Havoc 2023 Game 1, Raid on Madang
Havoc 2023
Sorry to be a bit late in reporting, better late than never?
Saturday morning 9am.
Raid on Madang
Early 1943 the Allies were beginning their push in New Guinea. For the US Army Airforce, the Japanese airfield at Madang is the target for today . P-38s and B-25s will conduct the early morning raid hoping to catch the Japanese Army Airforce off guard. The Japanese knew something was up and had a CAP waiting to receive the at game’s start. Not what I was hoping for but still enough for a good game. Americans.
4 players gathered around the table. Not what I was hoping for but still enough for a good game.
I gave each pilot 2 planes. Americans started with P-38s and alternated respawns with B-25s.
The Japanese flew Ki-61s, alternating between the Ki-61-1b Hein and Ki-61-1KAID.
Targets for the Americans were the ships in the harbor and facilities surrounding the airfield.
First pass. 3 Lightnings zip through a pair of Tonys and leave one smoking.
But not without some pain of their own. A fire breaks out on Lightning #3. (# on base)
The Lightnings are quick to attack the airfield facilities.
Ground fire takes down the first of many Americans.
In the harbor the destroyer and a transport take minimal damage while the Japanese try to catch up to the faster P-38s.
A Hein is downed!
The Toho Maru is set on fire by a Lightning.
Two planes are downed as the action heats up. Even the damage chit bag took a hit and is dumped on the table.
Damage to the airfield is adding up.
A kill for the AA crew of the destroyer, Ariake.
The remains of a transport burn in the harbor as the planes get ready for attacking the next target.
The first B-25 arrives and seems to be escorted by a KAID? The waist gunner wonders what the Kaid is doing but doesn't hesitate to throw lead his way.
More mayhem in the harbor with another destroyer exchanging fire with a P-38.
A pair of Heins team up and down a Lightning over the harbor.
The B-25 lines up a target for its bomb load.
Most of the bombs sink into the marsh next to the hangars doing minimal damage.
Now on to strafing. the B-25 strikess the destroyer Ariake, and smoke rises from its bow section.
The Japanese close in on the B-25s tail.
Not knowing the intent of the American, one KAID swings a little too far left but one stays on course and closes the gap.
A Hein and Lightning engage at close range.
A second B-25 has a little better luck with its bombs.
Kaid #4 puts a hurt on a Lightning and flames pour out of its starboard engine.
Knowing his time is up the Lightning gets in one last shot at the transport and destroys it.
At least the Lightning pilot saw his victory over the transport just before he fell from the sky.
Another chase down of a B-25. This time the Japanese prevail.
With much damage to the airfield facilities and a couple of ships sunk in the harbor, the Americans call it a day and head for home.
3 of the 5 Japanese kills were credited to ground and naval fire. The IJAAS made claims to those kills and more, saying they did the brunt of the damage.
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Originally Posted by Stumptonian
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