Bostons are not faster than zeros above 18k, only below and not by much unless you reach ground level.
Here's our AAR:
There were 13 of us bostons flying at 25k (2 different squadrons) and we ran into +15 zeros. They were dead ahead of us at 30k. I had my group (5) break off as we were about 20 mi from our target. I choose a new rally point. I had 2 stragglers prior to the attack and so they died quickly. I had 2, plus me stay together at 25k and we then fought off an attack of 5 zeros. We did okay, but 1 of us was badly damaged so we cleared that boston, who was then able to get away to RTB, and so it was now 2 bostons to now 4 zeros, then 3 friendly fighters happened to be near us and they cleared us by distracting the zeros into a furball. We later then stayed together to bomb the primary target, only to hear everyone who attacked the target was dead (except 1, he managed to dive away and rtb NOE). Then before calibration, we spotted a single zero 3k on our low six, who was probably giving away our location. We quickly calibrated as we were near the target. I dropped my bombs all the while hearing hits being absorbed by my plane. Five zeros had rallied to our location and then the 2nd attack for us had begun. Our SA had taken a backseat to calibration and looking at the target through our bombsite. My squaddie fought 3 zeros up high at 22k and a few minutes later broke both wings trying to eventually dive away to a new rally point. I had severe damage and it was only a matter of time before I had to ditch. I eventually was able to dive to the deck to get away from the bad odds. A single zero continued to follow me, but once the zero was 3k, he broke off, at the same time my number 2 engine died. At that point I turned around to die fighting the zero, only to be unable to catch him. I suspect he did not know I was trying to go back after him. I eventually lost my other engine and had to belly land over the water and was captured.
In the end, an escort of fighters would have been nice to distract the zeros and allow the bostons to divert and attack from a different direction in a short period of time. Or maybe we should just attack at low levels where we can stay fast, and if we can stay alive long enough, any higher zeros will have burned off their E advantage from prolonged bnz attacks. Seeing that group of high zeros was enough for me to break off the attack run. I then at that moment, wished we had escorts. I did not mention any of this prior to the frame, regarding the lack of escorts so hopefully this info can be used to help the next frame. Escorts help against the unexpected.
to the 30k zeros south of A12.
