I advertised this game as the USAAF vs the IJAAF but changed to the IJNAF for a more equal fight for equal planes opposing each other. (P-40 Ns vs A6M3s)

Two Betty bombers were tasked with bombing the airfield facilities and runway at Lae shortly after the Allies captured it.

10 pilots circled round the table with Bob(1), Fritz(3), the 2 Kevins(5 & 7) and Michael(9) grabbing the P-40s. Nate(2), Dave(4), Mike(6), Chris(8) and Mark(10) flew for the Emperor.

Mike tries to turn in on his target but just can’t quite line up his shot.

Mike’s Betty takes the direct route to the airfield while Chris flies around the cloud hoping to fool B ob and Fritz.

At first pass Bob comes in too fast and slips under the Betty without getting off a shot.

Fritz emerges from the cloud also missing the Betty.

Nate(w/hat) and Michael move their planes anticipating being able to push the firing button on their joysticks.

Mike quickly dove below the American fighters and drops his bomb load for a direct hit on the runway.

Chris begins his bomb run with Fritz catching up from behind.

Bob tangles with a pair of Zeros, setting one on fire.

As Chris guides his Betty to the target he is hit in the flank with a duo of 8^th FS P-40s.

Before he can open his bomb bay doors Chris’s Betty crashes into the jungle short of the drop zone.

Stumptonian’s favorite cloud points at Chris’s Betty replacement.

Ignoring the fire surrounding him, Mark charges on and downs Kevin P.

Now it’s Dave’s turn and Bob gets a taste of Japanese 20mm canon fire.

Fritz scores a kill with one burning Zero disappearing into the thick jungle.

Chris’s second Betty drops its bombs quickly seeing a pair of Americans closing in on his nose.

The bombs fall just short but somehow the Betty survives.

Nate comes to Chris’s rescue and downs his son Fritz. Can’t trust family can you?

The Japanese only scored one bomb hit and their nimble fighters took it on the chin from the sturdy American fighters. The airfield was successfully defended and the Japanese lost 5 fighters and a Betty in their futile attempt to stem the tide.

(by the way, I'm fine - vaccines work perfectly)

Historical background: On the morning of June 15th, 1942, the ships of the Italian VII Divisione attacked the British convoy called Operation Harpoon, headed to Malta, in sight of Pantelleria. Hit 12 times, mostly by 8” shells, the Tribal-class destroyer HMS Bedouin stopped in open sea while Italians disengaged and the convoy headed on. Only HMS Partridge stayed behind and started towing HMS Bedouin toward Tunisia, but the tow cable was dropped when some Stukas and then a few Italian ships appeared, so that HMS Partridge could maneuver. The two ships emitted a smoke curtain, HMS Partridge sailed away and HMS Bedouin prepared to fight: All her artillery was still efficient. Then at 14.15, just a few minutes after the ship managed to switch on again her engines and move on her own, a S.79 appeared. A problem with an engine before take-off caused it to be alone and with no escort of C.202 fighters but the commander, Sottotenente Martino Aichner, decided to pursue his mission anyway. With him there were second pilot Sergente Oreste del Bianco, Aviere Scelto Marconista Mario Picerno, Aviere Scelto Fotografo Carmine Pragliola, Aviere Scelto Armiere Fausto de Santis, Aviere Scelto Motorista Massimiliano Fantuzzi. They spotted the destroyer in the smoke, but their main targets were cargos. They went on with their search, but the only cargo in sight was already sinking. So they went back to HMS Bedouin and attacked her.

At the first turn, the HMS Bedouin is still unaware of the S.79 approaching behind the smoke courtain. The plane flies on at top speed while the ship starts veering to right. On the second turn they go on along the same routes. At the third one, the plane turns to left toward the ship and starts appaearing across the smoke curtain, but the ship’s AA guns do not manage to aim at it.

On the fourth turn, the ship veers even more north. The plane straightens its route and prepares to drop the torpedo. The AA adjusts its aim, but even if close to the fuselage the explosion does not deliver any relevant damage to the plane.

The plane slows down and drops the torpedo, entering the range of the AA machineguns that starts piercing the wing of the plane. Worse still, the Pom-pom anti-aircraft guns score a big hit on the plane. HMS Bedouin veers more and the plane turns in front of it, entering the blind spot between the machineguns on the sides. There is some tension when the torpedo seems to pass ahead the bow, but for a matter of a few meters actually the ship is hit.

Before it sinks, the ship manages to shot a few more lucky hits with the Pom-pom and the plane goes down on the water. Exactly as in the...

Historical outcome: Two of the S.79’s engine were hit but the plane completed the attack. It dropped the torpedo at 500 meters of distance, then flew over the destroyer. AA fire from the ship hit the fuel tanks and the plane engines stopped. While the S.79 made an emergency landing in water, the torpedo hit the ship that sank in 5 minutes. Within the evening, Italians saved the ship’s crew by a seaplane and a hospital ship. The S.79 crew was saved by another seaplane at sunset. Aichner received a Silver Medal for his daring attack, but for many years the official reports attributed the sinking to the Italian Navy. Only in 1989, thanks to British documents, the victory has been acknowledged to him and the medal converted into a Golden one.

If anybody knows how to rotate images, please help!

With Fall In having the theme 250^th anniversary of the creation of the USN and Marines I put on one of the larger raids on Rabaul by the USN. The Japanese were preparing to attack the US invasion of Bouganville. Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman ordered all planes to be sent on the attack with none to be kept as CAP to protect his ships.

The attack by the Navy fliers was followed up an hour later another attack hit by the Army Airforce B-24s and P-38s. Enough of the Japanese warships had been badly damaged that they were withdrawn to Truk the next day.

This game had 5 pilots, 3 Japanese flying A6M5s and 2 Americans each flying one Hellcat and a Dauntless.

The Japanese patrolling over the fleet in the harbor.

In come the Hellcats and Dauntlesses.

Quickly the opposing forces mix it up. The Japanese get into the American formation.

Mike’s fast Hellcat just misses a shot at the nimble Zero…

Only to be downed by another Zero that snuck up behind him.

 A Zero too far above watches helplessly as Mike’s Dauntless gets in a hit on the cruiser Yuma.

AA from a destroyer lest Mike know his Dauntless isn’t going to have it all his way. Smoke pours out of the Dauntless as it celebrates its hit on the Yuma.

An internal explosion caused by the bomb hit sinks the Yuma!

The opening to Rabaul harbor has one more wreck constricting access to the port.

A near miss by Tom on the DD Yuzuki.

Tom’s Hellcat gets out of the enemy gunsights but not after being wounded by the camo’d Zero.

After a near miss on one destroyer Tom lines up another and gets a partial hit on the Shiratsuya.

Tom’s wounded pilot gets a bit of revenge, downing the Zero that wounded him.

Mike’s Hellcat flirts with the edge of the board with a Zero carefully watching him.

After giving the slip to the Zero Mike drops down to strafe the cruiser Sendai.

The AA fire from the ships below hit an oil line and Mike’s Hellcat begins to trail smoke.

Tom(the #1 planes) comes in high over the mountains back towards the harbor.

The Japanese are out of position, struggling to help out their floating friends.

Tom’s bomb release from high up misses the Yuzuki, to their relief.

The Japanese yell Banzai as a Dauntless and a Hellcat are downed.

3 downed Americans give the Japanese some solace for the sinking of one of their cruisers and damage to all but one of their naval squadron.

Whew, made it. The last of my 7 games run at Historicon.

Saturday afternoon I was blessed with 12 willing pilots to fly in my WGS game. 1^st to sign in was Fritz. This young man has played in games of mine for several years now.

The first time he flew in was a Battle of Britain game, Spitfires vs 109s. He wanted to fly a Spitfire but the adults had already claimed them. It was a 4 on 4 game and the adults learned not to cross Fritz. He proceeded to shoot down each of the 4 Spitfires!

In this game Fritz once again flew a 109, and also a Stuka! When it ended he thought he had broken his record of 4 kills.I had to be the mean GM and tell him his 4 ½ kills were not made by one plane so his record remained at 4. Yeah, I’m that kind of GM.

(Fritz can be seen flying as the Red Baron in the first Historicon 2025 game I ran, The Baron vs the Camels)

Here is the initial setup, 6 Spitfires heading out over the channel aiming to intercept the Luftwaffe before it can damage the convoy passing through the channel.

It will be a daunting task as the Stukas are escorted by an equal number of Bf 109Es.

As the Spits cross over the convoy they begin to pick out their targets…I’m sure they realize the 109s are picking out their targets too.

A bad omen for the RAF. Kevin, P., who had been a boom magnet in my WWI games, takes the first shot…

Boom!

The RAF pilots become embroiled with the 109s well above their primary targets, the Stukas.

The Stukas begin to line up the freighters plodding along the south coast of Old Blighty.

A little joy for the RAF as a 109 begins to leave a trail of smoke.

The sky over the channel is hectic and crowded to say the least. Confusion rules the day.

Another RAF plane splashes into the channel. This time it was a Hurricane. Fritz’s first of 3 ½ kills.

Fritz quickly gets a second kill, a Spitfire, his favorite target.

Somehow the Stukas have passed unmolested below the RAF interceptors. The freighter crews are starting to sweat.

The first freighter is badly damaged by the vertical diving Stuka.

A pair of Spitfires get past their 109 enemies and make for the Stukas below.

Oh no! Fritz is downed by a Hurricane. It’s a good thing he knows how to swim.

A direct hit sends this poor freighter to the bottom.

The RAF are too high to stop this Stuka and another ship is damaged.

An unfair exchange puts a Spitfire true to its name with no visible results on the Stuka.

Fritz at it again…Spitfire #2.

Another downed RAF Spitfire splashed just behind a collier. Fritz put in his claim for a partial on this one.

A sad day over the channel for the RAF. Better days are ahead if they can survive long enough.

Three brave pilots signed on for an impossible mission. From the start they were told no matter how successful they were, they will not sink the target, but on they flew anyway.

Fjord wall altitude levels are 2, 4 and 6. The narrows are altitude 1. Collision with the fjord terrain is unforgiving. No C chit drawn, but you get a new plane!

AA positions take 10 hits to kill them.

The Tirpitz had just pulled away from its berth, its escort destroyers had already headed out towards open water not expecting any trouble.

With only three players I gave them each a Barracuda and a fighter.

They all begin at the southern end of Kaafjord, running the gauntlet of AA while making their way towards the Tirpitz.

The Corsair turns back to check on the Barracudas. Shouldn’t it be strafing the AA?

One Hellcat and Barracuda give themselves plenty of distance between their wingmen to avoid collisions.

The AAA fire is accurate and set a Baracuda on fire.

The conga line begins to form pointing its head at the Tirpitz.

Mark, doing his job in attacking the AA position, lines up the barrel of the gun perfectly. His 3 points of damage were a disappointment to say the least as the gun dealt him a Boom!

Still at a difficult altitude to accurately hit their targets, the Barracudas jostle for position.

The excitement was too much and bombs were dropped anyway. One falls well beyond the Tirpitz and a second misses but much closer.

Lessons learned on the first bomb run.

Meanwhile the gun positions are starting to feel the brunt of the strafing runs.

This Barracuda scores a direct hit on the Tirpitz!

Another drop just past the target, splashes harmlessly in the cold grey-blue water.

The AA gets a little revenge and smoke billows from a Hellcat.

Another possible direct hit as the bomb drops through the smoke from a previous attack.

And another! These Barracuda pilots are getting the hangs of this bombing thing.

The Tirpitz is slowly being obscured by the smoke and fires from all the bomb hits.

The damage to the AA positions is starting to add up.

With most of the AA positions suppressed the Barracudas have an easier time approaching the Tirpitz.

More hits and the stern of the Tirpitz is barely seen poking out of the smoke.

Marks Hellcat and Jen’s Corsair come in fast over the narrows taking out the gun above on the wall.

Mark’s Hellcat turns tight and avoids the wall and takes out the next gun position.  

Jen’s Corsair isn’t so nimble and slams into the wall!

The Tirpitz survives the attack but not without damage.

Nothing terribly serious but enough to delay the Tirpitz from sailing. The Tirpitz will repair and sail earlier than historically.

The catapult was damaged and then destroyed.

The motor launch was destroyed.

A secondary gun was damaged.

Two AA machine gun positions were destroyed.

Not bad for only having three Barracudas dropping their presents.

Mark was an AA killing machine destroying seven AA gun positions!

Mike did well to get three direct hits with his Barracuda. Jen got a direct hit as did Mark with a partial.

3 April 1944 the RN launched Operation Tungsten and caught the Germans by surprise.

(see wave 1 HERE)

The second wave hit about one hour after the first. This time the Germans were now alert. The artificial smoke screen had not yet covered the Tirpitz but made it more difficult to target. Once bombs started falling, their smoke completed the cover for the Tirpitz. After the first few Barracudas had released their bombs, those following could only guess where in the smoke the Tirpitz was.

Wave 2 game had 7 pilots, 5 Barracudas and two Corsairs. Same targets as wave 1 but now some concealed by smoke.

The second wave pilots plan their approach.

The Tirpitz was now positioned across the fjord for the expected path of any successive attacks. Ammunition was now in position and the remaining AA guns were manned and ready. The smoke screen mostly obscured the Tirpitz, protecting it and also masking many of its own guns.

The second wave, seeing the patchy smoke covering the fjord, reconsidered their route.

A Corsair determined on taking out some AA it hit before it can shoot and is set on fire.

Harassed by AA bursts, the lead Barracuda drops its bombs short.

The next Barracuda drops from higher altitude and its bombs land well beyond the Tirpitz.

The Corsairs fly past each other, crossing the fjord to attack AA positions on opposite sides.

Another long drop through the smoke splashes harmlessly in the cold grey water.

(I made 3 randomized charts for direct, partial and near misses that could (most likely) alter where the bomb landed. After this I would roll on the previous damage charts from wave 1.)

This Barracuda lines up the Tirpitz lengthwise to increase its chances with the bombs disappearing into the smoke. Luckily this near miss became a partial hit!

Tim turned hard and climbed to avoid hitting the sheer wall of the fjord only to be blasted by the AA he intended to attack. The shattered aircraft smashes to bits on the rock wall.

One determined Barracuda pilot braves the gauntlet of AA dropping a direct hit! More smoke now obscures the Tirpitz.

More bombs have found the Tirpitz adding to the damage but also adding to the smoke covering her from view.

One last effort as the trailing Barracudas reach the target zone.

After dropping its bombs, this Barracuda flies on heading back to its carrier.

Another hit erupts beneath the smoke. The pilot not knowing if he hit the beast or not.

The last attempt drops wide hoping his bombs will drift to the target. They harmlessly splash some distance away from the Tirpitz.

The second wave had a much more difficult task. The Tirpitz had turned giving the bombers a tougher angle of attack. Also, the smoke covered half of their target from the start and their successful hits added to the smoke screen making following attacks more difficult.

Only two more direct hits were scored plus several partials.

Final damage toll on the Tirpitz between the two waves,

catapult destroyed

radar destroyed

motor launch destroyed

funnel damaged

‘Anton’ turret range finder destroyed.

one tertiary gun damaged

two tertiary (unarmored) guns destroyed

one secondary gun damaged

four shore gun positions destroyed, five more heavily damaged

There was enough damage and crew incapacitated that the Tirpitz will not be leaving the fjord for several months.

3 April 1944 the RN launched Operation Tungsten and caught the Germans completely by surprise. The Tirpitz had just left its secure pen and was beginning its shakedown cruise after being in repair for months on end. Its escort destroyers had already departed so its only support were the AA positions on the shore. The Tirpitz had not yet readied its own AA , not expecting any action while exiting the fjord.

The first wave came in with complete surprise. Hellcats and Martlets strafed the AA on shore and on the Tirpitz while the Barracudas divebombed the Tirpitz.

The fjord walls were in 2 altitude steps, 2, 4 and 6. The bars jutting out into the fjord were at level 1. I simplified altitude for the planes and had a climb be 1 level, no climb increment chits were used. Immelmann and Split-S had no altitude change. With 15 AA shore guns I limited it so only 1 can fire at a plane, and only 5 can fire per turn.  No AA from the Tirpitz as its AA ammo was not prepared. AA only inflicts the special damage.

Ten players, seven Barrachuas, 2 Hellcats and one Martlet begin their approach from the southern end of the fjord.

AA strikes early and accurately! One Hellcat is rocked by an AA burst and begins to smoke.

More AA is zeroed in and sets a Barracuda on fire! The NAS pilots are feeling intimidated by the accurate German AA.

More AA reached out but only bragging rights holes are collected. (I stole…er…borrowed this idea from Doncaster where Rob and Neil ran their monumental Taranto game)

The Barracuda pilots flying a little too close to each other while trying to line up their bombing runs on the Tirpitz.

There was much moaning and groaning as I placed the AA fire.

Two strafers finally diving down to do their job.

One AA position destroyed!

More moaning and groaning.

Precise maneuvers are needed to line up the targets.

Another AA position damaged while the others lash out at the incoming bombers.

The first bombs strike, one partial and one near miss. (If the bombs on the bomb card touch the Tirpitz, it is a direct hit, if the bombs touch the water on the Topside Mini but not the Tirpitz, it is a partial hit, if the bomb card touches the water on the Topside Mini it is a near miss. I have 3 charts to roll on for damage depending on the type if hit. In the attack the most damage was done by a near miss, buckling the hull causing a below waterline hull breach. The odds are low but the possibility is in the game.)

Karl took the high route above the fjord walls to avoid the gaggle of Barracudas jostling for position. His bomb drop unfortunately was short.

The first try was mostly misses and a good practice run for the players. The second and third runs were much more productive. Two direct hits were scored on the second run. The pilots were very eager for a third run.

Another partial hit with more bombs on the way.

The end saw 9 direct hits, 2 partials and several near misses.

First wave damage to the Tirpitz saw the catapult destroyed, radar destroyed, motor launch destroyed, a secondary gun damaged, two tertiary (unarmored) guns destroyed, funnel damaged, ‘Anton’ turret range finder damaged.

Only one downed plane, if I recall is what happened in the actual first wave.

Well done for the first wave!  

France 1940

There were seven pre-reg as of Saturday afternoon so I was quite excited that a Sunday afternoon game would have a decent number of players. Unfortunately, six of them did not show up for the 1pm game. But as one gamer was there, the show must go on! Mark Lurz chose to fly the French giving me the Germans. We flew 4 fighters each, MS 406s for Mark and Bf 109s for myself. The French were escorting four Breguet 693s. The bombers were run in pairs from one random deck fr each pair.

Mark took some photos so occasionally there are 2 or more views.

The Germans.

The French

First shots. A pair of 109s ubfairly gang up on a 406.

The Breguets warily advance towards the oncoming Germans.

A second 406 is attacked and trails smoke.

A second pair of 109s aim for the trailing Breguets.

I forget how slow the Breguets are and fly right in front of one! At least the engine damage will slow me down!

Things are getting all mixed up as the furball grows.

Two of my 109s look like they are the Breguet escorts! Shot in the back and wounded! At least I have a close range shot at one of them.

A pair of French take on a pair of Germans. Wounded pilots everywhere!

The first casualty.

On our last turn a Breguet finally goes down. Not the one we expected though. One had one hit point left and took a close range shot. Two ‘Cs and an A, all three zeros! The downed Breguet had the opposite luck taking a 6 and an 8 for it’s Cs and a 4 for the A!

Unfortunately with only two of us flying I didn’t bring on the Amiot 143. I put it on the table at the end just because I brought it.

We had fun flying for an hour and a half or so. I doubt I’ll run any more Sunday afternoon games.

Rob and Neil put together an incredible experience. It was the most amazing and entertaining game I’ve played in, ever.

It took them quite a bit of time to set up on Friday while we were all gaming in another room.

The following photos are the calm before the storm. Here is a tour of the beautiful table we got to game on.

The AA air bursts show the locations of the AA batteries below. (small black guns)

Friday night before leaving we got to see tomorrows targets. We get a briefing on most of the rules and mission objectives to think about while we should be sleeping.

Now its show time!

I was assigned to be flight Commander of RN 815 Squadron, Lt. Cdr. Kenneth “Hooch” Williamson. (I guess being the Lend Lease has its privilege!)

I flew a torpedo armed Stringbag.

As we approach in the darkness our engines are heard by the Italian defenders. Searchlights pop on and start sweeping the area.

This looks like a moment of prayer before the S#!t hits the fan.

Dave Manley flies along the barrage balloon line setting up his bombing attacks on the oil storage area and docks.

Tim and the others line up the capital ships for their deadly fish.

The fuel tanks in the distance are burning brightly (even though you can barely see them in the distance) and light up the stage for all the torpedo bombers.

Tim and Paul simultaneously send a pair of torpedoes into one battleship. Major damage is inflicted by Paul after Tim’s torpedo cracked the armor belt.

Mike sends his fish into another battleship.

John heads to the north to bomb the ships in the inner Mar Piccolo.

I was just crossing where the suspected torpedo netting was reported to be.

Andrea (Magnoan) was just off to my right.

The other planes that started much closer to the fleet were already in amongst the ships.

Neil and his accurate flak make my ride a bit bumpy!

Those that have already dropped their ordinance start their return to the carriers to reload.

The still laden Swordfish continue on to their assigned targets.

I finally get in and drop my torpedo at close range.

(Neil’s rules are, when you drop at long range you draw 2 cards and get the smaller damage, at middle range you draw 1 card and get what you get, at close range you draw 2 cards and get the larger damage)

Well, I guess I didn’t really need that second card. Or maybe I destroyed the battleship twice over!!

Dave lines up the docks, dropping the last of his bombs.

Somehow with 4 torpedo hits this battleship is still afloat. (torpedoes can be duds or even go under the ship and miss)

John has hit a cruiser in the Mar Piccolo as Dave sets the dock facilities on fire.

Tim flies into the flack daring Neil to bring it on. His blatant taunting of Neil gave him another damage card!

Flack finds Andrea in the rays of the searchlight.

As fuel runs low last attempts to do more damage to the Italians Peter out and all planes head back to the carriers.

The first wave did what was asked and everyone made it back to the carriers. Now it was up to the second wave to finish the job.

I’ll have to ask Neil and Rob what the final outcome was as I only flew in the first wave. I think the second wave sank several crusiers/destroyers but no more battleships.

Here are the pics I took, the befores and the during.

PRE GAME PHOTOS

HMS Illustrious turns into the wind

Wave 1 on deck, start your engines

Some views of the harbour during daylight.

Wave 1 Pilots

THE VIEW OF TARANTO AT NIGHT

THE ATTACK BY WAVE 1

THE RESULT

Primary targets, the battleships:

Littorio: Sunk (initially 1 torpedo hit, then Pete took it out with a fantastic double destroyed card which took out the next 10 boxes)

Vittorio Veneto: badly damaged (4 hits)

Caio Dulio: Not hit

Andrea Doria: Out of action for at least 12 months (5 hits)

Conte de Cavour: badly damaged (4 hits)

Giulio Cesare: Not hit

Oil Terminal: damaged (2 hits)

Dry Docks: destroyed (6 hits)

Secondary Targets:

Cruisers

Pola: Sunk

Goriza: Sunk

Fiume: badly damaged (2 hits)

Trento: no hits

Trieste: No hits

Bolzano: badly damaged (2 hits)

Albruzzi: No hits

Garabaldi: No hits

Zara: No hits

Seaplane Tender

Guiseppe Miraglia: No hits

Destroyers

Carducci: Badly damaged (1 hit)

Alfieri: Sunk

Oriani: No hits

Gioberti: No hits

Lampo: No hits

Baleno: No hits

Fulmine: No hits

Folgore: No hits

Libeccio: No hits

Grecale: No hits

Scirocco: No hits

Maestrale: No hits

(Yes Rob painted up 28 ships).

Out of 21 swordfish, 1 was shot down (Ian) and 1 made it back with only 1 damage point remaining (Peter aka Cavendish)

Apologies to wave 2 but I was that busy I didn't take any pics. Hoping someone else did.

Great 2 games, great players and again, without Rob it wouldn't have been the spectacular game it was.

A final well done to Tim, surrounded by flak (3) and a searchlight, flew through with minimal damage and launched his torpedo. Surely deserving of a medal.

In the warmth of the late afternoon sun the inhabitants of St. Artois were startled to hear the roar of aero engines and looked up to see an American bomber going past heading for St. Malo. They cheered lustily until they realised that the bomber was being pursued by German fighter planes. (The German pilots being myself in the 190E which was used as a hack by the local squadron, a dark 109K flown by Wayne, and a light/dark 109K flown by Doug).

All in all given that we almost always fly the WWI planes it was an enjoyable game. The Germans won the day with the B17 being shot down before it could complete it's bomb run. Doug got the killing shots, but we all contributed. The return fire was really brutal and as the one who copped most of the return fire I would like to think it was me that gave him the Boom card but I am not sure. Those 109K's were a bit too fast when it came to trying to get into position for shooting but the older 109E was good at that.

On January 1941, an unarmed Italian transporter is flying a supply mission towards the besieged oasis of Giarabub in southern Libya. The escort fighters engage attacking British AI Kittyhawks.

Will the transporter reach its destination?

*The video

*Models in this game

1x Savoia-Marchetti SM74 (shapeways)

3x Macchi MC200 Saetta (BRM and paper models)

2x Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk (paper models)

*Official Rules

advanced with altitude (2 pegs = 1 level)

multiple crew hits

full load

firing from above and repeat fire bonus

*House rules

no shooting after reversal

boom causes half of initial damage rounded up

collision if same altitude and both base centers inside other base

*AI rules

always go after the transporter

*Victory conditions

Player wins if transporter base center crosses Giarabub card within 20 turns, otherwise AI wins

Train in Vain – WWII – Winter 1945

(with apologies to The Clash)

Allied P-47 Thunderbolts of the Hell Hawks (386th Sqn/365th FG) have stumbled upon a German armored supply train that looks like a sitting duck, until the Focke-Wulf 190 Doras show up.

Special Rules:

Trains: locomotives = 30 damage pts, AA cars = 15, other cars = 10.

AA guns fire every 4th phase at targets Alt 2 and higher.

(3 jam marker trackers – roll D6, hit on 4-6, draw D damage chit if front AA, C damage chit if rear AA).

At junctions, roll a D6 to determine direction of train.

Special damages:

BOOMs destroy a car/locomotive.

Engine damage and pilot wounds count vs locomotive (the 2nd of either disables it ).

One pilot wound disables an AA.

All other special damage is ignored vs the train.

If engines are destroyed, train does not move.

100 points total damage can also destroy train.

Train can be shot at Alt2 (long range) and Alt 1 (long range).

Thunderbolts: BBBB | BB, 21 dmg, 3 climb

FW 190s: BCC | AC, 18 dmg, 3 climb

Special thanks to teaticket for the mat and tracks. I’d planned to use my own but the 7:15am setup would have taken too long, so Peter loaned me his.

[i’ve played many WGS games but never with planes of this speed and lethality. I’d changed the calculations for train and AA strength several times but wasn’t entirely sure how this would play out. It went great and these pilots racked up at least 10 kills between them in the allotted time!]

6 bleary-eyed pilots gathered at 8:00am for a battle over the Reich.

L to R: teaticket (PeterL), mikejr74 (MikeJ), BobP (BobP), stumptonian (PeteO), PatrickO (Thu nite reg), and MaxS (visiting from Germany)

The Fickle Finger was a late addition to the 386th to commemorate stumptonian’s epic moment last year when attempting to move a cloud of that particular shape. Pete happily agreed to test drive D5-F.

I'm gonna take a freight train

Down at the station, Lord

I don't care where it goes

- Marshall Tucker Band

Max’s radio must not be working as he pilots Stinker Too directly toward the 3 FW190s.

Teaticket’s yellow-nosed and red-bellied 190 (not the other way around) slips through to drop the hammer on Patrick as stumptonian in The Fickle Finger attacks the train.

The train bears left at the first junction as Max shoots up Mike’s ‘blue 2’ 190.

Peter in ‘red 1’ shoots up the smoking Fickle Finger.

The Americans ask, “hey, what’s up with that second train?” GM: don’t worry about it.

Patrick respawns in Astra D5-P.

Max in the drab Stinker Too attacks the AA while Bob defends.

The rear AA and another car are knocked out.

Train Kept a Rollin’

- Aerosmith

Plenty of damage all around but Max takes the worst of it from Bob.

Patrick and Bob trade shots but the extra A chit from Bob’s Butcher Bird proves critical.

Train roll on

On down the line, won't you

Please take me far away

- Lynyrd Skynyrd

Max and Peter trade shots as The Fickle Finger marauds straight down the tracks.

Max eats many donuts for his morning breakfast.

The Fickle Finger seeks a target of opportunity impatiently waiting for the second train to leave the station

Instead, Fickle Finger and Bob’s ‘white 15’ engage in mutually assured destruction.

Karma visits Max as he gives donuts this time to the second train – should have been only 2 but 4 was so much more hilarious!

The second train heads to the right.

The first train’s journey comes to an end as Patrick scores a kill.

The Fickle Finger gets some sweet revenge on teaticket’s ‘red 1’.

Max prepares to Immelmann as the rest of the Americans are returning from the wreckage of the first train. The Butcher Birds hover over their charge.

The pesky Americans destroy both AA cars as teaticket shoots up Max in Stinker Too.

Peter brings down Stinker Too for his third kill to lead all pilots.

As time expired, it was a hard-fought victory for the Americans who destroyed one train and damaged the other but at the cost of losing 6 Thunderbolts. A fun scenario with a bunch of great people.

Skytrains at Guadalcanal was one of the first games at Origins, noon on Wednesday, the same time as Jim’s Lafayette Esc Saves the Caudrons.

Here is my view of Skytrains at Guadalcanal.

I flew in Skytrains and was assigned a Wildcat, base #9. Knowing how our Thursday night escort games go I felt bad for the C47s before we took off!

The initial Japanese wave of Zeros approach the Solomons from the North. (2 more players joined in after the start)

GM Malachi giving the pre-game rundown of our objectives. Looks like he put Bob to sleep.

The Sons of the Emperor.

I’m the card beneath #3 and just out of range. Graeme put a dent in the Zero.

Joey in #5 engages the enemy above the islands.

Joey takes the worst of it and is immediately downed!

Graeme and I team up to down Patrick. Sorry Patrick!

The Skytrains approach from the south as the fighters battle it out ahead of them.

Tim (#4) gets on the tail of hit mission target while Wildcats swirl around him.

Bode (#14) comes in from the front to help Tim out.

Graeme takes down Pete (#6) as I Split-S behind Tim.

As Tim spirals down into the waves he curses watching the C47 fly on. Kill to Sean.

Ron dives away from Sean and onto the Skytrain, downing it!

I get in a bit too late to save the C47 but I make Ron pay, sending him into the drink.

Two C47s make their landing approach while the fighters swarm about.

Five Wildcats vs one Zero? Some of us need to get over and help protect the C47s!

After landing and loading up with wounded one C47 takes off. The last C47 lands and begins to load up.

Chris, flying the C47s got in some laughs as Pete overlaps the slower transport and can’t shoot at it.

Being a bit too high I prepare to Split-S behind Ron as he zeros in on the C47 as it lifts off.

Tim gets some revenge and downs a Wildcat.

Tim downs another but is also shot to bits by Sean again.

I’m on Ron but again just too late as he downs a C47.

Ron again gets to practice his swimming skills as I down him again.

Patrick gets a kill downing Sean, avenging Tim.

Only one C47 survives out of the three so the Japanese get to claim the victory.

Chris put together a tight fight.

My damage was very luckily nil while getting 2 credited kills but I claim a share of a 3rd.

My final Wings game ran Saturday 4-7pm. 6 pilots flew Bf 109Es, Hurricanes and Spitfires. I pushed the Stukas towards their targets.

Pilots had a preference to fly for the RAF in this one. Latecomer, young Fritz wanted to fly RAF but all the spots were full so he hopped in a 109 with vengeance. The little guy got 4 kills! (with only a little guidance from his dad)

The RAF try to intercept the Luftwaffe before they reach the transports in the channel.

Fritz (flying base #5) keeps a close eye on the Stukas.

Hurricane #6, piloted by Kevin gets in the first shot, smoking the German Kevin in #1.

The furball begins.

Fritz doesn’t care for the Hurricane aggressively approaching the Stukas….1 down.

Ethan in Hurricane #4 puts the heat on a Stuka while getting smoked himself.

The first transport is missed by what must be a rookie pilot.

The second transport isn’t so lucky.

Fritz is Boomed! By Kevin. Fritz will get his revenge.

One transport has a hole blown through its hull and not so gently sinks in the channel.

Ethan (#4) attacks Stuka #7 while harassing Stuka #9.

Ethan downs a Stuka just before it could drop its eggs.

Fritz takes care of Ethan with a little help fron the Stuka.

A pair of Stukas cross over the coast making a wide turn back towards the fleet.

Smoke is rising from a cou[ple of the transports with n o RAF in sight.

Another transport is damaged. Where is the RAF?!?

The Spitfires arrive to try to stem the tide.

Most of the Stukas have dropped their bombs and are desperately trying to recross the channel to Belgium.

The Spitfires break into the Germans smoking a 109.

Who smoked Fritz? You’re a marked man….hope the water is warm Ethan.

Not missing a beat, Fritz sends Jerry into the drink.

Kevin in Spitfire #6, in the middle of a lot of Germans, wonders whare he should head besides away from Fritz.

The last of the Stukas is about to leave the board for safety. The rest of JG26 see their job is done and also head for home.

This game turned into the Fritz show. He downed 4 of the 5 RAF planes that were splashed. He did pay for in in being the only 109 to get shot down.(once to a boom)

Me262 vs Mustangs and B-24

More details on rules and scenario here

https://lesnerviens.1fr1.net/t1361-le-crepuscule-des-aigles#10134

Copy of Cr from the nerviens forum (deepL trad)

Voila, another one

Thanks to all participants, another great laugh.

To manage, it looks like a bunch of kids :x

Excellent day for me

I used two game mat, given the number of participants.

For the B-24 part, I made 2 groups of 4 bombers each and each group with 2 B-24 at altitude4 and the other two at altitude3. This was so as to be able to destroy only 2 bombers at a time with the rockets.

Jean-Luc wins the first trophy with his victories in the first morning games (2).

Pilots playing the P51s in the second game had a slight advantage, since everyone knew what to expect with the speed of the Me262s.

The two games were necessary to get to grips with this speed and the "lack" of tight maneuvers, and then to attack the B-24s.

JC wins the second game against the B-24s.

We could only do one round (see above), so 10 rounds with 2 cards (+ speed extension) for each round.

Nobody ran out of kerosene (much to my disappointment ), so we didn't get to see the Me163 komet in action.

It was better to fire R4M rockets at the start of the game, as the proximity of the Me262s to the targets made it difficult to fire them later. It was also necessary to pass the D10 roll for the rockets, which was not the case for everyone.

In the end, JC won the trophy for the whole day.

Well done to him.

Thanks again and...... see you next time:D

Me262 VS B-24

Dinner time on Friday saw only 4 pilots available to fly. Aiden (Hell Spawn) and Ally (the Executioner) fly in their 1st WW2 game.

A flight of Dornier D0-17s heading well behind the lines to hit a French depot. Bf 109s fly above ready to pounce on any French resistance. Resistance is met by French MS 406s and Bloch MB152s. The Dorniers are to fly the length of the board and off. After a 3 turn delay they re-enter and fly the length to get home.

The Dornier formation is broken up by the head on attack of a MB 152.

A MS 406 closes in from behind wondering where the 109s are?

MS 402 #2 blasts a Dornier at close range.

The Dornier crew are cursing their JG26 escort. Where are they?

Dave in MS 406 #2 gets in another close shot at the next Dornier in line but misses with her cannon.

Here come the 109s! The Dorniers think it’s about time!

Aiden slips his MS 406 past the hungry 109s hoping to catch up with the Dorniers.

Dave’s MS406 finds out the hard way that Messerschmitts can be deadly. Ally gets her first WW2 kill.

The lead Dorniers try to put some distance between themselves and the French fighters.

Aiden gets a Dornier kill preventing it from dropping its bombs but his Bloch is hit by a 109 and begins to trail smoke.

One Dornier gets off to bomb the depot with Aiden giving chase.

Another Dornier is about to be harasses by Ally in her Bloch.

A victory by a Dornier! Dave’s MB152 drops from the sky.

One bomber begins its return while another begins to line up on the depot.

Aiden keeps his MS406 clear of Ally’s 109.

Aiden downs a Dornier, outgunning a Potez 631, but he loses his Bloch, shot by two Dornier rear gunners.

The Germans lost 2 bombers to accomplish their bombing mission while downing 2 French fighters.

On January 1st 1944, a German Fiat R.S.14 is flying from occupied France to Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance in southern Germany.

Due to bad weather, the crew loose their bearings and end up over neutral Switzerland.

Swiss-built Morane-Saulnier D-3801 are scrambled to intercept the intruder.

I was lazy to produce "real" Morane minis, so I made some quick & dirty 2.5d paper models, adapted from a template that I found online.

The link to the AAR

Who is interested. The full story of the historical incident can be translated from here

https://warbird.ch/wb-events/abschuss-ueber-dem-jura-2/

3 Luftwaffe Me109s take on 4 Royal Air Force Spitfires over Southern England in August 1940.

My plane for this engagement

Paul Armborst, Jim O’Neill, Bobsalt, Caveman, back-of-Phillip’s-head!

And Clarence too!

First approach – I tag Paul’s Spitfire, with him unable to reply.

TWO Very-Near-Collisions!

And a Third!

Swinging around behind the foe.

Firing again.

Paul’s “Immelmann” reverse plays out very badly for one of us (him).

He’s down! (Kill #1) >

Everyone else jockeying for position.

1 Me109 down! >

Paul’s respawn Spitfire races straight at me – and lights up!

German respawn, top right.

Close, but no cigar (if I’d had a cigar, I could have lit it from Paul’s flames!)

I “Immel”, shoot, and the combined fire damage and shooting damage is enough to drop Paul again (Kill #2) >

As I put Paul down, I take hits from another Spitfire, and my wingman splashes another Englander. >

The Spit which hammered me turns away – perhaps nervous about entering that lethal bit of airspace!

Another respawn Spitfire.

And another – now two of them are behind me, but distant. Just as well, since I’m down to just 1 remaining damage point, and with an Engine Hit I can only plan Slow manoeuvres!

My other wingman takes a pounding!

Too much to remain aloft….

…so down he goes. >

My first wingman to respawn guns down another Spitfire >

Trying to get away from my pursuers

Dive cards give me greater travel distance! I have to keep out of gun range.

More R.A.F. respawns appear far behind me.

Hit the deck, and run for it!

At last, I’m clear of pursuit.

My comrades are outnumbered four to two.

Very lucky escape!

So, back into the fray (stage right).

“Ausgezeichnet!” :guns:

Now, hard right, and after him!

One near-collision, and lots of shooting.

Another 109 claims a Kill >

We Germans both swing right…

Looking for more opponents.

My wingman performs an “Immelmann”

So do I; my wingman fires at Paul 3rd Spitfire…

…and then collides with him!

Another “Immelmann” by me, and I’m on Paul’s tail.

One of the other Spitfires gets too close to his 109 quarry.

Paul turns across my guns…:guns:

…and I splash him for the third time in this game! (sorry!) >

We call time there – my tally (with one off-table escape).

A well-named game – it certainly was “The Day of the Eagles!”

My ‘Origins’ scorecard

I was really looking forward to this game – particularly with my newly-developed interest in the North African theatre in WW2.

The game was run by Glenn (Jago85), who also flew the Me.323 Gigant transports, and 11 players settled in to fly fighters; 6 P-40s, 4 Bf.109Fs, and an extra player getting a Bf.109E.

Terrific Trio!

The task at hand…

My plane (Yellow 3) – never flown a Bf.109F before.

A bit light on firepower!

Full House!

“Gain height, and use it!”

The 5 Bf.109Fs, with the solitary Bf.109E.

Here comes the opposition.

6 P-40s! This is going to hurt…

I try to sideslip to the right, away from the transports, but two of the P-40s continue to vector in on me.

One veers off to tackle my wingman (phew!) but BobSalt comes straight for me in his Free French P-40.

I know he has more guns than me, and more damage points, and I can’t deviate sideways sufficiently to avoid being fired upon, so I elect to climb above him; my CA chits @ close range drop to a C, but with an added A chit for firing from above. His BBA chits @ short range drop to a BA @ long range, so my CA matches his BA.

It’s getting pretty tasty on our Left Flank!

Unable to plot a stall after my climb (2 “steep”s) I won’t be able to Split-S behind Bob, and I’m not willing to play another non-“steep” card in between those two, since I would reverse so far behind Bob that I could never catch up to him; I therefore chose to follow the Climb with a series of Slow left tight turns, hoping to acquire one of Bob’s wingmen even as I lost contact with him.

I was hoping Bob might Immelmann, to chase after me and thus leave the transports alone, but, alas, he was too smart to fall for that!

I lost Bob, but unfortunately I failed to successfully target any of his wingmen.

The P-40s blow right through us, and fall on the lumbering bombers (TRANSPORTS!!!! – throughout the Game, we all of us kept referring to the Me.323s as “bombers”; it was contagious, we were ALL at it!). All five Messerschmitt fighters are out of range.

Mayhem erupts as the Allies charge in!

The lead Gigant has taken a half-damage BOOM chit. BobSalt pummels the right-hand Me.323, as my wingman and I struggle to get to him.

The left-hand Gigant is set smoking; by dint of a very clever tablet video, the 323 smokes in real time, trailing a pulsating smoke stream!

Bob overlaps his quarry, and my wingman overlaps him! I’m still too far away to shoot. The ‘Hill’ P-40 pilot plays a reversal card, and drops in behind “our” Gigant.

High-speed head-on interpenetration (blurry-fast!). BobSalt is still overlapping his opponents (the same Gigant, and now me). I can’t hit the ‘Hill’ P-40 with the transport blocking the shot.

On our left flank, the three 109s race to re-engage.

I perform an Immelmann, the climb counter giving me the extra height to avoid colliding with the Me.323, and allowing a long-range shot-from-above into Bob.

On our left, it’s all happening! A 109F is cut down…

…as is a P-40…

…followed I quick succession by the other P-40 and our lead transport!

I’m trailing Bob, pumping cannon shells into him…

…and down he goes!

(Kill #1)

Our right-hand Me.323 drops the other P-40, which was overlapping the leading transport.

The P-40 pilots (including “Hugh Laurie” and “Eric Sykes”) are given their respawn instructions.

The two remaining Gigants, both heavily damaged, soldier on…

… but those doggedly-determined P-40s come at them again!

One of the last two ‘original’ P-40s sets the lead 323 ablaze, before overlapping it.

The fire takes the behemoth down.

I get a face-full of respawn P-40!

And the victorious P-40 is chopped by a 109F.

At this point, we ran out of time.

I was told that, historically, the transports were slaughtered, but we Germans did a much better protection job, as it was the P-40s that were slaughtered! FIVE lost, in exchange for two Gignts and a solitary Bf.109F.

(to be fair, the 4 on-table respawn P-40s would have almost certainly accounted for the last 323)

Great game, fully lived up to my expectations! And I chalked up another victory, too.

This mission was a Japanese raid in northern Burma trying to destroy a pair of trains bringing badly needed supplies to the front. The Flying Tigers answer the call and take on the raiders trying to hinder their ground forces in the area.

3 Flying Tigers in P-40s vs 2 Lilly light bombers with 2 Ki-44 Tojos as protection. All planes in this game are Dave's.

I got to fly a pair of Dave’s Lillys, Mark flew my escort in a pair of Ki-44 Tojos while Dave flew a trio of P-40s.

The targets.

The Tojos immediately go straight for the P-40s. One of the P-40s reverses right behind the Ki-44s to their frustration. (difficult to see as the P-40 is positioned so the background is a movement card in the water)

The two remaining P-40s fly wide and go after the Lillys.

P=40 #47 latches on the the tail of the green Tojo. It is not pleasant for the Tojo to say the least.

A Lilly tries to help hos comrade but misses 47.

More pain inflicted on green Tojo. His leader keeps on flying straight not knowing the fate of his wingman.

P-40 #38 tears into the Lillys crew hitting the pilot and a nose gunner. The Lilly is also severely damaged on this initial pass.

As 38 passes behind the Lilly it takes some minor damage.

Lilly one plinks away at 47.

Both Tojos finally reverse and put a good hit on 47 but 47 ends green Tojos day.

Lilly two turns and tries to get behind the pair of P-40s and is successful….for a while. As they try to get back into attack position Lilly two plinks away, taking a nibble here and there.

Silver Tojo is too close and right alongside 47 while 47 and Lilly one exchange shots. The Lilly takes a pair of engine hits!

47 is on a knifes edge of going down. The damage taken from the Lilly is enough and if spirals down into the jungle below.

Damage is slowly adding up on 38. And now silver Tojo is approaching.

For some unknown reason Tojo reverses right in front of 38!

He gets away with minimal damage…and then some more.

And some more!

P-40 7 latches on to Lilly twos tail and starts to rip into it.

In the meantime Lilly one makes its drop and takes out one of the train’s engines, ending its trip to the front.

(pulled an 18 from the D chits!)

Lilly two dives to get away from 7s 50 cals.

Tojo finally reverses but takes a hammering while getting off a wimpy shot. Silver Tojo crashes near the river, close to his wingman’s downed plane.

Lilly two tries to throw off its pursuit but 7 downs her well before she can start to line up the second train.

This one we called a draw, 1 destroyed and 1 untouched of the 2 objectives.

Tactically the Japanese lost 3 planes to 1, so a moral victory to the Flying Tigers.

In each of our battles Dave an I set it up and then roll a die to randomly determine sides.

In our third and last game Dave got to fly a trio of his new Corsairs while I flew three of his A6M5s.

A straight up fighter-sweep over a Pacific Island on a cloudy day.

Cloud rule for WW2 is when peg is in the cloud you cannot shoot or be shot. The movement card you leave the cloud you cannot shoot. But can be shot at.

Before moving, if the peg is in a cloud roll a d6. 1 = pivot plane 45* left, 6 = pivot plane 45* right, 2-5 no effect.

The Corsair flight hunting for victims. Two newer dark blue gull wings and one older plane assigned to a rookie.

The Japanese patrol flight hoping for an easy day of flying over their island.

The two sides spot each other across a spotty sky. Somehow the infamous rude cloud gets center stage in the middle of the sky.

Both fights head to the left of the large central cloud.

The Corsair rookie heads into a cloud and momentarily loses his bearing. Luckily for the Marines he does not cause a collision with one of his own. A few choice words are heard crackling over the radio.

The rookie, in his embarrassment flies into another cloud.

The Japanese flight leader see this as an opportunity and signals his flight to turn back to have a 3 on 2 advantage.

Maybe not such a good idea as the first exchange is quite one sided.

The next exchange of 3 on 2 is more even. Not what flight leader Miko had wanted.

The corsair leader is wondering where his rookie is. Ah, just emerging from the cloud well behind them.

But those corsairs are fast and the rookie catches flight leader Miko from the side. His A6M5 crashes next to the military installation. With minor wounds he will fight again.

The already smoking Zero finds himself in a corsair sandwich. He reverses to face the corsair tailing him but shows his tail to the rookie. This rookie is a deadly shot and downs his second Jap, but not before, in his last dying shot, he takes down a corsair of his own.

Now it’s two on one, the Corsairs feel quite confident of clearing the sky of Zeros.

Miko uses a cloud to hide behind before turning back on his enemies.

Corsair leader heads into the cloud to evade the oncoming Zero. Will he come out where he expects?

The rookie follows his leader and avoids the Zero as well.

Corsair leader was slightly confused emerging from the cloud and flies off the mat and out of the battle leaving the rookie on his own.

The rookie has no trouble with the cloud and reverses to where he thinks the Zero will be.

Miko does not want to have the rookie behind him so heads into the cloud too!

They exit opposite sides of the cloud and begin a deadly dance that will leave only one of them still in the air.

Miko tries to line up a shot but the faster Corsair zips by and disappears into the cloud again.

The Corsairs speed easily lets it put some distance between him and his foe before he reverses to re-engage.

(ignore the damage markers on the mat)

Both know it will be next to impossible to get off an unanswered shot. They tighten their harnesses and head straight at each other.

This time the rookie’s aim is off and he takes the worst of it. Miko has a boost in his confidence.

Both reassess their position and try to maneuver for an advantage.

Mkiko tries to emerge from behind the cloud and time a surprise shot at the American but the rookie disappears into the cloud just as Miko was about to shoot.

Miko puts a little distance between the two before reversing.

This exchange does not go well for either pilot, but Miko takes the worst of it and is set on fire!

The flames get larger as Miko starts to set up an over-dive to try to douse the flames.

No use. The flames take him out. His over-dive cannot be controlled and his Zero dives straight into the river.

Pulling himself out of the river on to the bank, Miko shakes a fist upward at the rookie flying off, thinking he must be some American great ace.

Dave’s rookie claims 3 official kills! Miko and his surviving wingman claim 2 kills each.

Dave’s Corsairs rule the sky and when the rookie rejoins his leader they fly back to base to report their victory.

First weekend in September I traveled up to visit Dave in Brewer Maine for some WGS gaming. It has been a long time since I’ve seen Dave and he has painted a lot of planes since my last visit. Time to get some in the air!

We got in 3 WW2 games on Saturday, the afternoon game with a friend of Dave’s joining in.

Saturday morning Dave and I started off with a battle off Malaysia. The Japanese were landing troops to the north unopposed. The RAF sent a scratch force with its only torpedo capable planes, the Vickers Vildebeest, to try to stop one of the landings.

Game 1, Vildebeest’s on the Prowl.

A pair of torpedo ladened Vildebveests with one Buffalo escort made for a Japanese landing site in Malasia. Hoping to catch a transport still loaded.

A trio of Ki-27 Nates barred their way.

The Buffalo pilot overturns leaving the Nates a clear run at the Vildebeests.

One shot and one critical hit. The first Beast takes a hit to it’s engine. Being far from their base the Vildebeest crew weigh the severity of the situation and decide to carry on.

Vildebeest #2 gets harassed but a silver Nate while a camo version flies high above.

The silver Nate continues to plink away causing some rudder trouble for Vildebeest #2.

A second Nate gets in on the action against Beast #2. The damage is adding up. The Beast has more rudder damage and begins to smoke.

Vildebeest #1, trying to help his wingmate, gets in a good shot at the green Nate.

The torpedo planes battle for their lives while the Buffalo watches helplessly from above.

Radio chatter gets frantic, “Get the %$@* down here and help”!

Beest #1’s consecutive fire on the green Nate does some serious hurt to it.

Beest #2 gets a little relief as the green Nate is too close to shoot. Unfortunately, the silver Nate keeps up the fire and adds some more pain.

The green Nate pulls away from Beest #2 only to get wacked by Beest #1.

While the green Nate falls to the sea the silver Nate keeps up its fire on Beest #2. Sliding into a Blind spot the Nate shoots at close range without having to take any return. Time is running out for this Beest.

When the Buffalo finally drops to engagement level it is unfortunate for him as he is in front of the camo Nate.

Beest #1 can take no more and spirals into the sea.

Vildebeest #1 chugs along as fast as it can. Seeing its accompanying Beest splash the rear gunner takes some revenge on the silver Nate.

The Beest dives down to torpedo level but still takes some incoming fire from the silver Nate. (missed a photo before this one)

Lining up on a transport makes it easy for the Nate to hammer the Beest.

With the Beest making its torpedo run the Buffalo knows it can’t help and concentrates on the camo Nate. Their dance begins in earnest.

They turn at each other but pass too close to get off any shots.

The slow speed of the Voldebeest confounds the Nate pilot. He cannot slow his plane enough to keep it in his guns. The troops on the transport watch in terror as the torpedo plane gets closer and closer.

The Nate now finds itself in front of the Beest and takes a few rounds in the tail.

The fish is in the water!

As the Nate pulls away from the Beest the destroyer in the cove (just below out of the photo) can finally get a shot at the enemy. He hits and scores some damage.

Not enough of a distraction for the Nate as the Beest pilot rissles him again, killing him outright.

The camo Nate gets a free shot on the Buffalo as it speeds forward trying to get to the Beest. He didn’t realize the great marksmanship of the Beest pilot and would have been better off countering the camo Nate.

The Buffalo pilot feels the sting of a 7.7mm round.

The Buffalo takes more punishment but it has done its job distracting the Nate from the Beest below.

Back in the cove, the torpedo passes harmlessly beneath the transport.

The Buffalop turns back towards the Nate. With the incoming rounds hitting the Buffalo the pilot regrets his decision.

With the Nate heading away the Vildebeest crew hope the Nate keeps on going.

The Buffalo passes just over the Nate and wishes for the same thing.

Unfortunately the Nate reverses and latches on to the Buffalo’s tail.

The Buffalo pilot knows he’s done for if he tries to run so reverses back at the Nate. The Nate is caught by surprise and takes a hammering.

The destroyer’s AA finishes off the Buffalo.

Vildebeest #1 gets away with the camo Nate watching it head off to the south.

This was considered a Japanese victory as both transports survived the day.

If a torpedo drew any damage other than ‘0’ from the D deck the transport would be considered destroyed. Sadly for the

Vildebeest crew their torpedo missed.

This was a game which unfortunately only attracted 4 sign-ups, so we waited a short while to see whether anyone passing by would like to join.

When play commenced, it was decided that there were not enough players to intercept the B-25s as planned, so that scenario was dropped in favour of a straight-up dogfight, two vs two.

Lovely mat!

My good (evil?) self in the “off-white” ‘Zeke’ with a red fuselage band – my first ever outing in this type of plane. You might say I had “Zero” previous experience?

Oh, no! My wingman in flames – not good news.

My opponent and I cannot target each other on this pass.

The other Aussie can chase me, though.

No guns-on-target for me here, either.

NOW I get a shot in…

…then I overcook the follow-up – Damn but these P-40s are fast!

My wingman goes down.

Then his respawn appears.

An interested passer-by is roped in too!

Just as well, for at this point I get chopped! (Kills 0, Shot Down #1)

A close-run head-to-head!

Jockeying for position.

“BOOM” One for His Majesty the Emperor!

The other Aussie is chasing after me.

Our new arrival cuts him off.

The Aussie respawn arrives…

…is he trying to land on the airstrip?

I Immelmann and catch him. My respawned wingman exchanges fire with the other P-40.

Everyone survives!

Until, that is, the passer-by latecomer goes down!

TIME!

A clear Allied victory.

MY ORIGINS SCORECARD