Post by markc3711 on Feb 10, 2024 16:11:18 GMT
The Dutch Harbor Raid Part 1
Aleutian Campaign Scenario 1Background: The morning of the 3rd of June saw the Japanese carrier force mired in very poor weather which delayed the takeoff. Even when the weather did clear, one Ryujo B5N was lost on takeoff, but crew was recovered by a destroyer. Heavy cloud cover prevented regimented formation flying, requiring individual divisions to make their own way to Dutch Harbor. The Junyo contingent would never manage to find the target – the escorting fighters saw another PBY out on patrol and veered
away to shoot it down, and then failed to re-join their bomber charges. The Ryujo attack group was then picked up on the SC radar of the seaplane tender Gillis, which radioed a warning to Dutch Harbor and prompted the six ships in port to get under way. Meanwhile, P-40s were scrambled from Cold Bay, 180 miles away, but
they would not arrive in time to challenge the attackers.
Victory Conditions
The American player wins if both PBYs escape.
The Japanese player wins if he bombs the barracks.
Map: Map Setup Notes:
2-eilrahC Charlie-1 1. Town on Charlie-1 is Fort Mears barracks.
Baker-4 Able-3 2. Town on Baker-4 is Dutch Harbor.
George-2 George-1 3. George-1 and -2 maps are water.
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Scenario Setup Notes:
1. Poor weather on turn 1.
2. Heavy cloud cover till turn 4 at level 2.
3. Clear weather south of Dutch harbor turn 5.
Special Rules:
1. Barracks: 6 hits
2. One Zero crash landed on Akutan Island.
TURN RECORD CHART
Americans set up first 1 2 3 4 5 6.
End
2nd Kido Butai 11th AirForce
Elements from Ryujo Elements of Fleet Airwing 4 Set up on Baker 4
3x A6M2 Zero (one piloted by PO1c Tadayoshi Koga 1x PBY-5A
Strafing run. Speed 3, Level 2 Attacked on water and damaged.
Set up on George-2 VP-42
1x B5N2 Kate Attack bomber 1x PBY-5A
Bombs: 3 x 250kg Took off- made for the clouds.
To Hit: 4-6 206th Coast Artillery
Firepower: 4 Damage: 2 Ammo: 1 2x 3-inch Antiaircraft guns
extra damage 4/5, blast 2 hexes Set up on Dutch Harbor
Dive Bomb 25
Bomb barracks. Speed 3, level 2
1x D3A-2 Val Dive bomber
Bomb: (250kg)
To Hit: 4-6
Firepower: 3 Damage: 2 Ammo: 1
extra damage 4/6, blast 1 hex
Dive Bomb 25
Bomb barracks. Speed 3, level 2
Aftermath: Despite what was reported to be ‘heavy’ AA fire, none of the attackers was brought down immediately. One of the three Zeros to arrive was damaged attacking the PBYs, in what would prove to be a momentous piece of fortune for the Americans. The fighter piloted by PO1c Tadayoshi Koga was holed in the fuel tank, and Koga realized he would not be able to make it back to the Ryujo. He elected to crash land on nearby Akutan island, hoping to be picked up by a nearby submarine positioned to rescue stranded pilots. However, on touchdown Koga’s fighter flipped on its back, and Koga himself suffered a fatal broken neck. His fighter remained undiscovered until 10th July when a patrolling PBY sighted it. A recovery crew found that the Zero was almost intact, and it was soon shipped back to the United States for evaluation – an intelligence boon for the Allies.
