http://www.squadselectseries.comFrame 5 was almost the exact reverse of frame 4. The Allies came out hunting for the enemy CV group while the Japanese concentrated on shipping targets in The Slot and to the northeast. Initially the fighter recces of both sides played cat and mouse in the sea to the north of the Solomons. The initial attack was by the Japanese on static shipping just southwest of the American TF1 postion. The attack by the Kates was flawless with good fighter escort, 4 DDs and 3 freighters soon went down. Meanwhile Japanese zeros were concentrating on the forward US positions at 18,20 and 25. Throughout the night these fighters tied down a large number of US wildcats and sank 10 ships as well as taking out several anchored seaplanes.
Gradually a large force of TBDs was formed out near TF1 and once the Japanese Carrier Force was found, sent on a long mission to sink their capital ships. Wildcats from the carrier covered them into the attack knowing full well that battles earlier in the night indicated that the zeros had found and were shadowing them. Once the attack run began the zeros dove down to engage but were bounced by the waiting F4Fs as they latched onto the tails of the lumbering TBDs. Some 18 TBDs started in on the two Japanese carriers and each carrier was hit by several torpedos as the flak flew fiercely around them from the protective DDs, two of which were hit and sunk as well. The price was still high with at least 8 TBDs claimed by the Japanese during the attack.
Late in the frame the Japanese tried to duplicate the Allied attack but they only had a few Kates left and the defensive CAP was too strong with 4 torpedo bombers being lost to F4Fs. At least one torp was seen running toward an American carrier.
Air combat again proved very uneven with the Allies claiming 34 e/a and the Japanese only 16. Japanese attacks on shipping proved fruitful with a total of 17 ships sunk during the night. This helped overcome the loss of their CV group and they ended up with the most points 49.5 to 37 for the Allies.
But this was not enough to win back the lead and the Allies would win the series 299 to 247.
Allies won three frames and the Japanese won two frames. The biggest difference in points was that due to a/c shotdown. The allies had almost twice as many kills as the Japanese and scored an additional 35 points here. Allies were also more successful finding and sinking moving AI ships.
Tough era and location to play-balance but a good test run of the new Solomons. Excellent terrain and all credit for design and research goes to Mspiro for a job well done. He is working on New Guinea next so expect another historically accurate challenging terrain soon.
We are back to Tunisia for the next series. Greece terrain is delayed but will be the last series of the year. Frame 1 of S3 #86 Tunis Will Fall is April 6. Squad numbers have been reviewed and revised so check out the squadroles for the last two events.
http://www.squadselectseries.com/squadroles.htmThanks for playing and WildBil for the sandbox to play in.
<Salute>
jabo
