coral sea scenario

[cato12]

Im finding this impossible as allies. Ive tryed it 5 or 6 times now and I cant stop the troops landing at port Moresby.

any tips?

[gunnergoz]

Do you know about the starting points on the Western side of the map, south of Port Moresby? If not, be sure to put some of your fleet units there, preferably at least one BB, a couple of CA's and perhaps 2-4 DD's of your core units. That, coupled with clever use of recon planes, can help you find, fix and finish the landing force.

[cato12]

lol no I didn't know units could be placed on the west side of the map.

cheers

[ncarson]

I have not completed this one yet as well, but I deployed a support ship near Moresby and mined the crap out of the harbor and surrounding area. That seems to provide the time needed to slow down the invading force, as the transports can't deal with mines very well. The support ship has difficulty escaping, however, so don't count on it for anything else...

[vonRocko]

ORIGINAL: cato12

lol no I didn't know units could be placed on the west side of the map.

cheers

I didn't see that either. I just rushed the fleet west and was able to intercept the transports.

[Matto]

Mines are good idea ...

[Texican]

I find the CVE (a one-air-slot carrier) to be a fantastic help and purchase as it can keep more than its air complement cycling through. Plant one of these and a couple of destroyers (for sub duty) on the west side of the map, then send some of the middle carrier's planes to that area and you can wreak havoc on the transport force. SBD's will hammer their destroyers, then your small surface fleet can take out the rest.

On an additional note:

In the later New Georgia scenario (Operation Cartwheel), that CVE comes in handy again as planes can take turns landing and refueling, so you don't have to fly all the way across the map back to that tiny airstrip.. I usually pair the CVE with a destroyer. Planes take down the western-most coastal battery to low enough levels that the destroyer can finish the job. I am sure there are other solutions.

[Simulacra53]

Split you forces, keep you carriers and main force in the south, take your battleship and DD squadron north to Tulagi.

You can stop the Tulagi landings with the surface fleet, but don't venture too far west.

Defend Morresby with your DD squadron - well survive as long as you can - while you steam west with your carrier attack force.

Look for the IJN carrier support force and destroy it asap, it takes one goof TBD torpedo attack to criple the light carrier, finsih her with the SBD and if you are near enough CA fire,, then while you steam on west start pummeling the Japanese troop transports with your a/c especially the SBDs are effective as they can attack each turn, but even the Wildcats can contribute.

Make use of Kingfisher scouts, which are cheap and effective., two or three make all the difference when looking for the enemy fleets.

Defending Morresby and stopping Tulagi is your main goal, so anything more is nice, you don't have to take on the main IJN carrier force to win.
If I can I take more than one carrier.

Coral Sea is a very enjoyable scenario (imho).

It pays to screen your capital ships with destroyers - also to concentrate your main fire on capital ships - only target on the destroyers when it is convenient to do so.

[Simulacra53]

ORIGINAL: ncarson

I have not completed this one yet as well, but I deployed a support ship near Moresby and mined the crap out of the harbor and surrounding area. That seems to provide the time needed to slow down the invading force, as the transports can't deal with mines very well. The support ship has difficulty escaping, however, so don't count on it for anything else...

Did it with my main carrier strike force, but practically lost my whole DD squadron near Morresby while holding the attack IJN DD/CA fleet.
Never thought of mining, will try that next time.

Btw - I won on Captain, not the higher difficulty settings.