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Luzon was where the action was in frame 4. Japanese naval forces landed in several locations around the Philippines. High flying G4M1s escorted by zeros hit two central fields including the main base at Clarke. The US scrambled fighters that chased the enemy bombers all the way back to Vigan airstrip just newly captured by Japanese marines. Damage was substantial at both airfields but could have been worse if the long-range Betty bombers carried more ord. Such was not the case with the US B17s stationed at Clarke which flew in small formations and dropped many bombs against Japanese beachheads and captured ports in the northwest coast. P40s also did their part strafing down at least 6 Japanese ships bringing troops into the Lingayen Gulf invasion area. Many anchored ships were also hit and set ablaze by B17s at the two captured ports. Not to be outdone the Japanese launched a strike by Kates against the main port in the Lingayen area still under US control. Several ships and important dock facilities were destroyed followed by a long chase out to sea with Zeros and P40s fighting over the IJ torpedo bombers.
Losses were relatively low with both sides having their main fighters with low losses and the B17s proved to be daunting opponents. The US spent time and effort to take out as many ships, both AI and static, and this paid off with a substantial higher score in BDA over the Japanese. This was the difference with the US winning the frame 128 to 84.
FRAME 5 NOTES
1. Read the notes, many are coming to the frame completely uninformed.
2. Japanese continue to push the US back with MacArthur declaring Manila a free city.
3. US shipping begins to withdraw support personnel to Corregidor and Australia. There will be a number of moving US ships leaving Subic Bay and Manila Bay heading S and SW. These are important targets for the Japanese.
4. US have a number of airfields still available but many are under the noses of the Japanese and will prove difficult to maintain during the night. Watch your take-offs and landings. RDF does not show colour.
5. Japanese CV group off to the west moving south to intercept US ships leaving the Philippines.
Good Luck in the final frame. Christmas break is upon us.
jabo
