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Thread: AAR: Wake Island CAP

  1. #1

    Default AAR: Wake Island CAP

    Hiroyoshi Hanabusa was addressing the men in the briefing room. They had all gathered to hear the change of plans. "OK, as you may have heard we have been directed towards Wake Island to support the assault there. Our efforts there have been stalled by an unusual defence put up by the Americans. Recently they have sunk a pair of our destroyers and forced back a landing attempt. One of the destroyers was sunk by enemy fighters previously thought to have been destroyed. I will lead a flight and will be keeping my eyes out for these fighters. The other destroyer was sunk by shore batteries, this is where our bombers come in. Kuramoto will lead a pair of D3A1's to recon and harass the enemy coastal guns. Once they have been identified and hit we will send another wave to finish them off for good. Nishihara you will fly with him in the second bomber and I will be covering you both from any enemy aircraft that are left. Questions?" After a quick pause with no response he continued. "Let's get to it".

    A few hours later and they were in the air proceeding to the target. Nishihara was on his first mission that had potential to see action. His nerves ran high but he was methodical in the procedure, his training surpassing his emotion. It was due to this that he was the first to spot the enemy planes approaching.

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    They came out of a cloud and pounced on the bombers but the flight was in a tight formation and was well prepared for an attack. Hanabusa used his skillful aim to do substantial damage (Sniper skill, 0 ignored, 8 applied) to one of the Wildcats, along with help from the veteran in the lead D3A1. Nishihara took some heavy damage but checked the systems and seemed OK to fly for now.

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    Hiroyoshi had timed the attack perfectly and swung his aircraft around continuing a stream of fire into the F4F he had been attacking previously. At first his aim was a little off but he found his target and sent the first American down into the waves below.

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    He had anticipated that the second Wildcat could be handled momentarily by the pair of bombers while he got into a better position. The second Wildcat had however also swung around and was doing damage to Nishihara's Val. Hiroyoshi also didn't see the approaching third enemy aircraft and was too focused on the kill.

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    Nishihara took damage as his gunner Kagawa Teruyuki dished out the damage to the other fighter. Both planes engines started cutting in and out and they both cutting the throttle to 50% to assess the damage. "Flight leader, taking some heavy damage to my engine, requesting further instruction"

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    As Kuramoto saw the what looked like a slow fluid leak out his wingman's engine he remembered back on the Captain's words to bring back the planes and men. "OK Nishihara, jettison your payload and return to the carrier, I don't believe you can make the flight there and back on that sort of damage".

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    A reluctant Nishihara did as ordered and began a left bank to return to the Zuikaku. Takeru Kuramoto and Nishikido Ryo were now on their own, with the Zero out of position and two enemy planes bearing down on them they prepared for the fight of their lives.

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    The returning Val's gunner continued to keep up the fire so long as the enemy fighters were in range. The Wildcat designated F-2 was having trouble getting enough distance to bring his guns to bear on the D3A that continued it's push. but threw in a stall and got off a close range burst. The veteran from the Pearl Harbor attacks threw in a defensive maneuver and avoided the worst of it, at the cost of a jammed rudder.

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    Hiroyoshi was fighting to get back into the action, pinning the throttle and trying to catch up to the flight, noticing the one bomber break off from formation he cursed under his breath and urged his A6M2 to go faster. The second Wildcat misjudged and turned too far behind the Val, taking damage from Ryo's gun. His engine also started acting strange and he reduced power.

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    Hiroyoshi now had time to catch up to the two damaged Wildcats and hopefully save the second bomber before it was too late. He had to reach them soon.
    As he started gaining he saw fire burst from one of the fighters and felt a small sense of relief, which was soon deterred when he saw the American press the attack regardless.

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    This plane maneuvered back into position and returned fire on the Val starting it smoking. The other F4F-3 was still having trouble finding the right speed, Kuramoto keeping the speed fairly consistent with his.

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    Both planes continued exchanging fire while the F4F was taking damage from the flames as well. His own wingman had blocked his aim just as he tried to get into position and he took more steady fire from Ryo's gunnery.

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    Then seeing the approaching Zero he attempted to turn into the attack but as the fire started entering the cockpit he decided it was time to bail out, before Hiroyoshi could claim the kill he had jumped and the plane crashed into the sea below.

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    There was now only one left, Kuramoto decided to keep pressing the flight, he needed to at least spot these coastal guns, the next landing attempt counted on him to find and destroy them. He had flown expertly and kept it up as his gunner noticed the Captain getting closer. If they could only hold out a little longer. A well played slow maneuver just had the American too close again, slightly below the D3A but he didn't want to yank (pun intended) back on the stick for fear of crashing into the dive bomber. It was just enough time for Hanabusa to take aim at the enemy's crippled engine and kill it entirely (Sniper Skill used again, 0 ignored, engine damage given).

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    The Zero regrouped with the bomber and they continued the flight. Upon reaching the island they managed to spot a couple of the guns and dropped a bomb with limited success. The mission was considered a draw. While they had attained air superiority by destroying three of the four remaining Wildcats they had failed to identify all the defensive positions and this caused more losses on the next landing attempt. However it had been a crucial turn in the Wake Island campaign and the men were congratulated as they returned to the Zuikaku.

  2. #2

    Default The Butchers Tally

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    Hiroyoshi Hanabusa A6M2 (Ace, Evasion+Sniper)
    RTB/2kills/0 damage

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    Isamu Nishihara D3A1 (Standard)
    RTB/50%+/15 damage
    Kagawa Teruyuki Gunner (Standard)
    RTB/50%+/15 damage

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    Takeru Kuramoto D3A1 (Vet, Evasion (used on 6))
    RTB/8 damage
    EDIT: Correction, sorted out damage this is actually 9 damage and puts the plane past 50%.
    Nishikido Ryo Gunner (Standard)
    RTB/1 Kill/8 damage

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    Red nosed Wildcat (Standard)
    SD/S/18 damage

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    Black nosed Wildcat (Standard)
    SD/FLM/S/17 damage

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    Green nosed Wildcat (Standard)
    SD/S/6 damage, (two engine hits)

    Edit: Correction, 8 damage on this Wildcat.
    Last edited by Warhawk; 02-11-2016 at 04:04.

  3. #3

    Default

    I think I am going to have to find a new mat for the sea battles. This mat appears a light blue when I play with it but it sort of turns out grey in pictures.

  4. #4

    Default

    Nicely played, Wes.

    I wouldn't worry too much about the mat - it's the planes and story that capture my attention.
    (Although I have a similar issue in reverse - I got my new blanket map and am not too keen on the colour, but it looks fine in photos - go figure!)

  5. #5

    Default

    Good one Wes. The Emperor will be pleased. Unfortunately my REP gun is jammed at the moment.

    You just have to have your battles under a high overcast, grey skies, grey seas action.

  6. #6

    Default

    Nicely done Wes. I'll get all the dice rolls done after my return from Vapnartak tomorrow.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  7. #7

    Default

    Thanks for the comments, good suggestions on solutions to the mat issue. I suppose I may be being a little bit picky.
    Neil, have fun, looking forward to hearing about it.

  8. #8

    Setarius's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies
    Users Country Flag


    Name
    Dale
    Location
    Kentucky
    Sorties Flown
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    Join Date
    Sep 2009

    Default

    Very good report Wes. Typical action for the Pacific.

  9. #9

    Default

    Nice AAR Wes Chalk another few kills to the IJN


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  10. #10

    LOOP
    Guest


    Default

    Those japs are deadly!! Great AAR Wes

  11. #11

    Default

    Thanks gents. Trying to gain XP for the pilots before a very tough Coral Sea Battle in the future.

  12. #12

    Default

    Excellent Wes!
    Unfortunately I can't give you more REP for now.

  13. #13

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Blackronin View Post
    Excellent Wes!
    Unfortunately I can't give you more REP for now.
    No issue Joaquim! Thanks for reading.

  14. #14

    Post

    Good AAR Wes!
    Just one question: Are you not using the reduced damage points for the early Zeros & adding the 90 degree turns as compensation as recommended by Zoe & others?

  15. #15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gully_raker View Post
    Good AAR Wes!
    Just one question: Are you not using the reduced damage points for the early Zeros & adding the 90 degree turns as compensation as recommended by Zoe & others?
    Yes, more along the lines of Neil's house rule. Rookies are 12 damage points, Ace's 16. The increase to reflect the differences in skill level more than the actual armour of the aircraft itself.

  16. #16

    Default

    Nice flight Wes. The Allies are gonna have to step it up soon.

  17. #17

    Default

    Apologies for delay:
    Isamu Nishihara D3A1 (Standard)
    RTB/50%+/15 damage
    Kagawa Teruyuki Gunner (Standard)
    RTB/50%+/15 damage


    Rolled: 6-1(50%+dam) = 5 Rough, bouncy but made it.
    You rolled 1 die:



    Timestamp: 2016-03-03 21:53:02 UTC

    Takeru Kuramoto D3A1 (Vet, Evasion (used on 6))
    RTB/50%/9 damage

    Nishikido Ryo Gunner (Standard)
    RTB/50%/1 Kill/9 damage

    Rolled: 5-1(50%+DAM) = 4 Just made it.

    You rolled 1 die:

    Timestamp: 2016-03-03 21:58:26 UTC


    Overjoyed with their successful mission the 3 Japanese planes continued back towards Zuikaku. Hiroyoshi let the 2 damaged Val's land first. Nishihara brought his battered Val in, corrected a sudden wing dip due to tail damage and landed on the first wire. The Val was quickly wheeled away and parked for inspection by the technical crew. Kuramoto brought his Val in but just as suddenly his left wing tip dipped, touched the deck. He over corrected but managed to level the wings as the Val bounced and missed the first 2 wires before snagging the 3rd. Hiroyoshi seeing both his charges safely on the deck landed with the ease of the Veteran ace pilot he was.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 03-03-2016 at 14:59.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  18. #18

    Default

    Hey Neil, thanks for updating these missions for me.

  19. #19

  20. #20

    Default

    A pleasure Wes, illness has put a lot of things on the back burner, I'm just catching up.

    Neil
    Quote Originally Posted by Warhawk View Post
    Hey Neil, thanks for updating these missions for me.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  21. #21

    Default

    Love to see the Vals in the air.

  22. #22

    Default

    REP gun re-armed and fired!

    Your Vals put up a good fight. I only hope mine can do the same.



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