Is this the full half hour or just the five minute argument?
- Any targets not initially attacked or defended in the first hour may result in a penalty....
CIC's are expected to construct their orders in such a way that the main attacks reach their targets by T+60.
Point of order: An attack starts well before the first bomb successfully strikes an object. If a bomb hit a target at 61 mins, you can take it that the attack started somewhat earlier.
The justification provided for the rule is stated as, "This is to insure all squads will see action within the first hour." If the defenders saw action within the first hour then all is well. I don't believe it has ever been viewed otherwise.
It's always been about the planning. CICs must plan to hit the targets within the first hour. Lots of stuff can go wrong. On occasion, it's taken me more than an hour to fight my way to a target. One time, the wind settings actually made it impossible. Stuff happens. When you've got a large area to search for a moving target, combined with limited visibility, it becomes a real lottery whether you actually find it inside of 2 hours not just one.
That strike for C110 went down our right hand side as we moved into position for our own attack. If we had strayed head first into them instead, they might not have found their target for some longer period. Wouldn't have been deliberate or their fault. This stuff is supposed to be about fun.
Edit: Just did a quick check of logs and:
Thawk
22:03:22 Departed from Field #110 in a Seafire Mk IIc
23:01:37 Shot down a Ju 88A-4 flown by roadkill.
Roadkill was shot down inside of 60 minutes and that should just about cover it.
I just got to finish with a salute to The Damned because I know they are extremely frustrated after the first round where nothing showed up at all. I bet it was getting tense at about the 50 minute mark again this week
Those poor 109s that rolled up a minute or two later must have wondered what hit them