This weeks snapshot takes us to the
Philippines in October of 1944, just days after MacArthur's landing at Leyte.
This Snapshot will pit the P-38 Lightnings of the USAAF 9th Fighter Squadron vs the Ki-61s of the 18th Hiko Sentai.
Walkons and squads alike are welcome!
Roll time is 10:00 pm est in the SEA but please be early so we can get underway on time. Please check the MOTD for last minute details.
Design CM - Nifty
Setup CM- Skyfoxx
Historical Background
In late October 1944, 2 years and 7 months after leaving the Philippines, troops under the command of General Douglas MacArthur waded ashore on the island of Leyte, beginning the liberation of the islands. Three days later, the largest naval battle of World War II took place in the Gulf of Leyte.
Four days after MacArthur's landing at Leyte, The 7th and 9th Fighter Squadrons of the 49th Fighter Group arrive at the island, and begin preparations to operate out of Tacloban, Leyte. The P-38s and P-47s of the 49th begin to escort bombers leaving from Morotai in the south, as well as attacking Japanese naval forces and land forces on the islands of Mindanao.
The Japanese in response to attacks prior to the Oct. 20th landing, the 18th Hiko Sentai, with approximately 30 Ki-61s, was ordered to move to Bacolod on Negros Island in the Central Philippines to commence attacks on Allied airfields on Leyte and on invasion shipping in Leyte Gulf. The Battle of Leyte Gulf also marked the first time the Japanese employed Kamikaze, or Divine Wind, strikes
