~S~ All!
Well, it was a tough night. Losses where about what I expected (not counting AI) but I never thought that they would stick with the lead group so hard.
We had a perfect to plan merge of the 352nd/Knights fighters with the Buff Group #1. I thought we would be good when the buffer started showing 352nd kills but then the Knights started calling out deaths. The 23rd where right where they were suppose to be and engaged the high 109's.
Then I don't know what went wrong? We had our escort killing AX but still lost all the Knights. One pass kills are not realistic IMO.
After the Knights headed south on the DTF I realized the flaw in my plan. I had no escort for the 2nd Buff group! All the escort followed the Knights but luckily all the AX followed them also leaving the Buff Group #2 a free ride to target.
Again, the 4th was right where they were suppose to be and merged with the Buff Group #2 just west of target. Buff Group #2 dropped and immediately where bounced but the 4th swatted them away. Great job 4th sticking with us (Buff group #2). We were continually harassed by small groups of cons until wp7 but the 4th kept them away.
After the Buff Group #2 turned to straight west, the 352nd merged then the 23rd merged and I think all those dots on DAR kept the AX away.
Fighters did everything we could have asked for! ~S~
Apologies to Knights for a slaughter.
Also, it was great to fly with the UMM for the 1st time! Thanks for having us!
Next Frame, UMM & NS take lead.
Learnings:
#1 - splitting the Buff groups to different targets worked to help one group live. The AX went all in on the lead group and followed them.
#2 - The AI routines need to be figured out better. They are free points for the AX.
#3 - We need to add tack turns into the DTF to prevent head-on attacks
Thanks All! Sorry we lost this frame.