After-Action Report
6/23/2018
by Brooke, CO, RAF; GL, 9 Sqn
This was a scenario that ran in the multiplayer on-line air-combat simulation Aces High.
9 Sqn (flying Lancasters) consisted of me (Brooke), Popsman, Killyjim, Tudza, HB555, Flossy, and Larry. (Thank you for joining us, Larry!)
Mission 1 is a flight east until enemy contact with our forward fighters, then a turn N or S to throw off enemy intercept (to the side away from enemy), then a turn E to target.
Diving out of bomber formation shortly after launch. I forgot to verify my
drones. People pointed out to me that I didn't have any, and I decided to
turn over bomber lead to OOZ662 (GL of 617 Sqn), dive out, ditch, and come back
up with my full complement. It would put me by myself, but I figured that
would be higher probability of success than flying a singlet the whole way.
Main bomber force got to 9.14.5, got reports of enemy contact forward right, and turned north as was planned. North for a while, then east to v68 target. From radio traffic, it sounded like it was working OK for them.
I fly under a group of FW 190's on my way to target. I report location on
radio. I figure I'm dead.
But I am lucky! TC joined me as gunner, and only one of the FW 190A-8's
peels off to attack me, with the rest continuing on. He makes a run; I
maneuver to throw off his pass; and TC puts some holes through the 190's engine
block. Way to go TC! The 190 made a few more passes, but he
eventually had to dive out, and we made it through with all bombers.
One more 190 made one more pass on us from below, but he didn't have the altitude to stay with us, and we again got out with all bombers.
As I draw near target, I end up right near the main bomber group (but much lower, as I dove in my fight with the 1st 190).
Tallboy away on v68! Lead elements of main bomb group are visible above
me.
My target explodes as I turn left out of target area. I don't see the Bf
109K-4 approaching from below. Also notice the cloudiness. Numerous
bomber pilots at higher alts could not see the target and had to drop through
the cloud, hoping for a hit.
The Bf 109K-4 (flown by Luftwaffe CO Ditto, as it turns out) sets my lead bomber
on fire.
I jump to rear gun to fire on the enemy, but I can't see him much through the
flames. I fire anyway, but I didn't hit him enough if at all as a couple
seconds later, one of my drones goes down as well. Fortunately, AKWarHwk
is screaming in and saves me, driving off the 109. Thanks, AKWarHwk! <S>!
On the way back, a Ta 152 was trailing me, trying to reel me in, but DutchVII and BW1stpar came zooming in and jumped him before he got to me. Thanks, guys -- you saved me! <S>!
A big thanks to TC, AKWarHwk, DutchVII, and BW1stpar -- all bailing me out of grave trouble! :)
Mission 2 is a repeat of Mission 1 except for a south turn instead of north, and going after a70 instead of v68. We got to 9.14.5 when we started hearing from forward fighters that enemies were showing up. We made our turn south and a group of FW 190's came in.
A group of FW 190's come pelting through our bomber formation and starts an
ongoing fight. Some Bf 109K-4's showing up, too.
I pour some shots into one of the FW 190A-8's as he comes in for another run.
A Ta 152 does a head-on run at me close to target. We blast away at each
other.
He tries to nose over at the last moment but -- smash! We both go down.
I've got two bomber aircraft left.
Tallboy away onto Bergen (a70) u-boat pen!
A Ta 152 does a run through the bomber formation as we are almost home.
Our formation is pretty good, and we've got multiple escorts, so he can't hang
around.
I got my target on mission 1, dropped on target in mission 2, but target was down by time bombs hit, killed one Ta 152 and one FW 190A-8.
Our fighters kept lots of Lancasters alive in this frame. Great job, fighters! The bombers had trouble with clouds in mission 1; and in mission 2, we had some cross-target destruction. Yet we had lots of bombers and got a good number of targets, so well done to bomber pilots as well!
<S>, everyone. It was great flying with you!
-- Brooke, CO, RAF; GL, 9 Sqn.