The Raid that Never Happened

The Doolittle Raid was a planned attack on Japan to be led by Jimmy Doolittle. It was canceled after the two B-25's that attempted to fly off the Hornet crashed, damaging the carrier, and killing Jimmy Doolittle. The Hornet took damage to her bow, and required three weeks of repair, to fix her bow. 24 of the groups B-25B bombers, were formed to create the 9th BS, known as "Doolittle Raiders" after the person who organized the planned raid. The 9th BS, were loaded on the USS Hornet for transfer to the Pacific at Midway, and the Hornet arrived at the Canal on March 8th, with it arriving at Pearl on the 24th, where it would refuel, before delivering the 24 B-25B's at Midway Island.

The USS Enterprise on March 4th launched the Marcus Island Raid, with a loss of a single SBD to AA fire. The crew were taken prisoner, but the pilot Hilton, and gunner Leaming survived the war. On March 10th, the Enterprise arrived at Pearl for refueling and minor repairs. For a month and a half, the Enterprise relaxed, while codebreakers uncovered the Japanese code, and admirals planned an attack. The USS Enterprise, would be remembered for it's role as you read.

The 9th BS, on April 1st were placed on Midway Island, and most people commonly thought it was a joke. The 24 B-25B bombers would play a crucial role in the upcoming future. The USS Hornet launched another 36 F4F fighters, holding it's maximum amount of aircraft under escort. After deploying the 60 aircraft, she turned back to Pearl, where it's next and possibly last mission would take place.

After the code of which Port Moresby would be attacked by Japanese forces, Admiral Nimitz, coordinated an assault to launch his carrier forces to intercept the Japanese carriers. The USS Hornet, and USS Enterprise in Task Force 16 were accompianed by the cruisers Salt Lake City, Northampton, and Vincennes, and the destroyers Fanning, Benham, Ellet, Gwin, Meredith, Grayson, and Monssen. Two oilers the Cimarron and Sabine were also in Task Force 16. The USS Lexington was in Task Force 11, with two cruisers and five destroyers escorting her under command of Rear Admiral Audrey Fitch. The USS Yorktown was in Task Force 17, with an escort of three cruisers, six destroyers, and two oilers under command of Rear Admiral Frank Fletcher. Task Force 44 with the three cruisers of the HMAS Australia, the HMAS Hobart, and the USS Chicago, with three destroyers escorting them. It was under command of Australian Rear Admiral John Crace. Vice Admiral William Halsey, was in command of Task Force 16, and the total commander of the US Forces for the battle. What resulted was the first battle of the carriers, and a battle that would decide the turning point of the war.

Expect an update within a couple of hours.
 
The Japanese carriers have something like Midway. A plane crash on each carrier prevents the strike from lifting off, causing the SBD's to destroy the carriers. Just about anything possible happens. Midway, is going to be very different.
 
Chapter 1

The United States Navy had uncovered a Japanese attack upon Port Moresby. Admiral Chester Nimitz, commander of the Allied Pacific forces, placed Task Force 11 (Lexington), Task Force 16 (Enterprise, Hornet), and Task Force 17 (Yorktown) to defend Port Moresby. Intel had shown that the Fifth Carrier Division (Zuikaku and Shokaku) would be supporting the attack and if possibly invasion.

Vice Admiral William Halsey was in command of the fleet, and positioned his vessels in the Coral Sea heading north at 22 knots. Task Force 44, with three cruisers and two destroyers, was ordered by Halsey to head to Tulagi, because of word that the Japanese would attack there. Task Force 44 engaged the Tulagi assault force on the 1st of May. The HMAS Hobart engaged the Shoho at close range, while the USS Chicago and HMAS Australia provided close by support and attacking 4 heavy cruisers. Within 15 minutes, the Shoho was burning and smoke was pouring from it. The Aoba and Kinugasa were sinking rapidly after being hit by the two heavy cruisers. The three cruisers quickly escaped at full speed of 32 knots to rendezvous with Task Force 16.

The Tulagi Invasion Force pulled away from the island, and made way back to Vice Admiral Takagi’s carriers. Smoke was pouring heavily from the Shoho and after 4 hours of burning, she lost steering control and impacted the Furutaka sinking the both of them. The first part of the battle was over. The USS Chicago, and HMAS Australia were both lost after taking hits from a submarine I-25.

Halsey looked at his total amount of aircraft. The Enterprise had 27 F4F-4’s, 38 SBD-2/3’s, and 14 TBD-1’s. The Hornet had 27 F4F-4’s, 38 SBD-1/2/3’s, and 15 TBD-1’s. The Lexington had 21 F4F-4’s, 35 SBD-2/3’s, and 12 TBD-1’s. The Yorktown had 17 F4F-4’s, 35 SBD-2/3’s, and 13 TBD-1’s. He had 92 F4F-4’s, 146 SBD-1/2/3’s, and 54 TBD-1’s. A total of 292 aircraft were in his command and he was ready.

Vice Admiral Takagi was angry. Three Allied cruisers destroyed four of their vessels. Three heavy cruisers and a light carrier were destroyed. He had told Rabaul that six H8K’s go on a reconnaissance mission to look for the carriers. Already, three were airborne and looking for the carriers.

From the 2nd of May to the 5th of May, both sides positioned themselves to look for the carriers. At 722 on the 5th of May, three SBD Dauntlesses of VS-6 spotted the Zuikaku and Shokaku. They were traveling at 24 knots, and heading toward the carriers. “Enterprise, two carriers south 24 knots, strike preparing,” Gallaher, commander of VS-6 told the Enterprise.

At 725, Halsey ordered a CAP of 5 fighters from each carrier, with an additional 5 in standby. He then ordered every available aircraft except for the 40 plane CAP, be ready for launch at 800. 16 SBD’s were airborne looking for the carriers, so the total amount of aircraft that would be able to attack were, 51 F4F-4’s, 128 SBD-1/2/3’s, and 49 TBD’s, a total of 228 aircraft that would launch.

At 727, an H8K spotted the task force and sent word to Takagi to launch his aircraft. Six A6M2’s would be the CAP, while the rest of the aircraft would launch a strike. Thirty-eight A6M2 ‘Zero’, 39 D3A ‘Val’ Type 99, and 37 B5N ‘Kate’ Type 97 would be the strike force. One hundred and fourteen aircraft out of one hundred and twenty-seven aircraft compromised the strike force. Seven aircraft were not launching due to problems with the aircraft. He ordered the strike be ready by 815.

The next half an hour was a race against time, as both sides prepared for launch against each other. Halsey was in a better position, as had already had his mechanics and pilots be prepared, and just after the order, every aircraft was quickly readied, and prepared for launch. Takagi was in a worse position, as his aircraft were not ready for flight, and several of his pilots were still eating breakfast, and the group of the three Dauntlesses remained overhead the carriers, while the H8K had fled to avoid detection.

At 755, the first parts of the strike force lifted off, and by 810, every aircraft lifted off from the Task Force. The aircraft assembled into 2 parts, the Torpedo Group and Bomber Group. Twenty one F4F-4’s were assigned to the Torpedo Group, while the other thirty were assigned to the Bomber Group. At 835, the first aircraft began to take off. The Shokaku during a takeoff of a Type 97 crashed, causing a suspension of flight operations on the Shokaku. Then, an impact with a Type 99, a minute later suspended flight operations on the Zuikaku. Only five Zeroes, eight Type 99’s, and four Type 97’s made it off the deck, inbound to attack the American carriers.

At 917, the first American torpedo aircraft began to arrive. The strike aircraft remained on the flight deck waiting to attack. AA fire began to open up, and the 6 Zeroes on CAP attacked the torpedo bombers. The twenty one Wildcat’s pulled up and began to fight the Zeroes hard. Every 3 Wildcats took on a Zero, while the other 3 Wildcat’s strafed the Japanese carriers, hitting the aircraft. Four aircraft began to flare, and then two of the Wildcats smashed into Shokaku, right at seven Type 97’s waiting to launch. A massive explosion rippled from the Shokaku, and that sighted in the dive bombers. Nine Devastators went down from AA fire. The other 40 Devastators released their torpedoes, with only three able to work, of which all hit the Myoko in amidships. Takagi was instantly killed from the first explosion. Seven other Devastators were hit when fleeing.

Meanwhile, the dive bombers were making their runs. The Enterprise’s Air Group was aiming at the Zuikaku, while the Lexington’s Air Group was aiming at the Shokaku. The Yorktown’s Air Group was aiming at the Haguro, Ushio, and Toho Maru. The Hornet’s Air Group was aiming at the remaining five destroyers. The Zuikaku and Shokaku both exploded into fireballs from the amount of bomb impacts. The Haguro, and Toho Maru both exploded into fireballs exploded as well, with the Ushio’s entire aft being blown past by 500 meters. Out of the other five destroyers, four were blown apart, while the last was sinking rapidly. Eleven Dauntlesses were lost from the attack.

Meanwhile, the Japanese attack force was coming within range of the task group. The seventeen aircraft were instantly attacked by the 20 aircraft CAP and the AA guns. Quickly, the seventeen aircraft were torn apart, and only 2 Wildcats were shot down, both that had their crews recovered. It was a major victory for the US.

After the assault, every aircraft except 29 aircraft returned back to the carriers. The Japanese had lost the assault, and suffered greatly from it. The Battle of Coral Sea was a victory for the United States of America. Halsey from the victory was promoted to Admiral once the fleet made it back to Pearl on May 13th, 1942.

Here ya go!
 
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This reads like an Ameriwank on steroids. The USN is FAR too coordinated for this point in the war. Two Allied CAs vs. four IJN CAs should NOT result in two IJN CAs being lost for no Allied losses. The IJN would have a much stronger CAP up knowing there were carriers nearby.
 
I'm sorry. Also what I didn't mention was the Australia and Chicago were both sunk by submarines after 15 minutes due to no destroyer cover. It was in the file that didn't save.
 

Hyperion

Banned
The initial setup is pretty good, ie the Doolittle Raid is cancelled and Halsey takes his taskforce to Coral Sea.

The first post starting with the battle is a major screwup of information.

The Tulagi invasion force had a transport, two destroyers, and a few auxiliary ships. The Shoho and the cruisers never went anywhere near there. It would have been better to keep with the air attack launched by the Yorktown.

As for that battle itself, no. Japanese surface forces at that time had better torpedoes and better capability than allies cruiser and destroyer units. Sending Task Force 44 on that mission is suicide.

Realistically, have the carriers find Shoho as in OTL, but pound her and the cruisers with the airwings of four carriers instead of 2.

As for the carrier battle, again no. The US at that time didn't have the coordination or good enough equipment to do something like that. Realistically, concentrate everything in sinking the carriers, and if anyone has bombs left over after the carriers are out of action, then start attacking escorts.

After the carriers are confirmed to be sinking or crippled, then I could see Halsey ordering one or two more airstrikes as time permits to take out a cruiser escort or two. But overall, a complete wipeout of the Japanese force at this stage in the war is pushing ASB. US Torpedoes where useless and wouldn't have done much with a few exceptions, and US aircraft at the time, while not bad aircraft, still had a lot to be desired. That and to mention that a lot of pilots from the Hornet would have little if any combat experience at this point compared to the airwing of the other three carriers.

Basically, the setup is good but the battle itself throws the facts out the window. I get that this is Alt History, but even then it shows a lack of research.

The idea of a profressional Japanese pilot on once carrier crashing on takeoff is hard to believe but not out of the question. The idea of both carriers suffering a similar fate, no. While anything is possible, having both carriers suspending flight operations because an aircraft on each carrier crashes, that is bordering on, if not just over ASB level.

Basically I like the setup and the idea of this timeline, but it still needs a lot of work and better researching. The forces available at Tulagi for example, a quick google search for Corl Sea order of battle would show you what ships would be there.

http://www.navweaps.com/index_oob/OOB_WWII_Pacific/OOB_WWII_Coral_Sea.htm

As for Japanese submarines showing up, no. There where none in the Tulagi area, and it would take one hours to arrive if need by, during which time the allied cruisers would have plenty of time to run elsewhere.

As for the I-25. Drydocked in Japan from April t1o May 11.

http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-25.htm

In fact the Order of battle shows no Japanese submarines assigned to the battle.

As for Task Force 44, there where two destroyers assigned to that task force.
 
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Sorry about that, kinda messed up, my book was wrong. I am going to finish Chapter 2, and redo Chapter 1, and still have Midway delayed. Also the Shoho, and 4 cruisers helped in the invasion of Tulagi, the Shoho launched aircraft to help it.
 

Hyperion

Banned
Sorry about that, kinda messed up, my book was wrong. I am going to finish Chapter 2, and redo Chapter 1, and still have Midway delayed. Also the Shoho, and 4 cruisers helped in the invasion of Tulagi, the Shoho launched aircraft to help it.

Your information must be more inaccurate than I thought.

Shoho and her escorts where assigned as a covering force for the Port Moresby invasion force. Tulagi was not their main concern. The only aircraft assigned to Tulagi where seaplanes.

Get a few maps of the battle. Shoho never came anywhere near Tulagi, let alone close enough to be hit by a surface force.

As is, sending those ships that close without US air support is suicide. Japanese destroyer torpedoes would kill them, and they are well within range of Rabaul bomber squadrons.

Overall, you have a good setup and I hope you work on it, and I don't mind helping if you would like.

But to say your information is inaccurate, or that you haven't done enough research is an understatement to say the least.

As for the carrier battle, I think a more reasonable approach to that would simply be to say Halsey gets a location fix on the Japanese carriers anywhere from half an hour to an hour before they find him.

If he gets the drop on them first and has his attack going in while the Japanese are still in the process of taking off, the end result would be the same, at least as far as sinking the carriers.

Best result, use air attacks to chop up the token force at Tulagi.

Use air attack to kill the Shoho, and then pound one or two of the cruisers. The end result would be the same, just a different method of delivering the explosives.

As for the main carrier battle. The two Japanese carriers would die, no question. Beyond that, there is simply no way US planes are going to be accurate enough to sink all the escorts. Best bet is take out another cruiser. Much more realistic, and still a huge disaster for Japan.
 
Damnit, misread, it was a seaplane carrier. I need to get my Midway chapter up and then fix the Coral Sea chapter. And, Hyperion, I would like your help. KyleB is also kinda helping me, I'm sending the bases for the chapters, and I need to type up Chapter 2. I'm written the draft's for Chapter 3+4, and now I need to revise them somewhat, before I write them finally, and have it typed up.
 
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