http://www.squadselectseries - new map, summary and rules tweaks up.
The Germans were ready to unleash their Vengeance weapons on a waiting London but the Allied bombing offensive against their fuel production caused a delay in fuel for the V1s. So they sat at their launch and assembly sites while the Allies tried hard to shut as many down as possible before they could launch these lethal pilotless bombs.
But it was the few dedicated Luftwaffe strike pilots that struck first sinking a freighter off Dover right underneath a strong Spitfire patrol. At the same time RAF Typhoons sank three ships including a destroyer off Le Treport.
Next a large bomber group was spotted over the Channel by U777 which was later lost with all hands. Several smaller groups of interceptors attacked the large force of B17s and escort as they crossed near St. Valery on the way to the V1 sites at Herbouville(139) and Parqeut(141) areas.
Quickly the new Bf109G14 proved its worth shooting down 3 B17s within minutes of each other. But the more heavily armed and armoured 190A8s struggled at the B17s altitude of 28,000ft. Five FW190A8s were shotdown trailing the bombers, 4 by B17 gunners and another by a Spitfire escort. The battle continued all the way into the central V1 launch sites with the bombers making several runs to close at least three launch sites. Continued attacks by the 109s that could get to that height whittled away at the bombers and escorting fighters. At least 3 more B17s and 4 escorting fighters were shotdown but the 109s suffered as well, 5 claimed by one B17 alone and another to an escort. Only one V1 launch site was closed by the B17s.
While this long battle was occurring the RAF was hitting northern France hard, taking on Lottingen(47) and Bois de Rentry(82) launch sites. Many low strafing and bombing attacks were launched against the tough V1 sites with Lottingen totally destroyed and closed outright and Bois de Rentry ruled unusable. German flak continued to exact a toll, two typhoons and P47s going down to the rapid fire guns.
B17s did well claiming 8 intercepting fighters for the loss of 6 bombers. All but one B17 was shotdown by lightly armed Bf109G6 or G14s. The new Bf109G14 was the star of the night taking down 4 B17s and three RAF fighters for only two losses.
The Allies closed 3 V1 sites indicated on the map. Once BDA is in they will have won the frame but not by a large margin. Right now it stands LW 59 and Allies 42. S6 will allow BDA and pilot losses to be scored.
Notes:
1. My apologies for not getting the V1s to work for frame 1. Gave the Allies an advantage of numbers in the north while the Luftwaffe were fighting the bomber group to the west. They are working now and will be flying in Frame 2 from 12 sites.
2. Lots of complaints about the high alt performance of the 190s and B17s. We have been there before. Since the bomber tuff is set high for pilot survival the need is to have 190s with their heavier gun armament to get on target to knock them down. Rather than mess with the bomber tuffness we will require all aircraft to take 100% fuel. Hopefully this and increasing the flak ceiling to 35,000ft will help keep bomber missions and interception down at realistic altitudes.
3. Bomber tuff at 2.0 is very hard so you will see weak otto to compensate. Good gunners like hotroc can still take a heavy toll of fighters that saddle up. With no more than 10-12 bomber pilots left in the S3s we need the CA system to simulate a large bomber force. It has weaknesses and flaws but the more it is used the better each pilot will understand how it works and make it more realistic. Its important to note that when you change direction rapidly your AI will too. This does cause warping and makes attack runs even more risky for interceptors than if it was just manned aircraft alone. Please use your extra men wisely and carefully.
4. Changed the penalty planes to Bf110G2 and Hurricane IIC. At any time you can fly a penalty plane instead of the required ride.
jabo
