S3 Series

23rd initially put up 16 pilots out of F79 and headed NNW to cover our assigned area.
We flew a mix of P38F's and Spit VC with drop tanks. Seemed there was some confusion as to what targets the Buff's were going to attack and we stayed loose grabbing alt. Early on it appeared the LW was going up the middle and south so we started heading south. Wasn't long before reports of enemy aircraft to our south so we pushed on. Early engagements near our home base had us dropping tanks and a swirling fight was on. We picked up a few kills and were holding our own as fuel started to become critical. Word came the LW was retreating east so we landed and refueled.
After refueling and rearming we lifted to the west with reports of LW coming down the middle, and soon found high dots trailing us. We continued to push west and ended up in a fight over F15. We tried to keep pushing west and finally were able to turn around and returned to F79. Reports of LW to the south, and turned and engaged in a fight with more and more cons joining the fight. Think this was a combination of the JG squads and 352nd and lasted way to long. We lost a few pilots and scored a few kills. Once again the LW was pushing us west and we ended up scattered and landing at many different fields.
We upped again and made RV turning east and once again finding LW high. This fight saw us kill a few more and we were again pushed east by the horde. We ended up over F77 only to find it capped by a squad of 352nd. The spits were low on fuel so they landed while the P38's attempted to cover. Unfortunately we lost a few more in this action.
The spits refueled as the Dolittles were taking off, and soon lifted to them fore assistance. I gathered the remaining 38's and we grabbed alt and headed west to give support. Slapshot and the spits fought for their lives protecting the buffs and downed more 109's. Hopefully we helped them get to thier tagets? I gathered the remaining group and went to assist the Haze and found ourselves in another fight that was basically a standoff for us. After 10 minutes in the area I informed Trigr I was turning west with the group as I had a bad feeling staying so long in one sport. He agreed and soon after we found ourselves being pursued by high cons which chased us back to the quad area. Think we lost one in this long chase. As time was running out for strikes we called it a night and landed where ever we could, with the LW circling above us.

Approximate final tally for the night: 12 kills for 6 losses. One pilot put down for computer problems and 2 others left early for other commitments.

After thought: The Spit and 38 combination worked well, but the 38's pulled away in level fight which often found the spits late to the fight. We'll work on that as we need to fly another combination frame. The LW suprised me a few times going deep into our rear fields. I would expect them to try this tactic again.

Thanks to Beaver and S3 crew for an exciting night ~S~

Thanks for the cover, WILZ. We appreciated the help.

<S>

Very well done for the 23rd, as expected.

What mix did you use so I can put it in the tracking chart.

Beaver half the squad was in Spit VC's and the other in P38F's. Maybe 1.5 steps per aircraft, since we are a 3 step squad.

Okay, I will record it at .5 then.

Results posted, and we went 11 kills for 4 losses. Sorry for the previous error.