There is an amazing moment during combat when everything conspires to the kill. Amazing if you are in the good side of the barrels...

Section of the Tsubai Squadron, 703 Koukutai, Carrier Hiryū, 2nd Carrier Division serving as CAP for a Transport Fleet intercepting enemy Army Fighters

"I see them!" Kaigun Jun-i Saburo Tsuruno shouted in the full splendor of his youth. Kaigun Chūi Taii Nobuo Fujita laughed. "It would be better", he said mockingly, "if you stated where and how many."

Kaigun Shōi Mitsubishi Kinsei was quick to capitalize the moment. "Six bandits twelve o'clock closing in."

Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung watched them carefully. "Army fighters. Pincer movement. Fujita! Slide right. We'll go left. Don't let them play us. Stay close to them!" He heard three voices shouting in unison. "Hai!"

Mikeyung watched his half squadron opening in a perfect maneuver.

"They are keeping up with us, Fujita! Flank them after our passage" Fugita replied with a smile in his voice. "Hai! I hope that they don't ruin your passage Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung."

Mikeyung laughed. "We'll move across them like bees between drops of rain."

"Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung! Two of the Americans are reacting to us." Mikeyung looked carefully at the planes. "You have P-40's moving to you. We have P-36. Keep them close, they are less maneuverable but have good firepower."

"They moved away! Are they stupid?!" Fujita spat with admiration. Mikeyung tried to look at the P-40's while approaching the four P-36. "Fujita! They are making a reverse! Don't put yourself in their crosshairs!"

"I hit one of the Americans!" Fujita shouted.

Both Tsuruno and Mikeyung fired at the leading P-36, hitting it hard.

And then all the P-36's fired back concentrating on Mikeyung's zero. "Are you alright, Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung?!" Tsuruno asked with fear in his voice. "Like a bee on a spring shower..." Mikeyung replied.

The Zeroes finished their pincer movement and the Americans pass them by. Mikeyung looked at the reverse of the P-40's and one of them was flying with skill. He wanted to warn his comrades but he understood that they would soon understand it.

The American ended his reverse opening fire against Kinsei with an uncanny accuracy. "Ace!" shouted Kinsei and the dogfight took immediately a new dimension.

"Let's exchange targets! Keep them turning!" Mikeyung shouted on his radio.

Both Tsuruno and Mikeyung capitalized on a P-40, filling it with holes.

Now the dance became different. The P-36's went for a split-s trying to reverse as fast as they could but the zeroes were inside the maneuvering of all American fighters.

Tsuruno fired a very accurate volley that raked the P-40 from side to side. No pilot bailed out. No parachute opened...

"Well done Tsuruno! Your first kill!" Mikeyung shouted with a proud voice. Tsuruno replied humbled. "Domo arigato, Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung! You honor me!"

Mikeyung fired at long range against the American ace but he was able to avoid damage. This one is trouble, Mikeyung thought to himself.

Fujita and Kinsei fired against the P-36 that was already damaged hitting it squarely.

The P-36 cracked open and went down. A parachute opened over the ocean. "Congratulations for this amazing kill, Kaigun Chūi Taii Nobuo Fujita." said Kinsei. "Hai, hai..." replied Fujita with a kind voice. "You know how this works, Kinsei. You'll have a kill soon..."

Like most pilots, Mikeyung didn't like that the ranking officer kept the kill but he knew that the fight was now becoming harder. "Congratulations, Fujita and less chatter! This is far from being over." While he was reversing they both replied sharply. "Hai!"

Then Mikeyung saw the American ace mirroring their reverse. "He's on you Tsuruno! Turn in his direction!"

The American ace hit him again with precision.

And the P-36's seemed to gain a new breath.

But Kinsei paid them back in kind.

Tsuruno wasn't able to shake off the American ace and he glued himself to his tail. "Turn hard right! Hard right Tsuruno!" Mikeyung shouted to his wingman.

The American shot Tsuruno Zero through the cockpit. Mikeyung could see his wingman jerk under the fusillade of the American machineguns.

Tsuruno zero went down in flames. The ocean would be Tsurono's tomb. Mikeyung fought the tears that were starting to blind him. You avenged your wingman, American. I'll avenge mine!

He fired against the P-36 that was trying to tail his comrades but he fired from too far and too late.

As if they were listening to his thoughts, his comrades fired a heavy cannon fusillade against the American ace and raked him heavily.

Wounded and in fire, the American ace tried to escape. Mikeyung concentrated on the P-36 that was trying to tail his comrades.

Fujita and Kinsei kept following the P-40 in flames and fired again against it.

It went down like a ball of fire, the pilot unable to abandon the cockpit. "Congratulations for another amazing kill, Kaigun Chūi Taii Nobuo Fujita." Kinsei repeated. "Ie!" replied Fujita harshly. "You know that this kill is yours, Kinsei. I didn't hit the American..." Kinsei agreed. "Domo arigato."

Then with a quick burst, Mikeyung destroyed the P-36.

The P-36 went down and a parachute opened a few seconds later. "Congratulations Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung!" said Fujita. But Mikeyung had blood on his teeth and he couldn't speak for the moment.

As his wingmen went on a reverse he went for the remaining two Americans.

He fired against the leading P-36.

The P-36's turned sharply left and Mikeyung easily kept up with them.

And kept on pounding against the previously wounded bird.

It went down with a crack on its wings. Another parachute open over the waters.

Then the last P-36 was facing two zeroes as Mikeyung watched the duel mesmerized.

The lone P-36 fired courageously against Kinsei doing visible damage.

His wingmen fired back, hitting the American squarely.

The American pushed his engine trying to escape.

Almost detached Mikeyung pulled the trigger and cannons and machineguns made a hard work on the frame of the American fighter.

Outclassed, outgunned, outmaneuver and outnumbered, the fighter went down in a wounded silence.

Mikeyung formed with his wingmen and together they started looking for the Hiryū to land, be praised and mourn their comrade.

The Bill:

Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung (Ace - Evasion, Sniper) - 5 kills - 3 kill in this scenario - Becomes Ace in this scenario (gets Sniper ability)

Kaigun Chūi Taii Nobuo Fujita (Veteran - Evasion) - 1 kill in this scenario

Kaigun Shōi Mitsubishi Kinsei (Standard) - 1 kill in this scenario

Kaigun Jun-i Saburo Tsuruno (Standard) - 1 kill in this scenario - KIA in this scenario

Rules in effect:

[i AI planes try to escape if pilot wounded or the moment they have only 2 hits or less remaining.

Rookies follow the same order if they have a leader in their 12. In case of being by themselves they are played as an AI.

The American P-40's are an Ace and a Veteran. The P-36's are two veterans and two rookies.[/i]

Here you can find Hiryū and Tsubai Squadron

A red scarf handmade by my lover

Caresses my neck

How happy I am.

Kaigun Jun-i Yukio Sugita

Section of the Tsubai Squadron, 703 Koukutai, Carrier Hiryū, 2nd Carrier Division serving as CAP for a Transport Fleet

Kaigun Jun-i Yukio Sugita moved up and down his wings to draw the attention of Kaigun Taii Mitsuo Fuchida, his Squadron Leader. When Fuchida looked at him he pointed west. His Squadron Leader made the sign that he was seeing the enemy. He told him with hand signs to stay close to him. He confirmed and they moved in the direction of the approaching enemy planes.

Sugita had very few combat hours under his belt and he knew it. Flying as wingman of an ace made him nervous and he told himself that he would cover the six of Kaigun Taii Mitsuo Fuchida no matter what. He touched the red scarf that his fiancée made for him and he smiled.

When they were close enough he could see two dive bombers moving against the two transport ships they were protecting. And with them two Wildcats. Sugita wandered on what would his Squadron Leader would do.

The dive bombers were opening, each aiming at a different transport. The Wildcats seem to be oblivious of the the two zeroes coming for them.

Sugita was not surprised that Kaigun Taii Mitsuo Fuchida charged directly one of the dive bombers. Sugita kept a close formation preparing himself for the clash.

Only when they zoomed past the Wilcats did the American saw them. What an advantage they had. Sugita saw the dive bomber becoming bigger in his crosshairs. They descended since the dive bomber was going down for his attack.

Sugita looked quickly to his left and saw the Wildcats starting to turn in their direction. A flash to the east assured him that another comrade came to help them. He hoped that he would arrive on time. Then he targeted the dive bomber.

Together with Kaigun Taii Mitsuo Fuchida he raked heavily the American plane. But he kept flying and aiming at the ship.

Then they passed it by, not able to keep up with its dive and Fuchida was already aiming at the other dive bomber. Sugita looked back and saw the American bomber releasing his bomb. He hoped that he missed the ship.

The gunner of the second American bomber was a good shot and he hit the plane of Kaigun Taii Mitsuo Fuchida. He was trying to put himself in position to attack the second transport ship.

They both fired at it from long range and they both scored impressive hits. Fugita was becoming more at ease with his abilities.

Fugita saw the bomb of the first Dive bomber hitting the transport ship and a cloud of smoke immediately cover the ocean. But he had to maintain his eyes on the second plane. Suddenly he remembered the name of this type. Dauntless!

Trying to maintain his awareness around himself Sugita saw the Wildcats making a reverse, Kaigun Shōi Jiro Horikoshi approaching to help them, the first Dauntless recovering from its dive and the second one starting the bombing dive.

Then they fired at the Dauntless. He missed but Fuchida raked the Dauntless from engine to tail.

The Dauntless didn't recover from the dive. No parachute opened over the ocean. Sugita had imprinted in his retina de scared face of the Dauntless gunner. He touched his red scarf.

Sugita was sweating in order to maintain formation with Fuchida. The man was an amazing pilot and Sugita knew that in order to survive he had to keep himself glued to his wingman. The Wildcats were facing them now but they also had company.

Fuchida ignored completely and aimed again at the wounded Dauntless. Sugita looked at the fighters for a brief second.

The Wildcats fired at Fuchida from afar and didn't connect. Does he know the quality of the enemy just by seeing them flying, Sugita asked himself.

Kaigun Shōi Jiro Horikoshi hit one of the American fighters squarely in the cockpit. The battle was now one sided, Sugita said to himself.

The enemy is going to try to escape. But Kaigun Taii Mitsuo Fuchida will not allow this to happen, he thought to himself.

Then the Dauntless gunner hit the engine of Sugita's Zero. A stream of black smoke covered his cockpit as he fired back.

They both fired at the Dauntless but he was distracted with the smoke and Fuchida was making signs for him to return to the carrier. Sugita didn't want to but he had to obey.

He couldn't see a thing much less fire. The Dauntless gunner kept firing at him. But he saw Fuchida aiming carefully.

The Dauntless gunner hit him again doing good damage. He decided that he would leave now.

Fuchida fired a stream of bullets and shells and the Dauntless shuddered like a dying bird.

That was the second kill of Fuchida. Now only the Wildcats remained.

One of the Wildcats was under fire and the other was clearly limping away.

Going back to the Hiryū, Sugita could see the final stages of the dogfight.

The remaining Wildcat fired against Fuchida but it was a long shot.

Then Horikoshi fired a perfect volley.

The Wildcat went down.

Sugita saw the remaining Wildcat escaping and the lazy pursuit from his fellow wingmen. Sugita knew that he was flying with giants...

The Bill:

Kaigun Taii Mitsuo Fuchida (Ace - Acrobatic Pilot, Evasion) 2 kills in this scenario

Kaigun Shōi Jiro Horikoshi (Standard) 1 kill in this scenario

Kaigun Jun-i Yukio Sugita (Rookie) becomes Standard in this scenario

Rules in effect:

[i AI planes try to escape if pilot wounded or the moment they have only 2 hits or less remaining.

Rookies follow the same order if they have a leader in their 12. In case of being by themselves they are played as an AI.[/i]

Here you can find Hiryū and Tsubai Squadron

Sometimes a blue towel can be the entire Pacific Ocean.

Section of the Tsubai Squadron, 703 Koukutai, Carrier Hiryū, 2nd Carrier Division searching the American Flat Tops

Kaigun Chūi Hiroyoshi Nishizawa looked at his wingman, Kaigun Shōi Masaoki Sakai, as he was looking around, trying to find the enemy fleet. They were in silence for 15 minutes already and it was nice. It was also nice to have radios in their planes to speak with each other if they wanted to. Not all zeroes had them or had good ones. As a Lieutenant he had one. The problem were these scout missions... If he was looking for enemy fleets he wouldn't be able to launch in a strike. "Aaaah... Kaigun Chūi Hiroyoshi Nishizawa?!" His trail of thoughts was interrupted by his wingman. "Ai! What is it, Sakai-san?"

"Are those birds?!" Nishizawa looked around. "Where?!" "Twelve o'clock." He looked carefully. "Ie! Those are Americans also scouting for our fleet." He looked carefully at them. "They saw us already."

"Pincet maneuver on my mark, Sakai-san!" He looked at his wingman. They were both eager. "Ai! Kaigun Chūi Hiroyoshi Nishizawa?! This means that their carrier is close-by?"

"Turn right Sakai-san!" Both planes opened up left and right. "Their carrier can be two hundred miles away... But if we can damage one of them enough we can shadow him..." Sakai replied with a happy voice. "We will do that!"

"Sakai-san!" "Iosh!" Nishizawa cleared his throat. "In case of being damaged beyond combat abilities..." "Ai! Kaigun Chūi Hiroyoshi Nishizawa?!" Nishizawa hesitated. "Do not fly in the direction of our fleet. Try to land on an island." There was a moment of silence. "Domo arigato! For pointing that out Kaigun Chūi Hiroyoshi Nishizawa! That makes complete sense." Nishizawa nodded in the solitude of his cockpit.

"They are sliding in your direction Kaigun Chūi Hiroyoshi Nishizawa!" He nodded as he surveyed the flight abilities of the American. "It's a sensible thing to do, Sakai-san. They sensed who is the most experiente pilot from both of us. Now circle around them and make them pay for their foolishness!"

What are they trying to do, Nishizawa thought. Why don't they break formation? But then they start shooting and he locked on one of them.

"They are shooting at you Kaigun Chūi Hiroyoshi Nishizawa! Are you alright?! Kaigun Chūi Hiroyoshi Nishizawa?!"

"I am alright, Sakai-san! We just trade some kisses. Do you intend to join in the party?!" He heard Sakai laugh and smiled. He know that it wasn't common to make jokes during a combat but it always kept him confident and calm. He hoped that it would also work for Sakai.

"I'm here and I bring flowers, Kaigun Chūi Hiroyoshi Nishizawa!" Nishizawa smiled and looked at his wingman approaching. The kid was flying steady and confident. Then he looked back to his prey.

He carefully filled his enemy with canon and machinegun shots. This is the leader, Nishizawa thought. If we take down this one...

"Aaaaah... They didn't like my flowers..." Nishizawa laughed. "Offer them more!"

"What are they doing Kaigun Chūi Hiroyoshi Nishizawa?!" He looked at the Americans reversing so close to them and he wondered the same.

With ease Nishizawa caught the end of the Wildcat's loop and scored heavily on the American plane.

A trail of flame erupted from its engine and a parachute opened in deep blue. "You got one Kaigun Chūi Hiroyoshi Nishizawa!"

"Aaaaah... They keep not liking my flowers..." Nishizawa laughed again. "Insist! And Sakai-san..."

"Ai Kaigun Chūi Hiroyoshi Nishizawa!" Nishizawa smiled to himself. "During flights you can call me Nishizawa-san. You spend too much oxygen saying my entire rank and name." "Ai Kaigun.... I mean Nishizawa-san! I will not betray your confidence."

"Well done Sakai-san! You hit the Wildcat!" Nishizawa smiled. "They finally accepted my flowers!"

Nishizawa suddenly understood. "They are trying to use their heavier planes to zoom in and out!" He heard Sakai getting excited. "So that they don't have to dogfight us." Nishizawa nodded. "Exactly!"

"Aaaah... But Nishizawa-san... It's not working..." Nishizawa looked at the Americans while they tried to reverse quickly.

"It's not working yet, Sakai-san. They are doing it wrong. But soon they will learn how to do it..." And then we'll have a problem, he said to himself.

"I was hit. Aaaah... Nishizawa-san, I think it's starting to work..."

"Then shoot him down so that he can't teach others the new maneuvers..." "Ai Nishizawa-san!

If they master this... this... hit and run technic we'll have a problem, Nishizawa thought. And they are trying it with purpose.

"Good shot Sakai-san!"

"Thank you, sir!"

"Let's make one of them try to escape. Then we'll see from where they are coming."

"Ai! That one is going for another reverse!"

"Your aim is improving! Good shot Sakai-san!"

"What are you doing, Sakai-san?! Keep targeting that Wildcat!"

"Sorry sir... Aaaaah... I thought that we wanted one of them to escape..." "Ai! We do. But just when they decide to escape. Does he seem to be escaping?!"

"Ie! He does not..." "But maybe now he will..."

Nishizawa heard Sakai laugh. "Ai Nishizawa-san. Now he will!"

"Be careful, Sakai! A cornered enemy will fight with doubled strength!"

"Ai! But I think I got it!"

"Congratulations for your kill, Sakai-san!"

"Domo arigato, Nishizawa-san! The third one is escaping!" Nishizawa smiled. "Ai! Let him escape. Let's shadow him to see if he takes us to his carrier."

The Bill:

Kaigun Chūi Hiroyoshi Nishizawa (Veteran - Evasion) 1 kill in this scenario

Kaigun Shōi Masaoki Sakai (Standard) 1 kill in this scenario

Rules in effect:

[i AI planes try to escape if pilot wounded or the moment they have only 2 hits or less remaining.[/i]

Here you can find Hiryū and Tsubai Squadron

A long time ago, in August 2012 I had the idea of creating a short solo campaign in the Pacific. Midway Rising. For months, me and Sven created and wrote the rules of the campaign. Others joined in. After a while when we were about to begin life served me a cold meal and I had no time or will to set up scenarios. Sven, amazing as usual, kept the boat steaming. He played the campaign in the months ahead. I didn't. But reading these posts these last few days gave me the will to play these six scenarios. This is the first one.

Section of the Tsubai Squadron, 703 Koukutai, Carrier Hiryū, 2nd Carrier Division escorting Vals to Midway targets

I looked left and right. To my left Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung and Kaigun Shōi Hideo Itokawa where piloting the two other Zeroes. I was dutifully following them. This was my first combat mission. I was very proud. To my right the 3 Vals that we were escorting were flying in a precise formation. We had just split from the other planes from the carrier to attack our target.

Then I saw them. Fat American fighters. I have a radio but it's only a receptor. It doesn't transmit. I started making signs with my hands and banking my wings.

But before Kaigun Shōi Hideo Itokawa was able to see me I received a transmission from Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung. He saw the Americans almost as soon as I saw them. "Four Wildcats at eleven O'clock." Then he address me. "Kaigun Jun-i Takeo Tanimizu! Keep tailing Kaigun Shōi Hideo Itokawa and always protect his six! Banzai!" I shouted "Banzai!" but nobody could hear me.

We moved to face them and they kept coming at us. Our leader was very brave and the Wildcats very foolish to face us directly.

Then to my great surprise, the American fired all against our leader and made good damage to his plane. But the way he moved deflected some damage for sure. Seeing that amount of damage unnerved me quite a bit. But I clenched my teeth and kept my plane flying straight.

Then Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung and Kaigun Shōi Hideo Itokawa fired both against the same Wildcat and some cannon shells connected with it. I was too far to fire. My hands were trembling.

Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung made a hard turn right, Kaigun Shōi Hideo Itokawa followed him and I followed Kaigun Shōi Hideo Itokawa. It was a mistake. But the warnings of Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung in the radio came too late. "You should have banked to the left Itokawa! Now we're in a terrible position!" But neither of us could reply.

Two of the Wildcats raked Kaigun Shōi Hideo Itokawa zero with terrible accuracy. I was afraid that this would be the end of us.

The last one hit our leader squarely. I was astonished that he was still flying.

Suddenly I had no one to follow and four Wildcats hot on my tail. Not knowing what to do I decided to stay close to the Vals.

Looking back I saw one of the Wildcats targeting Kaigun Shōi Hideo Itokawa zero with enormous accuracy.

It was terrible to see him going down in flames... I expected the same to happen to Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung. We were lost.

But has I turned hard left to keep up with the Vals I saw our leader keeping his hard left turn and to my surprise the Wildcats went for a half loop. But they did it too soon.

Our leader used the opportunity to fire against the Wildcat that he had previously damaged. And he raked it with furious vengeance.

The Wildcat followed the burning wreak of Kaigun Shōi Hideo Itokawa zero! Avenged he was now!

At the same time, the gunners of the Vals I was following hit squarely the closest Wildcat and to my surprise they hit its engine and the cockpit. The Wildcat pilot was surely hit.

I decided to turn left again to be on the other side of the remaining Wildcats. My eyes were on our leader and on the way he was chasing three Wildcats. I suddenly realized that they were the ones that should be afraid. To gain some needed courage I shouted inside my cockpit. "Banzai! Banzai! Banzai!"

Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung fired a volley against the enemy leader and hit his Wildcat squarely.

The Vals kept firing their guns against the Wildcats keeping them away. I had to return to the fray.

One of the Wildcats was obviously retreating, but the other two were still turning in the direction of the Vals. I pushed my machine to extremes to get closer.

Our leader fired again against his target and smoke sputtered from his Wildcat's engine.

One Wildcat retreating, one smoking and the last one preparing a half loop. I had to get closer to the last one. My honor demanded it.

Then Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung got his second kill.

The second Wildcat went down spiraling. Would our leader pursue the fleeing enemy or turn against the last one?

And that gunner... that gunner... traced the last wildcat as if he was an ace.

The Wildcat finished his loop, the Vals were getting near their target and suddenly I felt no fear or excitement. Only the sureness of a fighter pilot.

Our leader fired against the fleeing Wildcat. I was happy because that would leave the other one for me.

The gunner kept trying to steal from me a kill. But he was really good.

As I came closer our leader also turned against the only Wildcat that was still a threat. I pushed my engine to the limit.

He fired but failed to connect.

The Vals arrived to the target and started their dive.

Finally I had an enemy fighter in my sights. I was eager to pressed the firing botten and I spent too much ammunition.

But although I missed the target with a lot of ammunition I suddenly hit something vital and the Wildcat exploded in front of me.

As I saw if crashing down I heard Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung praise. "Well done Takeo! You did well. Form on me and let's take the Vals home." I could not stop smiling inside my cockpit.

We formed up and we were ready to return back to the Hiryū. I had a kill and an understanding of combat that I didn't have before. But for at the same time, the sadness of losing a comrade. Alone in my cockpit I start singing.

The Bill:

Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung (Veteran - Evasion) 2 kills in this scenario

Kaigun Shōi Hideo Itokawa (Standard) - KIA

Kaigun Jun-i Takeo Tanimizu (Rookie) - becomes (Standard) - 1 kill in this scenario

Rules in effect:

Rookies follow the same order if they have a leader in their 12. In case of being by themselves they are played as an AI.

Here you can find Hiryū and Tsubai Squadron

Tsubai Squadron, 703 Koukutai, Carrier Hiryū, 2nd Carrier Division

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=56861&d=1344806216

Kaigun Taii Mitsuo Fuchida (Ace - Acrobatic Pilot, Evasion) - 2 kills

Kaigun Chūi Taii Nobuo Fujita (Veteran - Evasion) - 1 Kill

Kaigun Chūi Hiroyoshi Nishizawa (Veteran - Evasion) - 1 Kill

Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung (Ace - Evasion, Sniper) - 5 kills

Kaigun Shōi Hideo Itokawa (Standard) - KIA

Kaigun Shōi Jiro Horikoshi (Standard) - 1 Kill

Kaigun Shōi Mitsubishi Kinsei (Standard) - 1 Kill

Kaigun Shōi Masaoki Sakai (Standard) - 1 Kill

Kaigun Jun-i Saburo Tsuruno (Standard) - 1 Kill - KIA

Kaigun Jun-i Soichi Seki (Standard)

Kaigun Jun-i Yukio Sugita (Standard)

Kaigun Jun-i Takeo Tanimizu (Standard) - 1 Kill

Kaigun Taii - Navy Captain

Kaigun Chūi - Lieutenant

Kaigun Shōi - 2nd Lieutenant

Kaigun Jun-i -warrant Officer

Scenario 1: Bombing Midway - Victory

Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung (Veteran - Evasion) 2 kills in this scenario

Kaigun Shōi Hideo Itokawa (Standard) - KIA

Kaigun Jun-i Takeo Tanimizu (Rookie) - becomes (Standard) - 1 kill in this scenario

Scenario 2: Find the Flat Tops - Victory

Kaigun Chūi Hiroyoshi Nishizawa (Veteran - Evasion) - 1 kill in this scenario

Kaigun Shōi Masaoki Sakai (Standard) - 1 kill in this scenario

Scenario 3: Attack the Transport Fleet - Defeat

Kaigun Taii Mitsuo Fuchida (Ace - Acrobatic Pilot, Evasion) - 2 kills in this scenario

Kaigun Shōi Jiro Horikoshi (Standard) - 1 kill in this scenario

Kaigun Jun-i Yukio Sugita (Rookie) becomes (Standard) in this scenario

Scenario 4: Dogfight! - Victory

Kaigun Chūi Quinn Mikeyung (Ace - Evasion, Sniper) - 5 kills - 3 kill in this scenario - Becomes ace in this scenario (gets Sniper ability)

Kaigun Chūi Taii Nobuo Fujita (Veteran - Evasion) - 1 kill in this scenario

Kaigun Shōi Mitsubishi Kinsei (Standard) - 1 kill in this scenario

Kaigun Jun-i Saburo Tsuruno (Standard) - 1 kill in this scenario - KIA in this scenario

Turn 1-- USN forces approaches targets (two Wildcats and two Dauntlesses). The Wildcats are piloted by the following recurring characters in the campaign game-- Wildcat F-2 (Lcdr. Sterling Moore) and Wildcat F-3 (Lt.jg William "Lucky Billy" Sims).

The IJN transports sail on course:

Turn 2- The USN dive bombers fall behind the Wildcats due to speed differences as they approach the target. The first wave of IJN Zeroes approach to defend the transports.

Turn 3- AI has the IJN planes cross over each other on approach, while USN planes continue their approach. Wildcat F-2 takes AA fire from rear ship and it misses plane. The front ship fires AA Wildcat F-3 and also misses. Wildcat F-3 and the Red Stripe Zero exchange long range fire inflicting 3 points damage on each other BUT the Zero takes an engine hit!

Turn 4 The USN dive bombers begin to dive toward ships. The Wildcats go after the Zeroes and the Zeroes (per scenario) go after the dive bombers diving with them. The reinforcement Zero (per scenario) enters. The dive bombers take AA from the ships -- both survive unscathed (those transports really need some gunnery practice!). Wildcat F-2 fires at long range at Red Stripe Zero missing. Wildcat F-3 fires long range at Camo Zero inflicting 7 points of damage and an engine hit. White Tail Dauntless fires at close range at Red Stripe Zero inflicting 4 points damage and rudder damage. Blue Tail Dauntless fires at long range at Camo Zero inflicting 1 point damage. Camo Zero returns fire at Blue Tail Dauntless at long range.

Turn 5 All planes dive. Both Dauntless release their bombs hitting targets, but take AA fire first. White Tail Dauntless takes 8 points damage, Blue Tail takes 0.

Turn 6 -- USN planes maneuver, dive bombers go straight. Wildcats F-2 and F-3 fire long range on Black Stripe Zero who returns fire on F-3. 8 points damage and a pilot wound on the Zero, 0 points on F-3.

Turns 7 & 8-- Dive bombers Immelmann, Wildcats converge Zero (F-3 doing a stall). The Zero turns into them. The other Zeroes with engine damage turn back towards targets. Wildcat F-3 and Black Stripe Zero exchange close range fire -- Wildcat F-3 (pilot "Lucky Billy" Sims) gets THREE (count 'em three) 0 damage chits and inflicts 2 damage points and a second pilot wound thus shooting down Black Stripe Zero (Sims first aerial victory). Wildcats go straight in preparation for Immelmann, Dauntless go straight at high speed (attempting get away!). Blue Tail Dauntless fires close range at Red Stripe Zero who returns fire. White Tail Dauntless fires at long range. Zero takes 6 points from Blue Tail, 1 point and rudder damage from White Tail. Blue Tail takes 3 points damage and BOOM! from Red Stripe Zero (At this point I'm afraid I got a little excited and didn't take as many photos as I should have).

Turn 9 The Wildcats Immelmann, the Dauntless flees straight ahead making run to get back to carrier. The Zeroes turn. White Tail Dauntless tail gunner puts 2 points on Red Stripe Zero.

Turn 10-- Wildcats and Zeroes close. The Dauntless flees. Wildcat F-3 and Camo Zero exchange close range shots. "Lucky Billy" took two 0 damage chits before his luck ran out -- the third chit inflicted 5 points damage. Camo Zero takes 4 points damage. Wildcat F-2 put 2 more points on Camo Zero.

Turns 11 & 12 -- Wildcats bank toward Red Stripe Zero and both fire at close range shooting down the Zero (0.5 victories to each pilot). The Zero shoots down Wildcat F-3. "Lucky Billy" Sims luck continues as after rolling on the appropriate campaign charts, we find he has bailed out and been picked up by a USN submarine. Wildcat F-2 races to catch the Dauntless and escort it back to the carrier while Camo Zero limps back to its own ship. The two freighters continue to burn.

Analysis-- The USN met the victory conditions of the scenario of bombing the ships and returning at least one Dauntless to the carrier. The IJN failed to meet its victory conditions. Squadron Status Update for Campaign thus far:

Wildcat F-2, Lcdr. Sterling Moore (1.83 victories); Wildcat F-3 Ltjg. William ("Lucky Billy") Sims (1.5 victories); Wildcat F-4 Ltjg. John Saunders, DFC (4.0 victories); Wildcat F-7 with replacement pilot Ensign Jimmy Crosby (0.0 victories).

The Butcher's Bill:

USN:

IJN:

With the speakers booming the complete Richard Rogers score of Victory at Sea my intrepid squadron once again faces the enemy:

Turns 1 & 2 :

Akagi is in the center of the map with 2 Zeroes on CAP, 1 Zero reinforcement (per scenario) to enter at the indicated time. 2 Wildcats (marked F-2, and F-3) and 2 Dauntless dive bombers enter from the edge of the map.

The dive bombers and fighter escort approach at slow speed. Zeroes separate with Camo Zero heading for the bombers and Blue Stripe Zero heads for the fighters.

Turns 3 & 4 :

Proximity of the fighters triggers the reinforcement Zero to enter. Both USN Wildcats fire long range at the Blue Stripe Zero scoring 0 points and 3 points of damage respectively. Blue Stripe Zero returns fire at F-2 Wildcat (0 points damage) and Akagi fires AA at F-2 (to no effect). Dive Bombers begin to align for bombing run. Turn 4 sees Zeroes climb.

Turns 5 & 6 :

Turn 5 --Blue Stripe Zero fires long range on Blue Tail Dauntless (0 points) and takes close range fire from F-3 Wildcat which inflicts 7 points damage, right rudder damage on the Zero. Akagi fires AA on F-3 Wildcat, again to no effect (they clearly need some gunnery practice). The Dauntlesses continue to align for their bombing run while descending for their dive.

Turn 6 -- A general fight ensues. Blue Stripe Zero fires close range on White Tail Dauntless (11 points damage, tail gunner wounded). White Tail Dauntless fires forward guns at Blue Stripe Zero inflicting 4 points of damage and an engine hit. White Tail Dauntless fires rear guns at Camo Zero 7 points damage, engine hit)who returns fire. Blue Tail Dauntless fires rear guns at Blue Strip Zero causing 8 points damage and shooting it down. F-3 Wildcat fires long range on Camo Zero scoring 2 points damage. Akagi fires AA at F-3, again missing!

Turns 7 & 8 :

Turn 7 --White Tail Dauntless rear gunner was wounded on last turn so cannot fire at Camo Zero. However, F-3 Wildcat fires at close range on Camo Zero . Blue Tail Dauntless releases bomb causing partial damage on Akagi. Red Stripe Zero fires long range at the Dauntless and misses! Akagi fires AA at both bombers and finally hits something -- BOOM ! for Blue Tail Dauntless and 7 points on White Tail Dauntless, shooting it down.

Turn 8 -- Wildcats attempt to break off and head back to carrier while Zeroes attempt to engage. F-2 fires long range at Camo Zero (2points) Akagi fires AA at F-2 Wildcat and reverts to form (no effect).

Turns 9 & 10 :

Turn 9 -- Wildcats make one final run at Zeroes, Camo tries to get back to carrier, Red Stripe tries to cover his retreat. Red Stripe Zero fires long range on F-3 Wildcat and misses. F-2 Wildcat fires close range at Camo Zero inflicting 2 points damage and shooting him down (Lcdr. Moore now has 2.83 victories for the campaign). Akagi fires AA at Moore with no effect.

Turn 10 -- All maneuver to engage with no firing.

Turns 11 & 12 :

Turn 11 -- Both Wildcats Immelmann, the Zero goes straight. F-2 Wildcat fires short range at Red Strip Zero:

Turn 12 -- Red Stripe Zero attempts to get back to Akagi, Wildcats go straight out of their Immelmans. F-3 Wildcat fires long range on Red Stripe Zero and misses.

Turn 13 :

Both Wildcats make a final pass before breaking off the engagement. Simultaneous fire yields deadly results: F-2 fires short range (8 points and 2nd pilot wound) while F-3 fires long range and BOOM! shooting down Red Stripe Zero. Each pilot awarded 0.5 victories (Lcdr. Moore now has 3.33 and Sims now has 2.0 victories for the campaign).

The Butcher's Bill:

Squadron Campaign Status Update

F-2 Lcdr. Sterling Moore (3.33 victories)

F-3 Lt.j.g. William ("Lucky Billy") Sims (2.0 victories)

F-4 Lt. Robert Johnson (replacement arriving for next mission with Ace and Veteran status)

F-7 Ensign Jimmy Crosby (1.5 victories)

KIA-- Lt. j.g. John Saunders, DFC (4.5 victories) & Lt. j.g. Gary Hughes (2.33 victories)

USN Wildcat F-4 flown by Lt.j.g. John Saunders, DFC (entering mission with 4.0 aerial victories) and Wildcat F-7 flown by Ensign Jimmy Crosby (entering mission with 0 aerial victories).

Turns 1 & 2

USN and IJN planes approach each other at high speed after visual sighting. AI causes the IJN to disperse and then continue to manuever.

Turns 3 & 4

USN and IJN planes maneuver to engage.

Turn 5

USN Wildcat F-4 fires long range at Red Stripe Zero inflicting 2 points damage. Camo Zero fires long range at Wildcat F-4 inflicting 6 points damage.

Turn 6

General dogfight ensues -- F-4 fires close range at Camo zero (11points damage, wounds pilot), F-7 fires long range at Camo zero (5 points damage). Camo zero shot down (Saunders and Crosby each credited with 0.5 victories. Saunders now 0.5 victories short of Ace status). Blue stripe zero fires long range (just outside short range) at F-4 and misses!

Turn 7

USN planes maneuver to re-engage, Blue stripe zero fires short range at F-7 (3pts. damage and a miss!).

Turn 8

Everybody Immelmanns! F-7 fires close range at Blue stripe zero (4 points and rudder damage), F-4 fires long range on Blue stripe zero (1 point damage).

Turn 9

F-4 and Blue stripe zero overlap -- no action. F-7 and Red stripe zero fire point blank head on -- Zero pilot must be rattled! (two 0s), F-7 puts 4 points and smoking engine on Zero.

Turn 10

Blue stripe zero Immelmann's and F-7 does a stall, both fire at close range -- Zero takes 6 points damage and right rudder damage -- now it can only go straight for 2 turns-- BUT the Zero puts 11 points on F-4 shooting him down! Rolling for Saunders on the campaign Shot Down Table reveals he is Killed in Action (he rolled a one) -- veteran status didn't save him and if he had 0.5 more victories he would have been an Ace which would have saved him. Saunders posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for combat wounds. Red stripe zero and F-7 go straight with no action.

Turns 11 & 12

F-7 Immelmann's (young Jimmy Crosby is on his own!) as does Red stripe zero. Both fire long range -- F-7 puts 7 points damage (good shooting Jimmy!) and Zero puts 0 points damage in return (smoke must be in his eyes)..On turn 12 everyone goes straight and overlaps -- no action.

Turns 13 & 14

F-7 and Red stripe zero trade close range shots -- F-7 puts damage on Zero shooting him down (Crosby now has 1.5 victories on this mission). However, the Zero puts 13 points damage on F-7 putting the aircraft in serious jeopardy. Blue stripe zero goes straight as does F-7 for one final shot before breaking off the engagement and returning to their respective carriers -- F-7 puts 4 points damage on the Zero. Both limp home.

The Butcher's Bill

Squadron Status Update

F-2 Lcdr. Sterling Moore (1.83 victories)

F-3 Lt.j.g. William (Lucky Billy) Sims (1.5 victories)

F-4 Lt. Robert Johnson (replacement pilot rolled on replacement table -- has veteran and Ace status -- will appear after next mission)

F-7 Ensign Jimmy Crosby (1.5 victories)

KIA -- Lt.j.g. John Saunders, DFC (4.5 victories), Lt.j.g. Gary Hughes (2.33 victories)