Believe me guys I know, I know .. I am trying different ways to get data but the glitch basically looks like I lost the first 43 minutes. The ground stuff I can figure out but not the air to air.
So I might just have to score the frame based on ground action.
Also from what I can tell the attack force sent to hit P40 was slaughtered before target. So the defenders of A31 and P40 didn't see as much action.
Heaviest fighting and early fighting seemed to between A52 and A48. Looks like the allied strike to A52 and the Japanese strike to A48 and P40 ran right into each other plus the defending forces of A52 and A48. Fighting rage early and from sectors 5,9 to 8,9 (100 miles of fighting as both strikes tried to punch through each other and the other sides defenders).
So fighting was brutal there.
Not sure how it was around the CVs. In the East was light after the A31 strike got in since the P40 strike was already dead. So the allies out in the east I think had little bit of action and then none.
Too bad about the logs. Ah, well. Bits happen, y'know?
The 12 pilots of JG11 had a very busy time over A31 early in the frame. As we approached, we spotted seven P-40's patrolling just above us, but they seemed not to see us until we were well into our bombing attack. Since we were flying A6M2's, we tried to drop all our itty-bitty eggs on just one Bomber Hangar. Then all hell broke loose. There were a bunch of P-39's milling around down low in the ack - I think there were one or two Kates low over the base - and those seven P-40's came down to engage us. I put a bit of damage on a P-40 with a quick snapshot, and then chased down a P-39 and hosed him down with 7.7mm BBs, to no apparent end. JG11 lost two or three to a combination of ack and air-to-air hits, while downing some two or three of the defenders. The fight ended up low and in the ack, so JG11 turned back north. A few P-39's came out after us - perhaps as bait? - but we spotted a gaggle climbing in the distance back over the base, and declined to play into their plan. During the melee, a flight of B5N Kates made a level bombing attack to good effect. While I did see one or two P-40's attacking the Kates, my impression was that the IJN fighter sweep leading the Kates in managed to keep the defending CAP pretty much occupied.
As JG11 egressed, we saw several hangars and things burning. I estimated six structures in flames.
Thanks for running a fun frame!
