Comments on TOD designs

[Squire]

There are really two major types of RAF night ops designs to use. The first is a pre 1943 version where single bombers attempt to get through the Kammhuber Line, vs single 110Gs on patrol with radar.

The second is a 1943+ version, which could include Wild Boar (or not) where the RAF employs a large stream of bombers. Maybe RAF night fighters fying intruder missions as well (or, not). The main LW fighter would still be the Bf 110G. 190s to operate over a city grid(s) area to recreate the reliance on searchlights and target illumination (they could not just go off anywhere on the map). There are at least 4 variations you could try on this, probably all fun in their own way.

Ratio ideas? anyways...I think it would be very cool to have a 40 player Lancaster stream 3 sectors long, over the Germany map, opposed by 20 night fighters, trying to close in and do the nasty. Too bad we dont have the 110G with Jazz music. Of course you would need to have icons off for that to work.

Regards.

[ramzey]

Originally posted by skernsk
Some comments from my perspective.................. ............

This sounds like more of a CO issue than a CM inssue.  We do not try and micromanage the CO's.  If they task only 1 squad to escort the bombers and the bombers get killed ... hopefully next frame he learned from his mistake:)

 

What fighter CO should do if he dont know buffs route/numbers? in your opinion?
Ask for buffs position several times without answer?
When buffs report enemy attack and dont call position?
and couple more.

From my point of view: i pick up many ppls as i can, make sweep to take airsuperiority  in the target area and keep him long as i can.
Last Sunday was LONG flight for spits, most of us even not see enemy, like in RL.
Design was not perfect but looks more real then snapshot or CAP.
If somone expect furrball should go to MA;)

Keep working Bikekile , next time will be better

ramzey

[Dinger]

Sorry Ramzey, the job of the CMs is to make sure each side has one CO.  THe CO's job is to coordinate a command staff.  With a group the size of the one we had yesterday, the Allied CO should have established an intermediate level of command.
If the CM picked subordinates to the side CO, and not the side CO, then that's clearly a mistake.

Some problems  that are clearly the side COs:

A) A fighter sweep at night doesn't work too well, especially if the fighters are at 29k and the bombers at 14k.  Those of us unable to adjust the in-game gamma on our vid cards can't make out much, and even less against the dirt below.  The LW, on the other hand has to avoid the small dots and attack the big ones.  Yeah, it would have worked if we were able to surprise some 110s or something.  And it might have worked if we were strategically positioned around the bombers to make the enemy fighters "Evade" the other way.

B) Comms are critical in such missions.  As you point out, that intermediate level of command doesn't do any good if the commanders don't speak to each other.  We were a dozen fighters within 15 miles of the bomber group, but the Allied bomber commander refused to transmit his location and heading, claiming he was "too busy shooting"; eventually he transmitted a location that was completely useless ("north of A 30").   Since he clearly preferred his 4 .303s to our 48 (plus 24 Hissos), we left him and his buddies to die.

[Flossy]

I've always believed that Bombers giving regular "POSREPs" is most important in scenario-type events.  I often got the job in AW scenarios (usually taking the responsibility away from the Flight Leader who had other things to do) and would give our position on the country channel at least every 5 minutes throughout the flight.  Of course, if we came under attack, the timings would get disrupted, but I would always try and give details as often as possible.  

These would be in the format:   [squad name] 13 4 11, 25K hdg 070.... then the Side COs and Fighters would always know where we were, how high and which way we were heading and be able to home in on us whenever needed fairly quickly.

This can be a good job for a Gunner in a Bomber, leaving the pilots to get on with the job of flying their planes.  In AW, we used to have to keep asking the pilot for details of altitude, but of course this is made easier in AH with the gunner being able to see the cockpit at any time.

Giving regular POSition REPorts can make all the difference to the outcome of an event.  

[Dinger]

Right on. Actually, I generalize this to:
every flight needs not only a flight leader (CO) but also an exec (XO).  The CO gives orders and coordinates with higher-ups.  The exec repeats the basic stuff we're all supposed to know (loadouts, fields, flight routes, formations, ROEs), and handles radio traffic (position reports, contact reports).
One for command, one for control and comms.

oh, and whoever's giving radio reports should have ch 1 detuned.

Actually, everybody should have ch. 1 detuned.  I'm continually surprised by how many people use channel 1 to talk to the CMs.

("I crashed my plane taking off from the carrier.  Can I Reup?")
Intel Officer: "The 82nd Flying Turds have been tasked with CV ops, and are evidently subpar.  Let's hit that carrier hard.
My favorite is when people crash into the rearm shack.  Uh, why don't I announce on Channel 1 that my squad is in a vulnerable position, low near a friendly field, and not near the objectives?

[Flossy]

Originally posted by Dinger
I'm continually surprised by how many people use channel 1 to talk to the CMs.

LOL, yeah...    Best way to contact the CM for re-upping is on a private channel, especially if the CM is in the third country, as is often the case.