It was the 2005 Coral Sea Scenario.
I had been working on some basic torpedo tactics for use in the TOD and CAP events on and off for a few years. I had even created a terrain for practicing torpedo attacks (various high alt starts, several fleets to attack etc.). So when they came out asking for volunteers to lead the groups I imediately applyed to take over one team's torpedo groups.
One thing that has always bugged the crap out of me in events is the poor utilization of torpedo planes. In many of the events i have participated, the torpedo planes are sent in on the deck in an attempt to sneak and attack the fleet. In some cases, creative planners try to time it so that the torpedo planes act as bait to get the enemy CAP down so that the divebombers have an easier time of it. Either way, the results for the torpedo pilots are the same: We die. It was so bad in the TOD events that many times Torpedo planes were given "second lives" in fighters to ensure that the pilots in that squad would show up.
So my first goal in taking on this assignment was to convince everyone that we were going to fly into harms way, launch our torpedos, and survive the encounter. We wanted to establish an esprit de corps among the torpedo pilots, so I included the following on the opening page of our training website:
By way of introduction, let me emphatically explain why torpedo duty is the most important aspect of modern Naval Warfare. In order to attain victory, our forces must apply sufficient ordinance upon enemy shipping, to cause that shipping to sink. We currently have three methods for applying that ordinance. The First and oldest method is through naval bombardment. This method, while quant and amusing, is not well suited for the modern naval battlefield. While the ranges of our naval artillery are far reaching by Napoleonic standards, they are nearly insignificant when compared to the range of our ordinance bearing aircraft. The Second method for applying ordinance on the target is the dive bomber. Divebombers can reach out and apply ordinance out to a range of hundreds of miles. Unfortunately, they can only apply it five hundred pounds at a time. The third, and most important method of applying ordinance is the torpedo bomber. Our planes can reach out to the same ranges as the dive bombers, yet deliver over three times the payload. When it comes to bringing the pain, the Torpedo Bombers have no equal.
Of course, there is a downside to all of this power. While divebombers can streak in towards their targets, drop their tiny bombs, and then run away like a 9 year old girl. We on the other hand, must lumber towards a wall of flack, at speeds so slow the tide is passing us by. This is the price that we must pay for the power that has been granted to us by God, and the CNO, If you want to run away, transfer now. There might still be room with the dive bomber gals. But if you have the fortitude to stand forth and lean into an enemy bent on your death: Welcome to the Exclusive Club of Torpedomen.
Our tactics were (at the time) easily the most fully developed torpedo attack tactics to hit the game. I'd be surprised if they have been surpassed since, but I haven't been around to know. We started by getting rid of the NOE notion. I promised my pilots that I would not accept any NOE orders. I had cleared this with our Side CO prior to the announcment, and it did a lot to help assuage any worry about survivability.
We were to come in at Altidude, between 15-20k, mixed with the divebombers. Our mission profile had us fly over the fleet in 8 ship formations, then, as we crossed the deck of the enemy CV, we would split into two 4 ship groups, one to attempt a port side attack, the other starboard. Bleeding that much alt in so short a time while the fleet was manuevering was a hell of a lot of fun. It was tricky to say the least. But we had practiced our tactics in H2H, using my torp map, and the flight and wing leaders all knew their stuff. That meant that all of the other pilots just had to be able to keep formation.
The results were spectacular. In the event, the other side immediately started to complain that we were using our torpedo planes as divebombers. I guess watching us dive on the fleet from alt was just too confusing to the bad guys. We landed several hits with our torps, and our losses were not too much greater than those of the divebomber squads.
After the first run, things softened up for us, and we were able to rinse and repeat our attacks throughout the frame. At one point, we even intercepted a Sad, Sad group of Kates trying to attack NOE. After two frames of domination, we switched sides and flew the Kates ourselves. There were a few variations that were necessary to adjust to the new airframe, but the general idea was the same. So were the results. In fact, I believe that we did better in the Kates than the Avengers, though that probably had more to do with the additional practice (not to mention "live fire" play in the first two frames).
But man, seeing those torpedo planes make a difference in the scenario really was rewarding, and will probably always be my favorite memory of Aces High.
Here's a link to our training website:
http://www.hailcesarz.com/torps/page1.htm-Sik
