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.
