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Just when the heat finally started to reside from Cactus, It came back in a fire ball on the
7th of April 1943.
67 Vals and 110 Zeros were launched against the Island of Guadalcanal. The Cactus Air
Force sprang into action launching elements of Army P-38s, P-39s, P-40s and Marine F4Fs,
and now Marine F4Us from VMF-124 that were delivered in February. During the melee
VMF-214 (flying Wildcats) drew first blood claiming 10 aircraft destroyed between Cape
Esperance and Koli point. The Zero escort did a good job of tying up the defenders and
the flight of Vals remained nearly intact. The Aichis swooped down and destroyed a tanker
and two destroyers. At the end of the day American flyers were credited with 40 kills
versus 29 acknowledged in IJN records. Out of all the fighters the Army claimed 11 and
one corsair pilot claimed 1, all the rest were claimed by the Grumman F4F. This would
mark the end of an era for Wildcat pilots, All Marine Wildcat squadron would soon
convert to the F4U and the navy was not far behind.
Arena
SEA
Country Percentages
Axis-60%
Allied-40%
Allies:
Units:
F4F-60%
P40E-30%
F4U-1-10%
1 Destroyer task Force
Orders:
Take off and provide CAP around Guadacanal (A2)
Restrictions:
None
Axis:
Units:
A6M2-75%
D3A1-25%
Orders:
Take of from Georgia Island's base (A21). Engage destroyer TF parked at Guadacanal.
Sink as may ships as possible.
Restrictions:
No bombs on A6M2s
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