Last evening I had command of a CV and steamed for an enemy field (A22). Once within gun range, I bombarded the town and worked over the base as well. Eventually I was joined by a group of Rooks. Together we captured the field with minimal opposition, aside from some persistent guy who kept trying to get airborne with a TBM. Meanwhile, there was a serious carrier borne attack at A21 way across the map. After that carrier force was sunk we moved on P34 in an attempt to gain the CV. To make a long story short, the enemy CV respawned and we had to sink it again, and then try to take the port.
As we made a determined attack on the port our organization seemed to break down. No one was capping the carrier, nor was there enough people involved in setting up a BARCAP between the carrier and the enemy’s nearest airfield at A29.
At this point, I landed my SBD and grabbed an FM-2. I took off and spiral climbed to 10k above the task force, and then headed east to intercept incoming bombers and jabos. Two P-47s arrived at about 12k and I intercepted and shot down one of them. The second Jug got by, and suicide bombed our already weakened cruiser. I voiced my opinion that we did not need 20 fighters buzzing that port while jabos could reach the ships unmolested. In my frustration I said, “Ya know, you guys are doing a lousy job protecting the fleet.” I received a response suggesting that I turn the fleet when attacked rather than complain…
“Hmm”, I thought to myself, “doesn’t this guy understand that turning the fleet does nothing to inhibit suicide attacks?”
The simple fact is that suicide jabos are not thrown off by a turn. High altitude bombers, yes, turning the task force is required. Nonetheless, suicide bombers are not going to miss. Not only that, but turning can throw off the aim of manned ack, even limit the number of guns that can be brought to bear on an aircraft. Add to this, while turning it is tricky to take off and very risky to land. So, our ability to get aircraft up or turned around is adversely effected.
Well, things didn’t change, I would intercept an attacker, chase him down into the ack and if we were lucky the combination of ack and MG fire would kill him before he dropped. The problem was that I would have to climb back up to altitude, effectively unable to intercept any attackers for several minutes. All the while, the same guy who had been whining was doing nothing more than calling out enemy aircraft. “There’s an A-20 inbound.” Two high P-38s.” We had at least 20 Rooks involved with capturing a port, that two F4Us and an LVT could have accomplished if the rest had set up a BARCAP between the enemy field and the CV and port. Twice, my FM-2 was damaged by friendly ack and I had to land for a new fighter. Each time that happened we had no high cap whatsoever until I could get back up to altitude.
Meanwhile, this whining Rook continued to express his indignation at being castigated for not protecting the CV, but loitering at the port instead, or gangbanging a few fighters coming in from the nearby enemy base. Finally, I had heard enough and suggested that he “shut your face, and get over to 29 and stop the constant stream of suiciders.” Other Rooks began to chastise this guy for his girlish whining (by the way, I realize that I over-reacted). A few Rooks headed to 29, but by now the enemy had 10 or more jabos up at altitude. We tried to get them, and succeeded in stopping most, but eventually enough individual aircraft got through and the CV went down. Airborne with low ammo, I directed the destroyers to the port and headed for 22, which was also being attacked. I fought a Ta 152 in route, forcing him to disengage. Dodging fighters, I killed about 5 troops in parachutes, and managed to land safely. I then grabbed an Ostwind, and pitched in with the defense of the field. I got several planes and GVs before getting bombed myself, and M3s finally captured the field. Losing 22 was a critical loss, as we could no longer support the effort at the port.
Meanwhile, the LVTs were successful in capturing the port and we suddenly had a new CV. Ironically, the same guy who did all the whining took command of it. Anyone care to guess what happened next? Yep, we lost the port and the CV.
Once again, there was no cap, Jabos poured in. I launched off and managed to kill a Tiffy and P-38 before the CV was blasted under. After which I escaped on the deck. The few Rooks who tried to defend the task force never had an opportunity to do much. All the twisting and turning of the CV did nothing to prevent it being suicide bombed into oblivion. Such tactics are useless without adequate air cover.
Folks, unless a BARCAP is organized to prevent the enemy from ever reaching the task force, keeping a CV alive relies solely on the effort made to kill it. Turning the CV to avoid suicide jabos is useless. Worse than useless because it limits your ability to shoot back and get aircraft up. Bringing a CV in close to shore eliminates the critical distance buffer needed to intercept the enemy. Not having a BARCAP only adds to the likelihood that the CV will be sunk.
When missions are organized from a CV, part of the plan should include a BARCAP, and a local CAP as well. Otherwise, there is little you can do to thwart a determined effort to sink it. As it was, there was no plan, no serious effort to pin the enemy to their airfield. And lastly, little understanding of the challenge faced by the lack of the first two.
The thing is, I don’t expect it to get better…. Just venting frustration I suppose.
My regards,
Widewing
