Carrier battles seem to be the 'go to' when it comes to developing a Pacific air combat sim. And that is perfectly understandable, given that the Pacific presents the opportunity for that classic feature specific to that Theatre ie major fleet clashes.
And of them all, Midway stands out as the example of the definitive clash between similar sized forces resulting in an overwhelming victory.
1942 The Pacific Air War depicted it; so too did Combat Flight Simulator 2. And for their time both did a good job. Mind you, they also did campaigns for all four (4) carrier battles in 1942.
And now Combat Pilot is developing a Midway campaign. A sound marketing choice, as it will capture the imagination of all air combat sim fans. It's immediate, has untold air and sea action, a multitude of aircraft choices and that unique opportunity; to land and take-off from Carriers. The most difficult of all pilot skills.
But...........
There is another campaign that offers all of the above. And much, much more.
* Carrier battles, two in fact.
* Constant land-based air combat raids and intercepts.
* Anti-shipping strikes.
* Close air support.
* 'On the doorstep' cruiser and battleship bombardments.
* Night time ship strikes.
* Night time surface sea battles.
* A larger and more varied aircraft selection involving both naval and air force units.
All over a long, gruelling, test of stamina six months.
The Guadalcanal Campaign.
Guadalcanal was indeed the 'accidental' campaign of 1942. Totally unforseen by both the Japanese and Americans in scope,fury and duration.
Up until Guadalcanal, the main emphasis by the Japanese, Australians and Americans was on New Guinea, particulary Port Moresby. The Japanese wanted to knock out Port Moresby, and so isolate Australia. The Allies were determined to hold it.
Initially the Japanese tired to bomb Port Moresby out of the war. When that didn't work they tried a naval amphibious raid, which led to the Battle of the Coral Sea. On that setback they launched an overland army attack over the Owen Stanley Mountains.
Whilst all that was happening the IJNAF set about quietly building an airfield on a little known Island named Guadalcanal, to supplement the float plane base on Tulagi., aid the raids on Port Moresby and protect Rabaul. It would also allow the Japanese to extend air influence over the supply route between Australia and America.
It was upon discovering this planned airfield on Guadalcanal after an aerial recon of Tulagi and surrounds that Admiral King saw the opportunity to deflect some of the supply emphasis from Europe to the Pacific and proposed the occupation of both Tulagi and Guadalcanal. Operation Watchtower was on.
More to follow. :)