Aces High Bulletin Board
Special Events Forums => Friday Squad Operations => Topic started by: Saxman on August 23, 2009, 10:53:55 AM
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A "What If Scenario" Proposal for FSO
In December, 1941 the US military was still reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor. Taking advantage of the situation, Japan pressed its offensive by assaulting the small, lightly defended garrison at Wake Island. However despite their numerical advantage, the Japanese encountered determined resistance by American Marine, Navy and civilian personnel based on the island, including a detachment of F4F Wildcats of VMF-211.
Admiral Husband E. Kimmell, seeking both to reverse American fortunes in the Pacific before Japan could fully settle in to their offensive, as well to relieve the plight of the defenders of Wake Island dispatched two carriers to Wake Island. One task group, led by USS Saratoga and carrying Brewster F2As of VMF-221 was dispatched directly to Wake Island to relieve the garrison, while USS Lexington was to engage Japanese forces in the Marshalls to force the Japanese to divert their attention away. However with his reputation permanently, and unfairly, damaged by the Pearl Harbor disaster, Kimmell was replaced, and fearing losses of their two carriers after intelligence placed two Japanese carriers in the vicinity, the task groups were recalled.
This scenario would address what might have happened had Kimmell retained command and the relief forces continued towards their objectives.
Axis Forces (60%)
Marshall Islands
Carrier Group 1
Carrier Group 2
Invasion Group (TG with no carrier)
Aircraft Disposition:
A6M2 Zero - Max 80 total. Max of 15 may launch from each carrier (Shokaku-class)
D3A - Max 27 from each carrier
B5N - Max 27 from each carrier
Allied Forces (40%)
Wake Island
USS Saratoga
USS Lexington
Relief Convoy (TG without carrier)
Aircraft Disposition:
F4F-3 Wildcat - May use four-gun package ONLY. Max 36 from each carrier, Max 12 from Wake Island.
B-239 (substitute for F2A-3) - Max 14, may launch from Saratoga only
SBD Dauntless - Max 36 from each carrier
TBM (substitute for TBD) - Max 18 from each carrier. May not carry rockets.
Axis forces must defend:
Invasion Fleet
Carrier Groups 1 and 2
Targets in Marshall Islands
Allied forces must defend:
Wake Island
USS Saratoga
USS Lexington
Relief Convoy
The numbers split between Axis and Allied forces may be adjusted as needed for the needs of FSO. I've set rough numbers for each force based on what information I can find on the carrying capacity of a given aircraft carrier, and the disposition of forces at the time. Of Wake Island's 12 Wildcats, eight had been destroyed on the ground on December 7, so allowing 12 active F4Fs is a bit of a liberty on my part. The number of F2As assigned to Saratoga is based on the number of aircraft the squadron would ultimately land at Midway on December 25, 1941 after the historical relief campaign was canceled. I couldn't find the aircraft disposition of the Lexington-class carrier, but as the total number (90 aircraft) matched I used the Essex-class's instead. The Japanese carrier air wings are based on the historical complement of the Shokaku-class carrier. The aircraft restrictions may be modified depending actual numbers breakdowns, however I think allowing the Allies a higher percentage of fighters compared to the Axis will help balance the Axis' greater numbers overall.
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I like. Have we ever done Wake Island in Special Events? I dont remember hearing about it if we have.
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Brewsters would be restricted to the 1x.303 + 3x.50cal armament, right?
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That I'm not as sure on, as I've read the 4x.50cal were also used by some US birds.
Also, one thing that might be considered is that after operating from Saratoga in Frame 1, in Frames 2 and 3 the Brewsters would be based from Wake Island to represent their delivery.
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May I suggest holding off on this one? Greebo made a skin at my request. Henry Elrod's skin of the VMF-211.
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,267158.0.html (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,267158.0.html)
I would think it only fitting to use this Scenario with a skin to match.
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There's also a USMC skin by Greebo for the Brewster. If we could get both skins in time for such a setup it would be perfect.
Considering the next four (AAAAARGH) setups are scheduled to be ETO/MTO there's time for those two skins to make it into the game.
Does anyone know if there's even a map OF Wake and the Marshalls area?
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Don't think so
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It's under development, Sax.
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It's under development, Sax.
Sweet deal. Ask and ye shall receive.
:D
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Considering the next four (AAAAARGH) setups are scheduled to be ETO/MTO...
mmmm....
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B-239 (substitute for F2A-3) - Max 14, may launch from Saratoga only
Ok boys, we are sending you up in these crates, but don't sweat it, we removed the tail hook to save weight! :lol
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mmmm....
What?
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I'm sending NoDoze and redbull to Greebo's Garage to help him get those birds painted. Can someone chip in and send the coffee? :x
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Better send them to Stoney, last I heard both skins were done and submitted, just waiting on approval.
Also, another option for Allied forces would be to include a third carrier in addition to the relief convoy, as based on some further reading Enterprise was in the Marshalls at that time. I don't she was there SPECIFCALLY as part of Kimmell's relief plan, but under Halsey's discretion, and would have been included in the relief plan. A second target in the Marshalls can be added to give each side 5 defensive and attack objectives.
So try these numbers on for size:
Axis Forces (60%)
Marshall Islands
Carrier Group 1
Carrier Group 2
Invasion Group (TG with no carrier)
Aircraft Disposition:
A6M2 Zero - Max 100 total. Max of 15 may launch from each carrier (Shokaku-class)
D3A - Max 27 from each carrier
B5N - Max 27 from each carrier
Allied Forces (40%)
Wake Island
USS Saratoga
USS Lexington
USS Enterprise
Relief Convoy (TG without carrier)
Aircraft Disposition:
F4F-3 Wildcat - May use four-gun package ONLY. Max 36 from each carrier, Max 12 from Wake Island.
B-239 (substitute for F2A-3) - May use 3x.50cal and 1x.30cal package only. Max 14, may launch from Saratoga only
SBD Dauntless - Max 36 from each carrier
TBM (substitute for TBD) - Max 18 from each carrier. May not carry rockets.
Axis forces must defend:
Invasion Fleet
Carrier Group 1
Carrier Group 2
2 targets in Marshall Islands
Allied forces must defend:
Wake Island
USS Saratoga
USS Lexington
USS Enterprise
Relief Convoy
This would give Allied 134 fighters (max) vs. 100 for the Japanese, with the Japanese having a larger attack force. Minimum numbers would need to be set for bombers on both sides.