Second Complete Coral Sea Scenario

[Alikchi2]

I just gave this a runthrough as Allies playing against the Japs on Very Hard, 2-day turns.

The score ended up as a draw - me ahead 200 points - but I think the Japanese AI just trounced me. Wow.

I kept Yorktown and Lexington together at all times - having read the previous AARs here.. the Lunga invasion TF was hammered as usual. Then we swept west towards Gili Gili and found Shoho. The counterstrike didn't penetrate CAP, and we pummeled her to pieces, and heavily damaged several CAs ( they were to sink). Next turn we sunk most of the invasion convoy and the AI turned away the rest. So far so good. I loitered two more days to make sure the transports wouldn't plod on and land even a token force at PM, then headed south.

Then disaster. A long range strike from Rabaul (34 Zeroes/15 Nells, or thereabouts) caught me on the way back to Noumea. A Nell managed to put one torpedo into Yorktown, that's not so bad. Then Shokaku and Zuikaku appeared out of nowhere in behind Y+L (between them and Australia) and launched an alpha strike. Yorktown sunk immediately, CAP torn to pieces, Lexington took enough hits to ruin her flight deck and we fled south. Our return strike managed 3 or 4 bomb hits on Shokaku, but no extreme damage hits. Post game checking showed that she was still fully functional with 30 system damage and could make 29 knots!

Lexington limped south and Shok/Zuik leisurely pursued, bombing coastal Australian towns along the way.. Townsville, Rockhampton, etc etc. Finally they caught up with Lex just off Koumac and put her out of her misery, along with most of my remaining American ships.

So: I sunk Shoho, and saved PM, but lost BOTH Allied carriers and didn't really hurt either IJN CV. Suffice it to say, I'm impressed.. and, apparently, rusty..

[John 3rd]

Hey! 
 
Thanks everyone for the positive thoughts and feedback.  Thank you Mynok for the gracious offer.  Appreciate all of the support and good thoughts!
 
Alikchi and I are now OFFICIALLY conspiring on a Mod for the 4th Circle Plan as discussed months ago...
 
Should be FUN! 

[stuman]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

You are my brother in celibacy!

Seriously, though, we will all give a rousing cheer when your exile ends. Come on back. By then I'll be an expert and you'll be a newb and you will be toast.

Man, that sounds just like my brother and me [:)] " Love you man, you are a dweeb, now I am going to kick your ass. "

[TheElf]

ORIGINAL: Alikchi

I just gave this a runthrough as Allies playing against the Japs on Very Hard, 2-day turns.

The score ended up as a draw - me ahead 200 points - but I think the Japanese AI just trounced me. Wow.

I kept Yorktown and Lexington together at all times - having read the previous AARs here.. the Lunga invasion TF was hammered as usual. Then we swept west towards Gili Gili and found Shoho. The counterstrike didn't penetrate CAP, and we pummeled her to pieces, and heavily damaged several CAs ( they were to sink). Next turn we sunk most of the invasion convoy and the AI turned away the rest. So far so good. I loitered two more days to make sure the transports wouldn't plod on and land even a token force at PM, then headed south.

Then disaster. A long range strike from Rabaul (34 Zeroes/15 Nells, or thereabouts) caught me on the way back to Noumea. A Nell managed to put one torpedo into Yorktown, that's not so bad. Then Shokaku and Zuikaku appeared out of nowhere in behind Y+L (between them and Australia) and launched an alpha strike. Yorktown sunk immediately, CAP torn to pieces, Lexington took enough hits to ruin her flight deck and we fled south. Our return strike managed 3 or 4 bomb hits on Shokaku, but no extreme damage hits. Post game checking showed that she was still fully functional with 30 system damage and could make 29 knots!

Lexington limped south and Shok/Zuik leisurely pursued, bombing coastal Australian towns along the way.. Townsville, Rockhampton, etc etc. Finally they caught up with Lex just off Koumac and put her out of her misery, along with most of my remaining American ships.

So: I sunk Shoho, and saved PM, but lost BOTH Allied carriers and didn't really hurt either IJN CV. Suffice it to say, I'm impressed.. and, apparently, rusty..

Can you post a combat report of the "Alpha Strike"?

[Alikchi2]

Don't have one, I'm sorry to say, it's been overwritten by all the testing I've been doing. [:(]

[herwin]

I finally beat the Japanese AI!

As before, I moved into position off Port Moresby and sank the invasion convoy. I stuck a sub and the SAG in PM to deal with any stragglers. Two differences:

1. I took control of the subs and set up patrol lines to detect the 5th Air Division (CVTF with Zuikaku and Shokaku). This allowed me to detect the CVTF before it closed. This is very important, because it means you can't be hit by surprise.

2. I forced the 5th Air Division to close with me. It had lost me, so it headed south to hit Noumea instead.

Final Allied score: 1260.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: stuman

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

You are my brother in celibacy!

Seriously, though, we will all give a rousing cheer when your exile ends. Come on back. By then I'll be an expert and you'll be a newb and you will be toast.

Man, that sounds just like my brother and me [:)] " Love you man, you are a dweeb, now I am going to kick your ass. "

Dan and I definitely have a love--hate, good vs. evil, Man vs. Nature dynamic that runs between us! Perhaps an Obi Wan---Anakin element too...

Seriously though--he and others have been good friends and incredibly supportive of the nightmare I have endured for over 2 years. I'll be indebted to many people here for many years!