Pearl Redux! After Action Report

Over Pearl Harbor....

We ran the Second Strike scenario in commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor. Due to a limitation with the number of players in attendance, we adjusted the scenario to feature Zekes making strafing runs on Ford Island and Hicam Field as we did not have the Vals and Kates needed. Admittedly, my knowledge from the game, played just yesterday, is limited as I actually played in this event and so my point of observation is rather focused, but I will cover what I can remember! Once again I also took few photos.

The Japanese players move in to strafe Ford Island. The AA piece in the distance would be attacked the following turn.

The Japanese players moved into range of Ford Island, dropping altitude in order to strafe the ships and the installations. The dice were HOT for Jay, who not only put down something like five or six successful strafing hits, but he also knocked out the light AA as well. He liked my dice so much he offered to buy them such was his success. With the Japanese already raking up the victory points, the Americans closed in.

Three P-40s and three P-36s move towards the Japanese. I was piloting the two Hawks at the bottom of the picture.

A pair of P-40s started on the board, and the remaining Americans came on during Turn 1 (another scenario change to adjust to the speed to the Zekes). Each turn I dropped my P-36 section one TAL and grabbed the extra hex from the shallow dive. The other two Americans closed into the ranks of the Japanese Zekes, and the furball began.

After pounding Ford Island the Zekes move to engage the oncoming Americans. My Hawks were straining to catch up and the base on one can be seen on the right.

While both sides had mostly skilled pilots, some maneuvers made by the Americans allowed the Japanese to start inflicting damage on the P-40s. It was going badly for the Americans - already in the hole six victory points from the strafing runs, now the Yanks started to fall out of the sky.

As I closed in I dove nearly to the deck to get under the oncoming Zekes. However, I bled off nearly all my speed on an Immelmann and was not in a grand position. That seemed to be the mantra for the American players - we just could not pull off just the right turn codes to really stick it to the Japanese. One, two, then a third American plane fell our of the Hawaiian skies. Finally one Zeke was shot down (if we could hit, then we stood a good chance as the Zeke's robustness is 0). Then my green pilot was face to face with the Japanese veteran. Crap. But the dice were favorable as I shot down the bugger - the return fire proved to be just as deadly as my green Hawk became debris. Regardless, a bit of a morale victory.

Jay had two of his Zekes run out of ammo, but that saving grace really did not matter. The Japanese won this fight overwhelmingly! Four American planes shot down (or was it five) for the loss of a pair of Zekes. The Americans earned ten VPs - the Japanese was something like twenty-two. 

The Japanese only went after Ford Island. In hindsight I probably should have had one group attack Ford while the other attacked Hickam Field. That would have spread out the Japanese Zekes a bit more, and would have aligned with the scenario had we had Vals and Zekes.

Planes - Zekes are Flight Deck Decals (painted by yours truly), P-40s and P-36s are Raiden (painted by Miscellaneous Miniatures).

Mat - custom Pearl Harbor from Deep Cut Studio.