Special: Battle of the Eastern Solomons

Pilots,

The Guadalcanal Campaign was undoubtedly one of the biggest naval campaigns to take place in the South Pacific during WWII. What started as a simple battle for an island turned into a month-long engagement for control of an entire region that would go on to become the decisive factor in that particular theatre of war. The Battle of the Eastern Solomons occurred on August 24/25^th 1942 and is remembered as yet another skirmish in a series of battles fought between the U.S. and the Japanese Empire over Guadalcanal’s airfield. Learn its story as you enjoy great bonuses this weekend!

In-Game Offers

Double crew XP

Help your crewmen level up faster by taking full advantage of this weekend’s bonus!

50% discount on equipment

The icing on the cake for any aircraft is its Reinforced Covering, Improved Reflector Sight and other helpful equipment pieces. Stock up on them for less while they’re cheap!

30% discount on the following planes:

				Mitsubishi A5M
				Grumman F3F
				Mistsubishi A6M1 Zero
				Brewster F2A Buffalo

If you’re looking to buy a Japanese or U.S. fighter, now would be a good time to make the purchase!

50% discount on the following planes:

				Mistsubishi A6M2 Zero
				Grumman F4F Wildcat

Two of the best fighters of the game are available at one of the best prices of the game. Jackpot!

Special Missions 

Those of you who decide to recreate the Battle of the Eastern Solomons in-game this weekend shall be rewarded with extra XP. How about that, pilots?

History Flashback

The Guadalcanal Campaign began with the U.S. landings on the island of the same name, on 7 August 1942. However, after having been pushed out, the Japanese, who had previously controlled the territory, quickly regrouped to engage the enemy anew, in an attempt to regain control of the strategic stronghold. The first wave of this counteroffensive, called Operation Ka, sent a fleet of 2 aircraft carriers, 1 light carrier, 2 battleships, 16 cruisers, 25 destroyers and around 176 aircraft into the region.

The ships arrived south of Guadalcanal on 22August, avoiding detection by the defending American fleet which was circling the area for protection. When the two sides did finally scout each other on the following day, both realised that they were actually pretty well matched: the American task force under command of Vice Admiral Fletcher featured 2 aircraft carriers, 1 light carrier, 1 battleship, 4 cruisers, 11 destroyers and also around 170 aircraft – mostly F4F Wildcats. 

What followed over the next two days was a series of aerial engagements in which both sides exchanged blows, trying to find a weak spot in the opponent’s defence. The Japanese aircraft fleet picked out the USS Enterprise (no, not the space craft!) and damaged her heavily through prolonged attacks and bombings from the air. The Americans retaliated on 25 August with attacks launched from the besieged Henderson Field. With the help of their B-17 bombers they managed to heavily damage the Japanese light-cruiser, Jintsu, and sink a transport ship, as well as the destroyer Mutsuki.

At this point both parties elected to withdraw from the region, thinking that they both had scored a tactical victory. In reality, Japanese losses (290 aircrew, 75 planes) exceeded those of the Americans (90 aircrew, 20 planes). Strictly historically speaking though, the battle had few long-lasting effects since both sides managed to replenish their forces rapidly, resuming the fighting over Guadalcanal just a few days later.

Do you feel like flying a game on ‘Pacific Ocean’ to relive this battle in-game, pilots?