The Allied command decided not to use close escort and use fighter sweeps instead. This only works if your sweeping fighters actually come across the enemy. If they don't your strike packages get bounced. Which we were. Repeatedly. We were never bounced on our way to or from the target. Fighters were always waiting for us at the target. They don't even need to wait that high. They know we have to come down to dive bomb.
Carrier placement was also a problem. Carriers were placed pretty much in their default starting locations. Not like everyone doesn't know where those are. Third frame we were set to launch INSIDE axis radar. Carrier was right off shore. Would have been simpler for us to just disembark and march to the target base. I exaggerate that last point but still.
Were there some kind of restrictions placed on the allies that the rank and file don't know about?
Actually there weren't any fighter sweeps this time around for Allied.
The restriction placed were invisible. When placed in the center of several enemy you have to defend and attack 2 directions from 3 of the 5 bases. That plus the fact that there were 5 targets and 5 defensive points in frame 3 just simply thinned out the group.
On a side note I think something that is definitely needed is a how to guide for CiC's. It should include everything from a check list from start to finish of the week, a list of commands not usually used and possibly not known to the group (such as carrier movement and control), and anything else that might help in the process.
The FSO has grown to something that we all look forward to. Just as any game however I think steps should be taken to protect it and make it better. Small things like dropping bombs on take off to get around the rules is one of a host of small things that can make the game lopsided.
I know that this is getting long but I think one more thing might make future carrier ops interesting. What if the FSO had 2 phases. The first phase would start 1 hour early with the CiC's taking control of the groups and driving them to where they wanted staying inside say a 4 sector box. Phase 2 would start the normal time with planes actually having to find their target.
Looking forward to the next round in September.
Hamblue