S3 Series

Allies:
We have had two very good frames out of the three we have flown this series. While we do not have a frame 3 point summary, I feel certain that we racked up a significant lead going into frame 4. Over the next couple of days, please offer your suggestions for conducting frame 4. Please consider all the questions below.

Tentative Goals:
1. Push deeply into Yugoslavia by closing airbases and destroying bridges that will hamper the enemy's progression southward.
2. Defend key Allied positions against enemy attack and limit their ability to close them.
3. Develop air superiority over intended targets.

Defense:
1. Since they can base in Thrace and Bulgaria, how concerned are we of an attack from those areas and how should we defend?
2. We should defend the newly acquired F125 and F124 bases, so that we can push northward into Yugoslavia.
3. Protect the bomber group.

Jabo made the following remark concerning the aircraft that will be available to the Axis in the last two frames of this series.


Questions:
1. How will this affect our fighters?
2. Will they be able to develop an advantage over the enemy with the remaining a/c inventory at their disposal?
3. How do you see them being utilized in frame 4?
4. Based upon what the enemy has done up to this point, what targets do you foresee them attacking in frame 4?
5. How would you anticipate them utilizing their remaining bomber/strike forces?

Offense:
1. Tentative Targets: F46, F43, F47, F90
2. Destroy a significant number of bridge spans.
4. Destroy gvs and tanks.

Questions:
1. Would we be able to protect the bomber group effectively at 15K feet with the a/c at our disposal?
2. Would a strike force be able to destroy the 6 bridge spans along the front line from F90 around to F82?
3. Should we use the RCAF to assist the Bomber Group by quickly finishing off remnant targets at fields that have been hit, thus allowing the bombers to cycle back to base and try to squeeze in a 5th or 6th sortie?

I would like to see us make a huge push that forces the enemy to give up their offensive plans and take up a defensive posture in frame 4. I think we should be bold and attempt to pick up enough real estate this frame that they are pushed into the corner in Albania.

Look forward to your ideas and suggestions.

Darryl <S>
CO of Doolittle's Raiders

When are you flying the biplanes?

Quick check shows the following planes for LW fighters are left:
Haze 1step 109 & 110c
19th Dux: 1 pilot so far and he has 109 left to fly
AE: only 110's left
JG77: 1 step 110c and Ki43
TK: 1 step 110c and Ki43

Looks like the Haze we be the only group that may use the 109 and they know how to use them.

I think you left out the 4th Fg.
They have Ki43s and 109s left.
If they go all out in 109s it may be a concern.
If they split up, half in Ki43s and half in 109s it will be more manageable.
In the ground attack role, the Ki43 is the better platform. Hopefully they won't figure that out.

The AE's have a 43 and 110 left, you saw the 43 in the list, but I checked the pilot and he upped and landed within a minute as he must have realized he was on the wrong ride.
JG51 has 109 & 43 left.

Knights - He111 and Ju87, fighter escort 43 & 110
Night Stalkers - 110 and JU87

Nomads
Gums - He111, DO17 and JU87 - he missed a frame
22nd Red Riders - flew 3 DO17's, that should forfeit the He111 and leave him with 2 JU87's
305 - He111 & 2 JU87's, missed a frame
AG8 - only flew 1 DO17, so has HE111, DO17 and 2 Ju87's.

Last frame.

I believe that we have a good grasp on what the enemy will be flying.

Questions:
1. Now, what is the best way to handle them?
2. Can we use the Doolittle's Raiders and RCAF to close gold bases and the 352nd and 23rd to cover us while we do it?

For example: (If I can muster enough bombers...)

Sortie #1
Doolittle's Raiders strike 90, 45, 46 taking down the bulk of targets.
RCAF finishes off any remaining targets to close.
352nd and 23rd provide cover long enough to get the job done.
Total: 15 points

Sortie #2
Doolittle's Raiders strike 47, 48 taking down the bulk of targets.
RCAF finishes off any remaining targets to close.
352nd and 23rd provide cover long enough to get the job done.
Total: 20 points

Sortie #3
Doolittle's Raiders strike 43, 44, 13 taking down the bulk of targets.
RCAF finishes off any remaining targets to close.
352nd and 23rd provide cover long enough to get the job done.
Total: 14 points

Sub Total: 49 points

Sortie #4 (optional)
Doolittle's Raiders strike 42, 84 taking down the bulk of targets.
RCAF finishes off any remaining targets to close.
352nd and 23rd provide cover long enough to get the job done.
Total: 8 points

Sortie #5 (optional)
RCAF strikes at 5 bridge spans along the front lines.
Total: 10 points

Sub Total: 18 points

These are some suggested missions for frame 4. If we base the bombers at F90 or F132, and they take down the bulk of targets, then return home, we might be able to get in 5 sorties. The RCAF would be tasked with trying to clean up remaining targets, if there are any.

What do you fellas think?

<S>

I know you're a bomber guy, but it looks like you're giving up much of the map concentrating all the fighters to protect and clean up. Remember frame II when the LW moved the front, a lot, by flying big wing and avoiding the 352. It's summer here in lovely San Diego and you should plan on low attendance for the final two frames. Just a thought.

Wilz has a point well worth considering...you are using ALL of your fighter aircraft as escorts for maybe (11-12) bomber aircraft, leaving all parts of the map where the buffs don't happen to be unprotected. Can 11-12 bomber aircraft be effective on that many targets without "flipping" on each of those sorties? It would appear that you are putting all of your eggs in one basket. The goals are a bit over optimistic IMHO. "Partrial destruction" of bases other than bridges gets you NOTHING in this Series.

This map is basically the same as it was in Frame 2 and the LW concentrated do the Western side of the map closing 81,83,85,86.

If the DR's close 43,46 & 47, covered by the 352nd, that would put any LW planes at a distance to protect the other assets in the area, as you RTB, the 352nd could pick up any missed targets, then RTB and take you in again, with a lot less resistance