Some Tiny Air Combat at Koepang, DEI

[bigjackmac]

All,

It's 1000 on 19 February 1942, in Darwin, Australia, and a massive air raid by Japanese carrier aircraft is inbound.  The Chickenhawks are down to 12 pilots and aircraft, but they scramble everyone, four pilots in three successive flights, rising to defend the myriad ships docked in the bay, nearly defenseless against the coming onslaught.

Lt Kimble already led one flight into combat, downing one Zero and four Vals without loss, though two Vals entered the harbor.  Captain Jordan is leading the second flight into action now.

Major Jordan led another flight into combat, downing two Zeroes, two Vals, and two Kates, at the loss of two P-40s.


Captain Biasucci runs straight in, breaking up the formation of torpedo bombers.


But the Zeroes are swarming all over the flight of P-40s, which probably should have spent a little more effort in dealing with the escorts.  To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2018/12/chickenhawks-in-darwin-3.html

I've also posted new squadron rosters:
US Marine "Dirt Divers"
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2018/12/dirt-divers-roster.html

US Navy "Killer Pelicans"
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2018/12/killer-pelicans-roster.html

US Army Air Force "Chickenhawks"
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2018/12/chickenhawks-roster.html

And in order to track the accomplishments of the three squadrons, and rank them against each other, I have introduced the 'scorecard,' tracking sorties, kills, losses, and awards:
https://oldleadbreed.blogspot.com/2018/12/air-war-n-pacific-scorecard.html

So more to come, probably going back to the Killer Pelicans for the two Coral Sea battles, and then Midway, then probably a few missions for the Chickenhawks running out of northern Australia, up to New Guinea.  And don't worry about the Dirt Divers, once Guadalcanal kicks off and Henderson Field is operational, they're going to be in for quire a period of sustained combat.

I hope you're enjoying these as much as I (and my kid) are, it's been a blast on this end and I can't see us not playing a lot more of these.  As a matter of fact, I've just purchased a bunch more aircraft, so soon the Battle of Britain shall begin!

V/R,
Jack

[paulr]

What are the SS & BS/V in the score cards

I've worked out the rest

[Techno]

Very good, as always, Jack.

Cheers - Phil

[pierre the shy]

What are the SS & BS/V in the score cards :-

I've worked out the rest

US decorations?

I'm guessing....SS = Silver Star and BS/V = Bronze Star for Valor

[sunjester]

Those little planes look really good! 

[bigjackmac]

Paul - Yes, Pierre has it nailed, Silver Star and Bronze Star w/"V" (the Bronze Star can be awarded in non-combat situations, so the "V" device, for valor, denotes it was for an act of bravery in combat).

Thanks everyone, glad you enjoyed it/them, and more to come.

V/R,
Jack

[paulr]

Thanks Pierre & Jack, I should have been able to sort those out

My first thought for BS was Battle Star...