RNZAF defend infantry from Japanese attacks (Gloster Glad & Buffalo vs Nate (x1) & Oscar (x2)
(Squadron avail: Planes 2– Buff & Glad)(Martlet out 1 scenario, Hurricane arrives after 1 scenario), Pilots 3 (Anderson & Jeffs out 1 scenario)
Podunk Airfield – outside Singapore.
The situation in Singapore is dire. The RAF forces are dwindling. The 488th is asked to fly daily CAPs and the mechanics are doing their best to get the back planes in the air as quickly as possible.
The pilots were anxious to get back in the air, as they were frustrated with the squadrons performances. They had been shot down 4 times and only taken out 1 Japanese plane themselves. They wanted payback.
The British lines were collapsing and more and more Japanese planes were in the skies. Today, the 488th was asked to help keep the skies over the main road into Singapore clear as the ground forces readied their defenses. Pushing back his chair from the table where the three available pilots sat after discussing the orders, Squadron Leader Marriot nodded to his wingman of the day, Flight Officer Tohunga Riwai, the former Flight Training Officer for the RNZAF in Singapore, nodded back and followed him out the door.
SO Marriot clambered into his own Buffalo while FO Riwai circled his Gloster Gladiator be climbed inside. Riwai had thousands of hours in a glad as a trainer, and liked one final review. From the cockpit each gave the other a thumbs up and took off down the dirt runway.
Several hours later the pair was still flying over Singapore Road, when they spotted 3 incoming Japanese planes: 2 Oscar’s and a Nate.
Between the 2 flights of planes were 3 British infantry companies making their way down the road, who scattered and dug in when the enemy planes were spotted.
The pilots all neared each other, Marriot keyed his mike, “Divide and conquer. Let’s thin the herd, mate.”
Both Oscar planes concentrated on the tougher Buffalo, with the green one finding the mark and his guns thudding into the old plane.
The Kiwi’s each targeted a plane and both found their marks, with Marriot giving back not quite as good as he got, but Riwai watched as flames erupted from the mottled Oscar.
Both sides zoomed past each other without another shot.
Meanwhile, the Nate went after the easternmost infantry company, doing little damage to the hastily dug-in troops, who returned fire weakly as well.
Taking advantage of the Gladiator’s nimbleness, FO Riwai had turned and got a quick shot at the Green Oscar who was doing an Immelman. SO Marriot was performing as tight a turn as his Buffalo would give him to come around.
Marriot and the infantry company poured heavy fire into the hapless Nate
Meanwhile, Riwai gets a minor hits on the burning Oscar who had gone into a steep dive in an effort to put out the flames (overdive - 1 token removed & 0 removed after leveling out).
Meanwhile Marriot and the infantry company continue to pour deadly fire into the Nate and it noses over and tumbles towards the ground.
Riwai breaks off pursuit, not wanting to leave his squadron leader alone.
Marriot and the remaining Oscar maneuver position.
Both Marriot and the Oscar have immeled and Riwai has joined the battle, but all are just out range.
Both Riwai and Marriot hit the Oscar, who not only misses Riwai, but has engine sputter as thick smoke begins to pour from it.
Marriot flies just under the Oscar (1 peg difference).
The Oscar has done sharp slow turns to the left to come around, while Marriot has Immeled, into a perfect shot at side of the Oscar (2 peg difference – ½ damage).
In the confusion, Riwai and Marriot narrowly avoid a collision, as Marriot performs a last second move to avoid serious damage.
The Oscar has had enough and heads for him. Riwai attempts to turn around and reengage, but is unable. Marriot lets him go, not wanting to get drawn away from his assignment.
Butcher’s tally
SO Marriot, RTB, shared kill Nate (with ground forces).
FO Riwai, RTB, 1 kill (Oscar went down in flames)
Infantry company 3 - ½ kill
Nate – SD (4=6- 1 SD, -1ET), severely injured, captured.
Green Oscar, RTB (engine damage, 8 dmg (sideways are ½)).
Oscar, FLM (3 from guns, 12 from flames, 5 flame counters left). No chute was seen, the body was found burned in the cockpit.
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