19 Attachment(s)
AAR Midway Rising: Scenario 2: Find the Flat Tops!
Both the IJN and the USN have launched combat air patrols to try to find the enemy carrier forces. In this scenario, three Zeros (on AI) encounter 2 Wildcats while all are on CAP. The goal is to prevent the opposition from being the last plane in the air and locating the opposition carrier.
The Opposing Forces
IJN
Three Zeros on AI -- I will refer to them in the AAR by their distinguishing characteristic: Red Stripe Zero, Black Stripe Zero, Camo Zero.
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USN
Two Wildcats manned as follows: Wildcat F-3 (fuselage number) piloted by LTjg Garry Hughes (2.333 campaign victories so far) and Wildcat F-4 piloted by LTjg John Saunders (1.0 victories so far).
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Turns 1 & 2
Upon sighting each other the squadrons approach to do battle. On turn 2 Camo Zero and Wildcat 3 exchange long range shots as dogfight begins. Zero takes "0" damage points, Wildcat 3 takes 3 points.
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Turns 3 & 4
Turn 3 -- the Wildcats bank left, the Zeros disperse. Wildcats 3 & 4 fire long range (just out of short range) on Red Stripe Zero who returns fire on Wildcat 3. Red Stripe Zero takes 6 points while Wildcat 3 takes 0 points. Turn 4 -- all planes pass each other in preparation for Immelmann maneuvers.
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Turns 5 & 6
Turn 5 -- All planes Immelmann. Wildcat 4 and Red Stripe Zero exchange long range fire inflicting 3 points on each plane
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Turn 6 -- Wildcats bank left. Wildcat 3 fires at close range on Red Stripe Zero causing 4 damage points plus smoke.
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Turns 7 & 8
Turn 7 -- Wildcats continue to bank left. Camo Zero and Red Stripe Zero bank right. Black Stripe Zero banks left. Wildcat 3 and Black Stripe Zero exchange short range fire causing 3 damage points on each plane. Turn 8 -- Black Stripe Zero and both Wildcats go straight in preparation for Immelmanns, Camo Zero and Red Stripe Zero bank right.
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Turns 9 & 10
Turn 9 -- Wildcats and Red Stripe Zero Immelmann, Black Stripe Zero banks right, Camo Zero goes straight. Camo Zero and Black Stripe Zero flying in close formation both fire long range on Wildcat 3 who returns fire on Black Stripe Zero. Wildcat 3 takes 11 points of damage plus rudder damage and is shot down. Black Stripe Zero receives 1 damage point. Wildcat 3 pilot Garry Hughes rolls a 2 plus 1 for veteran status on the shot down table for the campaign and is KIA. At this point (I'm embarrassed to say) I got so excited by the goings on that I failed to take a picture of this key juncture in the fight (sorry!). Turn 10 -- Red Stripe Zero banks right, other Zeros go straight. Wildcat 4 banks right and fires on Black Stripe Zero who returns fire. Zero takes 1 point damage plus left rudder damage. Wildcat 4 takes 1 point damage.
Turns 11 & 12
Turn 11 -- Wildcat 4 banks right, Camo and Black Stripe Zero Immelmann, Red Stripe Zero banks right. Close range fire by Wildcat 4 on Black Stripe Zero causing 6 points damage and right rudder damage (now it can only fly straight!). Turn 12 -- Camo Zero and Black Stripe Zero go straight, Red Stripe Zero banks left, Wildcat 4 goes straight and fires close range on Red Stripe Zero scoring 4 damage points and shooting him down (Saunders 2nd victory of the campaign).
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Turns 13 & 14
Turn 13 -- Wildcat 4 flies straight, Camo Zero Immelmanns, Black Zero flies straight. Camo Zero takes long range shot on Wildcat 4 and misses!
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Turn 14 -- Wildcat 4 Immelmanns, Camo Zero and Black Stripe Zero fly straight (Black Stripe Zero rudder damage cleared). Wildcat 4 puts 2 damage points on Camo Zero.
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Turns 15 & 16
Turn 15 -- Both Zeros Immelmann, Wildcat 4 flies straight. Wildcat 4 fires at short range inflicting 6 points damage plus engine damage. Turn 16 -- Zeros fly straight, Wildcat 4 banks right and fires close range on Camo Zero inflicting 11 points of damage and shooting him down.
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Turn 17
Wildcat 4 continues to bank right, Black Stripe Zero banks right as well. Both exchange short range shots. Wildcat 4 takes 10 points of damage but is still in the air! Black Stripe Zero takes 5 points and is shot down (Saunders 3rd kill of the mission, and 4th overall) thus clearing the skies and preventing the superior number of IJN forces from finding the carrier.
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Butcher's Bill:
IJN:
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USN:
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Discussion
LTjg Saunders records 3 victories on the mission and defeats 3 IJN planes single-handed, preventing the IJN CAP from finding his carrier. Furthermore, he keeps his badly damaged plane in the air and returns it to safety for repairs. For actions above and beyond the call of duty, LTjg is recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross.
LTjg Hughes is posthumously awarded the Air Medal (usually given after 5 combat missions) and the Purple Heart. His final rack is as follows:
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I thought it looked pretty bad for the U.S. when Hughes was shot down and killed. Saunders really went above and beyond the call, although I must admit that the AI made some very U.S. friendly moves as IJN planes turned into the field of fire of Saunders plane.
On the campaign replacement table I rolled a 3 so the pilot will arrive in time for the next mission, and then I rolled a 4 so the pilot has regular status. The new pilot will be LTjg William ("Billy") Sims.
I REALLY enjoyed playing this scenario!
