Crimean Fall Frame 1 Results

[Holder3]

Hi all,

Well overall there was a lot of activity tonight on both sides. Some pretty fierce fighting early on to obtain air superiority. There were a few rules broken tonight, but the CO of the offending squadron has been informed, and as they are new to SquadOps this was to be expected.

Now, the results:

Frame 1: Crimean Fall 1943 Bomb Damage Assessment

German Orders
A65 base (VH, 1 FH, 2 BH, 6 Gas, 4 Ammo, 2 Barracks) 16 items x 60% = 10
A66 base (2F, 1B, 2 Ammo, 2 Barracks) 7 items x 60% = 4
A21 base (VH, 2 FH, 1BH, 4 Gas, 2 Ammo, 1 Barracks) 11 items x 60% = 7
A22 (VH, 2 FH, 1BH, 4 Gas, 2 Ammo, 1 Barracks) 11 items x 60% = 7
Elements of the Black Sea Fleet operating out of P38 (1 Cruiser, 4 Destroyers) 5 x 60% = 3

German Results
A65 base: 15/16 targets. 94% destruction.
A66 base: 7/7 targets 100% destruction.
A21 base: 3/11 targets hit 27% destruction.
A22 base: 5/11 targets hit 45%
Black Sea Fleet: 4 destroyers sunk 4/5 = 80% destruction

Russian Orders
A5 base (VH, 2 FH, 1BH, 4 Gas, 2 Ammo, 1 Barracks) 11 items x 60% = 7
A6 base (VH, 2 FH, 1BH, 4 Gas, 2 Ammo, 1 Barracks) 11 items x 60% = 7
Fighter sweep to area west of A6
A64 base (VH, 1 FH, 2 BH, 6 Gas, 4 Ammo, 2 Barracks) 16 items x 60% = 10
A63 base (VH, 2 FH, 1BH, 4 Gas, 2 Ammo, 1 Barracks) 11 items x 60% = 7

Russian Results
A5 base: 10/11 targets: 91% destroyed
A6 base: 11/11 targets 100% destroyed
A64 base: no damage
A63  base: 10/11 targets: 91% destroyed.

Northern Front:
The Germans had to substantially damage the Russian bases at A21 and A22 to prevent the front moving. While a strong attack by Ju-88s was carried out on A22 only 45% of the targets were damaged. Sporadic attempts to hit A21 resulted in only 27% destruction there due to a very strong Russian sweep that resulted in massive German loses to fighter and fighter/bomber aircraft.

The Russians on the other hand obliterated the German front line base A6 with 100% damage, and nearly destroyed the rear base A5 with 91% damage (10/11 targets down).

Southern Front:
The Germans in this area obliterated the Russian bases at A65 and A66, with 100% destruction at A66 and 94% at A65 (15/16). They had a strong showing over the Sea of Azov throughout the frame, eventually destroying most of the Black Sea Fleet, although not soon enough to prevent heavy damage to A63.

The Russians made a strong showing at A63 with the Black Sea Fleet successfully bombarding the base causing extensive damage to 82% of targets (9/11), although they paid a heavy price losing all of their destroyers and sustaining heavy damage to the cruiser. However, they caused no appreciable damage to the German frontline base at A64.

The results show that the Russians were dominant in the Northern Front, pushing the front line to the west with the Germans giving ground. In the Southern Front there is a stalemate with the Germans holding their own.

New orders will be out on Monday.

[aknimitz]

S!

Im confused about several things. First, here were my orderS:

German Targets to Defend
- The south sector front around A64 to the Sea of Azov.
- The north sector front from the Sea of Azov to A6.
- Escort attack mission on Black Sea Fleet in Sea of Azov.
- AA GVs at A6 and/or A64

I had absolutely no idea 63 was a target, and certainly no idea A5 was a target. There is absolutely no way to defend 63, 64, 5, 6, esort my P38 attack, have a squad in GVs, and attack ...

- A65 base (VH, 1 FH, 2 BH, 6 Gas, 4 Ammo, 2 Barracks) 16 items x 60% = 10
- A66 base (2F, 1B, 2 Ammo, 2 Barracks) 7 items x 60% = 4
- A21 base (VH, 2 FH, 1BH, 4 Gas, 2 Ammo, 1 Barracks) 11 items x 60% = 7
- A22 (VH, 2 FH, 1BH, 4 Gas, 2 Ammo, 1 Barracks) 11 items x 60% = 7
- Elements of the Black Sea Fleet operating out of P38 (1 Cruiser, 4 Destroyers) 5 x 60% = 3


That aside, the Russian front moved because it destroyed successfully destroyed 60% of 5/6. Why didnt our German front move for successly destroying more than 60% of 65/66?

Thanks for the input, and thanks for the Crimean TOD!

S!
Nim

[Holder3]

Historically the Germans had their backs to the wall in fall 1943. The German aim was to maintain their front and not lose any territory, this was mentioned in the write-up. In this case not losing territory on the southern front is considered to be a victory. In subsequent frames you do have territory to regain, and your front in the north can be pushed back to it's original position.

I hope that you will find that there is a certain amount of flexibility required for my SquadOps (at least that is my intention). I will not impose too many restrictions on frame COs to allow them some creativity in how they allocate their forces. When I wrote:

- The south sector front around A64 to the Sea of Azov.
- The north sector front from the Sea of Azov to A6.

I did not specifically state Defend A63 and A5, because that would give away some of the strategy for the Russians, just as I did not tell the Russians to defend A22. I'm sorry, but A63 is close to the front, and the Germans were tasked with destroying the Black Sea Fleet. What did you think the Fleet was doing in the Sea of Azov?   And, you did make the call to destroy the BSF destroyers first and not the cruiser. The destroyers could not have damaged A63 they are there to defend the cruiser. The real intention I had here was simply to defend A63 by destroying the cruiser.

Both sides had extra squads that they could allocate as they saw fit, assumming one squad per "target" or defense of another flight. This will be carried through to Frame 2.

As for A5, ummm, well mostly I forgot. Mea culpa

Considering the massive damage to the frontline bases I will likely reduce the amount of supplies at each (gas is the most likely thing to reduce.)

Glad you liked it overall. I will try to do better in the next set of orders, however, no one ever expects the Spanish Inquisition, and no one ever expects to have enemy bombers appear in their backfield.

[ghostdancer]

Here is my take on the southern front. If A63 had not been smashed by that Crusier I say the Germans would have advanced and taken A65 and maybe A66. But with A63 devestated our rear areas and an important link in the supply chain has been disrupted. The supply routes to the south only go through A63.

I would think that this would have delayed any land offensive simply because the Germans have to put things back in order to support a southern thrust. Looking at the map basically A63 is a choke point.

The cruiser fire was devestatingly effective. I was suprised by the fact that it did as much damage as it did. to his main gunners.

There were a couple communication issues that happened and Holder will address them to make sure things run smoother in frame 2 and that everyone is aware of every facet.

[Holder3]

I couldn't have said it better myself Ghostdancer (and didn't). Thanks.

There will be a few play issues resolved in Frame 2. Specifically:

- the Black Sea Fleet was crippled (4 destroyers lost, the cruiser badly damaged), it will not appear in Frame 2.
- GVs will be limited to M16s (the Ostwinds caused a terrible loss in aircraft due to their peculiar hardness)
- new squads have been informed that multiple re-upping is not allowed like in the MA.
- Frame COs should make sure the squads are rotated so that those who took GVs last frame get to fly earlier.

- The action was furious in the first 30 minutes, but then it settled down to a more methodical destruction of targets for the next 90 minutes. Significant gains were made in the last part of the frame. When frame COs plan missions, try to plan for a 2 hour event. All targets have to be attempted, but not necessarily in the first wave.

[jordi]

Originally posted by ghostdancer
Here is my take on the southern front. If A63 had not been smashed by that Crusier - The cruiser fire was devestatingly effective. I was suprised by that they it did as much damage as it did. to his main gunners.

After I DIED ( Like that neverhappens ) I hoped into the 8 inch gun of the cruiser. At first it was just steaming in circles by the port - THEN it jumped closer to the target.

I could hear the base warnings and see tracers and bomb splashes and see some DD's get sunk.

I was set to LAND MODE and was waiting for base to get into range - 34+ Miles.

As it came into range I opened fire. I would fire 3 or 4 salvos and see if I hit anything. If I killed something I would reset my aim point and fire again. Since I could not SEE the base I was basicaly firing BLIND.

It looks like you get 375 shells = 125 salvos. Here are my hits.

11 hits - 7 valuable targets - 4 guns. That amounts to less than a 10% hit ratio.

23:11:39 ------ Destroyed Ammo bunker At Field #63.
23:11:56 ------ Destroyed Fuel tanks At Field #63.
23:17:20 ------ Destroyed Radar At Field #63.
23:23:10 ------ Destroyed Bomber Hangar At Field #63.
23:24:40 ------ Destroyed Fuel tanks At Field #63.
23:35:01 ------ Destroyed Gun emplacement At Field #63.
23:39:29 ------ Destroyed Fuel tanks At Field #63.
23:41:36 ------ Destroyed Bomber Hangar At Field #63.
23:41:55 ------ Destroyed Gun emplacement At Field #63.
23:46:03 ------ Destroyed Gun emplacement At Field #63.
23:46:42 ------ Destroyed Gun emplacement At Field #63.

Not sure who else got hits with CA Guns at 63.

Jordi

[Sandman]

Sure would be nice to have a 1,000 foot ceiling on the clouds above while we did NOE raids in past TODs.

Defending a field covered in clouds is difficult if not impossible without radar or any other warnings. A22 was a goner from the start.

[Reschke]

I don't think it will hurt to allow mine out for frame 1 since it has passed.

I assumed that since I had a couple of extra squadron and was directed to put at least one squadron in GV's that I could stick the other one in GV's as well. It seemed to work out nicely for us although the Germans were able to use the low cloud cover to get over our bases without being seen at 22 and 66. We lost nearly every aircraft out of A65 to German fighter cover that engaged my fighter sweep/escorts and killed them early on. However I did have a bomber squadron make it to A63 (Free Birds) and they inflicted some damage on the base which helped when the Cruiser showed up later. I think that if the cruiser would not have been turning circles up north it would have gotten hit alot earlier than what happened. But those are the fortunes of war and we happened to be lucky.

Orders
You have two equal objectives:
1.      Drive the Germans out of the airstrip at A6, this will pave the way for a large territorial gain toward D76.
2.      Drive the Germans out of the airstrip at A64, this will give you all of the territory up to the city of Kerch at A63.
3.      You also must defend your present territory from German attacks.

Russian Targets
A5 base (VH, 2 FH, 1BH, 4 Gas, 2 Ammo, 1 Barracks) 11 items x 60% = 7
A6 base (VH, 2 FH, 1BH, 4 Gas, 2 Ammo, 1 Barracks) 11 items x 60% = 7
Fighter sweep to area west of A6
A64 base (VH, 1 FH, 2 BH, 6 Gas, 4 Ammo, 2 Barracks) 16 items x 60% = 10
A63 base (VH, 2 FH, 1BH, 4 Gas, 2 Ammo, 1 Barracks) 11 items x 60% = 7

Russian Targets to Defend
The south sector front around A65 and A66
The north sector front around A21 and A22
Escort elements of Black Sea Fleet from P38
AA GVs at A21 and/or A66.

NOTES:
You have 5 targets to attack and four areas to defend for a total of 9 possible squads. This allows you 4 uncommitted squads for you to allocate how you see fit. They can be used for escort purposes, CAP or attack. Whatever, it’s your call.

You MUST post one squadron as AA guards (in equal numbers of M16s and Ostwinds) at one, or both of A21 and A64. This means that you can put all of one squadron at a single base, or split the squad between the two bases to bolster the AA defences. (For example, you have a squad of 4 allocated to AA defence, you post 2 to A21 and 2 to A66, then there will be an M16 and Ostwind at A21 and an M16 and Ostwind at A66. Do not put all of the Ostwinds at one base and all of the M16s at another. Keep them mixed and balanced as much as possible. If/when a GV driver dies he gets another life in an aircraft according to the orders of the Frame CO. You organize where he flies from and what he does.

Time permitting the targets on the above list may be hit more than once, or if a mission is forced to abort it may try to hit the target again. Refuel and re-arm at any eligible base on the re-arm pads. DO NOT HAVE YOUR PILOTS EXIT THEIR AIRCRAFT.

The front line will either move or not depending on the amount of damage sustained by the targets. For the front to move the Russians must destroy the major assets at 60% of their targets (Fighter Hangers, fuel, Vehicle Hangers, any specifically identified target, etc). For the front to remain the Germans must destroy the major assets at 60% of their targets (Fighter Hangers, fuel, Vehicle Hangers, any specifically identified target). The Russians win a tie, as they have the strategic initiative.

You must fly all aircraft from this list:

La-5FN
Yak-9T (can be used air-to-air and/or air-to-ground)
IL2 (any load)
Boston III (in formation, any load)

Available Ground Vehicles:
Ground vehicles will be used solely for AA defense at potential targets. As both sides had very capable AA batteries both M16s and Ostwinds will be allowed on both sides. Any person starting in a GV will have a second life in an airplane according to the Frame CO’s orders.

You also have available to you elements of the Black Sea Fleet (cruisers and destroyers) in the Sea of Azov. It will steam towards A63 from P38. It will remain in the area of A63 to shell the base. Dead pilots may want to gun on the cruiser.

[Raubvogel]

What was up with all the Ostwinds?

[aknimitz]

Just for sake of discussion, the Russian orders were:

Russian Targets to Defend
- The south sector front around A65 and A66
- The north sector front around A21 and A22
- Escort elements of Black Sea Fleet from P38
- AA GVs at A21 and/or A66.

German Orders were:

German Targets to Defend
- The south sector front around A64 to the Sea of Azov.
- The north sector front from the Sea of Azov to A6.
- Escort attack mission on Black Sea Fleet in Sea of Azov.
- AA GVs at A6 and/or A64

Every single base that the Germans were attacking they were told to defend (65, 66, 22, 21). The Germans were told of only 2/4 of German bases to be attacked (64 and 6). Why not just tell us 63 and 5 (I realize 5 was an oversight). I cannot defend along the green line you indicated e of 64, and also NE of 63. In defending NE of 63, I would have to leave open 64.

Maybe the German orders regarding the CV should have emphasized that it was going to be in range of 63, and that the Cruiser was important. The location reports I received on that task group was that it was north of P38. How on earth did it get all the way down to 63 in such a short time?

Just more thoughts and concerns.

S!
Nim

[ghostdancer]

AKnimitz email me the orders you received from Holder3. There might have been sort of snafu. The setup orders that I received that were suppose to be the orders sent to both sides did mention A63.

Just need to find out now if you got a different file that left A63 off of it accidentally.

[Holder3]

There weren't supposed to be many Ostwinds, they were to be evenly mixed with M16s. However, some people got a little carried away and re-upped with Ostwinds more than once. This has, I hope been corrected with the COs in charge of those squads. Also, there will only be M16s in Frame 2.

The location of clouds were pretty much beyond our control. I hadn't planned on them and did not expect them. They were overlying A6 as well, so the Germans and Russians were equally impacted.

The Fleet was supposed to steam from the port to A63, however, Innomin8 wasn't sure how long it would take to get there. We realised that it should have either started out before the event got rolling or it would have to start closer to A63. Innomin8 "jumped" the fleet a bit closer so that it would definately be in range for the event. We thought it would be a minor glitch, but one that apparently threw off some of the LW hunting for it.

Apparently, the only thing to hit A63 was the fleet cruiser, according to Jordi he did most of the damage noted. Granted, I should have been more explicit in my instructions on A63.

My philosophy for designing these sort of events is to leave some of the details and concerns up to the Frame COs. I would rather not tell everyone exactly what is going to be hit, because that makes for a rather predictable time. Other than A5, which I appologise for, I did not think it unreasonable that A63 would need protection of some sort, after all, it is close to the front, and the basic strategy of the Russians was laid out in the initial write-up.

[Reschke]

Holder; We had the Free Birds actually get some hits on A63 with Boston III's early in the frame then they got slaughtered. I was gunning for them by this time and they made a nearly full squadron raid on the base and hit several things on the southern side of the base. FBtod and FBOwlman made several hits there according to the logs.

I will admit that my orders seemed fairly straight forward so I did not make up much on my own. Other than assigning squadrons and missions to them. I did have some communication mishaps which cost me an IL-2 strike group and all my bomber and fighter power in the south sector. Our northern most bomber group made two strikes on A5 and one on A6 while we had encountered very little aircraft resistance up there I was not concerned since I was expecting a late frame raid up there with the bases being so far away from the front for the most part. I was surprised to hear about my northern IL-2 getting hammered so early since I thought the central sector was going to be lightly defended because I thought the Germans would launch out of A63 searching for the cruiser group.

When we started setting up to launch last night I was initially going to launch a strike out of A66. But A66 is only a GV base although aircraft were enabled I did not think we could up our strike aircraft and fighter cover from there. So I opted to have everyone in the south up from A65. That was a dumb move on my part since I lost nearly every aircraft from that base within 15 minutes of "GO' signal. Plus the depot next to A66 was showing as enemy so it was going to show we were enroute almost immediately. Bad prior planning on my part there since I did not recon the map at all.

[Vulcan]

Originally posted by Holder3
The Fleet was supposed to steam from the port to A63, however, Innomin8 wasn't sure how long it would take to get there. We realised that it should have either started out before the event got rolling or it would have to start closer to A63. Innomin8 "jumped" the fleet a bit closer so that it would definately be in range for the event. We thought it would be a minor glitch, but one that apparently threw off some of the LW hunting for it.

Nice one. We found it north of the port then the stukas had heaps of trouble finding it. No wonder, we thought the Stuka guys musta been sucking on weed.

That Cruiser should be taken it of you guys warped away from sure death.

[Reschke]

As I said the fortunes of war helped us out on the Russian side. The cruiser group was just circling instead of following the path Inno had for it. So he had to jump it south to get it out of the circle of death it was in.