Tough scenario for the Allies this:
We chose to hold the limited F4Us we had in defense to try and counter the speed of the KI67's. The P38's were mainly on strike missions leaving us P40's and P39's to fill in the gaps on defense and provide escort cover. The P39 was the only fighter aircraft we had unrestricted numbers on and it bore the brunt of our escort duties. It really can't compete with zero's, but we were hoping a wave of 38's and a wave of 39's going in might have driven the defenders low before the Buffs arrived . Guess not.
Like they say the best plans go to s**t as soon as the shooting starts.
Our squadron of P-39s had the assignment to go in and engage the CAP at A18.
Once over the coast of Bougainville our plan was to sprint ahead of the strike engage the CAP.
Just off the coast Stoney74's P-38s became heavily engaged and did a great job of keeping the Japanese guys away from the the B-24s that were flown by the C-Hawks.
The C-Hawks also had some members flying P-40Es as escort and they were engaged behind the B-24s again doing a great job.
Then more A6M5s and Ki-61s showed up just as we crossed the coastline with the two close escort flights already tied up I made the decision to use our P-39s to try and defend the B-24s instead of sprinting ahead. SpiveyCh's B-24s were near the target and doing a great job of holding formation when I last saw them. We were sooned overwhelmed by A6M2s, A6M5s and a flight of Ki-61s and lost contact.
P-39Ds against A6M2s is a pretty exciting fight. With the A6M5s and Ki-61s we had our hands more than full. The Japanese leadership put up a very good defense plan for their bases.
We'll dust ourselves off and give it another shot next Friday.
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