The IJN moved to establish a perimeter around the home islands while sending a formidable strike force to the Hawaiian Islands. Six CVs with an escort of four BBs prepared their dawn strike. A CA fleet patrolled the Aleutians, Yokosuka advanced on Midway in convoy with two CVLs, two BBs and ten CAs, the Marianas were patrolled by a surface fleet of four CAs two BBs, a surface fleet of two CAs, two BBs and one CVL with four LBA prepared to strike the British and 5th AF in Indonesia, a single LBA patrolled the Marshalls and South Pacific. The soon to be tenacious Kitakami guarded the home islands. I-boat waited in the waters off of Pearl.

Canberra moved into the Indian while Australia kept the Louisville company in the Coral Sea. Houston made a bid to grab the Japanese Home Islands with DeRuyter and Exeter in support as raiders.

Speed rolls turned many a IJN patrolling BB into a raiding BB.

In the first round of air raids the California was damaged, Maryland and Arizona were crippled and the West Virginia was destroyed. 7th AF was destroyed on the ground. In the second air raid Tennesse , Oklahoma took minor damage while the Pennsylvania was crippled. The New Orleans and San Francisco were sunk. The Nevada survived two rounds unscathed.

As the surviving BBs move out into open water, the Nevada reported torpedoes in the water but they passed astern with no damage. All carrier battlegroups were on maneuvers elsewhere, but radio contact was made and they are returning to Pearl for deployment in Turn two.

Without any air cover the beaten-up allied surface fleet withdrew from the Hawaiian Islands to Samoa.

Two more air raids over Pearl saw the destruction of the Maryland, Arizona and Pennsylvania.

LBA and the one CVL attacked the British and 5th AF. 23rd Aflot went after the Repulse and well, was repulsed. Heavy AA fire caused many an IJN pilot to take evasive action. The Price of Wales was attacked by the 21st and 22nd Aflot and was sunk. The CVL and 24th Aflot destroyed the 5th AF. A call for reinforcements from the 23rd Aflot went out and all IJN air units and the CVL responded. In a vicious assault on the Repulse, the IJN were victorious and the Repulse was sunk.

Yokosuka landed on Midway uncontested.

Houston, DeRuyter and Exeter charged in the home waters barreling down on Kitakami. In a series of night actions, Kitakami sunk the Houston and Exeter before being disabled under DeRuyter's guns.

With a perimeter established by the IJN and the majority of the fleet at Truk, the IJN command sent a patrol group of three CAs and a BB to the Hawaiian Islands, U.S. Mandate and the Coral Sea. The Aleutians and CPO received a small CA patrol each. Indonesia was patrolled by two BBs. A single CA patrolled the Marianas and the home islands. Aflot units went to Indonesia (3), SPO (2) and Marshall Islands. Sasebo shipped off into the Marianas. The carrier fleet and escorts were held in reserve.

Responding to these threats, the USN sent responding BB patrolling groups to the Hawaiian Islands and the U.S. Mandate. CAs patrolled the NPO, the CPO, the Marshalls, the Bay of Bengal, and Indonesia. The Australian ships Canberra and Australia with the Dutch ship DeRuyter patrolled the Coral Sea. The bulk of the British fleet and the remaining USN BB and CV fleet were held in reserve. Air patrols flew over the Hawaiian Islands and the Aleutians.

Communications between IJN command and the fleet were intercepted which indicated that carrier groups and escorts were moving to the Coral Sea and Somoa. Unable to assist the Australians in the Coral Sea, the USN divided the carrier fleet into two strike forces. The first, containing two CVs with a large escort of BBs and CAs engaged the IJN near Samoa and the second, containing three CVs moved into the Marshalls against the lone patrolling Aflot unit. The British fleet charged forth into Indonesia to try and save Singapore from falling.

Reports of I-boat activity were sent from the Marshall Islands.

The British took a chance on the dice and went for night engagements but the +2 modifier gave the IJN their day actions. Aflot units sunk the Formidable, the Hermes and Revenge while the British CVs drank tea. Trying to save the fleet to fight another day, the British withdrew with no pursuit.

The skies were clear as each side sent their aircraft into the air for battle. LBA from the 26th Aflot engaged the Hornet. Flying through a hail of AA and air cover the 26th sunk the Hornet before falling to the combined efforts of the Hornet, Saratoga and Lexington. Torpedos swan through the water and hit the Saratoga but she still remained afloat and began her trip back to Pearl.

In a swift and quick day engagement the IJN CV group caught the Australian and Dutch ships without any air cover and destroyed the patrolling fleet.

With an escort advantage the USN rolled for night while with a carrier advantage the IJN rolled for day. It was a clear blue morning when the two groups first engaged each other. Aircraft from Kaga and Hiryu attacked the Yorktown while Zuikaku and Akagi aircraft targeted the Enterprise. The spirit of James T. Kirk notwithstanding, both CVs were mortally damaged. In return the Kaga was disabled and the Zuikaka joined Yorktown and Enterprise on the bottom. Aircraft from the remaining Hiryu and Akagi returned for a second round against the Idaho and Nevada sending both ships to the bottom. At this point the USN attempted to withdraw in two groups. IJN CVs with escort pursued the fleeing BBs and sunk them in day actions. The CAs were attacked by IJN CAs with each side taking damage and disabling hits prior to disengagement.

The Oi vs. Portland and Northampton (patroller). Targeting the Northampton, the Oi inflicts mortal damage before becoming disabled under Portland’s guns.

The Kumano and Chikuma slip away under cover of night from the patrols of the 11th AF.

Flying on patrol the 10th AF attacks Hiei but can only disable her before the IJN patrol group withdraws from the area.

Singapore, the Philippines and Lae fall to the empire.

Seeking to re-establish their perimeter, the IJN sends BB groups to patrol the CPO, Marshalls, SPO and USM. CAs patrol the Japanese Islands and Coral Sea. Yamoto is sent to Indonesia on a goodwill tour. CV and CA patrol the Marianas. Unescorted Junyo is sent to patrol Indian Ocean but fails speed roll. Aflot units are sent to Indonesia (3), CPO and the Marshall Islands. Sasebo sails into Coral Sea from Truk, Kure sails to the Aleutians, Refitted Yokosuka sails to CPO.

Sailing from bases in Australia single CAs fan out to patrol Indonesia, Indian Ocean and Coral Sea. British CA patrols the Bay of Bengal. BB patrollers move to USM and Hawaiian Islands. CA moves into NPO and CPO. A single CA slips into the Japanese Islands from Dutch Harbor. Air patrols cover USM (3), Coral Sea and Aleutians. 1st Marines sail for USM, 2nd Marines sail to CPO.

Fanning out from Truk the IJN sends raiding parties throughout the threater: a raiding BB and three CA to Indian Ocean to support Junyo, but the Haruna fails a speed roll and returns to Saigon. Two CVLs, BB and CA raid Coral Sea. Two CVs move into USM to assist patrolling BB force. Additional BB and CA to CPO. Three CVs and four CAs to Aleutians.

With reports of IJN sightings everywhere allied commanders scrambled to find any old rust bucket to try and stop the flow. All British raiders (four BB, CA and two CVL) were ordered to the Indian Ocean, but the BB couldn’t keep up the speed and returned to Ceylon. A lone BB steamed toward USM. A CV battle group bypassed the CPO and sailed into the Japanese Islands. I-boat activity in the Japanese waters was observed.

It was a dark moonless night when the Pensacola radar operator spotted the blip on the screen. Suddenly explosions in the water off the port bow arched skywards. A hard jar was felt in the bow as well. The Pensacola was under attack from the Yamato! Damage control crews went to work as the Pensacola returned fire and the captain ordered evasive action. And then as quickly as it began it suddenly it was over. With minor damage the Pensacola limped back to Austrialia with tales to tell.

Day action saw aircraft of the 24th Aflot first attack the 2nd Marines (disabled). Attempting to withdraw the Salt Lake City was pursued and sunk by CAs. Yokosuka landed on Midway to reinforce the garrison there.

Day actions saw the 5th AF attacked by aircraft of the three raiding CVs. While attacks were inflicting damage, the die was not with the IJN pilots as damage was handed out 1 point at a time. This allowed the 5th AF an opportunity to attack Kure and Shokaku (twice) but the 5th AF couldn’t stop Kure from landing on Dutch Harbor nor inflict any damage on Shokaku. The 5th AF finally ran out of planes. Because of the dismay performance by his pilots the War Minister Tojo ordered the execution of the CO of the Shokaku. Classifed documents were discovered after the war that indicated that on more than one occasion IJN COs faced the deadly wrath of Tojo.

Another cold clear morning saw aircraft of the Lexington attacking the Chikuma. Wave upon wave of allied fighters swept over the seas finally disabling the Chikuma to port. The Lexington was fired upon by I-boats, but all torpedos missed. As the battle carried on into the night, the other patroller Kitakami was disabled by the guns of the Vicennes, Chester and Quincy. Aircraft from Lexington air raided the Hiei who was in port for repairs and sunk her. Radio traffic from an incensed War Minister Tojo was intercepted that reportedly said "a 4-year old could do a better job than those COs commanding the Chikuma and Kitakumi". More executions ahead.

It was mid-morning when elements of the IJN CV group and the Allied CVL group clashed. Aircraft from Junyo attacked Indomitable severely damaging her flight deck. Indomitable and Illustrious attacks sent Junyo to the bottom. Indomitable’s returning aircraft were landed on Illustrious. A second round of attacks by Illustrious forced Chikuma to retire. By now Suzuya and Mikama had closed to gunnery range and exchanged fire with Astoria and Cornwall throughout the night. Cornwall was forced to retire and Mikama took heavy damage. Morning broke and aircraft from Illustrious were launched against Suzuya in a successful attack sinking her. Mikama disengaged but was pursued by Astoria and Illustrious and the pair finally sent Mikama to the bottom.

Initial contact was made predawn by the IJN as three CAs, BB and two CVs fired their gunnery at the USN’s two BB and 1st Marines. Return fire by the BBs concentrated on the IJN CVs. The Tennessee and North Carolina took the brunt of the IJN assualt and were forced to retire but allowed the 1st Marines (although with some damage) to land and reinforce the garrison at New Herbrides. The Tennesse heavily damaged Akagi and she was forced to retire for repairs. During the following day Kaga destroyed the RAAF before being disabled hereself. The patrolling IJN BB group withdrew from the area.

Early morning day actions saw Ryujo and Hosho attempting to defend Sasebo from the 10th AF assualts. Rebuffed in their attempts to land on Port Moresby, Sasebo was forced to retire back to Truk. Ryujo and Honsho continued the attack on 10th AF and finally destroyed them. Portland withdrew back to Somoa.

Tojo demanded that the Japanese Islands be defended and ordered all ships in port at Yokosuka to take to the sea and rid the home seas of any invaders. Fortunately the USN had ordered the Lexington and her escort CAs back to Pearl for resupply. IJN CA patrols were sent to the Marianas, Coral Sea and USM. IJN BB/CA patrols were sent to CPO, Marshalls, SPO and Indonesia. A CV battle group was dispatched from Saigon to patrol the Indian Ocean. Failed speed rolls reduced the patrollers in the group but nonetheless, the battle group arrived complete. Aflot units patrol over Indonesia (2), the Marshall Islands, SPO, and Coral Sea. Sasebo agains sails to the Coral Sea while Yokosuka remains in garrison on Midway.

Three British BB patrol the Bay of Bengal. Single CA patrollers move into Indian Ocean and Coral Sea. BB groups patrol USM and Hawaiian Islands. CA group patrols the NPO. Air units patrol the Coral Sea (2), Aleutians, Indian Ocean and USM. 1st Marines stay on New Hebrides while 2nd Marines sail into NPO.

A single IJN CA raider moves into Indonesia and Coral Sea. Two CVs and one CA raider move into Indian Ocean. A raiding CV/CVL battle group moves into USM.

The British raiders move to the Indian Ocean, while the entire USN CV battle group at Pearl moves to USM.

I-Boat reported in waters off Samoa.

Destiny had finally brought two large carrier battle groups together in the war. But destiny does not wear a watch and the initial battle was fought as the two groups passed within gunnery range at night. Immediately, escorts on both sides began to position themselves to screen their respective carriers and began firing on the enemy. USN BBs South Dakota, Washington and Indiana broke from the main group and began to outflank the IJN screening ships. In the ensuing gun engagement the South Dakota took minor damage, the Louisville heavy damage but still firing her guns, the Colorado and Indiana were forced to retire. However, the price paid by the IJN was much more severe. The CVs Soryu and Shokaku along with the BB Nagato were sunk in the exchange. CVL Ryujo was heavily damaged and forced to retire. CA Kinugasa also retired and left with Ryujo. The CA Haguro was damaged. In the confusion of battle the Wasp was hit by torpedos and sunk.

With their battle group in dire straits the IJN ordered their ships to withdraw as best they could. USN pursuit caught the Honsho and Yamashiro and exchanged gun fire with the Yamashiro as it attempted to screen the Honsho. In a running gun battle the BBs Washington, North Carolina and CA Quincy sunk both the Honsho and Yamashiro.

Initial contact with the NLF convoy occurred early in the evening. Screened by two escorting CAs, Sasebo successfully landed on Port Moresby and invaded. The Portland is sunk by Ashigara and Aoba. LBA from each side duel in the air while the Aoba and Ashigara began their withdrawal from the area. 23rd AF successfully covers their withdrawal but is destroyed by 13th AF and RNZAF.

The British have more or less been bystanders in this affair as the IJN has heavily LBA patrolled Indonesia through out the war. This was their moment to shine as they engaged the IJN CV battle group. With a little good fortune the Brits surprised the IJN in a night engagement. IJN screened but the Valiant was able to flank and get a shot at Hiryu. In the ensuing gun battle CAs Shopshire and Dorsetshire along with BB Valiant were sunk. BB Kongo and CA Myoko also went down. CV Hiryu and BB Yamato were forced to retire to Truk. Continuing night action saw the disabling of CA Cornwall and CA Kumano. Outgunned and without any IJN patrollers to target, the British CA Devonshire attempted to retreat but was pursued and sunk.

2nd Marines invade Dutch Harbor

IJN CA patrols are sent to Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Marianas, SPO, Marshalls and Coral Sea. A CA and BB patrol are sent to Bay of Bengal and CPO. The home islands are patrolled by a one CA and two BBs. CVs and escorts are held in reserve at Truk. Aflot units patrol the Indian Ocean (2), Coral Sea (2) and the Japanese Islands. Kure sails to the Marianas.

USN patrols are limited to two CAs in NPO and single CA patrols in the Marshalls, Hawaiian Islands and USM. CVs and BB escorts are held in reserve. Air units patrol the Indian Ocean (3), Coral Sea (2), Bay of Bengal (2), USM and Aleutians. 1st Marines sails into the Coral Sea, 3rd Marines sails to CPO.

IJN CA raiders are sent to the Marshalls, SPO, and Indonesia. The rest of the IJN raiders move into the CPO.

Three allied CA raiders move into Indonesia. Three BB raiders and one CVL from Samoa move into SPO. A CV battle group of two CVs and five BBs move from Pearl to the Marshalls.

I-boat activity reported in the Marshalls.

Two IJN LBA units from Port Moresby squared off against three Allied LBA units from Australia while the CA Chokai watched from below. Immediately the 22nd Aflot downed the 7th AF. After refueling and rearming the forces clashed again. The 22nd Aflot scored their second victory of the campaign downing the 13th AF. But their victory was short lived as elements of the 14th AF surprised them on their way back to base and downed that unit. In the final clash of the campaign the up till now silent 23rd Aflot scored their first victory when they downed the remaining 14th AF.

A clash of CAs as the Quincy, Pensacola and Cornwall engaged the Kumano and Furutake in a gunnery duel. Repeated rounds left the Kumano and Furutake forced to retire while the Quincy was sunk.

In this epic first battle in this area the IJN BB Haruna and CA Takao found themselves taking evasive action against the Marine LBA and 10th AF. Takao was successful with no damage taken, but the Haruna suffered heavy damage. Both units withdrew after one round.

Although Allied intelligence was aware of the presence of IJN surface ships in the Coral Sea the decision was made that the base at Port Moresby was too important to remain in IJN control. Sailing in broad daylight with air cover provided by the RAAF from Australia and the 5th and 11th AF from New Hebrides, the 1st Marines set out to retake Port Moresby. However, IJN LBA from Guadalcanal spotted the Marine convoy and radioed their location to the IJN CA Nachi. These same LBA engaged the Allied air cover hoping to distract their attention so that the Nachi could move in and engage. Elements of the 24th and 25th Aflot attacked the 5th and 11th AF as they closed in on Nachi. Their efforts forced allied pilots into erratic attacks on Nachi which only caused minor damage. The RAAF attempted to drive off 24th Aflot but was unsuccessful. As night fell the Nachi had moved with range of the convoy and opened fire. Without their aircover and taking damage the Marines were forced back to New Hebrides. The return of daylight found the LBA forces of both sides engaging each other. The first to go out of operation was the 5th AF, followed by RAAF; but not all was going against the allieds as the 25th Aflot also became inoperational. With the 11th AF operating with minimal planes and pilots the order to withdraw was given.

In the early afternoon, aircraft of the HMS Victorious attacked the patrolling surface fleet of the IJN. Pilot reports and intercepted radio messages indicate that damage was very minimal. Closing with the allied raiding fleet the two IJN CA (Aoba and Chikuma) open fire. Scoring hits on the Colorado and Tennessee causing minor and heavy damage the IJN pressed their attack. The big guns of Colorado and Tennessee were joined by the guns of Indiana and the two IJN CA were ripped apart by repeated hits and slipped below the waves.

In the late evening IJN CAs Maya and Kinugasa engaged the patrolling USN CA Wichita and mortally damaged her. Prior to sinking a mayday was sent out and the CV raiding battle group responded. The six BBs of the carrier group located the Maya and Kinugasa and pounded round after round into their structures until internal explosions ripped apart the structure and each ship slide quickly under the waves. In the confusion the carrier Saratoga was hit and suck by torpedos.

The 3rd Marines became the focus of the IJN CV battle group which decimated the unescorted convoy with wave after wave of air assaults.

Striving to 1) close holes in the perimeter, 2) deny POC to the allies, 3) finally close the door on Australia, and 4) defend the home islands, the IJN patrols three CAs to Indonesia, two CAs to Indian Ocean, one CA to Marianas, SPO, Marshalls, CPO and Coral Sea. A CVL battle group patrols the Japanese Islands. The CVs and the bulk of the BBs are held in reserve. Aflot units patrol the CPO, Marshall Islands, SPO and Indian Ocean. Sasebo moves to the Marianas, Yokosuka remains on Midway, Kure remains on Saipan.

Looking to push the IJN into a smaller and smaller pocket the USN patrols as many sea areas as possible. Damaged ships are used to patrol the Hawaiian Islands, USM and NPO. Two CAs are sent to the Aleutians. A BB and CA are sent to the Marshalls, a single BB patrols the Coral Sea, single CAs move into the Indian Ocean and the SPO. The CV and CVL fleets are held in reserve as well as the bulk of the BB fleets. All needed speed rolls are passed. Allied air units are used to defend Australia from the impending invasion. Patrols are sent to the Indian Ocean (3), Coral Sea and Bay of Bengal. 1st Marines again sail into the Coral Sea bound for Port Moresby but with escort from the Indiana and RNZAF. 2nd Marines sail from Ceylon into the Indian Ocean. 4th Marines sails to the Marshalls.

IJN sends a raiding BB and CA to the Aleutians, three CVs to the Indian Islands, one CV and four BBs to the Marshalls.

The USN counters by sending the remaining British CA Cornwall to the Indian Ocean, one CV and CVL to the SPO, three CVLs and three BBs to the Marshalls, two CVs to the CPO, one CVL to the Aleutians and one CV and BB make a successful dash to the Marianas.

I-boat activity is reported in the Marshalls.

Success in the Indian Ocean was vital to the IJN as it was one component needed to cause the fall of Australia and shortened the line of defense. IJN CVs and one LBA from Port Moresby attacked the Marine, Naval and 11th AF flying from Australia. 2nd Marines attempted to land at Port Moresby but were destroyed by successive waves of carrier based fighters. Allied LBA viciously attacked the IJN CV’s and although the LBA units took damage, they still sent Akagi and Hiryu to the bottom and ripped apart Kaga’s flight deck making her unavailable. While the Naval air units engaged the 23rd Aflot, the 11th AF and Marine air units attacked and finished off the CAs Chokai and Kako. Kaga was sent to the bottom to join her sister CVs. The 23rd Aflot succumbed after many engagements.

In a night engagement the IJN CA Mogami takes on the USN BB Indiana. While Mogami missed with her initial assault, Indiana’s aim is true and vicious. Mogami disappears under the massive volley of hits. The 1st Marines invade Port Moresby.

In the dead of night the IJN CA Oi makes a suicide run at the Alabama. With forward guns ablazing the Oi withers under the accurate and high volume of fire from the Alabama. In the darkness the Sasebo forces land and garrison in the Philippines. Lexington air raids the Kure garrison on Saipan but the soldiers huddle deeper into their caves and bunkers and barely survive the onslaught. As evening falls, spotters on the Lexington see survivors crawling from the rubble with their middle digit raised in salute.

Caught in the daylight hours by aircraft from the CVL Cowpens, the IJN BB Ise and the CA Haguro are forced to retire from the area.

In a series of day actions the USN CV10 and CV16 engage and destroy the 23rd Aflot and the IJN CA Atago. Air raids against the entrenched Yokosuka on Midway are unsuccessful.

In the predawn hours the IJN CV fleet escorts engaged the USN CVL fleet escorts in a duel of BBs. In the aftermath of the action the BBs Musashi and Fuso were sunk, the CA Tone and the CV Hiyo were forced to retire. USN BB Massachusetts was forced to retire and the the BB North Carolina sustained heavy damage but was still afloat and firing. The CVL Independence was hit by torpedos and forced to retire with minor damage. The 4th Marines landed on Maloelop. As dawn approached CVLs Princeton and Monterey launched their aircraft against IJN BBs Mutsu and Yamoto while the 26th Aflot tried to provide air cover for the BBs. First Yamoto and then Mutsu took damage and were forced to retire. Anti-aircraft fire from the USN CVL and escorts had kept the 26th Aflot at bay. Now the CVL aircraft could focus on the 26th Aflot. Repeated air engagements ensued and finally attrition left the Aflot unit out of operation with no damage to the CVLs.

The Imperial Japanese Navy at the request of the Emperor has surrendered all remaining forces to the Allied forces closing in upon the Home Islands. THE WAR IS OVER!