Official SEOW

This campaign begins in 2-3 weeks. The template is currently being established and we will begin testing soon. If you are interested in joining us, please visit http://groundzeroseow.com

S!

SEOW OPERATION POINTBLANK ROE

This template is loosely based on the exploits of the “Mighty Eighth” and their clash with the “Abbeville Boys” of Luftflotte 3, in the skies above occupied France. It is late 1943; the United States Army Air Force is fighting for aerial supremacy over the Luftwaffe. There is no ground battle below, with only American B-17G, B-24J-100 and the occasional A-20G going after industrial targets escorted by P-47D-22's and P-38J's with a smattering of P-51C's. German defense consists of the standard fare of vintage '43 Bf-109’s & 190's as well as a few Ju-88C and Me-410's.

Game Play.
This campaign is designed around fifteen Gruppe / Wing Commanders. These comprise of nine red (USAAF) and six blue (Luftwaffe) commanders, but can be flown with one Allied Commander and one Axis Commander. Each commander has control of one or more Gruppe / Wing of aircraft each comprising of forty-eight machines. Twenty-four start initially on the map, with the remaining twenty-four coming in as reinforcements in two even batches. Each “Gruppe or Wing Commander”, is responsible for his own allocated aircraft. Being a leader, he is solely responsible for plotting and flying his squadron’s missions. He is not allowed to fly aircraft from another’s allocation, if he has his own aircraft scheduled to fly. In each mission, only one flight (maximum of four aircraft) may be plotted for each player.

Missions will be flown on Thursdays at 2200EST (US) and mission duration will not exceed 2 hours. Each side may designate an earlier meeting time to facilitate briefing. If you are unable or unwilling to be present for the brief, you may be grounded for that mission, subject to the Commander's decision. Where possible, Vyew briefs will be posted several hours prior to mission launch so that briefing time can be maximized and/or reduced to questions only.

Aerial Units and Commands.
Red: Wing, Squadron, Initial Allocation, Ref-Day2, Ref-Day3
Allied Supreme Air Commander
Red Commander #1.
4th Fighter Group, 334 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22
4th Fighter Group, 335 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22
4th Fighter Group, 336 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22
Red Commander #2.
20th Fighter Group, 55 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-38J, 4 x P-38J, 4 x P-38J
20th Fighter Group, 77 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-38J, 4 x P-38J, 4 x P-38J
20th Fighter Group, 79 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-38J, 4 x P-38J, 4 x P-38J
Red Commander #3.
55th Fighter Group, 338 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-38J, 4 x P-38J, 4 x P-38J
55th Fighter Group, 343 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-38J, 4 x P-38J, 4 x P-38J
55th Fighter Group, 38 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-38J, 4 x P-38J, 4 x P-38J
Red Commander #4.
56th Fighter Group, 61 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22
56th Fighter Group, 62 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22
56th Fighter Group, 63 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22
Red Commander #5.
78th Fighter Group, 82 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22
78th Fighter Group, 83 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22
78th Fighter Group, 84 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22
Red Commander #6.
353rd Fighter Group, 350 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22
353rd Fighter Group, 351 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22
353rd Fighter Group, 352 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22, 4 x P-47D-22
Red Commander #7.
479th Fighter Group, 434 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-51C, 4 x 51C, 4 x 51C
479th Fighter Group, 435 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-51C, 4 x 51C, 4 x 51C
479th Fighter Group, 436 Fighter Sqn, 8 x P-51C, 4 x 51C, 4 x 51C

Red Bomber Aircraft
Red Commander #8.
384th Bombardment Group, 544 Bomber Sqn, 8 x A-20G, 4 x A-20G, 4 x A-20G
384th Bombardment Group, 545 Bomber Sqn, 8 x A-20G, 4 x A-20G, 4 x A-20G
384th Bombardment Group, 546 Bomber Sqn, 8 x A-20G, 4 x A-20G, 4 x A-20G
Red Commander #9.
385th Bombardment Group, 548 Bomber Sqn, 8 x A-20G, 4 x A-20G, 4 x A-20G
385th Bombardment Group, 549 Bomber Sqn, 8 x A-20G, 4 x A-20G, 4 x A-20G
385th Bombardment Group, 550 Bomber Sqn, 8 x A-20G, 4 x A-20G, 4 x A-20G
Red Commander #10.
34th Bombardment Group, 24 x B-24J, 12 x B-24J, 12 x B-24J
91st Bombardment Group, 24 x B-17G, 12 x B-17G, 12 x B-17G
303rd Bombardment Group, 24 x B-17G, 12 x B-17G, 12 x B-17G
351st Bombardment Group, 24 x B-17G, 12 x B-17G, 12 x B-17G
486th Bombardment Group, 24 x B-24J, 12 x B-24J, 12 x B-24J


Blue: Gruppe, Staffel, Initial Allocation (Resupply built by factories)
Axis Supreme Air Commander
Blue Commander #1.
I/JG2, Staffel #1, 8 x Fw-190A-6 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Fw-190A-6, 4 x Fw-190A-6
I/JG2, Staffel #2, 8 x Fw-190A-6 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Fw-190A-6, 4 x Fw-190A-6
I/JG2, Staffel #3, 8 x Bf-109G-6 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Bf-109G-6, 4 x Bf-109G-6
Blue Commander #2.
II/JG2, Staffel #4, 8 x Bf-109G-6 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Bf-109G-6(l), 4 x Bf-109G-6(l)
II/JG2, Staffel #5, 8 x Bf-109G-6 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Bf-109G-6(e), 4 x Bf-109G-6(e)
II/JG2, Staffel #6, 8 x Bf-109G-6 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Bf-109G-6(e), 4 x Bf-109G-6(e)
Blue Commander #3.
III/JG2, Staffel #7, 8 x Fw-190A-6 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Fw-190A-6, 4 x Fw-190A-6
III/JG2, Staffel #8, 8 x Fw-190A-6 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Fw-190A-6, 4 x Fw-190A-6
III/JG2, Staffel #9, 8 x Fw-190A-5 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Fw-190A-5, 4 x Fw-190A-5
Blue Commander #4.
I/JG26, Staffel #1, 8 x Fw-190A-6 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Fw-190A-6, 4 x Fw-190A-6
I/JG26, Staffel #2, 8 x Fw-190A-6 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Fw-190A-6, 4 x Fw-190A-6
I/JG26, Staffel #3, 8 x Fw-190A-5 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Fw-190A-5, 4 x Fw-190A-5
Blue Commander #5.
Stab/JG26, Schwarm #1, 4 x Fw-190A-8 (Resup not to exceed) 2 x Fw-190A-8, 2 x Fw-190A-8
Erg Gr./JG26, Staffel #1, 8 x Bf-109F-4 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Bf-109F-4, 4 x Bf-109F-4
Erg Gr./JG26, Staffel #2, 8 x Bf-109F-4 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Bf-109F-4, 4 x Bf-109F-4
Erg Gr./JG26, Staffel #3, 8 x Fw-190A-4 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Fw-190A-4, 4 x Fw-190A-4
Blue Commander #6.
II/ZG1, Staffel #4, 8 x Ju-88C (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Ju-88C, 4 x Ju-88C
II/ZG1, Staffel #5, 8 x Me-410 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Me-410, 4 x Me-410
II/ZG1, Staffel #6, 8 x Me-410 (Resup not to exceed) 4 x Me-410, 4 x Me-410

Time Limit.
This scenario runs for three days, spanning twenty-four missions, eight per day, with time starting at 0400hrs on 29th October, 1943 and ending at 2000hrs on 31st October, 1943. Each mission is consecutive and lasts for two hours.

Victory Conditions.
Victory is solely based on the destruction of large factories on the English Channel 1940-41 (CAN) map. The dark industrial zones on the outskirts of cities are assumed to be producing materials for the construction of aircraft, including a German "Secret Weapon". Factories stay destroyed and are not rebuilt. For victory purposes, only the destruction of large factories, are considered relevant.

< 50% of large factories on map destroyed = Blue victory.
50 – 60% of large factories on map destroyed = Draw.
> 60% of large factories on map destroyed = Red victory.

Time Clock.
Each mission takes two hours. This can also be referred to as a turn.

Reconnaissance
Industry shows up on the map regardless of reconnaissance level. Industry is limited to the dark smudges on the outskirts of town, visible at low to high altitude. Since factories are the only targets in this scenario there will be no reconnaissance in this campaign.

Pilot Skill.
With the exception of Stab JG26 and Erg Gr./JG26 all pilot’s skills are set to veteran status. The Stab was the leader section of the unit is was generally of higher quality. They are at ace level. The Erg Gr./JG26 is a fighter training formation that is in theory, ready for combat operations. It is equipped with superseded fighter aircraft and its pilots are of only average quality. For both sides, all reinforcements are of average skill level.

Control Points.
There are no control points for this scenario.

Weather Conditions.
Weather conditions are dynamic. Weather forecasts should be taken into consideration when planning missions.

Aerial Forces Reinforcement Schedule.
For the Allies, one half of the allocation of aircraft are starting on the template. The remaining reinforcements are available in two even batches for the first mission (4.00AM) of each day.

The Axis will receive the above listed allotment of aircraft and must build their replacements in factories. Factory output at the beginning of the campaign should be set so that all the existing factories produce enough to build 1/2 of the initial aircraft allotment in a single day. This is the incentive for the Axis to defend its industry and for the Allies to destroy more.

Changes to dB
The Industrial Table in the SEOW dB should be changed to reflect an increase to ~200 factories or more. This can be done by opening a clean map in the game's Full Mission Builder (FMB) and placing a unit in building designated as factories. Save the mission then open the .mis file in a readable format (I use Notepad). You will see something like this:

[NStationary]
0_Static vehicles.stationary.Stationary$Kettenkrad 2 265146.34 155287.36 360.00 0.0
1_Static vehicles.stationary.Stationary$Kettenkrad 2 265143.21 155221.58 360.00 0.0
2_Static vehicles.stationary.Stationary$Kettenkrad 2 265068.03 154908.34 360.00 0.0
[Buildings]

The red text are X,Y,Z coordinates. In the SEOW dB's Industrial Table you must add lines and pertinent information including these coordinates to the existing list. At the time of this writing there are 12 columns that must be added for each factory, most are self explanatory and can be copied from the existing list.

Daily Mission Schedule.
M1: 0400 to 0600
M2: 0600 to 0800
M3: 0800 to 1000
M4: 1000 to 1200
M5: 1200 to 1400
M6: 1400 to 1600
M7: 1600 to 1800
M8: 1800 to 2000

Intelligence Level.
See above "Reconnaissance".

Ordnance Load outs.
B-24's may carry only 16x500# bombs. B-17's may carry 16x500# or 8x1000# bombs. There is no restriction to ordnance carried by the A-20G.

Other Notes.
This is not a historical battle in the proper sense, but would be typical of the engagements of this era.
The Fw-190A-8 was introduced into Luftwaffe service on the Western Front, a month or two later than the date of this scenario. Later model equipment went to the Stab (leaders) flight for evaluation.
Erg Gr./JG26 is an advanced fighter-training unit. Superseded fighters were used as trainers. This being the Bf-109F-4, phased out during 1942 and earlier models of the redoubtable Fw-190A. Consequently AI skill levels for these aircraft are slightly lower than the norm.
Whilst earlier versions of the P-38 and P-47 were common, the versions in this template are the most appropriate.
The P-51C was not used in the fighter role until much later. It is included here in small numbers for flavor and has been agreed to by both sides.
I have assumed that all the earlier B-17F’s and B-24D’s have been converted to the later models.
The A-20G is a light attack bomber. Unfortunately the B-26 Marauder is not in the game and the B-25 Mitchell was not used by the Mighty Eighth, only by the RAF in this theatre.

The above ROE is taken largely from "The Yank He Cometh" SOEW Template by IV/JG7_Warg (a.k.a. Draughlin). Changes were made to accommodate new maps and flyable aircraft, new SEOW rules and capabilities as well as the wants and needs of the Ground Zero SEOW Community and their friends.

S~:

This is a very interesting SEOW campaign idea. We might be able to able to organize a group that might be interested if flying Blue in this campaign . I believe in your post it mentions October 29th to October 31, 1943. Can you please confirm the historical dates of the campaign?

With HSFX 5.01 there are some great new features including the industrial factory plates that are now available to incorporate in SEOW. Are you guys aware of these features? Also the new mission planner has the new WestFront44 map that is 1:1 and is a fabulous addition to SEOW west front campaigns. PA_Dore has done all of the data capture. Furthermore there are some new aircraft variants and models that are now available since IV/JG7_Warg designed the original template.

I look forward to your response.

S!
JG26_Badger

Flatspin wrote:SEOW OPERATION POINTBLANK ROE

This template is loosely based on the exploits of the “Mighty Eighth” and their clash with the “Abbeville Boys” of Luftflotte 3, in the skies above occupied France. It is late 1943; the United States Army Air Force is fighting for aerial supremacy over the Luftwaffe. The above ROE is taken largely from "The Yank He Cometh" SOEW Template by IV/JG7_Warg (a.k.a. Draughlin). Changes were made to accommodate new maps and flyable aircraft, new SEOW rules and capabilities as well as the wants and needs of the Ground Zero SEOW Community and their friends.

Sounds like lots of fun to me. However Mr. Flatspin, with a bit more jigging, and like Badger says, using the greater capacity of SEOW and HSFX, it could be made a lot more 'realistic', and interesting.

I'm thinking Axis has radar (available in SEOW) and Ground Control Intercept, which was available at the time. Also, which you haven't mentioned in the 'Rules', is the use of axis flak defences, which were pretty well established by around axis occupied Europe in Oct 43.

Anyway, they are just some ideas some axis pilots, like me, are kicking around.

We are planning to run this campaign on the Ground Zero database/MP. I would have to update it to allow for the map and features you guys mentioned.

Maybe we can discuss this on SEOW HQ TS sometime soon? I would love to see larger participation and, if these updates will help make things more interesting, I would be glad to help make it so.

Shades,

Would you be willing to assist me with this? I am still a bit nervous when it comes to updating the database and MP.

Of course, no problems!

Cheers,
4S

Great! I'll send you some information via email later tonight. I will be out of town on a short vacation from 11/4-11/8, so let's try to get a plan together before I leave. Maybe we can have everything ready to go by November 13th?

In the meantime, current participants are getting stick time in their intended aircraft. We have about 20 North Americans chomping at the bit for the Allied side right now.

I'm interested in some of the new features. The only drawback I see is remaking the template on a new map which would set back the launch time a bit. However, it's a simple template considering there is no ground battle.

If the new map has LOTS of industry that's great! Otherwise, I'll be inputting coords to increase them.

To answer some questions: There is a ton of flak. It will be common to lose a few bombers on the way in to the target and out again simply to flak. I think there should be a German Early warning system that enables them to know at least a bit where the bombers are coming from and a vector so they can intercept. Radar is good, ground sightings is good too - is there a way to model this through SEOW?

Can someone hook me up with info on "Factory plates" (HSFX readme?) and maybe a link to PA_Dore's new map for review?

I'm almost ready to roll on Channel 1940-41, but I'll definitely consider a rebuild for a more realistic experience...as long as folks are willing to wait!

WestFront44 files are here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/seow/files/

I captured only Winter map. You could also use the summer map, but some bridges numbers are different and need to be edited. Summer airbases are yet in the database. Sector_Seasons table is (at the moment) only for Winter map.

You can take a look at
http://www.flibusteairline.com/MP4publi ... efault.php
admin
password

That is a gorgeous map to be sure! However, it's a little bit further East than I want for this campaign and far too little Great Britain; I'll stick with the more westerly representation found in the CAN map, "Channel 1940-41". It helps that I've nearly gotten it finished.

I will still look into:

radar for Germany
ground supported aircraft spotting
factory plates

The usual SEOW radar feature works with HSFX5, so you can place short-range radar stations to simulate ground spotting stations. This, of course, gives no direct in-cockpit feedback to pilots (which is the realistic situation). But to use this requires some configuration of the host machine so that the radar views are visible by a browser (see http://wiki-seow-en.swil.fr/index.php/Strategic_Radar).

I don't think we have a working ground spotting mod for HSFX5 - that may come in the next HSFX, so not worth waiting for right now.

Factory plates work well and aren't too hard to use. See http://wiki-seow-en.swil.fr/index.php/F ... forcements .

Cheers,
4Shades

G'day,

I was asked the other night to write a brief blurb on this. Well here goes:

The original template for this goes back a fair while, when only that particular Normandy map was a "half decent" representation of what I wanted the scenario to illustrate. If the WestFront 44 map was available back then, then I certainly would have used it. These days, I'm no longer into building templates, I do not have a functioning SEOW initialiser or Navicat to personally review/finish templates and do justice to them to what I thinks is an acceptable standard. I gladly pass the baton onto others for this.

You may well ask, what was the intention of the original "The Yankee Commeth" template?

Essentially, it was about the USAAF. It represented a time where they were rebuilding, relearning after the expensive unescorted Schweinfurt raids. A period of transition where they were getting back into the bomber game in a serious way. As such, they were targeting occupied Europe rather than the Greater German Reich, for the Luftwaffe was still an effective deterent and force to be reckoned with, but by doing this, the USAAF were setting themselves up for bigger things to come. Things were still in the balance and so yes, I do think you should go the extra mile and go with the WestFront 44 map. Additionally, I think a larger map helps an attacker when radar is being used.

With the above said, I don't necessarily think that the change would be too hard or prohibative in time to manage. So lets have a look at the facets of this that will need attention.

1. Aircraft. (Mainly refering to Ospreys publications on this)

(a). Replace the P-47D-22 with P-47D-10. At this stage the USAAF were still using C's or the D-6 Razorback Thunderbolt models. D-10 about late Dec, D-22 Apr 44 and D-27 June 44.

(b). Replace the P-38J with P-38H-5. The J versions were starting to come online in Europe around Nov.43. Was unfortunate for the Lightnings career in this theatre, as the delay gave an avenue for the P-51B to replace it in the fighter role.

(c). Replace the P-51C with P-51B. Actually the P-51B was just working up for service and these didn't have the Malcolm hoods. Even at the end of the war, a large percentage of Mustangs in service were still the earlier variants.

(d). A-20G is okay, though you may consider the B-26 medium bomber, if available in the next HSFX patch.

(e). B-17G and B-24J keep the same.

(f). The Luftwaffe looks okay, apart from the Zerstorers. I'd be of a mind to replace half to two thirds of the Me-410's with Bf-110G-2's. My reasoning is that II/ZG.1 transferred from Italy to the Atlantic coast in July.43. They were still using Bf-110's. In Oct.43 it went back to Austria for retraining on Me-410's. V./KG40 used the Ju-88C heavy fighters in the Bay of Biscay area. Later marks of Antons and Gustavs, E.g. A-8, G-6A/S and G-10 came in 1944. Maybe throw some Doras, Emils in addition to the Friedrichs into rear area Bf-109 JG26 fighter training school mix?

2. Use of Plates.
Do a count of the factories on the map. Use this as a ratio to determine the size, value and numbers of industrial plates used.

3. Production.
Not likely that key aircraft production centres are on this map. Generally not a good idea to put these close to the frontiers. I'd use the on map industrial production centres only for AAA artillery, transport columns, trains and the like to keep airbases and factories supplied and defended. Be careful of the build values as you don't want to swamp the map with AAA.

4. Reinforcements.
Draw up a schedule for both the USAAF and the Luftwaffe. Let the USAAF have at least a 5 to 1 historical advantage in this. After all, it is encumbent upon them to knock down factories to win. The Luftwaffe defends, but generally needs to weigh down their fighters with heavy cannons and rockets to knock down heavy bombers. Maybe introduce later aircraft variants into the reinforcement quotas.

5. Supply Situation.
Unlimited for the USAAF and somewhat limited for the Luftwaffe. The Luftwaffe will need to keep their airbases resupplied and functional. No ground battles, but will need to move transport around to keep their aircraft operational and defended. Probably the same for Allies on a smaller scale.

6. Exiting and Landing.
Am thinking that the USAAF should be able to start and finish in the air, as long as its on the western edge of the map. Their home fields in England are not represented on the map and the bomber and fighter fomations would be in the air in the process of assembling upon entry to the map. It would be good if "bomber boxes" could be enabled to start and finish in the air.

7. RAF Inclusion.
Use the bases in England to base Spitfire Mk.IX units which can only be plotted to fly within red airspace. I.e. only defensive operations and no flights plotted over occupied Europe.

8. Recon Aircraft.
The principal targets are industrial and locations can be seen on the map. If recon aircraft are used to find other things then use an unused A-20 or P-38 variant for the appropriate F series aircraft recon type portrayed.

9. Skins.
Please check skins and markings for consistency and correctness. Unfortunately, some of the default ones are not appropriate.

10. Transport Aircraft.
Unlikely requirement, but could include if fuel supply drops will be an issue, though given Badgers involvement, I do see a need for a JU-52 punnishment flight to deliver fresh towels to clean Hugo Sperrle's butt cheeks.

Finally, after all is done, review the victory requirements, especially so, since it is based on a new map. You may find that more resources or time is required for either side to have a reasonable chance in acheiving their goals.

Hope this helps and happy travelling.

Regards,
Warg

S~
Thanks Warg for that very informative post.

Hitcher and Flatspin I certainly will be available to assist. The winter westfront Map 44 would be fine for a late Oct early Nov43 scenario. The Fall Gelb map that we are using now is similar to this map and it is great for 2 hour missions. Putting the template together should not be a problem in our Fall Gelb campaign we merged both blue and red sides. And we have members that are experienced in template design, that would be happy to assist. For example I have navicat and the other stuff for initialization, etc.

The WestFront 44 winter map is on SEOW HQ MP

Here is a link
http://seowhq.net/MP4public/Scripts/MP- ... Status=new
Use the following to get a look at the map in the mission planner
commander login: admin
password: password
Take a look and you will see what bases and factory areas have been captured by PA_Dore.

In regards to using the WestFront44 map the only thing that your campaign participants would have to do is install the map. The WestFront44 map is not currently in HSFX 5.01 so they would need to is is download the map it and use a jsgme to enable it. The simplest solution is to create a jsgme mod that has your map,or other stuff like technics files and enable it in jsgme. You can put it on a fttp site or filefront and have them download this and install it. I have it in my HSFX and if you choose to do so I can certainly show you how to do that. We use a special map in our Fall Gelb campaign as well as one of Brandle's technics files using the process described above.

We fly our campaign on Wed night, but I am certainly available to meet you guys on TS some time. Just pm or email me hitcher with a time you want to get together before you leave.

Be glad to help if I can.

JG26_Badger

You need to active Temporary Airbases to see all airbases. I set all grass airfields as Temporary airbases (layout#=1500 to 1507). Set temporary airbases (T) layouts to 553 for normal airbases.
Permanent airbases have specific layouts# from 530 to 561