Bougainville 1943: Thunder Over the Solomons

By late 1943, facing mounting Allied victories in the Pacific – particularly in New Guinea and Guadalcanal, and following the devastating defeat at Midway in 1942 – Imperial Japan was compelled to reassess its war strategy. Overstretched across vast territories, Japan recognized the need to consolidate its forces. This strategic contraction aimed to buy crucial time for defensive preparations against the anticipated renewed Allied offensives.

In the Pacific, Admiral Nimitz prepared to invade the Gilbert Islands. General MacArthur continued his advance along the New Guinea coast, supported by Admiral Halsey's forces in the South Pacific, targeting the Bismarck Archipelago. In the Solomons, Halsey's campaign aimed to capture New Georgia and Bougainville, further isolating the vital Japanese stronghold at Rabaul.

This FSO aims to re-create the fierce battles that happened over control of Bougainville.

Allies: 50% / Axis 50%

Order of Battle:

Ordnance Restrictions:

Ordnance disabled on fighters (P-38G, F4U-1, Ki 61, A6M5b, A6M3).

Notes:

Bomber Alt Cap is 12K.

Fighter Alt Cap is 16K.

Scoring:

Fighters - 1

Bombers – 2

Hangars – 10

Bunkers – 2

Arena Settings:

- Terrain: solomons

- Clouds: light5k

- Fuel Burn: 1.0

- Icons: 3K Friendly/Enemy

- Ack: .3

- Fighter and Bomber warning range: 63360 (about 12 miles)

- Tower range set to 63360 (for display only to match the above setting)

- Haze/Fog: 15 miles

- Radar: Off

- Enemy collisions: on

- Friendly collisions: off

- Killshooter: off

- Time: 1000 (10AM) Game Clock

- Formations: On

- Formation Autopilot: On

- Bomber calibration: Automatic

- Wind: 0K-2K NO WIND

2K-16K: E TO W - Speed 5

16K+ - 45mph Downdraft

Area of Operations: