Burma Aerial Campaign #2 25 Dec 41 – 2 Jan 42
We knocked out two weeks of our Burma aerial campaign last night at Waterloo Minis in Ashland VA. To recap: We are using Warbirds in Miniature (WBiM) aerial rules and 1.300 scale aircraft. The aerial campaign started on 7 Dec 1941 and will run thru July 1942. Each scenario equals one week of time.
25 Dec 1941,
First game was a Fighter Sweep: The RAF entered the camping for the first time with SQD LDR Malcolm flying two Brewster Buffalo s. He was joined by Gray flying his P-40s both who have .5 kills. They faced off against two veteran Japanese opponents JD and Andrew flying Oscars IIs. At first the Japanese laughed at Malcolm and the Brewster Buffalos until the third turn when LT JD-san found himself in front of the Buffalos 50cals and took 2 heavy hits. While slow the Buffalo is very maneuverable and with 4 50cal HMG is deadly. Combat lasted 12 turns with both side taking and giving damage to each other. Once again the Japanese cursed the aircraft designers for not putting in heavier armaments…as they hit plenty of times but only caused light damage. The Japanese left combat on turn 12; giving the allies a Victory and 5 VP point to each pilot/plane. All pilots survived the mission and but one returned home safely. Pappy Collins (Gray) crashed landed at his airfield and spent 5 days in the hospital.
1 Jan 1942
Second game was a Bombing mission: Three Sally bombers, two flown by me (Ron) and one by a new player Missy, were sent to bomb an AVG airfield. JD and Andrew are flying escort. The RAF rolled and come in right behind the bombers on turn two. Gray and his two P-40s were on the airfield and needed to roll a 5+ on 2d6 before takeoff…he did not spot the bombers until turn 2. The airfield was also protected by one 90mm AAA gun.
On turn 3 the three bombers were getting into line to make their bombing run when Malcolm's two Buffalos got behind and hit the lead bomber. Killing the pilot and damaging the controls so the plane only flew straight. All three bombers put out return MG fire. On turn 4 Malcolm let lose another volley causing another two more heavy hits. Wounding a waist gunner and making the bomber smoke. This was too much for the bomber crew and they bailed out. Missy and I continued on to the target and our 4 escorts finally joined us. The two remaining bombers put out some awesome MG defensive fire…rolling on the 1 and 2 table with some killer die rolls we gave the RAF and AVG a few heavy hits. LT JD-san commented that the Bombers were causing more hits than the fighters… By turn 6 both bombers dropped their loads but missed the target. They both turned for home but the allies would not let off. Both bombers took multiple heavy hits, my bomber caught fire which spread to the one reaming engine and went down in flames giving Malcolm another kill. Behind me Gray zeroed in on Missy smoking Bomber and hit her with heavy hits that took off her wing. A kill for Gray!
Once the bombers were gone the allied fighter, both short of ammo took on the Oscars, MSG JD- no Saki, took a hit form the 90mm AAA gun. He took one pt of damage but that was enough to blow out his engine…as he was gliding down Gray hit him one last time causing JD-No Saki to bail out and become a POW. LT JD was also hit by Bray 2nd Plane and lost his engine. He glided into the jungle and made his way back to Japanese lines. Andrews two planes made it back to base but due to damage both crashed landed….CPL An Tojo survived but SGT Andrew-san was severely wounded and sent back to Japan to recover and to become a Flight Instructor. Malcolm's planes made it home safely but once again Grays pilot "Pappy" crash landed and spent 4 day in the hospital!
This game ended and as of 2 Jan 1942 Malcolm's pilots both have 90+ VPs and one pilot has 1.5 kills the other .5 kills. Gray two pilots both have 1.5 kills. Since both of them over 100 VPs they each rolled for a pilot skill, Pappy has "Eagle Eye" (shooting and tailing is increased by 1 hex) and Sam Watson has "Accuracy" (rec'd a +1 to all shooting).
The Japanese did not fare well at all in the last scenario…three bombers and two Oscars down. LT JD-san has 76VPs and CPL An-Tojo has 48Vps (he was promoted to SGT to fill his wounded wing mans spot) Both will roll for new "green" pilots the next game
Many more game dates to play…Not looking good for the Japanese. All are welcome to paint up planes and come join us in the skies over Burma…
Ron
