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Pearl Harbor wasn't caught sleeping THIS time!
EA hosted a Pearl Harbor "What if?" scenario, in Relaxed Realism, pitting the striking power of six Japanese carriers against the meager defenses of Oahu's USAAF P40 squadrons, a few Marine Fighters and scouts, a small band of B17's, and the carrier Enterprise. The object of the Imperial Japanese Navy was to destroy as many battleships as possible, while protecting their carriers. The US forces, of course, wanted to protect the fleet and sink as many IJN ships as possible.

At first glance, the odds were against the defenders numerically, but knowing where the IJN had to go - Pearl Harbor - made defense practical. In this "what if?" scenario, the US forces did NOT disregard the war warnings, submarine intrusions, or the radar blobs.

Defense plans for Oahu were prepared in accordance with a "War Warning" message indicating that the Japanese carrier divisions were unaccounted for. When a submarine was sank by the USS Ward near the entrance to Pearl Harbor, aircraft were fueled and armed and pilots put on ready alert, and the Enterprise, already steaming home from Wake, turned into the wind and began launching her CAP. USAAF P40 fighters were on the runway at Bellows Field, fueled and armed when the radar operators reported a large body of aircraft approaching from the north, and they took to the air to intercept.

My squadron had been prepared to do a routine patrol, but our flight plan was scrapped with the sound of the air-raid sirens. I slammed down a quick cup of java and ran to my own 'hawk at Wheeler field and began a scramble for altitude as contact reports came in from all over.

I don't know what went on elsewhere, or with other squadrons, for once the action starts there's only the immediate fight. What may happen only a mile away doesn't matter, only that Kate in your sights or that Zero above you is important. When it was over I knew that I had downed at least one Kate for sure, and put plenty of bullets into several more. I also knew that ALL of our battleships survived!

Screenshots from the cam files

Pearl Harbor, just hours before, was a peacful tropical paradise, but the sound of machineguns and ack, and the roar of high performance aircraft as they swirl and roll, desparately trying to destroy and avoid destruction simultaneously was anything but peaceful. First came the attack from the NorthWest, as high Kates tried diving past our P-40's, but they couldn't stay fast enough, and we caught them before they could get any fish in the water.

My 'hawk took a few bullets from one of the Kates, while I tore hunks off several of them in turn. Before the sky cleared in this sector I had used up all my ammo, but could claim no kills.

By the time I got back up in the air, the IJN was getting their torpedo planes into the harbor, and they were making for Battleship Row at wave-top level. I dove into them and did my best to make it impossible for them to get in a good shot, and I saw only one torpedo wake threatening. Again my guns were in almost constant use as I switched back and forth between targets.

Very few Japanese pilots made it back to their carriers this day, and I made certain this one wasn't going to re-arm to try again.

One less fish flinger!

In the end, it was declared a major US victory, since all of our battleships survived, and our bombers were able to find the IJN carriers and sink at least one. My own final hops had very little excitement, just a lot of cruising around in empty skies. Oahu was once again peaceful.

Hmm, wonder what that cute Navy nurse is up to about now . . .

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