April 20,2000

I just finished emailed our final stats to the S3 crew. Their were some log problems on their end. These numbers don't mean that much, but thought you  guys may want to look at them. 

31st FG AAR Frame 4

April 10, 2000

The 31st was ordered to escort the 450th Heavy Bombardment Group to Petamunde. Fuel was our major concern prior to the mission.

Flight Assignments:
HQ flight (p51)
daddy
lb

307th RED Flight (p51)
sharky
smiley
efiter
voll
kjbl
ta

307th Blue Flight (p47)
dracon
runnin
seesaw

The 31st made rendezvous with the 450th over the North Sea. Blue flight moved in front of the bombers and were near 35k. Red flight was sweeping the 2c-6c of the bombers, while HQ flight was weaving directly over.

As we approached target our fuel was approx 45-50% remaining. A few miles West of Petamunde JG5 flying 109s appeared at near 33k. The 31st was ordered not to engage initially but to only break up this formation. We went nose to nose with them and forced them to scatter. A few of us were attacked and had to dive away. A running air battle lasted for 40 miles as we were trying to cover the bombers while fighting off the 109s. A few of us were forced to dive away and lose sight of the bombers, while the majority of the 31st remained in position.

LW 190s began their attack on the bombers by this time. By this time the 315th and Blue FLight had arrived over the bombers and with the remaining 31st ponies were able to fight off most of the LW attacks. Intel reports JG14 made a final attack on the bombers, but took a few losses for their deeds.

I ordered all ponies NOT with the bombers to head home asap. 31st FG ponies began to stagger home to f6 on fumes. Many of the initial ponies were gliding and failed to make it back. By the time the 450th was safe there were only 5 31st ponies still flying.

We had by now cut power to 25-50% and were ready to begin our glide home any minute. Since we were over enemy territory I was very concerned with this low power setting but we had no choice. I asked rifle for assistance and he smartly ordered the 78th to bring us home.

Supert, tinyti, and dslick met up with us and did just that. My engine died about 5 miles East of f6, and I was able to glide her home. The rest of the 31st were able to do the same.

Well done to the mighty 450th BG (H) for their success.

Rifle, was a bold plan and it appeared to work out well for the 450th and 31st. Also good job getting the reception escort to us in time. Well done rifle!

The 315th should received special mention because they appeared for reception escort right when JG14 began their attacks. They were able to keep many of JG14's deadly 190s off the bombers.

Finally, 31st FG command wishes to thank the 78th FG for not forgetting about us, and bringing us home. It sure as heck made me feel better to see those checkered nosed ponies up there.

Final Stats

31st FG claims 4 kills
31st FG lost 2 of our p47s to LW
31st FG lost 2 of our ponies to gliding/ditching... fuel related

3 bombers were lost

daddy
31st Fighter Group

31st FG AAR Frame 3

April 3, 2000

The 31st formed with the 450BG over the channel. Near Cologne the 78th and 44th were seen flying past the bombers. About 5 minutes later, a group of hi 109s were seen inb on the bombers from the 9c. I told the group to stay with the bombers, and I made a pass though the 109 formation. Sharky took command of the 31st and held position with the bombers. The 109s began to chase me as I dove out West. After 10 miles the 109s gave up and I reversed. I then saw deen and other 44th members climbing east. After about 5 minutes I moved back into position with the bombers, as the LW 190s began their brutal attack. 2 members from the 31st then discoed, and the rest of the 31st members fought off the attack. This time I had 3 190s on me and had to again dive and run away. Approx 4 31st members remained with the bombers and tried to fight the LW off.

Meanwhile I was dragging the 190s west, and I came upon 4 members from the 78th FG. dslick attacked the 190s immediately and I then reversed back into them killing 1. After the fight was over dslick and the 78th formed up on me for further escort duty. The 450BG was hit bad, and only 3 31st members were still with them. After 5-10 minutes we found the 450BG again. This time there were only 2 bombers left. 2 more groups of LW appeared. 109s and 190s were everywhere again. Dslick and the 78th helped the 31st out as much as they could. In the end the bombers were lost, and all the ponies broke up and ran home.

From what I saw, the allied pilots did a terrific job. Snake created a successful plan. The raids cost us, but the LW paid a high price.

Well done Allies

31st roster

runnin
smiley
=kkbl=
seesaw
daddy
lb
sharky
dracon
voll
efiter

4 LW killed
3 31st members failed to rtb.
All bombers destroyed

daddy
31st Fighter Group

31st Fighter Group AAR Frame 2

3/27/2000

The official AAR that was sent to Allied High Command

First mission was an advanced sweep ahead of the 450BG(H). No enemy was

encountered and the 31st RTB to prepare for reception escort.

The 31st FG was at 30k about 40 miles west of the rendezvous point when a

flight of 109s were spotted inb on our 12c. I chose to attack them rather

than giving them a chance to find the bombers. The fight turned ugly when

another group of 190s appeared. Again the 31st was greatly outnumbered and

did what we could. When the bombers were directly over, those of us still

alive tried to dis-engage from the LW and form up with the bombers. The

survivors finally formed up with the 450BG and fought our way out toward the

coast. The LW finally gave up pursuit. The few remaining 31st and 352nd

stayed with the bombers until crossing the channel.

I believe a big salute should go out to the 352nd for their awesome

performance last night. The 31st roster and stats are as follow.

daddy=

lb----

sharky

wheels

efiter

runnin

dracon

-ta---

seesaw

smiley

5 or 6 LW were killed

1 LW ditched

1 disco

5 31st members were killed

352nd and 31st report 2 bombers lost.

The 31st got their first real baptism of fire, and we got our noses bloodied

some. For a new group, we held our own and still managed to rendezvous with

the bombers and help to get them home.

Well done all

daddy

31st Fight Group

31st Fighter Group S3 Frame 1 AAR

3/20/2000

Over the past couple of years I've flown with some of the best pony drivers

and escort squads in this game. Last night the 31st FG performed as GOOD as

anyone of them. I can't tell you guys enough how proud I am of your

performance last night. Welldone gentlemen.

Lets summarize what our objectives were.

1. To get the bombers to target and home alive

2 To get ourselves home alive

Once these 2 items are complete everything else including getting kills is a

bonus.

Lets look at the facts

The 31st FG flew the furthest of any other escort squad last night. When the

352nd was no longer near the bombers, the 31st FG was still in formation

with the bombers! We looked very good in our formation and our tactical

turns. When we were low on fuel we remained with the bombers until reception

escort arrived. Lastly we all were able to rtb successfully. Nice work guys.

Below is the AAR I posted on AGW in the Allied S3 forum.

May 3 1944

USAAF high command has ordered the 31st Fighter Group to 'return' to the

8thAF command structure. With the pending Allied invasion on France, Allied

HQ has requested that the best FG in the MTO to return and assist its 8thAF

brothers in clearing the sky of LW. With such a sudden move only a small

portion of the 31st FG were able to reach Britain by the end of May.

June 5, 1944 2200 hours Great Britain

Daddy knew something big was happening. The field where the 31st was at has

been on 'locked down' status for the past 36 hours. He had attended a 8thAF

mission briefing a few hours before, and along with the 352FG was ordered to

escort the 450BG to Germany. Being back in England daddy had mixed feelings.

It had been over 2 years since the 31st left England and the 8thAF. He no

longer recognized most of the pilots. At the briefing it was an odd feeling,

feeling like the outsider. Daddy did take comfort in looking across the

briefing room and seeing the men from the 4thFG. He recalled the failed

invasion attempt of Dieppe where the Eagle Squadrons and the 31st FG flew

side by side trying to fight off the LW hordes. Dang had it really been 2

years since that last failed attempt he wondered. He prayed that this new

invasion would do better.

June 6, 1944 0300

The 31st FG along with the 352nd FG were launched into the darkness toward

destiny. At 0330 the escorts met up with the 450BG (H) and proceeded to

Schweinfurt. On the inbound leg of the journey no LW were sighted. Once over

Schweinfurt the 31st FG spotted 8-10 LW coming from the hi 12. daddy ordered

the 31st to go nose to nose with the LW and take the fight away from the

bombers. After 5 mins of chasing, the LW had given up and the 31st FG had

reformed back with the bombers. Fuel was running low and daddy had notified

Commander flop++ that reception escort would be needed. Things got worse

again for the mighty 31st. Another group of LW had appeared over the

bombers. The 31st did what they could to draw the LW off. With fuel in the

red, the 31st was running out of options. It appeared that there was nothing

that could save the bombers now. 2 190s had gotten on daddy's 6 and he began

to exit the fight. Just in the darkest moments as daddy was diving away, he

looked up and spotted the reception escorts (Swamp Foxes) taking position on

the bombers! Yes now the bombers would be safe! Now all he had to do was

live. Now all he had to do was make sure the 31st could get out alive. daddy

ordered the 31st to dive out home asap. Still over Holland and fuel almost

completely out daddy had 2 190s still in pursuit. Daddy had no fuel to

fight, and had to cut throt and grab to prepare to glide home. Things were

looking bad. Daddy asked for assistance on the Allied communication channel,

and bcnu and soul quickly dispatched 3 p51s from the 4thFG to assist. At 75

throt the 190s were now very close, and daddy was thinking of bailing. Just

then mw of the 4thFG appeared over head, and quickly positioned himself

between the LW and daddy. Magoo and sharky saw this and dove on the 190s.

sharky killed a 190, and mw escorted daddy back to Britain where he landed.

31st FG roster for Frame 1 S3

daddy

lb----

-ta---

seesaw

wheels

runnin

1 Bomber was lost

0(NONE) escort fighters from the 31st were lost!:)

0 Kills reported

1 assist

daddy

31st Fighter Group

31st Fighter Group AAR

MA 3/13/2000

As the greens were preparing their final assault on our purple fields last

night soul, mw, runnin, and dracon were asked to roll asap and provide

immediate cover. This task they did very well, allowing all but 1 of the

b24s to roll and clear the field. I then asked for soul, dracon, mw, and

runnin to RTB and refuel and prepare to come up f2.

Wing Assignments were as follow

daddy/dr-tom High 9c on bombers

ftgcss/Big-T High 3c on bombers

soul/dracon High 12c on bombers

mw/runnin High 12c on bombers

As we cleared f2 everyone was looking good. Nice formation and everyone was

in position. As we neared the red city Soul took his group to scout ahead

toward f23/f7. At that time single bandits began to appear moving toward the

bombers. ftgcss and BiG-T attacked first getting 2 kills. dr-tom and I

engaged 2 more 190s that were pursuing the bombers. Once over target the

bombers were clear and in good position. At this time they should have began

their egress home, but instead began flipping back and forth over the target

f23. This gave the enemy much time to grab alt and make continuous attack

runs against us. By this time the escort were getting spread out and

fuel/ammo was a major concern.

By the time the b24s began heading south, things turned for the worst as

10-15 190s from jg54 engaged us over the bombers. We fought them off the

best we could but in the long run were unable to save most of the bombers.

I thought we did very well considering we had to roll from a vulched field

and we engaged bandits that had a large number advantage over us. Not to

mention this was our first time out together.

I would like to welcome a few of the newer members to the 31st Fighter

Group. Welcome aboard seesaw, dr-tom, and runnin:)

Soul and/or I will be working on an escort tactics document. This will be

included in our SOPs.

Steve