Solomon Campaign Briefs

[_AH_Jack]

Archie put out on our first date...no lie.

[AH_DealnDave]

Good turn-out for mission - 26, we had 19 pilots altogether !!!  Here is the next briefing to be flown on Tuesday - October 24th.

"Solomon Islands Campaign"
Mission - 27
Date: July 7th, 1943

After Action Report:

Welcome to  Segi Point, New Georgia ...

Excellent job hitting the enemy airstrip.  The Marine's were able to capture the strip in record time and are now pushing toward the west end of the island. We've moved the entire air-group here.  We will begin our air operations from our new location this morning.

Intelligence:

Good morning Gentlemen ...

"Operation Toenails", is putting a real hurt on the enemy.  As you can readily see we've taken the Segi Point airstrip.  Now, our next target area is the enemy airstrip at Munda in grid BH-20, pad 9, on your map. The Marine's are pushing hard to the west.  We must neutralize the enemy airstrip if we are to have control of this area.



Our subs are sending reports that there are enemy ships steaming toward Munda as well. The "USS Gato" reports there are three transports and a destroyer heading toward the airstrip. Enemy aircraft will be in this area.

The Mission:

We are going to strike the enemy airstrip at Munda, as well as, hit the enemy ships.

SBD's - will arm with bombs and attack the airstrip, grid BH-20, pad 9.



TBF's - will arm with torpedoes and hit the enemy ships, our sub report puts the ships in grid BG-20 area. After you drop your torpedoes, assist in attacking the Munda airstrip.



F4U's - will provide CAP for the strike aircraft.

NOTAM's:

*All pilots to use same comms channel this mission.

SBD's (1st Squad, seats 9-16, 41-48)
TBF's (2nd Squad, seats 17-40)
F4U's (3rd Squad, seats 1-8)
SBD's (Spare's, HQ & Guests, seats 49-50) - AIR-START, zero fuel at this time

Good Luck ...

[_AH_DarkWolf]

Ooo, first time in awhile we've had two bomber squadrons and one fighter. No pressure Twenty and Co...

DW

[_AH_z5o]

Ok, I'm back doing what I do best. Maybe Ill live this time.

[_AH_DarkWolf]

I think again its gonna be important that we keep the bombers together. We really can't afford to have our fighter escort spread out too much. Maybe we should designate a rally point where we can all gather after we complete our attacks. Like perhaps the south-east tip of that island in the middle of BI-20. All the bombers rendezvous there and once the majority of the fighters are present we can head home en masse.

DW

[_AH_z5o]

Sounds groovy to me.

[AH_DealnDave]

Good turn-out for mission - 27, we had 20 pilots altogether !!!  Here is the next briefing to be flown on Tuesday - October 31st (Booooo).

"Solomon Islands Campaign"
Mission - 28
Date: July 15th, 1943

After Action Report:

Great Job ... hitting the enemy airstrip at Munda !!!  Reports indicate that our group destroyed numerous enemy aircraft in the air and on the ground. The group also destroyed two of the enemy naval transports.

Intelligence:

Good morning Gentlemen ...

Our Marine's are hitting the beach in the Munda area this morning. They will be supported by the USS Indianapolis and two destroyers. Our group has been tasked with air cover for the beach landings. Enemy aircraft will be in this area.



The Mission:

F4U's - will be covering the Marine beach landings.

NOTAM's:

If your aircraft is too damaged to make it back to Segi Point, try and make a sea landing near the USS Indianapolis and transports.  They are standing by for air-sea rescue.

All pilots to use same comms channel this mission.

F4U's (1st Squad, seats 1-8)
F4U's (2nd Squad, seats 9-16)
F4U's (3rd Squad, seats 17-24)
F4U's (Spare's, HQ & Guests, seats 25-28) - AIR-START, zero fuel at this time

Good Luck ...

[_AH_Col._Hogan]

Did I land last night?

Archie kept giving me shots of Bourbon and I don't remember.

~S

[_AH_DarkWolf]

Is Archie the gunner that was slumped over in the back of your kite?

DW

[_AH_Col._Hogan]

Did I land or hit anything?

[AH_DealnDave]

Great turn-out for mission - 28, we had 20 pilots altogether !!!  Here is the next briefing to be flown on Tuesday - November 7th.

"Solomon Islands Campaign"
Mission - 29
Date: July 17th, 1943

After Action Report:

Excellent job covering the Marine landings. The Marines have captured the Munda airstrip and the Sea-Bee's have gotten the airfield operational. We've moved the group up to Munda and will begin flying operations from this forward air-base.

We also have radar at this location, the USS Hulbert, is docked here and we are using her radar.

Intelligence:

Radar reports numerous enemy planes (2 groups)  heading to our location.  The enemy planes are coming in from the north-west over Ganongga Island, grid BA-23 on your map. Altitude looks to be 6000 to 8000 ft. Speed 120 knots. Course 310 degrees.



The Mission:

Scramble ... Scramble ... Scramble ...

F4U's - intercept and destroy the inbound enemy aircraft.

NOTAM's:

*All pilots to use same comms channel this mission.

F4U's (1st Squad, seats 1-8)
F4U's (2nd Squad, seats 9-16)
F4U's (3rd Squad, seats 17-24)
F4U's (Spare's, HQ & Guest, seats 25-28) - AIR-START, zero fuel at this time

Good Luck ...

[_AH_DarkWolf]

So THEIR course is 310 degrees? That would seem to put them flying away from us. Must be a typo, the reciprocal would be 130 degrees which makes more sense.

DW

[AH_DealnDave]

Great turn-out for mission - 29, we had 20 pilots altogether !!!  Here is the next briefing to be flown on Tuesday - November 14th.

"Solomon Islands Campaign"
Mission - 30
Date: July 18th, 1943

After Action Report:

Great job getting those bombers !!! None got through. The USS Hulbert will remain in our area until our radar is up and running.

Intelligence:

Operation Toenails is basically completed.  Our next target area is the island of Kolombongara. As part of this operation we have to neutralize the enemy bomber airbases on the island of Bougainville. There are numerous airbases located on this island. Kahili, Kara, Kieta & SPB, Boris, and Buka. Each of these bases have to be destroyed. Protecting these airbases are the bases located on the islands of Balalle, and Nila in the Shortland Island chain.

We also received a submarine report saying there is a enemy destroyer patrolling the bay near Kahili.

The Mission:

"THIS IS AN AIR-START MISSION"

Our group has been tasked with escorting USAAF B-24's.  The target is the enemy airbase at Kahili, grid AR-37. Rendezvous with the bombers north of island of Vella LaVella, grid AZ-30, pad 3, on your map, then escort them to the target area.



NOTAM's:

*All pilots to use same comms channel this mission.

F4U's (1st Squad, seats 1-8)
F4U's (2nd Squad, seats 9-16)
F4U's (3rd Squad, seats 17-24)
F4U's (Spare's, HQ & Guests, seats 25-28) - zero fuel at this time

Good Luck ...

[_AH_Bear]

~S~ Dave, What altitude will the bombers be at?

[_AH_DarkWolf]

And whats our airspawn altitudinals?

DW