Solomons Islands

[Foxtrot2571]

With all the excitement from the WWII Pacific Group I'm a part of (vCTF-58), One map comes to mind that would be incredible as a WWII map in the Pacific.

The Solomon Islands. 

The Solomon Islands campaign, specifically the Guadalcanal campaign, was a six-month-long, brutal series of battles in the Pacific Theater of World War II. The initial landings on Guadalcanal and Tulagi in August 1942 by US forces were aimed at securing an airfield, but it quickly became a fierce, prolonged struggle for control of the islands and the surrounding seas. This would be a perfect playground for the Corsair, Hellcat (and not to hope for too much other) and other related assets that could expand upon the playability of the Pacific in DCS.

Key aspects of the Solomon Islands Campaign:

Initial Landings and Objectives:

The US Marines landed on Guadalcanal, Tulagi, and the Florida Islands in August 1942, aiming to secure the airfield at Guadalcanal and disrupt Japanese supply lines. 

Prolonged Struggle:

The campaign was characterized by intense naval and aerial battles, as well as fierce ground fighting, for control of the islands. 

Naval Battles:

The campaign involved numerous naval battles, including the Battle of Savo Island, the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, and the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. 

Importance of Henderson Field:

The US airfield on Guadalcanal, later named Henderson Field, became a crucial strategic asset, and its control was a major objective for both sides. 

Lessons Learned:

The campaign provided valuable lessons for the US military in terms of amphibious operations, logistics, and the importance of air power. 

Beyond Guadalcanal:

The Solomon Islands campaign also included operations in the Central and Northern Solomons, including the Bougainville campaign. 

Japanese Defeat:

The Japanese, despite their initial successes, were eventually forced to withdraw from Guadalcanal and the other islands in the Solomon Islands. 

The Solomon Islands campaign was a crucial turning point in the Pacific War, demonstrating the US military's growing strength and its ability to overcome significant challenges.

Not to mention the number of land based marine corps squadrons that could open the door to campaign missions that highlight operations in the Solomons. Thoughts?

 

[Bowie]

Marine F4U-1's went into combat there from the middle of February, 1943, on Guadalcanal.

And, for the next 15 months... Fighter One (Guadalcanal) and Banika (Russell Islands), then "Toenails" and Segi/Munda/Ondonga (New Georgia), after which the Navy F6F's and F4U-1's joined in the Fall, and then Barakoma (Vella Lavella Island) in support of "Shoestring II", and finally Torokina/Piva Yoke on Bougainville, and Green and Imirau, for the destruction of Rabaul.

Not to mention a Carrier raid by the brand new USS Essex/Bunker Hill/Independence TG 50.3.

 

Bowie

Edited May 7 by Bowie

[RichCotte]

This map is a literal MUST HAVE for any serious WWII Pacific theater operations…

[Gambit21]

It's the best PTO map...it's  the "if you could only have one PTO map" map. However since ED is doing a Hellcat, then Marianas of course makes perfect sense.

I'm just more of an early war PTO guy so Solomons is my thing.

 

While I'm all for mid war, Marine Corsairs out of Vella La Vella etc, (this alone would be amazing) to really make full use of the map we'd need aircraft for early war, Watchtower onward, Battle for Guadalcanal/Cactus..Wildcats, A6M2's, A6M2-N, Mavis, P-400's, Dauntless' early, P-40's, AI Betty's etc etc.

So just from an asset point of view I'm not hopeful that's anywhere near plausible at this juncture. Even mid-war/Vella La Vella, we need things to shoot at aside from an AI Zero. Float planes etc etc. One can hope.

 

 

[SOLIDKREATE]

In 7 more years after the F4U-1d is release maybe

[Megalax]

The problem that arises with the Solomons is the fact that the area went through extensive change throughout the campaign. That's why in Il2 1946 there are 5 maps, to encompass the variation the area experiences through to 1945.

[Gunfreak]

19 hours ago, Megalax said:

The problem that arises with the Solomons is the fact that the area went through extensive change throughout the campaign. That's why in Il2 1946 there are 5 maps, to encompass the variation the area experiences through to 1945.

That's not how DCS works. So they'll just have to settle for one year(ED would probably select a late period) but best would probably be a middle one say roughly how it looked late 43. I doubt we'll ever see a roster of 42 aircraft, except the SBD AI they are working on now) 

They'll have to do it with Vietnam map too. They just have to choose a year. I would go 68 Tet period. But who knows what ED is planning 

 

[SOLIDKREATE]

Planes We Would Need Flyable, 1943-1945

• F-4U1a "Birdcage"
• F4U-1d - IW by Magnitude 3
• P-38G-13-LO - "Operation Vengeance"
• P-38J-15-LO
• F6F-3 - IW by ED
• TBF-1C
• SBD-5
• B-25J (PBJ-1J) - Significant role in the Solomons but in 1944 onward (need hard nose modification too)
• Ki-61-Ib Type 3-1
• Ki-61-II-Type 3-2
• Ki-84-Type 4
• A6M2b-0-21
• A6M3-0-32

26-30yrs of development here. So, we would need Modder Support

Maybe

• P-40E
• P-400 (P-39) - I loved this plane in IL-2 GB. I used it as a light SEAD plane. I'd just take one 250lb bomb and fly as fast as I could about 30-50ft off the ground. Then I'd pop-up, roll in, drop, straffe and then 'peace out'.

Edited May 31 by SOLIDKREATE

[Silver_Dragon]

Other game discusion / comparatives has out of the scope, remember DCS Forum rules 1.15

About modules:

• Another F4U version, need talk with M3. But I think after the F4U, they move to make the Mig-21Bis 2.0 and the F-8 Crusader
• F6F has actualy on develop by ED. We know that ED has plans for the Battle of Britain after the F6F launch, as discussed by Nick Grey. More PTO modules has unkonow. Others aircrafts as a P-38 has talked by Nick, but I think has no on your plans. About pilotable WW2 torpedo bombers, missing funtionality on the core. on fact, the actual torpedo funtionality and ships Damage models has very low to simulate underwaters explosions / damage. Propper WW2 Dive Bomber funtionality has "missing" yet.
• A B-25 bomber version need ED implement a multicrew WW2 bomber funtionality. On side, ED has already done some work on the Mosquito FB Mk.VI module; the problem is that there's no multi-crew version of a B Mk.IV with its cockpit and bombing controls. That's the main handicap we face. A B-25 Mitchell requires not only a cockpit, but also the entire fuel management system for a light bomber, gun positions, bombing position, and many systems that are currently not implemented. I could almost say that it would be more efficient for ED to build a Mosquito B or an A-20 Havok first.
• About a IJN aircraft, some members of M3 (Hiromachi), has claimed a A6M will be feasible but M3 has none confirm a module. Other IJA/IJN aircraft has totaly unkonow.
• A P-40 was "claimed" by a disapear 3rd party but never release them. On fact, has none a UK 3rd party on DCS, the same situation with a US 3rd party.

The problem with WW2 is the same as always. It's not that ED has a small WW2 team, but rather that the number of 3rd parties in DCS World dedicated to WW2 modules is paltry (Octopus-G/M3), and so far Ugra Media hasn't said anything about a new WW2 map (if I had to bet, they'd focus on the Eastern Front).

We should have many more 3rd parties dedicated to creating WW2 aircraft and maps. In fact, we have two major shortcomings:

• Not having a 3rd party that only make WW2 maps (the Solomon Islands Pacific scenario would be very necessary, but also North Africa / Italy / Germany). France will be by Ugra if Normandy continue expand to the East and ED expand the channel map to add north bombers bases and holand / Belgium coast.
• Several new 3rd parties that focus on German / British / Italian / US WW2 aircraft. The USSR WW2 side is covered by Octopus-G. Two or three existing 3rd parties would be advisable, or alternatively, creating divisions for WW2 modules and/or maps.
• Lack of all funtinality of the Seaplane / Floatplanes on DCS, required to build propper Catalinas (ED has planned them on WW2 PTO assets pack).