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The Luftwaffe brought in several specialist strike geschwaders to attack the Allied advances with their fast FW190F8 fighter-bombers. Throughout the day they hammered at the forward Allied positions in the west and north. Three fields were closed and the Allies forced back on their drive toward Mt. Etna and an important town recaptured. Losses of the valuable FW190s were relatively low with 10 claimed by the Allies, only 1 to AAA at the attacked fields. Their great speed on the deck allowed them to hit and run effectively though their escorts like the MC205 took heavier losses fighting the Allied Spitfires up high. Spitfire IXs claimed 10 MC205s while the Italian fighter shot down 7 Spits.
The Allied response was to group their medium bombers and hit Axis targets on the west side of their advance. They wanted to help the Americans make a push along the coastal road and turn the enemy flank. Six main targets were hit during the day with four being closed and captured. With the Axis hitting targets in the same area it became a free-for-all with both sides sending in heavy fighters to help support the attacks. Bomber losses were again high with 44 being shotdown(18 player driven) but only 2 being claimed by AAA. The majority fell to the deadly MC205 and its cannon arsenal.
The Allied advance to the west was hampered by the closure of their only field there but they still have several large fields in the center of their front from which they can attack in all directions.
Biggest difference in Frame 3 was the heavy use of Axis fighter-bombers and their closing of fields. Losses were higher for the Axis but they still won the frame because of their increased BDA. Score is 222 to 213. Axis continue to lead the series, 613 to 555.
Note for Frame 4 both 99 and 102 are closed with all structures destroyed there. All other fields are in play. Please note roads and railways link supply lines to fields to determine if they are captured after the frame ends.
Good Luck in Frame 4.
jabo
