The Big-E Fast Carrier Raids of ‘42 The First Team Goes on the Offensive By the AF=Midway and VN Combined Team. Credits: F4F, SBD and TBD skins by Smashing Time modified by AF. SBD Panel by Dan Griffin with up-dates by AF. TBD Panel by Jon Gunnar Wold up-dates by AF. Bomb Sight Gauge and Panel by PHF Burnage. AF Arty Shell by PHF Burnage and AF. Ships by James Smith VN and DP’s by AF. GSL file created by AF. Missions by AF. GSL, Sound and Image Editing tools by Martin Wright. Thanks to LW, MR and Wolfi for their great scenery objects used in the creation of the bases. Special thanks to James “CrashAZ” Smith from the VN. The Northampton and Pensacola CA’s are Beta’s of ships we’re working on for the Pearl Harbor II project and he graciously allowed me to include them for a shakedown cruise. History: For the Sailors and Airmen of the Big-E the war thus far has been one of major disasters and minor defensive victories. First flying into Pearl Harbor on 7 Dec 41 not only to face the enemy but the guns of their cohorts too. This event seemed to sum up the first few months of the war not only for CV-6 but the Pacific Fleet as a whole. In the aftermath of Pearl Harbor the US Navy was in shambles. This was the setting Adm. Chester Nimitz walked into. Then the Philippines fell, then Cavite, Borneo, Rabaul Bombed, Saratoga Torpedoed. Not only the Navy but the entire country was in dire need of some good news. Once Nimitz assumed command he set about turning his shell and bureaucrat shocked fleet around. Nimitz faced opposition immediately from some of the other flag officers who thought he was trying top do too much with our limited forces. Fortunately, this defensive mind set was torpedoed by Adm. Halsey. Still fuming at the failure of the Wake Relief Operation, Halsey returned to Pearl on 8 Jan 42. Two days later at a CINCPAC conference he was banging on the table yelling for an end to the defeatism and called for aggressive counter attacks against the enemy. Nimitz now had his champion. The very next day Task Force 8 with the Big-E at its center put to sea. The Fast Carrier Raids of ’42 were underway. |
Submitted by Pen32Win
