Following the a.m. Main Event several small actions result from the buzz created by so many units in the area. Massive diverts scatter USN Carrier planes to PM, Cooktown, Cairns, and Townsville. Similarly the IJN Diverts A/C to Lae and Rabaul.
The Air Groups of both sides have been effectively torn apart from a lack of suitable flight decks. This diaspora contributes to the utter chaos as fragmented units form ad hoc strikes to get one last lick in on a wounded enemy or to find retribution for the morning's dishonor.
The afternoon in particular sees frantic attempts by both forces to make good on the perceived weakness of the other.
Honor must be maintained: The Tainan Ku S-1 Catch the PM Defenders flatfooted
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Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-21 Zero x 13
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 1
P-39D Airacobra x 3
P-400 Airacobra x 4
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-21 Zero: 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x A6M2-21 Zero sweeping at 26000 feet (Tainan Ku S-1 / 25th Air Flotilla)
3 x A6M2-21 Zero sweeping at 26000 feet (Tainan Ku S-1 / 25th Air Flotilla)
4 x A6M2-21 Zero sweeping at 26000 feet (Tainan Ku S-1 / 25th Air Flotilla)
The stars of the Show from Shoho attempt to reach out one last time to secure the retreat of the AMPHIBGRUs and the demise of Lexington. They report little resistance from the CAP and 2 Torpedo hits to The Fighting Lady. This group has been stellar in the day's action, though they benefited from weakened defenses.
The Shoho Kates get one last chance for glory despite a strong showing by the meager Defenses
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 98,138
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-21 Zero x 5
B5N2 Kate x 9
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-21 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet (EII-3 Daitai / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
1 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet (EIII-3 Daitai / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet (EII-3 Daitai / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
Having plenty of Daylight left, the members of VB-5 stranded at PM enlist a division of 35th PD Airacobas to make an attack on the only remaining IJN CV as she escorts the failed invasion force out of the Coral Sea. The P-400 drivers suffer the consequences and the raid fails to hit paydirt.
The Shoho Zekes continue to impress...
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,134
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-21 Zero x 5
Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 4
SBD-3 Dauntless x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-21 Zero: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VB-5 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VB-5 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
Lexington manages to launch a small raid at Shoho, though cannot afford to provide escort. The raid is ineffective. Shoho sails under a lucky star...
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,138
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
SBD-3 Dauntless x 7
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VS-2 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VS-2 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
A final attempt for the day to clear the skies over PM. This Sweep is thrown together by remnants of CARDIV 5's Zeke squadrons and the Tainan Ku S-2 from Rabaul. Surely the PM defenders can't keep this up!
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Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-21 Zero x 10
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1
P-400 Airacobra x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 damaged
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
A final Scratch raid from PM on the retreating AMPHIBGRUs...for good measure.
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,134
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-21 Zero x 3
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 12
TBD-1 Devastator x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Japanese Ships
xAP Tatsuta Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAP Miike Maru
xAP Asama Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
Japanese ground losses:
232 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VB-2 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 5000 feet (VT-2 / None)
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VB-2 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VB-2 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
The Battle of the Coral Sea is over. Now all that remain is taking stock of losses and rebuilding for operations as usual in the morning and the coming weeks. It's going to be a long road...
