Skilled Commander - Charles Norris

[MAJ Patterson]

First things first, post once you have read this post in it's entirety so that I may start the clock. If you have any questions regarding this certification test please post them in this thread and I will answer them (if I can) within this thread as well. This will be a multi-segment test and will be catered to the aviation profession.

Segment One:

You have three days to complete this segment unless due to a valid question time need be extended, I will make such a call should the event arise. Keep in mind that before the three days are up I will be flying across the country for a while, so there will be a delay in this certification, I will try and get on when I can to continue this test for you.

Setting:

Weather - sunny
Time - 0940
Location - Axis Occupied France
Aircraft - Sptifire
Wingmen - None
Objective - Recon
Resistance - Minimum
Fuel - 2/3rds
Base - To the NW

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Giving the above facts about your assignment, from which direction, what speed and altitude, would you approach. In a Brief summary describe your actions.


-JT



****EDIT****

Your plane does indeed have a recon camera.

[Charles Norris]

I have read it?

[Charles Norris]

Now, because the Supermarine Spitfire PR (Photo Reconnaissance) models were given extra fuel tanks, allowing them to have a longer range then the short-range Supermarine Spitfire, and since intelligence assures that resistance is at a minimum, I would take multiple passes over the area.

I would first approach the area from the East, in case there are hostiles in the area and they spotted my spitfire as I approached they would not be able to track where my base is. I would then cruise over the area in a East to West fashion at 260 mph at 30,000 ft to utilize my higher range F.24 vertical camera and to have my back to the sun, again camouflaging my approach, if intelligence is wrong about the level of hostiles.

For my second pass, if resistance is as expected and with no chance of danger, I would dip down to a much lower altitude and lower my speed to 200 mph for a closer look from the Ne to SW with my lower altitude oblique camera, if I was issued with one. My focus would be on the group of buildings around the fountain, for it is the main fixture of the area and the marked building to the south (The neatly rowed trees and wall/fence implies that someone rich or important lives, and so it could be the sort of residence an old school Prussian Officer or other high ranking enemy would take if involved in the area). Leaving the area from the SW would, like my approach, cover me if my path is reported by any hostiles.

[MAJ Patterson]

Bravo, the big thing I was looking for was giving away the direction toward the instillation you flew in from, you disguised this beautifully.

Segment Two:

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The above map is the intel you are able to gather from your two passes, maybe complete, maybe not, none the less this is what you are able to gather. For fear of the intel losing it's value your superiors have decided to hit this location immediately while what they know is still accurate. You were able to catch the enemy off guard which explains the lack of retaliation against you for your second pass. Unfortunately there are no ground forces close at hand and supplies are running out. You will lead a small aerial unit to strike this location within the hour, you have the following options due to fuel restrictions:

- Take four spitfires, single pass each
- Take two spitfires, one warhawk, single pass each
- Take two warhawks, single pass each
- Take two spitfires, two passes each
- Take one warhawk, two passes

You do not know all the vehicles located, may be tanks, may be cars, may even be trailers pulled by other vehicles. Same with the antenna, you are unaware of the types. However you've learned that this location has been subject to a large number of resistance attacks in the recent months and it is believed that they do not have a steady source of electricity.

Make your choice on firepower and explain your maneuver. You have five (5) days to complete this segment.

[Charles Norris]

There are numerous reasons why I feel the Supermarine Spitfire is ill-suited for the mission at hand and that using P-40 Warhawks as the sole aircraft is the much better option: firstly, the obvious, the spitfire is a fighter, designed for air combat, while the Warhawk is a ground attack fighter-bomber; the P-40 also outguns the spit not only by having the bomb payload option, but with their extra MGs as well; the spitfire’s bonus of extra aircraft/more passes can be considered a liability in that more passes equals more time over the target, and increased chance for the enemy to be able to mount a defense, putting my boys at risk; likewise, multiple aircraft taking multiple passes over this small of an area at the same time increases the risk of midair collisions and friendly fire; lastly, I am an American in an American unit, and I want to be flying in an American made airplane. Similarly, 2 warhawks with one pass each has more ammunition then a single one with two passes, plus double aircraft is a failsafe incase one is taken out of commission, either by mechanical/pilot error or enemy action.

So, as explained above, my chose for aircraft is a Curtis P-40 for myself and then another P-40 for my wingman, with three 500 lbs bombs for the both of us.

Now, as for the combined attack runs, the obvious target is the vehicle pool in the Southeast and the building just to north of it. Although they can be considered too obvious of targets, especially the building, three antennas seem like overkill if they are truly lacking in the steady supply of electricity. But I would not wish to decide against the destruction of enemy materials by over thinking the situation and so, the vehicle pool and ‘radio shack’ would the primary targets. This objective I would designate to my wingman and he would be ordered to approach high from the Southeast (again hiding the position of the airfield) and strafe on a slight Northwestern path to bomb both important objectives and also machine-gunning the northern crossroad/block, possibly taking out another vehicle and infantry.

For myself, I plan for my warhawk to strafe the West-most road from the North, moments after the airspace is clear of friendly aircraft. My main target to bomb would be the Northwestern crossroad with duel roadblocks. By doing so I would attempt to destroy three vehicles and also allow a possible opening for another assault by the resistance. I would save one bomb though for my continued strafing run down the road. My secondary target for this remaining 500 lb. bomb would be the brown marked building to the Southeast, for the reasons explained in my previous answer. Unless, I am able to recognize any of the 3 vehicles on the road as I strafe as an important target, such as a Tiger, or other heavy tank impervious to my .50 cals.

[MAJ Patterson]

Bravo again, you made the best possible choice for the aircraft you were taking given the intel you had available. With the large amounts of vehicles in the area that may possibly be armored you would need something to deal heavy damage to them. You again disguised your starting location and you made the building with multiple antenna a priority target, even though the report on power outages in the area was there, it's not impossible to have a fuel powered generator in use.

Segment three:

You are unaware of the extent of the damage you and your wingman were able to deal to the enemy forces as you only made one pass, although you are confident you have weakened them in some form or fashion. A new report has surfaced that there are two High Value Targets (HVT) at the location, the sources are pretty reliable, not to mention with the blow you and your wingman dealtt this may be an opportunity to punch a small hole in the enemy lines that could be widened with further attention.

There is a mechanized company nearby (within two hours) the location that have been routed due to being out flanked and under manned. Your superiors have asked that you, given that you currently have the most recent intel on the location, are to make the call if they are to engage the target and if so what would be the best Avenue of Approach.

You get no updated map as they is no way of knowing what the current enemy status is.

You have 6 days to complete this segment.

-JT

[MAJ Patterson]

Mac, just let me know when you have been able to read this. I know you have been out since your computer was attacked by a virus, which sucks, but I'll need to know when to start your time back upon your return.

-JT

[Charles Norris]

I have returned, and will do it tomorrow, if not tonight.

[Charles Norris]

I would go ahead with the attack. A mechanized company, even one routed and under manned, is still an able fighting force that, through effective on-the-ground leadership, could prevail against the enemy guarding this location.

As for the Avenue of Approach, I would suggest to approach from the south, almost southwest, for a couple of reasons. First off, the West and North are blocked by roadblocks, and with buildings surrounding them so the only way through would be to charge those defensive positions. The Southwest section is less defended then the rest of the map, and coming from the South puts you in sight of the motor pool, and if the vehicles are still there after the bombing run, the assault force could learn if they are either soft targets that can be destroyed, or a dangerous, active threat and they quickly pull out before becoming too involved. The South also does not put the force out in the open like the East, and allows them to quickly target the small red building with the row of bushes, which I have mentioned before as a probable location for someone of importance.

So, to repeat my answer, I would use an Avenue of Approach from the South.

[MAJ Patterson]

Yeeeaaah...um, this may be my mistake but...given that your base is to the NW and the view of the enemy fortifications...take a wild guess where the front line is HINT: it isn't behind your enemy.

Take another two days to rework that last part with the knoewledge that the front runs from NE to SW...had you known that I don't think you would have advised an attack from the S.

-JT

[Charles Norris]

After being informed of the location of the frontlines, I would advise to approach from the West. Because it is a Mechanized Company, and there are many vehicles defending the area, which are extremely dangerous to infantry, there would need to be a way to have our vehicles push in, and the West has the largest way around the buildings and roadblocks.

[MAJ Patterson]

You so smart!

Although a tough choice, leaders must make them. Granted the enemy would have time to regroup from the airiel assault within the time frame it takes the mechanized men to get there. The high probability that they could punch a hole in the enemy lines makes it worth the risk. Given that you chose to attack from the west makes that risk worth the loss. Coming in from the west allows a speedier advance on the motor-pool area, this also allows the ground forces to take advantag of the open area of town instead of being bottlnecked and possibly bogged down if coming in from the north.

All in all I'd say you did a hell of a job on this certification and am more than confident you have earned it.

Congratulations, you pass with flying colors in my book...no pun intended fly-boy


Henry Ford Patterson
Captain
3ID, 3rd Armored Division
Commanding

[Charles Norris]

Thank you sir, I hope I can use the abilities I have now acquired to bring glory and victory to the division.