AAR: Midway rising - Find the Flat Tops (Agaki Squadron, 352nd Kokutai, Carrier Sōryū

[marcoperse]

After a short briefing in the wardroom, the Agaki Squadron were ready for the next mission. “それは思ったほど簡単ではないかもしれない”(it could be not so easy as it seems) the Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo' said, but all the pilots were optimist since their last victory.



The first patrol was formed by the Squadron Leader Akira Yamamoto and the Flying Lieutenant Tetsuo
Iwamoto, both flying with their beloved Mitsubushi A6M2 Reisen “Zero”.
They had no more hopes to find US carriers and started to U turn their planes when suddenly some planes appeared on the horizon. They tried to move to the blind sides of Grummans, before their enemies did the same and like ruthless 鷹 (hayabusa=hawks) they came unexpectedly on the Yankees.



With a single burst Iwamoto shot down the nearest and the american pilot have neither time to realize what was happening.
The american leader saw the Zeros coming and suddenly sped up saving himself from a big shot from Yamamoto and taking only minor damages.




Then the dance of the death began.



The plane started to turn around, when finally the japanese squadron did the best move with a sharp turn that placed them on the unprotected american side. First the Grumman F4F-4 and then the Grumman F4F-3 took their portion of lead.





With a perfect Immelmann Yamamoto and Iwamoto placed their Zeros behind enemy tails and started to take care of their opponents.





Iwamoto gave his imprint shooting down the american leader and Yamamoto gave peace to the last hopeless Grumman.







“天皇は感謝するでしょう” (the Emperor will be grateful for your efforts) said the Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo at the radio while the officers were flying back to the carrier.







I discovered the Dreadfleet mat in a box I have, so I could finally play above a painted ocean!! Anyway the battle was awsome with the Zeros flattening US planes. I followed Sven's suggestion to not break formation and I succeeded to stay in their 9-10 zone and so (with a little bit of luck in dice throwing: I had the god of dice on my side!!!) they could only move in circle and taking all the lead they could receive from my planes.
Last but not least I realized only in the last fight that I used B damage deck for Zeros through all the game: but this didn't stop me to be victorious

GLORY TO THE EMPEROR AND NIPPON BANZAI!!!!

Marco

[Marechallannes]

With the first Grumman Wildcat shot down with a yellow "A" explosion I think the wrong damage counters haven't change the final result.

But next time - pilot - take care for such essential things.

There are great differences between the "B" and "C" damage counters.



Good written report, Marco.



How much damage took your Zeros vs. the AI controlled Wildcats?

[marcoperse]

How much damage took your Zeros vs. the AI controlled Wildcats?

Nothing but 5 damages Yamamoto and 3 Iwamoto. I spent all the game on Grumman's side, so they could shoot me only once!!! They started to fly in circle when I intercepted them and never stop 'til the end

Marco

[Marechallannes]

Too bad for those rookies.

[Nightbomber]

Well done Marco! I love the report and especially the Dreadfleet mat - it's a great idea to use it I own the game as well and must try to use that fantastic mat as well.

Poor Wildcats...


Anyway - have you played the Dreadfleet already?

[marcoperse]

Well done Marco! I love the report and especially the Dreadfleet mat - it's a great idea to use it I own the game as well and must try to use that fantastic mat as well.

Poor Wildcats...


Anyway - have you played the Dreadfleet already?

I never played a single match. As you can see in my albums I finished to paint all the scenario stuff (don't know if this is the correct word), then I discovered WOW...

I promised myself to start painting them once again, but they are still waiting...

The mat is great but you have to put something under it otherwise is quite difficult to grab flight stands to move planes.

Marco

[Flying Officer Kyte]

だから、大将が言ったよりも簡単だった。
Kyte.

[marcoperse]

だから、大将が言ったよりも簡単だった。
Kyte.

I tried to translate but online translators suck! What did you wrote?

Marco

[csadn]

[rolls eyes] So apparently the Japanese won WW2....

[Marechallannes]

Kyte said:

Young Samurai - your best parts need to grow before you can mess with the US-Navy.

(old Japanese wisdom)

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I tried to translate but online translators suck! What did you wrote?

Marco

So it was easier than the General said.
Rob.