Mili Atoll, February 2-9, 1942 (Turns 2-9)
Mili Atoll is the closest named land mass to the Forward Deployment Zone (FDZ). Task Group Whisky (TGW) sails in line abreast in a South-by-Southwest straight towards it and by the end of February 1st, 1942 is just outside visual range of the under-strength Coastal Gun that VO1 spotted (Figure 1, grayscale). I don't think it is a coincidence that the FDZ is just outside the Coastal Gun 9-tile range or that the maximum 4-tile movement range of ships leaves them just outside of the CG's visual range.
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| Figure 1 - First strike |
On February 2nd VO1 spots the Fuel Depot, the Support Ship and Gunboat (that showed up as radar blips in the previous turn) and the Hangar. TGW swiftly dispatches the Coastal Gun and CA36 Minneapolis starts shelling the Support Ship at the port (Figure 1).
On February 3rd TGW splits its fire between the Support Ship (down to 2HP) and the Hangar (down to 8HP). Even though the Support Ship is a feeble opponent its guns still have a 3-tile range; TGW isn't really equipped to deal with airborne aircraft, the fighter(s) are busy elsewhere and destroying aircraft on the ground is much easier.
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| Figure 2 - Hangar KO |
On February 4th the Hangar is destroyed (it contained one strategic bomber) and the Gunboat is brought down to 5HP (Figure 2).
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| Figure 3 - Wake up call |
On February 5th the JP realize something is happening (Figure 3). In practical terms this means that a number of AA Guns are deployed: a 75mm heavy at Butaritari and one 25mm light each at Mili, Kwajalein and Wotje. TGW sink both the Gunboat and the Support Ship and leave the Fuel Depot at 7HP.
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| Figure 4 - Fuel Depot KO |
On February 6th the Fuel Depot is destroyed and for lack of better targets the AA Gun comes under fire. Hey, the gunners need practice and any aircraft in the area will be somewhat safer (Figure 4).
On February 7th TGW shifts its fire onto a Light Cruiser that left Butaritari Is. on the 2nd leaving it with 8HP. Return fire leaves DD430 Eberle at 6HP.
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| Figure 5 - Mili Atoll is (almost) no more |
On February 8th the Light Cruiser is sunk at the port, under the combined cruisers' guns and destroyers' torpedoes. DD430 Eberle resumes firing on the AA Gun, it will be destroyed on the next turn as TGW heads towards Maloelap (Figure 5).
Butaritari and Makin Is., February 2-7, 1942 (Turns 2-7)
As TGW dealt with Mili Atoll the air groups of CV5 Yorktown and X/CV Enterprise were busy at Buritari and Makin Is.
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| Figure 6 - Butaitari Is. |
VF3 and VB2 were the first to arrive on Turn 2 (grayscale on Figure 6) but out of range to do more than spot an Hangar at Makin airfield, a Light Cruiser and two unidentifiable radar blips (one Gunboat that will scarper off along the South edge of the map towards the Southwest corner and one Supply Ship at the port).
They will hit the Hangar on Turns 3 to 5 and VB2 will join VXB1 and VXF1 on Turn 6 attacking the Supply Ship (Figure 6, main and inserts). On Turn 7 VF3 will attack and sink the Supply Ship and VB2 will attack and destroy the Hangar (one fighter, one strategic bomber).
The Type 88 75mm that is activated on Turn 5 will eventually cause 1HP damage each on VXF1, VF3 and VB3.
Stubbornly hitting the Hangar with VF3 was not the best choice as it could inflict more damage on the Supply Ship. It is even possible (desirable) to hit Butaritary Is. with just VB2 and VF3 who can deal with the Hangar, the Supply Ship and the 75mm AA in one sortie if CV5 sails independently to shorten their return flight. It will take longer and the 75mm AA will have less targets to spread the minimal damage it can cause so losses on the core units will be higher but not crippling. If a Fuel Depot is present at Butaritari it might take two sorties rather than just one.
The radar blip at the top left corner of Figure 6 (Turn 3) is the Light Cruiser spotted on Turn 2 that will be sunk by TGW on Turn 8.
Other events
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| Figure 7 - Ship ahoy! |
VO2 will be deployed near Mili Atoll on Turn 2 and will spot a Supply Ship and a Troop Transport (Infantry '41) triggering the "Ship Ahoy" event (Figure 7). These ships were in radar range at the Deployment Phase but I ignored them, prioritizing Mili and Butaritari. They will sail all the way to Wotje Atoll on the North edge of the map and the Infantry will land.
