Hi Maj,
yup great fun again last night
thanks mate
we withstood the counter strike after our partial success against the Zuikaku last night, a strike by IJA Betty aircraft from Torokino airbase supported by zeros from the Shokako. We flew a CAP in our F6's over the carriers while the F6's from the USS Enterprise flew out to meet the attack, but failed to find them and returned just prior to the attack. The bombers were broken up and all 16 destroyed for the loss of 4 F6's from our squadron.
We then had to decide whether to attack the carriers again or to try to neutralise Torokino to reduce the risk from the heavy bombers based there. It was decided to make a second strike on the Zuikako to try to inflict more serious damage before she could be brought back into action. Since the Ryojo is still seriously damaged and can't fly off planes the CAP for the whole carrier group had to be supplied by the Shokako and land based army planes from Torokino.
Our strike with SBD's with 500lb bombs managed to avoid the CAP and we scored 2 direct hits on the Zuikako's flight deck, causing significant damage which will see her out of action for quite a while. So the Shokako is now a lone carrier looking very vulnerable until Kieta airfield can be brought back into operation to support her.
cheers,
Pobs
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