Coral Sea AAR - First Play of UV

[RayM]

Finally got the nerve to break away from SPWaW Gudalacanal 1942 campaign (sorry BruceAZ) and fire up Coral Sea. Having read most of the AARs, I crept into the game just waiting to see how bad I got wacked. But I was pleasantly surprised.

Synopsis (as Allies):

I located all of my existing TFs and started moving them toward PNG. I formed 3 sub TFs iin Brisbane and sent them north to screen the channel just E of Gili Gili. The existing sub TFs I also sent toward PNG.

I started moving various air units in Australia up the coast and closer to PM and GG so that I could increase my recon capability as well as level bombing.

After a couple of cycles, the long range enemy air spotted my CV TF and started (I guess) moving its subs in my direction. My subs continued to move into position. My air recon finally spotted the enemy CV TF moving SE through the Solomon Sea.

A couple of cycles later, both CV TF's exchanges air attacks, with a few hits to both sides' CVs. BTW, many thanks to the posted recommendation of 80% CAP over my TF. You were right about the trade-off between unescorted attack groups and keeping your carriers alive. Both sides managed to send off two attacks. Both sides lost a good number of aircraft. The second attack hit the Yorktown hard and it detached with a DD and headed back for repair. The few a/c left flew to Buna and I then moved them to PM to help out. The remainder of the CV TF also headed SE but after reviewing the stats, I decided to keep it in the area to strike the enemy transport TF. By this time, the enemy subs had found me and struck a couple of DDs and a CA. They also hit the CV once. On the plus side, my screening force depth charged the subs on several occassions.

Now for the strange part. After the second air attack exchange, the enemy CV TF disengaged and moved to the NE away from Gili Gili, and probably headed to Truk. I then had air superiority for the remainder of the game.

While this was happening, my beefed up air recon located the Transport TF on every daytime cycle and air attacks from PM occurred when the weather permitted. The good news is that the transports and its escorts started taking some real serious hits. Helping out were the 2 sub TFs sitting off Gili Gili and I was surprised to see several hits by the subs. When the enemy TF reached Gili Gili hex, the subs got in a couple more hits. As the TF continued to move toward PM, I shifted my sub TFs to provide a nice screen. On two occasions, the enemy TF was attacked again with a couple more hits after the TF moved into my sub hex. My reduced CV TF launched strikes against the TF with multiple hits. Transports began sinking from air attacks and even sub attacks. Very pleased indeed.

As the hits and sinkings continued, I was continually trying to get away from the enemy subs who got in a couple of hits on my CAs, and even one on the CV. Persistent buggers! It was time to head home. While moving SE, I was able to launch one final attack (albeit a small one) that added to the damage. The PM air attacks continued with more hits. The game ended and the results were: Decisive US victory, Japan 1389, Allied 1934. Bottom line - The transport TF never got close to PM.

Since this was my first time playing, I wonder if I just got lucky?

Of course, past performance is no guarrantee of future results!

[Nimits]

Well, I chose Coral Sea for my first run of the game. I gained a decisive victory by sinking the Shoho, Shokaku, and one DD, and only losing a DD in return. I never did find the tranpsorts, but I suspect the Japanese withdrew them after I pummeled their air support.