Table of contents

Excaliburs Newswire Volume 1 Issue 1   September 15th 2007
Excaliburs Newswire Volume 1 Issue 2   September 23rd 2007
Excaliburs Newswire Volume 1 Issue 3   October 5th 2007
Excaliburs Newswire Volume 1 Issue 4   October 12th 2007
Excaliburs Newswire Volume 1 Issue 5   November 2nd 2007
Excaliburs Newswire Volume 1 Issue 6   December 19th 2007
Excaliburs Newswire Volume 2 Issue 1   January 1st 2008
Excaliburs Newswire Volume 2 Issue 2   January 24th 2008
Excaliburs Newswire Volume 2 Issue 3   February 27th 2008

Volume 1 Issue 1
September 15th 2007

 
Birth of a Squadron

September, 15th, 2007  witnessed the birth of a new squadron in the online combat flight sim Aces High II.
The new squadron, called the VFA-169 Excaliburs was the brainchild of Ruger44, and Marshall.  Both players are former members of  the 169th SSF.
In point of fact, the 169 in the new squadrons name is an homage to their old squadron.
When asked if they were unhappy with their old squadron, both Ruger44, and Marshal agree that they were not.
Ruger44 is actually quoted as saying, “Did we have a problem with the old squad?  Absolutely not!  They are a great bunch of  fellows, and we would be happy to fly with them anytime.”
The new squadron will be based on a naval military model in rank, and where possible in tactics.
Ruger44 is the commander of the new entity, with the Naval rank of Captain.  Marshal will hold the  rank of Commander, and be Ruger44’s Executive Officer.  All other members of the group will hold the rank  of Lieutenant.

The Vision

When asked what they would be looking for in a  new recruit for  VMF-169 both Marshal, and  Ruger44 agree that not everyone  will be allowed to join the new Squadron.
They have a few basic, but very important requirements.  An Excalibur Squadron member should have a keen sense of honor, and personal responsibility.  Won’t make excuses for failure, such as,  “I hit the tree, that was only a proxy”.  Won’t participate in unseemly verbal jousting, or personal attacks, even in defense.  (In this way they’ll always be focused on the task at hand).  Will salute the enemy, and even at times compliment them, when warranted.  Will be slow to anger, and quick to laugh.  Must be a team player, weather flying with squadron, or country.  And perhaps the most important of all, will always remember this is a game, and have fun!

New Members

It should be noted first of all that HQTRQD came over with  Marshal, and I from the 169th SSF, when we formed this squadron.  He’s fairly new to combat flight sims, but is already proving his worth.  He’s always willing to do whatever is required, and is a good stick.
 
Next on our list is NC33.  NC was recruited by HQTRQD, and interviewed for invitation by Ruger44.  HQTRQD said that he seemed to be a class A team player, and had a real wish to grow, and learn in the game.  He’s a welcome addition to the squadron, and already seems to be contributing generously.
      
After action
By Ruger44

It was early morning, I’d come off a bad day the day before and was a little wary of flying.

Signed on, and found one of my favorite maps up...SMPizza.  Did some quick map recon, and saw a few V-bases that looked promising.  Upped a  Ki-84  02:40 hours from A-42, flew to, and prepped V-76, currently in Nit hands.  Did what I always consider the minimum prep.  Killed Auto  ack, manned ack, and DAR, and then as  always, announced it was done.  (This will very often bring needed support)

Returned in a C-47 at 03:00 hours flying NOE at the bottom of the ravines all the way.  Planned on landing as close to the maproom as possible, and letting the troops out there.  It went as planned, until the moment I landed.  It was then that I noticed a Bish M-4 in a battle with Nit defenders not 100 yards from my craft.

It took only moments for the troops to convince me they wanted to try to go anyway.  Those men always seem to be the bravest, in the game.  I turned the ship around, and took off for the return trip.  Sadly, not a single troop was ever heard from again.  (Ten more letters to write to families back home) By the time I had returned to base, the Rooks had captured a connecting V-base, and were working on capturing the one I had prepped.  I upped an M-3  with fresh troops  for a preliminary recon and headed over.
 
What I found was not all that unusual.  More than enough people to over run the objective, but not enough focus.  I determined that the base was still prepped, asked them to concentrate fire between the maproom, and spawn hanger.  It was then that the Bish were kind enough to accommodate us  by running a Lancaster raid through the base, killing all of the hangers, and most of the defenders.
 
I ran straight in with the troops, and the base was captured.  It was now only 03:15 hours, and it was time to turn our attention to the Bishops.

At 03:20 I upped a 110 Heavy out A-35, and headed to V-41.

I was able to Prep V-41, and it’s sister base V-46 in short order.  Unfortunately, I was intercepted and shot down  by a P-51D on my RTB.
 
It was 03:30 when I upped an M-3 with troops from V-34.  V-41 was ours by 03:35.

There was no time to waste now.  The bish were reeling from intense fighting on two fronts.  Upped another M-3, this time from the freshly captured V-41 base.
Arrived at  V-46 at  03:50, and headed straight in to the base on the chance that they would not have been able to respond to the threat that fast.  It worked!  I heard an engine starting up just as the last  troop was entering the maproom, but it was  quickly silenced by our newly regenerated Ack. After the capture.
There were whoops, and cheers all over Rook land.

Four bases had been captured within the space of  one hour.

One by other Rooks.  One prepped, and captured by me with the help of Rooks, and Bish.  (unwittingly).  And two prepped, and captured in short order by me alone.

The rest of the night  went the same way.  Rooks continued to take base, after base, and although I couldn’t stay through till the end, I would be surprised if they didn’t reset the map.

Well, that’s it for the first monthly issue of the Excaliburs Newswire.

Don’t know if all of them will be this long winded, but hope to do many, many  more.

Please don’t hesitate to send along items, and articles of squad interest, and I’ll make every effort to include them.

Articles submitted may be edited for size, and content.  Edited articles will be returned to the author for approval before  publication as time permits.

Go Topside

Volume 1 Issue 2
September 23rd 2007



By Commander Marshal
 
 On 9-23-07 VFA-169 Excaliburs had their first Squadron night. I signed on at 20:30 hours. The CO Captain Ruger44 and Squadron Pilot Lt. NC33 were already in the thick of it. I recalled them from the field, so that we could begin planning missions, and we got down to the business of making our mark.

We decided to begin in the Mid War Arena, as we thought we might just have a chance of winning the War there.

We needed just three Bishop, and two Knight bases. Well needless to say, both countries put up a valiant battle.

The Knights were putting up a good defense at every base we tried to capture, when the Skipper decided to try and get a Vehicle Base (V-45) that was on an island between two air bases (A-46 and A-47).

The Skipper, and myself flew bombers, and Lt. NC33 flew the C-47 with troops.

We had taken down all three vehicle hangers, and the radar, by the time the Knights began launching aircraft from the northern, and southern air bases.

Unfortunately, Lt. NC33 was shot down in his C-47, but luckily, was able to bail out safely.  We immediately contacted S.A.R., (Search and Rescue) and they dispatched a Catalina flying boat to the co-ordinates he was seen to have gone down.

I returned to the base in a P-38J, heavy to clean up anything we had missed, but was intercepted by a Knight P-51B. We got into a good dogfight, and he had hit both of my radiators, when with both of my engines only minutes away from seizing, I turned the tables on the him and shot the starboard wing off of his Mustang. Only seconds later, both engines quit, but I was still able to glide it to earth, and land.

By this time, the the Skipper was already on his way back with another C-47, and was able to land in a farmers field, and pick me up.  We were downed again shortly thereafter.

It was time to cut our losses, and move on.  We decided a change of fronts might be in order, and began successfully capturing Bishop bases.

When we had enough Bishop bases to win the war, we returned to the Knight bases once again, and with the help of fellow countrymen, and Task Force 31 were able to capture A-46.

With A-46 firmly in our grasp, and this being a useful base of operations, we returned to the business of trying to capture V-45.

While the Knights were able to put up another lively defense, we captured it.
No sooner had we gotten it, when the Knights began to attack us in numbers.

We threw everything we had on the line in  defense of that base, and after what seemed like hours, the Knights withdrew.

A big salute goes out to our brave defenders!

After the fighting, Lt. NC33, fighting valiantly, immediately after having been shot down, and bailing out over the ocean was not feeling 100%.

The Skipper, noticed this, and although NC33 protested, he reluctantly reported to sickbay for a complete check-up, and to recuperate, so that he might be at top efficiency again for our next night of squadron operations.

Salute to Lt. NC33! Even though you are new to the game, and have been with us for a short time, you already have shown improvement and are a good team player.
Keep up the great work.

By now it was time to capture A-47, (The remaining base on the island).

This was when it was our good fortune to meet up with two good team players named onedive and 420Hill. They volunteered to drive through the mountains to the town and  knock it down with Panzers. Once they had completed this, they called for troops, and I started my journey in a C-47, up the coast, hidden from the airbase by the eastern slope of the mountains.

 
On the way, I was nearly downed by mobile anti-aircraft artillery mounted on an enemy supply train that was headed to an inland city.  I avoided it just barely, and was able to land my C-47 just south of the town, to await the call to re-up, and drop the troops.

The Skipper was flying C.A.P, (Combat Air Patrol) over the town when he received a request from the ground elements to check that all buildings had been leveled.

Having confirmed this, he dispatched the radio call to me to bring in the troops.  I took off in short order, and headed over.

When I arrived there I went straight toward the map room, pulled the yoke into my gut, and went straight up toward the sky.

When the altimeter read twelve hundred feet I hit the green light for the troops to jump.

Unfortunately, one of the paratrooper’s chutes did not deploy, and another good man was lost.  (I notified the Skipper I would personally write that letter home to his family).

We now had only nine troops in the map room, and needed 10 for the capture.  I headed back to base for more.

Timing was now against us.  When I returned I noticed the townspeople had already started to rebuild, and were threatening to put up a defense.

I reported that fact to headquarters then landed my C-47 just outside of town to wait for onedive and 420Hill to take the buildings back down.  They did this in record time, and the capture was a success.  The island was now ours!

Where to next?  Just north of the airbase the Knights had located a deep water port.  If we took this port, and sunk the enemy’s carrier, both would be ours, giving us two captures.

The Skipper put out a general call to all of Rook land, asking for support, and detailing for them what was at stake.
Onedive and 420Hill volunteered once again to help us out.

When we lifted off the runway we could see the Knight task force had maneuvered itself off of the coast from A-47, and had begun to shell it.

We considered staying to defend the airbase, but the Skipper decided not to, as the carrier would be in a perfect position for us to sink, after our capture of its port. 

As we were flying north to the port, the Skipper, having been greatly impressed by their teamwork and enthusiasm asked onedive and 420hill if they would be interested in joining our squad.

Long story short they both agreed, and we now have two new members of VFA-169.
Welcome to both of them!

We reached the port, and were successful in taking down some of the ack, but it tore us to pieces. We would have to return, and finish it off before we could drop troops for the capture.  With teamwork, we were able to capture the port.

After capturing the port, we were offered a short shore leave, while the Skipper met Lieutenants, onedive, and 420hill at the O-club to finalize their transfer papers, and to have a few beers.

I told the Skipper I would rather stay behind, and try to sink the enemy carrier just off the coast.  We loaded 3 Lancaster’s with 14 one thousand pound bombs each.

I took off and the hunt was on. Of course it did not take me long to find the CV since it was shelling our base.                                    I set a course north to gain a little altitude, leveled off at just two thousand feet above the water, and turned to make my run.  I lined the CV up, and calibrated my bombsights.

 As I approached the CV the ack started tearing me up, but I was able to get all the bombs away and on target. BOOM!! Down went the enemy CV, and in 5 minutes it would be ours. I only lost one bomber, and the crew was able to bail safely out just off the coast where I sent a PT boat to pick them up. I landed, and promptly checked the status of the war. We now only needed one Bishop, and one Knight base.

The Skipper decided to go to Tank Town Island to acquire the last bases.  I suggested we split our forces, and have two go to one vehicle base, and two go to the other simultaneously.

I lifted off in a P-38J heavy, with Lt. 420Hill following close behind in a C-47, and we headed to the southern base.  Both bases were now in Knight hands, but one is normally a Bishop base, so this would give us our win if only we could pull it off.

The CO, Captain Ruger44 took up a bf 110 heavy, and Lt. Onedive took an M-3, and they headed to the northern base.
Lt. 420Hill, and I arrived at our target first and I took down the auto, and manned ack in one pass.  I returned for another pass, and took down the radar with rockets.  I then let Lt. 420Hill know it was all clear, and that he could drop troops.

Suddenly, I received a distress call from the Skipper. He had been shot down by the auto ack, at the northern base, and he needed me to come north to finish the last gun off before Lt. Onedive could drive his M-3 in and drop troops. I fire walled the throttle and headed north. When I got there I took down the last remaining auto ack and told Lt. Onedive it was all clear.

It turns out the Skipper had bailed successfully and, I told Lt. Onedive to pick him up on the way into the base. Both bases were captured, and VFA-169 Excaliburs won the war for the Rooks on the night of their very first squadron operations.

All things considered, I think it was a great night for our first squad night. We acquired two new members, and had a fun night. Salute to all of VFA-169 Excalibur Squadron members!

Go Topside

Plans

Plans for the future are to have clearly defined bomber, fighter, and ground groups how ever; any member of each might be called upon to fill a role in one of the others.

So please, continue to enhance your skills down the entire list of planes, vehicles, and boats in the game.  They all have merit.  (Even the P-40, and Yak!)

Wins Abound!

VFA-169 continues to astound the AHII community with base capture after base capture, and map reset, after map reset.

If you follow the stats, (And I highly recommend that you do, if only for the moral boost) you will see that our ranking as a squad is shooting up at a phenomenal rate.

It is my considered opinion that we are having an effect not only on ourselves, but on Rookland as a whole.

Become a Rookland Leader

It has often been frustrating to me to go on,  see our Countrymen with their borders beaten back to the uncapturable bases on two fronts, and realize that they have even, if not superior odds!

It’s always said at times like these, that they are all off selfishly pursuing their own satisfaction, but I say RUBBISH!  Rooks are not selfish. If anything they are giving to a fault.  Nearly every time I see this, it is always caused by a lack of leadership.

They are usually off defending multiple bases, or trying independently to win back bases.

Sometimes, all that is needed to reverse this trend is for one voice to call them together.

One voice to counter all of the channel 200 hate spewed by the enemy psych-op groups.

One voice.

Be that voice!  Call your brothers, and sisters together in well thought out, and logical operations that reverse the tide.

They don’t always have to be complex.  Sometimes all it takes is one well placed V-base capture to ignite the Rookland passion.

Once Rooks get rolling, they are unstoppable!

We’ll miss them
Squadron operations this Sunday, October 7^th will be missing two of our members.  (Temporarily)

Marshal and NC33 have both been given much needed shore leave.

It is reported that Marshal will be in the mountains bow hunting with his time, (Hey Number one, don’t forget my standing order for deer jerky) and NC33 will be fishing.

We will miss them both.

In the Next Issue: Man Down!

Read the heart stopping account of one of our members painful run in with a Brown Recluse spider!

Go Topside

Volume 1 issue 4
October, 12, 2007


Set Salvo Six!

 
By Ruger44

The moon had just set over the distant peaks of Tank Town Island, and light dew lay upon everything on the airfield.  Not for the first time, but probably for the last I thought that this is my favorite time of day.  The world seems peaceful, and if for just a moment you could believe that it really was.

I’m a realist at heart though, and knew that it was not so.  The Bishops were on the move, and TonyJoey’s Flying Fury were in the vanguard.  We had intel that they were holding one of the northern vehicle bases, and had been given orders to evict them at all costs.

I knew it was time to spin up my F6F, but hesitated just one moment more to enjoy the quiet.  I was entitled that at least.  I hadn’t a chance in hell of coming back, and I knew it.

Tony’s people would be both on the ground, and in the air.  I’d had the crew chief load everything my Hellcat could carry.  Two one thousand pound gravity bombs, six rockets, and every 50 caliber round they could cram into the magazines.  If I had to go, I’d see some of Tony’s people through the gates of hell first.

It was at this time that I would start to tell myself the lie.  You know the one.  I’ll come back…yeah, sure I will.  How could we do the job otherwise?  I knew then what I’d do.  Knowing that I’d be hitting stiff resistance in the air, I’d set my salvo to 6!  In this way, maybe I’d have a better shot at hitting the ground elements, and would sure be able to lighten up quickly if those air elements came at me.

I couldn’t stall any longer.  It was time to go.  I fired up the Hellcat’s Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp, and as if it was the very first time marveled as its 18 cylinders screamed out their 2000hp roar.

After she was warmed up, I taxied out to the runway, and prepared for take off.  This was going to be a solo run.  Intel hadn’t been the best lately, and I didn’t want to risk anyone else in this venture.

I rolled out, and she lifted effortlessly into the lightening sky before I was halfway down the tarmac.  This was it.  The time when I would always see the lie for what it was, but and would prepare myself for whatever was to come. 

The flight to the target was uneventful.  I made one recon pass over the field, and determined that it was crawling with vehicles.  Panzers, M-16’s and Flaks seemed to be everywhere.  Well, it was no more than I had expected.  The enemy had spies too.

 

I had just completed a high yo-yo, and was making a first run on the field when I saw them.  In the distance was a Spitfire, and a P-38, and they had seen me.  It was now, or never.  I hit my rocket release button, but missed my first ground target.  Something was wrong!

Those Bishop air elements were bearing down on me, and I hadn’t a lot of time to figure out what it was.  Suddenly it came to me…I’d forgotten to SET SALVO SIX!  I made a quick adjustment, another high yo-yo, lined up once again on another ground target, and this time when I hit the fire button, was rewarded with the final five missiles rippling off in quick succession.  Raven8 was dead, and I was still alive! I popped straight up long enough to lob both of my bombs toward the radar mast, and then dropped back down for a run on the two Bishop pilots.

They didn’t seem to be in a hurry to kill me, and this overconfidence in their superior numbers would be their undoing.

The Spit came at me first.  It was them or me, and so I let lose my 50’s right in his face, and was rewarded with a few bright flashes on his cowling.  I was ecstatic.  I still didn’t expect to live through this, but had hopes that I might take one more of them with me.

I pulled a quick immelman, but as I attempted to get on the 38, the Spit found my 6.  I heard his 303’s piercing the thin aluminum skin of my bird, and smashing against the armor behind my head.

I knew then that I had only seconds to live.  I didn’t care!  I would have that 38 before the Spit had me.  That was all there was to it.  It was then that everything changed.  420hill was screaming down the valley, and was heading right at us.  I heard myself yelling into my mike something like it’s Hill to the rescue, and asked him if he could do anything about the spit on my 6.

It was at this time that the 38 I was pursuing must have seen Hill, because it chose just then to bank hard right and up….directly into my line of sight.  I hit my 50’s, and was thrilled when flame burst out of the back of his fuselage.  He must have been dead immediately, because he tilted over on one wing, and went straight in.  Spartan2 was dead, and I was still alive!

Suddenly, I heard that rain on the rooftop sound, and knew that the Spit had acquired my 6 again.  I turned my head around fast, and saw that Hill was turning in on him.  My only thought was to stay alive long enough for Hill to get him because the Spit was already 800 yards off me and closing fast.

My headset crackled to life at that moment, and Hill informed me that he only had 15 cannon rounds left.  I looked back again, and Hill had found the Spit’s 6, but wasn’t firing.  I knew he was bingo ammo, but the Spit didn’t and I had but one hope.  I needed him to make one simple mistake.  If he was able to react in a timely manner after my next move, it would be all over.  I looked back one final time, and saw him only 200 yards off my 6 now.  This was it!  I throttled back to 20%, and started a series of barrel rolls to bleed off energy as fast as I could.  It worked!  He panicked, rolled right, then left, and right again, and was alongside of me just about ready to pass when it happened.  We collided.  I must have done more damage on the initial pass than I had thought I had because he crumpled up forthwith, and was gone.  Cleancut was dead, and I was alive!

The air was clear of Bishops for now, but would not be for long.  I radioed Hill to fall on my wing, and we headed back to the barn.  Alive and ready to do it all once again on the morrow.

After Action Report
By Lieutenant 420hill

Early morning, 10, October, 2007

Having just captured A-9, and using it as a base of operations, the C/O and I decided to launch B-24’s north to the enemy flak city.

Four minutes into the flight. I spotted the enemy task force.  I had been hunting them earlier, and had not been able to locate them!  I asked for, and received permission from Flag to divert to them.  The Skipper continued on to our originally assigned target.

Less than 5 minutes later the CV was sunk.
The C/O let out an uncharacteristic whoop, then cleared his throat, and told me I had done well.

The Skipper was successful in his run as well, and both of our crews returned safely to the barn.

Man Down!

We have it on good authority that it was in point of fact Lieutenant 420hill that was bitten by a highly venomous brown recluse spider on his hand!  He continues to heal, and actually performed the above run while wounded.  Salute to you Lieutenant Hill!

Go Topside

On Sunday 10-28-2007 the members of VFA-169 Excalibur Squadron were given a top-secret mission from the highest level of the Rookland government.  This is their story.

Tension in the ready room was understandably high.  No details on this mission had been released as of yet, but the squadron jungle drums had been beating furiously for a week with the unofficial news that this was going to be the big one.  Fortress Knight!  This would be their deepest mission to date, and promised to be their most costly.  The Knights would pay dearly though.  These brave lads would not sell their lives cheaply!

Plans are finalized

Briefing

Tensions reached an all time high as the Skipper, and I remained cloistered behind the ready room door with the Secretary of the Rookland Naval Forces.

We finally hammer out the last minute details, and open the door of the briefing room to a sea of expectant faces.

There is no need for me to call for quiet, as everyone is ready to receive these orders.  As anticipated by the grapevine, the target is the Knight Head Quarters, with the main target being their capitol building with express orders to bring down their radar capabilities at all costs.  All of the air groups receive their individual orders, and the operation is underway.

No military mission plan, no matter how well conceived will survive the opening minutes of battle, and this one was no exception.

On departure two of LTJG. NC33’s bombers had to return to base for fuel leaks.
He escorts them back, and is soon playing catch-up to dead man’s corner in the rear of the formation.  The rest of the squad was up and climbing to the bombing altitude of 18000 feet.

The bombers chosen for the mission were the British Lancaster III’s loaded with 14000 pounds each of HE gravity bombs, and the escorts would be split with two light fighters being P-51D Mustangs, and three heavy fighters being the P-38L Lightning.

                                                                                     
                                           
The mission was undetected until we had approached to within 50 miles of the enemy HQ.  A lone F6F comes in high on our six.  He was expertly dispatched by our fighter escorts, but certainly not before he could radio his countrymen of the approaching force.  We were in for it now.  We knew at that point that the entire enemy force would be hunting us.

Shortly thereafter we had bogeys coming at us from every point of the compass.  Our fighters turn to engage the enemy fighters, when a radio message is intercepted from LTJG. NC33.  He’s having engine problems, and must turn back to base.  The Knights sense blood in the water, and turn in on him.
Our escorts make every effort to reach him, but are too late.

At this point, enemy 109’s, 190’s and F6F’s are everywhere.  The P-38’s are ordered by the Skipper to eject the bombs, and rockets they were carrying for cleanup, and are re-tasked to light fighter escort to try and counter the enemy response.

The escorts did a superb job defending the bombers, and most of the ordinance made it to the posted targets, but some was still held in reserve for unforeseen circumstances.

I dropped down to make a flyby of the capitol building, hoping to confirm a kill, but found that although it was in flames, it was still standing. 

 Onedive’s Lancaster circles back

LTJG. Onedive circles back around with his bombers and goes in low on a clean-up run at the HQ building. He calls bombs away, and as soon as they hit, the HQ Building crumbled to the ground.

I dropped back down once again for secondary confirmation that the target was destroyed, and afterward the Skipper radioed Rook HQ MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

 
To Home

Now it was time to try and get everyone home.  We had been successful above and beyond our most optimistic predictions, but the Knight air forces would have their pond of flesh.

We lost all but two bomber formations, most of those on egress, but no one taking off at the beginning of this mission had expected to return.

I was turning to climb back up to the formation, when a Messerschmitt Bf 109K-4 came in on my six. I was maneuvering furiously to avoid his hammering cannon, when I received a friendly call over the radio from LTJG. Mike0001. He got on the 109’s six, and was directing me to break left when my left wing folded up.
Once on the ground I radioed to everyone that had been downed, and coordinated our rescue.

Everyone was located, and were safely on their way back to base by the next morning.

The Skipper and me attended a post mission debrief given in person by the Secretary himself, and have been told to pass on to the squadron his personal thanks for a job well done, and that we would be recommended for many more special ops missions in the future.

I would also like to thank everyone on another successful mission. Keep up the good work Excaliburs!                                 
                                                                               
Lieutenant Commander Marshal
XO VFA-169 Excaliburs

Go Topside

Volume 1 Issue 6
December, 19, 2007

                            The Capture of an Airbase

Recently, LT Onedive brought to my attention that he had a new plan for capturing airbase’s, and requested that we set up a short briefing in which he might explain how it works.

This is his story.

During our briefing, LT Onedive explained to me that he had a new capture routine that he had tested repeatedly, and confirmed the same positive results on each, and every sortie.  I requested a demonstration, and informed him that if this worked as advertised there would be good things in the future for him.

The amazing thing about it is that it can be accomplished with as little as four pilots, in very little time other than the flight time to target.

Three of the pilots should have the ordinance crew load up their Lancaster III Bombers with fourteen one thousand pound bombs. The fourth pilot will fly a C-47, with ten paratroopers.  Enroute to target the bomber pilots should set their salvo to fourteen, and their delay to .37. This particular delay allows for a carpet bombing effect from one side of the city right through to the other.

On this particular run, we had started out with LT 420Hill in the Pathfinder craft, but he had mechanical difficulties with his bombers, and had to turn back to base. He made it safely back in short order, and radioed that he had upped a new set of Lancs, and would follow on to cleanup.

With the salvo set, cruising 100 feet above the ocean, and having just hit our last waypoint, we turned in to target.  The pilots confirmed one last time who would hit which part of the town.  I was to drop down the right of the center, LT NC33 would drop down the left of center, and LT Onedive would go straight down the center.  McGyvr would be bringing the Gooney, with the 82nd.

It being imperative for the success of the plan that all of the bombers make it to target, we decided that a tree top approach must be the order of the day.  Once we reached the radar ring we would pop up to one thousand feet, and level off for the final approach to target.  We knew the auto ack would put a couple of holes in the birds, but they had been holed before, and no doubt would be again.  In other words, it didn’t seem to concern us in the least, or so we thought.

I’m now lined up on my assigned side, I’ve calibrated, the doors are open, and as soon as the cross hairs hit the first building on the near edge of town, I let fly forty two thousand pounds of iron, and fire.

It was a beautiful site.  The salvo timing worked as advertised, and the entire load spread evenly within the town from one end to the other.  Every building on the right side of town was down in only one pass!  Next in line was LT NC33, his drop went off the same way, and LT Ondive followed on after.

As the last bomb dropped, LT Seighin, who had been tasked with the duel job of fighter cover, and battle damage assessment headed down to confirm the effectiveness of the run.  Soon thereafter, the radio crackled to life, and he announced that every building was down save for one in the dead center of town.  This building must have been specially reinforced by the enemy to have survived the drop.  It was an amazing feat for all but one of the buildings to have been taken down in a single pass of the three elements of bombers, but this still would not do.  For this mission to be a complete success, every building must be down before those troop’s boots hit the ground.

We radioed back that he must destroy that building at all costs.  He was able to make short work of the weakened structure, and McGyvr was called in to drop the troops, but unfortunately, the enemy had upped from the nearby airbase, and headed straight for the town.

As near as we could tell, five of the troops made it into the map room.  We decided to bail from our bombers, as they had been damaged to the point where it was questionable whether we would make it home, and just perhaps, we could turn the tide if we could fight our way in and reinforce those brave souls already on the ground.

LT NC33 was the first one to enter the map room, followed soon thereafter by LT Onedive.  I had bailed at a higher altitude, and it was taking me longer to hit the deck.  Those minutes would make all the difference in the world.

Even with ourselves, we would still need two more troops for the capture, and it was not looking good.  Still trapped, suspended from my chute floating slowly down, I began to hear raised voices coming from the map room.  Naturally, I at first thought that it was our men subduing the enemy, but then, as I got closer, I realized that it was LT NC33, and LT Onedive arguing.  Just as I came upon the entrance, but before I could enter I heard gunshots.  I immediately slapped leather and entered the map room with my 45 cocked, locked and ready to rock.

It was too late.  As I entered LT NC33 drew down on me, mumbling incoherently.  I tried to settle him down, but he didn’t seem to hear any of it.  I think he was in a state of combat fatigue. I attempted to shoot him in the leg, hoping to be able to disarm him, when he opened fire, and took me down.  While this was transpiring, the auto ack regenerated, and we knew we had lost our chance at this base capture.

It didn’t matter.  We had still proved that a town could be taken down quicker than we had ever though possible, and we’d had a great time doing it.

I was laughing for ten minutes after the goings on in the map room.  (Perhaps I should mention that we had also discovered that when one person on the ground shoots another, they explode!)

On the surface, this mission seemed to be a failure, but it wasn’t really.  We had a great time, and after all isn’t that the real aim of a game?

Remember always that this is a game, and enjoy it.  If you’re not, you’re taking it too seriously.

I know that we’ve experienced our share of frustration lately, but part of the reason may be our switch to Saturday night squadron ops.  There are more people on then, and it will be tougher.  It’s not like I don’t want to win the war, but the ultimate goal is to have fun.

In closing I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.

SALUTE TO ALL and to ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!

Go Topside

Newswire Volume 2 Issue 1
January, 1, 2008

Christmas over Germany

By LCDR 4440

As darkness falls on the 24th, pilots from a selected group of squadrons begin to gather in the Quonset hut that serves as the groups briefing room.

As the men take their seats, an announcement is made.  The CO assigned to this mission had been captured by enemy forces earlier in the day in an unrelated action.

A confused silence fills the air. Who would now be chosen to lead these brave souls over the heart of Germany on this cold, wintry night?

Feeling his experience is minimal, but also knowing that these men need a show of focus and determination from those in the command structure as soon as possible, one pilot stands up and volunteers himself, and his team for the honor of this job.

Only recently being assigned to this theatre of operations, and regardless of his feelings, LCDR 4440 believes he and the Excaliburs have the will to bring a major Allied victory home for Christmas.

LCDR 4440 strides to the front of the room.  All can tell he’s concentrating intently on projecting confidence, but they’ve been over here a long time, and can sense the undercurrent of inexperience, and fear of failure that flows just below the surface.

Immediately the grumbling in the ranks begins.  Who is this guy?  Where in the hell did he come from?  Will he get us home?  He looks slowly around the room, pausing briefly from time to time to hold someone’s gaze.  He thinks that they are so young and look so worried. He then looks at his own men, and gains courage.  They look back with knowing eyes, and smile.  They know the man.  They know perhaps better than him, what he’s capable of. 

The briefing begins.  Maps are uncovered; orders are reviewed, and given.  All are then dismissed, and head immediately to their birds. The time is here.

The flight takes off, and a tale of despair appears to unfold.  Several pilots experience mechanical failures, presumably from the bitter, artic like winter weather.  They turn back to base as the rest climb out to cruising altitude.

The escort makes the rendezvous right on time, and merges with the formation.  They are barely settled in when German interceptors appear above them.  The German pilots waste no time.  They wing over in waves, and dive through the ranks like a scythe. A brief fight ensues, and when the cordite clears, the enemy has either been driven off, or destroyed.

A collective sigh of relief is heard throughout the formation.  The target is now quite near, but even though they survive the attack, the Germans have managed to scatter their forces leaving many vulnerable to a second wave.
As they pass their last waypoint, and are on final approach to target they begin to receive reports from their escort that a second group of interceptors is closing in on their six.  Time is short now.

One by one the reports of bombs away, and target destroyed ring out over the radio. They’ve reached the first target, and destroyed it completely.  Their joy is premature, and short lived.  As they’ve feared, the trailing enemy interceptors have caught up to them, and it seems as though they’ve alerted the entire country. 

Fighters have scrambled from all the nearby bases, and they are facing overwhelming odds.  Both the bombers and escorts have done their jobs, but so has the enemy and many of the men won’t be seeing this, or any other Christmas dawn.

The sky is filled with the chutes of the men lucky enough to have escaped their burning planes, but it is still clear to all that they have performed honorably, and that this nights operation would hasten the end of this bloody conflict.

From behind enemy lines
An unknown pilot

Go Topsides

Excaliburs in the News
(Excerpt courtesy Stars & Stripes)

Special Byline LCDR 4440

Jan 1943 

“SCREAMING DEMONS”

Win Team Racing Championship 

LCDR 4440 and ENS Twisted35, both pilots of the VFA-169 Excaliburs, enjoy some time off from the hectic pace of the war by participating in special activities hosted by the Allied forces. Their sport of choice, Air Racing!!!!! 

Joined by members of other esteemed squadrons, they formed a team known as the SCREAMING DEMONS. After 12 weeks of heated competition, the team managed a 2^nd place overall finish in the points standings, and got the nod to compete in the finale. 

The DEMONS knew the race was going to be tough, going up against some of the fastest pilots out there, most notably the B~Smooth racing juggernaut, lead by the seemingly unstoppable bmathis. When the dust settled at the finish line, the results were clear, the SCREAMING DEMONS put on the best race of the year with 4 pilots finishing 2^nd, 4^th, 5^th, and 8^th overall from a 20 pilot field in a 1 heat sudden death race. The 5^th teammate, ENS Twsted35, experienced early mechanical failure and unfortunately could not finish. 

Their Lineup (in order of finish) 

Strafing (Das Muppets)
Redleg11 (56 FG)
A8Hunter (Aces & Eights)
4440 (VFA-169 Excaliburs)
Twsted35 (VFA- Excaliburs)

Jan 1943 

A Force to be Reckoned With

Assigned to a joint CV protection operations, LTJG’s Pondhopr, and BearCatt quickly demonstrated to the world that the VFA-169 had what took to bring the forces of evil down. Against overwhelming odds, Pondhopr, and BearCatt led the combined forces, netting 4 confirmed kills for the VFA-169, before being forced into the frigid waters of the Channel. Once these boys thaw out, it is this reporter’s humble opinion that they will again take to the skies and decimate their foes.

Confirmed Kills:  Pondhopr – 3 / BearCatt - 1

Go Topside

Newswire Volume 2 Issue 3                 
February, 27th, 2008
           


Reporting by LCDR PondHopr

Defensive box formation proven under fire!


Due to war time supply restrictions the availability of combat fighters were at an all time low, and this had nearly destroyed the operations schedule altogether.  It was make or break time for the Excalibur's newest Operations Officer, LCDR Pondhopr, and he knew it.  What would he do?  This is his story.

The replacement fighter escorts hadn't even been gathered from available resources when the B-17's were ordered to lift off.  The original P-38's that were tasked to this flight had been redirected to intruding bombers, and they had been badly mauled as the enemy, knowing they would most likely come up against VFA-169 had sent out their bombers with the best crews they could muster.

Eventually the Excaliburs were able to get together a small escort flight, but even with their superior fighter pilots, this token force would have a hard go of it, and the future of this mission was in question.  The original plan had been to use a small bomber force as bait, with a larger force of fighter escorts.  It was hoped that the enemy would see the large radar signature, flying a long distance and assume that this force would be bomber heavy, and light on the escorts.  By the time the enemy's fighter interceptors had realized their mistake, it would be too late.  The overwhelming escort force would have a field day with them.  As with most mission plans, this one didn't survive intact past the first engagement.

With the bomber crews already on the way, and ground crews throwing together whatever fighters they could, the new operations officer ordered the bomber elements to fly as tight a defensive box formation as they could, hoping at least some of them might make it home. This means it was up to the skill of the dedicated gunner to get them to the target.  As the mission progressed, the approach to the target was eerily quiet with only one or two fighters getting close enough to be hammered to pieces by over 50, 50 caliber guns.

On the surface of it, it appeared that day time bombers could defend themselves, however unbeknownst to them, they had not seen the worst of what the enemy could throw at them yet.  At that very moment, enemy Messerschmitt, Me-262 jets and 163 "Komet" rocket planes were winging their way toward them at an incredible 2/3rd the speed of sound.

These crews had not been used to being attacked by multiple advanced fighters, and you might have thought that this would be the end of this band of brothers, this squadron of kindred souls, but you would have been wrong.  This actually raised their morale as those aircraft went down in flames, as fast as they came up.  This, with the help of many half inch holes made with the finest steel jacketed American lead.

On final approach now, the pathfinder's bomb bay door opens, and all of the bomber elements that had left on the mission that day save for one drop their deadly load on his command right on the enemy's headquarters city.  The target is hit, and the mission is called a success.

They turn for home, the cartridges run low, and the enemy still keeps coming. They would never give up now.  It was a matter of honor.  The Excaliburs had struck them a devastating blow, and so many of their comrades had gone down in flames, that it was now personal.

As the enemy seemed to have an endless supply of fighters, and the intrepid members of VFA-169 were hundreds of miles from friendly lines, it looked as though none of this brave squadron would make it home to tell the tale of heroism that had been played out on that day.  The cost was high, but some did make it back and would fly again!  They should be proud as they delivered a severe blow to the enemy.  The smoking wreckage of enemy fighters told the tale from one end of their country to the other.

The Excaliburs inspired fellow country men who did follow in their tracks. Experience was passed on and used as later that same day another Bomber flight lifted with the same mission, and of those that left, all but one returned.  That is not to say that they didn't have an interesting time of it.  Of those that returned, one recieved battle damage so  brutal that the rudder was actually shot off, but return it did with the XO, LCDR Marshal in the left seat, and the CO, CDR Ruger44 in the tail gunners position.  And this time, every fighter that was sent up after them, went down again hard.



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