The Group was based at two nearby fields and was tasked along with the AEs and an element of the 4th FG to escort the Nomads to their initial target of F-37. Communications with the Nomads were excellent and we had one flight intercept and escort them to the target while our other two flights swept the area for enemy fighters who may have been based there or coming in from the NE. The Nomads did an excellent job of AAA suppression, followed by numerous strafing runs by our flights and elements of the AEs and the 4th FG. Soon the field was closed to enemy operations.
As our flights were RTB following the field closure, radio traffic was indicating that the elements of the 4th FG who had been based on our CVs were dealing with a large number of enemy fighters and bombers in the close neighborhood of friendly CVs. Frame CO, Coolon, immediately retasked the escort fighters for the Nomads in the South and East to get to the area of the CVs ASAP as a large strike was inbound to our floating airfields. On arrival there the CVs were under attack, and the battle to attempt to save the CVs was engaged. Enemy traffic was so heavy that many of our elements who were low fuel and ammo could not risk a carrier landing to replenish their supplies. There was also a rather uninteresting AI battle going on between AIfriendly and enemy destroyers in the area that filled the sky with AAA puffs which only confused the situation. Until it was determined that it was an AI battle going on (which had to have some predetermined result) operations in the area were rather confusing. Ultimately, both of the CVs were lost to enemy attacks, and our flights had to attempt to make it back to land bases. Some made it to airfields, some did not and had to make "emergency" landings at locations that would not support a takeoff once they had made a landing or "safe ditch" at those locations.
Many of our pilots deserve "honorable mention" for their work with ground targets. Many targets remained at our initial assigned target field after the Nomads had removed the AAA threats there. Assisted by the AEs and the 4th FG all of the required targets at F-37 were strafed down. Many of our pilots were "ground pounder" Aces, with pilot Yobtee taking out 18 different ground targets both at F-37, and at his assigned base.
Many of our pilots earned Forestry Merit Badges for their hard work in removing palm tree obstacles at their base fields and at the target field. It is our understanding that the Nomads also handed-out a few of these for palm tree clearance from their home base as well.
See our action on the WBs Facebook page as presented by DobsFilms.
Attending
Todzla
Juice=
Vulche
=JMan=
=Dobs=
JlordJ
-Oskar
Chooch
HogJaw
Fencer
Parson
Caruso
-Grip-
-Guns-
MadCat
-Epic-
RedSgt
Yobtee
=Blue=
Chicdg
SASpin
Skuzzr
DeWolf
Claims
The Command Staff of the 352nd FG is pleased to announce that the following pilots have operated their F4F-4 aircraft skillfully enough through the first four Frames of the Series to become Series Aces:
Frame 4
Juice=: Kills (2). A6M3 (2). Assist: (2).
Vulche: Kills (2). A6M3 (2).
-Oskar: Kills (2). A6M3 (2).
-Epic-: Kills (1). A6M3 (1). Assist: (1). Ground targets: (16).
JlordJ: Kills (1). A6M3 (1). Assist: (1). Ground targets: (10).
Todzla: Kills (1). A6M3 (1). Assist: (2). Ground targets: (6).
=Dobs=: Kills (1). A6M3 (1). Assist: (1). Ground targets: (2).
Fencer: Kills (1). A6M3 (1). Assist: (1).
Chicdg: Kills (1). A6M3 (1). Ground targets (6).
-Grip-: Kills (1). A6M3 (1). Ground targets: (3).
HogJaw: Assist (1). Ground targets: (5).
RedSgt: Assist (1).
Yobtee: Ground targets (18).
=JMan=: Ground targets (9).
Skuzzr: Ground target (2).
=Blue=: Ground target (1).
Summary
•23 pilots
•73 sorties
•66 safe landing(s)
•7 airframe(s) lost ( 7 x F4F-4 *)
•5 pilot(s) KIA
•0 taken POW
•13 victories
•10 assist(s)
•78 ground objects and/or AI destroyed
Thanks to Coolon for putting together a good overall plan, and for great reactions to Frame events, and to our Janitors.
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