Air Raid on ...

[ncc1701e]

2. The US is forced to begin to their offensive against the Solomon Islands. That is the only option available which allows the Japanese to concentrate their defense there. It is not only historically incorrect, but just isn't much fun. The US should also have the ability, as happened during the war, to also push across the Pacific Island. Given the way the game is setup that is, of course, impossible. The only real option is to make Johnston Island an upgradeable port.

Doing an offensive in Central Pacific is perfectly feasible with some training. Carefully building my US fleet with more CV, CVL, CA and DD, I was able to resist then to take the Marshall islands even if I am late historically in this game. I have around six months late compared to history.

October 1944, I am about to take Enewetak. Despite a big fleet in Truk that I have detected with a COMINT, my US carriers are ready to intercept any attempt of the Japanese fleet to prevent the invasion of Enewetak.

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October 1944.JPG (107.69 KiB) Viewed 1510 times

[ncc1701e]

November 1944, another COMINT still reveals a fleet of 24 fleets located in Truk. I decide to perform a first air raid from Enewetak to confirm this information.

With my air superiority fighter in range of Truk from Manus and Kavieng, the Japanese fighters are almost wiped out from the sky.

No ships are destroyed but I am discovering 9 CV, 1 CVL, 6 BB, 4 BC and 3 SM.

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November 1944.JPG (142.57 KiB) Viewed 1500 times

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First air raid.JPG (135.81 KiB) Viewed 1500 times

[ncc1701e]

Until now, my Japanese opponent has been very good in defense and I was not able to sink many Japanese ships.

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Sunk ships.JPG (99.45 KiB) Viewed 1502 times

[ncc1701e]

Now, this is the trigger to launch Operation Hailstone: The air raid on Truk.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Hailstone

A first carrier strike on Truk is damaging four Japanese carriers. The Zuikaku CV is bottomed.

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first carrier strike.JPG (141.87 KiB) Viewed 1498 times

[ncc1701e]

A second carrier strike is damaging again the Shinano CV and three other carriers. The Kaga CV is bottomed.

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second carrier strike.JPG (137.63 KiB) Viewed 1494 times

[ncc1701e]

The third and last carrier strike is decisive:
. The Taiho CV is sunk
. The Zuikaku CV is finally sunk
. The Hiyo CV is sunk
. The Soryu CV is bottomed.

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third carrier strike.JPG (146.43 KiB) Viewed 1488 times

[ncc1701e]

The US fleet under its land based fighter protection is now waiting next turn for the Japanese's answer.

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air interception ranges.JPG (91.85 KiB) Viewed 1487 times

[ncc1701e]

December 1944, nothing was attempted by Japan. A COMINT is revealing that all ships have escaped except the two bottomed carriers for sure. I am launching two more carrier strikes:
. The Kaga CV is sunk
. The Soryu CV is sunk

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first CV strike.JPG (130.04 KiB) Viewed 1485 times

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Second CV strike.JPG (127.32 KiB) Viewed 1485 times

[ncc1701e]

With Truk neutralized, my next objective in Central Pacific is Guam and Saipan. US fleet is back in port for resupply and to repair the few carrier based planes lost.

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Sunk ships 2.JPG (109.95 KiB) Viewed 1484 times