S3 Series

[b](as posted in frame 4 prior topic forum)

Gentleman,

Your input for this mission has been extensive, intelligent, and well researched. It has been both valuable and necessary for prudent yet effective while developing strategies. As requested, now it is time for you to be given you final orders.

TO ALL FIGHTER GROUPS
(Per original orders posted earlier)

ASSIGNMENTS:
352 FG: High Cover 37K
4th FG: Mid Level 3 to 4K above Bomber Group
23rd: You have your choice to join with the bombers or fly fighter cover. If a member chooses bombers then he can be assimilated into bomber group. If they want to fly fighters I would like them to fly inside the bomber formation. 4th, you might need to add one of your elements to fly just above or in the bombers.

INSTRUCTIONS:
All fighter groups will launch from their original bases in England. Climb to the assigned altitudes. Special Note: Their has continued discussions as to the altitudes that bombers can effectively reach. While original altitude assigned has not changed all Fight Groups must be flexible and adjust to the maximum altitudes the bombers can attain. Therefore, commanders make adjustments that are in relationship to the original altitude separations without jeopardizing your advantages.
Fighter groups should rendezvous with the Bomber Group just east of F54/57.
I am placing Juice in command of coordinating the Fighter Group decisions. He will communicate with Nooky and Splt any necessary details that maybe be required during the mission.


TO ALL BOMBER GROUPS
(per original orders)

ASSIGNMENTS:
All bombers will launch from Field 26 (if having all the bombers launch from 26 will hinder developing a solid formation before rendezvous with the fighters you may adjust to using both 27 and 26. I don't want mass of bombers are one field causing discos)
Climber to assigned altitude by F54/57
Rendezvous with the fighter groups and solidify formation integrity as best as possible under flight conditions.

COURSE:
From F54/67 fly a straight line to the 9, 6 cross. Align your bomb run with first targets at 9,6 cross and continue your course clockwise around Berlin to line up for the next series of targets.
Once all ordinance has been deployed retighten formation, egress east to or near the F54/57 at or near 32K.
SPECIAL NOTE:
The flight crews will do there best to have as many planes as possible on the flight line by T-0. However, if those numbers are insufficient to cover all three bases, I advice adjusting course to the 10, 6 cross instead of the 9, 6, line up your first target there and continue counterclockwise around Berlin. Do not plan on saving ordinance for the site at the 9, 6 cross. If you have a couple bombs left by all means drop them at the 9,6 site. It is more important that we destroy 1 or 2 sites than put bombs on all three only to mess up the flowers beds.
I am placing Commanders of the Doolittle Raiders to make this call at the flight line and communicate that in the buffer.

TO ALL PILOTS:
This the best I can give you prior to launching. I will GCI the launch, rendezvous and bomber run. I will join you on egress.
My command job is over once you take off. Once in the air assigned commanders have full control of any adjustments needed for make this mission as effective as possible.
SHAEF as well as all Allied forces are counting on you to give your best to complete this mission and successfully reduce the Axis ability to make war.

For a few hours past noon Central time today I will be unavailable for responses. (traveling home from farm) Once home I will get online. If you have questions before then post them or contact squadron leadership.

Good Luck and God Speed

<S>

Frame 4 Commander
/b]

thank you Kaceyj!

—
Orders received and understood

Execution flexible

Juice

Thanks for the organisational input kaceyj, a thankless task at times and despite the mauling we received, it was immersive.

One or two points, BG2 of which I was lead, had great problems staying as a formation and eventually became completely separated, losing contact with each other. Slowing down only started the stall warning. Some pilots burned their engines keeping up which I don't understand. Is it possible to set the bombers up with fuel and ordinance so at least we're starting on a level playing field. I don't believe piloting skills were lacking as the cause of the formation breakup.

The B17 handled like a beast, sluggish and on the point of stall pretty much of the time until most or all bombs were out. I know the tokyo tanks were taken out, was there anything else which would account for such a poor performance. If not, then no wonder they are easy targets.

Some had 3 AI's, some not... why? Can we change AI positioning so as to not to appear the "manned" aircraft so obviously to attackers.

There maybe a few more ideas as it all sinks in. What's next?

Thanks for COing the frame, sir.

I think we supressed the 109's and 190's quite well. The Me 163's however were near impossible to catch. I tried to dive on them from 10000 ft advantage several times, but couldn't get within d8 and then they ran away from me. Each Me 163 could get several passes on the buffs, and only the buff guns could deal with them. Our fighters seemed unable to catch them and I think we lost large numbers of buffs to the 30 mm cannon armed jets this frame. We probably need input from all fighter pilots of how to deal with the swarm of jets in frame 5 so they don't have free reign among the buffs.

The B-17's were pretty much flown at the highest altitude they could get, so wouldn't be surprised if they were mushing through the air near stall speed. On the ingress in frame 5 it's maybe better to have the buffs fly at 2000 ft less than in frame 4. This so that the buffs can easier keep together. When the buffs are spread all over then the escorts are constantly second guessing on which buff to cover and where to be positioned. If you cover one buff pilot then you are of no help to the others. If trying to stay between the spread out buffs then you're always going to be a second to late to stop the bandits before they reach the buffs.

Also on the egress once all hell has broken lose, and the buffs are flying back home divided... buffs please give constant location reports so that our fighters can find and escort you. Especially if you are one of the tail end charlies due to a dead engine etc. The 4th FG was pretty much about to land at end of frame, as the buffs we followed were safe, unaware that there were still 2-3 buff pilots enduring attacks in enemy territory. We want to escort until end of frame, just need to be vectored to you big buffers .


<S>
Robert