Dateline - Honshu

[Capt. Pixel]

After weeks waiting in the Pacific crossing troop ships, we have finally arrived.

The south-eastern coast on Honshu Island is about 40 miles from Tokyo. We're right in Tojo's backyard. Finally a chance to payback the Japs on their home islands.

The landing craft are revving motors, whistles and klaxons blow and they each slew out of their holding patterns and start the long, frightening drive onto the unfriendly coast.

Naval guns flatten large sections of the coastline in front of our armada and heavy smoke obscures all but the immediate beaches that are the objective of -

OPERATION CORONET

The Allies: Capt. Pixel and Easy 8 as the gruff but endearing Marine

The Evil Japanese: Goblin-san (muahahaahaha) and VikingNo2

As soon as Goblin and I can clear the first file transfer - we're off!

[Capt. Pixel]

Marine air acquitted themselves well today. One SB2C pilot managed to blow the radio antenna off a bunker before being clipped by a So-Ki SPAA. :rolleyes:

A second SB2C drew fire from one of the Japs Coastal guns before finding and obliterating another So-Ki who was just hangin' around.

Two F4U-1D took out two Coastal guns, including one that dominated the bay overlooked by 'Acorn Hill'. (my name for that large knob of land in the southern coast )

Heavy Bombers flew over and took photographs for back home (bloody fly boys)

the Navy fared far worse. Coastal Guns dispatched one FR gunboat and four LVT2s and their Ranger passengers to the Deep Blue.

From the moment we started to move, the coastline erupted with opp fire from Strongpoints, 5 inch Coastal guns and caves. Caves, everywhere!

Landing craft madly steered to get out of the big guns firing arcs, only to be pinned by flanking fire from caves and other Strongpoints.

French Gunboats darted about, deliberately attempting to draw fire away from the more fragile LVTs. But they were not enough.

Quoting Cpl Belroy: "They shoulda named this 'Operation Bugfugger'. hawwwwk, spit" :p

Easy8s got the ball.

[M4Jess]

The US Amry rushes the beach!

NOT FOR JAP PLAYERS EYES!

[M4Jess]

The US Amry rushes the beach!

NOT FOR JAP PLAYERS EYES!

[M4Jess]

Allied Airborn ...... in the "Middle"

NOT FOR JAP EYES!!!!

[M4Jess]

OPPS...heres the Airborn!

NOT FOR JAP EYES!!!!

[Capt. Pixel]

These .jpgs are really neat, M4. thanks:D

[Easy8]

I finally got the file.

Promise I will play and post this evening.

Y'all can reach me at jnewhouse@austin.rr.com

[Easy8]

American and British airborne troopers landed in the pre-dawn hours. They have regrouped and established a defensive perimiter in a shell scarred piece of real estate dubbed "The Middle". These brave men are the first combat troops to set foot on the Japanese homeland.

Two SS Engineer tanks escorted by infantry are sighted advancing westward along the east-west road. A 57mm anti-tank gun opens up and Teutarch tanks move into position and open fire. A lone BAR spits lead at the SNLF squad and 60mm mortar shells pin them down. Marine SBD's are called in to strafe the column and one of the tanks erupts into ball of flames. The pilot radios that 3 lt tanks are following behind and that another was spotted on the west road.

The earth shakes as the battle hardened paratroopers gaze toward the sea. They cheer as 16" naval guns rain shells on the beaches and dive bombers scream from the sky, dropping their deadly cargo. They wonder how any one can survive such an onslaught.

****! It looks like the landings are FUBAR from the onset.

Deadly accurate fire from the coastal batteries are turning this into a turkey shoot. LVT's zig-zag toward the beach, desperately trying to evade incoming. 7 LVT's disappear in geysers of fire and water before the worried colonel's eyes.

[Goblin]

Captain Taki stared through the firing slit to the sea. Dozens of enemy ships and landing craft steamed toward the shore.

The ratchet sound of the naval gun traversing brought him back to his immediate surroundings.

'The Spirit of the Samurai', a 305mm naval gun, slowly leveled itself at its intended target. The LST steamed along aware that there was danger, but just not how much!

Are those men afraid? He imagined so. He had seen too much warfare, too much fear himself, to doubt it. All warriors were afraid! One must master the fear, and do ones duty.

"Prepare to fire!", shouted Sergeant Akagi. The crew put their massive earmuffs on, and checked their stations. One by one, they signaled ready.

Sergeant Akagi looked at him. He checked to make sure all were clear. They were. He drew his Katana, passed down through generations of Taki samurai. He raised it into the air. In a swift stroke, he brought the blade down.


BOOM!

'The Spirit' shook the fortification to the foundation. The men surged forward as it rocked back into battery, beginning the reloading process. Captain Taki looked thru the naval binoculars at his intended target.

It was obvious that the round missed directly hitting the LST. It was just as obvious that it didn't matter. The transport lay on its side, and as he watched, rolled the rest of the way over.

The courage! All along the Allies' front , vessels were exploding in flames or sinking. This would be a bloody day. They are brave warriors, and would not quit the attack. Nor would the brave warriors on the defense surrender.

Goblin- A Goblin likes shore guns;)

[M4Jess]

cool................. need turn for screen shots!

[VikingNo2]

Two light tanks, and a Jeep bite the dust, many AT guns spotted, Heavy rain should wash them away.

YOU DIE G.I. !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Capt. Pixel]

The promised smoke rolled in across the beaches, graciously provide by US Naval gunnery. Japanese 81mm and 75mm shells rain down on the approaching armada raising fountains of sea water all around the beleaguered little boats. Most of the Rangers look like they swam in to the beach.

Keels scrape against the graveled beach as the assault doors drop open to.... nothing. Marine air and Naval artillery has reduced these beaches to quiet, smoky retreats. We move in.

A Japanese river boat was discovered lurking around Li'l island. Gunboats and empty LCs are harrassing it even now.

A Rifle platoon landed on the south eastern coast of Acorn Hill and unsuccessfully assaulted a Log Rifle Pit. Their butts were saved by a rather incredible long shot from a floating DD that blew the Rifle Pit to pieces. That was one sweet shot.

The Army LVTs hug the coastline as they sneak around Big Island past the turreted coastal gun on Lil island 2. Previously barraged smoke is partially obscuring their passage. But their run to the coast is covered by yet another of those vicious Strongpoints.

Rocket and Gun ships continue pepper Li'l Island 2s gun trying to cover the Marine advance.

The assault continues ahead of schedule. (heheh - private joke)

Take it - Easy 8!

[Easy8]

Airborne troops in "The Middle" trade fire with advancing Japanese infantry.

The beaches take a terrific pounding from naval gunfire.

As the shore batteries are being silenced or blinded, enemy gunfire is becoming more sporadic and less accurate.

Another SS Engineer tank falls victim to a strafing dive bomber.

[Goblin]

The naval gun Spirit of the Samurai now has FOURTEEN kills, and they ain't foot units, either, but loaded transports! The Army is ashore, and now we will start to fight, instead of practicing our gunnery!:mad:

BANZAI!! BANZAI!! BANZAI!!



Goblin- A Goblin is gonna karate you good

[Supervisor]

Wasn't it M4 Jess's job to limit Goblins caffeine intake this week? I think he flailed miserably.

[Goblin]

Originally posted by gmenfan
Wasn't it M4 Jess's job to limit Goblins caffeine intake this week? I think he flailed miserably.

gmenfan. BANZAI!!

After I finish this 3rd 2-liter of Jolt cola, I'm gonna start on the coffee, and get myself all----

Jess! Let go of that! Thats my bottle! Hey you can't- SMACK! Ouch, you old coot! Gimmee my-SMACK! Thank you, Jess, needed that!

Goblin- A Goblin likes his coffee (banzai)

[Capt. Pixel]

Seems I'm going to have to select a new priority target when fighting Goblin .... his Cappucino machine.

That oughta shut him down.

[VikingNo2]

More rifle fire is traded with the Airborn, and to quote a fine commander " soon they will have halo's to go with their wings" a Zero comes in and ruins Tea time for a AT gun position and the supporting infantry.

Soon G.I. very soon you will feel the Emperors wraith:mad:

[Capt. Pixel]

Busy, busy this turn.

Apparently an airstrike revealed several targets that have been vexing to my forces.

A cave near the peak of Acorn Hill was spotted and finally eliminated by rocket fire from an LCS (color me surprised, I've never seen much of anything productive happen with those boats). Nearby LCVPs finished off the crew.

An LCGM wandered in front of another of those coastal guns, took two direct hits from the 5"ers and kept on steaming.

The mischevious JA River Boat received fire from a multitude of LCS, LCG and LCVPs. 50 cal, 20mm, 40mm and even 4.7" naval guns pounded on that river boat. To no avail. She still floats.

An M4A375(w) moved inland and managed to immobilize itself right in front of a Rifle Pit. The RP is no more, but the darned tank is temporarily stuck.

That coastal gun with the shot-up radio mast is STILL routed from the opening game airstrikes. I think I'll just pass her by. Wouldn't want to accidentally 'wake them up'.

The second landing wave has arrived and has begun it's approach towards the nearly undefended southern coast.

Let's rumble