Well it started out as what seemed a simple enough plan. Put the P-40's (352) close to the front so that they could engage swiftly and with gas. The 4th I had planned to hit the southern GV fields and then proceed North to help out the 352 or Raiders as needed. I was under the impression that Jabo hinted at the fact that he preferred all squads leaving from separate fields so that is how we planned it out. The RCAF / 8TH were placed close to the line in order to take out the Northern GV fields and the Rebase further east in anticipation of escorting the Raiders on what should have been their 2nd run.
As the war commenced everything appeared to be going fine accept for a lot of garbled radio traffic surrounding the Raiders and how much ordinance they had. There was a HUGE delay in any Raiders getting moving due to computer problems although it is my understanding it was the CO's computer having the problems - I finally pressed Stang to step up and get moving and he did - thanks Stang!
My planning as I said counted on each squad leaving from different fields and although I expected that if there were anticipated fuel issues someone would holler but I take full responsibility for not mapping out each leg myself, as it happened the 4th was ordered to stop hitting the GV's just as they were about to drop as I felt the 352 stepped into a hornets nest, and they did so faithfully but had not enough fuel to help without refueling leading to more 352 losses than expected - nice fight 352nd!
I saw on Dar and reported that it appeared the other side all took out of F3 NOE as a a few popped here and there - they 1st went South then shortly turned directly East where they were met by the 352nd.
I asked Jabo if I could have all squads rebase at the closest field as we only had one buff and the other side sent everything they had from one place so they had a force advantage as we tried to scramble to support one another.
In a last ditch effort to help I took off and headed right into hell but forgot I was carrying bombs
I was quickly exterminated!
Thanks everyone for the valiant effort under weakened conditions - things could have turned out better with some better planning on my side and some more buffs for points.
weiser
