Details

Written by: Spikes

Category: Pacific Theatre

Published: 24 January 2018

Hits: 17

HOLDING THE LINE: Australia 1942-43

With the surrender of Malaya and the Dutch East Indies in March 1942 Japan had most of it's southern planned East Asian-Co-Prosperity Sphere secured. The Phillipines fell shortly afterwards and Australians beleived an invasion of their homeland was only a matter of time. The first large scale air raid on Darwin had occured on 19th February by carrier arcraft from Soryu, Hiryu, Akagi and Kaga along with land based planes of the IJNAF. Darwin and its port had become a crucial relay point for Allied troops, aircraft, navy, and shipping and became a main target for the Japanese. After the carrier raid the Japanese moved in more IJNAF and IJAAF land based bombers and fighters to continue the campaign.

The Australians were aware of their vulnerable strategic position. They had only obsolete fighters at the time and much of their army and navy were overseas. A plea was sent out to Prime Minister Winston Churchill from the Australian government to send the British based RAAF fighter squadrons home equipped with Spitfires to defend Darwin. Churchill agreed but it would take some time to make it a reality. The Australians would also receive assistance from the USA. P-40s were shipped to Australia for the RAAF but like the Spitfires en route from Britain it would take time. In the meantime the USAAF 49th FG that had originaly come to Australia to stem the Japanese on Java would defend Darwin instead until it could be relieved by the RAAF. From March until September 1942 they would be the only air defence in the region.

In August 1942 the P-40 equipped No.77 Squadron RAAF took over air defence of Darwin and the 49th FG was moved to New Guinea. The veteran No.76 Squadron RAAF already equipped with P-40s returned from Milne Bay in October. By January 1943 the Spitfire equipped No.1 Fighter Wing RAAF comprising No. 79, No.452 and No.79 Squadrons were based near Darwin.

The raids by the Japanese continued until November 1943. A total of 100 raids were made during that time over the Northern Territory of Australia. The USAAF 49th FG and No.1 Fighter Wing RAAF bore the brunt of these raids. In the end the Japanese defeat at Coral sea and Midway and the reversals they suffered at Gualdacanal and New Guinea all but ended any serious Japanese presence in the South West Pacific by 1944. Never again did the forces of Imperial Japan come so close to Australian shores.

This FSO recreates the air battles over Northern Australia 1942-43.

Country Percentages:

Axis 55%
Allied 45%

Field Assignments:

Axis Bishop
Allied Knight
CM Rook

OOB:

Axis (IJN/IJAAF):

Frame 1

A6M2
Ki-43-I (Ki-43-II) (max 24)
G4M1

Frames 2 and 3

A6M3
Ki-43-II (max 24)
G4M1

Allied (USAAF/RAAF):

Frame 1

P-40E

Frames 2 and 3

Spitfire V

Special Rules and Ordnance Restrictions:

* All fighters have air-ground ordnance disabled.
* Drop tanks are disabled.
* All aircraft types must be used by a minimum of 12 *players*.
* ALL AIRCRAFT ARE TO BE LANDED AND THE PLAYERS TOWERED OUT BY FRAME END OR WILL BE CONSIDERED SHOT DOWN AND THE CREWS KIA.

Scoring:

Aircraft Pts
-----------
G4M1 = 10 pts
All Other Aircraft = 5 pts

Target Pts
----------
Gun = 1 pt
Hangar = 25 pts
Cruiser = 100 pts
Destroyer = 50 pts
All Other = 3 pts

Survival Pts
----------
Landing = 2 pts
Pilot Survival = 2 pts

Arena Settings:

- Morocco terrain
- Fuel burn 1.0
- Icons friendly 3k/enemy 3k
- 0.3 Ack
- Fighter and Bomber warning range 42,000 (about 8 miles)
- Tower range set to 42,000 (for display only to match the above setting)
- Haze/fog full visibility (17 miles)
- Radar off
- Enemy collisions on
- Friendly collisions off
- Killshooter off
- Time: 15:00 ( 3PM ) Game Clock
- Formations: On
- Formation Autopilot: On
- Bomber calibration: Automatic
- Wind: 0K-10K W TO E - Speed 10
           10K-18K W TO E - Speed 5
           18K+ NW TO SW - Speed 15

Designer's Notes:

* The Ki-43-I is represented by the Ki-43-II.
* Drop tanks are assumed to have been used up en route.

Design by Warloc

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Details

Written by: Spikes

Category: Pacific Theatre

Published: 19 January 2018

Hits: 23

October 1944, Task Force 38 is full steam ahead for the Japanese home islands in preparation to launch air strikes against the Nansei Islands (Ryukyu), Formosa, and Luzon. While the Japanese are preparing, and planning for a decisive battle on Luzon, Task Force 38, under the command of Admiral Halsey, launches an attack on the Nansei Island chain.

With the unexpected attack this drastically changes Japanese plans for Luzon. Under the command of Admiral Toyoda, the Japanese realize that an opportunity has presented itself to deal a crippling blow to the US Third Fleet, one that had not been achieved since Pearl Harbor. Under Toyoda's orders all available Japanese aircraft in the area were ordered to stand by for an attack on the American Third Fleet. In total, Toyoda had roughly 1,400 Japanese Army and Navy fighter, and bombers at his disposal. 

Halsey's Task Group included: 

Task Group 38.1 (TG 38.1): USS Cowpens, USS Hornet, USS Monterey, USS Wasp

Task Group 38.2 (TG 38.2): USS Bunker Hill, USS Cabot (detached) USS Hancock, USS Independence,USS Intrepid 

Task Group 38.3 (TG 38.3): USS Essex, USS Langley, USS Lexington, USS Princeton

Task Group 38.4 (TG 38.4): USS Belleau Wood, USS Enterprise, USS Franklin, USS San Jacinto

As well as six battleships, four heavy cruisers, eleven light cruisers and fifty seven destroyers.

The battle would range from October 10th-20th, with some of the fighting taking place in the middle of a Typhoon. With the Japanese attacking almost daily, and flying multiple sorties against the constantly moving American fleet, navy fighters had a field day against the Japanese claiming over 500 destroyed in the ten days of operation. The Japanese would claim,”

Sunk: 11 carriers, 2 battleships, 3 cruisers, 1 destroyer (or light cruiser).

Damaged: 8 carriers, 2 battleships, 4 cruisers, 1 destroyer (or light cruiser), 13 unidentified ships. In addition, at least 12 other ships set afire. (Formosa Air Battle, Page 362, Reports of General MacArthur)"

With more reports coming in from different Japanese pilots, claiming to have seen the Third Fleet burning, the high command started to believe they actually had dealt a crippling blow to American Naval, and Air Power in the pacific. In reality, very few American ships were damaged at the cost of 312 Japanese planes lost (Formosa Air Battle, Page 363). With the loss of 300 plus aircraft and their crew, would greatly effect Japanese operations around Formosa, Luzon, and the Okinawa area. The Japanese were in the process of celebrating their reported Victory, believing they had destroyed the Third Fleet; which would halt the invasion of the Philippines. Alas, reality set in on October 20th, when Japanese High Command received word that an American Invasion fleet had landed on Leyte. 

Country Percentages:

Axis 50%
Allied 50%

OOB:
 
Axis (IJN/IJAAF)                                          Axis Field Assignments (ALL IJN/IJAAF are available)

                                                                    A17, A18, A19, A22, A90, A91

Ki-84 (max of 40)
Ki-61 (Max of 20)
A6M5b (Min of 12)
Ki-67 (min of 12 players)

Allied (USN)                                               Allied Field Assignments (ALL USN aircraft are available):
              

F4U-1D (Max of 20)                                   C73 USS Cowpens                                                     

F6F-5 (Max of 40)                                      C74 USS Bunker Hill                                         

TBM-3 (Min of 12)                                      C75 USS Intrepid                                        

FM2     (Min of 12)                                      C76 USS Essex   

                                                                   C77 USS Enterprise                                 

                                                                    C78 USS San Jacinto                                     

Special Rules and Ordnance Restrictions:

* Formations are enabled (but not required) for all bombers permitted to use them. 

All American aircraft have the 1000lb bomb disabled. 

Scoring:

Aircraft Pts
------------

Twin engined aircraft = 15 Pts

TBM/ = 20 pts
Fighter = 5 pts

Ground Target Pts
-----------------

Gun = 1 pt
Ammo Bunker = 3 pts
Barracks = 3 pts
Radar = 3 pts
Vehicle Hangar = 25 pts
Fighter Hangar = 25pts
Bomber Hangar = 25 pts
Destroyer = 50 pts
Cruiser = 100 pts

Battleship= 150 pts
Carrier = 200 pts

Arena Settings:

- Luzon terrain
- Fuel burn 1.0
- Icons friendly 3k/enemy 3k
- 0.3 Ack
- Fighter and Bomber warning range 42,000 (about 8 miles)
- Tower range set to 42,000 (for display only to match the above setting)
- Haze/fog full visibility (8 miles)

-Clouds scattered
- Radar off
- Enemy collisions on
- Friendly collisions off
- Killshooter off
- Time: 15:00 ( 3PM ) Game Clock
- Formations: On
- Bomber calibration: Automatic (MA Standard)

- Wind: 0-10K NW TO SE - Speed 5
            10K-18K W TO E - Speed 10

            18K-20K N to S- Speed 15
             20K Downdraft 

         
Designer's Notes:

This FSO is designed to follow the air battles that took place over Formosa (Taiwan). Until the terrain becomes available, the Luzon Terrain will be substituted. 

Sources used:

Leyte, June 1944 – January 1945, https://books.google.com/booksid=9AR7jpjL1TsC&pg=PA86&lpg=PA86&dq=battle+for+formosa&source=bl&ots=cqL5ooBrZv&sig=cYZ6Z_nw2nKO4BUPHFT0DOfDss0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjikIrWwuTYAhVmluAKHUeSAIgQ6AEIXDAI#v=onepage&q=battle%20for%20formosa&f=false

MacArthur’s Reports, https://history.army.mil/books/wwii/MacArthur%20Reports/MacArthur%20V2%20P1/ch12.htm

Details

Written by: Spikes

Category: Pacific Theatre

Published: 05 December 2017

Hits: 19

Introduction

The Battle of the Philippines Sea, also known as “The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot” by American pilots, was the Japanese Navy’s final attempt to hold the Marianas Island chain in the South Pacific during 1944. It was also the fifth and final large-scale carrier to carrier battle of the surface and air war in the South Pacific. The Japanese began the battle outnumbered and in desperate need of a victory. The Japanese forces were outnumbered by well over 200 hundred aircraft. In addition to the Americans overwhelming numbers of aircraft, the Americans fielded 7 fleet carriers and 8 light carriers, while the IJN could only muster 5 fleet carriers and 4 light carriers. 

The final result of the battle yielded great losses for Japanese Naval and Army Air forces and placed the Americans in a firm position to be unchallenged at sea for the remainder of the conflict.

Join the Aces High CM Team as we recreate the hot South Pacific air action in Marianas Madness.

Country Percentage

Axis  50% 

Allies 50%                   

Event Planeset

Possible Target Types:  

CV – Aircraft Carriers

CA – Cruiser

DD – Destroyer

VH – Vehicle Hangar

BH – Bomber Hangar

FH – Fighter Hangar

Aircraft Ordnance:

Axis:

Ki-67 – 1x 800 Kg Type 1 Torpedo or 3x 250 Kg bombs

Ki-43 Dive Bomber - 2x 250 Kg bombs

Allies:

SBD-5 – 1x 1000 lb. bomb 

TBM-3 – 1x 2000 lb. Mk 13 Torpedo or 4x 500 lb. bombs

Special Event Rules and Restrictions

• This is a one life event. Pilots may not re-plane at their home airfields.
• Ordnance for each aircraft will be set by the host CM in the hangar.
• Aircraft may rearm and refuel at any friendly non-neutral airfield or ship.
• All Ki-43s are stand-in aircraft for the D3N1 dive bomber. These aircraft are not considered fighters. These aircraft must carry their ordnance to target and attack or die trying. Only after an attack has been made with the Ki-43 may these aircraft fly other operations.
• The Ki-67 level bomber with formations set off, are restricted to an altitude 15K and below.
• The Ki-67 may not dive bomb.
• The TBM-3 may be used as a dive bomber.
• The attack before T+60 rule must be complied with under penalty of non-compliance.
• Secondary missions to achieve primary objectives are allowed.
• Neither side will have the option to steer their fleets.
• All ships will have a sink weight of 2,000 lbs.
• Hangars will have the same destruction weight as the shipping 2,000 lbs.
• An aircraft designated as a fighter, may not strafe down a hangar or ship. Ships and hangars destroyed by A6Ms, Ki-61s, F6Fs or FM-2s will not be scored.
• All aircraft must be landed by the end of hostilities or those aircraft will be counted as destroyed for the opposing side.

Event Scoring

*Note: The maximum hard target point score for each side is up to 6 hangars or ships. If both sides achieve up to this level, the winner will be decided by the number of aircraft shot down.

Allied Targets

  Hangars 10 pts (A small base has 6 available hangars to                      attack.)

  Ships   10 pts (Fleets are constructed of 6 ships within                    each fleet.)

  Opposing aircraft destroyed – 1 pt.

Axis Targets

  Ships   10 pts

  Opposing aircraft destroyed – 1 pt.

Arena Settings

• Terrain map: Marianas
• Fuel burn rate: 1.0
• Anti-aircraft gun strength: 0.2
• Bombsight calibration: AUTOMATIC (MA standard)
• Icons: 3.0K yards (9,000 feet)
• Sector Radar ("bar dar"): OFF
• Dot Radar: OFF
• Fighter and Bomber warning range: 36,960 feet (7 miles)
• Tower range set to 36,960 feet (for display only, to match the above setting)
• Haze range: 15 miles
• Friendly collisions: OFF
• Enemy collisions: ON
• Kill shooter: OFF
• Stall Limiter: Set ON (Players may disable)

Wind:

  Altitude     Speed      Direction

   00 - 02K      0         NO WIND

   02 - 10K      05        SW -> NE

   10 - 18K      13        SW -> NE

   18 - 26K      27        SW -> NE

   26 - 30K ▲    38        DOWNDRAFT ▼

Arena Clock:

Frame 1        06:30    (6:30 AM, Morning)

Frame 2        09:00    (9:00 AM, Morning)

Frame 3        17:00    (5:00 PM, Evening)

Designer – AKWarHwk October 2017

Designer Notes:

Details

Written by: Spikes

Category: Pacific Theatre

Published: 18 October 2017

Hits: 16

The Japanese advance down the Malayan peninsula and the capture of Singapore along with 130,000 Allied troops on February 15th was a stinging Allied defeat only a few months into the Pacific war, but there was no time to sit and dwell on the failure. The day before the surrender of Singapore, the Japanese had landed in Sumatra at Palembang, capturing the main airfield and securing the oil refineries using airborne troops. The British, Commonwealth, and Dutch forces were again retreating, this time to Java. ABDA (American, British, Dutch and Australian) forces were now going to make a last stand effort to protect the island from Japanese capture.

On January 29th, a small number of USAAC P-40E’s of the 17th Pursuit Squadron landed in Java to help bolster the British, Dutch, New Zealand and Australian forces flying mostly Brewster Buffalos and Hawker Hurricane IIs. The Japanese Army was now mainly flying the new Ki-43 and the Japanese Navy was now operating off Java with the superior A6M2. Fighting was tough going for the Allies, often outnumbered, they still managed produce ace pilots across all the countries serving on Java. Major naval battles occurred in the Java Sea and Sunda Strait on February 27th and 28th and ABDA forces lost several warships destroying any major naval presence they once had.

With no naval force to stop the convoys of Japanese troops, the Japanese began the Invasion of Java on February 28th with a landing of the Western side of the island. 2 more landings would occur on March 1st, one of them on the Eastern side of Java just 50 miles West of Surabaya. The Allies made valiant attempts to stop the invasion but by now were running out of aircraft and pilots. The US pilots handed their few remaining aircraft over to the Dutch and were evacuated back to Australia. Dutch forces would surrender Java to the Japanese on March 8th and they would continue to fight on Sumatra until March 28th.

This FSO is set during those last few days on Java, early March 1942.

PLANE SET

*SPECIAL RULES*

- Only aircraft with minimums (MIN) listed are required.

- Bombs disabled for Hurricane II, P-40E, A6M2, and Ki-43-II

- 4x 20mm Cannons Disabled for Hurricane II