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No.401_Wolverine
Apr-03-2014, 11:51
1941 Campaign involving Circus missions to France from bases in England to be played Saturdays at 9:00pm EASTERN (Toronto, Canada time)

4 to 8 Blenheim pilots are wanted to form a bomber squadron for the purposes of a long form campaign. These pilots are expected to attack targets in France and in the channel as a single squadron, given escort by a flight of Spitfires (8 to 12 fighters). These are circus missions designed to inflict light damage on the enemy but to also bring them up into the air for us to shoot at. Mission length is roughly 2 hours.

Targets may include:
Road convoys
Fuel dumps
Aircraft repair yards
Ships @ dock
Ships @ sea
Dockyard facilities
Industrial works (factories, etc.)
Enemy command positions
Gestapo HQs
Assistance rendered to French resistance members (bombs filled with supplies dropped to locations marked by the French resistance)
Luftwaffe prison camps
Airfields
Rail yards
Trains
...and more

All targets will be detailed and specific with suitable defenses around and leading to target.

The missions will work as follows:

At the launch of the campaign night mission, one of many many sub-missions is randomly selected which will populate the map with various targets both identified by reconnaissance and targets of opportunity. These targets will be passed to the various tower controls which you can request upon connection to a ground controller (along with current randomly determined weather conditions). For example, you can contact 'Luton' located at Ash and get information related to any targets identified that day in Luton's sector, ie. "This is Luton. German mechanized unit located travelling from St. Omer in the direction of Guines. Estimated 20+ vehicles. Flak coverage light. Also, fuel transport train was identified leaving railyard at Calais heading Eastbound."

Select your target for the day, plan your route, and signal a rendezvous point for your fighter escort over comms. There's no time table - we're on the offensive. Unless the light is fading, then get a move on! Time is randomized as well between 6am to 4pm. Gathering your own photo reconnaissance of targets is useful! The next time activity is discovered for that target (the next time it randomly appears as a target) you will have valuable information! So take screenshots and make notes. This can even be a secondary objective. But be careful, your escort may not have the fuel.

There will not be any 'target destroyed!' messages indicating the target has been blown up. Pilots and crew will need to make post-attack identification in order to determine the extent of the damage caused. In the real war, pilots did not have a HUD to let them know that they'd destroyed a factory. Again, reconnaissance photos work well.

Enemy AI will take off and intercept incoming flights as they approach France. Also, randomly there may be a fighter sweep already in progress along the coast. RDF can help you plan your route to avoid enemy fighters, but you will lose contact with the towers over France, so keep your eyes peeled.

We may be involving a Squadron to fly Blue operations in opposition. We are in discussion. We've tested the map design, though, and the AI fighters do give us something to worry about if you don't spot them first. Bear in mind that it's not enough to hit your target, you've got to get home too. Flak is dangerous! We expect to lose pilots over France. Don't be one of them!

If you've been wanting to play a Cliffs of Dover campaign that really gives you that 'I'm there' feeling, this will be it. This isn't a dogfight server or even what I've come to call dogfight campaign. It's not limited to scrambling to dogfights and then logging off and forgetting about it. This is mission planning, coordinating with your team, and surviving a long war. Results of each mission will be added up and tracked, with checkpoints during the campaign run resulting in map and situation changes based on performance. For example, superior performance in one sector of the map may result in being supplied with better reconnaissance information regarding targets. Poor performance may result in an increase of AA emplacements near the coastline and more experienced enemy pilots. You will be expected to complete a historically timed sortie involving quite a lot of flying time and relatively little combat action. Like I said, this is a campaign about recreating what it was like to be conduct real sorties. It is not about making sure you encounter enemy every time and have big dog fights all within 30minutes. It is entirely possible that the enemy will not manage to intercept on a mission and the most trouble you will have is flak. That is simply how it was and how it will be in our campaign. Other times, we may encounter 30+ enemy fighters en route and more on the way back.

Send me a message if interested or stop by our teamspeak on Saturday night to talk it over with our pilots. We're usually all in channel by 9:00pm:

No.401 Squadron Comms Server
•Server Type: Teamspeak 3
•IP: 70.32.46.164
•Port:10336

Please note we are not looking for pilots for the escort squadron(s) at this time.

darkside3/4
Apr-03-2014, 13:04
Very interesting Wolverine, I like the immersion, might have to check it out!

Roblex
Apr-03-2014, 13:10
Sounds interesting. I just need someone to steal your idea and run it at a more UK friendly time :-P

Chuck_Owl
Apr-03-2014, 16:41
I might come if you need an extra Blennie pilot. Not 100 % sure though.

No.401_Wolverine
Apr-03-2014, 17:37
I would like to add that I would encourage anyone interested to try and put together a full CREW for your Blenheim - Pilot, Bombardier, and Gunner - to get the full experience.

My absolute joy would be to have a flight of 6 to 8 Blenheims in the air with every position in those bombers filled by a player.

Admittedly, this might be a tough sell for a bombardier... but you never know. Some people like the full real thing.

Bowsewr
Apr-03-2014, 17:57
This sounds great! I would love to join in on the Saturdays I am available. Unfortunately, it is hit or miss depending on exam and hospital rotation schedule. But if a slot is open and I am available for 2 hours i would be in for sure!

Keep us updated

trademe900
Apr-04-2014, 08:37
I would really like to bomb in this. That time is good for me.

No.401_Wolverine
Apr-04-2014, 10:11
All interested pilots should head on over to http://401squadron.boardforum.ca in order to join the Bomber Squadron Barracks forum section.

There is where we will be coordinating and managing the campaign with all the pilots wishing to play. Recon photos can be posted, plans made, missions debriefed, etc. Please join us there as we get set to start what is shaping up to be an epic campaign!

ATAG_Knuckles
Apr-04-2014, 11:31
I would love to get involved in this,although I am relegated to the position of gunner, im not sure of the time or time zone of this, which is important

No.401_Wolverine
Apr-04-2014, 11:44
I would love to get involved in this,although I am relegated to the position of gunner, im not sure of the time or time zone of this, which is important

It's in the first post. Missions will run at 9:00pm EST on Saturdays.

ATAG_Septic
Apr-04-2014, 20:51
Hi Wolverine,

I'd like to join in with the Blenheim squad, have registered over at your forum, awaiting email.

It will be a 2:00am start but I'm up for it, I hope.

Septic.

No.401_Wolverine
Apr-04-2014, 22:25
Check your spam filter, Septic. You're registered.

No.401_Wolverine
Apr-05-2014, 23:58
Big thanks to those who came out to fly with us tonight. We had a blast and that was quite the show over Le Havre. Remember to get registered on our forums so you can join the Blenheim Squadron Barracks to discuss tactics and recon.

401squadron.boardforum.ca

darkside3/4
Apr-06-2014, 02:07
Big thanks to those who came out to fly with us tonight. We had a blast and that was quite the show over Le Havre. Remember to get registered on our forums so you can join the Blenheim Squadron Barracks to discuss tactics and recon.

401squadron.boardforum.ca

Great time Wolverine, hopefully this can morph into the Saturday CLOD event!

ATAG_Freya
Apr-06-2014, 02:12
8871 8872 8873 8874 8875 8876

Good times! It was a thrill to ride as a gunner (thanks D-rock, always a pleasure to be massacred by minenshootsaboots with you), and a privilege to be attacking enemy shipping with such a great group of pilots. This campaign is going to require some serious planning, skill, and most importantly some luck by the Blenheim bomber groups. Thanks to the 401 and 450 sqns. for having us in! To anyone interested, I'd highly recommend getting in for a ride in the gunner seat, or any seat for that matter, because this will be a Blenheim pilot/crew campaign dream come true!

PS. I buggered those screen shots, didn't I? oops.

DRock
Apr-06-2014, 09:56
Big thanks to those who came out to fly with us tonight. We had a blast and that was quite the show over Le Havre. Remember to get registered on our forums so you can join the Blenheim Squadron Barracks to discuss tactics and recon.

401squadron.boardforum.ca


Good fun, Wolverine.:thumbsup:

Thank you for that.

ATAG_Septic
Apr-06-2014, 11:11
Good fun, Wolverine.:thumbsup:

Thank you for that.


+1

Septic.

ATAG_Freya
Apr-06-2014, 11:16
Oh, I forgot to mention, could you please do a background check on all staff members at Luton control? One of them seemed to have a strange accent...:)

darkside3/4
Apr-07-2014, 14:43
Recon Flight

As we all learned from the op on Saturday, planning, tactics, and reconnaissance will be very important, I'm trying to get some buds together to do some dedicated recon just prior to match kickoff. If anyone else would be interested in pursuing this maybe 45 min before the 401 briefing could give us real time intel for the raids. It will be a thankless job but much needed. Here are some links to RAF recon unit history around that time period.

http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/articles/airrecon.aspx

Seems like tried Blennies and several others then put the IIa in service from there on.

The pics could be posted on the forum as we've done allowing all to plan.

Another bit of info.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._421_%28Reconnaissance%29_Flight_RAF

darkside3/4
Apr-08-2014, 03:13
Seems like current server mechanics might prevent an air recon 45 minutes before the match on Sat, so perhaps a mid week recon night will be set up for strictly intel gathering. Check 401's forums for more. Just need baby blue spits iia's now.

No.401_Wolverine
Apr-08-2014, 12:47
We'll get it sorted. Some ideas posted over on the 401 forum on how to do it. I like the idea of people doing recon flights! As the guy building the targets, I'm already in the know (I keep my mouth shut though!), but I'd love to do some proper recon work of detailed targets myself.

darkside3/4
Apr-08-2014, 13:03
We'll get it sorted. Some ideas posted over on the 401 forum on how to do it. I like the idea of people doing recon flights! As the guy building the targets, I'm already in the know (I keep my mouth shut though!), but I'd love to do some proper recon work of detailed targets myself.

The key is to push the envelope and possibly open up another type of gameplay that furthers the immersion factor.

Anyone have skill to skin one of these?

http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/261/8/5/pr_spitfire_sywell_by_davy59-d5f558a.jpg

darkside3/4
Apr-08-2014, 17:56
http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/500x/48302114.jpg

Chuck_Owl
Apr-08-2014, 20:45
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLyaCgbEGIo

No.401_Wolverine
Apr-09-2014, 16:39
Freya returned with some good intel reports of a German radar position west of Dieppe today! 401squadron.boardforum.ca for the snaps and report.

darkside3/4
Apr-09-2014, 16:43
Lol, I saw that. I climbed high to 25k and was going feet dry, looked back and 6 contrails were chasing me, was freakin cool until they got my rads and became a glider. Bravo on the AI implementation. Freya is my hero. Gonna go for a recon tonight.

No.401_Wolverine
Apr-12-2014, 13:28
Bombers assemble!

Tonight we will be flying a final 'warmup' operation before this campaign begin in earnest. Blenheim bomber pilots welcome! Just hit the teamspeak channel listed in the first post and join us at 2100hrs EST (9:00pm EST). Try to arrive early and introduce yourself!

Hit 401squadron.boardforum.ca for some of the available recon photos taken by pilots leading up to today.

Bomber briefing will commence around 2105hrs EST with wheels up at 2130hrs est.

ATAG_Septic
Apr-12-2014, 14:16
Hi Wolverine,

I'll be trying to keep my eyes open to attend.

Septic.:salute:

darkside3/4
Apr-12-2014, 14:44
I wont be able to make it, hope to see you all next week. Post a good debrief for those unable to attend.

DRock
Apr-12-2014, 14:57
ATAG_DRock (GB-R), Blenheim pilot, reporting for duty, Sir.:salute:

Rear Gunner needed if anyone wants to join me.

ATAG_Freya
Apr-12-2014, 15:10
I'll gun unless we need pilots!

Chuck_Owl
Apr-12-2014, 20:22
ATAG_DRock (GB-R), Blenheim pilot, reporting for duty, Sir.:salute:

Rear Gunner needed if anyone wants to join me.

I'll join tonight as a pilot.

No.401_Wolverine
Apr-14-2014, 01:41
Another successful recon flight tonight:

http://401squadron.boardforum.ca//users/1816/25/87/52/album/recon310.jpg

ATAG_Freya
Apr-14-2014, 09:25
Nice work Wolverine! I'm amazed at the amount of targets you have! If anyone is up for some recce in force tonight, I'll be on around 1730 eastern time. Look for me on ATAG comms! :thumbsup:

Cheers

No.401_Wolverine
Apr-14-2014, 14:38
The question of BLUE participation in this campaign was brought up in earnest this week and after some thought and recent developments, I've decided against it. Outlining of the reasons below:

1. This campaign mission, its scripts, its targets, its play mechanics, and AI deployment was all designed for a RED co-operative campaign with no BLUE involvement. The campaign has been delayed several times for various reasons outside of our control and further delays to redesign significant portions of the campaign in order to accommodate BLUE pilots would further delay things.

2. ATAG has now chosen to run a campaign on the same day a few hours earlier. This would mean many potential pilots (on both sides) will be flying from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, take a break for dinner, and then jump in again at 8:30pm to fly our campaign for another 2 hours or so. That's a lot of computer time to ask of anyone, let alone those of us with families and children...on a weekend...in the summer. It's just now not feasible to assume we would get the numbers because I'm pretty sure people are going to choose ATAG over 401.

3. Historical play with randomization is the name of our game and it will be too hard to coordinate fairly with a BLUE team to make that happen. It would involve too much sitting around doing nothing and that's not fun for anyone.

So, at this time we will be closing the 401 Campaign to BLUE players. Anyone is welcome to fly RED as a Blenheim pilot, or those who are not affiliated with a Squadron at present are free to join us as guest pilots in the escort/sweep role as an introduction to No.401 Squadron or |450| Squadron with the intention of deciding to join up or not.

Thank you,


S/L Wolverine
No.401 Squadron

ATAG_Freya
Apr-14-2014, 18:22
Nice work Wolverine! I'm amazed at the amount of targets you have! If anyone is up for some recce in force tonight, I'll be on around 1730 eastern time. Look for me on ATAG comms! :thumbsup:

Cheers

DELAYED a couple hours....sry



hmmm...no 401 server on the list...

No.401_Wolverine
Apr-19-2014, 14:55
Just a reminder that the No.401 Squadron Campaign Night is happening once again! Join us on our TeamSpeak (first post for details) and let's go get them!

NOTICE! Blue pilots are once again welcome! Come and try out the RADAR system and attempt to locate the Red players! There may be AI red sweeps going on as well, so try to avoid those and pick up the real threat. Tracking behaviour on the radar will help give you clues.

UPDATE NOTICE! You have one life to live for this campaign mission. If you get shot down or crash land or are captured, etc., that's it. Form up as a unit and make it a good one.

No.401_Wolverine
Apr-19-2014, 23:58
Tonight's mission recap:

Concept of Operations: Rodeo 1, patrol of Normandy Beaches to bring up enemy fighters in order to engage and destroy them

Mission Recap: Took off from Biggin Hill and went down to refuel at Wilmington. Headed across the channel at 18,000ft before changing mission plan due to sun in the west. Changed heading for Theville and then turned on a patrol around the Normandy Beaches
Yellow section sighted two rotte down low returning from a flight to an airfield near Caen and bounced them, quickly dispatching all four before climbing to rejoin Red Section at Angels 14.
Five minutes later, Red 2 sighted contacts on our 8 o'clock attempting to get behind us in the sun. We went combat settings and climbed to meet them as they flashed through our formation: 8 109 E4s
Combat began at Angels 16, 10 miles NW of Caen and was an out and out 'shambles'. Yellow Lead was heavily damaged by cannon on the port wing and wounded. Several others in the flight reported taking MG fire. Both sections claimed a couple of the enemy
+ several damaged. After Red Lead, Red 6 and Yellow 4 cleared Yellow Lead's tail, Red Lead gave the order to dive down for speed and extend north to head home after the engagement.
8 Aircraft formed up with the damaged Yellow Lead who was listing to the left on his bad wing. We escorted him back to Bembridge on the Isle of Wight.
Yellow 3 was disorientated over France and ended up heading in the wrong direction. Last seen in combat NW of Caen. Yellow 2 had fuel problems and had to ditch on the Isle of Wight south of the Bembridge
Yellow Lead put down safely at Bembridge on the field but his hydrolics failed. All other aircraft landed safely at Bembridge. Final Result: 5 confirmed kills, 4 damaged, one pilot and aircraft lost, two aircraft damaged in need of repair.