LW AAR:
I was in a general low-alt fight with bagrat around the mid fields. We were doing okay, and were both low on ammo and gas when we finally bagged the 38 hitting our field. So we both land, and we figure it's safe enough so we rearm instead of towering. We're about 2 sectors out when I hear that Filth has his mission rolling. We had NO DAR BARS until they reached the channel much later. I have no idea why this is.
However my memory from the intel our "spies" gave us told me they'd head East directly North of our position. I asked bagrat if he wanted to run an intercept misison, he agreed, we taxied, upped, and climbed North. Various intel along the way (Filth on ch200) told us the mission was indeed on the way, but we had no dar bars to confirm this. We climbed up to about 25k and leveled out at max cruise. Bagrat's fuel system malfunctioned (he only had 50% to begin with, but I had 75%) so we saved gas.
So then we saw a small dar bar. 1-2 aircraft's worth, just the far side of the channel. Then there were 2 sectors, not nearly enough to be a raid. So I second-guessed myself as to how far N we needed to be, and lead on further N.
While flying N, unsure where the bomber stream would pass us, bagrat's darting (dare I say "beady"?) eyes spotted a high 38 coming in on my 3 oclock, closing in. We broke and engaged 2 P-38s that were well ahead of the bomber stream. After damaging one bag needed some help with the second, I helped. When the con broke for the deck we leveled, and to our surprise we were 10k lower than we wanted to be now!!
Hastily climbing we spotted dots ahead and high. The 38s did their job, and we were well out of position. We had reports of latecomers heading to help us out. Myself and bagrat were first on the scene, with another fellow who's name had a "J" at the end of it (I think). Despite low fuel reserves we climbed as fast as we could. I spotted the dots for the bombers and climbed up, forgot about close icon range, and almost RAMMED the bombers because I was looking back behind me most of the time. When I looked forward I was 1k inside the bombers and gave a yelp! Ducked low behind them and across their stern. I gave chase from here.
The bombers had a close escort of several p51s, which broke fast to us LW planes. Bagrat and the "J" fellow tangled with them. They had a 2v2 situation so I told them I'd attack the bombers, they could hit the fighters. They strayed a few kilometers behind because of this. I was able to pull abreast of the bombers, swing over and pick a formation. I only winged the plane, no damage. I swung around to avoid another 38 (same guy we ran off last time, if I recall) and made another run on the formations. I pinged a couple of drones good but had to break off after taking serious hits from the gunners.
By this time I was too busy engaging the 38 on my 6 O'clock to worry about the bombers. I think the "J" fellow was with me by now and he was on them. Somebody was, one of the latecomers. I started tangling with the 38 and a high fast 51 showed up... Okay so we were ALL high and fast. A very tense fight developed, all of us trying not to trade any alt or speed, them taking turns then making coordinated runs on me (might have just been luck of timing though). I pinged the 38 lightly in one high deflection angle, and then a couple of minutes later I got another burst directly in the cockpit. I suspect the pilot was wounded as he ejected not long after. With the fight half over and myself running low on gas I engaged the pony.
I realized I was out of the fight. The bombers were long gone on dar now. [EDIT: However I as pleased to see that I ended up with a kill from one of the bombers, from TeeBox, no less, during the following fight.] I traded alt to stay with this pony and ended up with a lucky front quarter snapshot that took his stabs off.
RTB with minutes of gas left, and only minutes until "Lost" came on television, I ran to the nearest field, already low from the fight with the pony (10k or so by now).
I let bagrat know that he should take command of the second wave, as I had to go, then entered the pattern over 50, or 51, or that northern field that was really close by. I managed to land parallel to a smoking Storch, and hoped he'd got a few of you allied planes in the meantime.
The long sortie (mind you, with a rearm pit-stop) was landed with 7 kills flashed in the buffer.
End LW AAR.
EDIT: Both Bagrat and I were in 109G-14s with gondolas. I had a 20mm hub cannon, no idea about bagrat.
