Hey Daddog,
As this was my first solo battle plan, I was a little protective of it
but after refection, I'll post it here.
I didn't have the time to make a map, but I can tell you that your groups flew right into ours, save Strike Force 1. I also suspected that your group from the north that encountered Strike Force 2 was going to head to P62 and the Radar factory, and adjusted the CAP to engage that group.
Here are the long winded axis orders for all to see:
Newman
SALUTE!
We are lucky in two ways this frame. One is the Allied attacks likely will be coming from the same general area. The second the bases we have to defend are close together. That also creates a bit of a strategic problem.. Do we throw everything up for defense with a token attack group.. go with a strong attack group and stable defense.. or BOTH!
I've opted for both! We have 8 Destroyers to sink, and 3 bases to defend. I think we can do this :-)
I expect a large scale attack on P62 and A49. They may try and hit them both at the same time from different directions. We'll be ready!
The Radar Factory in 12,12,3 is at 5K, so it will take them a little while to mount that attack. It MAY come from the fringe areas.. but we'll see it coming! The last frame, it seemed that there were a few red herrings/ lost pilots tripping DAR. We need to let them do their thing, and concentrate on where the main attack forces are. We have reasonable radar coverage, but need to fill in the gaps.
The one thing we have to respect is limited visibility. There will be fog, but not as bad as last frame. The fog layers get thicker, as you climb, and seeing below your plane above 16K is pretty tough. Patrol altitudes will be up to the individual Squad Commanders. I would suggest a tiered approach. They may come in low and fast.
All fighters take off with full fuel and bombs. A reload with a JABO target may happen for all in fighters. Ki67's launch with formations and torps. Please keep me informed on squad numbers that are in the air as the battle progresses. Be ready to move in after a hotpad, if our defense does it's job and repels all major attacks, we will have the upper hand :-)
Notes on the Ki67 with Torps. A torp drop, from a formation, MUST be done at 150 IAS or slower. Any alt from 50 to 400 feet, but it MUST be at 150 IAS.
Without anymore embellishment, here's the plan!
Scouts:
--------
>VFS 1000:
Actually, you may also tip their hand! Launch at A8 in Ki84's, Half take off on the NE runway, the rest SE runway and ditch bombs. Once the battle begins, be ready to regroup and jump in!
Spread out and set up scout positions, based on your squad's last turnout:
9,12,3
9,12,6
9,12,9
10,13,1
10,13,5
10,13,9
10,14,3-11,14,1
A49 defense:
--------
>9GIAP VVS RKKA:
Launch at A43 in Ki84's on the NE Runway. Ditch bombs and rally/ patrol in sector 11,11,8. You may be asked to intercept a possible attack from the south, or reload for a DD attack.
>325th Checkertails:
Launch A43 in Ki84's on the NE Runway. Ditch bombs and rally/patrol in sector 11,12,1. You may be asked to vector south as well.
>Fate:
Launch A48 in Ki84's, SW Runway. Ditch bombs and rally/ patrol in sector 10,12,6. You may be the first to contact enemy strike forces. Dispatch them at will!
>56th Fighter Group:
Launch A49 in Ki84's, NE Runway. Ditch bombs and rally/ patrol 11,13,2. You may need to adjust your patrol point as the frame progresses. I may vector you to either of the 3 bases we are defending, depending on the enemies attack.
P62 Defense:
>68th Lightning Lancers:
Launch A48 in Ki84's, NE Runway. Ditch bombs and rally/ patrol 11,13,5. Spread out a little if ya like. Remember, P62 is your responsibility!
>The Unforgiven:
Launch A61 in Ki84's, SW Runway. Ditch bombs and rally/ patrol 11,14,2. You may be the first to see the enemy as well. Keep a sharp lookout!
>MAW
Launch A61 in Ki84's, SW Runway. Ditch bombs and rally/ patrol 12,11,5. You may be asked to move in with Attack Group 2.
Defensive Wild Cards!
>C-Hawks
Launch A57 in Ki84's, W Runway. Ditch bomb and rally/ patrol 12,13,1. Your position is such that you can be vectored to any of the 3 bases we need to defend, or intercept incoming bad guys to the Radar factory.
Strike Force 1:
>Nightmares VMF-101
>Arabian Nights
Launch A9 in Ki61's, W Runway and HOLD YOUR BOMBS. Climb out to the west until you reach 6,11,8, then turn north.Stay on a northern course until you get to 6,14,5 and turn East. When you reach sector 8,14, spread out a little and look for the Destroyers. If we know where they are by then, vector in and attack!
Special OPS withing Strike Force 1:
I'd like the Nightmares to lift 3 Betty formations with torps from the SW Runway. Stay just behind the fighters, and at low alt. If things go as planned, the fighters will draw much of the fire and the Betty's can get to target. One Betty formation on target=one dead Destroyer :-)
Be on the lookout for enemy activity also trying to end around to get to a target. If enemy is sighted, engage and hold ords as long as you can. Defense is a top priority, you can always rearm.
Strike Force 2:
>327th Steel Talons
>Cactus Air Force
Launch A60 in KI 84's, NE Runway and HOLD YOUR BOMBS. Turn and head directly to 12,14,9 You may be asked to loiter there in case of a possible incoming raid. If no Raid reported, continue west and spread out, if Destroyers have not been sighted. I expect Strike Force 2 to draw attention first and draw them off the western front, and that will allow Strike Force 1 to clean up!
Special OPS within Strike Force 2:
I'd like the 327th to lift 2 Betty Formations with torps. Stay at low alt, just behind the rest of the group. Be ready to attack just after the Fighters go in.
Squad CO's please give me individual squad reports on text channel 150. Any enemy sightings report on country channel.
SALUTE! and Happy Hunting!
Newman
"Squalls" Axis CiC for Frame 2
