EMG Campaign: USAAF-80th Fighter Squadron over Port Moresby 1942-V02 update 14.01.2025

[kraut1]

 

 

Update 14.01.2025: simplified / all required addons / mods / skins in 1 Modpack / Campaign not changed

 

Some notes concerning the current campaign and current IL2:GB AI

-please ignore only 1 false false radar contact message directly 1..3 seconds after mission begins

-please ignore obviously to early "mission completed" messages and messages to return to airfield (1 or 2 times per mission).

-Current AI escort flights have sometimes problems to follow the lead flight. Enemy (airstart) escort flights are working well. If you are the escort flight leader, please try to avoid autopilot and fly manually, no problem even with 4x time acceleration).

Due to this issue reinforced ground / anti ship strike flights with extra only gun armed planes for self defensive and no escort flight.

-Current AI planes sometimes collide during formation flying, but in general playable.

-When flying as flight leader: after take off fly for some time with speed ca.160...175mph. At this speed your flight members will be in short time in the correct formation position. Do not fly slower than 155mph after take off, during climbing and during cruise flight. In case that you fly slower your flight members will extend their flaps and will fall back behind formation.

Hint Added 15.06.2024: -When flying as flight leader: When flying high altitude intercept missions the AI climbing performance is sometimes not sufficient. I recommend to climb with manual control with ca. Manifold Pressure ca. 32...37inch HG at 2600rpm and cooler full open. And consider the previous hint not to fly slower than 155mph. Due to the not so good high alt. performance of the P39 (realistc) you will be sometimes not able to intercept the bombers before they reach the target. But it is possible to pursue and to reach them.

 

Many Thanks to:

@SYN_Vander for the Easy MIssion Generator.

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/43276-il2-great-battles-easy-mission-generator/

@Wanganui_Wildcat for the Faux Pacific skin pack

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/33529-faux-pacific/

& in Memory of Beebop who assembled a Skin Bundle of Faux Pacific:

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/33529-faux-pacific/?do=findComment&comment=966762

@JSOflyerfor the Papua NG modpack (only Papua / Kuban map elements used for mod compabitility)

@-332FG-Kami_K220 P39 Shark Skin (after a long search I found your name)

@Hanu for the japanese ship flags

@Off_Winters for the unlabeled MapTiles without Kuban / russian names (New)

 

The Campaign / historical background:

In July 1942 the USAAF 80th Fighter Squadron was moved to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea to support the Australian Ground and Air Forces in defending Papua New Guinea against the Japanese Advance during the Kokoda Track Campaign.

The Unit used the P-39 and P-400 versions of the Bell Airacobra.

Missions: 52 combat missions, semi-historical.

last mission will be 07. November 1942. (if the user likes he can continue the campaign by adding new missions in new ToWs)

 

Timeline:

Spoiler

80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group,
from Petric to Port Moresby, New Guinea with P-39s and P-400s (first mission is on 22 Jul).

24.07.42
(Raid 73) Japanese bombers bomb Bomana Airfield (12 Mile Drome).

25.07.42
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): In New Guinea, B-25s, and P-39s
pound barges and concentrations at Gona and troops on the Gona and Kokoda
trails; Japanese forces push to Oivi, within 6 miles (10 km) of Kokoda.

26.07.42
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): In New Guinea, B-26s and A-24s
hit Gona and targets along the Buna trail.
  35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, moves from Woodstock to
Townsville, Australia with P-39s and P-400s.

Ground battle: 26.07. Oivi taken by japanese troops

Ground battle: 28.07. - 08.08. fighting at Kokoda

29.07.42
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): In New Guinea, A-24s, with P-39
escort, and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft attack shipping off
Gona, partially frustrating Japanese attempts to land more troops and
supplies; the Japanese recapture Kokoda, which they temporarily lost the
previous day.
  HQ 8th Fighter Group moves from Brisbane to Townsville, Australia.

03.08.42
SWPA (5th AF): P-400's strafe Oivi and Kokoda, New Guinea.

08.08.42
SWPA (5th AF): In New Guinea, P-400s dive-bomb Kokoda and Yodda; B-17s, B-25s
and B-26s bomb runways and targets of opportunity at Lae and Salamaua.

26.08.42
SWPA (5th AF): In New Guinea, P-40s, B-25s, B-26s and B-17s plus Royal
Australian Air Force (RAAF) Hudsons, pound Japanese forces in Milne Bay; a
large transport is damaged and most of the supplies on the beachheads E of
Rabi are destroyed; P-400s strafe Buna Airfield.

Ground battle: 26.08. - 30.08. Battle of Isurava

31.08.42
SWPA (5th AF): In New Guinea, B-26s and A-20s bomb the airfield at Lae; B-17s
bomb an ammunition dump at Buna; P-400s strafe positions at Wairopi; and
P-40s bomb landing barges and strafe gun positions in Milne Bay area where
Australian ground forces now take the offensive.

02.09.42
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): In New Guinea, P-400s bomb and
strafe forces in the Kokoda and Alola areas as the Japanese continue to push
toward Port Moresby.

03.09.42
  In New Guinea, P-400s bomb and strafe the Kokoda Pass area, hitting the
airfield at Kokoda and in the vicinity of Alola, Isurava, and Missima; B-25s
and A-20s pound the Mubo-Busama-Salamaua area. A B-17 strafes seaplanes at
Faisi Island in the Shortland Islands.

05.09.42
 In New Guinea, P-400s strafe Kokoda, Kaile, Isurava, Alola, Buna,
Sanananda, and Buna-Kokoda trail; the airfield at Buna is strafed and bombed

Ground battle: 06.09.Battle of Brigade Hill

06.09.42:
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): In New Guinea, P-400s, A-20s,
and B-17s strafe and bomb positions, troops, and shipping at Myola, Mubo,
Kokoda, Myola Lake, Eora Creek, and Milne Bay;

07.09.42:
(IJN) 27 G4M1 Bettys from the Kisarazu Kokutai took off from Rabaul to attack Port Moresby covered by 24 Zeros (Tainan Kokutai, 2nd Kokutai and 6th Kokutai). Over the target they meet Allied fighters. Returning from the mission, one G4M1 piloted by PO/1 Kinnosuke Ogawa crash lalnded on a friendly beach and the crew was rescued.

16.09.42: Begin of fighting near Ioribaiwa / Imitra Ridge

17.09.42: Japanese Bombers attack Port Moresby

19.09.42: Japanese Bombers attack Port Moresby

21.09.42: Japanese Bombers attack Port Moresby

23.09.42: Japanese Bombers attack Port Moresby

23.09.42
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, P-40s, P-39s,
P-400s, and B-17s hit tanks, buildings, and airfield at Buna, Wairopi bridge
and targets of opportunity on the Buna-Kokoda trail,
02.12.42 P-400 P-39 attack

16.-26.09.42: Battle of Ioribaiwa / Imitra Ridge
Advance of Japanese Forces near Imitra Ridge is stopped due to the resistance of the Australian defenders and the inability to supply japanese forces in Guadacanal and New Guinea, the attack on Port Moresby is cancelled and the japanese begin to retreat.

28.09.42: begin of the Australian counter offensive

10.10.42
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s pound Rabaul and nearby
Lakunai airfield on New Britain Island. In New Guinea, A-20s hit targets
along the Buna-Kokoda trail and, with P-400s, strike villages in the area of
Asisi and Sanananda;

16.-20.10.42: Battle of Templeton's Crossing

19.10.42: Japanese Bombers attack Port Moresby

25.10.42: Japanese Bombers attack Port Moresby

29.10.42: Japanese Bombers attack Port Moresby

31.10.42: Japanese Bombers attack Port Moresby

02.11.42: Kokoda retaken

04.-11.10.42: Battle of Oivi

07.11.42
Last Mission
08.11.42
80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, moves
from Port Moresby to Milne Bay with P-39s and P-400s

 

 

Mission types:

-Bomber intercept missions:

(note: if your engines overheats with engine mode military power, you can climb with Nominal (unlimited time): 2600 RPM, 37.5 inch Hg too, I have this considered for the mission design)

-Scramble missions

-Bomber escort missions

Transport escort mission: mission no.9, escort the evacuation of wounded, learn how to fire a flare!

-Anti ship strike missions

-Convoy escort missions

-Harbour / Airfield strike missions

-Ground attack missions (in Kokoda track area with support of AI Forward Air Control Planes for target marking)

-Escort & Intercept Airborne Assault missions (Airborne reconnaissance teams / shock troops)

(note: Paratroopers are dropped by AI at low altitude)

-new: anti Boat mission

-new: anti Tank mission

 

The Campaign ends at 08. November 1942 when the Squadron was moved to Milne Bay.

 

Il2 GB Mission design

-The Campaign missions are generated with a new v84 version (not released) of my Papua New Guinea 42/44 for Easy Mission Generator.

-My idea is to start and fly the campaign after first mission is generated and to create / fly missions step by step.

-At the beginning the player is wingman, after having scored minimum 5 Air victories he will be "promoted" to flight leader.

Special Features IL2 GB:

-Grid locations of enemy planes will be reported via subtitles.

-Do not hide the entire GUI (H key) when flying a mission. Doing so will disable the messages you receive during flight.

-During Combat you will be warned by my "German and English audio warning Messages".

-If you fly towards the advanced Kokoda Track front lines, very often AI Australian Forward Air Control Planes will appear. These planes will mark the hidden japanes ground units in the mountains with Smoke Bombs (attached mod required to be installed).

Restriction: the ground targets in the mountains are located near the mountains tops very high, to avoid that the AI planes crash into the mountains. Because in the new EMG versions the artillery is always shooting during the missions some will shoot directly in the mountain sides.

-Harbours with random ships.

-Some random sea to sea actions:

    -japanese destroyer harbour raid

    -destroyer convoy attack

 -manually overworked scripted mission (mission no.9, battle of Kokoda, evacuation of wounded soldiers)

 -due to IL2 GB AI / Command "Cover" issue now mixed fighter bomber / fighter flights for self defence.

 -random activation of AI Ambient flights (EMG Generic Template modified)

new -overworked "parked plane" target definitions + new USAAF / Japanese static plane skins added

 

 

Download: new: 1 Modpack with all required addons / mods / skins

https://www.mediafire.com/file/6zf01qconjjbklf/Pacific-Papua-NG-Mod-Pack-Krt1-v01.zip/file

 

INSTALLATION: WITH JSGME

 

Campaign Download

Note: V02 20.10.2024: Campaign renamed to eliminate conflicts with other Modpacks

https://www.mediafire.com/file/ofhyvzymjuptlds/USAAF-80th_Fighter_Squadron_over_Port_Moresby_1942-V02-renamed.zip/file

INSTALLATION: THE CAMPAIGN HAS TO BE COPIED INTO THE IL2 BOS CAMPAIGN FOLDER:

 

 

 

 

 

Pacific-AI_FM_weapon-Mod-smoke-bombs-v05.zip Pacific-AI_FM_weapon-Mod-smoke-bombs-La5-modded-ONLY-AI-v05.zip

Edited January 29 by kraut1
Update 14.01.2025: simplified / all required addons / mods / skins in 1 Modpack / Campaign not changed

[kraut1]

Only for Information: there seems to be currently a general IL2 GB problem with the AI of escort flights.

So don't wonder if the escort crashs into a nearby mountain or returns early to base.

 

Added 24.03.2024:

The current EMG mission is a bit more scripted, handmade. It is already working (have just flown) but there there are still many details to be added.

 

Edited March 24, 2024 by kraut1

[kraut1]

Small Update 29.03.24: La-5 FN skin removed from Pacific-Skins-additional-for-EMG.zip (already in Faux Pacific)

[kraut1]

Update 06.04.24: 5 new missions, please replace all missions due to some minor changes

Note concerning AI command "Cover" issue (for escort missions), confirmed by Vander and test missions submitted to LukeFF:

I have adapted my mission design to this AI issue:

Ground / Ship attack fighter bomber missions: now 1 bigger flight, some of the planes without bombs but extra machine gun ammo for self defence.

Hint to Escort Mission from Port Moresby to Lae (B25 Port attack): I flew the the mission with manual control but with time acceleration 4x ... 8x during cruise flight. This worked well, no hectic behaviour of the plane, no problem to fly in formation with the bombers. And I used Auto/Lean together with 2400rpm for cruise flight.

 

Video of one of the new missions:

 

[KodiakJac]

Hi kraut1!

 

I'm getting ready to install your Port Moresby campaign, but I've got one question...

 

The two weapon mods...should I install both, or is it one or the other?  And if one or the other, can you please explain the differences so I can decide which one.  La5 Only mod looks like it has a lot more in it than just for the La5.  To me, it looks like the La5 Only mod has everything the other weapons mod has, plus the La5 tweaks.  I used to be a Rise of Flight modder, but it has been many years since I've looked at files like this at the granular level, and never with IL-2 Great Battles. 

 

Thanks for this campaign!

Edited April 7, 2024 by KodiakJac

[kraut1]

Hi KodiakJac,

Thanks for your interest in the campaign.

Sorry for my unclear explanations about the mods, I will change this in the post.

 

Please install only one of the mods.

 

-Pacific-AI_FM_weapon-Mod-smoke-bombs-v02:

Included: the smoke bomb modification for Kokoda Track ground attacks and the ammunition modifications to make the LA-5... armaments more similar to the Zero (and Oscar) and the increased armor piercing power of the .50 ammo and a increased explosive effect to 37mm HE shell of the 37mm Airacobra for compensating the armor of the JAPANESE (german / russian) planes.

With this mod the La-5 s38 and La-5 FN are still flyable by the player.

(you could create for example further japanese single player La-5 Zero / Oscar missions with the EMG modification:)

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/83844-papua-new-guinea-4244-for-easy-mission-generator/

 

-Pacific-AI_FM_weapon-Mod-smoke-bombs-La5-modded-ONLY-AI-v02:

-All modifications of the Pacific-AI_FM_weapon-Mod-smoke-bombs-v02 are included

-Additionally: modifications of the La-5s38 and the La-5 FN \plane files with mor air-drag / air resistance to make the La-5s a bit slower, similar Zero / Oscar.

Due to the modification of the \plane files the La-5 s38/FN are only AI planes when this mod is installed!

 

-It is possible to fly the campaign without installed mods too, but in this case the enemy La-5 Zeros / Oscars have a significant (unrealistic) advantage by shooting with concentrated high power armor piercing 20mm bullets that will kill the Airacobra pilot often very early in combat. And the ground targets in the Kokoda Track mountains are not marked with smoke.

 

Edited April 9, 2024 by kraut1

[KodiakJac]

Thanks, kraut!  Perfect explanation...I understand now 👍

 

Edited April 8, 2024 by KodiakJac

[kraut1]

Update 21.04.24:

-10 new missions, please replace all missions due to some minor changes

-changed: Pacific-Skins-additional-for-EMG, new japanese ship flag by @Hanu

-changed: Weapon Modification Mods: now both with 2 modded ships

 

 

[kraut1]

Update 19.05.24:

-10 new missions, please replace all missions due to some minor changes

-Timeline with rough historical background information added

previously changed 21.04.24:

-changed: Pacific-Skins-additional-for-EMG, new japanese ship flag by Hanu

-changed: Weapon Modification Mods: now both with 2 modded ships

 

Some notes concerning the current campaign and current IL2:GB AI

-please ignore only 1 false false radar contact message directly 1..3 seconds after mission begins

-please ignore obviously to early "mission completed" messages and messages to return to airfield (1 or 2 times per mission).

-Current AI escort flights have sometimes problems to follow the lead flight. Enemy (airstart) escort flights are working well. If you are the escort flight leader, please try to avoid autopilot and fly manually, no problem even with 4x time acceleration).

Due to this issue reinforced ground / anti ship strike flights with extra only gun armed planes for self defensive and no escort flight.

-Current AI planes sometimes collide during formation flying, but in general playable.

Edited May 19, 2024 by kraut1

[kraut1]

Hint Added 26.05.2024: -When flying as flight leader: after take off fly for some time with speed ca.160...175mph. At this speed your flight members will be in short time in the correct formation position. Do not fly slower than 155mph after take off, during climbing and during cruise flight. In case that you fly slower your flight members will extend their flaps and will fall back behind formation.

 

Added later:

Campaign Mission Test

Video directly recorded during flight with OBS Studio.

Video not cut, whole flight recorded.

Mission flown with realistic / complex engine settings.

00:00 Campaign / Mission selection

01:15 Take off

02:42 example for Radar (subtitle) message of enemy grid location

02:55 example for Audio warning message by wingmen (objective spotted, range 5 miles)

03:37 example for Audio warning message by wingmen (objective spotted, range 3 miles)

04:35 Air combat action

06:50 Air combat action

12:40 Air combat action

13:55 Landing

(mission will be released with next campaign update)

 

Edited May 30, 2024 by kraut1

[kraut1]

EMG Campaign: USAAF-Airacobras over Port Moresby 1942 Status Mission 42 of 50 (Update 15.06.24)

Update 15.06.24:

-7 new missions, please replace all missions due to some minor changes

-Pacific USAAF / Japanese skins for static aircraft added (and to use them 1 new scramble and 1 new airfield strafing mission)

 

 

[kraut1]

Will be included in next update:   RELEASED TODAY V01 31.07.2024

Edited July 31, 2024 by kraut1

[kraut1]

V01 RELEASED with 52 Combat Missions

with: Japanese Tanks / Trucks, Ships, Boats, Parked Planes

 

Edited August 1, 2024 by kraut1

[kraut1]

@Patricks Hi, I have added informations concerning installation:

 

 

[Patricks]

Couple things. 1st of all, the campaign is a blast! Once I figured out how to keep the temps in check, saw that the RPM gauge "3" was 300 (2300) and not 3000 I could set Hg and Prop pitch to get her flying pretty well. Have 4 light and one medium to my credit in 2 missions, direct hit on ship in mission #2. I see the color and markings of the Japanese aircraft are correct, but I have a light green circle where (I think) a USA Star should be? Pretty sure it was there before my removal/reinstall.. 

Edited August 4, 2024 by Patricks

[kraut1]

14 hours ago, Patricks said:

...mission #2. I see the color and markings of the Japanese aircraft are correct, but I have a light green circle where (I think) a USA Star should be? Pretty sure it was there before my removal/reinstall.. 

and Now if I can figure out why my planes marking are missing (light green spot on left wing with no insignia, side and underwing are red Stars. Tried removing (JGSME) Pacific skins, same result, put them back, same result.. Really enjoying this "USAAF-Airacobras over Port Moresby 1942" Campaign!

Fine that the engine issue is solved!

 

Concerning the P39 the skin:

 

-In general the P39 should have in each mission this skin: Pacific Shark 1 P39L1.dds

 

-Please check if the skin is installed:

This skin is in:

I have downloaded the file just now again for check:

After installation it should be in this folder:

 

 

-If the skin is installed please check if you have installed the Campaign Missions are of release V01:

-for example campaign mission 2 that you have mentioned:

 

If you search for "ailevel = 0 (player's plane) it is defined:

I have downloaded this mission again and installed in a test mission folder.

In all missions this skin, N if you are n.2, M if you are leader (after ca. 10 missions)

Edited August 5, 2024 by kraut1

[Patricks]

3 hours ago, kraut1 said:

Fine that the engine issue is solved!

 

Concerning the P39 the skin:

 

-In general the P39 should have in each mission this skin: Pacific Shark 1 P39L1.dds

 

-Please check if the skin is installed:

This skin is in:

 

Yes, Pacific-Skins additional is showing under "Activated Mods" in GME

 

3 hours ago, kraut1 said:

I have downloaded the file just now again for check:

After installation it should be in this folder:

 

BBop_RAAF is there, but no Pacific Shark! I re-downloaded the additional skins.zip, removed it in GME, overwrote the old "additional skins" folder in the MODS folder, re-activated in GME, and now it's there!

 

3 hours ago, kraut1 said:

 

 

-If the skin is installed please check if you have installed the Campaign Missions are of release V01:

-for example campaign mission 2 that you have mentioned:

 

If you search for "ailevel = 0 (player's plane) it is defined:

 

Yes, in the "1942-07-23a-Papua-New-Guinea-USAAF-P39.Mission" file " Skin = "p39l1\pacific shark 1 p39l1.dds";    AILevel = 0; is there.

 

3 hours ago, kraut1 said:

I have downloaded this mission again and installed in a test mission folder.

In all missions this skin, N if you are n.2, M if you are leader (after ca. 10 missions)

 

All set, absolutely NO idea why the shark skin was missing, but thanks so much for all the assistance!!

 

Edited August 5, 2024 by Patricks

[kraut1]

Temporary Advice how to use this Campaign and Papua NG modpackv3 by JSOflyer69 to avoid compatibility problems and a possible loss of the campaign results.

-The current situation: Papua NG modpackv3 is a great and huge collection of Pacific IL-2 GB content.

Included in this mod is a older version of my campaign "USAAF Airacobras..."

 

This means, that if a user, who is currently flying my campaign, installs the modpack with JSGMG about 50% of the campaign files were overwritten with outdated files, including the importent campaign info... file, that defines the number of missions.

And when the modpack is deinstalled maybe campaign files could be deleted and the campaign results could be lost.

But there is a simple solution:

-Please delete the version of the campaign from the Papua New Guinea Modpack before you install it.:

-And please after de-installation of Papua NG modpackv3 re-install the skins and mods of my campaign.

Edited August 27, 2024 by kraut1

[Patricks]

I'll just stick with your Campaigns! 😄

[kraut1]

1 hour ago, Patricks said:

I'll just stick with your Campaigns! 😄

I have just flown my first 1945 Courland Pocket Eastern Front Jg54 Mission:

 

[kraut1]

EMG Campaign: USAAF-80th Fighter Squadron over Port Moresby 1942

Release V02 20.10.2024:

-V02 Campaign , Campaign folder and all paths for media links renamed

to eliminate conflicts with other Modpacks

 

If you are currently flying the campaign with the original name "USAAF Airacobras..." and you want to keep your campaign progress and the Awards: You can continue with this campaign, download of new version not required, but please consider the  advice how to use this Campaign and Papua NG modpackv3 by JSOflyer69 to avoid compatibility problems and a possible loss of the campaign results (at the end of the main Post)

 

Old (but still working):                                                         New:

          

[Patricks]

On 10/20/2024 at 1:34 PM, kraut1 said:

EMG Campaign: USAAF-80th Fighter Squadron over Port Moresby 1942

Release V02 20.10.2024:

-V02 Campaign , Campaign folder and all paths for media links renamed

to eliminate conflicts with other Modpacks

 

If you are currently flying the campaign with the original name "USAAF Airacobras..." and you want to keep your campaign progress and the Awards: You can continue with this campaign, download of new version not required, but please consider the  advice how to use this Campaign and Papua NG modpackv3 by JSOflyer69 to avoid compatibility problems and a possible loss of the campaign results (at the end of the main Post)

 

Old (but still working):                                                         New:

           

 

I'm still slowly pushing through the original one, it's ~50 missions!

[kraut1]

Update 14.01.2025: simplified / all required addons / mods / skins in 1 Modpack / Campaign not changed

 

[kraut1]