http://www.squadselectseries.com/events/SOMsummary.pdfThe final frame was a straight showdown over Malta. All RAF squadrons had scrambled by the time the large force of escorted Ju88s spotted the shores of the British islands. RAF Spitfires were relentless on carrying out attacks on the fast German bombers. The escorting Bf109F4s tried valiantly to hold off the RAF but one after another the Ju88s went into the sea. A total of 42 Ju88s were shotdown during the night with the RAF having 25 fighters failing to return but also claiming 21 Messerschmidts.
With many of the Ju88s falling before drop BDA on Malta itself was scattered though 11 anchored ships were hit and set ablaze or sunk. Losses in experienced Luftwaffe personal was unusually high with 27 pilots lost to the RAF 15.
The heavy kills on bombers allowed the RAF to win the final frame 238 to 107. This was the single greatest margin of any frame. The RAF won 3 and the Luftwaffe 2 frames of the series. But it was the difference in the final frame that gave the RAF the win - 698 to 581.
In the series the RAF destroyed 189 e/a of which 118 were bombers or stukas. The Luftwaffe managed to claim 102 RAF aircraft all but two of them Spitfires. Coastal Command Wellingtons were rarely seen during the series, but two of these did fall to the guns of German fighters. The Luftwaffe sank 20 moving ships and 40 static ships while the RAF sank 3 ships in port. German BDA was surprisingly light with AI bombers hardly helping to hit fields, most of their drops seem to just be off or too early. Some BDA was missed due to the fact it is not logged but not enough to change the result.
A buff tuff of 1.5 was used but even then 120 bombers\strike fell in 5 frames. AI bombers continue to prove very easy to down being stuck at 1.0. The higher buff tuff does allow the player to hang in there using the CA interface until the bitter end. Players unfamiliar with the interface continue to loose their jump to wingmen feature or ground out too low to the ground.
Continually short of bomber\strike pilots it was good to see LF6 fly stukas one frame to help their cause in Frame 2.
The actual Bf109F4 vs Spitfire VC matchup was very good with long intense fights with each side playing to the strengths of their air frames. Once the bombers were gone the cat and mouse games over Malta were fun to watch which great wingman work and clearing of 6s.
Salute!
jabo
