Action at the Boats

[Viper61]

Another awesome night in the FSO!!!

Wanted to provide a short AAR on north side of the battle space.  It wasn't the Main Effort ALLIED attack but for 20 minutes it was intense.

On the AXIS side we planned for a H+45ish attack so we had time to move the boats close together and try to get them more protected by A2's ack coverage and radar coverage which we were able to do.

We had 4 squads involved in the defense 325th VFG, JG2, 367th and LCA totaling 29-41 defenders (Min / Max).  Because we had the force structure scouts were pushed out to the NE and E.

Right on time the Fighter Sweep of 30K P-38s from KOOL's squad showed up against 3 from the 325th providing high CAP.  Great job by KOOL's guys keeping the high ground and pushing us around, we never had the advantage, but I think we managed to tie you up from coming down into the thicker fight which was lower with the other squads and the F4U's.  I think our little A6M3's did well at 28K.

A-20's in first no sign of the B25H's meaning that a 2 pronged attack was under way.  The A20's took it hard from a wall of defenders but they got bombs off and sank a CA.  the F4U's came in to support and once they were pulled into a low alt slow turn fight the A6M3's showed them that old bird still had some moves.

Next wave in was the B25H's which managed to get in to the boats without much notice.  However once we saw them the A6M3's most down to BB's ran in and started killing again.  The B25H's got 2 more boats and off they tried to run.  The running gun fight went on for 50 miles in some cases.

A good AXIS plan - One in which we planned for and focused effort to defeat, and I think we did soundly.  A really fun operation with a lot of internal communications stating the same.  When the guys stay to watch, support and continue talking about engagements you know its been fun around.

Have to say that the recent changes to the FSO scenario's have been for the better.  The objectives that favor the large battles and closer objectives (more squads in one place) really allow the CIC's and Squadron CO's to use a little personnel judgement and push out from bases and push the fight as has never been done before.  This in turn as set up situations in which we are now getting the 50 mile running gun fight.  High Alt fights that stay there, multi-wave attacks, coordinated attacks, scouts, deception operations, kill box's, aerial ambush's and screening operations.  Guys are landing 2 and 3 times to rearm and return to the fight.  This is how the FSO scenario's should run.
 

[Nefarious]

The only problem I see with these 2 objective frames, very close together, is the lag it causes in vox and icons.

Yeah they're fun, but the vox lag is atrocious and dots start disappearing when there are over 64 people in view, not that you could track that many icons any way.

Edit: Icons to Dots.

[Joker312]

I can't agree more Viper, it's a change for the better.

Nef as far as the lag goes, let's hope that gets fixed in AH3. I seem to remember a point where to many planes in one place causes planes to disappear, not sure if this is what was happening though.

These last few frames with the concentrated objectives have given new life to FSO as far as I am concerned.

[Nefarious]

If I remember correctly the max was 32 then bumped to 64.

I'm liking it too, just get frustrated with 3 minute vox delays. Other than that, having fun as always.

[Viper61]

I've never had that issue (disappearing ICON's / planes).  Most I've experienced is lagging frame rates or in one extreme case mass warping or the ever popular mass disco once or twice.  But I haven't seen that in 2 or 3 years.

Either way the technical issues are a small price to pay for better scenario's and frame setups.  Id rather look forward to hard fights and possible technical issues than to know another so-so scenario and setup that runs flawlessly.

Would like to hear some comments from the ALLIED side on the boat attack.

[Snork]

I disco'd 5 times Friday night but the problem was at my end with electrical storms in the area. Every time when I got back on it put me in my plane which had wandered out of the battle area. Still fun, trying to find the action!

[Nefarious]

I've never had that issue (disappearing ICON's / planes).  Most I've experienced is lagging frame rates or in one extreme case mass warping or the ever popular mass disco once or twice.  But I haven't seen that in 2 or 3 years.

Either way the technical issues are a small price to pay for better scenario's and frame setups.  Id rather look forward to hard fights and possible technical issues than to know another so-so scenario and setup that runs flawlessly.

Would like to hear some comments from the ALLIED side on the boat attack.

It has happened to me before, mainly in events with massive formations. Honestly though it's not as big a deal for me as the vox delays.

I agree though, I like the last few setups after their revisions have been made. Limited targets is creating massive engagements and it opens up the play book for CICs.

[j500ss]

I have been a victim of the no icon issue ( frame 1 of this setup) ,  I have been on both side of the defensive only, pack multiple targets into a small containment area...

Not a fan either way sadly.

In game Vox was basically useless once we were on target.

B25-H boat attack was simple, we followed Cic routing  ( Kudos Dantoo  )  I just made sure the timing would work..... Simply out flank where we knew the mass fight would be, and did it late enough that scouts would be pulled in.   Next time I will do it quite differently for sure.

We felt good about getting in, but we knew we were never getting out alive unescorted.

<S>

Jdog