Aces High Bulletin Board
Special Events Forums => Special Events General => Topic started by: LLv34_Camouflage on October 14, 2000, 04:45:00 PM
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Hello Gentlemen!
Post your AAR's here! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Axis squadron CO's, email me your reports with kills/assists/ground target details! ville.pitkanen@hut.fi
Thanks for the great fights!!
Axis CO - Camo
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Camouflage
XO, Lentolaivue 34
www.muodos.fi/LLv34 (http://www.muodos.fi/LLv34)
Brewster into AH!
"The really good pilots use their superior judgement to keep them out of situations
where they might be required to demonstrate their superior skill."
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82nd fighter group had the understrength 39th F.S. folded into it and departed a4 with 11 p38J-25LO lightnings on a routine Combat Air Patrol CAP mission along the northern coast of Africa with orders not to cross the .9 meridian and enemy territory.
we had a very long patrol that was longer than it needed to be (my fault) as I lead my p38s further east than my designated 82nd F.G. patrol area of a2-a4 in attempt to cover the additional area required of the 39th F.S.
we heard reports from a p47 patrol sighting 205s at 35k 1 sector south of a1 but they disengaged and headed north by the time we climbed to 34k from 30k and made contact with the jugs. this was northwest of a7.
during this patrol I realized the folly of having such a large area to cover from such high altitude and sent 2 p38s (MarkAT and Akswulfe) to scout around field a4 while we patrolled east. I asked for 1 p38 to drop to 25k from our altitude of 34k and TS volunteered and duely dropped alt and kept a watch for any possible low alt ju88s
markat and akswulfe soon ran into a large number of 109s above 30k and I ordered my 2 scouts to not engage but to drag them to our 9 p38s rushing to help. we caught up with MarkAT and akswulfe sandwiched by 2 groups of 109s all heading perpendicular (south) to our oncoming 9 p38s and co alt with us.
a whirling furball ensued (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif) (it was a ton of fun!)
my flight did a good job during the begining of the fight to maintain flight cohesion but we got spread out during the long battle and lost MarkAT, cars, eddiek and akswulfe. bug322 was attempting to clear akswulfes single engined and damaged p38 when he was also hit and forced to bail out.
Ice smoked 2 109s for 2 probable kills (watch the chat buffer next time ice (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif) )
bug322 destroyed 2 109g2s before being forced to bail over a4 for 2 confirmed kills
I was able to destroy 1 bf109g2 in a stall climb and damage 2 more with heavy bursts of fire but the second two were not disabled in any way by my fire. TS became the subject of numerous bounces the entire fight but he did find 1 ju88 and attempted to attack it. due to his altitude disadvantage versus the 109s he was not succesful. as the fight twisted all over the sky it pulled TS down to sea level the quickest and he became entangled with 2 109s b&zing him. I dove from 15k to assist and destroyed 1 of the 109s as it attempted to hammerhead on top of TS. I entered into a head on with the remaining 109 by accident as I mistakenly thought I had a tail aspect shot and was hit by a single 20mm which did not damage any systems on my p38. the 109 did not enjoy the loss of its numerical superiority and atempted to flee the area followed by TS and myself. I had a significant energy advantage over ts and the 109 and came screaming down onto the 109s low 6. at about 400 yards the 109 broke upwards and entered some sort of desperate stall climb so i held down the trigger till his wing fell off for a third kill (TS got 2 assists (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) ). as TS and I flipped down from precarious nose up positions another 109 came zooming in to save the remains of his wingman. but we dove in time and he wasnt presented a shot. I called for the flight to reform over a4 as we were severely spread out. TS and I also turned away from the lone 109 who skiddishly attempted to lure us north then gave up chase and left the area. our remaining p38s met up back at a4 and low on fuel I signalled all 82nd F.G. pilots to rtb. as we were landing to refuel a2 was captured by a lone c47. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif) it turns out there was only 1 ju88 ever in our patrol area and it de-acked the field and vacated the area while the goon snuck in.
overall stats:
11 p38J's sortied on CAP
6 109s killed by 82nd F.G lightnings ( 4 p38s that were downed and left the arena did not give me their scores or I missed them as the furball was still swirling)
6 p38s landed safely
5 p38s shot down
1 pilot walked back to base (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif) (Bug322)
4 p38 pilots MIA (unknown if they bailed or were killed. if you were one of them please tell us your status (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) )
overall this was the closest thing to a warbirds S3 I have experienced in Aces High and I was very impressed with the immersion of having no radar/sector bars and d3.0 icons.
excellent job zigrat, CM's, CO's and players. we had no wierdness from rook p51s in our area and had an excellent scenario even though our patrol leading up to the big furball was uneventfull.
[This message has been edited by Citabria (edited 10-15-2000).]
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Not much to report. I was camos wingman, but we got separated by 1 p38 who was harrassing me from 2.5k higher. Little later i got 2 p38:s on my 6 and that forced me to leave combat zone. Unfortunately the guys on my six were Citabria and hes friend so they escorted me to my death quite rapidly. Overall i had feeling, that we were quite unorganized.
(http://www.kolumbus.fi/lauri.wikstrom/Facingdeath.jpg)
Citabria that was me who did that desperate stall climb. =) There were not much else to do (well at least with my skills). <S>
[This message has been edited by Tuomio (edited 10-14-2000).]
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319BG Sortied well into the frame.. we had some problems getting buffs enabled. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
The flight to Licata was eneventful.. however Licata itself was hevily defended; and 3 b26's were lost. They gave good acoount of themselevs; and took 3 109's with 'em. The c47 RTB's safely; electing to not get sliced to ribbions in the cloud of defenders.
319th reports Licata's A/A defenses severly damaged or disabled comletly; 3 enemy A/C destroyed in the air 3 B26's lost to enemy action.
Hang
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346th Bombardment Squadron Mission report:
Eight B17Gs left Tripoli 15 minutes late due to procurement problems, UPS truck crashed and our planes were late arriving.
We took off from several different runways and flew to Mareth where the Squadron, missing Natt who discoed, formed in good order and set course for Bone, on the North coast of Africa.
Natt rendezvued near Bone and a loose formation of 8 B17s containing 3 gunners headed north to the target from there.
Wilfrid was lead due to yet another foulup by the Squadron CO. {I finally found the map Wilfrid, it was under some beer bottles on the deck, sorry.} and when he also discoed I assumed lead and he joined me as gunner.
As we approached the target area there was discussion regarding the time frame allowed and based on that discussion I ordered an abort of the mission.
Pilots were instructed to bomb dolphins with no regrets and get into Bizerte at best possible speed.
One plane, appearantly with malfunctioning radio equipment flew into the target area and was shot down by fighters, its crew bailed into captivity.
On the approach to Bizerte one B17 was shot down by friendly fire and crew was lost.
(Please disable that HQ complex CMs, North Africa is supposed to be in Allied control.)
Six of the original eight B17s landed with no loss to the enemy.
That constitutes 25% of our bomber force on an aborted mission, we need practice.
As an aside to any 346th personnel reading this, aborting after flying for 2 hours really bites, I know that.
I wonder how many missions were aborted during WWII after longer flights?
Please remember that this is not the main arena and fly accordingly in the future.
SCGreyBeard, get that radio fixed!
Well flown under the circumstances 346th!
RW is proving unreliable, anyone know a better comms program?
Suggestions:
Extend time frame if bombers are to fly the entire mission home base to home base or make targets closer.
Enable planes quicker or something.
Slow the damned buffer down!
(Just kidding there but it is a squeak keeping track of everything and my XO does most of it.)
It was not a stellar performance but we fight again.
See you Tuesday.
Sunchaser
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When did they put this thing in here and WTF is it for?
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1/KG77 AAR
After much confusion and chaos and commanders trying to alter plans at the last second we finaly launched from Belvedere in our trusted JU-88s.
There seems to have been some confusion as to just who our escort was supposed to be. I launched my flight understanding that g6s would be the escort and then 10 or 15 minutes into the flight found out that the 205s were now tasked to escort us.
This turned out ok as the 205 flight leader was able to contact me and we arranged a rondevue(sp?) north of the Malta area.
As we proceeded we picked up one or two more Axis fighter groups. Entering into contested airspace we had friendly fighters all around us.
My pilots and I went heads down to perform our first bomb pass. The bombs fell on tgt, but as soon as we brought our heads back up we were under fire by numerous spitfires and typhoons.
It was like our own fighters had simply evaporated at the worst possible moment.
Most of my men did not even have a chance to man thier defensive weapons.
The flight was wiped out to the man.
1/KG77 sortied 7 Aircraft today.
6 Ju88's Sortied
1 RTBed due to mechanical failure
5 Lost to Enemy Air
1 C47 Sortied
1 lost to pilot error.
(recommending pilot commendation as he was vailiantly trying to resue downed pilots near Malta)
End Report.
r2ch
CO 1/KG77 (pending board of inquiry)
[This message has been edited by rzch (edited 10-14-2000).]
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I have been informed that only 5 B17s landed, a fact that escaped my razor sharp perception even though the 6th plane pilot was my gunner on landing.
This CO stuff is givin' me a headache.
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When did they put this thing in here and WTF is it for?
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Upped P-47 from A7. Mission was fighter CAP. We climbed Northward on 360 until spotting high cons 12 OCK at which pointy I follow Ripsnorts advice and drop my DT's. We reverse for altitude and get to a comfortable 30K+. heading is now 360 and we encounter Contacts Over A1. Ripsnort, MRpluto, and RA engage contacts ( Macchi 205's) . Frenchy and ammo stay high at 27 K watching the battle unfold. Frenchy at this point picks a 205 to pounce and I keep his 6 covered. Just my good luck! An eager 205 driver starts pursuit on Frenchy from a distance. Apparently the guy never saw me as I swoop on him and let my 8 50cals shred his stabilizer. In the meantime Ripsnort has destroyed a 205 with his wingman MRpluto witnessing it. Because of fuel concerns we RTB on Frenchy's command to A7. We all do a hot rearm and up again to cover The B-17's ingress into the target. We climbout and proceed achieving an altitude of 35K on a heading of 360. Over A1 we encounter 10 contacts, 2 of which were BF109's and the rest were Macchi 205's. Being outnumbered 2 to 1 we still choose to engage the enemy and as a team we achieved one more kill of a 109. Credit for the Kill goes to Frenchy/ammo. We all then RTB'd at 6 because of time constraints, all 5 p-47's. Good day for the 345 Th FG.
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We took off with eight C.205s from A1 and capped the 7,9 - 7,10 - 8,9 - 9,9 squares. We spotted several times very high P47s at 30K+ who did some B&Z on us. My section (4 205s) did not score and <EDIT> had one casualty (Grifo) during those skirmishes. XELA's led another section of 4 205's. We then covered (too late, I'm sorry) CAMO group retreating from SW and at the very end we shot down the only one buff we have seen, a B-17G.
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GATT
4° Stormo Caccia - Knights (http://www.4stormo.it)
[This message has been edited by gatt (edited 10-15-2000).]
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I had more the feeling the P47 didnt want to engage, after all they were just P47s against our 205s (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif) Was a long, eventless CAP of Sardegna with the only trouble being the absence of DTs on our 205s.
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I was one of 3 B26 pilots on the raid to Licata. When we reached our target, we ran into 205s and 190s. Pepino and NHFoxtro were jumped immediately, I however managed to make several passes over the target and take out all of the ack. My gunner(Dingy), managed to shoot down a 190. While trying to RTB,several more 190s came from behind and saved me the trip back to base.
After reviewing the film,I feel I owe an apology to Hangtime. Once he knew that Licata was heavily defended, he scrubbed the mission. At the time, I was so engaged with fighters and dropping ordinance I must have had tunnel vision or something. Wheather or not the enemy fighters would have persued and shot me down anyway does not matter,the abort order had been given.
I see now that these scenarios require a different mindset/SA than the main arena.
OleNick
P.S. Was fun as hell tho!!
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So the story begins to unfold. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
All in all, the Axis managed well and kept their defence lines intact, even though with heavy losses. In the west, we also managed to capture A2 from the allies with a Ju88+C47 sneak attack! WTG Mosca and Naso! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
The eastern front didn't succeed in its Malta capture, all the Ju88's were shot down despite the large escort numbers. All enemy bombers were shot down or chased away, so the defence was succesful! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
What happened in the West:
As the usual pre-launch chaos started to ease, my JG27 took off in our 8 109 G-2's from Corsica, A32. We headed south and split into 2 schwarms. I took mine south of 1, as janjan took his to escort the ju88's from A33. It turned out that the "ju88s" were one ju88 and one C47. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
As we passed A1, we noticed a few flights of P47s who were unwilling to engage. I knew the P38's were also somewhere, so we pressed south to intercept. Gatt kept his 205s close to A1 and kept an eye on the p47's. We came to A4 at 32k and established cap. The skies were clear so I took my wingie and we swept W to see if V47 was empty. It was.
Suddenly my 2nd rotte leader Jarsci, capping A4, calls hi P38s inbound from East. We hurry there, just as janjan's schwarm arrived at the scene. I didn't have time to form a clear picture of the situation, since we were quickly overwhelmed by the P38s. I told our ju88+c47 to head W asap so they wouldn't get trapped under the 38s. They managed to slip away, even though one p38 tried to catch the ju88. I managed to chase him off.
The fight scattered over a large area and our wingie pairs got separated. Not good. I tried to get us to regroup north, at the same time calling help from Gatt. Too late, 5 of our G-2s were shot down - 3 kills to Citabria. Grrr... (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif) Jarsci and Staga succeeded in getting one kill each before biting the dust, though. The few of us left manage to extend north, as the P38s regroup over A4. Kaitsu, Duke and Camo RTB to A1 for refueling. I glide the last few miles with a nearly empty tank, and use the last drops to roll to the refuel pad.
As I was on final, Mosca and Naso managed to capture A2 - WTG!! Our plan worked perfectly, the G-2's managed to keep the P38's east while they sneaked west for the capture. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
We took off again and grabbed altitude just S of A1. Gatt's 205's were at the scene too and noticed the P47's coming in again. We moved in to help the 205s, but then a P47 got a lucky deflection shot in and hit my oil lines. I dove in to A1 and made a succesful landing there. Duke was caught only minutes later and was forced to bail. Kaitsu landed safely at A1. Gatt also managed to shoot down a B17 near A1.
Meanwhile, Mosca and Naso had refueled at A2 and were otw to A38. Unfortunately because it is a large field, Mosca hade to grab lots of alt to get clear of the 88mm acks. With the time running out soon, they were in a hurry. I rushed them too much and mosca was shot down, leaving one ack up. Naso was shot down by it seconds later. The second capture was sooooo close. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
All in all, our G-2's managed to protect the bomber "group" well. They succeeded in their mission and left the allies in shame. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif) Unfortunately, 6 of the 8 109's were lost, with 4 pilots dead and 1 captured.
Results JG27 "Afrika":
2 fighter kills, 6 planes lost, 5 pilots lost.
Camo: no kills/assists, RTB.
Jarsci: 1 kill (P38), no assists. KIA.
2Cool: no kills/assists, bailed out, captured.
Tuomio: no kills/assists, KIA.
Janjan: no kills/assists, KIA.
Kaitsu: no kills/assists, RTB.
Staga: 1 kill (P38), no assists, KIA.
Duke: no kills/assists, bailed out safely.
Also, the east Ju88 group achieved great victories:
Results 4/Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg"
1 airfield capture, 20 airfield targets destroyed, 2 planes and pilots lost.
Mosca: 18 acks, 2 buildings destoyed. KIA.
Naso: Field Capture (A2), KIA.
Results 4º Stormo Caccia:
1 four-engined bomber kill, no losses.
Gatt: 1 B17 kill, no assists. RTB.
I will update the axis pilot score page tonight. Those pilots willing to get points toward the Knights Cross, post your results in this thread if you haven't emailed me already!
Axis med league website: http://www.hut.fi/u/vpitkane/LLv34/med/ (http://www.hut.fi/u/vpitkane/LLv34/med/)
Axis CO - Camo
[This message has been edited by LLv34_Camouflage (edited 10-15-2000).]
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As one of the B26 pilots to Licata, I was the lead buff for the mission. I spotted the opposition as heavy one and reported it to the rest of the squad. I should have turned back to either scrub the mission or now thinking about it to get better alt. Like OleNick said "Tunnel Vission" so I pressed on got in my Bomber sight took 1 ack gun down was moving sights for second and third,dropped to soon on second because I was attacked. Cheked damage to plane <Left engine out> I proceed' West for about 2or3 mls,then turned to make second run and head back to base when I ckd 6 I had 2- 205's. I could not get a clear shot off because they wear using the smoke from the Engine as cover,and they downed me in a matter of seconds, so I bailed as the plane was going down. I don't know if I caused any damage to the 205's with my 6 gun, It all happened rather quickly.
I would like to apolagize to Hangtime, I didn't see the abort order because I was in Bomber sight and will pay more attention next time. Thank you for the experience, It was very realistic to me. Fox (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
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NHFoxtro
-XO- Night Hawks
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No apology required! You guys did a great job! I'll load up RW for squad comms next run. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Cya next time!
Hang
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hi all:
this will make a few of you want to kill me, but to bad.
why are there planes or squads at 30+ thousand feet. this is suppose to be historical right. well I do not beleive the planes in 1943 flew at 30+k. and yes I know my squad was up at 27K. but maybe some limits on alt should be set, well thats what I think.
wolf37
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noone wants to kill ya wolf37 (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
However I believe it was entirely accurate to see AC that high, Ive read accounts of cruising altitudes of 27K and such.
Ammo
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Alt = advantage. It's the only reason people go that hi.
And it's not historical. Sure some did go that high. In the ETO. Not in Afrika and Italy as the airwar was lower mainly due to the ground support/attack element. And the CAP was lower to protect said ground support/attack.
Now add in frozen guns as well as pilots hands and feet, frosted up canopies and the necessity for oxygen, well, then you might stand a chance of getting folks lower.
-Westy
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I was the 3rd. defunct B26 assigned to Licata.
First of all, It was a ton of fun. And very immersive (I'm not referring to the drowning part, heheh).
I have to make a strong claim because the sandwiches we ordered to stand our 90 min. waiting at the Tower, never arrived (I can understand no beer allowed before the mission, but the sandwiches...) (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
Well, after all the mess with allowed airplanes, and starving to death due to lack of said sandwiches, we finally took off to Licata in a quite open formation flying very very low (90 to 200 ft). We take direct Hdg. to the target, and start climbing some 40 miles away from it. We made to Licata with some 10k alt., only to find a group of 6+ 205's with some emotional problems, very angry with us, even we didn't drop a single bomb yet (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif) . MarkAT, my gunner, made an astounding job of one 205, but another one sew our right wing (we were jumped by no less that 3 cons). I tried to turn to the sea to bail over Ocean, but our jump was too close to shore, and I was killed by AAA fire.
Along with my R.I.P. ad. on the newspapers, notices of the damage inflicted to the evil Axis powers somehow cherished my soul. Still, aaa wiped out and 3 defenders out not enough punishment to revenge 3 good B26's crews lost in action.
All in all, It was a blast. I look forward next saturday afternoon (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif).
On the other hand, and IMHO, we should solve some Issues about next B26's Missions:
a) Missions should be either planned in advance or posted on the Mission Viewer (if possible).
b) For us not so profficient in English, It is hard to understand RW communications. I would ask important orders, like Abort, etc., could be repeated on text bar in capital letters).
c) Flight Leader role is essential in mission's success (given that success not allways means destroying the assigned target and almost allways means returning home safe). When I'm in this type of mission, I just follow my FL's orders. So, FL HAS to be (if possible) an experienced buff driver so that correct altitude and lining is achieved when over the target.
d) It is crucial to keep buff formations tight. Distances over 200 yards are invitations to fighters to wipe us out one by one. In this sense, It is very important to have gunners.
Just my 0'02, before I give a <S> to Hangtime for being able to keep over the headache that he sure has had trying to manage this troupe. And Thks OleNick and NHFoxtro. It was great experience for me too.
Pepino.
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All the CM has to do is state an alt cap. I've never been a part of a flight that abused this, nor have I seen this abused.
If alt is an issue here, there is an easy fix.
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Hmmmmmm.
I flew 3 flights in the Med arena earlier today that Busc had arranged. Axis assault on Malta.
1st flight was 3 Spit IXs v 3 109s and a Ju88. No alt cap so spits went to 27k and found 109s at about 26k, 109s dragged low.....dogfight at about 10k ensued.....all Axis planes shot down for the loss of Zero spitfires. :-) result.
2nd flight was 11 Spits (mix of Vs and IXs) v mix of 109s and 205s. Alt CAP was 15k which was strictly observed by the Spits (I made sure of that). This time the spits found the flight of fighters about 30 miles north of Malta, Axis flight was slightly lower than Allied again, at about 14k. As the dogfight panned out a lone JU-88 and a 109 made it to Malta. The 109 tried to straff the field and was shot down by ack, the Ju-88 dropped it's bombs and lowered fuel to 75% at the field before being shot down by ack. All Axis aircraft were shot down but only 1 spit RTB'd.
3rd flight.
Same as before but due to the fuel issue (only 75% at the field) Spits were ordered to climb to the 15k alt limit and then throttle back and loiter over Malta. When the enemy was spotted it was noted by more than 1 Allied pilot that Axis fighters were well over 15k.
Soon as I spotted them I noted that ALL of them were well over 15k. I mentioned this to Busc on ch1 and he replied that he was sorry but it had just happend and he hadnt had time to set a serious wind effect at 15k to discourage people from going there.....
All I can say is.....er.....well, I made damn sure the spits stayed under 15k (well ok, I know at least 1 that went over but he got moaned at) and then I see EVERY Axis fighter in the game at well over 17k.....and Busc was leading em! I mean shreckin 'ell but that's taking the piss more than a little.
Anyway, results were all allied fighters shot down, however, we did get the Ju88(s?) and prevent any further bombs dropping on Malta.
back to the point.
I have no objection at all to an alt cap. However, when I (as self appointed acting Allied CO since no-one else appeared to be taking charge) attempt to make sure all my forces obey that alt limit I expect the Axis forces to do the same. Now a few fighters going over the limit is acceptable.....but not bleedin' all of 'em!
Anyway, it was still great fun. S! to Busc for smoothly organising another great event and allowing me to shoot him down (first went the engine, next went the right wing tip, then the term 'lawn dart' could be applied). ;-)
Swoop
P.S. this post is not a moan, merely a statement of fact that alt limit are abused unless arena settings prohibit it.....even by Busc himself.
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ARR From Frenchy
It was an another hot day at Souk El Alba, the newly arrived P47-D25 where standing there, all lined up ready for combat. Ripsnort already armed the planes and briefed MRPluto, Ammo and RA for the mission. the mission... I was expecting a ground attack for our first day, but we got assigned to escort b17's to Sardaigna. Load out, 75% of fuel plus 2 drop tanks... max amo of course. Intelligence officer advised us we could expect Ju88s, Machi 205s and Me109s.
We took off heading 360, to establish a CAP half way between the north African cost and the Sardaigna. I had only one concern in mind : Not loose any aircraft. I saw many times in combat eager pilots getting fixated by their target and forget about basic Situation Awarness... Especially in those early days of combat. We separated in two elements (Ripsnort and his wingman MRPluto) and (my wingman Ammo and me). At 27K 30 NM south of Sardaigna we spoted a massive formation higher than us. I our division to turn 180 to the South to gain more altitude. When came back toward the south at about 32K and encountered the enemi formation again. They were slightly above us. I dispatched Ripsnort/MRPluto to do a quick pass thru them and drag them back to us. Meanwhile, Ammo and me, turned away still grabing altitude. "205s!!!" Announces Ripsnort... "12 of them!". They flew thru them and dragged back toward us. Instead of following, the 205 divided in two groups, we kept our patience and flew away from them. We met RA who joined with us, he took off late from our airfield.
Our division was starting to get low on gas, we decided to go check over A1, do a quick B&Z if spotting any bad guys and come back home to refuel to then join the buffs for the escort.
Over A1, we encountered some lower contact. As we dived toward them, they dove away. I ordered Ripsnort/MRpluto to engage them while Ammo and me stayed high to cover them in case they are in trouble or in case an another enemi flight comes around.
Ripsnort went very low (scared me) but he could achieve a kill and egress the area thank to his wingman cover. From high, I saw Ra manouevering with 2 205's in his 6. I rolled 110 degrees and dove in. I did a quick pass thru the 205s, I was too fast to shoot at them but I scared them enought to oblige them to leave RA's six o'clock. An another 205 thought he could catch up with me while I was zooming by his teamates, but it was a mistake. Ammo dove in and blew his tail away. We all kept our speed and egress toward the south.
When clear from the combat zone, we regrouped and congratulated each other... 2 kills.... no losses yet... all that thank to our teamwork covering each other, not getting fixated with targets, looking at each others 6.
We went to refuel at A7, streessing moments... we established an order for landing, stayed in line, then 1 after the other taxing to the refuel point, then took off with interval, still in the same order. it was a beautifull seight to see those P47's upping in line, going on a shallow left climbing turn one after the other. There again, our pilots discipline made our refuelling safe, no collisions.
We went back up to rendez-vous with the buffs, somewhere along their intended route, North of North Africa. Over the radio, we learned that their mission was aborted. We also noticed that the P38s where not at their CAP point, we all wished they were "ok", not somewhere in the sea below.
We proceeded to a last flight toward A1 to see what's left there. We encountered a flight of 10 bandits, co-alt. About 8 205s and 2 Me109s. "Ok boys, remember... stay alive.. we doing great so far... don't die now!"
We did some quick passes, trying to find some opportunity kills without getting too much in trouble. We spotted a lost B17 way lower, around 25K. "the fool"... I saw at least 3 205's diving toward him, I followed them at high speed. I remember Ripsnort calling other the radio :" Now, don't go all dying because of this guy". I checked my 6, I was fast... 520-550 TAS, I was fast enought to be safe. The B17 blew up 4K in my 12 while I saw 1 of the 205 pitching back up in a shallow climb. "Buddy, you are next...". I closed on him very fast, close from compressing, i opened fire at 900y. I saw bullets impacts all other his wings... from the left to the right, then back left, then left again. While zooming past him, I was stuned to see him in one piece, braking away. I was disapointed... I saw 205's blowing up with way less lead into them... oh well, next time. While leveling I checked my 6. A Me 109 was trying to catch up with me about 2k away, but I was still very fast. I also spoted my wingman Ammo diving on him. I smiled, I kept my flight path straigth, the 109 was still fixating on me, he never saw Ammo blowing up his left wing with his 8 50 caliber. Teamwork payed again.
Time for the Return to base. We all landed safely. I was surprised. We never really knew each other but we could work toghether great. No losses... 3 kills... what a day. I believe we are the only squadron who didn't loose an aircraft. Teamwork, good judgement, skill and luck. I don't know if we will be as sucessfull in the future, but I'm looking foward to work with this great bunch of guys. Salute to the 345th!
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Damn. These are some fine AAR's (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) Wish I could have flown yesterday (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
-Westy
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Westy, all but Swoop's AAR are from Saturday's med league mission!
The next med league mission will be flown tonight - don't miss it!
Axis CO - Camo
<edit> LOL, I guess you knew this already Westy. Next time I might have to think before I post. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) </edit>
[This message has been edited by LLv34_Camouflage (edited 10-17-2000).]