Graf vs Terp --- Scen 19

[Graf11]

Graf(Japanese) vs. Terp(Allies)
Scenario 19

Fixed Reinforcement
Japanese - 160%
Allies - 100%

Japanese Sub Doctrine Off
Auto SubOps On
Allied Damage Control On
Advanced Weather Effects On
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May 1st, 1942

A lull in the war takes place in the waters of the Pacific. The Japanese take time to fortify their positions they have gained and plan further movements.

Sensing the need to cut Australia's supply line to the US, Adm Yamamoto sends the 5th CarDiv under RAdm Yamaguchi to Truk. With the fleet carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku and the light carrier Shoho, Yamaguchi intends to destroy any American presence in his way.

Soon...
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May 2nd, 1942

Plans are being carried out as we speak. Slowly the Japanese juggernaut moves southward with its armada. Rabaul based aircraft of the 11th Air Fleet prepare for the heavy action that is soon expected.

IJN scout planes scour the South Pacific in search of America's carriers. Reconnaissance missions are flown in support of the upcoming thrust, testing the Allied defence network.

Ships scurry in and around Rabaul and Truk, to and from. Uneasiness grips the South Pacific...

[anarchyintheuk]

Good to see a new aar.

[Graf11]

May 3, 1942

Imperial Japanese destroyer task forces land troops on Buna and Gili Gili during the early morning hours. Before nightfall both bases fall with no resistance. The stepping stones into the South Pacific have been planted.

Allied bombers from PM attack the beachheads at Buna. Havocs and Hudsons drop their lethal loads from 3000ft causing minor damage and several casualties. Small arms fire does no damage to the attackers.

Yamaguchi's 5th CarDiv is ready to close with the enemy as they sail south. Action is imminent...
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May 4th, 1942

Another IJN fast raiding force lands troops on Lunga and capture it mere hours with no resistance.

Hudsons again attack Buna, this time targeting its airfield. Slight damage was inflicted as only one bomb cratered the runway, no losses were sustained.

Recon flights by Mavis' from Rabaul test PM's air defences. On one occasion a single Mavis skillfully evaded the nine Kittyhawks flying CAP. On its return it had been noted that C47s were seen on the ground and troops/supplies were being unloaded. Perhaps troop reinforcements for its defence?

[Graf11]

May 5th, 1942

Two US submarines, the S-40 and S-39, thwart an attempt to supply the Lunga garrison by two small transports. S-40 put two torpedoes into the Azumasan Maru while S-39 also put two fish into the Koei Maru. Both ships are heavily damaged and flee the area.

During the night an IJN cruiser force bombards PM. Several shells hit the runway and two trash airbase facilities.

Meanwhile A6M2 Zeroes from the Tainian Kokutai now based at Lae patrol over PM. Sq. Ldr. Jackson of RAAF 75 Sqn. flying P-40 Kittyhaawks is killed in actionwhile his squad mates down one Zero. Another sweep over PM in the evening is inconclusive.

[Graf11]

May 6th, 1942

Another cruiser force arrives off of PM and shells the area. Light damage to its facilities and a few scratches are left behind.

A Mavis, flying from Rabaul, has discovered what seems to be a reinforcement task force inbound to PM. ETA of the ships to PM is estimated at around 24 hours. After hearing news of this, VAdm Kusaka orders all twin engine Nells and Betties armed with torpedoes for a morning attack.

Tension is at its highest amongst the Navy now. Battle looms over the horizon...

[Graf11]

May 7th, 1942

Battle of the Coral Sea

5th CarDiv under RAdm Yamaguchi with the Zuikaku, Shokaku, and Shoho receive reports that two enemy carriers are a mere 120 miles away. At 0900 he orders a full scale attack by every aircraft except those needed for CAP.

Unkown to the Japanese fleet a SBD from VS-2 had reported their presence 20 minutes prior. Both sides began launching their attack aircraft.

The Americans strike first. VF-3 in their F4F-3s along with elements of VS-2 and VB-2 arrive at the task force first with the Devastators of VT-2 following behind. The Zero CAP strikes hard. Before they can reach their attack positions Zeroes and AAA down 3 Wildcats, 13 SBDs, and 8 Devastators. No losses are inflicted upon the deadly A6M2s. In this battle LtJg. Tetsuzo Iwamoto of the Zuikaku Fighter Squadron downs four aicraft.

The surviving SBDs concentrate on the closest carrier, the Shoho. Skillfully she dodges all but one bomb while putting up intense flak. Several elements attack the Zuikaku and Shokaku unsuccessfully in a very uncoordinated attack by small numbers.

As the first strike leaves the scene another appears. This group, elements of VF-42 and VS-5 and VB-5 arrive ten minutes after Lex's strike departs. Oddly, Yorktown's torpedo squadron, VT-5 strays off target and never finds the fleet.

Zeroes and Wildcats tangle. The Wildcats hold the upper hand this time as many Zeroes scramble for altitude. VF-42s pilots claim three A6M2s destroyed in the melee before they reach the SBDs. Zeroes swarm the bombers downing more than ten but losing one of their number to return fire.

Again the Americans concentrate on the smaller Shoho. This time they coordinate their attacks and manage to put four bombs on Shoho's flight deck, rendering her useless for further flight ops. Zuikaku fortunately hides beneath a rain squall while several SBDs find Shokaku but to no avail. She dodges all bombs aimed at her and bravely puts up a barrage of anti-aircraft fire.

Shortly after this second attack the first Japanese strike force arrives over the US carriers. The force comprises of twenty-seven Zeroes, twenty-two Vals, and thirty-two Kates. Against them they face twenty-three F4F-3s standing tall over the pride of the USN.

The Wildcats attack and manage to inflict relatively light losses on the attacking force, downing only a handful of aircraft. Two F4Fs are downed.

The Japanese concentrate on the Lex. In minutes she is hit by one bomb and one torpedo. Yorktown is attacked as well but receives no hits. The heavy cruisers Portland and Chester are hit by two bombs and a torpedo. The AAA of the American ships hammers the IJN planes, downing over a dozen and damaging many more.

Just as the first strike begins its attack, a second arrives consisting of twenty-two Vals and seventeen Kates. Only a handful of Wildcats manages to reach them before they attack. They attack in almost perfect fashion. Lexington is hit again by a a torpedo while Yorktown receives the brunt of the attack. Five bombs and two torpedoes leave her dead in the water. The cruiser New Orleans is also hit by a single bomb but sails unabated.

As night approaches each side licks their wounds. Yamaguchi counts forty-two aircraft missing. Detaching the Shoho, he hopes to complete the destruction of the US carriers early tomorrow. He prepares the Shokaku and Zuikaku for another day of battle. Mechanics work feverishly to repair the damaged aircraft.

Admiral Yamamoto smiles as he receives the reports of the battle. Two American carriers sinking or severely hurt to a light carrier damaged. He accepts the losses of aircraft as necessary. Transmits message to Yamaguchi to finish the task and clear the South Pacific.

Yamaguchi smiles...

[Graf11]

May 8th, 1942

Rain...

5th CarDiv sails NW under a rainsquall, unable to find the crippled American carriers.

A large fleet of transports escorted by cruisers and destroyers arrives off of PM. Nells escorted by Zeroes fly down from Rabaul and damage the transport Demodocus, CA Austrailia, and the DD Farragut.

Zeroes from Lae down a Kittyhawk and Wildcat over PM.

Buna receives unwelcome attention from six B17s and a horde of P39s. Slight damage is sustained in the attacks.

[Moondawggie]

I'd sure like to know if the US carriers escaped. This is very interesting. Keep us informed!