http://www.squadselectseries.comFrame 1 in a new terrain is always a challenge especially one this big. The Allies decided to concentrate on Pantelleria and Lampedusa in the central area of the battlefield. The initial attack on Lampedusa developed slowly with bombers and strike aircraft finally moving into the location and closing the dock and GAF there. Italian forces quickly surrendered to a boat of RN sailors. Pantelleria proved to be a tougher nut to crack with their heavier flak defenses and huge underground hangars. To make matters worse an elite unit of Luftwaffe strike forces used this base to launch repeated attacks on allied ship convoys heading to Malta with supplies and troops for the invasion force soon to set sail. Losses were high with 9 freighters sinking after numerous strafing runs and bomb attacks. At the very tip of Tunisia F154 was attacked by many Italian and German fighters and closed. The fights between Pantelleria and the Tunisian coast was intense with mainly second line aircraft being used by both sides. The axis won the fighter fight claiming 28 kills while the allies tallied 16. Losses to other causes was higher among axis a\c as several fell victim to ship masts and DD anti-aircraft fire. Waiting on the official S6 score to finalize the final score.
Mother's Day is off and frame 2 begins May 17th.
New map posted with revised shipping lanes.
Allies have beachheads on Sicily as indicated. Pantelleria and Lampedusa are now allied and can be attacked by the axis.
F154 is closed and will remain so for the rest of the series.
Terrain update next week to correct several small issues, new inflight map to indicate provinces and bridges. Proper icon file will be put into main deployment.
Please post any terrain bugs in this or the IEN terrain forums.
Salute!