NT - Guadalcanal Grand Campaign – Turn 1

Eric Lew: For this campaign – the storyline, execution and outcome are purely based on IJN point of view with inputs from the GM (YS Oon) and all players in the IJN faction (Hyiktsay and Chor Ghee).

A rather calm sea for the approaching summer of 1942 and from the horizon, 3 IJN Task Forces; TF 4, TF 5 and TF 6, comprising of 20 warships in total and among them the escort carrier Ryujo and Zuiho, cruising towards the Guadalcanal Island.

Lead by Admiral Eric Lew, on top of the heavy cruiser Maya, with Admiral Hyiktsay acting as the second command on board the battle cruiser Kongo. Their mission for such force was to assess the situation and seeking out any American warships within the proximity of the Island.

Days prior to sending the Task Forces out, Admiral Hyiktsay and Admiral Eric Lew of the IJN, deliberated on the amount of warships required for such patrol. Their decision was not an easy choice to make; with the occupation of the eastern part of the Island by American forces and with limited supplies and materials dampened their approach.

Campaign rules – IJN have diminishing materials and to represent that, the IJN faction begins play with approximately a third of the USN starting material points.

IJN warships participating in the battle

IJN Order of Battle: Task Force 5 Task Force 6

Carrier Escort Ryujo Carrier Escort Zuiho Destroyer Shikinami Destroyer Shirayuki Destroyer Uranami Heavy Cruiers Maya (flagship) Heavy Cruiser Kinugasa Destroyer Tokisukaze Destroyer Urakaze Destroyer Yukikaze Destoryer Isokaze

By Noon on that faithful day, USN warships were spotted within the horizon – on the same body of water with TF 5; a task force consisting of IJN carriers, an invaluable asset.

Admiral Eric Lew – “All ships turn port with haste. Protect those carriers”. With its heavy cruiser Maya as the flagship, TF 6 head towards TF 5 and combined both groups to take on the USN.

House rules: We are using our own tested and proven spot & detection rules. Warships were grouped together and “blinded” (represented by paper) on the table. Only the faction’s players and GM knows what consist in the blinds – the other faction will have to spot them.

L-R: Ian and Hyiktsay

Come evening that day, USN with aerial support scored first blood and dealing a crucial blow to IJN forces - the sinking of Ryujo by vast amount of bombers. IJN warships scrambled their all available anti-air guns to no avail. The sight of the sinking Ryujo was just too much to bear. Thankfully, no other IJN warships were damaged from the aerial attacks.

Pre-turn air strike saw the destruction of CVE Ryujo having taken 3 shots coming from USN torpedo bombers.

Destroyers deploying smoke screen

Upon detection of the USN warships; a midshipman rushes to the bridge and yell out – “2 American battleship spotted Admiral!! Awaiting your orders.” Upon hearing the updates, Admiral Eric Lew, responded – “Boys, this is not our battle. Inform the destroyers to lay smokes screens. Withdraw all ships.”

Little did the IJN Admirals knew, the USN sent a considerable show of force – consisting 2 of their available battle ships – the North Carolina and South Dakota Class.

IJN withdrawal

As the Task Forces withdraw, the USN continued their chase combined with relentless gun fire. The only plus point for the IJN side, none of the USN shells hit their mark. As dusk settles in, IJN manages a total withdrawal and hence giving the USN their 1^st taste of victory.