why did the axis bombers go unescorted like that?
I'll take the CiC blame for that one.
My thinking was to have the A-5s and G-6s hit the Allied bombers. The Italian birds all launched from the island, so they were defensive,also. This left the 109G-2s.
The assignments also gave squads different rides from Frame 1 as much as possible.
In any event, I am to blame for:
1. Not assigning enough escorts.
2. Not assigning specific attack details.
It seems that the Allies loaded the fleet defense with their best planes in the first two frames.