S3 Series

4th FG AAR frame 3

Lessons learned
* Having the buffs at 24000+ ft made it much harder for the FW 190's to approach from behind, allowing the escorts more time to intercept them in time.
* It's very hard to intercept Jerries diving in from the front, but by keeping good discipline and forcing them to dive out we could usually prevent them from a having second attempt.
* The Bf 109's came in from 36000 ft, the P-47 can climb to 40000+ ft and by having several wingpairs above 36000 ft we could initially split the enemies up preemptively or force them to make hurried attacks.
* The bombers staying together much better this frame made it a pleasure to fly escort and easy to get back in escort position, and the buffer was filled with kills by B-17/B-24 defensive gunners.
* Seems we might need a few more volunteers to fly buffs in order to increase the chances of fully destroying the German factories.

--= REPORT =--
Sortie 1
The 4th FG had a few members piloting B-17's while the rest launched in Thunderbolts from F58 Emmelcord, Netherlands. We climbed north and then RV'd with the bombers before crossing the border into German territory. This time we had a wingpair embedded with the buffs, one wingpair 5000 ft above them and the rest in hunter/interceptor elements at 36000 ft around and ahead of the main group. When contact with the enemy was made the Luftwaffe first sent in decoys that immediately dived out. Learning from previous frames we only sent 4th men in single pairs after each enemy, pulling up once it was obvious they tried to lure the escorts down. As such we were still at 35000+ ft when the main enemy attack waves arrived. Several Jerries could zoom through the buffs before we caught them in the dive, while we were able to swat others off before they could open fire on the bombers. I must compliment the 4th FG pilots under my lead for showing great discipline, making sure most Luftwaffe fighters had to dive out after their initial pass, not being allowed to set up a second attack. Our tactic to keep a hard deck and get back in position once an enemy dived out was working well, and the other FG's did a great job too while the bombers kept a a good formation. After the bombers dropping on the aluminum factories we kept intercepting bandits all the way to the Netherlands. The LW tried to bring down gundoc, who was trailing behind, close to the Allied border but the 4th, 23rd and 352nd managed to intercept the Focke Wulfs. Some bombers and a few 4th FG escorts were lost during the sortie but I'm estimating that the majority made it back.

Sortie 2
The second sortie was similar to the first sortie, action packed and with the LW zooming in from all directions. Jedijc of the 4th FG had to RTB after being accidentally hit by B-17 gunners and I was fueled close to Frankfurt by a Messerschmitt model G and had to RTB as well. Nookyb took command of the 4th FG and, together with the other fighter groups, did a great job of keeping the majority of our B-17 boys alive. I managed to ditch just close enough to Emmelcord to be saved by friendly troops instead of taken prisoner by SS units. I thank the large fuel tank of the P-47D for this. The 4th FG escorted the bombers back towards the Netherlands, and I could launch again in a brand new fighter once back at base. As I joined up with the B-17's for reception escort a few Luftwaffe veterans tried a last desperate attempt of hurting our buffs. These bandits were killed or chased back into Germany by the escorts. The 4th FG then returned to base.

Waiting for official record for tally but estimating more kills than losses.
--= END REPORT =--


<S> and thank you all for great planning, cooperation and discipline in this fun frame!
/Robert
Frame 3 flight lead of the 4th FG.

He means Frame #3 AAR

Dang, sorry sir. Fixed it.