Kick Off!

If you have been following along you know that we are planning to play Flat Top, using the Coral Sea short scenario via PbP (Play by Poll).

See previous posts here

Our goal is to have some fun, make higher level choices and let the Umpire sort out the details.

Note: that where you need to know some technical details, such as how long a plane can be airborne, or how many turns of combat it might have available you will get that data prior to making a decision.

Your focus should be upon achieving the goals and adjusting to circumstances as they reveal themselves, not if you have enough torpedoes.

The Umpire will try and drive a lot of that detail and present the information and choices back to you via REPORTS. Similar to: https://bigboardgaming.com/ndc-0800-1200-hr-poll-1-and-aar/

US Navy Plans:

The USN has its plan formulated, and plotted. Search patterns logged and now it is up to the IJA to plan their mission. – That is you!

IJA forces and USN forces:

IJA Goal Objective within 42 turns:

Historical objective was to capture Port Moresby (PMO).

Game Objective is to secure the most VPs.

• Ships in port @ PMO earns VP’s via turns in port there, per AP (ship transport): 3 VP per turn per AP. Max 24 per AP factor.
  
• Auto Victory 100 VP’s.
  
• Allies receive 50 VP’s if the IJA cannot unload 50 pts in PMO.
  
• Note the value of AP units sunk declines as they unload.
  
• If the IJA unloads 150 pts to PMO game over for USN.
  
• VP’s are also earned for sinking stuff see blue box above.
  

Proposed IJA strategy choices:

1. Historical attack PMO [Plan Blue]
   
   1. Send two western most forces (TF# 3,4,5 + TF # 2 with CVL Shoho) to PMO using Land based air support and air cover from LAE.
      
   2. Use the two CV task forces (#6 & #12 Shokaku and Zuikaku) to find the USN CV’s and attempt to sink them as they steam towards PMO
      
   3. Landing to be done at night
2. Delayed historical attack on PMO [Plan Orange]
   
   1. AP TF’s will hold in and around China Strait until enemy CV’s are found and engaged (delayed)
      
   2. LAE based forces will bomb PMO, and harass search craft looking for AP TF.
      
   3. CV TF’s will head West then to Russell Is. To stage and search for USN CV’s and support attack on PMO
      
   4. 1. Landing to be done at night
3. Staged attack on PMO [Plan Yellow]
   
   1. Send TF #3 with AP’s ( up to 40% of AP factors or 1 TF worth) to PMO supported as per plan #1 from LAE.
      
   2. TF#2 would search West to East looking for CV’s
      
   3. Steam TF #6 & #12 ASAP directly West to support secondary attack when USN reveal themselves to secure PMO.
      
   4. 1. Landing to be done at night
4. Fourth Way: Your call.
   

IJA Locations Choices are driven by each Strategy selected see below color coded Strategy 1 Blue, 2 Orange and 3 Yellow..

Here are the locations suggested for setup based upon strategy selected. Note these will be within a hex or as I count out paths to targets.