Operation Hailstone Battletest

OPERATION HAILSTONE BATTLETEST

GHQ 1/285 Scale Zeros 5, 6, 7 and 8 on Check Your Six Bases at Airfield #1, Truk Lagoon. The defenders had been on alert for six weeks and then stood down. Some pilots were on leave when US carrier aircraft struck.

Thematic game days can be fun, interesting and compelling. They ought to be significantly different too. My next one is adapted from Operation Hailstone. On 17-18 February 1944 approximately 500 USN carrier aircraft attacked Truk Lagoon otherwise known as The Japanese Gibraltar of the Pacific.  Our plan is to have four missions shown below. The first three have been tested solo many times.

Mission 1:

USN Fighter Sweep to clear away Japanese aircraft.

We'll use Wildcats and Corsairs versus Zeros. We use what we have.

Ships are beating to quarters and may not move.

Estimated time: 2 hours.

Mission 2:
USN Torpedo Plane Attack versus shipping.

Surviving Zeros are grounded repairing, refueling and rearming.

Anti-aircraft batteries will solely defend the Lagoon.

Shipping will get underway to escape.

Estimated time: 1 hour.

This will be a very easy mission. So we'll eat lunch concurrently.

Mission 3:
USN Dive Bomber Attack versus shipping and shore targets..

Some USN aircraft will escort.

Surviving Zeros will defend.

Shipping will continue to escape.

Estimated time: 2 hours.

Mission 4:
IJN night Counterattack versus the US Fleet.

A small and odd mixture of planes will fly out to take revenge.

Zeros, Torpedo and Dive Bombers plus Army Bombers.

The following is a final test to acclimate our pilots and for your enjoyment. 

Fighter Sweep Test

GHQ 1/285 Wildcat Fighters of VF 2 in echelon arrived at area 5 starting Turn 1. They could have arrived at location #4 off the bottom of the image or at location #6 toward the top of the photo. The white altimeter arrow shows they are at Altitude 6. Their mission is to engage Zeros operating out of Airfield #1. 

Designer Note: Below black Check Your 6 Flight bases are larger stands from Litko. Reason: Better stability and aircraft are not jammed too close together. 

On the way in an alert GHQ anti-aircraft battery spotted the foe, fired but missed.

The Americans flew over the battery seeing....

Anchored 1/300 Cruel Seas cargo ships in the lagoon as flak explosions come nearer. The enemy airfield is barely discernable in the upper left of the photo. The Americans are 165cms into the lagoon.

Rising to Altitude 3, the Zeros have traveled only 35cms toward the foe simulating historical unreadiness.

However they swing into their own echelon formation as....

The two sides fly toward each other ending Turn 2.

Nimble Zeros close in maneuvering to advantage on Turn 3.

IJN Jr. Ace Seto got on the tail of one foe as....

The Americans maneuvered away.

Based on Bag The Hun by Too Fat Lardies, with our modifications, the Zero fired D6s for....

Range: 4, Long Burst 2, Jr. Ace 2, Tailing 2, Foe Size 1, Aspect 4, Weapons 8 = 23.

Fives and sixes are potential hits. Ones consume ammunition with one set aside because of Seto's skill as an Ace.  Seto lost two rounds of ammunition plus two more for the Long Burst = 4. All other D6 results were misses.

The American Pilot now has an opportunity to cancel Seto's hits.

Wildcat Maneuver Ability 5, Jr. Ace Wyatt 2 and Range 1 = 8.

Three of Seto's hits were cancelled but 5 hit Wyatt.

Other D6 results were discarded.

The engine was disabled. Wyatt fell into the sea. We allow a Catalina to try to rescue downed pilots but Wyatt did not survive the crash based on a D6 throw for him.

Through Turn 5 each side maneuvered for advantage without further damage occurring. Things look good for the Wildcats if cards fall the right way for them on Turn 6.

Digression About The Rules 

Bag The Hun turns cards for movement, fire and several other fun options. Shown above are hand-made based on BTH solely for Operation Hailstone's Fighter Sweep Scenario.

BTH uses hex movement. We use turning templates and tape measures instead.

If you are interested in aerial gaming, BTH is an A+. It is loaded with information and aircraft stats.

Turn 5

The first card turned allowed for a Japanese Jr Ace to fire or move. At that moment Carson was directly in front of Seto who fired. Luckily Carson veered left out of harms way. The next card allowed Allied Pilot fire. Carson engaged Miyaki causing his Zero to explode.  Burnside and Livingston heavily damaged Hori with two Go Home white markers and one loss of speed yellow marker. Japanese rookie pilot Emoto is off image to the left unengaged.

View of the previous image from above.

Turn 6

Flak hit Burnside causing a loss of speed and damage forcing a return home.

Turn 7

Flak hit Burnside again. The aircraft exploded.

Turn 8 (No photo)

Emoto and Seto disengaged as if returning to their airfields. This caused the Americans to decide to return to their aircraft carrier. Then I changed my mind and elected to turn the Japanese back into the fray.

Turn 9

It is sometimes surprising to play a game solo. Don Featherstone said, the solo player has the advantage to change his mind. So I did gritting my teeth because Jr. Ace Seto and Rookie Emoto came up fast on Livingston's tail blazing away. 

Seto fired first but ran out of ammunition disallowing any hits from him! Emoto fired next causing two results, Go Home and Loss of Speed. Livingston dodged disaster. Whew!

Turn 10

The Americans continued heading out to sea with Emoto still lingering to their rear. So I maneuvered Carson to protect Livingston firing at very long range at Emoto. Result: Damage forced Emoto to return to base!

Turn 11

Carson (left) and Livingston (right) reach the outer ring of Truk Lagoon after several more turns dodging flak. Intrepid will be turning into the wind to receive them soon.

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Luzon Retreat by Gen. Pettygree

 

5 February, 2024/1941

"General Wainwright ordered our Filipino and USA forces to retreat from the Rosario Battle of 27 January. Lt. Briggs' new aerial photos are available for your Battlestory, General Pettygree."

For the main battle see: 

https://lostsouthpacificadventures.blogspot.com/2024/01/stop-them-gen-pettygree-battlestory.html

"The column formed up outside Rosario, the 26th Philippine Scout Cavalry leading."

"Followed by our remaining infantry screened by Filipino Guerillas on the flank"

Red circles are appearance points for the USAFFE. See the link above.

"Philippine Scout Infantry led the Main Body protected by...."

"The Rear Guard, two Stuart Tanks and two M3 Gun Motor Carriages with 75mm Cannons keeping the Japanese...."

"From getting much closer."

"We intercepted this broken Japanese Report from General Itaki."

"...honor to report repelling....attack....Rosario.... Pursuit not.... I...resume march...tomorrow. One day delay."

"That's all we know from Airman Briggs, General MacArthur."

"Very good, General Pettygree."

  

CLOSING REMARKS

1. Three more turns were played solo on the 2nd. instant. There was no stopping the Japanese juggernaut. The photo of their infantry was only part of the story. A Banzai charge caved in the USAFFE left flank. They retained all artillery assets including four tanks and controlled Route 3 to Manilla. Their cavalry controlled the bridge leading south supported by infantry and a tank.

2. Revised Game Point Totals: USAFFE 60 compared to the IJA's 65.

3. Adding new losses and if we restore the following special scoring points, then:

USAFFE 60 + 6 for the likelihood of leaving the table before 4pm = 66.

IJA 65 -7 for shoving the USAFFE off the table and -7 for controlling Rte. 3 = 51.

Therefore, the IJA won in extra innings. (Lowest Score wins.)

4. Your remarks at Comments below are welcome. Our readers want to hear from you.

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M3 Gun Motor Carriage Crew

 

In the previous General Pettygree Battlestory, Stop Them *, our Luzon Hit and Run Game we did not have artillerymen for our two USA Corgi diecast M3 Gun Motor Carriages with 75mm cannons. One source somewhere said the cannons were French. This vehicle also saw service in North Africa, Italy and 1944 France

* See: https://lostsouthpacificadventures.blogspot.com/2024/01/stop-them-gen-pettygree-battlestory.html

One lone infantry manned each one. Previous games had none. A bother.

Perry's 28mm Miniatures WW46 set has crewmen in the old style USA helmet that hopefully would be close enough to resemble 1941 Americans or Philippine Scouts. I ordered them too late for the Luzon Game. However five days afterwards, here they are.

Each set contains six crewmen plus discarded powder casings seen on the left and....

A pile of active shells. The latter in WWII images found on the internet show very long shells dark in color with probably brass tips carried in the back of the halftrack.

The crew are slim enough to fit inside the 1:50 scale halftracks. One crew has khaki trousers and olive drab shirts. The other crew has a reversed color scheme.

That's all folks. Thank you for looking in.

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Stop Them! A Gen. Pettygree Battlestory

 

The Japanese Have Landed On Luzon

A GENERAL PETTYGREE BATTLESTORY

Date: January 27, 2024/1941

Circumstances: 28mm Tabletop Battlegame, Four Players, Home Rules

Adaptations: Imagineered and We Use What We Have

Location: Western Luzon, The Philippines South of Lingayen Gulf

"Reconnaissance reports say Japanese forces which came ashore at Lingayen Gulf on December 22nd are now moving south, General Pettygree."

"I presume they are marching on Route 3 heading toward Central Luzon."

"Yes, that is my thinking. We'll know more after Lt. Briggs arrives with photos."

"That must be him taxiing toward us, General Mac Arthur." 

"Well, Lt. Briggs. What do you have to say?"

"They're com'n in force General MacArthur. My photos will explain everything."

LATER

Flying north along Route 3, I took advantage of scattered cloud cover.

"Not far from the southern bottom of the Gulf, the enemy Advance Guard appeared. Cavalry led followed by infantry and four tanks at Rosario Village."

"Cavalry, Briggs?"

"General, if I may," offered Pettygree. "The Japanese 16th and 48th Divisions which we believe are here each contain organic cavalry." (1)

"Their infantry pounded through Rosario at a fast pace." (2)

"More infantry and some artillery were not far behind."

"At Lingayen Gulf three more tanks got underway. They looked heavier Sir."

"Some infantry not on Route 3 crossed a river flanking the road column."

"Rearmost, two artillery pieces were being set up."

HIT AND RUN AT ROSARIO

US Army Forces of the Far East (USAFFE) were scattered on Luzon and other islands. Here on Luzon, General MacArthur had already ordered forces commanded by General "Skinny" Wainwright to converge to attack an anticipated enemy advance south from Lingayen Gulf. He told Wainwright, "Stop Them!" This is their story.

Allied Right Flank

Artillery arrived first on the Allied Right Flank. (3) Two M3 half-tracks armed with old French 75mm cannons and a  towed 75mm field piece opened fire on the enemy Advance Guard on Route 3.

Striking Japanese Cavalry as infantry and tanks push forward from behind. The Allied battery is off image 5' to the left.

Moments later a P40 E dived firing 50 caliber rounds into the thinly armored Ha Go tank on the bridge. 6D6s (6 heavy machine guns) fired. Three hit. At this point the pilot threw 3xD6s for damage location. Ones would apply to the deck. Other numbers would apply to other parts of the tank unblocked by the bridge walls. Two hits at the same spot would brew up the tank. Two ones were thrown. The tank caught fire blocking the bridge. Lucky!

The 75s also destroyed the rear Ha Go tank. Lucky again!

As a result of these shocks, the cavalry cantered into a nearby stone enclosure, dismounted and took cover. There would be no further offensive Japanese movement on this flank. Later they remounted, galloped back to the road adjacent to the stream you can see....

And headed off the table to secure this bridge.

The smoking volcano was just for fun.

This prompted the appearance of the 26th Philippine Scouts Cavalry and

Forward movement by the M3 Gun Motor Carriages to engage the Battlefield Center across the stream. (4)

THE CENTER

Action began with an Ambush by Philippine infantry versus white shirted Japanese. Ambushers are allowed to suddenly appear and fire first. However, Japanese firepower decimated the khaki soldiers. The remnant of the Japanese then Banzai Charged the house.

The Filipinos fled giving up the house to their enemy.

Japanese infantry earlier debouched from trucks at Rosario heading toward the sound of gunfire. The heavier Chi Ha tanks Lt. Briggs saw earlier now provide valuable support.

 

As do artillery observers in the tower of the tallest building in Rosario. They called in artillery fire from two guns about 7' away to the upper right. Then....

Saburo Sakai's Zero arrived firing two Light Machine Guns and two Low Velocity Cannons at a recently arrived American Stuart Tank.

Scratch one American tank.

Philippine Scout infantry in the distance are holding their own.

Supported by another Stuart Tank and guerillas (near the big rock).

As Chi Ha tanks, a 20mm AA gun plus a 37mm AT Gun come menacingly closer.

However, the Allied Left Rear has problems coming toward them along a hedge and also from off image to the left.

THE LEFT FLANK

Earlier this date, Japanese forces began crossing streams.... 

And broader rivers heading to the sound of gunfire in The Center.

Hurrying forward....

To help their comrades in arms.

The battle for The Center is in front of them. Allied infantry has fallen back after a firefight in the face of overwhelming numbers and will eventually have to abandon Rosario. MacArthur's order to Stop The Japanese failed but the latter had their plans slowed in this Hit and Run Attack played by....

OUR GANG OF FOUR --- LEFT TO RIGHT

Seated: Bob B and Chuck S. --- Standing: Dave G. and yours truly Bill P.

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CLOSING REMARKS

Inspiration came from the above Osprey campaign book #243, published in 2012.

(1) Page 21 details the organization of each division. Naturally as my gamer pards know, cavalry must be on the table as much as possible.

(2) Japanese Infantry throw 5xD6s to move. Two more are added if remaining on a road the entire turn. The total of 7xD6 thrown is the maximum movement in inches.

Other infantry throw 4xD6s. Deductions usually the highest die thrown occur for terrain obstacles. Example: Ascending a hill: Remove the highest D6 thrown.

(3) Allied arrival explanation.

The 18 home-made counters above are placed in a bag. Six are drawn per turn.

6xD10s are thrown per turn for arrival locations. 

10 arrival areas (red spots) are placed along the Allied table edge.

Locations this turn: 1, 2, 4, 7, 7 and 10.

Nuances: 

(a) The Allies secretly place drawn units at the six arrival points. They have freedom to deploy units in any way wanted within 12" of arrival spots; one unit per spot. However, the two 7s above allow two units to appear.

(b) Japanese counters are given to the Japanese player when drawn.

(c) Ambush and Detonation counters are given to the Allied commander to secretly deploy and activate in any logical way without pre-game planning as a surprise anywhere on the table. The Ambush Counter comes with a platoon of infantry.

(d) Sometimes there are not enough units to deploy at every thrown location. That's okay and as it should be.

(e) The above randomness keeps the scenario different for both sides. For awhile the Japanese will operate in the dark until Allied units are spotted or fire.

(4) The 26th Cavalry were adapted from Perry Miniatures WWII British cavalry serving in the Middle East. This was a very good unit and was called upon many times. The M3s are Corgi diecasts. 

Corgi Diecast M3 half-track with 75mm cannon. It does not come with crewmen.

Your eagle eyes will notice a British Universal Carrier. Joe C. kindly elaborated about them on TMP saying, "As an FYI, the freighter SS Don Jose was en route to Hong Kong with 57 Bren gun carriers when they diverted to the [Philippines]. The carriers were liberated and sent to the U.S. Provisional Tank Battalions and the 26th Cav."

(5) Japanese Orders:

(6) Who Won this Hit and Run Game? Well, this is a developing scenario and we only played three hours. A greater amount of time was needed for the following victory formula:

We could not play more than five turns. In the first five turns Japanese always moved first with the Allies moving second so the latter remained in control of maneuver. The Japanese needed to boot all Allies off the table by 4pm. There was not enough time for this opportunity to develop.

 Behavior rules at the top were originally placed there for grandchildren who still come by to play on grandfather's table. 

Lowest Score Wins

USAFFE: 41 losses -4 for still holding onto the table at 4 pm = 37 points.

Japanese: 57 losses + 6 for not booting the Allies off the table and -6 because they held Route 3 and all bridges including the one adjacent to the volcano. We added the latter in our after game conversation.

Adjusted score removing the 4pm requirement: Allies 41. Japanese 51.

Also on the scoreboard.

(6) Thank you for looking in. Your remarks are welcome at the place marked COMMENTS below, if you please. 

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