All,
0610 local time
4 June 1942
Midway
It's 4 June 1942, the dawn of the epic "Battle of Midway," a clash of giants, three US carriers vs four Japanese carriers that proved to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific. For more information, both real-life and how I'm running this campaign, please check here:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2019/11/battle-of-midway-campaign-plan.html
Yesterday at 0900 a US Navy PBY Catalina spotted Japanese ships 500nm west southwest of Midway; B-17s from the island were dispatched but failed to hit anything. US Navy PBYs continued to shadow the Japanese surface force, and actually attacked at 0100 this morning, scoring a torpedo hit on a Japanese merchant ship. Unbeknownst to US personnel, the Japanese carrier task force, as yet still unspotted, launched its first strike group against Midway at 0430. At 0530, the PBYs spotted the Japanese carriers, and noted their strike group inbound.
So it's now 0610 and the VMF-343 "Dirt Divers" have scrambled six F4F Wildcats to intercept an inbound group of six D3A "Val" dive bombers escorted by four A6M "Zeros."
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5yRBQvyvNM/Xc8ghd8MaqI/AAAAAAAAvGI/_M2n8xq20DASqMI9CwcMO-x2B9Y6rsf1QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9477.JPG)
This is my arena for aerial combat; simple, yet durable and, to me, beautiful (in a simple, durable way). I'm using tiny aircraft designed by my buddy Thomaston; not sure what size they are, just that they are much smaller than 1/600. They're 3D printed models that I mounted on cut-down bases from Litko, and I'm using a very simple rules system called "Battle of Britain," which I found for free over on The Miniatures Page (I've already played a good 20 or so fights with them). Left is north, with the Japanese strike group there, and the American interceptors at right.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls1yuB1yHoQ/Xc8gpDdA8mI/AAAAAAAAvGU/TSdF4D9FY34lAjnoGfe8gm8D5Lw23WWXgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9481.JPG)
The benefit of an advantage in pilot quality: audaciousness! A lone Japanese Ace is flying circles around a Marine Regular and a Marine Rookie.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6HD2vEiY004/Xc8gzAVkvGI/AAAAAAAAvGk/QaiK494unJkgdCb9UY_4tfH6sA9Zmg8qQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9484.JPG)
Maneuvering aggressively to keep the Marine Wildcats off the incoming Vals.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8qvi4nmVvtc/Xc8hEE-klyI/AAAAAAAAvHE/H0bdxpgxcjkXYsoYqVK_vYYmdqzJc2VvgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9490.JPG)
The Marines have to really work for it, but they get in their licks.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Q-CUpJVcoM/Xc8h2uIuZsI/AAAAAAAAvI4/GpeBo1Y3vJsS5cvUKWbvTHn3OsfbakNigCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9510.JPG)
They even manage to break through, into the bombers!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPweLiJz5GY/Xc8idBPbkEI/AAAAAAAAvKQ/JRCrq75_sV4FY0zAmdcZ6u7_q7oRZclEACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9526.JPG)
But the Japanese are ultimately successful, managing to get four Vals to the target area, where they wreak havoc on the U.S. shore facilities.
To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2019/11/battle-of-midway-fight-1.html
Next up, Captain Haynes leads a flight of six Wildcats to intercept the second wave of Japanese bombers closing on Midway.
V/R,
Jack
Hi Jack,
I've been following these actions for a while and trying to resist...
I've found what I think are the Battle of Britain rules on TMP, just to have a read O:-) :^o
You seem to have added quite a bit more to the rules, have you posted the additions anywhere?
I'd also be interested in the movement bonuses etc you have allocated to the different aircraft in the Pacific
Where are the rules on there?
Quote from: Last Hussar on 22 November 2019, 02:13:03 AM
Where are the rules on there?
See http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,19013.msg285973.html#msg285973
Thanks, those are the ones I 'found'
Sorry guys, I had some 'real life' stuff pop up.
In any case, thanks for looking guys, I hope you enjoyed it. Paul, what possible reason could you have to resist??? ;) Regarding changes, there are some here:
Zero's movement capability:
1 1 1
2 2
x 4 x
As you can see, much more maneuverable than the Wildcat/P-40:
2 1 1
3 3
x 5 x
But I also changed the firing 'to hit' numbers. For Zeros:
6 5+ 6
- -
4+ 3+ 4+
For the better trained (with regards to gunnery) USN/USMC aviators (USAAF use the Zero numbers):
4+ 4+ 4+
5+ 5+
4+ 3+ 4+
Japanese planes are downed on a damage roll of 3+, American on 4+.
If a pilot is shot down, roll 1D6:
1=KIA
2=MIA
3=WIA, 3D6 x 10 days out
4=WIA, 2D6 x 10 days out
5=WIA, 1D6 x 10 days out
6=Okay
If a plane is damaged, on its next activation roll 1D6:
Rookie needs a 6 to stay in the fight, otherwise return to base
Regular needs a 5+
Veteran needs a 4+
Ace needs a 3+
NBK needs a 2+
In terms of pilot ratings:
Rookie - N/A
Regular - +1 to maneuver roll
Veteran- +1 to maneuver roll and +1 to 'to hit' roll
Ace - +2 to maneuver roll and +1 to 'to hit' roll
NBK - +2 to maneuver roll, +1 to 'to hit' roll, and -1 to opposition's 'to hit' roll (except bombers performing defensive fire.
Raider, thanks for posting the base rules, and Last Hussar, I thought you'd be more interested in my Kursk fights using IABSM ;)
V/R,
Jack
All,
0625 local time
4 June 1942
Midway
It's 4 June 1942, the dawn of the epic "Battle of Midway," a clash of giants, three US carriers vs four Japanese carriers that proved to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific. For more information, both real-life and how I'm running this campaign, please check here:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2019/11/battle-of-midway-campaign-plan.html
Yesterday at 0900 a US Navy PBY Catalina spotted Japanese ships 500nm west southwest of Midway; B-17s from the island were dispatched but failed to hit anything. US Navy PBYs continued to shadow the Japanese surface force, and actually attacked at 0100 this morning, scoring a torpedo hit on a Japanese merchant ship. Unbeknownst to US personnel, the Japanese carrier task force, as yet still unspotted, launched its first strike group against Midway at 0430. At 0530, the PBYs spotted the Japanese carriers, and noted their strike group inbound.
At 0610 the VMF-343 "Dirt Divers" scrambled six F4F Wildcats to intercept an inbound group of six D3A "Val" dive bombers escorted by four A6M "Zeros," but were roughly handled, having three Wildcats shot down and the other three damaged, as the Japanese lost one Zero and one Val. The Japanese aerial attack caused 18/30 damage points.
So it's now 0625 and the Dirt Divers have scrambled another six F4F Wildcats to intercept an inbound group of six B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers escorted by four A6M "Zeros."
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jyjcuDrOgx0/Xc8kB1xH6zI/AAAAAAAAvKo/sHUhzVYsrw4OWEW1DSFPzA32m_o4lhNwwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9529.JPG)
The Japanese appear serious about this...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1L2_kQz0emU/Xc8kTH4d3UI/AAAAAAAAvLQ/HJiAq0L2Tyc6phq6rmJX9qRvkj-xVKh4gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9541.JPG)
And indeed they are.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXwfnqiUXZc/Xc8kh949ShI/AAAAAAAAvLs/lSpMS4HfYYEnskNI5O5AoP_U1NSftv9YwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9546.JPG)
The Flying Leathernecks are doing their part to take it to the Japanese Kates.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IjC6ZuJ3lGY/Xc8lSsQMkAI/AAAAAAAAvNg/yyDwMntRTRYsZYyNyg7ZfF-giCvBl1kawCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9565.JPG)
And some kills are scored...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTM7UVC9VjE/Xc8lb0uzHKI/AAAAAAAAvN4/4jaFGE56_aU42VXhDYDGYGmZcCskXsy_wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9569.JPG)
But the Zeros just seem to be everywhere.
To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2019/11/battle-of-midway-fight-2.html
So, those were the attacks by the Japanese carrier air groups on Midway. Just like real life, they did a lot of damage, but were unable to destroy the shore installations, which then caused their strike commander to recommend the launching of a second strike, which would have catastrophic consequences for the Japanese carriers.
But that's all in the future: for now, the Americans on Midway are attempting to strike back at their tormentors! When word of the Japanese raid was broadcast, the Americans launched all the aircraft stationed on Midway, to avoid them being destroyed on the ground. But three groups of those aircraft actually set out to attack the Japanese; the attacks were not coordinated, so the Americans ended up piecemealing them into the fight, but that's where we're headed next: Major Chandler, the squadron commander, is leading a flight of Wildcats escorting six TBF torpedo bombers going for the Japanese carriers.
V/R,
Jack
All,
0645 local time
4 June 1942
Midway
It's 4 June 1942, the dawn of the epic "Battle of Midway," a clash of giants, three US carriers vs four Japanese carriers that proved to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific. For more information, both real-life and how I'm running this campaign, please check here:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2019/11/battle-of-midway-campaign-plan.html
Yesterday at 0900 a US Navy PBY Catalina spotted Japanese ships 500nm west southwest of Midway; B-17s from the island were dispatched but failed to hit anything. US Navy PBYs continued to shadow the Japanese surface force, and actually attacked at 0100 this morning, scoring a torpedo hit on a Japanese merchant ship. Unbeknownst to US personnel, the Japanese carrier task force, as yet still unspotted, launched its first strike group against Midway at 0430. At 0530, the PBYs spotted the Japanese carriers, and noted their strike group inbound.
At 0610 the VMF-343 "Dirt Divers" scrambled six F4F Wildcats to intercept an inbound group of six D3A "Val" dive bombers escorted by four A6M "Zeros," but were roughly handled, having three Wildcats shot down and the other three damaged, as the Japanese lost one Zero and one Val. The Japanese aerial attack caused 18/30 damage points.
At 0625 Captain Haynes led six Wildcats to intercept an inbound group of six B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers escorted by four A6M "Zeros." Again it was rough: the Marines lost five of six aircraft, with one pilot KIA, one MIA, and two WIA, while the Japanese lost four of their six torpedo bombers, which did light damage to Midway's shore installations (26/30, total).
So it's now 0645 and the Dirt Divers are escorting a flight of six TBF torpedo bombers to attack the Japanese carriers, running right into the Japanese CAP of six Zeros.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eOTZSjwBYdw/Xc8myiTioyI/AAAAAAAAvO0/tVDm1iiKlNAXdwaVM5Lgh2L5ROn_giGQACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9577.JPG)
First time Grumman TBFs (not known as Avengers, yet) were used in combat, and first time mine have seen the table.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppoRXWKJqvk/Xc8m54EklNI/AAAAAAAAvO8/92L1tpcLfFEThMKkNviLV8--YWEZIHUWQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9578.JPG)
With six bogeys inbound!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lp6p-LRhMA/Xc8m8YVbgAI/AAAAAAAAvPA/CgagWjb1gD8eutG2CwJMQnvL4IAB7T-uACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9580.JPG)
Quite out of character, this fight it is the Marines that get in the first licks.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zSIFzK_kkgY/Xc8ndgpmxYI/AAAAAAAAvQE/70Q8anzMNWo0T7HK43C08DLjwW36OXlfwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9592.JPG)
But don't worry, Thomaston, the Japanese descend on the TBFs like a pack of wolves...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QoM87tuwyw/Xc8oV-EUp5I/AAAAAAAAvR4/m5WGWwOG9OIH_bm7sM-EBfibR0IzPxbvgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9611.JPG)
But overall, the fight is quite the aerial melee.
To see how it turned out, please check the blog at:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2019/12/battle-of-midway-fight-3.html
The Marine escorts are right back in action, because SBD Dauntlesses of VMSB-241 (that's "Marine Scouting and Bombing Squadron 241') are on the way, looking to land some 500-pound bombs on the Japanese carriers. Here's to hoping things get better with them Wildcat shooting dice.
V/R,
Jack
Quote from: bigjackmac on 26 November 2019, 01:04:44 AM
Paul, what possible reason could you have to resist??? ;) Regarding changes, there are some here:
Jack, thanks for the changes
Reasons to resist:
- too many rule sets already, our group has about a dozen we play, some we haven't got to this year
- not enough time to get all my existing models on the table, some of my completed forces haven't seen the table for a year or more
but...
No problem, Paul, and I understand perfectly.
V/R,
Jack
Jack, I really enjoyed your bats reps. Thanks for taking the time to record and post on the forum, :)
It's my pleasure, and thanks for letting me know you like them!
V/R,
Jack
All,
0715 local time
4 June 1942
Midway
It's 4 June 1942, the dawn of the epic "Battle of Midway," a clash of giants, three US carriers vs four Japanese carriers that proved to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific. For more information, both real-life and how I'm running this campaign, please check here:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2019/11/battle-of-midway-campaign-plan.html
Yesterday at 0900 a US Navy PBY Catalina spotted Japanese ships 500nm west southwest of Midway; B-17s from the island were dispatched but failed to hit anything. US Navy PBYs continued to shadow the Japanese surface force, and actually attacked at 0100 this morning, scoring a torpedo hit on a Japanese merchant ship. Unbeknownst to US personnel, the Japanese carrier task force, as yet still unspotted, launched its first strike group against Midway at 0430. At 0530, the PBYs spotted the Japanese carriers, and noted their strike group inbound.
At 0610 the VMF-343 "Dirt Divers" scrambled six F4F Wildcats to intercept an inbound group of six D3A "Val" dive bombers escorted by four A6M "Zeros," but were roughly handled, having three Wildcats shot down and the other three damaged, as the Japanese lost one Zero and one Val. The Japanese aerial attack caused 18/30 damage points.
At 0625 Captain Haynes led six Wildcats to intercept an inbound group of six B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers escorted by four A6M "Zeros." Again it was rough: the Marines lost five of six aircraft, with one pilot KIA, one MIA, and two WIA, while the Japanese lost four of their six torpedo bombers, which did light damage to Midway's shore installations (26/30, total).
At 0645 Major Chandler led four Dirt Divers in escort of a flight of six TBF torpedo bombers to attack the Japanese carriers, running right into the Japanese CAP of six Zeros, and it was a debacle: the Americans lost one Wildcat and five TBFs, the last being damaged and forced to return to base without even spotting the Japanese carriers. Oh, and the Japanese did lose two Zeros, but they were both to the TBFs!!!
It's now 0715, and 2nd Lt Herman is leading a flight of four Wildcats in escort of six SBD Dauntless dive bombers from Marine Scouting-Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241), up against six Zeros of the Japanese Combat Air Patrol.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNtnoMNGAvA/Xc8qO6sW_2I/AAAAAAAAvTc/dx84gW_5Se0vit3JA0AeebsGCOc2q8unACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9628.JPG)
My SBD Dauntlesses, so pretty. I've been in love with the shape of that aircraft since I was a kid. Does thinking an airplane is pretty makes me a weirdo? ;)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-amAGuJLltPI/Xc8q0ZoLh1I/AAAAAAAAvUk/cHOfrNewWKYb0tLTwgeYFdMlLrAsiZC6wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9640.JPG)
Zeros and Wildcats mixing it up.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8vugcg3GivI/Xc8tVJTV45I/AAAAAAAAvaE/u0oPEcUaNOc-Lx4Ee2kEOu-NV8Fv2-eTgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9702.JPG)
The Dauntlesses getting roughly handled by the Japanese interceptors.
To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2019/12/battle-of-midway-fight-4.html?m=1
Next up, In any case, as mentioned, Lt Higbe is being summoned by Major Chandler for his third straight sortie. Major Chandler is leading in a flight of four US Army B-26s armed with torpedoes, looking to give this one more shot. Incidentally, this is the last US Marine fight at Midway, before turning it over to the US Navy's "Killer Pelicans." So I certainly hope it goes well.
V/R,
Jack
Loving these reports Jack. Keep 'em coming!
Ithoriel,
Thank you so much, I'm happy you are enjoying them, and very appreciative of you saying so!
And will do!
V/R,
Jack
A great game for the Marines! Keep them coming. :)
Meanwhile in Singapore.....http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,19243.0.html
Nice one Jack
Thanks guys, I appreciate it! And I've already been accused of cheating for the Marines; for the record, I have not yet begun to cheat! ;)
V/R,
Jack
All,
0800 local time
4 June 1942
Midway
It's 4 June 1942, the dawn of the epic "Battle of Midway," a clash of giants, three US carriers vs four Japanese carriers that proved to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific. For more information, both real-life and how I'm running this campaign, please check here:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2019/11/battle-of-midway-campaign-plan.html
Yesterday at 0900 a US Navy PBY Catalina spotted Japanese ships 500nm west southwest of Midway; B-17s from the island were dispatched but failed to hit anything. US Navy PBYs continued to shadow the Japanese surface force, and actually attacked at 0100 this morning, scoring a torpedo hit on a Japanese merchant ship. Unbeknownst to US personnel, the Japanese carrier task force, as yet still unspotted, launched its first strike group against Midway at 0430. At 0530, the PBYs spotted the Japanese carriers, and noted their strike group inbound.
At 0610, the VMF-343 "Dirt Divers" scrambled six F4F Wildcats to intercept an inbound group of six D3A "Val" dive bombers escorted by four A6M "Zeros," but were roughly handled, having three Wildcats shot down and the other three damaged, as the Japanese lost one Zero and one Val. The Japanese aerial attack caused 18/30 damage points.
At 0625, Captain Haynes led six Wildcats to intercept an inbound group of six B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers escorted by four A6M "Zeros." Again it was rough: the Marines lost five of six aircraft, with one pilot KIA, one MIA, and two WIA, while the Japanese lost four of their six torpedo bombers, which did light damage to Midway's shore installations (26/30, total).
At 0645, Major Chandler led four Dirt Divers in escort of a flight of six TBF torpedo bombers to attack the Japanese carriers, running right into the Japanese CAP of six Zeros, and it was a debacle: the Americans lost one Wildcat and five TBFs, the last being damaged and forced to return to base without even spotting the Japanese carriers. Oh, and the Japanese did lose two Zeros, but they were both to the TBFs!!!
At 0715, 2nd Lt Herman led a flight of four Wildcats in escort of six SBD Dauntless dive bombers from Marine Scouting-Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241), up against six Zeros of the Japanese Combat Air Patrol. The mission was sort of a success: five Zeros were downed (two by SBDs!) and the sixth was shot up, no Wildcats were lost, only three Dauntlesses were lost, but no hits were scored on the enemy carriers.
It's now 0800, and Major Chandler is leading a flight of four Wildcats on an escort mission for four US Army Air Corps B-26s specially modified to carry torpedoes. The Marine escorts have done a pretty good job so far of beating up on the Japanese CAP, so that the enemy is only able to get four Zeros in the air to oppose them.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYQwG20RR9M/Xc8x264VhyI/AAAAAAAAvcs/XD9FJPwzENMknFWBv6e8Wu-EMLcQWKTlwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9732.JPG)
The Marine escorts are getting caught out, staring, as the Japanese Zeros maneuver aggressively against the US bombers.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iHD5doXLLWw/Xc8yWmJijXI/AAAAAAAAveA/yNtOrShC0qIIwkRGBB54T9GhzpZJVhz9ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9744.JPG)
It's a furball, sky full of twisting planes and tracers.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKg5dfeEVlQ/Xc8yv0PC-XI/AAAAAAAAve0/Eit0hm1ShYstevy3lbecy3x0xhvucwwMwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9753.JPG)
Lt Cross nurses his wounded Wildcat home (bottom right) as Lt Higbe pulls onto a Zero's tail and opens fire. To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2020/03/battle-of-midway-fight-5.html
Next up, we're back to the US Navy's Killer Pelicans, which will see them carry out their (world famous) strikes on the Japanese carriers, then attempt to defend the Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown from the Japanese strikes. I expect the Navy pilots to do better, on two accounts: first, they have much more experienced pilots (having flown more sorties in the Dutch East Indies, and having fought at Coral Sea), and second, this is a campaign that is weighted towards the Americans, meaning the US forces had both the Dirt Divers and the Killer Pelicans committed, while the Japanese have considerably fewer fighters, and they've sustained significant losses in the first five fights.
Just saying the Marines did all the heavy lifting, so the Navy could slide in here and get four Japanese carriers ;)
V/R,
Jack
Thanks Jack - a rainy dull day in post Op brightened by your eye candy and VERY readable narrative . Thank you ! James
So B-26s don't make good torpedo bombers - who'da thunk it :)
Good post, as ever, Jack
:-bd =D> :-bd
Thanks guys, I appreciate the kind words, always good to be back here posting batreps again, and my pleasure, James!
I've got six more of these to post, should be able to get them out two per week, and I've got ten (10!) fights in Greece with KG Klink to get typed up and posted after that.
V/R,
Jack
You have been busy :) :) :)
Paul,
Not as busy as I'd like, but yeah, I've got some gaming in, just taking me forever to get them written up.
Two boys playing baseball and a young lady playing volleyball, plus work, school for the kiddos, and my lovely wife are conspiring against me ;)
V/R,
Jack
All,
1010 local time
4 June 1942
Midway
It's 4 June 1942, the dawn of the epic "Battle of Midway," a clash of giants, three US carriers vs four Japanese carriers that proved to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific. For more information, both real-life and how I'm running this campaign, please check here:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2019/11/battle-of-midway-campaign-plan.html
Yesterday at 0900 a US Navy PBY Catalina spotted Japanese ships 500nm west southwest of Midway; B-17s from the island were dispatched but failed to hit anything. US Navy PBYs continued to shadow the Japanese surface force, and actually attacked at 0100 this morning, scoring a torpedo hit on a Japanese merchant ship. Unbeknownst to US personnel, the Japanese carrier task force, as yet still unspotted, launched its first strike group against Midway at 0430. At 0530, the PBYs spotted the Japanese carriers, and noted their strike group inbound.
At 0610, the VMF-343 "Dirt Divers" scrambled six F4F Wildcats to intercept an inbound group of six D3A "Val" dive bombers escorted by four A6M "Zeros," but were roughly handled, having three Wildcats shot down and the other three damaged, as the Japanese lost one Zero and one Val. The Japanese aerial attack caused 18/30 damage points.
At 0625, Captain Haynes led six Wildcats to intercept an inbound group of six B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers escorted by four A6M "Zeros." Again it was rough: the Marines lost five of six aircraft, with one pilot KIA, one MIA, and two WIA, while the Japanese lost four of their six torpedo bombers, which did light damage to Midway's shore installations (26/30, total).
At 0645, Major Chandler led four Dirt Divers in escort of a flight of six TBF torpedo bombers to attack the Japanese carriers, running right into the Japanese CAP of six Zeros, and it was a debacle: the Americans lost one Wildcat and five TBFs, the last being damaged and forced to return to base without even spotting the Japanese carriers. Oh, and the Japanese did lose two Zeros, but they were both to the TBFs!!!
At 0715, 2nd Lt Herman led a flight of four Wildcats in escort of six SBD Dauntless dive bombers from Marine Scouting-Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241), up against six Zeros of the Japanese Combat Air Patrol. The mission was sort of a success: five Zeros were downed (two by SBDs!) and the sixth was shot up, no Wildcats were lost, only three Dauntlesses were lost, but no hits were scored on the enemy carriers.
At 0800, Major Chandler is led a flight of four Wildcats on an escort mission for four US Army Air Corps B-26s specially modified to carry torpedoes. The Marines lost two Wildcats and had another damaged, and two B-26s, with another damaged, while the Japanese lost all four CAP Zeros, though one was shot down by a US bomber. The lone B-26 to reach the Japanese fleet missed on its torpedo run and, to add insult to injury, Major Chandler was one of the Marines shot down, and he was badly wounded.
It's now 1010, and LtCmdr Case, the Ace squadron leader of the Killer Pelicans and winner of the Medal of Honor, is leading a flight of four Wildcats in escort of six TBD Devastators (that look a lot like TBF Avengers because I don't have any TBDs) hoping (against history) to put some torpedoes into the Japanese carriers. They will face six Zeros flying Combat Air Patrol for the Japanese fleet.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQFnOYX-8ok/Xe1YPp_B5aI/AAAAAAAAwIE/xqSHugVr1bE8v0h3yIPSjeBS_ldVuAUGACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG)
And the fight begins with LtCmdr Case, the hero of the Dutch East Indies, acting out in his characteristically aggressive manner: the American Ace pushes his Wildcat ahead and cuts right, taking a high-deflection shot on Zero 02.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6Ir334d5ds/Xe1YeP09v_I/AAAAAAAAwIk/RIDU6DuunJI-SMyia6ce3oDccWy8abaMQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0142.JPG)
But that aggression allows the Zeros to team up on his wingman.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-HnNrdDPD0/Xe1Y3TS00OI/AAAAAAAAwJU/H3Kg5b5-jdsRrLkYvDmokwC35ZnC2oluQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0151.JPG)
The Zeros get on the American torpedo bombers.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QkU6PJipTFg/Xe1ZPRcr45I/AAAAAAAAwKI/oS8o4aOewhwTiWzKTZFIS7xk-VNfp4WCwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG)
And they begin dropping like flies...
To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2020/03/battle-of-midway-fight-6.html
So that sucked, but the Killer Pelicans are right back in it, escorting the SBD Dauntlesses that did all the damage ("Scratch Four Flattops!") in real life, so let's see how it goes.
V/R,
Jack
What a fight!
:-bd =D> :-bd
Lemmey - Only if you enjoy watching me get the piss beat out of me! ;)
Thanks, Paul!
V/R,
Jack
Always back the underdog, Sorry! :D :-[
I figured my bad die rolls and poor decision making made the Americans the underdogs! ;)
V/R,
Jack
All,
1025 local time
4 June 1942
Midway
It's 4 June 1942, the dawn of the epic "Battle of Midway," a clash of giants, three US carriers vs four Japanese carriers that proved to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific. For more information, both real-life and how I'm running this campaign, please check here:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2019/11/battle-of-midway-campaign-plan.html
Yesterday at 0900 a US Navy PBY Catalina spotted Japanese ships 500nm west southwest of Midway; B-17s from the island were dispatched but failed to hit anything. US Navy PBYs continued to shadow the Japanese surface force, and actually attacked at 0100 this morning, scoring a torpedo hit on a Japanese merchant ship. Unbeknownst to US personnel, the Japanese carrier task force, as yet still unspotted, launched its first strike group against Midway at 0430. At 0530, the PBYs spotted the Japanese carriers, and noted their strike group inbound.
At 0610, the VMF-343 "Dirt Divers" scrambled six F4F Wildcats to intercept an inbound group of six D3A "Val" dive bombers escorted by four A6M "Zeros," but were roughly handled, having three Wildcats shot down and the other three damaged, as the Japanese lost one Zero and one Val. The Japanese aerial attack caused 18/30 damage points.
At 0625, Captain Haynes led six Wildcats to intercept an inbound group of six B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers escorted by four A6M "Zeros." Again it was rough: the Marines lost five of six aircraft, with one pilot KIA, one MIA, and two WIA, while the Japanese lost four of their six torpedo bombers, which did light damage to Midway's shore installations (26/30, total).
At 0645, Major Chandler led four Dirt Divers in escort of a flight of six TBF torpedo bombers to attack the Japanese carriers, running right into the Japanese CAP of six Zeros, and it was a debacle: the Americans lost one Wildcat and five TBFs, the last being damaged and forced to return to base without even spotting the Japanese carriers. Oh, and the Japanese did lose two Zeros, but they were both to the TBFs!!!
At 0715, 2nd Lt Herman led a flight of four Wildcats in escort of six SBD Dauntless dive bombers from Marine Scouting-Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241), up against six Zeros of the Japanese Combat Air Patrol. The mission was sort of a success: five Zeros were downed (two by SBDs!) and the sixth was shot up, no Wildcats were lost, only three Dauntlesses were lost, but no hits were scored on the enemy carriers.
At 0800, Major Chandler is led a flight of four Wildcats on an escort mission for four US Army Air Corps B-26s specially modified to carry torpedoes. The Marines lost two Wildcats and had another damaged, and two B-26s, with another damaged, while the Japanese lost all four CAP Zeros, though one was shot down by a US bomber. The lone B-26 to reach the Japanese fleet missed on its torpedo run and, to add insult to injury, Major Chandler was one of the Marines shot down, and he was badly wounded.
At 1010, and LtCmdr Case, the Ace squadron leader of the Killer Pelicans and winner of the Medal of Honor, lead a flight of four Wildcats in escort of six TBD Devastators against the Japanese carriers. They faced six Zeros, and it wasn't pretty: Ensign Warren was shot down, two more Wildcats were damaged, and all six Devastators were shot down, at the cost of only three Zeros, two of which were shot down by the torpedo bombers!
It's now 1025, and Lt (jg) Dahgren is leading a flight of four Wildcats in escort of six SBD Dauntless dive bombers from VSB-6 ("Scouting Six"), hoping to replicate what their real life predecessors did ("Scratch Four Flattops!"), facing a Japanese CAP of four Zeros.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwpbwC3z1S8/Xe1dg4J_GsI/AAAAAAAAwOo/rKYcWbrwGWI39nLAOG2fGKVaBW2ed-CiACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0210.JPG)
The Japanese waste no time in getting after the Dauntlesses.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CSqLfwo8o2A/Xe1djKAn_nI/AAAAAAAAwOs/fWn4kyivdWs1pvU1xNM4JXX3G1lC-vT6gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0211.JPG)
But the Wildcats have done a good job of sticking close and get right after them.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lWGKPBCEGCo/Xe1duhrOAJI/AAAAAAAAwPI/cjFohdQAYzk2BK1e5-to675bjivpPPU4QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0215.JPG)
So the Japanese peel off some Zeros to deal with the escorts.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpPODl-oCF0/Xe1gPmIRCqI/AAAAAAAAwUc/n588fr1Bf2gK-Gv2zH8g435npnIC-zbTACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG)
Did something good just happen for the Pelicans? 'Bout time!
To see how the fight went, please check the blot at:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2020/03/battle-of-midway-fight-7.html
So not great, but some damage was done as part of the overall war effort. Lt French spots Lt Cmdr Case inbound at the head of a formation of SBDs from "Bombing Six," and the boss is signaling him to have all airworthy fighters form up to escort them in. Tally ho!
V/R,
Jack
Love the carrier, great report
:-bd =D> :-bd
Thanks guys!
V/R,
Jack
Your VSB-6 did remarkably well, given their historical counterparts faced a CAP that was largely down at wave-top height massacring torpedo bombers!
Run it again with a single Zero and see how the Japanese fair :)
Good stuff ... when are your reports not!?
Ithoriel,
You're too kind, thank you, thank you!
Yeah, I let the Japanese have CAP up to face the dive bombers as well, gotta up the difficulty level.
Again, I appreciate it, always good to know there are folks out there reading and enjoying these.
V/R,
Jack
All,
1035 local time
4 June 1942
Midway
It's now 1035, and Lt Cmdr Case has re-formed a group of three Wildcats to lead the final strike of six SBD Dauntless dive bombers from VB-6 ("Bombing Six"), hoping to surpass the achievements of their compadres in Scouting Six. They are facing a reduced Japanese CAP of two Zeros.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DE7fUOEAWSQ/XkcJ5TEvgjI/AAAAAAAAwsM/MFSemryG1ggFBCzIPKLEZwe83ITrhJ8sgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG)
Wildcats swarming on Zeros for a change!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AbLVTq9BcoU/XkcJ9gHoGKI/AAAAAAAAwsU/Ib6onGzz-2MUYQ16qx2bhS_Y2WngID8SwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0593.JPG)
But the @#$%ers still get through...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7WDf9YT5Mvc/XkcKipV4eJI/AAAAAAAAwt0/hh4fnjg5WlsmDDq87QdgG9u4_hct8XhegCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0610.JPG)
But numbers and firepower begin to tell as Lt French pulls onto a Zero's tail and gives him the what for...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHsadxHJvss/XkcKnEGXaWI/AAAAAAAAwt8/jYSpj_2uuhM-rxYlhzdScZQnX0VbFkxaACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0612.JPG)
That looks so much better! Yes, 5 of 6 SBD Dauntlesses actually made it to the target area.
To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2020/03/battle-of-midway-fight-8.html
So while these guys are cruising home, we're going to flip over to Lt Chipman leading a six-plane CAP, going up to intercept a flight of Japanese 'Val' dive bombers closing on the USS Yorktown.
V/R,
Jack
:-bd =D> :-bd
:o
Squeak! :o
Thanks Paul, and squeak back to Lemmey.
V/R,
Jack
Thanks Jack- this C19 virus has made me turn back to solo gaming. Your battle reps are a little ray of sunshine and inspiration. Take care . James
James,
Thank you, Sir, I appreciate it, glad to make your day! I appreciate it so much, in fact, that I'm going to post a third one this week, just for you! ;)
This means I'll finish up Midway next week, then it's back to KG Klink for their campaign in Greece.
V/R,
Jack
All,
1200 local time
4 June 1942
Midway
It's 4 June 1942, the dawn of the epic "Battle of Midway," a clash of giants, three US carriers vs four Japanese carriers that proved to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific. For more information, both real-life and how I'm running this campaign, please check here:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2019/11/battle-of-midway-campaign-plan.html
It's now 1200, and the Japanese strike group has found the USS Yorktown! Lt (jg) Chipman leads a CAP of six F4F Wildcats over to intercept a flight of six D3A "Val" dive bombers escorted by four Zeros.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POu30TC5wtM/Xkcd4BSEPAI/AAAAAAAAw0g/QIK2zmel1YMbuIYjjPI6qRwPerUs7wEogCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0678.JPG)
The American CAP, from top left to bottom:
Ensign Theisman, a Rookie that was shot down at Coral Sea on his first sortie
Lt (jg) Chipman, a Veteran with three kills on four sorties
Ensign Walton, a Rookie on his first combat mission
Lt (jg) Head, a Veteran with four and one half kills on four sorties
Ensign Manley, a Regular with one and one half kills on two sorties
Ensign Bowles, a Rookie on his first combat mission
The Yorktown lays in the background, hoping to not catch any Japanese bombs...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F-xuPEJuaeA/Xkcd2zzTigI/AAAAAAAAw0c/eN9n5vYHDL4QqdeayR54uRl2Aa51iysbgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0679.JPG)
The Japanese strike group, from top right to bottom left:
Zero 02, a Veteran
Zero 01, an Ace
Val 06 Val 03
Val 04 Val 01
Val 05 Val 02
Zero 03, a Natural Born Killer
Zero 04, a Veteran
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ayERM-2sp4/XkcL3d-eLBI/AAAAAAAAwvM/ssxeC4ptQU40YPukUTonPEqrV1Hfc8A2ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0623.JPG)
Wildcats swarm the Japanese escorts, making head-on and high-angle attacks on them, looking to knock them out of the sky and deal with the enemy dive bombers at their leisure.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gtlo4hdCaMM/XkcMNDMZvjI/AAAAAAAAwv8/4bgfg3V-So8UNJeoppUyvX2h0Bam0TArQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0633.JPG)
Some slick flying by Lt (jg) Head.
To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2020/03/battle-of-midway-fight-9.html
Things are looking up: for the moment, the skies are clear. Lt (jg) Head got to set his damaged Wildcat down, and the net set of CAP refueled and launched. A couple hours later the klaxons sounded again: inbound bogeys, this time a flight of Kates torpedo bombers!
V/R,
Jack
X_X
Yeah, it just gets uglier and uglier, don't it? ;)
V/R,
Jack
Quote from: bigjackmac on 21 March 2020, 02:51:54 PM
Yeah, it just gets uglier and uglier, don't it? ;)
V/R,
Jack
Ouch......
I set up my next Buffalo mission last night that I will play out today.....its 10 December 1941 and RAF Far East HQ has decided on an all out attack on the Japanese beachhead at Kota Baru......so the Buffaloes have been temporarily detached north to operate from Kuantan to escort two flights of Vildebeest torpedo bombers on an early morning raid on the Japanese transports just offshore....but as the raiders approach the target area Kapito Red One spots the defending CAP approaching.....this time its at least one section of nimble Ki-27 "Nates"......can they stop the Nates from decimating the lumbering biplanes (which only have a speed of 2 and have 30 odd squares to cross before they can launch their torpedos....)?
Good luck with your next mission Jack....My daughter decided to wake up extra early today so I am wide awake now ;)
What a scrap
Thanks guys, and sounds awesome, Pierre, I can't wait to see it.
It's funny to hear someone say "...the nimble Nates," but then I remember you're guys are using Buffaloes! Good luck!
V/R,
Jack
All,
1425 local time
4 June 1942
Midway
It's 4 June 1942, the dawn of the epic "Battle of Midway," a clash of giants, three US carriers vs four Japanese carriers that proved to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific. For more information, both real-life and how I'm running this campaign, please check here:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2019/11/battle-of-midway-campaign-plan.html
To catch up on all the old fights, please click here:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2019/11/battle-of-midway-fight-1.html
It's now 1425, and a flight of B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers is inbound, escorted by four Zeros. Lt Fitzsimmons, the Squadron XO, leads the six-ship CAP up to meet them.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MQ9yrUZFbUg/Xkce_WS37EI/AAAAAAAAw18/z9D46En_yl4Calb2y2rYptYUNJk4yse7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0693.JPG)
The super-maneuverable Zeros flown by super-experienced pilots are known to give the Yanks a hard time...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_oUXzSWSTs/XkcfsgMQYYI/AAAAAAAAw3o/OmtfTaoqW3IlUgsaXUcCGgx8-8pk-glSgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG)
But some of the foxes manage to get into the henhouse!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mrPywoIZBgM/Xkm9s1A2wUI/AAAAAAAAw58/tMewrq54hQwkfH_CBcJSBE-xD-u0iJAGACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0739.JPG)
And while the Americans take their lumps...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKyU6yHU1EU/Xkm-nyA1nSI/AAAAAAAAw8I/KfgPyn1XzbMdkR6i8722cu0ACH7fZYU4wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0763.JPG)
But they show pretty well, too.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YC5Bcnl5kE4/Xkm-xElRAOI/AAAAAAAAw8g/acaFwejOxVgSixBuAg-WZNcK-D1nAtU4gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0767.JPG)
Though not well enough...
To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2020/03/battle-of-midway-fight-10.html
Well, this has been incredibly ugly, and there's one more to go. The Japanese dive bomber and torpedo attacks damaged the Yorktown and Enterprise, but flight operations continue. The last Japanese carrier, the Hiryu has been sighted, and it's all hands on deck. The planes have launched, and we've got LtCmdr Case leading the last three Wildcats in escort of six SBD Dauntlesses.
V/R,
Jack
:-bd =D> :-bd
Ouch
Thanks guys.
V/R,
Jack
All,
1700 local time
4 June 1942
Midway
It's 4 June 1942, the dawn of the epic "Battle of Midway," a clash of giants, three US carriers vs four Japanese carriers that proved to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific. For more information, both real-life and how I'm running this campaign, please check here:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2019/11/battle-of-midway-campaign-plan.html
It's now 1700, and as the sun is settling into the ocean, LtCmdr Case is escorting a flight of SBD Dauntlesses out to sink the fourth Japanese carrier, the Hiryu.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BngmKYszWsU/XknAEC2vyzI/AAAAAAAAw9g/JMTDSv2Qsf8z159-Q4Bq7ELLawi6JbvXgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0777.JPG)
The Japanese fighters zoom on in, very aggressive, as normal.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J_4phivTHKg/XknALQafoXI/AAAAAAAAw90/h93dsIV-UqYRqzlpgLgdOZM7dM2uyUgEACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0781.JPG)
Ensign Bryant in there, mixing it up, despite his Wildcat being damaged!
(http://://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hji7xKN8S4/XknAe4k6ITI/AAAAAAAAw-s/nY7qYvmxtQge3dKUj96-yreu_VUiJhM0ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0790.JPG)
The Zeros begin making their runs on the Dauntlesses.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--9a4Cs8AS14/XknBH8MkiPI/AAAAAAAAxAI/1V2aiVbEHuo8ME_nhT3w8EzKbCjn9FD4wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0811.JPG)
But the bombers get through! Largely on the work of the dive bomber crews, themselves...
To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2020/03/battle-of-midway-fight-11.html
If you made it this far, thanks for reading all these, I hope you enjoyed them. I had fun, but I can't say it was a lot of fun, just too many ass-whoopins for my taste! It pains me to no end to know that the US Army Air Force is performing better than my sailors and beloved Marines...
Thus ends Midway, the (in my humble opinion) true turning point of the War in the Pacific. Yes, the war would continue for three more years of hard-fighting, and yes, of course, Guadalcanal was no sure thing; as a Marine, I'd love to say that Guadalcanal was the turning point, but the truth is that the US never won before Midway, and never lost afterward (I don't mean setbacks or battles like Savo Island, I mean campaigns).
I brought my Marines (VMF-343, the "Dirt Divers"), stationed aboard Midway, and my Naval aviators (VF-63, the "Killer Pelicans"), stationed aboard the USS Yorktown. While there were some individual successes, we lost way too many planes, scored too few victories, and lost too many pilots. Here is the breakdown:
VMF-343 Dirt Divers
Escorted 24 bombers of various types, lost 14 of them
Intercepted 12 bombers of various types, stopped 4 of them
Killed 7 enemy fighters (another 4 were killed by bomber crews)
Lost 11 of the squadron's fighters (2 to enemy bomber crews)
No pilots became Aces, none were decorated
Three pilots KIA or MIA, one seriously wounded
VF-63 Killer Pelicans
Escorted 16 bombers of various types, lost 10 of them
Intercepted 12 bombers of various types, stopped 6 of them
Killed 7 enemy fighters (another 6 were killed by bomber crews)
Lost 13 of the squadron's fighters (2 to enemy bomber crews)
Four pilots became Aces, three Bronze Star w/V awarded
Six pilots KIA or MIA, three seriously wounded
Total:
Escorted 40 bombers of various types, lost 24 of them
Intercepted 24 bombers of various types, stopped 10 of them
Killed 24 enemy fighters (ten were killed by bomber crews)
Lost 24 friendly fighters (4 to enemy bomber crews)
So, not particularly pretty. The US fighters shot down 14 Zeros, the Japanese fighters shot down 20 Wildcats, with the Japanese often being out numbered, though I must point out that the Japanese always had a qualitative advantage, sometimes quite significantly.
I plan on playing a week with the Chickenhawks in New Guinea, P-40s vs Zeros, with the Japanese maintaining their qualitative advantage, but when we get to Guadalcanal things are going to begin to change as cumulative losses begin to tell on the Japanese, and their aircraft advantage will go away as Wildcats and P-40s are replaced by Corsairs, Hellcats, and Lightnings. Actually, the Japanese aircraft advantage will be nullified over Guadalcanal as I look to show the advantage the Marines had operating over the 'Canal, compared with the Japanese operating at the edge of their 'legs,' coming all the way from Rabaul.
Lastly, there is one bit of good news: A PBY out of Midway was patrolling wide swaths of ocean several days after the battle when the pilot suddenly had sunlight glare off of something on the water. "What the hell?" the pilot commented to himself as it happened several more times. He leaned over to his half-asleep co-pilot: "Barney, do see that there," he said, pointing. "Put the glasses on it and tell me what ya got." The co-pilot rubbed his eyes and pulled the binoculars to his face, scanning. "Damn, Roger, it's a lifeboat." The co-pilot called the sighting in to Midway, then they set down and, lo and behold, who did they fish out of the great Pacific Ocean but the hotshot fighter ace, Lt Fitzsimmons, winner of the Navy Cross, with five kills on four sorties! Thanks Kyote and Shaun ;)
Stay tuned!
V/R,
Jack
:-bd =D> :-bd
Midway was definitely the 'end of the beginning' as the first major reverse for the Japanese, one their naval air arm never recovered from
Coral Sea was a check rather than a reverse
Guadalcanal was the first major step on the long path back and a major drain on the Japanese navy in particular
Yes Sir, I agree wholeheartedly! Looking at the rosters, the Marines are still hurting, but the Navy squadron came out of that looking pretty good, actually, with four Aces and two Veterans (and another Ace convalescing but coming back at the end of Sep 1942)! So they'll be alright in the long run. The Army Air Corps boys are okay, with two Aces and two Veterans, with a Veteran recovering and returning in July 1942, but what's really hurting them is they've had two Aces shot down and off the rolls (one MIA and one KIA).
All the Marines have is one Veteran, and another convalescing! But that will all change once we get to Guadalcanal; if they survive!
V/R,
Jack
Looking forward to the exploits of the Cactus Air Force!
Me too, it's going to be intense!
V/R,
Jack