John 3rd
Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005 From: La Salle, Colorado Status: offline
|
Combat Report June 22, 1944 Operation Shimakaze Synopsis of Action: Raid One (from Pagan) 56 A6M3a and 119 Helen/Sally versus 34 Hellcats/Corsairs The Zeros are flown by pilots skilled in their 70s and ti shows within the fighting. While 19 Zeros fall they take 6 Hellcats and keep ALL the CAP off of their charges. The bombers are met with an absolute HELL of AA from the island. This, of course, is made possible by having over 25 units (strength 150,000 men) sitting there! Regardless of practicality--the Bombers drop their loads on the northern AF and depart. They lose 26 bombers while on their run from 10,000 Ft. Moderate damage is done to the AF. Raid Two (from Saipan) 53 A6M3a, 67 Betty, and 168 Frances bore in about 10 minutes after the first raid. They are opposed by 28 Fighters. These fighters manage to keep most of the CAP off of their charges too. The Betty and half of the Frances drop their bombs on the southern AF causing depressingly light damage. The remainder of the Frances attack the shipping disbanded in the impossible-to-have Port of Iwo Jima. The CVE Corrigidor get a lot of attention as does an SS, 2 LCT, and an AVD. When the raid depart for home they tally the loss of 13 Zero and 14 bombers. Decoy 1 A MSW is nailed by 8 F, 30 DB, and 2 Liberators as it blazes past Cuichi JIma. IT sinks. Decoy 2 Three Japanese DDs are attacked by 60 P-38 and 11 4EB. One Japanese tincan takes a single bomb and retures towards Saipan. From: Admiral Nagumo Chuicki TO: Captain of IJN Kaga You are hereby relieved of command and ordered to commit Seppuku for the unwarranted decision of refuelling two Destroyers during the night. This action caused the might of this Carrier Force to NOT be unleashed against helpless American shipping. What might our strike of 120 Zero, 164 Judy, and 192 Jill/Grace have done with only having to face two dozen American Fighters? Admiral Nagumo Totals for the Day: CVE Corregidor, 2 LCT, and an SS sunk. The Japanese lose 32 Zero, 26 IJA Bombers, and 17 IJN Bombers in exchange for 13 Fighters, 2 4EB, 1 SBD, and 1 Avenger. It COULD have been so much more... I HATE THE AI!
_____________________________
|