Bhamo, a market town, was also an important crossing place on the Irrawaddy River. As the Japanese advanced across Burma it was a prized objective. To prevent Chinese reinforcements from crossing the Irrawaddy into, or any fleeing Chinese to escape from, they staged an air raid against the riverfront facilities.
From the east three Kates flew in as horizontal bombers escorted by a pair of Oscars.
Long before the Japanese reached their objective a trio of AVG Flying Tigers had been alerted and flew to intercept.
#71 aims to engage an escorting Oscar. #73 follows in support.
The Oscar also has a wingman of his own.
The first bullets fly as the lead fighters close in head on.
The Kates keep formation until they are close enough to begin their bombing run.
Tiger #72 attacks the flanking Kate with plans to circle round behind them.
The Kates begin to feel uneasy as enemy planes get closer.
The Oscars successfully engage 2 of the 3 interceptors.
#72 scream by only feet from a Kate before turning behind the formation.
#71 reversed to keep the Oscars busy so #72 can be free to go after the Kates.
#72 takes fire from 2 Kates as he swings behind them. A lucky shot sets him on fire!
One Oscar sets up to reverse while the other turns to flank the Tigers.
#71, seeing #72 struggling with a fire decides to take a run at the Kates. He closes in and rips apart the lead Kate sending it down into the jungle below.
While taking evasive maneuvers to minimize the fire #72 is surprised to find an Oscar fly across his guns.
#73 vigorously engages the second Oscar letting his wingmen take on the Kates.
Trying to get on the Kate’s tails, #72 takes another unlucky hit from a tail gunner.
The Kates are on their bomb runs with no enemy in range to stop them.
An Oscar and Tiger get ever so close to colliding. How they avoid each other is a mystery.
The first Kate’s bombs fall long, splashing harmlessly into the Irrawaddy. The 2nd Kate inflicts minor damage to the riverfront facilities.
The Tigers are now between the Oscars and trailing the Kates. They can’t stop the bombs from falling but will try to punish the slow flying Kates.
One Kate gets away but the Tigers stay on the trailing bomber.
The Oscars get in one last shot at the Tigers. The P-40s pull away and gain on the Kate.
Only one Kate will return to it’s airfield. Immediately after downing the Kate, the Tigers leave the Oscars and head home.
I visited Dave in Brewer Saturday night for another in our series of WGS games. This mission was much more even compared to the last to say the least!
My plan to get one of my P-40 behind the Kates didn’t pan out. Just as I was getting into position he set me on fire and 3 moves later blew me up!
I got shots with my other P-40s on all of the Kates but it’s not easy to keep on such a slower target. After making my pass by the time I could reverse the Kates were on their way to the target.
Luckily for me Dave’s inexperience with bombing let me off the hook with him only inflicting minor damage to the target. I'm sure next time he'll be more accurate.
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