Feb 7 buff raids :)

[Treize69]

I figured this topic deserved its own thread

originally posted by filth in the AvA Bomber Group thread

MISSION #2

Bombing Alt:17,000ft

12 B24s left A2 this afternoon for target A49. Although escort of P47s was available, the force was overwhelmed by waves of enemy fighters. The escort got engaged and the bomber pulled too far out in front. They were left at the mercy of the Luftwaffe, which appeared lacking in that today.

It appears all 12 B24s were lost. The B24 in its combat debut appeared to flame up more readily than the B17.

Some bombers did drop, but caused little damage to the base.


MISSION #3

Bombing Alt: 21,000ft

12 B17s left A8, picking up many escort fighters along the way. They proceded to A46. They made it to target but not before a stunning headon attack by 3 luftwaffe fighters claiming one of Stringers B17s. The remaining B17s dropped, but due to cloud cover it appears the bombs went long. Light damage was caused by Kongkyuk's B17 to some structures on the base.
All but one B17 landed. Unknown status of escorting fighters but it is believed they faired well.

Overall, it is believed deep strikes into enemy territory at this time will be to costly to the fledgling 8th AF. Targets will likely be shorter range targets, such as coastal bases and cities.

Heres some screenshots of the first raid. I forgot to turn on my camera for the second one, but that was Grupul 7 that made that "stunning" head-on attack. I think I PKed Stringer, just a lucky shot.


Us forming up for the first attack (thats me in front, followed by 0nt0sMk1 and Husk. bLIMp would join up a few minutes later)


We got split up pretty good by your escort, and I was too far away from 0nt0s and bLIMp to help them after the first pass at the buffs, so I pressed home the attack. The first B-24 I got was a tough one, took a long burst.


The second I caught outside the rest of the formation. Burst hit right in the 'shoulder', and the gas tanks went boom. This is taken a split second before the eruption.


The third, however, I had just set on fire when its gunner shot my wing off. I had to parachute.

Ontos fell to the P-47s, and bLIMP managed to evade the escorts long enough to make it home. Husk had to leave before contact was made, RL interfered.

We (Ontos, bLIMp and I) also got about a half dozen of your escorts on that second one (I got 2 P-47s and a Spit over the coast, but took a radiator hit and crashed ). A big all, as it was great fighting all around.

I'm hoping that 0nt0s' film came out alright, he had it running for the second fight but he got booted on the return leg. I haven't heard if the film survived intact or if it was corrupted.

[Stringer]

That head-on pass was awesome.  I was in the nose turret firing and saw one plane flash over the nose, then boom!  It was a pk hit.

The 24's are alot weaker than the 17's.  For long raids and fighting the way in and out, it's got to be 17's.  But the first raid showed us how bad the 24's can get chewed up even with the good fighter escort that we had.

I had a great time as the bait...err buff driver on those raids.  It was great to have bombers rendevous with the fighters and then head across the channel where we knew the Luftwaffe was loitering, just waiting for us.  

Then after the bomb drop it was something to look out the tail gun and see a rolling furball as the escorts engaged and the interceptors tried to shake them and get back to alt.

Neat stuff tonight.

[ramzey]

lol!!

in B24 raid was 4 P47 fighters escort, and like a 10 Lw fighters hanging over channel and waiting for us

I got 3 109"s by myself, and  was shot down while i was typing  salute to Ontos


in B17 raid was 1 spit escort, 2 x P47 close  escort  (me and Cutt) and 4 guys from  78th FG.
I made over target but get oil hit and run home

Horde of huns follow bombers over island and try to voulch them landing


lol dozen of fighters

[Treize69]

I don't know about any of the other LW fliers, but we weren't planning on vulching- we looked at the little bit of damage done by all the Forts to A46 and though they hadn't dropped everything, so we were waiting (and waiting...) for them to turn around for the next run. When we realised they were going in to the field there, we tried to get out but I had a Spit VIII all over me (and two or three Jugs above me), and by the time I got clear and reversed, 0nt0s and bLIMp were well in the thick of the fighters, so we just kept fighting.

And I knew that those Jugs on the second run had to be 78th, I even said so over the Knights text buffer. Could tell by the fact that we couldn't sucker them away from the bombers- they would chase us away and then go right back up to cover the buffs. An excellent job of escorting.

And I wouldn't complain too much about us hording you, the next move after the second buff raid was a mass Spit and P-47 run at A46- about 15 fighters against less than half a dozen of us left over.

But it was still good fun.

[StarOfAfrica2]

Booted before I could even find the group.  I was playing with a lone spit and then suddenly I was staring at the desktop.  Lost network connection.  Must have been a local problem, I couldnt get out to anywhere for some time.

[bcee]

Rats i just missed it...stayed as long as i could, least i got to see an read about when i got to work.... All..!

[storch]

on the first run I was fighting with a P47 and no idea where the buffs were.  as soon as he lost the advantage he ran to the buffs.  suddenly before and below me is a huge flight of bombers. with no time to properly ID them only seconds to contact.  I split-S'd into the bombers and drew a good bead on lead plane, tail end charlie. with good sprites all over the left wing root, FIRE!!!!! his left wing is looking like an outdoor pigroast!!!! my frame rates drop to 3 and the next thing I see is me colliding with the bomber.  OH well, re-up and catch a lonely spit wandering in the stratosphere.  as he dives I land a beauty of a 600m cannon burst to his left wing root.  both wings peel off as he lawn darts to a waiting ground.  I then went about my duties of being my assistful self four more times before RTB with 1 kill 1 death. It was a kinda fun night.  I don't like bomber interceptions with single popgun 109s.  this will be much more fun with the Bf110 my ride of choice in the MA.

[Oldman731]

Originally posted by Treize69
An excellent job of escorting.

Agreed.

I missed the B-24 mission, but was able to participate in the B-17 fight.  Couldn't find the bombers for the longest time, and then the escorts did a fine job of keeping me away.  Ontos and I finally rendezvoused with the bombers as they were diving towards England.  Was able to make my customary two passes before being shot down by MGD, with no discernable results.  I know now why the Germans hung gonds on the 109s and put the A8 into service.

- oldman (but was it ever refreshing to have a 109 at altitude, instead of that FW)

[FiLtH]

Im thinking maybe we all should turn tracers off. It does get slow for me too in the thick of it. At 9 outta 10 times it means collision.

[Sable]

I was down on the deck in a 190 when the second raid got over the channel.  I started climbing parrallel to their course.  I had just gotten co-alt and was starting to work ahead of them for a head-on pass when one of the P-47s came diving down on me.  Just at that moment the B-17s started to turn towards me, so I turned back at them and scored some hits on one (which I later got an assist for).  I took an oil hit (not sure if this was the gunners or escorts) and split-essed out of there.  When I pulled level again my plane was still flying normally and one of the P-47s was sitting about 600 yards in front of me, so I shot it down and called it a day.  Fun mission!  I'll try to join the escort next time.

[Jester]

Originally posted by Treize69

And I knew that those Jugs on the second run had to be 78th, I even said so over the Knights text buffer. Could tell by the fact that we couldn't sucker them away from the bombers- they would chase us away and then go right back up to cover the buffs. An excellent job of escorting.

Thanks for the complement Treize69. !

We arrived over the bombers a little late so the Lufties got a free head-on pass against them. We (along with a couple of other escorts from other squads) did manage to hold off most of the tail attacks on the bombers till way past their drop on the targets and egress from the target area. Was just too many Lufties though. Most of the bombers losses happened over England while they were trying to land.

[Treize69]

Finally, screenies from ther HO run! The first pic is me coming in from 11 o'clock high, the second is of 0nt0sMk1 coming in simultaneuosly from 11 o'clock low.





I got Stringer, and he scored hits, I think on Filth. Then the P-47s drove us off and we didn't catch up again until out over the North Sea.

[FiLtH]

If any of you need a ride in a bomber..I suggest avoiding Stringers plane.  For the last 4 missions, his is always the first group to be hit.

 Nice screenies btw

[RTR]

heh, Stringer should be pretty safe if I am flying a set of Buffs.  I'm a magnet. (although I really gotta try this stuff sober )

cheers,

RTR

[Stringer]

That sure is the truth.  Happened last night and I was in the middle of the stream!!

I swear my crew chief paints a big bullseye on my bomber before every mission!

Fencer's mission was alot of fun, to both sides.