ALLIED Frame 1 AAR

[SlipKnt]

Breaking the Gustav Line - Shingle to Diadem

ALLIED After Action Report (AAR)

The Planning:

     The objectives were received in the morning on Saturday, 26 February 2013.  I immediately went to work on the orders with the intent of having them out by the end of the same day.  During the planning phase I had to consider attacking 2 targets and defending 2 targets. 

3 months of data was collected from the FSO logs to create an attendance average
Attendance average calculated
Researched distances and performance information for each plane type
Due to minimum and maximum plane restrictions and target areas
Planes were assigned
Squads were assigned to targets
Attack and Defense Groups were developed
A basic attack and defense strategy was developed
Orders were developed

In addition to the standard planning cycle, I had to look over and consider someone for the ACE MISSION. 
My research consisted of going back 3 months worth of FSO history and generate a list of names
I reached out to the squads leadership with to solicit approval of their guys for ACE selection 
Because the ACE had to be in the Spitfire 8, the list was narrowed down for by based on the rules
Based on plane type, the ACE was assigned
ACE selected would be Biggamer of G3-MF
G3-MF developed orders around the ACE mission specifically with the intent to defend the Task Groups
Main Body of G3-MF defense put 3 supporting smaller squads in front as scouts, high and low looking for a 4 dimensional attack from the north and the East
A minimum of 12 planes made up the main body of the defense from G3-MF
A flight of 4 (Rodent57, Alpha81, SlipKnoT, and Biggamer) was released to become the murder squad.  The effort was to protect our ACE while setting him up for kills.         

The orders were generated and sent to ALLIED forces that same day (Saturday afternoon).

Communication during the week:
 
     The ATTACK and DEFENSE groups had great communications during the week leading up to FSO.  Everyone knew what to do and where they were supposed to be prior to launch.  Appears everyone read and understood the orders.
Implementation of FSO:

     Attack Group GREEN:
{The Gun Fighters}, 49th Fighter Group, 94th Fighter Squadron, & Nightmares VMF-101
Target = City Strat in sector 8, 14, KP 3

CiC Assessment:
Reports indicate a lot of damage to the city strat
Appears there was heavy fighting in that area for a good amount of time
Request feedback from the squads involved there

     Attack Group BLUE:
Arabian Knights, 332nd Flying Mongrels, !68th Lightning Lancers!, ~~~Devil Dogs~~~, 412th FS FNVG, & Duxford Wing RAF
Target = 2 Task Groups in containment area 11, 17

CiC Assessment:
Reports indicate some shipping destroyed.  Details unknown.
A second attack was orchestrated with 1 Boston (Drone, 332nd Flying Mongrels), rounded up (G3-MF) escorts and an interception / egress CAP established by the 325th Checkertails
Heavy fighting from target area all the way home to landing with less than a minute to go in FSO.
We believed, at that time, that the AXIS ACE was hunting our egress effort.  Our ALLIED ACE was in that engagement.  This turned into a chess match of epic proportions.  In the end, our ACE made it safely to the deck.  More to follow on this front.
Request feedback from squads involved for the primary and secondary attack

     Defense Group CITY STRAT:
LCA, USMC/71Sqn, 353rd Fighter Group, & 353rd FG NightStalkers
Target = Defense of City Strat in 13, 14 KP 2/3

CiC Assessment:
Appearance of very heavy fighting over the course of the entire night
Unknown damage to our strats
Request feedback from the squads involved there

     Defense Group Task Groups:
G3-MF, 325th Checkertails, VMF-216 Bull Dogs, 367th Fg 'The Dynamite Gang'
Target = Defense of 2 Task Groups in containment area 15, 14

CiC Assessment:
The anticipated attack was dive bombers with NOE and mid to high level bombers from multiple directions was anticipated
Scouts sent in all directions high and low to report and collapse
The attack happened as expected.  TG 126 was a loss.  TG 101 lost 2 ships with 3 remaining
After Phase 1, Phase 2 started after rearm.  While positioning to look for a furball, Drone indicated he was going to attack the enemy Task Groups.
I sent G3-MF and 325th Checkertails to positions to accomplish a second attack
G3-MF in close escort and 325th into a blocking position to the SE to cover egress
Unknown what happened in detail over the target area
Request feedback from the squads involved.

     ACE MISSION:
(Spitfire VIII) Lt. Col Charles “Sandy” McCorkle took part in the Aleutians campaign before taking command of the 31st FG in Sicily flying Spitfires.  He would take part in the Salerno and Anzio landings.  Shooting down 5 enemy aircraft in Spitfire, he was one of the few American Spitfire Aces.  He would go onto shoot down 6 more when the 31st transitioned to the P-51s in April of 1944.  McCorkle passed away in 2009
Representing Lt. Col McCorkle was Biggamer with G3-MF
Biggamer would shoot down 5 enemy aircraft and landing his plane safely
Request more information from the ALLIED planes in this action

Final ALLIED CiC Assessment:
Impressive communications between the squads and groups pre FSO
Impressive communications during FSO
Great turnout and response during the flow of the fight
In appearance, the frame seemingly was even with very bitter and white knuckle action
Hope everyone had fun!!!

<<S>>
SlipKnoT
February Frame 1 CiC
G3-MF Operations Officer

[Nefarious]

Nice writeup and report. Keep up the good work!

[branch37]

A the city in 8.14.3 we had a very intense fight.  High P-38s and P-40s made for an interesting few minutes.  First we engaged a group of High P-38s, and just as soon as we are really getting our hands full we get squeezed by the high P-40s.  The A20s got in pretty much un touched from my guys.  The escorts did a great job of tying us up high and keeping us busy.  We did manage to get a few on the way out, but nice execution guys.

[InCrypt]

What follows ARE the operation exchanges, and AAR’s for the GREEN STRIKE group…

Afternoon All!

This is the strike Profile for the Gun Fighters. We’re asking our Escort Fighters to launch before us, and to go in ahead – pretending they are JABOS – and pop the enemy cap. We’ll be 3 to 5 minutes behind you. We’re going to “Hit-it-&-Quit-it” with a real quick, one pass strike. Then egress out over the water. We’ve got a Rally Point set up in 6/14 kp 3.2, where we’ll regroup, and start our RTB.

NOTE: To standardize our inter-squad communications, I’ve included our “Con-Call-Graphic” down at the bottom of this email. This is a refinement on the standard Grid coordinates.

Looks like this could be a real fun one. Hope to see you all there!

Captain InCrypt (Aces High)
Operations Officer – The Gun Fighters


--- MISSION SYNOPSIS ---
DEPART:          A-130  @ T+5
AIRCRAFT:       A-20-C:  Full Fuel W/500Lb Bomb.
TARGET:          CITY STRATS – Location 8/14 kp 3
CRUSE:            23K
HARD DECK:    5 K

Flight Profile:
Launch at T+8.  NE. Climb to 20K
At Radar Ring, begin shallow descent to 400 MPH.
Over target, chop throttle & nose over to drop alt of 5K.
Egress over water to Rally Point Green. (NOE if engaged. Slow climb to 15K if clear)
Form up at Rally Point Gold, Take round-a-bout RTB Route to avoid Shipping in sector 8/13.

InCrypt.


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CENSORED. IMAGED REMOVED DUE TO OPERATIONAL DATA

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Incrypt,
 
I'm looking for a copy of the raw graphic file you used for the Green Strike mission profile email.
 
The graphic included with the email was not exportable for some reason.
 
Please send me a copy of the raw file as a .bmp, .jpg, etc. as an attachment so that I can import it into a standard picture viewer (MS Windows Picture and Fax Viewer) for use during the FSO, or send the graphic saved as a standard .pdf.
 
I did some offline testing in the P-40F with the Italy terrain and the arena set to mimic the FSO, here are the results:
 
P-40F, 100% Fuel, 1x 75gal DT, 6x 50cal M2 281rpg
 
Note: Takeoff SW to clear high terrain at NE end of runway.
 
With 100% & 75 gal DT range should be sufficient to fly the entire mission profile and RTB with 30 mins fuel remaining.
 
However, the low rate of Climb and slow climbing airspeed will make it difficult for the P-40s to stay ahead of the A-20s enroute to the target.
 
Cruise power settings of 2500 rpm and 38 map at 23K will yield about 325-330kt GS.
 
I may attempt to fly this again using 75% fuel and the 75 gal DT to see the difference.
 
CptA
VMF-101

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I was alerted to the fact that my graphics may not have come through. I’m resending with the graphics as an attachment JPG files. Please let me know if you have any problems.

CaptA – Thanks for the tech stuff you sent earlier (Just read it)   I’ll amend our launch profile to depart SW; to avoid terrain along the NE departure vector.


Captain InCrypt.
Ops Officer
(the Gun Fighters} - Green Strike Group Lead


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Removed immages...





---===<<< AAR >>>===---

Gun Fighters departed at T+15 (Actually 5 minutes after fields opened, due to the launch push back because of the hard time loading the Italy terrain)
Flight to target was un-eventful. We kept a tight formation
Ingress during bomb route was un-opposed. We had good communications form CptA’s group as they engaged the fighters, and kept us appraised of the tactical situation over target.
Gun Fighters were able to drop bombs, and start our egress before we even saw the first NME Fighters.
About 5 miles West of the city I was knocked down. I listened to coms on my emergency radio, and started the hike back to the town for BDA, and to act as a FAC if there was a second strike.
The Gun Fighters suffered about 60% casualties on the egress. Jerry just didn’t want to let us go without paying the piper.
After a 45 minute hike back to town, I was able to establish that most of the town was down. The only exception was the Blue Oyster Bar, which had been miraculously unscathed by the strike. Unfortunately, I was unable to evade capture before the frame ended, and will spend the rest of the war in tight fitting leathers answering to the call Coom-n-z-hither-Mhin-squeak….

InCrypt out

[perdue3]

Kommando Nowotny flew C.205s and killed stuff. It was fun.

[APDrone]

The 332nd Mongrels were to fly with the Aks as a Boston III fleet busting force. The AKs did an excellent job of coordinating the mission before hand, being in touch with the other flight command staff and laying out the flow of the evening's events.

As is the case with so many well-laid plans ( of mice and men ) fate would step in and pretty much throw everything into higgledy-piggledy.  Most of our members experienced serious problems when downloading the map, which, in turn, led to other problems, later, pertaining to things like computer setups. The CO was called away 1/2 hour before launch to tend to a kitchen sink that had, supposedly, exploded.  Drone, acting commander, encountered 2 discos while multi-tasking some last minute computer chores in the background prior to launch, that led to the need to completely reboot immediately before launch.   

The 332nd withheld launching until Drone logged back in, and rolled about 5 minutes after the beginning of the frame, thus falling into a 1/3 grid lag behind the rest of blue flight. Drone called for a corner cutting path to make up lost time and rejoin the mission, but one member missed the memo and continued on to a pre-planned waypoint.

The flight proceeded without too much excitement until close to the target grid.  We attempted to close the gap with the rest of the strike force, but never could get within 1/3 grid.  We were protected by a good group of escorts, that quickly dispatched with a couple of 190s that found us before we could make our run.

As we entered the target grid, the target's location was communicated and acquired.  Cruiser was sunk. No other damage inflicted.  Bostons suffered moderate losses..  Vaderr lost his drones along with parts damage, TeeRex suffered parts damage, ASADog downed by enemy action, Harppa and Drone got out with little damage. Able to RTB with no other encounters.

Drone reupped and made supplementary attack with ASAdog as gunner.  Escorts acquired and attack made. Pestered by a couple 410s suitably dispatched by escorts on egress.  RTB to 99.

Gerbils issued premium kibbles for job well done.

<S>
Drone 
332nd Flying Mongrels

[SlipKnt]

Drone has the luckiest and bravest gerbils I ever saw...

[ELD66]

I just have 1 or 2 additions to what has been said. Boston's are barring the AR234 the fastest bomber in the game. The escorts need to be very fast if the bostons have any chance of surviving.

 Also if the CiC changes the planes in a flight the CiC should inform the squad, and if applicable the commander of the Defense or Attack group.

[SlipKnt]

I just have 1 or 2 additions to what has been said. Boston's are barring the AR234 the fastest bomber in the game. The escorts need to be very fast if the bostons have any chance of surviving.

 Also if the CiC changes the planes in a flight the CiC should inform the squad, and if applicable the commander of the Defense or Attack group.

Sorry ELD - My fault totally and you are right.  I should have sent you something.  I made that change 2 hours prior to launch.  Should have send one more email.

 

[cohofly]

The 35th was tasked with a Scout mission, and lifted 6 Spitfire MK IX's from A113, to patrol from 14-15-2 West and back to 12-15-2. We got to our patrol alt. (21K) and started our westerly leg which was routine. On our return leg, we spotted Bogeys at 11 o'clock and 3k higher. Upon further investigation we discovered 15 109 G6's. I reported our findings on country channel at this time.  We tangled with them for a minute or two but their tactics appeared more to push us down then really engage. I called off the guys and we egressed to rally over the Strats. Upon rally, Buffs were reported just north of the city. Having regained our altitude we headed north but we lost visual on each other as there was an emense cloud bank over the strat itself (14k to approx. 25k) After regaining visual on each other (more or less) we spotted the Buffs + many escorts at our 12 o'clock and lower (2-3k ). All 6 of us dove in on the buffs and we took out as many as we could (7) before we were engaged by their escorts. From this point on it was tense fighting that took all of us from 18k down to the deck. It us unkown by me how many buffs made it through to target, but it appeared many didnt make it.
One of our pilots tied up their designated Ace in a deadly  1v2 that soon turned into a 2v4. This fight was exiting to watch (Via Film Viewer) and must have lasted at least 5 minutes as the 2 tried time and again to get inside his cirlcle until one was able to detatch his wing from his fusilage.
On a side personal note I was able to ditch after an aggresive fight with a 109G6 that oiled me at roughly 17K we fought all the way to the ground and I was able to reverse him and do serious damge to his plane. I should have left him to RTB Damage but I stayed in there like a Pitbull and peppered him again and again with BB's. He also ditched and stayed with his wounded plane for close to 30 mins. I towered after aprprox 10 mins and got the ditch. The logs show he got the "Shot down Carver " message, so <S> and great tactics for him for outwaiting me! The odd thing is that the logs also show another pilot in his squad got the "Awarded kill as Carver crashed" message. How can I get killed twice in one frame without bing killed LOL.

<S>
Carver 35th FG

[cohofly]

Edit- I was riding backseat in a SpitIX when I was killed a 2nd time. It appears the pilot was awarded the kill on me even though I was a gunner/observer.

[qbert55ca]

Duxford Lifted with 4 pilots and proceeded with the plan as was laid out. 1/2 sector before entering the search grid one scout was chased and evaded 5 190's, a second scout was chased but also got way. Within 90 seconds of entering the search grid to two most eastern scouts encountered C205  with one being shot down almost instantly. The second scout found and located the first of the taskgroups and we the two unhindered scouts kept looking until they were also engaged. Lickely, the second scout to get attacked had two discos where he ended up back flying but out of the fighting. Bortas regrouped with friendly fighters shoot down a me140 and proceeded to land. I was in the far west corner of the grid when I got jumped by 5 C205 which just shot away at me till I went done, Cuda the first to enter action held out until about 45 min into the mission.

Results were mission partly accomplished, heavy fighter resistance prior penetrating the search grid 2 scouts KIA,one bailed and was captured and on survived the mission and stole all the liquor from the medicine chest,

Duxford estimates 3 to 4 groups of scouts, consisting of 4 or 5 planes.

Qbert FSO Lead DUXFORD WING RAF 

[Seadog36]

Edit- I was riding backseat in a SpitIX when I was killed a 2nd time. It appears the pilot was awarded the kill on me even though I was a gunner/observer.

That's funny, Hopper got an additional kill on you for riding/gunner observer in my Spit:lol

We still had the highest kill ratio of 2:1 for Allies~ Good luck in frame 2