After reading AARs, revisting War in the East 2, and enjoying Warplan Pacific, I finally started looking at WitP:AE. Fortunately, I was surprised on my birthday with the game as a wonderful gift, and have now been thrust into it without having time to do all the obligatory tutorial watching and questioning. Instead of letting the game sit, I've watched a few videos and read through relevant portions of the manual, and will be attempting to conduct the Battle of Coral Sea as the USN. I'm playing on Hard, with most of the general realism settings enabled. Expect rookie mistakes, obvious questions, catastrophic loss of naval resources, and hopefully an equally bruised IJN by the end of this.
With the forward out of the way, I can go over my initial thoughts and schemes.
As it stands, I intend to keep TF 16 (Yorktown) and TF 14 (Lexington) detached from one another. I'm concerned about the numerical advantage of IJN Carriers, and the qualitative advantage of IJN strikes in both scale and skill of the individual pilots.
TF 16 will be moving towards Tulagi, doing a full-speed run in around Rennell Island to try and strike the Japanese buildup on Tulagi. It will then be evacuating south-west, relatively south of Rossel Island. The idea here is by doing the full-speed run, I will need to refuel sooner but should spend less time within striking range of Japanese carriers. The Oiler Tippecanoe will be waiting at the rally point to replenish the Yorktown after the strike. Hopefully, everything is set-up correctly, but there's only one way to find out. Because this plan does involve moving quickly away, and keeping my Dauntless squadrons intact for the carrier battle is key, only 30 percent of my fighters will be on CAP, with 70 percent accompanying any strikes.
TF 14 will move more towards Rossel Island, with the intention of mopping up any transport groups that bypass the Yorktown, and, providing an off-angle response if the IJN carriers show themselves. Her oiler will be moving with her.
Lastly, TF 18, flagged by the Heavy Cruiser Australia, will be moving towards Port Moresby to shield it from any kind of raiding parties, and to be able to pursue IJN transports into the Solomon Sea if needed.
For airpower, my biggest initial concern is Port Moresby's immediate lack of any fighters. I want to get P40s from Brisbane and Townsville redeployed to Moresby ASAP to hopefully attrit any land-based aircraft from New Britain, or any carrier aircraft that try to strike the airfield.
The submarines in the Solomon's will mostly remain as is, with the one nearest the Shortlands most likely moving south to close off the northern passes from Tulagi.
A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
Last edited by Icechuck on Fri Nov 10, 2023 5:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
Turn 1 Results - May 4, 1942
Turn 1 went... well.
It began with the US Submarine S-47, engaging a Japanese minelayer near the Rabaul slot. The captain fired 4 torpedoes and struck with 2. One, being an American torpedo, failed to explode, but the other detonated aft of the ship and caused severe flooding. S-47 was then engaged by IJN Sub-Chasers and suffered damage. She currently has 15 system damage, 17 float damage, and 1 engine. This damage, from my understanding, is not crippling as of yet, but she will begin navigating to a less patrolled area of the Solomons just to be safe. Before leaving, she did report a 7-ship convoy from Rabaul headed south-west (Moresby landing force?) with many merchant ships.
TF 16's run by Rennell Island has so far gone well. She conducted an early morning strike on ships near Tulagi after a sighting report from one of her Dauntless bombers reported a build-up of ships.
The results were effective, with no aircraft hit. Regardless, TF 16 will still be departing as scheduled. Some of her recon aircraft also landed hits, but nothing of particular note.
TF 14 was detected by a Japanese patrol, and a small strike came at it. The strike, despite being well-spirited, was poorly escorted and failed to reach the target.
Afterwards, a Catalina out of Port Moresby reported a Japanese Light Carrier south-east of Woodlark Island, which is the presumed offender of the carrier strike. This strike didn't achieve anything, and I will most likely retaliate today. I do, however, feel the need to move both TF 14 away to the South-East (incase the fleet carriers arrive) and adjust the rally point of TF 16, as TF 14's attack was only 40 nautical miles away. As far as I'm concerned, I don't want to strike the fleet carriers until I've disrupted the enemy's ability to invade Port Moresby. I'm deeply concerned about TF-14 being pushed further and further south by CV attacks, however, as that'll limit my ability to protect Port Moresby. To try and prevent this, I'll be having TF-16 regroup with TF 14, to try and mutually protect each other until we can redeploy out of Japanese observation.
At Moresby itself, I've realized after moving a squadron of P40s that I do not have the support ability to maintain them, so to compensate I'll be transferring the Wirraways based there over to Cooktown.
Turn 1 went... well.
It began with the US Submarine S-47, engaging a Japanese minelayer near the Rabaul slot. The captain fired 4 torpedoes and struck with 2. One, being an American torpedo, failed to explode, but the other detonated aft of the ship and caused severe flooding. S-47 was then engaged by IJN Sub-Chasers and suffered damage. She currently has 15 system damage, 17 float damage, and 1 engine. This damage, from my understanding, is not crippling as of yet, but she will begin navigating to a less patrolled area of the Solomons just to be safe. Before leaving, she did report a 7-ship convoy from Rabaul headed south-west (Moresby landing force?) with many merchant ships.
TF 16's run by Rennell Island has so far gone well. She conducted an early morning strike on ships near Tulagi after a sighting report from one of her Dauntless bombers reported a build-up of ships.
- TF 16 First Strike.png (439.74 KiB) Viewed 977 times
TF 14 was detected by a Japanese patrol, and a small strike came at it. The strike, despite being well-spirited, was poorly escorted and failed to reach the target.
- TF 14 CAP Action.png (440.32 KiB) Viewed 977 times
At Moresby itself, I've realized after moving a squadron of P40s that I do not have the support ability to maintain them, so to compensate I'll be transferring the Wirraways based there over to Cooktown.
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
Turn 2 - May 5, 1942
The CAP over Moresby did well. The only combat action of the day was a flight of 18 Nell's approaching Moresby, which were intercepted by 5 P-40Es that had just arrived there. The result was 3 destroyed Nells, and 5 damaged. Their run over the base was ineffective.
The rest of the turn was less in my favor. While no action occurred, the Carriers are still moving to link together, and both of their recon flights failed to sight any enemy CVs. I'm worried about not having the location on either fleet carrier, and am moving to re-deploy my carriers under the now established CAP at Port Moresby. Japanese flights scouted my carrier force, so I feel at a definitive disadvantage as of now.
As I'm moving to redeploy, however, I notice an alarming status indicator on TF 17, which is the replenishment force for 14. I'm not sure exactly how to interpret this, but it looks like the Neosho is having endurance issues, despite over 50% of its onboard fuel still accessible. Anyone able to offer input as to whether this is enough fuel to continue operations, or if Neosho needs to go home?
I noticed the oiler Tippecanoe has a lower endurance and fuel state, but no red indicators or anything like that.
The CAP over Moresby did well. The only combat action of the day was a flight of 18 Nell's approaching Moresby, which were intercepted by 5 P-40Es that had just arrived there. The result was 3 destroyed Nells, and 5 damaged. Their run over the base was ineffective.
- May 5 CAP over Moresby.png (433.03 KiB) Viewed 934 times
As I'm moving to redeploy, however, I notice an alarming status indicator on TF 17, which is the replenishment force for 14. I'm not sure exactly how to interpret this, but it looks like the Neosho is having endurance issues, despite over 50% of its onboard fuel still accessible. Anyone able to offer input as to whether this is enough fuel to continue operations, or if Neosho needs to go home?
- Neosho Fuel State.png (316.69 KiB) Viewed 934 times
- Tipecanoe Fuel State.png (308.04 KiB) Viewed 934 times
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
Most likely the last turn for the day, but who knows? This game is definitely sucking me in faster than I expected.
May 6, 1942
The day began, or, rather the night began, with a surface action between the Australian TF 18 and a Japanese DD group headed by the Light Cruiser Yubari. Both sides engaged at each other at ranges within 3,000 yards, however, neither side seemed to suffer catastrophic damage, and withdrew in good order. My best guess, given that the battle happened at the tip of the peninsula of Milne Bay, is that the IJN was headed to bombard Port Moresby.
TF 18 still has a decent ammo state (I think) and will remain on station to continue to try and block any raids near Moresby.
That morning, Task Forces 14 and 16 linked up, and their recon found a large Japanese convoy bound for Port Moresby. A joint airstrike was conducted, and encountered a small CAP of Zeros overhead. They were engaged with no losses, and then the strike fell upon the hapless convoy.
I can only assume this was an invasion force, and believe I have sufficiently crippled it. Just to add insult to injury, however, the carriers weren't done for the day.
Another patrol later in the day sighted the convoy again, and a strike was prepared. While many pilots were recovering, this strike was smaller, but none-the-less still effective.
With only one casualty on my side, I feel this is a decisive blow against the IJN's ability to land forces near Port Moresby. Despite this, I've still yet to encounter the IJN Fleet Carriers, or re-acquire the escort carrier seen earlier in the operation. Today, my CAP shot down multiple IJN scouts, and I am positive my location is known to the enemy, but as of yet no strike has been sent. I'll be putting more aircraft on CAP today I think, just incase the IJN decides to finally lash out.
May 6, 1942
The day began, or, rather the night began, with a surface action between the Australian TF 18 and a Japanese DD group headed by the Light Cruiser Yubari. Both sides engaged at each other at ranges within 3,000 yards, however, neither side seemed to suffer catastrophic damage, and withdrew in good order. My best guess, given that the battle happened at the tip of the peninsula of Milne Bay, is that the IJN was headed to bombard Port Moresby.
- Night Action May 6.png (70.8 KiB) Viewed 927 times
That morning, Task Forces 14 and 16 linked up, and their recon found a large Japanese convoy bound for Port Moresby. A joint airstrike was conducted, and encountered a small CAP of Zeros overhead. They were engaged with no losses, and then the strike fell upon the hapless convoy.
- May 6 First Strike Results.png (59.77 KiB) Viewed 927 times
Another patrol later in the day sighted the convoy again, and a strike was prepared. While many pilots were recovering, this strike was smaller, but none-the-less still effective.
- May 6 Strike 2.png (126.64 KiB) Viewed 927 times
- Situation on May 6.jpg (888.17 KiB) Viewed 927 times
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
You have done very well, right now you could retire your fleet and win!
That said, you can keep going to learn even more.
When you run ships at high speed, expect a little more damage, especially engine damage. It should only be a bother if you do it too much.
Don't worry about the Neosho, she has plenty of fuel for herself. Her fuel cargo can only refuel other ships or be offloaded at a port. That is how the fleet oilers work. Later on, when you have loaded tankers and a fleet oiler in port, the AO can also take fuel from the loaded tankers and refuel other ships with that fuel.
At this stage of the game, any IJN ship with "heavy fires, heavy damage" can be presumed to sink. So essentially, you have destroyed the invasion force. There would be only survivors from sunken ships if they were picked up by other ships. Then those bits of the unit(s) will show up when those ships with the refugees make a friendly port where the refugees automatically unload.
Now you only have to worry about a counterstrike from IJN carriers. If keep your CVs in the same hex, the CAP will protect both ships. Unless you can find the enemy carriers, you might to keep out of sight with your CVs. I suggest looking at the ships in your Surface Combat Task Force (SC TF) to see how much ammo they do have. If you want to,you can send them to reload, but you do not want to run out of ammo especially for the 4 inch to 5 inch guns which provide AA coverage for your entire task force. Also, check to see your torpedoes left on your aircraft carriers, you might want to reload those if you can but your 1000 pound bombs are sufficient to sink his aircraft carriers. Right now, yours Slow But Deadly (SBD) bombers are your primary scouting aircraft and strike force. You might only want one SBD unit to have 50% scouting (the usual US Naval practice at the time) while the rest of the SBDs are on 100% Naval Strike.
That said, you can keep going to learn even more.
When you run ships at high speed, expect a little more damage, especially engine damage. It should only be a bother if you do it too much.
Don't worry about the Neosho, she has plenty of fuel for herself. Her fuel cargo can only refuel other ships or be offloaded at a port. That is how the fleet oilers work. Later on, when you have loaded tankers and a fleet oiler in port, the AO can also take fuel from the loaded tankers and refuel other ships with that fuel.
At this stage of the game, any IJN ship with "heavy fires, heavy damage" can be presumed to sink. So essentially, you have destroyed the invasion force. There would be only survivors from sunken ships if they were picked up by other ships. Then those bits of the unit(s) will show up when those ships with the refugees make a friendly port where the refugees automatically unload.
Now you only have to worry about a counterstrike from IJN carriers. If keep your CVs in the same hex, the CAP will protect both ships. Unless you can find the enemy carriers, you might to keep out of sight with your CVs. I suggest looking at the ships in your Surface Combat Task Force (SC TF) to see how much ammo they do have. If you want to,you can send them to reload, but you do not want to run out of ammo especially for the 4 inch to 5 inch guns which provide AA coverage for your entire task force. Also, check to see your torpedoes left on your aircraft carriers, you might want to reload those if you can but your 1000 pound bombs are sufficient to sink his aircraft carriers. Right now, yours Slow But Deadly (SBD) bombers are your primary scouting aircraft and strike force. You might only want one SBD unit to have 50% scouting (the usual US Naval practice at the time) while the rest of the SBDs are on 100% Naval Strike.
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
― Julia Child
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
― Julia Child
-
anarchyintheuk
- Posts: 3946
- Joined: Wed May 05, 2004 7:08 pm
- Location: Dallas
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
To add to RangerJoe:
The oiler tfs are set to follow your cvtfs. You may want to independently route them or they might end up as part of an unintentional screening force.
You may also want to check how many torpedo sorties you have left on your carriers. They're generally good for only a couple of load outs.
The oiler tfs are set to follow your cvtfs. You may want to independently route them or they might end up as part of an unintentional screening force.
You may also want to check how many torpedo sorties you have left on your carriers. They're generally good for only a couple of load outs.
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
I agree with RJ's assessment. Neosho's TF was set to 'Follow TF 14" so the game could not calculate how many miles it would be to home port - thus the 9999 mileage estimate in red.
The strike on Tulagi picked the wrong target. Those APDs were delivering a few construction troops but the real danger there was the seaplane base with Mavis patrol planes. IRL, the US strike attacked the port to sink the AV support ship and the Airfield to destroy as many patrol aircraft as possible. Blinding the enemy search is key to getting a fair fight against their Carriers.
Besides checking your ammo and fuel, look at your pilot fatigue. Carrier ops tire pilots very quickly and after three sorties they have trouble hitting targets because of fatigue. Withdrawing for a day to refuel and rest most of the pilots is not a bad idea. Check the scenario end date to see how much time you have to engage the enemy carriers.
The strike on Tulagi picked the wrong target. Those APDs were delivering a few construction troops but the real danger there was the seaplane base with Mavis patrol planes. IRL, the US strike attacked the port to sink the AV support ship and the Airfield to destroy as many patrol aircraft as possible. Blinding the enemy search is key to getting a fair fight against their Carriers.
Besides checking your ammo and fuel, look at your pilot fatigue. Carrier ops tire pilots very quickly and after three sorties they have trouble hitting targets because of fatigue. Withdrawing for a day to refuel and rest most of the pilots is not a bad idea. Check the scenario end date to see how much time you have to engage the enemy carriers.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
I believe the scenario runs for 15 days, my intention is to withdraw and let my pilots rest. I'm not really sure if I want to chance an encounter with the superior IJN carriers, but I think just for learning purposes I will seek out a fight after a day or two of recovery and recon.BBfanboy wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 10:16 pm I agree with RJ's assessment. Neosho's TF was set to 'Follow TF 14" so the game could not calculate how many miles it would be to home port - thus the 9999 mileage estimate in red.
The strike on Tulagi picked the wrong target. Those APDs were delivering a few construction troops but the real danger there was the seaplane base with Mavis patrol planes. IRL, the US strike attacked the port to sink the AV support ship and the Airfield to destroy as many patrol aircraft as possible. Blinding the enemy search is key to getting a fair fight against their Carriers.
Besides checking your ammo and fuel, look at your pilot fatigue. Carrier ops tire pilots very quickly and after three sorties they have trouble hitting targets because of fatigue. Withdrawing for a day to refuel and rest most of the pilots is not a bad idea. Check the scenario end date to see how much time you have to engage the enemy carriers.
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
Very good! Your pilots will have already gained a lot of experience in Naval Bombing with those strikes. The ideal situation after resting and refueling would be to find and sink Shoho unsupported by the big CVs, and a day or two later take them on. If those CVs waste some sorties striking at Port Moresby or Milne Bay, all the better. Japanese pilots get fatigue too and their airplanes flame easily.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
I'm kind of banking on them doing so, hoping the P-40s can atleast knock some Zeroes or strike aircraft out on their CAP duties.BBfanboy wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 10:28 pm Very good! Your pilots will have already gained a lot of experience in Naval Bombing with those strikes. The ideal situation after resting and refueling would be to find and sink Shoho unsupported by the big CVs, and a day or two later take them on. If those CVs waste some sorties striking at Port Moresby or Milne Bay, all the better. Japanese pilots get fatigue too and their airplanes flame easily.
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
Haven't played this scenario in ages, but I do remember that Port Moresby is worth an awful LOT of victory points (VPs) for the Allies. Thus, to win, you just need to cripple or sink the Jap invasion fleet. The CV battle is just a sideshow.
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
About submarine S-47.
Any Sys damage of 10 or more makes submarine easier to detect. Thus I always return submarines to base when they reach that number.
You can still use it to patrol, just remember it's more easy to detect higher the damage.
Any Sys damage of 10 or more makes submarine easier to detect. Thus I always return submarines to base when they reach that number.
You can still use it to patrol, just remember it's more easy to detect higher the damage.
"To meaningless French Idealism, Liberty, Fraternity and Equality...we answer with German Realism, Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery" -Prince von Bülov, 1870-
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
You can check the pilot skills by going to the individual ship screen, clicking on the air unit, and then clicking on the "pilots" on the lower left. The orange number means that skill has increased in the last calendar month, the green number means that the skill has increased during the last day. You can also check on the planes to see any damage or fatigue and if either gets to high, then the aircraft is either stood down for maintenance or may become an "OPs" loss. An "OPs" loss can either be crashing on landing or anything that Keeps it from returning to base (RTB) which may kill (KIA) or wound (WIA) the pilot. A KIA may not necessarily mean killed in real life but injured so badly that they will never pilot an aircraft again. Sometimes a plane will crash but not be destroyed and thus can be repaired while the pilot may be KIA.Icechuck wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 10:29 pmI'm kind of banking on them doing so, hoping the P-40s can at least knock some Zeroes or strike aircraft out on their CAP duties.BBfanboy wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 10:28 pm Very good! Your pilots will have already gained a lot of experience in Naval Bombing with those strikes. The ideal situation after resting and refueling would be to find and sink Shoho unsupported by the big CVs, and a day or two later take them on. If those CVs waste some sorties striking at Port Moresby or Milne Bay, all the better. Japanese pilots get fatigue too and their airplanes flame easily.
You can check the pilots at an airbase by using the same method.
- CV Lexington.png (298.54 KiB) Viewed 818 times
- VB 2.png (424.75 KiB) Viewed 818 times
- VB 2 Pilots.png (455.43 KiB) Viewed 818 times
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
― Julia Child
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
― Julia Child
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
May 7, 1942
My carriers withdraw to be within 160nm of Port Moresby, and allow most of their pilots to rest. Some fighters stay on CAP, just to be safe, but nothing eventful happens on that front. The pilots will rest for one more day, before we begin hunting the KB. No other action of note takes place today.
May 8, 1942
The fleeing remnants of the IJN landing force are detected by a Catalina on the 7th, and TF 18 is dispatched to run them down. 2 troopships are chased down in a night action and sunk.
A force of 14 Nells and 9 Zeroes make for Port Moresby, at 8,000 feet. They're detected 13nm out from the port, and 16 P-40s on CAP are dispatched to intercept. The P-40s, who were initially patrolling at 15,000 feet due to earlier attempts at high altitude, dive down on the enemy and claim 7 Nell's destroyed out of the 14, with the rest turning back. No allied planes are destroyed in this engagement.
None of Lexington's squadrons are above 10 fatigue, and most are below that with the exception of some CAP pilots. Yorktown is in a similar state, with the search squadron sitting at 11 due to higher fatigue initially. I feel this is sufficient to continue hunting for the IJN carriers, and an enemy TF is sighted south of Rossel Island and East of Townsville. This TF reportedly has multiple light cruisers, and numbers about 10 ships. Knowing that there are no IJN targets out here for invasion, and the invasion fleet has been crushed I feel this is the covering force. Submarines are dispatched to the south to try and maintain surveillance, and the carriers are moved together with the intention of conducting a strike. As far as I'm concerned, the battle is a victory but I'm doing this for the learning experience. If all goes well, I'll post the score-card.
On an unrelated note, a question for y'all regarding resting my pilots. If a Dauntless squadron has Naval Attack as their primary mission, and rest as a secondary but no targets arrive, will the entire squadron rest? On a similar vein, for my search Dauntless squadron, do I want them on Naval attack with 50 percent set to search, or Naval Search as a primary objective?
My carriers withdraw to be within 160nm of Port Moresby, and allow most of their pilots to rest. Some fighters stay on CAP, just to be safe, but nothing eventful happens on that front. The pilots will rest for one more day, before we begin hunting the KB. No other action of note takes place today.
May 8, 1942
The fleeing remnants of the IJN landing force are detected by a Catalina on the 7th, and TF 18 is dispatched to run them down. 2 troopships are chased down in a night action and sunk.
A force of 14 Nells and 9 Zeroes make for Port Moresby, at 8,000 feet. They're detected 13nm out from the port, and 16 P-40s on CAP are dispatched to intercept. The P-40s, who were initially patrolling at 15,000 feet due to earlier attempts at high altitude, dive down on the enemy and claim 7 Nell's destroyed out of the 14, with the rest turning back. No allied planes are destroyed in this engagement.
None of Lexington's squadrons are above 10 fatigue, and most are below that with the exception of some CAP pilots. Yorktown is in a similar state, with the search squadron sitting at 11 due to higher fatigue initially. I feel this is sufficient to continue hunting for the IJN carriers, and an enemy TF is sighted south of Rossel Island and East of Townsville. This TF reportedly has multiple light cruisers, and numbers about 10 ships. Knowing that there are no IJN targets out here for invasion, and the invasion fleet has been crushed I feel this is the covering force. Submarines are dispatched to the south to try and maintain surveillance, and the carriers are moved together with the intention of conducting a strike. As far as I'm concerned, the battle is a victory but I'm doing this for the learning experience. If all goes well, I'll post the score-card.
On an unrelated note, a question for y'all regarding resting my pilots. If a Dauntless squadron has Naval Attack as their primary mission, and rest as a secondary but no targets arrive, will the entire squadron rest? On a similar vein, for my search Dauntless squadron, do I want them on Naval attack with 50 percent set to search, or Naval Search as a primary objective?
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
May 9, 1942
Another air-raid on Port Moresby. This time, it's 9 fighters escorting 4 Nells. 15 Warhawks respond, and the IJN suffers 1 Zero and 1 Nell shot down to 1 Warhawk. Yet again, the enemy cannot bomb Moresby, and turns back.
The IJN task force, presumably the CVs, has moved. Throughout the day, they were sighted as being within 4 hexes of me. Clearly, they either want a fight or don't know of my existence. My CAP shot down multiple Kates flying by the Carriers, so presumably it is a challenge and not ignorance. Bad weather over both my and the Japanese force prevents a strike today. At this point, I'm committed and continue to close the range, hoping to get a devastating first strike in so close to my territory in Australia. Tomorrow, weather permitting, will be the decisive moment.
As this is unfolding, the surface combat group, TF 18, is returning to Brisbane to replenish their ammunition, and appears to be barreling into the middle of this carrier engagement. Perhaps they draw some IJN fire, or perhaps they get through unscathed?
May 10, 1942
My impatience got the better of me, and I immediately went to work on this turn after last. Here we go.
Yet another raid on Port Moresby. 11 Zero fighters and 4 Nells engage 11 Warhawks, with the IJN losing 1 Zero and 1 Nell for 1 Warhawk destroyed. This time, they do manage to drop, and 3 Nells drop bombs at 5,000 feet. I'm going to need to lower my CAP as the IJN brings their strikes in closer to the deck.
The IJN Task Force appears to have snuck a forced march on me and have withdrawn to the South-East. This puts them closer to Allied bases at New Caledonia, and further from IJN Land Based Aircraft, but yet again, no strikes are conducted as the bad weather persists. I decide to cut east bound with my own combined fleet, intent on blocking them from reaching the safety of the Guadalcanal area, but not willing to split my forces up and risk being defeated in detail. The forecast tomorrow shows overcast and rain, so I'm not particularly optimistic, but my Catalinas are continuing to keep me appraised of the enemy movements. My fuel state is still good, so the oilers are lagging well behind, to avoid being caught up in a strike. TF 18 also passed through unmolested thus far but is now only 3 empty hexes away from the potential carrier force. I know this is just a skirmish, but I want to establish good practices and try to minimize losses or supply issues, so I'm treating this as if all these units, even the Surface Action Group of the Australian Navy, matter for greater operational reasons.
One worry I have is that this group, despite being scouted intensely, is reported as having many heavy cruisers, light cruisers, and destroyers, but no CVs. This could very well be a result of poor weather, training, and high altitude passes, but I'm a bit worried about hitting the wrong target. The presence of no Japanese strike as well alarms me, as it seems I'm only really shooting down floatplanes on recon, not carrier aircraft. Either way though, a target is a target and sinking IJN Heavy Cruisers certainly isn't' a waste. With the threat to Port Moresby gone, I feel comfortable pursuing the enemy this far south.
At risk of making a fool of my predictions again, I'll repeat that tomorrow, weather permitting, should be the decisive moment.
Another air-raid on Port Moresby. This time, it's 9 fighters escorting 4 Nells. 15 Warhawks respond, and the IJN suffers 1 Zero and 1 Nell shot down to 1 Warhawk. Yet again, the enemy cannot bomb Moresby, and turns back.
The IJN task force, presumably the CVs, has moved. Throughout the day, they were sighted as being within 4 hexes of me. Clearly, they either want a fight or don't know of my existence. My CAP shot down multiple Kates flying by the Carriers, so presumably it is a challenge and not ignorance. Bad weather over both my and the Japanese force prevents a strike today. At this point, I'm committed and continue to close the range, hoping to get a devastating first strike in so close to my territory in Australia. Tomorrow, weather permitting, will be the decisive moment.
As this is unfolding, the surface combat group, TF 18, is returning to Brisbane to replenish their ammunition, and appears to be barreling into the middle of this carrier engagement. Perhaps they draw some IJN fire, or perhaps they get through unscathed?
May 10, 1942
My impatience got the better of me, and I immediately went to work on this turn after last. Here we go.
Yet another raid on Port Moresby. 11 Zero fighters and 4 Nells engage 11 Warhawks, with the IJN losing 1 Zero and 1 Nell for 1 Warhawk destroyed. This time, they do manage to drop, and 3 Nells drop bombs at 5,000 feet. I'm going to need to lower my CAP as the IJN brings their strikes in closer to the deck.
The IJN Task Force appears to have snuck a forced march on me and have withdrawn to the South-East. This puts them closer to Allied bases at New Caledonia, and further from IJN Land Based Aircraft, but yet again, no strikes are conducted as the bad weather persists. I decide to cut east bound with my own combined fleet, intent on blocking them from reaching the safety of the Guadalcanal area, but not willing to split my forces up and risk being defeated in detail. The forecast tomorrow shows overcast and rain, so I'm not particularly optimistic, but my Catalinas are continuing to keep me appraised of the enemy movements. My fuel state is still good, so the oilers are lagging well behind, to avoid being caught up in a strike. TF 18 also passed through unmolested thus far but is now only 3 empty hexes away from the potential carrier force. I know this is just a skirmish, but I want to establish good practices and try to minimize losses or supply issues, so I'm treating this as if all these units, even the Surface Action Group of the Australian Navy, matter for greater operational reasons.
One worry I have is that this group, despite being scouted intensely, is reported as having many heavy cruisers, light cruisers, and destroyers, but no CVs. This could very well be a result of poor weather, training, and high altitude passes, but I'm a bit worried about hitting the wrong target. The presence of no Japanese strike as well alarms me, as it seems I'm only really shooting down floatplanes on recon, not carrier aircraft. Either way though, a target is a target and sinking IJN Heavy Cruisers certainly isn't' a waste. With the threat to Port Moresby gone, I feel comfortable pursuing the enemy this far south.
At risk of making a fool of my predictions again, I'll repeat that tomorrow, weather permitting, should be the decisive moment.
-
Platoonist
- Posts: 2379
- Joined: Sun May 11, 2003 4:53 am
- Location: Kila Hana
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
If no attack or search sorties that turn, then yes. Frankly, if they do nothing in a turn they usually get rest by default.
If you wish them to attack, naval attack with some set to search as a secondary mission is best although 50 percent seems a bit high. CV plane squadrons always seem to attack naval targets the most consistently when one of their carrier brethren spots a task force as opposed to a third party planes like a PBY or army search asset.On a similar vein, for my search Dauntless squadron, do I want them on Naval attack with 50 percent set to search, or Naval Search as a primary objective?
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
May 11, 1942
The contact near Australia is confirmed to be the IJN Carriers. They maneuvered west, avoiding my trap, and conducted a strike against me. It was ineffective, after being intercepted by my CAP, but I was unable to offer my own in response. I will keep the carriers together for one more day, to hopefully attrit the enemy strike ability, and then break off. There was also another ineffective raid over Moresby, which cost the IJN 3 more Nells.
While I may have not struck, the carrier battle has begun.
May 12, 1942
The enemy broke north, attempting to yet again give me the slip and break out towards Guadalcanal. This resulted in a night surface action, where both sides chose to avoid firing on each other. Whie not significant in determining the outcome, it was a confirmation of my foe and theory that the battle would be joined today.
The next morning, the engagement began in earnest. The IJN struck first, and perhaps decisively. Yorktown was the target, and a joint strike from the 2 CVs hit hard, overwhelming my CAP.
The attack found home, damaging Yorktown and limiting her ability to support aircraft. Yorktown suffered 4 bomb hits and 1 torpedo detonation.
The USN retaliated, with 2 strikes, 1 from each carrier. The results were good, but costly. We suffered 2 wildcat losses, and 22 damaged Dauntless' with 7 destroyed, 1 to flak between the two. For that high cost, Shokaku was hit 3 times with 1,000 pound bombs and is on heavy fire and heavy damage, after a gasoline explosion in the hangar. I am assuming she is ineffective, however my ability to attack is also diminished.
I will concentrate my efforts on saving the Yorktown, and evacuating back to Australia, with a strategic victory and tactical draw. Yorktown currently is at 25 sys damage, 35 float, and 4 engine. She is salvageable.
The contact near Australia is confirmed to be the IJN Carriers. They maneuvered west, avoiding my trap, and conducted a strike against me. It was ineffective, after being intercepted by my CAP, but I was unable to offer my own in response. I will keep the carriers together for one more day, to hopefully attrit the enemy strike ability, and then break off. There was also another ineffective raid over Moresby, which cost the IJN 3 more Nells.
While I may have not struck, the carrier battle has begun.
May 12, 1942
The enemy broke north, attempting to yet again give me the slip and break out towards Guadalcanal. This resulted in a night surface action, where both sides chose to avoid firing on each other. Whie not significant in determining the outcome, it was a confirmation of my foe and theory that the battle would be joined today.
- Night Action May 13.png (433.87 KiB) Viewed 741 times
The attack found home, damaging Yorktown and limiting her ability to support aircraft. Yorktown suffered 4 bomb hits and 1 torpedo detonation.
- IJN CV Strike 1 Air.png (433.35 KiB) Viewed 741 times
- IJN Strike 1 CV Results.png (18.37 KiB) Viewed 741 times
- USN Counterstrike from Lexington.png (443.04 KiB) Viewed 741 times
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
The Yorktown should not be able to operate aircraft while the Shokaku should sink. Normally three bombs should not sink her but that gasoline explosion does not help. You can see if she did sink by the number of carrier aircraft "ground" losses. If she can not operate aircraft and the other carrier gets too full, you will see OPs losses.
Why didn't your dive bombers not have fighter escort or was your strike broken up into waves?
You should draw a line between those enemy carriers and Rabaul to try and catch the Shokaku with submarines if she does not sink.
Why didn't your dive bombers not have fighter escort or was your strike broken up into waves?
You should draw a line between those enemy carriers and Rabaul to try and catch the Shokaku with submarines if she does not sink.
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
― Julia Child
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
― Julia Child
-
Platoonist
- Posts: 2379
- Joined: Sun May 11, 2003 4:53 am
- Location: Kila Hana
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
At the start of the Coral Sea scenario, the Wildcat fighter compliment on Yorktown is set at range seven and the Dauntless squadrons at range eight. His dive bombers may have out-ranged their fighter escort.
Re: A rookie's first match in Coral Sea
I'm confident that Yorktown can withdraw safely. I already have all US submarines in the area forming a wall between Rossel Island and Munda, which is the only route Shokkaku could take to withdraw for Rabaul. The ones who won't make it to the defensive line in time are moving more northwards to block between Woodlark Island and the Shortlands.RangerJoe wrote: ↑Sun Nov 12, 2023 12:34 pm The Yorktown should not be able to operate aircraft while the Shokaku should sink. Normally three bombs should not sink her but that gasoline explosion does not help. You can see if she did sink by the number of carrier aircraft "ground" losses. If she can not operate aircraft and the other carrier gets too full, you will see OPs losses.
Why didn't your dive bombers not have fighter escort or was your strike broken up into waves?
You should draw a line between those enemy carriers and Rabaul to try and catch the Shokaku with submarines if she does not sink.
Regarding Lexington, all the dive bombers and fighters have a max range of 6 currently set, the strikes were staggered (the unpictured strike from Lexington was escorted) and I believe the escort for the second (unescorted) strike got lost in the weather, as the weather is still being uncooperative with my goals.
One question I have, is there anyway to merge the depleted squads from Yorktown that have landed on Lexington into the existing units on Lexington, or do I just need to handle these smaller units as well as the full-strength ones?