PWCG P-38 Lightning Strikes Co-op Campaign

[rox]

2 hours ago, Jabo said:

No need to apologise Mick, but it's worth noting that as Rox appeared in front of me I was firing on the EA so it's quite possible he was hit by my rounds in the process. I'm glad I didn't hit anything important. It does underline the importance of improving the communication between the units if we're operating in the same area though as none of us want a friendly kill on our records.

Yeah sorry Nick, it was a situational awareness lapse on our part. From my end I saw four contacts, three turned out to be blue but I couldn't gauge the distance from the red one and was keeping more of an eye on Painless that on them, but they seemed well apart at that time. For the next 15-20 seconds or so Mick and I did a long right shallow climb turn around him, Mick then went in, missed, and at that time I think you might have been under me, I asked Mick if I should take a shot and got an affirmative. I hit him in the tail, which might have been already damaged a bit - I remember a stabilizer missing, but not sure if that was after I fired my shot or from before, and there were some bullet holes from before in the tail I saw from up close as I made my shot. He spun out a few seconds later. All the time I didn't see anyone on his six, nor did I notice being shot at (I'm sure I wasn't hit). I think our shallow climb took us above you and as we swooped down on him you were under us the whole time. At least that's what happened from my perspective.

[rox]

I quoted my own post instead of editing.

[DD_Fenrir]

Mission Date 15/11/44

402nd FS - Fighter Sweep Nettersheim Sector

485th FS - Fighter Sweep Nettersheim Sector

410th BG - Bomb Infantry Positions Zuplich 

Debrief:

370th FG

The 402nd had 485th unusually had identical mission profiles today, aiming to cover the front-lines with airpower, the 402nd tasked with covering the sector North of Nettersheim and the 485th the sector to the South.

With a 7-8/10ths cloud cover at Angels 10 the squadron COs agreed to split the ingress to target area cruise altitudes, the 402nd covering above the cloud and the 485th keeping a watchful eye on the airspace below. 

As the group approached Nettersheim the 402nd spotted 5 bogeys just above cloud and as they approached these resolved into a number of Fw-190A aircraft engaged with a couple of RAF Tempests. The first 190 was quickly dispatched by Lt. Rea, and with the fight gradually descending through and below the cloud, 2nd Lt. Bowen managed to claim his first kill and Capt. Efftee claimed a probable (with some help from 2nd Lt. Winger). This aircraft was latter upgraded to a confirmed by upper echelon. 

2nd Lt. Finknottle engaged and badly knocked about a 3rd 190 but finding himself out of position briefly after the it forced an overshoot, two un-ID'd P-38s joined the fight and with some very accomplished shooting delivered the coup de grace before Finknottle could. This turned out to be the lead element of 485th, Maj. Payne-less and 2nd Lt. Rox, the latter being the pilot who was awarded the kill. 

With this initial air threat apparently now neutered the squadrons separated and flew their respective North/South patrols finding little of note in the air. Capt. Efftee split the 402nd, leading Red flight above the clouds while directing White (led by Lt. Rea) to scan below. Just South of Eiskirchen Lt. Rea spotted landing lights on the airfield at Odendorf, and got permission to lead an attack. The AAA was light on the initial run and hits were scored on an Fw 190 taxiing on the field but tragically, recently promoted Lt. Casey Baker failed to pull out of his attack run dive and struck the ground on the field. He was killed instantly. As a quick witted bon vivant, accomplished pilot, scourge of the Krauts and general good egg, his presence in the 402nd will be sorely missed.

With White flight now only two aircraft, Lt. Rea attempted to keep pressure up on the flak gunners at the field but had to call it a lost cause when the enemy gunners took umbrage with 2nd Lt. Finknottle and inflicted some significant damage to his airplane, obliging Finknottle to RTB and Rea to cover him on his egress home. Finknottle thankfully landed safely, but did run out of gas halfway round the peri-track! Red flight, proceeding on their flight plan but seeing no further air action, also headed back to Florennes.

Alas, the Luftwaffe again eschews to afford the 485th much opportunity for kills, 2nd Lt. Rox's kill being the only e/a that they spotted during their patrol. However, dropping to ground level they metered out heavy punishment to two artillery positions and their AAA guns, with Maj. Payne-less and 2nd Lt. Rox claiming a commendable 8 ground targets apiece.

2nd Lt. Richards collected some AAA causing him control issues and whilst he was able to return to Florennes, was obviously fighting to maintain controlled flight on his approach; some palpitations were caused among the ground crew as it appeared he would touchdown amongst a clutch of parked '38s but fortunately he was able to take avoiding action and touchdown just beyond in the grass. Once down he was able to rejoin the runway proper.

The pressure isn't letting up gents, we have another mission for tomorrow, the 16th November [to be flown Sunday 13th December 2020] so get your rest and make damn sure you're bright eyed and bushy tailed for tomorrow.

 

 

410th BG

To follow.

 

[DD_Fenrir]

370th FG

Awards and Promotions:

2nd Lieutenant Bert Finknottle is promoted to 1st Lieutenant.

2nd Lieutenant Dennis Winger is awarded the Purple Heart

 

2nd Lieutenant Denis Richard is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross

 

Personnel:

402nd replacement pilot is due, identity TBC

 

Rosters:

 

 

[DD_Fenrir]

410th BG

Awards and Promotions:

Maj. Sid Viscous is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross

 

2nd Lt. David Crosby is awarded the Purple Heart

 

Personnel:

No changes. 

 

Roster:

 

 

[Jabo]

2 hours ago, rox said:

Yeah sorry Nick, it was a situational awareness lapse on our part. From my end I saw four contacts, three turned out to be blue but I couldn't gauge the distance from the red one and was keeping more of an eye on Painless that on them, but they seemed well apart at that time. For the next 15-20 seconds or so Mick and I did a long right shallow climb turn around him, Mick then went in, missed, and at that time I think you might have been under me, I asked Mick if I should take a shot and got an affirmative. I hit him in the tail, which might have been already damaged a bit - I remember a stabilizer missing, but not sure if that was after I fired my shot or from before, and there were some bullet holes from before in the tail I saw from up close as I made my shot. He spun out a few seconds later. All the time I didn't see anyone on his six, nor did I notice being shot at (I'm sure I wasn't hit). I think our shallow climb took us above you and as we swooped down on him you were under us the whole time. At least that's what happened from my perspective.

Yeah, as I remember Rox, you did come from my high 12 with more speed than me so I guess I was directly below you on the approach, I was slightly lower than the FW too. I had already tagged him around the tail area earlier in the fight so that likely accounts for the missing stab. Fortunately, I saw you just in time to get off the trigger so only a very short burst went close to you. Ah well, no harm done in the long run so we'll learn the lessons and move on.

[Sid]

Debrief from the 410th BG

A flight of 3 A20s took off from Eindhoven and, showing great airmanship and engine management skills, carried out a steep climb out and up to the fighter rendezvous at 14,500ft together and with no engine overheating. We met the Spitfire escort and continued on to the target at Zulpich. The cloud above the cloud base at 10,000ft was dense and with virtually no visibility through it or adequate gaps it was decided to level bomb from just below the cloud base. The target was marked as being in the centre of Zulpich so our job was made easier as we had an obvious aiming point. The landmarks on the way were relatively easy to spot so we were able to give ourselves a good long line up and run in. A successful drop was made on the target and a large amount of railway rolling stock and facilities were destroyed hopefully disrupting the movements of the enemy troops in the area. One unfortunate occurrence was that whilst the Spitfires remained in our vicinity they were unable to intercept a lone Fw190 before it shot down 2nd Lt Dave Crosby whilst he was levelled out for the bomb run. They did, however, down it shortly afterwards. Thankfully Dave and his crew were able to bail out. They managed to evade capture and were eventually delivered back to Eindhoven for beer and steak!  Well done! Frustrating though....lined up ready to drop and bang....next thing you know you're on the end of a 'chute. 

Well done 2nd Lt Dave Haggis for completing a bomb drop and getting back to Eindhoven....hope you bought the ground crew plenty of beer  

Well done 410BG, proud of you.

[BluBear]

Another crazy Irish-American reporting for duty in the 402nd, introducing:  Patrick Last

Updated skin for download attached here chaps.

402nd__E6_B_BluBear.dds

[Painless]

Reporting for duty skipper...

[Crash]

Me too

[rox]

19 hours ago, BluBear said:

Another crazy Irish-American reporting for duty in the 402nd, introducing:  Patrick Last

Updated skin for download attached here chaps.

402nd__E6_B_BluBear.dds 16 MB · 5 downloads

What program do you use to edit these skins Chris? Can't open the files in anything.

I'm also confirming tonight.

[DD_Fenrir]

370th debrief for last mission is now up - it has been inserted into the debrief post above.

 

[Perfesser]

Looking for the last few missing skins. Just got the one from BluBear but I'm sure there are a couple I'm missing(T-bone..). Don't see them in the skins section, I guess posting them in the thread doesn't do the best job of of keeping everyone up to date.

[BluBear]

23 minutes ago, Perfesser said:

Looking for the last few missing skins. Just got the one from BluBear but I'm sure there are a couple I'm missing(T-bone..). Don't see them in the skins section, I guess posting them in the thread doesn't do the best job of of keeping everyone up to date.

Usually, FT is kind enough to add to the skault for those using chkskins. I think that's how it works. I believe, with the exception of my new one and T-bones, I uploaded everybody's 402 skins to the skins area and also in this thread. 

With regards to T-bone, not sure he actually officially released his skin, I have it because I created it to begin with but passed over the working files for him to finish. 

[BluBear]

3 hours ago, rox said:

What program do you use to edit these skins Chris? Can't open the files in anything.

I'm also confirming tonight.

Created in Photoshop using the two official PSDs (rgb and alpha) and exported using the appropriate DDS plugin that GBS uses. 

Sidly took care of the 485th skins though, so you may want to tap him up old chap. 

[Funflak]

See you all soon ~S~

[rox]

1 hour ago, BluBear said:

Created in Photoshop using the two official PSDs (rgb and alpha) and exported using the appropriate DDS plugin that GBS uses. 

Sidly took care of the 485th skins though, so you may want to tap him up old chap. 

Ah I see, I thought you can just pull a skin file from the game folder and edit it.

[Jabo]

2 hours ago, BluBear said:

Usually, FT is kind enough to add to the skault for those using chkskins. I think that's how it works. I believe, with the exception of my new one and T-bones, I uploaded everybody's 402 skins to the skins area and also in this thread. 

With regards to T-bone, not sure he actually officially released his skin, I have it because I created it to begin with but passed over the working files for him to finish. 

Yours is on chkskins now Chris - put it there last night

 

[Crash]

However you will have to delete the original or it wont download

[Crash]

A-20 pilots might find page 118 very useful, I did!

Ground Attacker Handbook.pdf

[xTbonex]

402nd__E6_T__Tbone.zipTbone campaign skin

[DD_Fenrir]

Thanks to all who attended last night gents, that was a pretty intense one! I had a lot of fun, hope you all did too.

First thing I need to do is apologise profusely to both @FoolTrottel and @Reggie for missing their claims during the AAR process; as most of you know I normally ask if I have missed anyone before committing the info but last night having worked my way through all (I thought) of the personnel tabs in sequence I just forgot to do this usual last sanity check - I've got a lot on my mind regards work and home at the moment and I rushed it.

I did spend 2 hours trying to correct the error manually last night by editing the various files, but thus far I've kept corrupting the campaign. I will keep trying but please bear with me. 

 

[Painless]

Tom, having a high pressure job, a young family, putting all the hours you do into running this campaign and dealing with most of the DCS issues in the squad week in and week out is NO EXCUSE for such a catastrophic mistake !

[FoolTrottel]

No worries sir... Stats are nice to have...

The only one I think is relevant here is the one that shows 'Number of missions'   

[BluBear]

45 minutes ago, DD_Fenrir said:

Thanks to all who attended last night gents, that was a pretty intense one! I had a lot of fun, hope you all did too.

First thing I need to do is apologise profusely to both @FoolTrottel and @Reggie for missing their claims during the AAR process; as most of you know I normally ask if I have missed anyone before committing the info but last night having worked my way through all (I thought) of the personnel tabs in sequence I just forgot to do this usual last sanity check - I've got a lot on my mind regards work and home at the moment and I rushed it.

I did spend 2 hours trying to correct the error manually last night by editing the various files, but thus far I've kept corrupting the campaign. I will keep trying but please bear with me. 

 

I may be missing something, but can these not be added on to the next AAR? Or do EA actually have to be destroyed in a mission in order to make a claim against it?