CVs operating around Guadacanal?

[Fred98]

CVs exchanged blows at the battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942.

Then the Australians landed at Port Moresby and fought the Japanese across the Kokoda Trail. Were any CVs used in support of this fighting?

Then the allies landed at Guadacanal in August and for a while the only air support was the Cactus Air Force.

Were CVs used to support the fighting at Guadacanal? And if so what was the date?

[pasternakski]

Originally posted by Joe 98
CVs exchanged blows at the battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942.

Then the Australians landed at Port Moresby and fought the Japanese across the Kokoda Trail. Were any CVs used in support of this fighting?

Then the allies landed at Guadacanal in August and for a while the only air support was the Cactus Air Force.

Were CVs used to support the fighting at Guadacanal? And if so what was the date?

I envy you. Find what you can of the relevant writings of Samuel Eliot Morison and read them not just for information but pleasure. Then branch out through the bibliography, secondary sources, and your own research. I wish I could have that initial thrill once again. Enjoy.

[Fred98]

Before I do so I have 12 other books on my shelf waiting to be read.

In the mean time, I need an answer before I play the next turn

[CynicAl]

USN CVs were sent into action to cover the initial Marine landings at Guadalcanal and Tulagi in early August. They also participated in the Battle of Eastern Solomons later in August, and the Battle of Santa Cruz in October. In 1943, carriers were used to support the Bougainville landings, and to raid Rabaul.

[Fred98]

Thank you Al.

[RevRick]

They were used several times - and the only real reason they were pulled out at the time of the invasion was the F.J. Fletcher was afraid to stick around and took off for home... He didn't want to have another CV sunk on his watch.

[SoulBlazer]

The Japanese really were not in a position to overmatch the Allied carriers in the south pacific because of the severe damage done at Midway. It did'nt help matters that there were often several 'supporting' task forces that did nothing to help with the fighting. And the Junyo class were really just conversions -- too slow to operate with the main fleet. So the ability of the Japanese to support their operations, for all these reasons, were even more hamstrung then the Americans.