You said something VERY critical.
I had flown with you/your command in several case at scenarios. I noticed a tendency to take several squadrons and put them on a single VOX channel - like single bomber or fighter command. I remember at some point, flying as a squadron CO I simply refused to do it.
When you enter dogfight short and efficient communication is critical you should be able to call:
- muzzy break north
- pemb boggy on your 6 start left turn"
- artik on zooms out, muzzy in shooting
You can do it on a squadron VOX efficiently if you have 8-12 pilots, if you get more pilots shouting what is going on it is as good as mute the radio. With a range of accents (not all have English as mother tongue - me), poor calling procedures and poor vox quality "joined" VOX channel are disaster to happen.
Ideal to have group VOX + Command at TS or even text.
Note some groups do have good wingman training and communicate all the time to improve the SA. It is even more critical with short icon range when verbal communication vastly improves the SA.
So it is very critical to have VOX turned to a local tactical group.
This incident was particularly difficult because of my squadron's situation at the time. We were assigned scouting duty and had spread out by section (2-3 planes each) to cover our area. When my section made contact with the cons, I had my other two sections rendezvous at a position closer to the carrier we were protecting. We had another friendly squad at our location and I did not want to commit my entire group until I knew exactly what we were facing. At any rate, placing my reserves closer to the CV gave them a better chance at intercepting anything that happened to get behind my section.
In the middle of the fight with Hopper, my second group got a report of another incoming attack and asked me for clearance to engage. I had to give them orders will still focused on the dogfight I was in. On top of that, they were using squad vox for tactical purposes once they got into a fight. So not only am I in a tough duel, I'm also hearing vox chatter from another fight over which I had little control. On top of that, one of my other planes had become separated from me in the fight. Essentially, this was what I was dealing with:
1. Tactical disposition of my squadron. (i.e. do I commit my reserves to this fight or hold them back?)
2. Location of my lost wingman.
3. Location of the B5N's I was trying to hunt down (lost sight and never managed to catch them).
4. Situation of my 2nd and 3rd section as they engaged another enemy bomber group.
5. Fighting Hopper alongside Pembquit.
6. Trying to send intel to the Allied leader.
7. Location of friendly squadrons we were assisting.
That's a lot to keep track of in a battle.