You guys at A25 took us by surprise. We were at 14k-18K and no one had eyes on the ground. I could not see you guys at all. I just followed squaddies and by the time we got to you all you were already over target. <S> for your decimation of the base. Poor 25's just couldn't defend there 6.
Hehe... I was flight lead for the B-25's going into V25. We were on final approach to bomb release and I look back and up and I see a single I-16 with about 20 little black dots above him. I called it out, but it was too late for us to do anything but stay on target at that point. What we did manage to do was pull you guys down so the rest of our strike group in the D3A's and Zekes coming in high were able to have an easier time finishing off the base. But what we didnt plan on was not meeting up with the escorts for the 25's.
I actually made it through the bomb run, hit my targets, and out to sea (with wings creaking at 300 + kph), turned back in to the NE to head home and then ran into 5 or 6 of ya! A BIG
to hymi. He took down all 3 of my ships. I got a few pings on him here and there, but the 25C has a deadly blind spot and he knew just how to stay in it no matter how much I banked and jinked. The most painful part was that with the BB's he was shooting at me... that chase took FOREVER! He must have hit me 1000 times
while I was screaming out to nearby pilots "Can I get some help here????!!!!" I attribute my getting shot down to my own error of not going further out to sea before I headed for home, as much as I do to the pilot that got me.
Now... as for the setup, I didnt have a problem with it at all. True, the Allies were able to commit all of their resources to defense. But the Axis was able to do the same for offense. We took some casualties, but as for our target, we flattened it. From what I hear, other strike groups did the same. I think both sides learned some lessons on Frame 1, and will bring them to the table for Frames 2 & 3.
I think part of FSO is portraying how it really was. There were plenty of times that an "overwhelming force met an immovable object". That is exactly what happened this week. It gave the CiC's a chance to focus on one aspect... either attack, or defense. It was definitely a change from the standard procedure. While the IJN may have gotten crushed in some areas, they did their job in others. It will be interesting to see what we get for Frames 2 & 3.
All in all... I had a good time in FSO as I always do. BIG
to the CM Staff, the CiC's and all the players who make FSO something to look forward to each week.
