aircraft. In the first 30 minutes we lost 3 AC due to the Finish ack firing on our LW aircraft who were trying to protect the bridge at Lappeenranta. I think for all three frames I should have restated it in the orders for the Axis side that they will be split into two countries. Yet, I honestly think even if I had restated it we “still” would have had friendly fire incidents. Over all, despite the difficulties of fighting a 2 front war with 3 countries it went well. It is a fabulous terrain that offers a variety of targets. Hope you all enjoyed it.

A brief AAR from my squad. We rolled from A76 and went level at 1000’ feet in the hopes of catching some Russian’s out of A1. Once near bridge the Finish ack began to fire on us. In time 3 had to RTB due to engine damage from the high alt anti aircraft ack. We used up all our fuel in our drop tanks and had to RTB after a few more minutes over the Lappeenranta bridge. Just as we were leaving 3 LA5’s engaged us and after some brief fighing all three brave Russian souls were shot down. We the did a sweep over A1 on the way back to rearm and very briefly engaged some more LA5’s. I don’t think either side lost any. While we rearmed we heard the IL2’s and Hurr’s attacked and took out the Lappeenranta bridge. We took off for heading NE in the hopes of catching some slow IL2’s or Hurr’s on the way home. We caught some IL2’s and a single La5 that were heading for A1 and shot those down. Just West of A4 we encountered many La5’s and the fight took us over A4. We shoot down several, but lost a couple also. We finally headed back and called it a frame. We shoot down 17 enemy and lost 6 pilots.

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

It took you 10 minutes to make “that” mission? What did you do with the other eight? – Swagger

[ghostdancer]

So I need to only give out 6 bottles of Vodka to Russian Pilots and then 3 to Finnish anti-aircraft gunners!

[daddog]

LOL You got it.

[Sikboy]

Shillelagh had opted to fly in two flights, in order to get max coverage in case there was a bomber strike later in the frame. With our short legs, we hoped that by staggering our launch times by 5 minutes we would be able to keep 5 planes on station at any given time. This turned out to be folly, as before the 5 minutes were even up, our first flight had engaged some Finnish 109G-2s.

When we heard the report of 109s, our second flight (Shamrock) took off to join our first flight (Lucky Charms) in engaging the enemy. On climbout, we heard reports of Hurricanes. I detached most of my flight to engage the Hurris, but IGShill and I headed North to keep an eye out. We were rewarded when we ran into this hord of FM2s!



IG and made a pass at the tail end of the formation, and were rewarded when several of the FM2s followed us right to the deck (I had three on my bellybutton the whole way down lol).



While we were playing with our food, the rest of the Shills and Birds of Prey had finished off the 109s and Hurris, and were getting a bit of alt. Backed up with the rest of the Shills, we ended up in a brutal furball with the FM2s.



As fun as it was though, an FM2 nailed my Rad from 500 out, and within a minute I was flying a really heavy glider.



In the end, I put her down lightley outside a collective, and was back at base by sundown.

[daddog]

I am confused (nothing new). FM2 has an "id" of F4F???

[ghostdancer]

Yep, I think its that way in the MA too. Both register as F4Fs.

[BlkKnit]

yep

[daddog]

lol I never knew that.

[ghostdancer]

What your not a fan of the FM2!?!?!! Bad Daddog .. barbarian!

Like the skin for it in the Finland map, though.

[FDutchmn]

I exonerated myself... after I had broke the Nightmares Code... I just had to do it...

Here is my story... hear me out...

On orders from above, I had to relocate and set up a new camp.  This required me to be dewinged for about month.  While I was busy on the move, I hear news about the orders for the Squad Ops - Finland - the Colors of Fall that came in and how my squadmates had been leading the VVS into victory.  I was just itching to jump into the cockpit and take the controls to join my squad.

Orders came for the final frame and we were to fly the La5FN.  With the amount of flying time I was getting for the last month, I knew I was getting rusty... But I just had to fly.  I jumped to send the message off saying to expect me to join in on the flight.

The time came for the mission to start.  I sat infront of my newly configured controls and rushed to the MA to give it a test.  I took up an La5FN on the Pizza, only to experience a CTD... "hmmm... this is encouraging..."

I restart my controls, and go to the SEA.  I exchange the usual greetings and off we go... or so I thought, I ended up in a tree on take off being unfamiliar with the terrain.  "Now this is really encouraging."

I start anew, escorting the Il2 flight from A9 and headed towards A5 and Leningrad.  On the way, we hear of our comrades engaging the axis thugs.  Reports were too hazy to draw a picture on how things were going.

Soon we received orders to refuel at A5.  We lost one our comrades in the process... a sudden gust of wind caused a prop strike while landing... being familiar withe the terrain counts a lot it seems.  As soon as the La5FNs were refueled, I reported to our CO that I was the last one out.  This confused the command that all of the La5FNs were refueled... but in actuality, I meant that the Nightmares were all refueled but the La5FNs from the 68th were still refueling. (Sorry GD)  The Il2s were half way to the primary target, the Lappeenranta Bridge, when we learned of this fact.  GD recalled the strike and pulled back just enough for the rest of the La5FNs to catch up.

As soon as the La5FNs formed up over Lake Ladoga, the strike recommenced.  Moments later, we were engaged with a group of Fw190s.  In the process I finish off one Fw190, by taking off his wing.  



Soon after, the primary target was reported hit.  GD insisted on a confirmation as the reports were hazy and went in himself.  I request to the flight commander to escort GD in and out, only to learn that the rest of the Nightmares where doing the same.  "Ahh the Nightmares Code, makes me proud... going beyond the call of duty and never leave a man behind"  We confirm that the bridge was hit and we escorted the Il2s out.  

However, we were hit by numerous enemy planes, 109s and 190s.  I see two of my squadmates being engaged below.  I call out "50cals, Angoose, get out of there!"   They were twisting and rolling while being outnumbered. I too was getting swamped by the enemy.  "50, Angoose, we gotta get out, hit the deck now!"  A 109 had the hots for me... however, I was not too fond of him and hit the deck, leaving 50cals and Angoose behind.   "Damn, I broke the code..."  The 109 had been firing on me and I needed an escape...



As I had feared, 50cals and Angoose were reported shot down, while I was narrowingly escaping enemy fire.

We returned to base at A5 to refuel and regroup.  However, I soon found that I was only survivor in the La5FN flight.  The Il2 flight had landed and relocated to A4 to start on a flight of Hurricanes to hit our secondary target, the Joensuu Supply Train.  As soon as I started off from A5 to meet up with the Hurricanes, the airfield became swamped with enemy 109s.  Luckily I was not spotted while making my way out.

I met up with our Hurricanes over Lake Ladoga.  They were flying in low to gain time.  I kept some distance and flew over them at 13k.  In a distance I spot a group of dots, which started diving.  Instinct told me that those were the enemy without being able to identify the dots.  They turned out to be 109s.  The La5FN being able to out accelerate the 109s, I played the bait to make them turn and feed them to our Hurricanes.  I succeeded in making them hit the deck, however, the enemies were smart, they made sure to regain their E.  They took us out one by one, but soon they were on their RTB.

We returned to A4.  A quick assessment on the war showed that the VVS might be on the verge of losing the frame.  This meant that the secondary target must be hit.  However, we were out of time for the Hurricanes to go in.  They ended flight at A4.  I being in the La5FN was fast enough to make it in before the end of frame.  Therefore, I was instructed to re-arm, refuel and hit the train by myself.



I flew in low.  A dot appeared over A4, which caused a bit of worry.  However, before he spotted me, he disappeared.  I continued onto the intel location of the supply train.  A third of a sector out, I climbed to 5K and started scoping for the train.  The terrain made it difficult to spot the tracks and the train.  

"GD, any intel on which way the track runs?"
"Unfortunately, no"
"Damn..."
"Good Luck"
"It took me 7mins to get here, I would have enough time to make it back."
"Roger, try and make it back alive.  Beer will be waiting at the O'club"
"Right I will be looking forward to it... Damn, I can't seem to locate the tracks... is that it?"
"You can find it.  Keep trying."
"Woh! *****!  I am being shot at!!  Tracers all around me!  There it is!  Right below!  I am going in!"

I roll over, locate the tracks and the train, identified the direction it was travelling and dove towards it.  Trains coming up, arm bombs.  *bang* one hit from the acks.  Should I pull back on my throttle?  Terrain coming up, no time for that now.  *bang* another hit from the acks.  


(sorry for the no train.  somehow the train did not load up on the playback of the film...)

"Bombs away!!"  *bang* Pull up, pull up!  My plane was not responding well.  Did I lose my elevators?  I pull on the up trims.  Come on, come on!  Pull up!  "Damn it!!! I am not gonna make it!! aaaaahhhhhh..."  Just before I scaped the ground, I hear the bombs explode.  Numerous target destroyed messages came up followed by "You have crashed" message.

"ahhh damn, I died..."
"Dutchman I love you... You completely destroyed the second target, that puts us in absolute victory.  I will have to drink your beer though."
"I wanted to make it back alive... Just put my beer on my grave... and give my wife a DFC for me... posthumous..."

The supply train at Joenssu was completely destroyed which put the VVS from marginal victory to strategic victory.  Damn I wish, I made it back alive... then it would have been a better story...  well, as for myself, I exonerated myself for leaving my squadmates to their deaths earlier...

[daddog]

LOL What a great AAR!