Here are the orders I made out to the Allied forces of this frame...
Strategic Situation:[/u]
Due to the outstanding effort during the last few days we still hold the beachhead in SW Sicily near the airfield A12. It is imperative that we now make reinforcing the enemy positions as difficult as possible, you are responsible for making sure nothing gets into or around western Sicily during the next few days. The RAF assets have been relegated to urgent CAS operations of our beachead, which leaves only the Navy aircraft to continue and project power on the strategic level above and around the island of Sicily.
Objectives:[/u]
1. Defend US carrier fleet C60 and C68 in the marked area.
2. Attack German airport A13 and Cruiser fleet C64.
Assets Available:[/u]
HMS Illustrious (C60) with the following compliment of operational aircraft:
- 14x Vought F4U-1A Corsair fighters.
- 4x Grumman TBF-3 Avenger level bombers.
USS Ranger (C68) with the following compliment of operational aircraft:
- 14x Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat fighters.
- 18x Dauntless SBD-5 dive bombers.
Tactical Overview:[/u]
The germans are trying their best to resupply the island of Sicily in order to contain our advance out of the beach-head in the South. Standing in their way like a thorn in the side, are both of our fleet carriers. We have confirmed intel reports of a Kriegsmarine cruiser fleet sailing in our direction, and of the Luftwaffe preparing for a large airborne assault against our fleet. Expect a flurry of Ju-87 dive bombers, Ju-88 level and/or Torpedo bombers, and perhaps some Me-110G2 attacks, all with high fighter cover. We must make preparations to disrupt and break up this impending attack to ensure our continued operations in Italian waters.
Battle Plan:[/u]
The battle plan will consist of two main stages, each lasting one hour from frame start time.
Stage 1 (1st hour): Ops Codename-
SEA BUNKER- Keep both fleets in very close proximity to ensure maximum anti-aircraft defense effeciency.
- SBD bombers will launch, drop their bombs and maintain CAP for the first hour.
- Corsairs & WIldcats will agressively sweep to A13 and engage any CAP present there.
- TBM level bombers hold on the deck for a good 20 min to allow A13 sweep to take effect.
- Corsairs & Wildcats will agressively sweep to the East, attempting to pinpoint the location of the enemy cruiser fleet.
- Several hand picked Corsairs and Wildcat elements will remain on CAP station as well.
- First pilots shot down will assume CV Captain positions, steering fleets to evade enemy bomb/torpedo attacks.
- During the first hour, I want to exact the highest attrition rate possible to the LW !
- This tactic will allow us a safer margin when we go on the offensive in the 2nd hour, and ensure our success in the end.
Stage 2 (2nd hour): Ops Codename-
SEA SERPENT- Once enemy Cruiser fleet is located, SBD dive bombers will land, rearm and launch an assault towards it.
- 1st rearmed Fighter squadron will escort SBDs for the Cruiser attack.
- TBMs with F4U Escorts will conduct successive bombing sorties to A13.
- Continue to maintain CAP over both fleets as best as possible.
- Continue to keep both fleets in very close proximity to ensure maximum anti-aircraft defense effeciency.
Squadron Assignment Details:[/u]
9 GIAP Sqn:Start field: HMS Illustrious (C60)
Vox Comm Channel: 122
Equipment: 4 x TBF level bombers, rest in F4U-1A.
Loadout: Bombs+Rockets for TBFs, Drop tanks only for Corsairs (no fighters may carry bombs).
Mission: A13 fighter sweep and level bombing of airfield. Engage the CAP defenses before you let your bombers into the area. For this reason I would like to request that you hold your 4x TBF's on the deck for a good 10-20 minutes before they launch. Target acks (strafing allowed), fuel tanks, ammo shacks, bunkers, barracks, etc .. don't waste bombs on hangars. We want to kill the resources available at A13 to hamper the Luftwaffe's ability to support its troops fighting in Sicily. Continue throughout the frame with successive escorted bombing raids of A13.
101 Red Sqn:Start field: USS Ranger (C68)
Vox Comm Channel: 133
Equipment: F4F-4 Wildcat Fighters
Loadout: 100% fuel+ drop tanks.
Mission: Fighter Sweep to the East, engage any enemy aircraft you encounter, concentrate your search in the 9,12 & 10,12 sectors to locate the enemy cruiser fleet. Coordinate rearm and escort of the 56th FG & MAG 33 Squadrons SBD dive bombers when they embark on operation "Sea Serpent" (attack of enemy cruiser fleet).
56 Firebirds Sqn:Start field: HMS Illustrious (C60)
Vox Comm Channel: 144
Equipment: F4U-1A Corsair Fighters
Loadout: 100% fuel + drop tanks
Mission: Fighter Sweep to the East, engage any enemy aircraft you encounter, concentrate your search in the 9,11 & 10,11 sectors to locate the enemy cruiser fleet. Coordinate rearm and escort of the 56th FG & MAG 33 Squadrons SBD dive bombers when they embark on operation "Sea Serpent" (attack of enemy cruiser fleet).
MAG 33 Sqn:Start field: USS Ranger (C68)
Vox Comm Channel: 155
Equipment: SBD Dive Bombers
Loadout: 1x 1,000 lb bomb
Mission: Drop your bomb after you launch, maintain high & low CAP over the two fleets. Once enemy Cruiser fleet has been located, immediately land, rearm and launch a coordinated raid to divebomb the enemy fleet. After you launch on the second time, make sure you rondevous with an escort from either 101 Sqn or 56 Firebirds Sqn.
56th Fighter Group:Start field: USS Ranger (C68)
Vox Comm Channel: 155 (same as MAG 33, not a typo).
Equipment: SBD Dive Bombers.
Loadout: 1 x 1,000 lb bomb.
Mission: Drop your bomb after you launch, maintain high & low CAP over the two fleets. Once enemy Cruiser fleet has been located, immediately land, rearm and launch a coordinated raid to divebomb the enemy fleet. After you launch on the second time, make sure you rondevous with an escort from either 101 Sqn or 56 Firebirds Sqn.
Additional Notes:[/u]
- Fleet gunners: you can use the large calibur guns but no 5" whatsoever.
- Neither fleets (C60 or C68) may leave the blue marked area.
- In the event of C60 or C68 leaving the box, it will be scored as a total loss.
- When attacking the enemy Cruiser fleet you need only sink the Cruiser.
- Fighters may not carry air to ground loadouts.
- Make sure your squads are up to snuff on CV operations !
- Lets not lose any aircraft to landing mishaps please !
- Good Luck all !
Map Of Operations:
