Operation Mo

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The "Operation Mo" or "Port Moresby Operation" was the plan for eliminating all Allied resistance in New Guinea for poses some support point in way to conquest Australian territoire or lessyour total isolation of any American and British aid.

Such plan was developed by Japanese Navy and supported for proper Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto the commander-in-chief of Combined Fleet.

Contents 1 Japanese Navy Interest in Mo Operation 2 Strategic lines in Mo Operation 3 Japanese Coutermeasures against Allied Response 4 Japanese forces proposed to employ in Operation 5 Proper actions of Mo Operation

[edit] Japanese Navy Interest in Mo Operation

The Japanese Navy between your expansion plans in New Guinea Campaing (air strikes against Lae and Salamaua,disembarcs in Huon Gulf,New Britain(Rabaul), New Ireland(Kavieng),Finch Harbor, amongst the capture of Morobe and Buna),was envisioned such territoire how support point for implement the capture of Port Moresby and later proper Australian Invasion.in these operations was leaving to practice by Japanese Naval task force under led of Admiral Chuichi Nagumo,after finalizing the JavaCampaing.another important step in such objetive was the Occupation of Christmast Island at south of Java.

Japanese Navy General Staff considered the "Operation Mo" since 1938,how part of your way to consolidated the Southern Seas areas under your influence sphere.the tactical and strategical interest was after of Port Moresby occupation was eased the invasion landings to littoral Australian provinces of Western Australia,Northern Territory and Queensland why in other hand in accord with Japanese navy strategists,served how ideal springboard in allied counterofensive.

if needed in way to obtain such objetives,the extension of Eastern Defensive Chain, destroyed and invaded Port Moresby,important step in prelude of proper Invasion of Great Austral continent.

[edit] Strategic lines in Mo Operation

The Directive of Mo Operation was ideed in 1938,but no fixed any time specific for efectuated,awaiting th next suceses in Southern area during first and second phases in conquest plannings.

in April 1941 was organized such plan in four great actions and wasapproved by Army and Navy General Staffs:

• Ligth Task force occupied in May 3 the Tulagi port,Guadalcanal,in Salomon Archipielago,for stablished one operation base and Hidroplane aquatic base for opered in Coral Sea area.same force debt to landing in Nauru and Ocean Islands for taken your valious phosphates yaciments.

• The South Seas Detachment was charged to disembarc in Port Moresby during May 7,along another force taken territoire in Lousiade island for installing other Hidroplane aquatic base.

• Another objetives of South Sea Detachment was are mission of attacking New Caledonia, Fiji, and Samoa, IGHQ assigned a new double objective: the capture and security of Port Moresby, in co-operation with the Navy; and the opportune seizure of strategic points in eastern New Guinea.

• Other important Naval force,departed from Truk,pass for Eastern Salomon area,surronding same islands for Southern area for finally advanced for western area for intercept the enemy and following the striking the coastal cities of Coen,Cooktown and Townsville in Queensland terminal points in United States-Australia vital line and at final taken the Thursday island at north of Cape York.

• Japanese counted with one Air Naval land-based fleet detached in Rabaul,Lae,Salamaua and Buna.such Air fleet executed the air strikes against Port Moresby during May 5 and 6,for preparing the land at Japanese landing in May 7.

[edit] Japanese Coutermeasures against Allied Response

Japanese planners inclusive awaiting Allied response at such operation when detached one task force at west of Parallel between of Rennel and Deboyne Islands and other at East of same point.such measure permit at Japanese Invasion force using the Jomard Pass direct to Port Moresby

Japanese naval Intelligence suspect of presence in Coral Sea waters of American Carrier Yorktown in same period.

[edit] Japanese forces proposed to employ in Operation

Under led of Viceadmiral Shigeyoshi Inouye was responsible of "Operation Mo" actions this if force disposable for these plan:

The Tulagi disembarc was assigned next units:

• Minelayer-Cruiser Okinoshima
• Sea Plane Tender Kiyokawa Maru
• Destroyers Kikutsuki,Minatsuki,Mochitsuki and Yuziki
• two Merchant(Transports)
• lesser support vessels

The Port Moresby Occupation force was poses the next units:

• Ligth Cruisers Yubari,Mutzuki,Yagoi,Uzuki,Asanagi,Oiteand Yunagi
• Some minelayers and Sea Patrol Vessels
• Sea Plane Tender Kamikawa Maru
• Minelayer Tsugaru

For support such operations and intercepted any Allied interference was stayed under command of Rear Admiral Aritomo Goto the next force:

• Ligth Carrier Shoho
• Heavy Cruisers Aoba,Kiunagasa,Kako and Furutaka
• Ligth Cruisers Tenryu,Tatsuta
• Destroyer Sazanami

Eventually in course of operations,and permit why Japanese taskforce can to confronted American forces response,the Commander Isoroku Yamamoto from Truk ordered the envoy of next heavy support force with leading of Rear Admiral Chuichi Hara:

• Heavy Carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku
• Heavy Cruisers Myoko and Haguro
• Destroyers Asashio,Arashio,Arare,Kagero,Shiranuhi and Kasumi
• Amongst other auxiliar vessels

Mentioned force poses in support operations along poses the 25th Air Fleet,(Yokohama Air Corps)under led of Rear Admiral Sadayoshi Yamada,based inRabaul,Lae,Salamaua,Buna and Deboyne island,composed by 60 Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" figthers, 48 Mitsubishi G3M "Nell" and 26 Aichi E13A "Jake" and Mitsubishi F1M "Pete" Reconnaissance Hidroplanes.such unit was charged of executed the air bombings of Port Moresby during May 5-6,for preparing the land at Japanese Army-Navy disembarc in May 7.

[edit] Proper actions of Mo Operation

On May 4, 1942, troopships bearing the South Seas Detachment set sail southward from Rabaul for Port Moresby. Three days later, however, a naval engagement appeared to be brewing in the Coral Sea; whereupon the transports immediately veered back to the north, in order to avoid combat. The Battle of the Coral Sea caused no small loss to the Fourth Fleet.

Plans to land the South Seas Detachment directly at Port Moresby from the sea had to be abandoned amongst Based upon the operational plans, Army troops were steadily making operations for combat when, on July 11, Higth Command ordered the suspension of the projected actions against New Caledonia, Fiji, and Samoa, because the Combined Fleet had failed at Battle of Midway.

these battles detained the Japanese disembarcs against Port Moresby amongst the inmediate danger of Australian Invasion for sometimes.