ALLIED AAR Frame 2

[Viper61]

to all ALLIED pilots and squads.  Its easy to plan a mission but it takes pilots and great leaders to conduct the mission.  As far as I could see every one exacuted their assigned missions as given.  Get support from all .

At start the sides looked like 130 for ALLIES and 138 for AXIS.  Great job to the squad CO's for getting their numbers up.

My general plan called for dividing up my forces into 5 groups:  3 defending my targets A 10, A14 and CV 3.  I had 2 Strike packages to CV 4 and A 12 A 13.  A12 and A13 were to be hit by the same force due to their locations.  I assigned element leaders to each effort and they all took charge as I could see.  Stoney74 even providing a Frag Order to his element .  The basis of my plan was to exchange even points with the AXIS side in target damage, I expected to win the frame by killing more AXIS AC and thus win the frame by points.

I provided a Operations Order with an Enemy Most Likely Course of Action and ALLIED force overlays.  Addtionally I provided Time, Decision Matrix's for the CV defenders and A 14 defenders to help them locate inbound enemy AC using time and distance calculations.

Some of my enemy assessment was correct in the AXIS routes and locations for the first 30 minutes.  With the quick strike to A 10 and striaght line attack from AXIS CV to ALLIED CV.  However I had the strengths miss judged and thus our combat power was not aplied where it needed to be.  It appears to me that both sides placed more numbers in defense than offensive. Just my observation from what I think I saw.

The ALLIED plan has based on a strong AXIS hit early on to control A 10 air space.  So I placed almost 40 AC in that area.  I had a group of unescorted bostons making a double raid from A 10 to A 13 to A 12 and then back to A 10.  I figured that 25K would be enough alt.  AXIS zeros killed all but 2 as they dove in from 28K as I was informed.  To the east I placed 1 med and 2 smaller squads to defend A 14 from a expected JU 88 attack.  At this location I placed my best AC the E-model P-40's as they had the open ocean and the only P-40's with drop tanks.  I am not sure what happened in the east.  I was told no attack happened before H+60.  I was told a limited strike happened after H+60 so points should not count.  I had 3 small squads defending our CV and task group.  I had 1 large squad and 2 smaller squads attacking the AXIS CV.

At first the battle developed as planned.  Quick strike to A 10 but by just a single zero I think, maybe a few more.  But no where near the assualt I expected.  However the single zero did hit the radar and thus satified the rules of hits to main targets by H+60.  This opened up A 10 to attack throughout the rest of the frame.

Our CV Strike package heading north passed under the AXIS CV strike package coming south as planned but they wern't in a good position to engage as I had hoped.  I had wanted a meeting engagement at sea in the middle.  Almost worked.  Our CV strike package got to the target under heavy AXIS attack and got their bombs away but not enough to sink the AXIS CV just heavy damage.  Most or all of the SBD's were distroyed so no follow on strike was possible.  Great job by Doobs in finding the AXIS CV as quickly as he did!  WTG.

The AXIS CV strike package found the ALLIED CV pretty quick as well and dealt the deathblow and we lost the CV at about H+30 to 45.  At that point I withdrew the remaining defending CV AC and RTB'ed them to A 10 to assist in the defense of A 10.  No sense lossing 3 squads to ditching.

The A12 / A13 strike package of bostons got to A 13 or almost and was jumped hard by many zero's.  I heard 20 + and they got shot up fast and good.  2 made it through and got some damage at A 13 and then went on to A 12 to do light damage.  In the end we had 1 functioning Boston that made 2 more strikes to A 12 from A 10 to damage the hangers.

I am not sure what happened in the east.  I would like a response by anyone that can provide details of the battle in and around A 14.  I know it was hit by zero's late frame and we lost a small squad out there.  But the other squads made it fine.

After H+60 as in most frames the units are getting depleted and AD Hoc attacks begin.  The A 10 forces pushed north and north east and stayed over A 12 off and on through out the frame.  It appeared to me at this point that we had a defensive scenario playing out and gave the command to push towards A 13 from the squads located at A 10.  I know some did and got some kills.  At H+85 I gave the command for all remaining elements to go hunting to try to find the AXIS planes still in the air.

Late frame there was a JU 88 strike to A 10.  They got there bombs off and damaged A 10 but I think we got them all on egress.  In the end there was a small furball between A 10 and A 12 between a 6 zero element that stayed high at 18K and our fighters trying to climb up.  No kills or loss's to either side.

At H+112 I called for ALLIED RTB and all landed.  I think we may have lost a few planes to late landings.

to the 475th who flew from A 14 to A 10 to help defend.  What a flight.

Again well fought by both sides .   to my counterpart the AXIS CIC (Kool) as provided to me in my orders.  This wasn't the frame I thought it would be and not as good as Frame 1 in action.  I look forward to the logs for the points.  I am sure we didnt fair well from what I saw but hopefully not by much so that frame 3 will be an even frame and will deside the match.

Good job to Ghost Dancer and Repo for the support design and running the frame.  Can't do it without you.  Also frame is very fair with equal oppertunites to each side.  Just what we all like to see.

Viper 61
Operations Officer
325th VFG

ALLIED CIC Frame 2

[xXx]

In regards to A14.

We set up according to your orders viper.

The VFS1000 Cyberhawks stationed on a scouting picket line, the 613th SOS Pariah were stationed behind them waiting for any reports.

We of the 475th had a flight in reserve to back up the 613th while we had two more flights which consisted of a scout flight to the west as well as an advanced scout which extended nearly halfway to A13.

We had a unconfirmed (meaning we didn't see them but another Allied Group reported them and we could not, or failed to, locate from their report) sighting of Ju 88s.

As the clock ticked away ever so closer to T+60 we all started to tighten the noose around A14 as it appeared the enemy might not even show. Then a report of a Zero came across the TAC Channel which was located and dispatched. Shortly thereafter Ju 88s were reported north of A14.

The VFS1000 Cyberhawks, 613th SOS Pariah as well as the 475th were on the scene very quickly and a battle ensued. The Ju 88s were shot down rather efficiently and I believe only 1 enemy bomber was actually able to drop on A14 doing very minor damage in my visual assessment.

But there was no time for accounting as now Zeros were showing up over A14 and they began an attack on all of our P-40s. The Zeros paid for their boldness however and I saw everyone of them go down from P-40 guns.

The Cyberhawks and the Pariah can elaborate better from their perspectives of the battle than I.

After T+60 I believe the VFS1000 and the 613th set up a barC.A.P. over A14 in case the enemy sent a late attack. We of the 475th attempted to assist in the defense of A10 but only arrived there at the end of the frame to no avail an out of time.

We of the 475th enjoyed working with the VFS1000 and the 613th and thank them for their teamwork and hospitality. The defense of A14 was outstanding in my opinion.

We are still relatively new to the FSO and we are learning as we go and unfortunately we are bound to make some mistakes but please be assured we're not being beligerent or disrespectful. We enjoy the event as well as the company of everyone involved with it.

In closing thank you to Viper61 for the excellent planning and commanding of Frame 2.

Best Regards,

[Viper61]

Excellent report.  I han't realised it had gone that good in the east!!!  WTG to 475th, 613th and VFS 1000.

Viper 61

[Viper61]

Logs look good for the ALLIED side in planes distroyed.  Very wide margin in favor of the ALLIES!!! WTG.

However AXIS side got there strike packages to target and distroyed much more than the ALLIED side.  (Not zesty)

Can't wait for the scores...................

Viper 61

[doobs]

credit Gopher and Hornet33 for finding cv, I just typed it in.

then hit enter threee times and watched in horror as my plane flew away without me in it.

[Longdist]

Viper,

First up, Kudo's to the 613th and 475th! Outstanding job!  VFS started out scanning the Northern route but by T+35 it was obvious that they were coming in futher South, so we had to shift things a little.  By T+40 my #5 had found an A6M and while tracking it, came across the JU88's.  We then formed up around the JU88's tracking them inbound at 19K to A14.  At first I thought the Fighter Group was out of position to stop the raid, but as the JU88's crossed the radar ring, they were set upon by what looked like a waterfall of P40s.  It was great to see team work between squads as it sure showed in the carnage that followed.  I don't believe we had a single friendly fire event, although there were some close calls.  Only one JU88 made it throught the waterfall of death and he never made the field... (my only kill this frame).  Not a single bomb was let go.  The one bomb that hit the field, was from a A6M and it hit nothing but grass.  After that it became very quite and VFS stayed up to CAP A14 until the end of the frame.  The down side was that we have been jumped so many times trying to land at a friendly field with 3 minutes left in the frame that I held my squad at alt to long and and we landed 30 Seconds after fields closed.  Three of my squad did not make it to the tower in time.  Again, 's alround to the 475th and 613th.  VFS would be happy to wing up you all anytime.  See you all next frame.

Longdist
VFS 1000 CO
http://www.vfs1000.com

[Viper61]

LD thank for the SITREP.  Your report combined with XXX from the 475th now paints a clear picture of the action over 14.

I like the single zero idea.  The AXIS CIC probably sent the single zero with those two little bombs to hit A 14 prior to H+60 to satifiy the rules which would then allow the JU-88's to hit after H+60.  Nice idea had all of the planes been over A 14 B-Models and out of gas and not the 3 squads and E-models that were there

I would have liked to have seen the "Waterfall of death" in action!!  Appreciate the support of VFS 1000, I know as a smaller squad you dont always get placed into the "meat" of the fight.

From now on I will watch for the single "single zero scenario".

Viper 61

[Drano]

Originally posted by Viper61
Nice idea had all of the planes been over A 14 B-Models and out of gas and not the 3 squads and E-models that were there

 

This was exactly how it played out last time this setup was run when I was Axis CO. I had the Nighthawks run the exact same mission and they came across P-40Bs that were headed down to refuel and they anhilated them. Their Ju-88s then laid waste to the base and everyone RTB'd with a few minutes to spare with no losses I believe. Some of those guys might remember. Anyway, I gave KOOL the idea. Dang E-mods fubar'd everything hehe!!



Drano

[forHIM]

Originally posted by doobs
... I just typed it in. then hit enter threee times and watched in horror as my plane flew away without me in it.

I used to do this too -- now I remap the bail key to shift + enter --- hardly every bail now

[Easyscor]

Or use the Enter key on the keypad.

[Stampf]

From our perspective, the whole of the axis battle plan was laid out supremely.  JG11 was part of the carrier defense package, high alt, extreme rear, a single schwarm.  We spilt into two rotte and sent a single two plane unit east, as we saw a potential gap in our own allied defensive plan.

I thought the allies did a great job transmitting enenmy contacts this frame, and if not for the axis gamble with the noe torp planes, I think we could have held longer.  Tracking that initial group of six high alt zero's the rotten regrouped and we were in position above carrier before attack came.  Never ordered below 15k we could not make it to the enemy attack planes before fish were in the water.

Like everyone else we headed west to A10 and fought out the rest of the frame, accounting for (5) enemy kills and (8) assists, with the whole schwarm succesfully landing in the end.  The F4F is a very foreign plane to all of us but we are having alot of fun with it.

Again, great job axis leadership.  Frame three will be the point of contest.

all.

[Gumbeau]

As the flight lead for the 475FG I can say I was mildly surprised when the call for the bandit northwest went up.

The 60 minute window was very near closing and I had pulled our three flights close to A14. I was waiting for the 60 minute call so I could sound recall. And then I heard the 'bandit,bandit' call on teamspeak.

I had positioned one flight on the likely attack axis and this flight actually spotted the enemy for our guys. The supporting squadrons also started calling bandits farther northwest. It was immediately obvious we had seen the lone zero and one of the other squads had spotted the Main Force. All three of our flights converged quickly and went on the attack very aggressively. It was pleasing to see the other 2 squadrons diving in for the attack as I closed on the enemy from the south.

I ordered our guys to destroy bombers and ignore enemy fighters and the squad took it to heart. More than one guy was out of ammo after two passes, hammering the Ju88's as they tried to speed away. The low closure rate actually made the bombers much easier targets. It was easy to saddle up and pour lead into them from very close range.

XXX had a well planned screen for the defense of 14  and the coordinating squads were very disciplined through a rather long and uneventful first 60 minutes of patrolling. VFS and the 613 were exactly where I had directed them.

I know its very difficult taking orders from another squadron in an event, having done so in the past with mixed results.

Hopefully I will have internet down in Jamaica so I can fly this last frame.

Excellent planning work by the Frame CO. Well thought out and presented in a good format. The flexibility in the plan was the key to our success, allowing us to place our assets according to our strengths.