Buffaloes over Singapore

[pierre the shy]

First, let me say sorry, I've been out of pocket for a bit, but catching up now.

So the first thing is, HURRAH!  Congratulations, Peter, on getting the blog up and running!  I told ya it was easy   Looks great, already got three batreps up, which is more than I've done in the new year, so good on ya!

The squadron roster you're using looks great, and I like how you're tracking repair time for damaged aircraft, very cool.

And to you and Paul, it was my pleasure to share my rules tweaks, love to help out whenever I can.

V/R,
Jack

Welcome back Jack, thanks of the inspiration.

I have written up a report for the events of 9th December, which went a lot better for Katipo Squadrone. I did take some pictures which I have included, although some are a bit hurried.

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?tab=mj1&blogID=3401582076154047011#editor/target=post;postID=7495388127093269885;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=0;src=postname

[paulr]

Go the Kiwis 


This link doesn't need you to be logged in to see the blog post
https://betweenthelines10mm.blogspot.com/2020/02/bounce-back-9-dec-1941.html

[pierre the shy]

I have gone back to these simple air rules to run a short scripted campaign that I have come up with covering "Operation C" The IJN carrier raid into the Indian Ocean and the attacks on Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in April 1942 from the Japanese perspective.

Produced 37 more Imperial Japanese Navy and Fleet Air Arm counters to cover the carrier based planes needed.

Hopefullly I will be able to run the first couple of games tonight since our regular gaming timeslot is in recess for a few weeks over the holidays.

I will do a write up on my very under used blog if anyone is interested.     

[paulr]

I'll definitely be interested

[pierre the shy]

OK I finally got some time to write up some background to the Operation C campaign that I have now begun playing here:

https://betweenthelines10mm.blogspot.com/2021/01/operation-c-japanese-carrier-raid-on.html

I hope you find it interesting enough to follow....I do intend to do a write up of each engagement with some pictures, but the reports will not be as epic as Jack's many adventures  

[paulr]

Looking forward to seeing the AARs for this, hopefully with lots of pipe cleaners in the photos

[Steve J]

Well, I never knew the Japanese attack Ceylon in WWII! Looking forward to the AAR's on this campaign .

[pierre the shy]

Thanks for the comments Paul and Steve J....yes the raid in April 1942 was, fortunately for the British, the only major sortie into the Indian Ocean that the IJN ever made. They had enough problems to contend with in the Pacific after mid 1942.....

I posted the AAR's of the first two games I played on the blog at https://betweenthelines10mm.blogspot.com/

I have played the third game (but have yet to write it up) This turned into a real furball when no less than 6 defending fighters turned up.   

[paulr]

The recce scenario was always going to be tough on the Cat

[Steve J]

Two nice little scenarios and young Watanebe certainly had a great debut game/mission!

[bigjackmac]

Pierre,

Fantastic man, absolutely fantastic!  First, let me tell you, your blog is coming along nicely; I told ya, if I can do it, anyone can do it!

The one (small) complaint I have is... where's the minis???!!!   Don't misunderstand, the counters look very nice and are very effective, the narrative and photos are easy to follow.  I'm just always gonna be partial to minis.  And I think I recognize that little explosion you're using to mark downed aircraft/shooting 

Regarding your concept, man, you've taken my idea and cranked it up to 100!  That linked mini-campaign structure you created is absolutely magnificent!  And I love how you've come up with the detailed victory conditions, not just the 'shoot down his airplanes' stuff I've been getting away with!  I've really gotta steal that!  All of it

The first fight was cool, about as one would expect; that Cat really needed some escorts, or some clouds to duck into!  Regarding the second fight, that's cool how the Brit interceptors are penalized by the preceding fight, and I figured it would handicap them; I guess Watenabe proved that!  At least the Japanese bombers didn't hit their targets as effectively as they could have, getting all six Kates through to the target.   

And I noticed you took it easy on yourself with a 3 vs 3 escort mission I'm here to tell you it's no much fun going 4 vs 6!  Man, this is super cool, and lots of fun, I can't wait to see more.

V/R,
Jack

[pierre the shy]

Pierre,

Fantastic man, absolutely fantastic!  First, let me tell you, your blog is coming along nicely; I told ya, if I can do it, anyone can do it!

The one (small) complaint I have is... where's the minis???!!!  Don't misunderstand, the counters look very nice and are very effective, the narrative and photos are easy to follow.  I'm just always gonna be partial to minis.  And I think I recognize that little explosion you're using to mark downed aircraft/shooting  

Regarding your concept, man, you've taken my idea and cranked it up to 100!  That linked mini-campaign structure you created is absolutely magnificent!  And I love how you've come up with the detailed victory conditions, not just the 'shoot down his airplanes' stuff I've been getting away with!  I've really gotta steal that!  All of it

The first fight was cool, about as one would expect; that Cat really needed some escorts, or some clouds to duck into!  Regarding the second fight, that's cool how the Brit interceptors are penalized by the preceding fight, and I figured it would handicap them; I guess Watenabe proved that!  At least the Japanese bombers didn't hit their targets as effectively as they could have, getting all six Kates through to the target.    

And I noticed you took it easy on yourself with a 3 vs 3 escort mission I'm here to tell you it's no much fun going 4 vs 6!  Man, this is super cool, and lots of fun, I can't wait to see more.

V/R,
Jack

Thanks for your opinions Jack, great to know you like what I am doing  

I went for counters for two reasons - a) there is no real altitude components in the rules I am using (but I do refer to diving/climbing in the batreps in a round about way) and b) sheer practically - I have a heep of modern 1/600th planes from Picoarmor and TD to do up eventually and I just don't have time to do up a fair few WW2 ones as well.

Feel free to use any concepts that I have used. I will willingly email a copy of the stuff I have put together if its any use.

I have just finished writing up the third mission...I will let you read the report on the blog ( https://betweenthelines10mm.blogspot.com/ ) but I will just say it started as an "against the odds" furball.

I have not changed any outcomes and didn't have any pre-conceived ideas about the pilots in this campaign.....but I am enjoying playing the games and writing up the batreps (the 3rd one took me over 3 hours to do!!) but what I really like to be able to put in "human" touches that make the characters more than just one-dimensional and also to include a bit of a storytelling.

Cheers
Peter

           

[bigjackmac]

Very cool, Pierre, another great dogfight, it's making me want to pull my WWII Pacific squadrons back out!

Old Watenabe is headed for "Natural Born Killer" status!  I'm guessing the Vals finished off the target?

Looking forward to the next fight, I'm guessing torpedo bombers are going after the British cruisers?

V/R,
Jack

[pierre the shy]

Very cool, Pierre, another great dogfight, it's making me want to pull my WWII Pacific squadrons back out!

Old Watenabe is headed for "Natural Born Killer" status!  I'm guessing the Vals finished off the target?

Looking forward to the next fight, I'm guessing torpedo bombers are going after the British cruisers?

V/R,
Jack

Yes Watenabe is doing rather well at the moment isn't he?

The second wave strike by the Val's was successful. yes the cruisers will be facing Kate's. Historically the cruisers did not have any fighter CAP and were dive bombed by Val's which scored around 80% hits but l am assuming that they're close enough to the British carriers to be able to receive fighter cover from Fleet Air Arm fighters.

You have to remember that April 1942 probably represents the lJN carrier force at the zenith of it's achievement. From May 1942 they were held at Coral Sea and absolutely devastated at Midway a month later by the USN. The Zeros are good, but not untouchable as the IJN found as the war progressed.

I will report on the next engagement once l have completed the game.

[bigjackmac]

It all sounds great, Pierre, and I'm painfully aware of the Japanese carrier force's power!

I eagerly await the next fight.

V/R,
Jack