http://www.squadselectseries.com - new map and summary up
In the second frame of the series the Allies had to go deeper into Germany to finish off the avionics factory and aluminium plant near Hannover. The initial battle was started about halfway to the targets when central Luftwaffe interceptors began head-on attacks. The majority of German fighters were heavy Bf109G6R6 or FW190A4s and they were determined to get at the B17s and avoid the escort as much as possible. Heavy losses were inflicted on the B17s as they lined up on the first target to the north of Hannover. More and more Luftwaffe began to show up from the south and overwhelmed the escort. As the Aluminium plant went up in smoke and the bomb group turned for home the battle was on as German fighters closed in the for the kill. Twenty-one B17s fell in this attack but the escort and gunners accounted for 11 German pilots while only loosing two P47s.
The second attack of the day was north to the avionics factory south of Hamburg. Again German attacks were relentless all the way into target where the B17s were scattered over a wide area but managed to damage the plant but not destroy it. Eight B17s were lost but heavy fighting afterwards with the escort cost the Luftwaffe 18 interceptors. Six escorts were lost in these battles over Northern Germany.
Over the two attack waves the Allies lost 29 B17s(11 player) and 8 escorts while the Germans lost 29 fighters. Both the targets at Hannover were destroyed and the one at Hamburg only damaged. The frame was close in points with the heavy losses in B17s giving the Germans a narrow win, their losses were also very high.
Luftwaffe lead the series 202 to 182.
Good Luck in Frame 3
Notes
1. B17s again seem very brittle. Its been a common issue for the last couple of years. Under determined attack with the best pilots in the game using proper tactics, the bombers and especially their AI fall like flies. But the numbers show it comes with a cost. For 11 player bombers 6 Luftwaffe fighters were destroyed by their gunners, most of whom were probably players gunning and not the AI wingmen. To get to the bombers a further 23 Luftwaffe met their doom for the loss of 8 Allied escorts. This shows that the escorts did an excellent job as well as the interceptors. I would like to see more struggling bombers with missing parts and less deadly otto for the attackers. Sounds a bit more historic than what we have but still the numbers show its a good game for both sides and takes coordination and planning to see it through.
2. Still no AI flak up high in the arena. Not sure why they only shoot down low and not above 20,000ft. Flak at factories are working fine, I see their group shots coming up at the bombers.
3. Plane file for damage is the same as the MA and was the same in frame 1. Difference was just better coordinated Luftwaffe attacks against well escorted but scattered Allied bombers.
jabo
