Midway 77th anniversary - battle report

 On June the 7th we celabrate 77th anniversary of Midway battle. We were basing on "Flat Tops in a Blood Red Sky Bath Tub" scenario. US Navy with USS Enterprise faced Japan Imperial Fleet with IJN Zuikaku.
Each side had at disposal 6 plane flight of fighters (F4F Wildcat vs. A6M2 Zero), 6 plane flight of recce/bombers (Dauntless Aichi Val) and 6 plane flight of torpedo bombers (Davastators vs Kates).

Each side consist of 3 determined commanders started with strategy thinking:
How to divide a force for defensive and offensive duties? How to deal with on-board logistics? How to localize enemy first?

As Americans we decided to bet on balanced strategy. Our plan was to have permanent cover of our carrier, each turn two bombers to be send for recce duties to localize Japanese. Torpedo bombers were on-ready waiting for orders to run. That was the plan

First turn wasn't succesful for us. None of our planes found an enemy. Unfortunately above our fleet a Japaneese plane appeared. Two Wildcats were sent for interception. Enemy did evasive actions between the clouds. Poorly trained american pilots haven't engage Japaneese. Our position was confirmed and we expect a bombing run next hour

Being desperate we sent all available dive bombers next hour for recon mission. Unluckily none of them found enemy carrier. Pair of fighters cover USS Enterprise when the previous one Returned to Base and next one was on ready for duty. Meanwhile the sky above our carrier was clear. Enemy never appeared.

Next hour passed. Two of our recce airplanes just landed when other four were Ruturned to Base. There was none more to send searching enemy carrier. Two Wildcats took off to cover flying base
 when finally enemy airraid appeared.

First wave consist of 6 Kate's supported by a flight of Zero's. Two Wildcats tried to brak through to bombers but Japaneese fighters efficiently engaged US fighters. One of them fell in flames to the ocean.

The way to our carrier was open. Japaneese bombers one by one started their attack run. US flak set up a wall of fire. Half of enemy bombers were lost. Three others released their duty. One of torpedoes reached the target.

While torpedo bombers faded away the second attack was carried out. Japaneese bombers dive precisely into the target. Another hit was scored. USS Enterprise was badly damaged but could still operate.

Fortunately the main deck was operational. Firefighters put out the fire just in time to take returning recce planes.

Having some time to second Japaneese attack we send away just prepared recce units and after a while one of them reported the contact. Enemy carrier IJN Zuikaku was temporarily unarmed, so Dauntless returned to base safely. Meanwhile Devastators and Dauntlesses were elevated on deck and placed on start position.

US air force was released for identified enemy. Zuikaku was uncovered still. Our Wildcats straffed over the deck to overpower enemy flak. Then our bombers one by one released their duty. Two torpedoes reach the target and exploded in the Zuikaku's side. Enemy carrier was badly damaged but haven't sink yet. There was a chance to finished her when the second wave of attack appeared. Unfortunately Mc' Clusky's boys didn't do right. None of the bombs reached the target. Zuikaku was still operational and just preparing planes for the next strike.

Our strike force was returning to base, one of fighters stood on deck when two other were readied in hangar. The sky over USS Enterprise was empty.

Our strike force just landed and single Wildcat was sent to the air when the Japaneese appeared. Two more fighters that shoud be available just broke down. Single Wildcat came to engage the enemy. Unfortunately Japaneese fighters swept away our defence and enemy gain an open gate to US carrier. First wave consist of 3 torpedo bombers did not succeed. Our spirit rose again. But then a second wave appeared. Three dive bombers fell from the sky and each of them place the bomb direct in target. There was no more hope for USS Enterprise. She sank quickly. HMAS Vampire rescued as many personel as could. Japaneese were triumphed, but we will get them soon!