AAR: Marshalls-Gilbert Mutiny

[jakemon]

Hats off to all the custom content creators. This riff on a US Pacific scenario is by that Champion Narrator Bru. The action here is abbreviated, and there be spoilers below…

Our objective is the destruction of 8 Japanese planes, 10 ships, and 3 fuel depots scattered across the various atolls.

We have enough RP to add 4 DDs, a CA, and a CV (F DB DB). Admiral Parker commands the reserve fleet to our northeast. It includes 4 DDs, 4 CAs and a CV with an unknown air compliment.

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This will be a series of post attempting to cope with this interface.

[jakemon]

Our initial effort has our new air complement flying south to destroy the facilities on Makin and Butaritari Islands. Our carriers follow to reduce recovery time. Our surface assets steam west to bombard Mili Atoll, supported by the aux air units. Our command is stiffened with a flight of B24s from the extreme southeast. These are directed due west and converge on Makin Island.

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Our surface units reveal a hated coastal gun on Mili, and begin bombardment from a distance. The initial salvos reduce it by half, and its return fire is ineffective. Radio reports no movement from Admiral Parker’s task force.

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[jakemon]

The destruction of the Makin air base included 2 enemy air units. A pair of DDs and a flight of Wildcats reduce the Mili coastal gun, while the remaining DDs savage the gunboat. The CAs sink the enemy support ship, and a DB strikes the airbase.

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We get a snarl from Admiral Palmer as air attacks continue against Makin’s shipping, but the destruction of Mili Atoll is complete, and our ships begin steaming north.

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[jakemon]

Command sends a PBY to recon Adm Palmer. Our air group harries the Japanese CL on their way north. The enemy AA gunners awake as the B24s finish off shipping.

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Destroying ground troops is out of scope, so the B24s head for home. The CL is torpedoed, and our CVs are positioned to recover the northbound DBs. With 5 enemy ships sunk, and 3 air units destroyed on the ground, our element of surprise is gone. We encounter enemy transports as our main force steams north to concentrate on Maloelap Atoll.

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[jakemon]

The transports sink under CA gunnery. A pair of DDs soften up a heavy AA emplacement. A Hayabusa tries to get air, but is bounced by our Wildcats. Our CVs have recovered our remaining air units for repair and re-arming as they hurry north with other stragglers.

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The Hayabusa lands but is destroyed by a salvo from the CAs. Our DDs knock out the AA so unimpeded air attacks can reduce the fuel depot.

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[jakemon]

The destruction of Maloelap Atoll is swiftly completed. The run up to our next target, Wotje Island, reveals another hateful coastal gun. Our fighters return for refueling as the CVs speed to catch up to the main force. Their air compliment is already aloft, but is several turns away from the fight.

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A Kanko(T) suddenly appears from the fog, and is savaged by a fresh Wildcat and one aborting its refuel mission. The coastal battery scores a hit while the CAs engage enemy ships at distance. Our DDs bombard the battery. Meanwhile a pair of subs spot a lone transport in the south. They launch their torpedoes from the surface.

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[jakemon]

Wotje Island shipping is quickly sunk and the battery is silenced. A Wildcat follows the Kanko’s smoke trail descending to the southeast. Our subs shoot up the lonely transport.

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The PBY completes its recon and command advises to relieve Adm Parker. Our subs head north after sinking the 10th vessel and completing that primary objective. Our fleet concentrates at Wotje Island to prepare for the final push to the Kwajalein Atoll. Kanko debris washes ashore.

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Admiral Parker gets pissy. We get a little target practice in waiting for our stragglers.

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[jakemon]

Command discusses Adm Parker as we form up for the strike on Kwajalein.

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Holy Carp! Parker has gone hostile. His air compliment is 2F and 1DB-all in our rear. We’re ordered to apprehend him without sinking any of his ships. Meanwhile the remaining Japanese air force has launched from Kwajalein. We press on to the atoll with our lead elements. Most of our Wildcats are back with the CVs.

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[jakemon]

Command allocated marines and ordered us to seize a port. Wotje looks like the best bet.

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Our first air strike wave presses after the fuel depot. Our surface assets pull back to Wotje.

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[jakemon]

The Kwajalein fuel depot is destroyed. The Hayabusa landed and was destroyed on the runway. Our strike force can now return. Our Wildcats concentrated and knocked down the enemy DB. The damaged Kanko can become Kill #10. Our marines are in position to take a port.

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Marines liberate the harbor facilities and our CA’s battle damage is immediately repaired. Our surface units rake the Japanese DD, and it sinks below the lead returning DB. The other DBs savage a gunboat on their return trip. The Kanko is dripping oil and losing altitude. What luck- our subs located the 3rd fuel depot and are taking pot shots!

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[jakemon]

The Japanese threat to our raiding units has been defused. The Marines took the airstrip. We’ll repair and reload and wonder what Adm Parker is about.

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Repairing, waiting, and wondering. Subs are about to sink a fuel depot!

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[jakemon]

The sub skipper is asking about infantry badges for his action against the fuel depot. We suggested he refer his request to Admiral Parker. Speak of the devil- here he comes.

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Our fighters trade blows while our DBs launch. Parker’s Pirates draw first blood with a torpedo attack on our CA. Our return fire shows when their strength is halved, they swap their black flag for a white one.

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[jakemon]

Parker’s fighters oddly gave up the fight with our Wildcats in favor of strafing attacks on our ships- to no effect. They’re written down to nothing by our riposte. Four of Parker’s DDs have surrendered in front of our guns, but his capitol ships are steaming into radar range.

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A series of DB strikes compelled Parker’s northern thrust to give up the rebellion. His fleet carrier has been spotted by our submariners.

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[jakemon]

Parker’s remaining CAs surprise us by turning north, but they meet the same fate as their mates beneath our DBs. Our pair of subs have slammed torpedoes into the rebel CV.

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A torpedo salvo from a DD convinces the madman Parker to give up the ship.

Thanks again Bru for an engaging storyline and a fun scenario. I’m looking forward to trying more custom content.

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[StuccoFresco]

That's cool! Maybe in the scenario editor would be better to assign the DDs to escort Parker's capital ships?

[bru888]

I never thought of looking in this particular sub-forum for evidence of people using my scenarios. The thread title caught my eye, though. Wow, I am glad you enjoyed that effort! Thanks for posting this.