S3 Series

ORDERS: 23rd FG - F79 - Heavy to 44,43,42,85. Escort the South Buff Group.

The 23rd put up 14 brave P38 pilots for the final frame of the TWF series. First sortie was heavy strike missions (NOE) allowing time for the bomber groups to climb out to the West. We launched F79 to the East as two flights. Flight one targeted outposts F44 and F43 while Flight Two continued NOE to target the town of Haffoux (F42). Wilz remained in tower as GCI.

Flight one was successful in closing both outposts. Flight Two hit both sections of the heavily armed town but unable to completely close. We lost one pilot (structural wing damage - seemed it departed the airframe) due to the fierce ACK and one aircraft was losing fuel from both tanks and RTb'd towards F79. The rest egressed to the NW and climbed towards 55 in preparation for bomber escort. Still not completely re-formed, HQ and 76th engaged a concentrated group of about 8 Macci's just North of F70 in hopes of stopping them from advancing on our bomber group. 75th FG located the bombers SW of F78, however the bombers were not yet at altitude so the 23rd RTB'd to F79 in two groups for fuel and ammo.

Second sortie, four pilots with 2-1000lbers launched NOE while HQ and 74th provided high cover. Target was the DAR station and emitter at F85. One single enemy aircraft was spotted North of F44/F43 area and was swiftly dealt with. Wilz got the credit for bringing him down. We successfully targeted the DAR and one hanger at F85.

Seemed that the rest of the night we switched back and forth as small strike groups and fighters - depending on the needs of the big chair. Approximately T+90, we dispatched Flight Two again NOE to finish off F42. We successfully closed the town and attempted to egress out NOE to the N/NW. One single LW fighter patrolling around F85, spotted our group of three as we made our way towards F55. The 352nd was currently capping F79 and immediately took chase and intercepted North of 55, bringing down two of the three P38s. The lone P38 managed a combat landing at F14 and ferried back to F79 once the hoard of Macci's returned to the South East.

At approximately T+120, with numbers down to 4 pilots, 1 pilot stayed close to the Northern Tank group and 3 pilots headed South looking for enemy strikers taking out our most southern tank group. No enemy spotted once we got there, so Ohsix, Bman, and Augi managed to take out three enemy tanks before being chased out by enemy fighters and RTB'd to F89 and stood down at T+160.

Thanks to Beaver for once again stepping up to the big chair.

Final tally: 2 LW aircraft kills, 9 pilots lost.
Closed F42, F44, F43 - heavy damage to F85.
3 Tanks destroyed, 1 AA40mm

Series Tally:
1 Ace: Bman with 8 kills for the series.

You guys did great work, unfortunately, the plans went out the window quickly as the 352nd came in early, before I had a chance to order the Fall Back maneuver and set the trap.

Once again, you guys were flexible and did all I could ask for <S>

Add F67 closed by the 75th squad of the 23FG