AWAW Gameday Recap

The Scenario: Coral Sea-"Scratch one flattop"
After a 6 hr. tutorial, complete with internet aid, we were able to learn enough of the naval rules to play a quick version of the Coral Sea scenario. It went something like this...

The Japanese invasion of Guadalcanal went unopposed by the American fleet, as the Americans decided to commit their entire fleet to intercepting the Japanese invasion task force and stopping the invasion of Port Moresby. This decision would prove costly for the American fleet. The full American task force intercepted the Japanese invasion task force en route to Port Moresby. However, a Japanese task force on patrol in the area intercepted the American carrier task force and completely surprised them. The Japanese launched an attack with thier elite naval air squadrons and caught the American fighters on deck. The attack sunk the USS Yorktown, eliminating half of the American air power, and allowing repeated attacks by Japanese fighters to virtually destroy the American task force. The Japanese invasion task force then proceeded to Port Moresby. With complete Japanese air superiority assured, the Japanese forces took Port Moresby without much trouble. The scenario was a decisive Japanese victory that left the Allied Commanders(Matt & Jay) befuddled, and the Japanese Commanders (Ben & Andy) with egos that can only be tempered by a defeat on the battlefield(or on the gameboard as the case may be).