Graf11
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May 7th, 1942
Battle of the Coral Sea
5th CarDiv under RAdm Yamaguchi with the Zuikaku, Shokaku, and Shoho receive reports that two enemy carriers are a mere 120 miles away. At 0900 he orders a full scale attack by every aircraft except those needed for CAP.
Unkown to the Japanese fleet a SBD from VS-2 had reported their presence 20 minutes prior. Both sides began launching their attack aircraft.
The Americans strike first. VF-3 in their F4F-3s along with elements of VS-2 and VB-2 arrive at the task force first with the Devastators of VT-2 following behind. The Zero CAP strikes hard. Before they can reach their attack positions Zeroes and AAA down 3 Wildcats, 13 SBDs, and 8 Devastators. No losses are inflicted upon the deadly A6M2s. In this battle LtJg. Tetsuzo Iwamoto of the Zuikaku Fighter Squadron downs four aicraft.
The surviving SBDs concentrate on the closest carrier, the Shoho. Skillfully she dodges all but one bomb while putting up intense flak. Several elements attack the Zuikaku and Shokaku unsuccessfully in a very uncoordinated attack by small numbers.
As the first strike leaves the scene another appears. This group, elements of VF-42 and VS-5 and VB-5 arrive ten minutes after Lex's strike departs. Oddly, Yorktown's torpedo squadron, VT-5 strays off target and never finds the fleet.
Zeroes and Wildcats tangle. The Wildcats hold the upper hand this time as many Zeroes scramble for altitude. VF-42s pilots claim three A6M2s destroyed in the melee before they reach the SBDs. Zeroes swarm the bombers downing more than ten but losing one of their number to return fire.
Again the Americans concentrate on the smaller Shoho. This time they coordinate their attacks and manage to put four bombs on Shoho's flight deck, rendering her useless for further flight ops. Zuikaku fortunately hides beneath a rain squall while several SBDs find Shokaku but to no avail. She dodges all bombs aimed at her and bravely puts up a barrage of anti-aircraft fire.
Shortly after this second attack the first Japanese strike force arrives over the US carriers. The force comprises of twenty-seven Zeroes, twenty-two Vals, and thirty-two Kates. Against them they face twenty-three F4F-3s standing tall over the pride of the USN.
The Wildcats attack and manage to inflict relatively light losses on the attacking force, downing only a handful of aircraft. Two F4Fs are downed.
The Japanese concentrate on the Lex. In minutes she is hit by one bomb and one torpedo. Yorktown is attacked as well but receives no hits. The heavy cruisers Portland and Chester are hit by two bombs and a torpedo. The AAA of the American ships hammers the IJN planes, downing over a dozen and damaging many more.
Just as the first strike begins its attack, a second arrives consisting of twenty-two Vals and seventeen Kates. Only a handful of Wildcats manages to reach them before they attack. They attack in almost perfect fashion. Lexington is hit again by a a torpedo while Yorktown receives the brunt of the attack. Five bombs and two torpedoes leave her dead in the water. The cruiser New Orleans is also hit by a single bomb but sails unabated.
As night approaches each side licks their wounds. Yamaguchi counts forty-two aircraft missing. Detaching the Shoho, he hopes to complete the destruction of the US carriers early tomorrow. He prepares the Shokaku and Zuikaku for another day of battle. Mechanics work feverishly to repair the damaged aircraft.
Admiral Yamamoto smiles as he receives the reports of the battle. Two American carriers sinking or severely hurt to a light carrier damaged. He accepts the losses of aircraft as necessary. Transmits message to Yamaguchi to finish the task and clear the South Pacific.
Yamaguchi smiles...
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Graf vs Terp --- Scen 19 - 
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