Brawl in the South Pacific-Battle report

afilter · **afilter**

This weekend my sons and I had our first opportunity to get out the large scale WAS map and get down and dirty with a new scenario we worked out. We used our house rules for large map:

http://aaminis.myfastforum.org/sutra150581.php#150581

Scenario:
It is early spring 1942 and the IJN is almost unstoppable after running wild through the Pacific nearly 5 months gobbling up territory. The USN seems almost powerless to stop them. They are still recovering from the crushing blow at Pearl Harbor and the Philippines. Only a small number of island outposts stand in the Japanese way of total domination. The Once powerful U.S Pacific fleet lays shattered at Pearl with the exception of the handful of carriers that survived and their supporting task forces.

The IJN have set their sights on the New Guinea and then Australia. They a building a massive armada to take control of this region while the U.S. is still to weak to stop them. A lone U.S. island outpost with a small airbase manned by Marine and Army pilots along with daring PT boat commanders have been a constant thorn in the side of the Japanese high command, knocking out unprotected transports and disrupting their bigger plans.

The High command has decided it is time to neutralize this threat, so they can continue on their grand invasion plans unmolested.

The high command has dispatched a sizeable force to reduce the airfield and take the island so it can no longer be a threat. If the Americans decide to contest the move they will squash them. They have built a force around the powerful fleet carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku along with the light carrier Shoho. In order to shell the island and knock aside any force that might oppose them they have also dispatched the powerful battleships Yamashiro and Haruna along with the cruisers Nachi and Tone. A number of light cruisers and destroyers will provide additional support for the slow moving transports. A strong screen of I-boats is already scouting the waters around the islands.

Unknown to the IJN high command Australian commandos have captured a small radio transmitting satiation along with the naval code books and have deciphered the plan which was quickly sent to CINCPAC. The US Pacific Fleet is stretched thin, but they cannot let this move go uncontested. The time to act is now. In addition to the Marine and Army pilots stationed on the island the USN has dispatched the fleet carriers Yorktown and Saratoga with their cruiser support Pensacola, San Fransisco, Boise, Cleveland, Atlanta and San Diego along with 6 Fletcher class destroyers. It is not much, but it will have to do. With any luck the USN can arrive on station first and be waiting for the invaders.

Set Up:
U.S. :
Can deploy anywhere on their half of the map.
IJN:
Subs can deploy anywhere on their half of the map. I-26 can deploy anywhere. Surface ships deploy within first three rows of the edge of the map.
IJN Objectives:
[Minor Victory:
Reduce the island airbase completely
Major Victory:
Reduce the airfield and successfully land 3 or the 6 transports next to the island
Complete Victory:
The above conditions and destroy any U.S. carriers sent to oppose them.

US Objective:
Prevent the Landing of troops

Battle Report:

USN first priority was to deal with the 5 I-boats in the area before they could cause any serious damage. The fletchers, Catalina flying boats and avengers worked to accomplish this at a heavy price to the destroyers.

The U.S. also had to send out the bombers on long range bombing patrols to meet the enemy as far off as possible and gradually reduce them before they could get in close enough to shell the island and land the transports

The IJN invasion force methodically advanced providing strong air cover for the transports in tow. They were able to sweep aside most resistance. Occasionally a lone sub or daring pilot would score a lucky hit gradually reducing the overall power.

The U.S. Task force had no choice but to tactically withdraw in the face of the overwhelming numbers and wait for an opportunity to pounce while continuing to provide cover for the base.

Finally, a lucky break for the outnumbered Americans! The IJN has made a tactical error and exposed the carrier force. Daring Destroyer commanders and PT boat skippers rush at the opportunity. It is a one shot chance, can they possibly succeed?

YES! The torps ran true catching the IJN rearming two bomber squadrons on the Shokaku sending her to the bottom along with the shoho and severely damaging the Zuikaku. In the daring contest only one Fletcher was lost in return. The Japanese have paid dearly for this oversight.

The fight was not over. The air threat was gone, but that powerful surface force still was steaming hard for the objective. The U.S. had to keep the powerful surface ships at bay. Daring torpedo and bomber pilots made run after run slowly reducing the oncoming threat. Finally the Yamahiro was crippled. And the Haruna damaged. The Haruna was in range of the airbase and launched several deadly barrages damaging the airfield, but not putting it completely out of action. It was time for the cruisers to rush in and slug it out with the damaged IJ counterpart. Slug it out they did, but the paid a dear price in the face of the long lance torpedoes. The airbase was reduced over half so planes could no longer land or take off. It was doing or dies for the USN. Without enough surface firepower left the USS Saratoga and her guns would have to be committed to the fight in order to prevent the IJN from getting the final two hits on the airbase.

The Sara charged in guns blazing providing the final blow to the Nachi. In return she was no match for two rounds of long lance torps. As she slipped below the waves torpedo pilots from her decks and the Yorktown delivered a true Battleship killer blow the Haruna with three hits sending her to the murky bottom along with the already crippled Yamashiro.
The IJN knew they had met their match as the remaining carriers began the long retreat with empty decks. Determined US Pilots mopped up the few remaining transports putting a final end to the High commands dreams.

A high price was paid by the USN, but for the first time the IJN was in retreat and the base would be repaired and remain to fight another day.

Note: We played this scenario 3 times and each time to different degrees the USN was victorious. My boys assumed commanding a fleet with almost 150 pts advantage waould be easy. They were proved wrong. Wink

Link to other scenarios:

Mayhem in the Atlantic
http://aaminis.myfastforum.org/about7411.html

"Catapult" Vengence
http://aaminis.myfastforum.org/sutra153801.php#153801
_________________
Aaron

"Focus on your own character and your reputation will take care of itself"

drittal · **drittal**

awesome dude!
_________________

Lt_V · **Lt_V**

Bravo! I have to say I enjoyed this, especially when I should be getting ready for work...'post more MacDuff, post more' Wink

Scharnhorst · **Scharnhorst**

See! American Cheese I tell you!!!! ;D

Great read, looked like a boat load of fun.
_________________

[Supporter of the IJNCVLF]
Gale Force 9 is the BASF of gaming. They don't make the miniatures game you play. They make the miniatures game you play better.

acs0424 · **acs0424**

You know how to write an AAR! That sounded like a heck of a battle. Did you use any dauntless's?

@Scharnhorst - Yes, American air cheese it is. I used something like 7 Dauntless's in a build, and just annhilated my opponents carriers and surface power.
_________________
"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." - Churchill
+45 on GTL

Greyh Seer · **Greyh Seer**

how far was the island from the IJN deployment?
_________________
-Greyh

Trade List: Greyh's WAS Trade List
+13 On AH Trade Boards
+10 On aaminis Trade Boards

afilter · **afilter**