The final boss of the map isn't that tough you'd need a specific boss-killer. Just increase the number of DDs with bonuses you can afford to send there and you'll be fine. Even Naka-chan can do it.
The hardest step is actually opening the path, at least in hard difficulty...
E-2H is pretty easy even if you weren't to use Jintsuu for that massive bonus seeing as how easily southern demon goes down.
Wish the Nelson touch could get as much traction as the Nagato touch using only 2 BBs as Node M has made farming after the clear a bit annoying.
As for why the Hayanami farming on hard, wanted to make sure to pick up Johnston first. Shame it seems she's limited to one since without scrapping antics as those SGs are pretty good despite the medium range drawback. (Better stats than 22 calibrated, Highest small radar LOS, Small Surface+Air Hybrid Radar fit bonus)
Frawnkenstein said:
The hardest step is actually opening the path, at least in hard difficulty...
Not so much difficult but rather tedious, L and N were fine with just sending subs alongside the standard land base and support expedition combo but A was wonky since having any subs seemed to force a D routing.