gully_raker
04-26-2013, 18:36
Preamble: As Halvo & the boys were away North on school holidays I thought I would use our club games night to try out my first Solo Game using RB/Blackronan's rules & decided to use my new Beaufighters in a WW2 scenario loosly based on the actions around the Bismark Sea when USAF & RAAF forces destroyed a convoy of Jap ships carrying supplies to their forces in New Guinea. In this scenario 2 Beaus were sent on a mission to destroy 2 freighters landing supplies on Mullumgimbi Island which was defended by 2 Zeros & 2 A firing Machineguns near the Wharf. One Freighter was unloading Avgas in drums onto barges whilst the one at the wharf was unloading ammunition. I flew the 2 Beaus & AI flew the Zeros.
87854
30 Squadron RAAF was established in early 1942 at Richmond Air Base in NSW & after some months intensive training on their new Beaufighters were sent to Townsville Qld to carry out Convoy patrols & other duties. When considered combat ready the Squadron was sent to Port Morsby in New Guinea to harras Japanese Shipping & strafe ground forces & Airfields.
30 Sqd had now been in Morsby for some 6 weeks when the CO called two of his best crews to a briefing.
" 'Mornin Lads! got an interesting job for you for dawn tomorrow. One of our Catalinas spotted 2 Jap freighters heading for Mullumginbi definately carrying Fuel & Ammo to their base there. Now I want you Lofty to lead the mission & Frank will fly as your wingman. Set out as the sun comes up & with a bit of luck & the quiteness of the Beaus sleeve valve engines you should catch the little yellow "B"s off guard.
Lofty Hill called his crew of Navigator Mike Connor & Co Pilot/Bomadier "Ginger" Meggs plus Frank Findlay, Nav. "Curley" Bryden & Bomadier Barney Buckworth together to nut out the mission.
"Frank I want you to run interferance on any Nip aircraft in the Area whilst my mob will concentrate on the ships. Of course as we go in you hit anything you can but your main job will be to keep them off my tail!"
As the two Beaufighters approached the Island they saw as expected the two freighters in the harbour. One was alongside the wharf & the other was unloading Fuel drums onto barges to be carried to the beach for transport.
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As they approached the Ships Lofty saw a mottled camo Zero on the landing strip apparently readying for take off & another grey Zero flying on the far side of the Island. There were also 2 AA Machinegun nests around the wharf.
"Tally HO! Chaps, lets sock it to them before we get jumped. Frank pass behind me & have a crack at the one at the wharf & then go after that taxiing Zero"
87857
Swooping in Lofty aimed his guns at the two barges which were loaded with petrol drums.
8783787838
"BINGO!" shouted Lofty as he saw his cannon & machinegun bullets rip into the Barges ".
8783987840
Frank Findlay now wheeled his aircraft around & attacked the freighter at the wharf whilst both Beaufighters suffered hits from the Machineguns on the Wharf.
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Franks crew warned him of a grey Zero coming in from his starboard rear so he opened the throttle & headed for the mottled Zero which had now climbed towards them. Meanwhile Lofty had flown inland to check the enemy aircrafts position & to prepare to immleman to return to attack the ships when safe to do so. However the mottled Zero in usual Jap fashion made a head on pass & they exchanged fire with the Beaus heavier armament causing the most damage.
87843
Frank now headed towards the grey Zero & again relying on the Beau's superior weapons & strength exchanged close range shots.
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He was alarmed to hear a cry from behind him as Barney yelled "Im hit!". A Jap machine gun bullet had penetrated the Beaus fuselage & passed through the meaty part of his thigh. Curley quickly got to him & checked the damage & compressed the wound with a field dressing. "He'll be OK skipper" called Curley, "Just hope you fixed that little Nip!" Sure enough the last exchange had sent the Zero crashing into the Island. However the Beaufighter had suffered terminal damage & glided out over the ocean to ditch with the crew taking to their rubber dingy to await either rescue or capture.
In the meantime Lofty had closed on the other Zero & again at close range had blasted the Jap fighter from the sky. Now unimpeaded by enemy aircraft he again turned to attack the freighters.
As he straffed the one unloading at the wharf a lucky shot caused the Ammunition on the ship to explode!
8784687847
Lofty had radioed to Frank to head for home with his wounded crewman whilst he made another attempt to sink the final freighter which had been unloading the fuel drums but was dismayed to hear the aircraft was ditching.
"I will radio for a Cat to come & get you fellows" After two passes he was rewarded to see it on fire & settling into the waters of the bay. "Job done he thought, just hope the boys ditch safely!" "Now back to Base to report & have a few cold beers to celebrate!"
87849
After landing & checking that indeed their mates had been rescued by a PBY & that Barney was not serverly injured the successful crew posed for a photograph to celebrate a most sucessful mission. 2 ships, 2 barges & a Zero to their credit.
87851
Left to Right "Lofty" Hill. "Ginger" Meggs & Mike Connor.
The Allied damage bill:
8785287853
AA COMMENTRY:
As stated this was my first attempt at a Solo Game & I was suprised at how effective the system was. The 2 Zeros were most effective & if it had not been for the superior armament of the Beaufighters it could have been even closer. Once the Zeros were dispatched the remaining effective Beau which had suffered min damage was able to complete the destruction of the ships notwithstanding the chance of further damage from the MG's.
I allocated the Freighters 20 points of Damage but would still have been successful if they were 25 pts. A lucky Explosion card helped. The Barges were only 5 points as the ones used by the Japs were pretty flimsy.
All in all I really enjoyed my first Solo experience & got through it fairly easily.:D
Incidently you might notice I was using normal scout bases for my Beaus as both boxes were missing the Aircraft Base & Card. All other items Pegs & manouver decks were OK.
87854
30 Squadron RAAF was established in early 1942 at Richmond Air Base in NSW & after some months intensive training on their new Beaufighters were sent to Townsville Qld to carry out Convoy patrols & other duties. When considered combat ready the Squadron was sent to Port Morsby in New Guinea to harras Japanese Shipping & strafe ground forces & Airfields.
30 Sqd had now been in Morsby for some 6 weeks when the CO called two of his best crews to a briefing.
" 'Mornin Lads! got an interesting job for you for dawn tomorrow. One of our Catalinas spotted 2 Jap freighters heading for Mullumginbi definately carrying Fuel & Ammo to their base there. Now I want you Lofty to lead the mission & Frank will fly as your wingman. Set out as the sun comes up & with a bit of luck & the quiteness of the Beaus sleeve valve engines you should catch the little yellow "B"s off guard.
Lofty Hill called his crew of Navigator Mike Connor & Co Pilot/Bomadier "Ginger" Meggs plus Frank Findlay, Nav. "Curley" Bryden & Bomadier Barney Buckworth together to nut out the mission.
"Frank I want you to run interferance on any Nip aircraft in the Area whilst my mob will concentrate on the ships. Of course as we go in you hit anything you can but your main job will be to keep them off my tail!"
As the two Beaufighters approached the Island they saw as expected the two freighters in the harbour. One was alongside the wharf & the other was unloading Fuel drums onto barges to be carried to the beach for transport.
8785587856
As they approached the Ships Lofty saw a mottled camo Zero on the landing strip apparently readying for take off & another grey Zero flying on the far side of the Island. There were also 2 AA Machinegun nests around the wharf.
"Tally HO! Chaps, lets sock it to them before we get jumped. Frank pass behind me & have a crack at the one at the wharf & then go after that taxiing Zero"
87857
Swooping in Lofty aimed his guns at the two barges which were loaded with petrol drums.
8783787838
"BINGO!" shouted Lofty as he saw his cannon & machinegun bullets rip into the Barges ".
8783987840
Frank Findlay now wheeled his aircraft around & attacked the freighter at the wharf whilst both Beaufighters suffered hits from the Machineguns on the Wharf.
87842
87841
Franks crew warned him of a grey Zero coming in from his starboard rear so he opened the throttle & headed for the mottled Zero which had now climbed towards them. Meanwhile Lofty had flown inland to check the enemy aircrafts position & to prepare to immleman to return to attack the ships when safe to do so. However the mottled Zero in usual Jap fashion made a head on pass & they exchanged fire with the Beaus heavier armament causing the most damage.
87843
Frank now headed towards the grey Zero & again relying on the Beau's superior weapons & strength exchanged close range shots.
87844
He was alarmed to hear a cry from behind him as Barney yelled "Im hit!". A Jap machine gun bullet had penetrated the Beaus fuselage & passed through the meaty part of his thigh. Curley quickly got to him & checked the damage & compressed the wound with a field dressing. "He'll be OK skipper" called Curley, "Just hope you fixed that little Nip!" Sure enough the last exchange had sent the Zero crashing into the Island. However the Beaufighter had suffered terminal damage & glided out over the ocean to ditch with the crew taking to their rubber dingy to await either rescue or capture.
In the meantime Lofty had closed on the other Zero & again at close range had blasted the Jap fighter from the sky. Now unimpeaded by enemy aircraft he again turned to attack the freighters.
As he straffed the one unloading at the wharf a lucky shot caused the Ammunition on the ship to explode!
8784687847
Lofty had radioed to Frank to head for home with his wounded crewman whilst he made another attempt to sink the final freighter which had been unloading the fuel drums but was dismayed to hear the aircraft was ditching.
"I will radio for a Cat to come & get you fellows" After two passes he was rewarded to see it on fire & settling into the waters of the bay. "Job done he thought, just hope the boys ditch safely!" "Now back to Base to report & have a few cold beers to celebrate!"
87849
After landing & checking that indeed their mates had been rescued by a PBY & that Barney was not serverly injured the successful crew posed for a photograph to celebrate a most sucessful mission. 2 ships, 2 barges & a Zero to their credit.
87851
Left to Right "Lofty" Hill. "Ginger" Meggs & Mike Connor.
The Allied damage bill:
8785287853
AA COMMENTRY:
As stated this was my first attempt at a Solo Game & I was suprised at how effective the system was. The 2 Zeros were most effective & if it had not been for the superior armament of the Beaufighters it could have been even closer. Once the Zeros were dispatched the remaining effective Beau which had suffered min damage was able to complete the destruction of the ships notwithstanding the chance of further damage from the MG's.
I allocated the Freighters 20 points of Damage but would still have been successful if they were 25 pts. A lucky Explosion card helped. The Barges were only 5 points as the ones used by the Japs were pretty flimsy.
All in all I really enjoyed my first Solo experience & got through it fairly easily.:D
Incidently you might notice I was using normal scout bases for my Beaus as both boxes were missing the Aircraft Base & Card. All other items Pegs & manouver decks were OK.