Wednesday Night Gaming 03/22/26 WWII Air Combat over Okinawa
Adam Jones was kind enough to send in a report to share with our gentle readers of his Battle of Okinawa Air to Air Combat game held at Fantasy Books & Games in O’Fallon, IL Photos are courtesy of Steve Lowry and Adam Jones.
“April,1945 finds the bulk of the U.S. Pacific Fleet arrayed around Okinawa supporting the invasion of the island. The main fleet carriers are providing air cover for the fleet and ground support for the Marines. The untold story is the function of the large fleet of escort carrier’s. Their primary job is to feed aircraft to the fleet carriers to replace losses as well as providing a second layer of combat air patrol to defend against enemy aircraft. The escort carrier aircraft also runs anti-submarine patrols.”
“U.S.S. Suwannee (CVE 27) was patrolling her sector when radar detected an incoming raid. The radar operator vectored the four FM-2 Wildcats on Combat Air Patrol immediately to intercept the raid. One TBM Avenger on ASW patrol was ordered to not engage.”
“The Japanese Kamikaze raid consisted of seven D3A2 Val dive bombers each loaded with one1000 lb bomb. The Vals were escorted by five A6M5 Zero fighters each carrying one 500 lb bomb.The Zeros were led by an average pilot while the rest were green. All of the Vals were raw recruits.”
“The Japanese formed two formations. One drove directly toward the carrier while the other formation swung toward the bow of the carrier to try to bomb along the length of the ship. Two FM-2s waded into the formation that swing toward the bow of the carrier. The dogfight was intense as the Wildcats splashed two Vals. The Japanese struck back by shooting down both of the Wildcats.”
“The other two Wildcats attacked the second formation but couldn’t down any Japanese aircraft but did damage a few Vals. However, the carriers AAA came to the rescue. When the second formation came into range, the AAA scored two direct hits and downed two Vals.”
“The Japanese bow formation was led by four Zeros that attempted to line up and dive onto the carrier along the length of the ship to increase their chance to hit. The combined effect of the U.S. fighters and the carrier’s AAA fire spoiled the dive attempt. The Zeros settled for a glide bomb attack from 1000 ft with the four bombs missing.”
“The remaining two Vals from the second formation set up to perform a classic Kamikaze attack. One raw pilot failed to perform his dive while the other bore iin. The AAA concentrated on the diving Val and knocked it off course where it crashed into the sea short of the carrier.”
“The game was called due to the late time. It was called an American victory with the carrier avoiding any damage.”
“Final Tally”
“US aircraft shot down two Vals and damaged three Vals. US AAA shot down two Vals.”
“Japanese shot down two Wildcats. Four Zeros made glide bomb attacks on the carrier and missed. One Val made a Kamakaze attack on the carrier but failed.”
“Thanks to the players who attended the game:(Steve Lowry, Ray Gluck, Chuck Hanson. Ray Runge, Mike Connor and Steve King.”
Thanks to Adam and Steve for collaborating on the report of this fun looking evening of gaming and all the players who joined in. We also extend our appreciation to Fantasy Books & Games for their continued support and we remind our community to shop local.
