Axis Defense at A51

[Trainee]

To the Axis squads defending A51 well played. 
Our Mossies were trying an end around on 51 and the 262's spotted us and called in the 109's.  They chewed us up.
Thanks to the FREEBIRDS and G3-MF for seeing our survivors home safe!
Tough frame!
 

[SlipKnt]

When we approached and started to flash A52, we saw about 20 plus dots.  We continued without engaging and tried to drag them away before engaging.   

They eventually disappeared.  As we were re-positioning we got jumped by a group of 109s.  As it started to mix up another squad jumped in, in 190s.  We became anchored immediately. 

I got separated from my flight lead (Rodent57) and found myself and smitty in an epic white knuckle fight against Rauh, T2MAW, & Deadstick.  One of the better fights I have engaged in, in a long while.  Once we knew the bombers were there, I made my dash for safety.  It was evident we were fighting against guys that knew what they were doing.  Good sticks!

I eventually got separation and the 109s peeled off.

Started hearing of an engagement in the weeds to my east.  Didn't realize I had squadies that close still trying to get out so I turned back in and attempted to scrub them.  When I finally arrived there was only 1, 109 left so I made the only pass for a scrub and b-lined it out of there.

Seemed there was good and disciplined defense at A51 last night.  Good squads to fight no doubt. 

  that defense.  Last night was intense for me.  Wish we could have sprung more of UNF through than we did, and for that I offer my apologies.  I know FBs got engaged about a sector out and fought their way almost all the way to A51.  By the time they were able to get to target I believe we were all separated and attempting a regroup effort during RTB.  We linked up and stayed together and died together to the end.   

  A51 defenders!!!  You guys did a hell of a job last night!!!

 
SlipKnoT
G3-MF

[Big Rat]

We had three good squads setup in a screen one sector outside of 51.  AK's, 'Lachender Teufelskopf Gruppe' , and VF-17.  Figured the attack had to either come pretty close to straight in or end around in the South.  I had the AK's just North of 51, 'Lachender Teufelskopf Gruppe' straight out in front, and VF-17 stationed to block a southern run in.  Fortunately we had a pair of 262's assigned to VF-17 with Branch and Bricker piloting.  To make a long story short, we eventaully peiced together that the fighters we were seeing West of 51 were the sweep, and I'm guessing one of the mossies tripped a base radar in the South and when I sent the 262's to take a look, they found the mossies clean of escort in the South.  Fighters North and West were designed to suck us in while the mossies end around from the south and fly back into their fighter cover to egress, at least that was my theory.  'Lachender Teufelskopf Gruppe' , and the AK's stayed engaged with the fighters West of 51, while VF-17 went south to head off the mossies.  Rarely does a squad find as juicy of a target as we did last night.  With my squad in tow, warning them to look for hidden mossie 6's (aka BigGamer last frame), I ran up behind the mossie formations and picked my way through front to back, the others behind me did the same.  Lot of us were Winchester in short order, many having 4-6 kills to their credit. In hind sight I shoot have been a bit more frugal on my taters, but oh well. Evidently there was a single Typh or temp mixed in there at some point as it was called out a couple of times and had many of us checking behind.  Actually probably saved quite a few mossies, as our concentration wasn't entirely out in front.  Give credit to the mossies they pushed in to target like champs, despite the carnage, and did considerable damage looking at the logs.  By the way if the pilot of the Tempest that chased me down from 30k to the deck west of A47 reads this, you scared the poopie out of me . 

 
BigRat

[Trainee]

You guys read the plan exactly. Fighters to the west were to draw you away while Mossies came in from SE. Busted! Great defense, another epic FSO in the books.
 

[SlipKnt]

BigRat - That was me!  I got within 600 yards and ALMOST had ya as you nosed down and slowly started to pull away.  I think I was so friggin excited I jerked the joystick when I squeezed the trigger.   

That would have been mace and 1Wolf by the Mossies as we sent them to their location as the fight was beginning to develop over 51 & 52. 

  Brother! 

[Big Rat]

BigRat - That was me!  I got within 600 yards and ALMOST had ya as you nosed down and slowly started to pull away.  I think I was so friggin excited I jerked the joystick when I squeezed the trigger.   

That would have been mace and 1Wolf by the Mossies as we sent them to their location as the fight was beginning to develop over 51 & 52. 

  Brother! 

You almost ended the longest killing streak in VF-17 history   36kills (in fighter)/without a lost fighter aircraft.  I was trying to spiral down as to make myself a hard target, "this guy isn't giving up on me, even after 15k of dive" I was thinking to myself.  Of course the faster we got going the tighter my controls got (109K4) and the more I played into the Tempest hands. I had to "K" out of that dive barely above the ground, and looked up to see you 1.5K above me and I was heading completely the wrong direction (west).  Fortunately you either didn't notice me still around or their were other priorities, so I snuck back to A47 to land  .  I seriously thought I was dead meat.  This will sound wierd but,  glad I made you excited  

 
BigRat

[SlipKnt]

 

I figured you were vectoring the TA152 to me and didn't want to get caught with my pants down.  Congrats on your streak, Brother. 

 

[branch37]

You almost ended the longest killing streak in VF-17 history   36kills (in fighter)/without a lost fighter aircraft. 
 
BigRat

The record is 45 

[RSLQK186]

To make a long story short, we eventaully peiced together that the fighters we were seeing West of 51 were the sweep, and I'm guessing one of the mossies tripped a base radar in the South and when I sent the 262's to take a look, they found the mossies clean of escort in the South.

The 190 attack group that passed North and the 234 group that passed us South of us did not play a factor? No icons, but we knew North were singles and South was formations so I assume they could tell we were formations.

With our forward sweep being engaged or tracked we were on our own. And we had an incling that there were more being held just for us. I had thought at the time if we had used a more southern approach we may have fared better. After reviewing film I concluded that the 234s may have seen us on that route also and the extended time would have given you a clue we were rounding A45.

The proper use of 262 was refreshing. At floundering alt it was wise to use them as scouts 1st until the formation was properly identified. Good job of assessing the situation from start to terrifying end (for me anyway).

Got to hand it to my squaddies. They did get most damage for an Allied squad. Don't think that bodes well for the Allied side as a whole this frame.

Well: Allieds had a few tricks up their sleeves Frame 1 and the Axis changed things up Frame 2. Frame 3 should be interesting.

[Big Rat]

The record is 45 

45 Kepford scale? Branch has always got to try and hold something over my head . I'm saying simply without lost fighter aircraft and kills only, no assists, no ditches or bails, all successfully landed.  I'm sure there is room for more then one record in VF-17.  Since I've now obviously jinxed myself to certain doom.  Are 109 G2's available next month .  Branch is the consistent killer, while I tend to go in streaks normally ended by a 109G2 more often then not, and it's my second favorite aircraft .  Inter-squad competitions are always fun

 
BigRat  

[Big Rat]

The 190 attack group that passed North and the 234 group that passed us South of us did not play a factor? No icons, but we knew North were singles and South was formations so I assume they could tell we were formations.

With our forward sweep being engaged or tracked we were on our own. And we had an incling that there were more being held just for us. I had thought at the time if we had used a more southern approach we may have fared better. After reviewing film I concluded that the 234s may have seen us on that route also and the extended time would have given you a clue we were rounding A45.

The proper use of 262 was refreshing. At floundering alt it was wise to use them as scouts 1st until the formation was properly identified. Good job of assessing the situation from start to terrifying end (for me anyway).

Got to hand it to my squaddies. They did get most damage for an Allied squad. Don't think that bodes well for the Allied side as a whole this frame.

Well: Allieds had a few tricks up their sleeves Frame 1 and the Axis changed things up Frame 2. Frame 3 should be interesting.

Bombers were reported in the South from the outgoing strike, so yes they were a factor.  Bomber type and number were unknown however, so nothing was commited at that point for the 262's to investigate.  It wasn't until a southern base flashed that we commited our 262's to take a look and determined it was a sizeable force of mossies.  At about this same time Lachender Teufelskopf Gruppe, and the AK's were engaging fighters only west of 51.  At this point the plan became apparent.  Your Mossies obviously maximized the amount of damage they could do with the aircraft remaining, great job on the bombing

<S>
BigRat

[Big Rat]

I figured you were vectoring the TA152 to me and didn't want to get caught with my pants down.  Congrats on your streak, Brother. 

 

Thanks, and nope, I didn't have a friend in the world anywhere in vox range at that point.  Was just my lucky day

 
BigRat

[Zoney]

BigRat is my friend

[snakeplissken]

Congrats on the killing streak!    I want to point out how the plane set in FSO makes you weird.  JB11 as top pilot objects destroyed?  If you can make JB11 a bomber dweeb then we need to patent this event for Air Force training!

[Big Rat]

BigRat is my friend

Thanks Zoney