The job of the IJN Fighter Force is to kill as many enemy fighters and bombers as is possible.
We have the opportunity to launch (12) aircraft at T=0. All other aircraft must wait until cleared for takeoff. Timing on the lift of the majority of our fighter force is based on positive identification of the enemy within our radar range.
4th FG--Field 13--A6m5
23rd FG--Field 14--A6M5
352nd FG--Field 20-A6M5
At T=0 (12) 352nd aircraft will launch. Their job is to achieve maximum altitude at the earliest possible opportunity. These aircraft are to disrupt, confuse, harass the staging enemy fighters to the fullest extent possible. Engage only when you have a clear advantage. If/when necessary drag enemy toward the atoll. If you engage, attack toward the atoll.
At T=Unknown ALL fighters launch and grab for altitude. At approximately T=40 all fighters should be staged over the atoll, just north and west of F-20.
Target altitudes:
352nd early launch aircraft: 30 thousand + whatever extra you can get.
23rd Fighter Group: 20-25 thousand feet.
352nd Fighter Group: Late launch airplanes--20-25 thousand feet.
4th Fighter Group: 15-20 thousand feet.
Hopefully the initial engagement will go something like this:
The early launch fighters have a good eye on the ingresing fighter and bomber force and have forced them to pay attention to the aircraft that they KNOW are watching them. When the enemy are just south and east of the target area, the early launch fighters supplemented by the 23rd FG, begin to attack the high cover enemy fighters. Then, vectored by GCI, the 4the FG sets up to make a frontal attack on the incoming TBFs. The 4th makes their attack and goes low and out to regain altitude and rejoin the fight. All attacks should be set-up by flight leaders to attack on headings north and west. Recover at F-13 and F-14 when possible. All airfields are useable by all airplanes. Use of F-20 will be dependent on engagements in the area.
Be prepared for all of this to go out the crack in the canopy as soon as the first round is fired.
All flight leaders should be aware that this plan is predicated on the likelihood that the enemy will want more than one run at the atoll. If the bad guys elect to do some feint or delay of the initial attack some adjustment will need to be made. If the various flights can achieve the requested altitudes AND carry DTS (which would be dropped early) to extend flight for 10-20 minutes, that would allow us to react more easily IF they tried some type of "delay" tactic. Do what you have to do to be available at T=40 over the atoll and be at the proper altitudes.
Any group that wishes to use the available Kaga is welcome to do so, please make your request known. Preliminary flight testing indicates that the CV may be located such that a "straight climb" to the atoll will yield the proper altitude and timing. Recover on any of the (3) available fields within the atoll.
Fighter Bases
Radar Coverage
Note: There is no Allied coverage of any aircraft which stays west of 7 line. This is recommended.
OH3 Shipping Locations
The IJN Kaga will be seaming North at 2 squares per hour. It is available for "emergency recovery" if necessary.
Endurance
Fuel time in S3: (Clean / With droptanks) Fuel Multiplier - set at 0.75 for all planes
F6F-5: 48 min / 78 min
A6M5: 60 min / 94 min
Zero 5 Flight Test to 25,000' (Please note values are SAE)
100% + DT; CS 140 mph; 90% Power; 18 min.; 51.6 miles.
100%; CS 130 mph; 90% Power; 11:30; 30 miles.
Subsequent changes MADE IN RED.
I'll see everyone on the ramp.
