Leaning Into France - Final Scores

[Bino]

I consider the frames as being CiC vs. CiC with a typical 50/50 split on pilots and each having similar min/max airframes to fly and objectives such as defend 3, attack 3.  In situations like this you would think that each CiC would get the same number of small, medium, and large squads to work with.  Squads would then compete with other squads of the same size for side preference.  Of course this is dependent on a 50/50 split and there being an even number of each size to spit evenly.

Are you asking that the relative sizes of squads should trump their expressed side preference?  I can't see *that* making too many people happy.

[MachNix]

Are you asking that the relative sizes of squads should trump their expressed side preference?  I can't see *that* making too many people happy.

So are you saying that in order to make the most people happy, the larger squads get preferential treatment on side preference because they have more people?  I'm not being mean here but just trying to give you another way of looking at the way sides are split up.  Viper61 was pointing out that it is easier to coordinate a single large squad then three small squads.  So, yes, I'm suggesting if two larger squads (assuming there are only two in FSO) are requesting to fly on the same side, the squad that has flown on that side the least should get their preference.

As an example let's say there are 300 players, the split will be 50/50, and all squads are asking to fly for side B.  Putting all the larger squads on side B will not make more people happy.  With the 50/50 split, there will still be 150 people not happy flying for side A no matter what size squad they are in.  Therefore you might as well make the squad size distribution the same for both sides.

Is the extra effort to balance squad sizes between the sides worth it?  I really can't say.  Things have been working the same way for years and everything gets rolled up into the fog of war anyway.

[Bino]

So are you saying that in order to make the most people happy, the larger squads get preferential treatment on side preference because they have more people?
...

Not at all.  Squad size simply does not enter into the calculations, as they now stand.  The only squads who get "preferential treatment" are those who have not recently gotten their requested side assignment.

And historically, we see *lots* more requests for the Allies than we see for Axis.  "Leaning Into France" was very different in that we had far more Axis requests than normal.

MachNix, thanks very much this.  It forces me to look at the side split choices in a new way.  

[Viper61]

Good back and forth guys 

And like I said i had a ball in this scenario set up.  BOB's are the best.

Bino apprecate the set ups and scenario's keep'em coming 

[viking73]

Good topic and discussion, Viper61. I would have to say that I'm not seeing a problem for bino or anyone else when it come to assigning squads and numbers. It doesn't matter if you have 1 squad of 14 or 2 squads of 7. That comes in the planning, coordination and communication. Even a large squad has to talk to other squads, CiC and bombers if they are escorting. They also have to keep track of where others are especially escorting or to make sure a gap is not covered. Not only that but larger squads are harder to keep members in formation and contact. I've experienced squads of 3 to 17 and I'll take the smaller number any day. It comes down to how they are assigned. Just because you have multiple squads of smaller numbers doesn't mean they can't take off from the same field and fly in formation together on the same assignment. In fact the larger squads make themselves into smaller squads for altitude, area coverage or engagements. Besides I've been in battles where just when you think you've gotten through 1 fight you get hit by another squad. Oddly it seems to happen more in PAC then Europe. I see that as an advantage not a disadvantage. Depends on what the pilots do in each squad. Plus if you need 6 squads in 1 place then plan accordingly. CM's have it hard enough without adding something to the formula. All that counts are total numbers. It's up to CiC and squad leaders to make it work. Tactics. Not the responsibility of the CM's.  

Perd,

My Squad division reference was to which squads and how they get divided between AXIS and ALLIED.  If you look at how the squads were divided up the ALLIES had many more squads than did the AXIS.  Verses the AXIS with lesser and larger squads.  Now from a numbers stand point the ALLIES still had a advantage when totaling total force structure (pilots).  But the real difference comes in planning and controlling an operation.  If only 2 or 3 squads plan and coordinate a mission they tend to do better than 5-6 squads trying to coordinate their efforts using the same numbers of pilots.  And generally speaking; planning, control and most importantly comm's will beat shear numbers in a even meeting engagement.  

The CM's are great about giving squads the sides that they request and I get that.  But this situation comes up every now and then and I think it did this time.  As an example in Frame 2 my squad along with 5 others defended A18.  When 6 squads have to coordinate its just not as easy as 3 with the same number of pilots and flying in larger squad formations.  In that engagement the ALLIES fought with a significant numerical advantage and still got our collective butts handed to us.  And the AXIS loses were fairly light.  The AXIS squads had a very well planned and coordinated attack profile.  The ALLIES had to work to get 6 squads converging at the same time which didn't happen.  We hit in pretty much 2 lesser waves.  So the numerical advantage was eliminated and the ALLIED attack came in not as well coordinated so the AXIS Strike Package fought in nearly equal numbers.  Plainly said we lost this one.  And squad size and numbers played a part in it.  And this happened in Frame's 1 and 3 as well in some spots.

And Dr. Bino is correct, the AXIS had a much better turn out squad for squad meeting mins and max's and that was a significant factor as well.

Not complaining either.  I had a great time and so did the rest of the 325th VFG.  I really enjoy the BOB setups because the plane sets are so closely matched.  My comments are always aimed at trying to improve what we are doing with our Friday nights.

Edited for spelling