OPENING SHOTS
1942
The last day of April saw two American carrier task forces converging on a lonely point in the waters
of the eastern Coral Sea, there because the high command believed, on the basis of radio intelligence, that
the Japanese had begun a major push in the South Pacific, initially for Port Moresby and the Solomons,
but with wider secondary objectives. According to staff estimates, upward of half a dozen enemy carriers
with suitable escorts would likely be rampaging among Allied bases in the South Pacific.
To blunt the attacks, Admiral Nimitz resolved to commit his own powerful carrier forces, designating
Fletcher with the Yorktown and the Lexington to handle the defense of Port Moresby. Reinforcing him
in mid-May would be Task Force 16 (The Enterprise and the Hornet) under Vice Admiral Halsey, who
would take overall command of the carriers.
Imperial Japanese Naval Aviation Organization
US Navy Equivalent Rank of CO Japanese Carriers Japanese Army
aircraft, Battle Force Vice Admiral Kido Butai Koku Butai
(later: Carriers, Pacific Fleet) (Striking Force) (Base Air Force)
Carrier division Rear Admiral Koku Sentai Koku Sentai
(Carrier Division) (Air Flotilla)
Aircraft Carrier Captain Koku Bokan Kokutai
(ship) (Aircraft Carrier) (Air Group)
Carrier Air Group Commander or Hikokitai
Lt. Cdr.
Fighting Squadron (VF)
Bombing Squdron (VB) Kanjo Sentokitai (VF)
Squadron Scouting Squadron (VS) Lt. Cdr. or Kanjo Bakugekikitai (VB)
Torpedo Squdaron (VT) Lieut, Kanjo Kogekikitai (VT)
Division Chutai Chutai
Section Shotai Shotai
Excerpts from: The First Team: Pacific Naval Air Combat from Pearl Harbor to Midway by John B. Lundstrom
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