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Japanese saying meaning the whole world under control of a single lord. The days prior to the Battle of Coral Sea was the time in history that Nippon was closest to achieving this. |
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With the Runaway Victory at its peak, the
Japanese sent an invasion force supported by carriers after
Port Moresby, Papua. If the Japanese captured this base they
would have a land airbase in range of northern and north
eastern Australia, which the Allies could not allow. More
importantly, Port Moresby was the only remaining Allied base
from which offensive air operations continued to take
place. The Americans responded with two carrier
groups of their own and the resulting Battle of the Coral
Sea became the first sea battle in history in which the
attacks on enemy ships were conducted solely by aircraft,
and the opposing fleets never came within visual contact of
each other. It was also the first time the Americans
were able to sink a Japanese ship of larger than destroyer
size, the light carrier Shoho. Once the Shoho had been badly
hit and was clearly on its way to the deep, a jubilant
American pilot radioed back to the task force "Scratch one
flat top!". An operational draw, Coral Sea was a
strategic victory for the Americans because it was the first
time in the war that the Japanese had been turned back
without capturing their objective.
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Carrier battle and amphibious invasion, best played at Lieutenant's level or higher. |
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0900 hours 30 April 1942 &endash; 1600 hours 10 May 1942 duration 11 days, 7 hours |
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The following areas are active for the Japanese:
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Vice Adm INOUE Shigeyoshi, Commander 4th
Fleet Admiral YAMAMOTO Isoroku, Commander in
Chief Combined Fleet 1 April 1942
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Use the substantial forces being made available to you to execute Operation MO as issued by Imperial General Headquarters to continue expansion of the defensive perimeter. |
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Capture Port Moresby, Papua and Tulagi Island at the southern end of the Solomons, and establish a seaplane base to support flying boat operations at Misima Island off New Guinea's eastern tip. |
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Operation MO must be completed by the 10th of May so Shokaku and Zuikaku will have time to replenish and join in the Midway attack. |
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Invade Port Moresby by sea. |
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Meet and destroy any United States Naval forces responding to this action. |
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Capture Tulagi to guard the eastern flank of our forces in New Guinea and Papua. |
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Place your carriers between northern Australia and the Port Moresby invasion forces to provide an airscreen against enemy air attack from the Australian mainland. |
By late April you have gathered over 50
warships and transports for this operation, most of them
currently at Truk in the Central Pacific, or Rabaul in the
New Guinea-Solomon Sea area. These include 2 fleet carriers,
1 light carrier, 1 seaplane tender, 7 heavy cruisers, 4
light cruisers, 15 destroyers, and 12 transports and
auxiliaries. You have the land based air support of the 25th
Air Flotilla at Rabaul. Available ground forces are the
elite Nankai Detachment of Army troops and Special Naval
Landing Forces. With the success of this operation we
will be only one step away from completing the advance to
cut the supply line between the United States and Australia,
and only minor forces will remain in the way of a final
operation once Port Moresby is captured.
The MO Distant Cover
Force, and MO Distant Cover Force Main Body, under Rear Adm
GOTO Aritomo. Already at sea, they sortied from Truk on 28
April. Currently west of New Ireland and north of the
Solomons, these forces must support other task forces
attacking Tulagi and Port Moresby. Once Tulagi has been
captured, proceed to Port Moresby to provide offshore
support of the invasion and protect the Invasion
Force. The Port Moresby Invasion
Close Cover Force under Rear Adm MARUMO Kuninori. This force
will establish a seplane base at Misima Island off New
Guinea to support Port Moresby operations as a refueling
base for flying boats. It sailed from Rabaul on 29 April and
is currently 60 nm west of Tulagi in the southern Solomon
Islands. The Tulagi Occupation
Force under Vice Adm SHIMA Kyohide. It will sortie from
Rabaul at 0830 on 30 April, and proceed south down the
Solomons. It carries troops to land at Tulagi and establish
a seplane base there capable of supporting flying boat and
floatplane operations. The Carrier Strike Force
under Vice Adm TAKAGI Takeo. It will sortie from Truk at
0600 hours 1 May to support Operation MO as
required. The Port Moresby Invasion
Force under Rear Adm ABE Koso. It will sortie from Rabaul at
0600 on 4 May, and proceed along the coast of New Guinea to
land troops at Port Moresby. These units must capture the
town, airfield, port and any other military installations
there. The Port Moresby Attack
Force under Rear Adm KAJIOKA Sadamichi. It will sortie from
Rabaul at 0600 on 5 May, and proceed along the coast of New
Guinea to provide fire support to and close protection of
the Port Moresby Invasion Force. The 25th Air Flotilla is
deployed at Lae and Salamaua, in New Guinea, and Rabaul, New
Ireland. They are free to support operations as
required.
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A small Australian force may be occupying Tulagi. |
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Expect heavy opposition from land based air and ground units at Port Moresby. |
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American carrier forces may be in the area. Be prepared for their presence and use long range flying boats to spot them before your own carriers are seen. Flying boats can immediately be flown into Tulagi and Misima Islands with their capture and the successful positioning of a seaplane tender at the latter. |
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Expect local land based air opposition along the east coast of Australia. Avoid approaching it during this operation if possible. |
The Japanese player is
acting as the Navy for the duration of this scenario, with
Army ground units of the Nakai Detachment under direct Navy
control for the full length of the scenario.
1. The light cruiser Kashima must remain
anchored in Rabaul for the duration of the scenario, and may
not sortie for any reason unless Allied ships are spotted
within 50 nm of its location. 2. All units are considerered to be in a
state of full supply. Ships beginning the game in port have
full fuel loads, those beginning the game at sea have used
fuel to cover the distance traveled from port of origin to
current position at cruising speed. Japanese ground units
landing at Tulagi and Port Moresby use normal combat supply
from the invasion forces until they have achieved the
conditions which will enable them to be supplied through use
of local supply points. 3. The Japanese may only land ground
troops at Tulagi and Port Moresby during this
scenario.
1. Agressive Japanese
movement. The Japanese player may issue orders immediately
to all task forces. He is not restricted to historical
activation dates and this gives the player more flexibility
in creating his own operational plan. 2. I-28 Engine Trouble.
During the battle submarine I-28 returned to Truk with
engine trouble. This option allows you to have I-28 suffer
this fate or not. If you do not choose this option the ship
begins the game anchored at Truk with engine trouble, and
may not move for the length of the scenario. If you enable
this option the ship will remain available for the full
length of the scenario and begin with the rest of the 8th
Submarine Squadron picket line. This gives the Japanese
player a relatively minor increase in strength.
Objective 1: Capture and establish a
seaplane base at Tulagi in the southern Solomons. Objective 2: Establish a seaplane base at
Misima Island, east of New Guinea. Objective 3: Capture Port Moresby,
Papua. Objective 4: Prevent damage to your own
carriers while defeating all naval forces sent against
you.
The Japanese gain a
strategic victory if they achieve all 4
objectives. The Japanese gain an
operational-strategic victory if they achieve 3 of the 4
objectives. The Japanese gain an
operational victory if they achieve 2 of the 4
objectives. The Japanese gain a
tactical victory if they any 1 of the 4
objectives. The Americans gain a
tactical victory if the Japanese achieve only 2 of their
objectives, as long as Objective 3 is not one of
them. The Americans gain an
operational victory if the Japanese achieve only 1 of their
objectives, which may not be Objective 3. The Americans gain a
strategic victory if the Japanese achieve none of their
objectives.
The Japanese maintain a strategic
offensive in all areas the scenario uses. All forces are free to engage as the
player sees fit once they are released for the
operation.
The Japanese forces in this scenario are described in 2 ways, by Organization, which demonstrates the command pathways, and by Deployment, which indicates how the units are grouped at the start of the scenario.
For those unfamiliar with Japanese aircraft designations, the following may be helpful:
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Designation |
Allied Code Name |
Type |
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A5M4 |
Claude |
carrier fighter |
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A6M2/21 |
Zero |
carrier fighter |
|
A6M2-N |
Rufe |
floatplane fighter |
|
B5N2/12 |
Kate |
torpedo bomber |
|
D3A1/11 |
Val |
dive bomber |
|
E7K2 |
Alf |
floatplane |
|
E13A1/11 |
Jake |
floatplane |
|
E14Y1/11 |
Glen |
submarine floatplane |
|
F1M2 |
Pete |
floatplane |
|
G3M2/22 |
Nell |
medium bomber |
|
G4M1/12 |
Betty |
medium bomber |
|
H6K5/23 |
Mavis |
flying boat |
|
4 Fleet |
Headquarters |
Vice Adm INOUE Shigeyoshi |
|
Iro |
AO |
no aircraft |
|
Kashima |
CL/T |
1 x E7K2 |
|
25 Air Flotilla |
Command |
Rear Adm YAMADA Sadayoshi |
|
4 Air Group |
land based air unit |
17 (12) x G4M1/12 |
|
Genzan Air Group |
land based air unit |
25 (1) x G3M2/22 |
|
Tainan Air Group |
land based air unit |
18 (10) x A6M2/21, 6 x A5M4 |
|
Yokohama Air Group |
water based air unit |
12 (8) x H6K5/23, 9 (3) x A6M2-N |
|
Tulagi Occupation Force |
Command |
Vice Adm SHIMA Kyohide |
|
Azumasan Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Hagoromo Maru |
MSM |
no aircraft |
|
Koei Maru |
MLM |
no aircraft |
|
Noshiro Maru No. 2 |
MSM |
no aircraft |
|
Okinoshima |
ML |
1 x E7K2 |
|
Tama Maru |
MSM |
no aircraft |
|
Tama Maru No. 8 |
SCM |
no aircraft |
|
Toshi Maru No. 3 |
SCM |
no aircraft |
|
23 Destroyer Squadron |
Formation |
no officer assigned |
|
Kikutsuki |
DE |
no aircraft |
|
Yuzuki |
DE |
no aircraft |
|
1 Minesweeper Squadron |
Formation |
no officer assigned |
|
MS No. 1 |
MS |
no aircraft |
|
MS No. 2 |
MS |
no aircraft |
|
Submarine Force |
Command |
no officer assigned |
|
I-21 |
SS Scout |
1 x E14Y1/11 |
|
I-27 |
SS Scout |
1 x E14Y1/11 |
|
21 Submarine Division |
Formation |
no officer assigned |
|
RO-33 |
SS |
no aircraft |
|
RO-34 |
SS |
no aircraft |
|
Patrol Group |
Formation |
no officer assigned |
|
I-22 |
SS Midget |
1 x Type A Midget Sub |
|
I-24 |
SS Midget |
1 x Type A Midget Sub |
|
I-28 |
SS Scout |
1 x E14Y1/11 |
|
I-29 |
SS Scout |
1 x E14Y1/11 |
|
Nankai Detachment |
Command |
Maj Gen HORII Tomitaro |
|
55 Infantry Corps HQ |
Command |
amphibious trained |
|
144 Infantry Rgt |
Infantry |
amphibious trained |
|
55 Cavalry Rgt, 3 Co |
Cavalry |
amphibious trained |
|
55 Engineer Rgt, 1 Co |
Engineer |
amphibious trained |
|
47 Field AA Gun Bn, 1 Co |
Anti-Aircraft |
amphibious trained |
|
Kure 3 SNLF |
Marine |
amphibious trained |
|
Port Moresby Invasion Group |
Headquarters |
Rear Adm GOTO Aritomo |
|
Akibasan Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Asakasan Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Chaina Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Chowa Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Goyo Maru (1) |
AOM |
no aircraft |
|
Goyo Maru (2) |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Hibi Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Hoyo Maru |
AOM |
no aircraft |
|
Kamikawa Maru |
STM |
6 (2) x F1M2, 3 (1) x E13A1/11 |
|
Matsue Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Mito Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Mogamigawa Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Ojima |
Repr |
no aircraft |
|
Sazanami |
DD |
no aircraft |
|
Shoho |
CVL |
12 x A6M2/21, 9 x B5N2/12 |
|
Shoka Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Taifuku Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Tokiwa |
ML |
no aircraft |
|
Tsugaru |
ML |
1 x E7K2 |
|
6 Squadron |
Command |
Rear Adm GOTO Aritomo |
|
Aoba |
CA |
1 (1) x E13A1/11 |
|
Furutaka |
CA |
1 (1) x E13A1/11 |
|
Kako |
CA |
1 (1) x E13A1/11 |
|
Kinugasa |
CA |
1 (1) x E13A1/11 |
|
18 Squadron |
Command |
Rear Adm MARUMO Kuninori |
|
Tatsuta |
CL |
no aircraft |
|
Tenryu |
CL |
no aircraft |
|
6 Torpedoboat Flotilla |
Command |
Rear Adm KAJIOKA Sadamichi |
|
Yubari |
CL |
no aircraft |
|
29 Destroyer Squadron |
Formation |
no officer assigned |
|
Asanagi |
DE |
no aircraft |
|
Oite |
DE |
no aircraft |
|
30 Destroyer Squadron |
Formation |
no officer assigned |
|
Mochitsuki |
DE |
no aircraft |
|
Mutsuki |
DE |
no aircraft |
|
Yayoi |
DE |
no aircraft |
|
5 Special Gunboat Squadron |
Formation |
no officer assigned |
|
Keijo Maru |
GBM |
no aircraft |
|
Nikkai Maru |
GBM-MLM |
no aircraft |
|
Seikai Maru |
GBM |
no aircraft |
|
15 Special Minesweeper Squadron |
Formation |
no officer assigned |
|
Fumi Maru No. 2 |
MSM |
no aircraft |
|
Seki Maru No. 3 |
MSM |
no aircraft |
|
Carrier Strike Force |
Headquarters |
Vice Adm TAKAGI Takeo |
|
Toho Maru |
AOM |
no aircraft |
|
5 Air Division |
Command |
Rear Adm HARA Tadaichi |
|
Shokaku |
CV |
21 (3) x A6M2/21, 20 x D3A1/11, 21 x B5N2/12 |
|
Zuikaku |
CV |
21 x A6M2/21, 21 x D3A1/11, 21 x B5N2/12 |
|
5 Squadron |
Command |
Vice Adm TAKAGI Takeo |
|
Ashigara |
AP |
1 (1) x F1M2, 1 x E13A1/11 |
|
Haguro |
AP |
1 (1) x F1M2, 1 x E13A1/11 |
|
Myoko |
AOM |
1 (1) x F1M2, 1 x E13A1/11 |
|
1 Torpedoboat Flotilla |
Command |
no officer assigned |
|
27 Destroyer Squadron |
Formation |
no officer assigned |
|
Ariake |
DD |
no aircraft |
|
Shigure |
DD |
no aircraft |
|
Shiratsuyu |
DD |
no aircraft |
|
Yugure |
DD |
no aircraft |
|
7 Destroyer Squadron |
Formation |
no officer assigned |
|
Akebono |
DD |
no aircraft |
|
Ushio |
DD |
no aircraft |
|
Vice Adm INOUYE Shigeyoshi |
4 Fleet |
Kashima |
|
Genzan Air Group |
6 x G3M2/22 |
East Airfield, Rabaul |
|
Tainan Air Group |
7 (6) x A6M2/21, 4 x A5M4 |
East Airfield, Rabaul |
|
4 Air Group |
6 (9) x G4M1/12 |
Lae Airfield, New Guinea |
|
Tainan Air Group |
11 (4) x A6M2/21 |
Lae Airfield, New Guinea |
|
Iro |
AO |
Shortlands |
|
Kashima |
CL/T |
Simpson Harbor, Rabaul (docked) |
|
Yokohama Air Group |
12 (8) x H6K5/23 |
Simpson Harbor, Rabaul |
|
Yokohama Air Group |
9 (3) x A6M2-N |
Simpson Harbor, Rabaul (for transfer to Tulagi) |
|
4 Air Group |
11 (3) x G4M1/12 |
Vanukanau Airfield, Rabaul |
|
Genzan Air Group |
19 (1) x G3M2/22 |
Vanukanau Airfield, Rabaul |
|
Tainan Air Group |
2 x A5M4 |
Vanukanau Airfield, Rabaul |
|
Rear Adm HARA Tadaichi |
5 Air Division |
Shokaku |
|
Vice Adm TAKAGI |
Carrier Strike Force, 5 Squadron |
Myoko |
|
Akebono |
DD |
no aircraft |
|
Ariake |
DD |
no aircraft |
|
Ashigara |
CA |
1 (1) x F1M2, 1 x E13A1/11 |
|
Haguro |
CA |
1 (1) x F1M2, 1 x E13A1/11 |
|
Myoko |
CA |
1 (1) x F1M2, 1 x E13A1/11 |
|
Shigure |
DD |
no aircraft |
|
Shiratsuyu |
DD |
no aircraft |
|
Shokaku |
CV |
21 (3) x A6M2/21, 20 x D3A1/11, 21 x B5N2/12 |
|
Toho Maru |
AOM |
no aircraft |
|
Ushio |
DD |
no aircraft |
|
Yugure |
DD |
no aircraft |
|
Zuikaku |
CV |
21 x A6M2/21, 21 x D3A1/11, 21 x B5N2/12 |
|
Vice Adm SHIMA Kyohide |
Tulagi Occupation Force |
Okinoshima |
|
Azumasan Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Hagoromo Maru |
MSM |
no aircraft |
|
Kikutsuki |
DE |
no aircraft |
|
Koei Maru |
MLM |
no aircraft |
|
MS No. 1 |
MS |
no aircraft |
|
MS No. 2 |
MS |
no aircraft |
|
Noshiro Maru No. 2 |
MSM |
no aircraft |
|
Okinoshima |
ML |
1 x E7K2 |
|
Tama Maru |
MSM |
no aircraft |
|
Tama Maru No. 8 |
SCM |
no aircraft |
|
Toshi Maru No. 3 |
SCM |
no aircraft |
|
Yuzuki |
DE |
no aircraft |
|
Kure SNLF |
Marine |
Azumasan Maru |
|
Naval Construction Battalion |
Construction |
Azumasan Maru |
|
Rear Adm KAJIOKA Sadamichi |
6 Torpedoboat Flotilla |
Yubari |
|
Asanagi |
DE |
no aircraft |
|
Mochitsuki |
DE |
no aircraft |
|
Mutsuki |
DE |
no aircraft |
|
Oite |
DE |
no aircraft |
|
Yayoi |
DE |
no aircraft |
|
Yubari |
CL |
no aircraft |
|
Rear Adm ABE Koso |
tactical command |
Tsugaru |
|
Maj Gen HORII Tomitaro |
Nankai Detachment |
Asakasan Maru |
|
Akibasan Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Asakasan Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Chaina Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Chowa Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Fumi Maru No. 2 |
MSM |
no aircraft |
|
Goyo Maru (1) |
AOM |
no aircraft |
|
Goyo Maru (2) |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Hibi Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Hoyo Maru |
AOM |
no aircraft |
|
Matsue Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Mito Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Mogamigawa Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Ojima |
Repr |
no aircraft |
|
Seki Maru No. 3 |
MSM |
no aircraft |
|
Shoka Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Taifuku Maru |
AP |
no aircraft |
|
Tokiwa |
ML |
no aircraft |
|
Tsugaru |
ML |
1 x E7K2 |
|
55 Infantry Corps HQ |
Command |
Asakasan Maru |
|
144 Infantry Rgt |
Infantry |
Asakasan Maru, Azumasan Maru, Chaina Maru, Matsue Maru, Mito Maru |
|
55 Cavalry Rgt, 3 Co |
Cavalry |
Hibi Maru |
|
55 Engineer Rgt, 1 Co |
Engineer |
Taifuku Maru |
|
47 Field AA Gun Bn, 1 Co |
Anti-Aircraft |
Mito Maru |
|
Kure 3 SNLF |
Marine |
Akibasan Maru, Chowa Maru, Goyo Maru, Mogamigawa Maru, Shoka Maru |
|
Rear Adm MARUMO Kuninori |
18 Squadron |
Tenryu |
|
Kamikawa Maru |
STM |
6 x F1M2, 3 x E13A1 |
|
Keijo Maru |
GBM |
no aircraft |
|
Nikkai Maru |
GBM-MLM |
no aircraft |
|
Seikai Maru |
GBM |
no aircraft |
|
Tatsuta |
CL |
no aircraft |
|
Tenryu |
CL |
no aircraft |
|
Rear Adm GOTO Aritomo |
Port Moresby Invasion Group, 6 Squadron |
Aoba |
|
Aoba |
CA |
1 (1) x E13A1/11 |
|
Furutaka |
CA |
1 (1) x E13A1/11 |
|
Kako |
CA |
1 (1) x E13A1/11 |
|
Kinugasa |
CA |
1 (1) x E13A1/11 |
|
Shoho |
CVL |
12 x A6M2/21, 9 x B5N2/12 |
|
Sazanami |
DD |
no aircraft |
|
RO-33 |
SS |
no aircraft |
|
RO-34 |
SS |
no aircraft |
|
I-22 |
SS Midget |
1 x Type A Midget Sub |
|
I-24 |
SS Midget |
1 x Type A Midget Sub |
|
I-29 |
SS Scout |
1 x E14Y1/11 |
|
I-28 (optional unit) |
SS Scout |
1 x E14Y1/11 |
|
I-21 |
SS Scout |
1 x E14Y1/11 |
|
I-27 |
SS Scout |
1 x E14Y1/11 |
|
New Guinea-Solomon Sea |
Patrol Planes |
12 |
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