Pearl Harbor Logistis and CHS

[herwin]

Just something discussed on another thread: The KB should consist of the six CVs, 2 Kongos, 2 Tones, one CL and 9 DDs. It should be fully fueled by the AOs before the run-in on Pearl, and be limited by the endurance of the DDs (about 6000 nm). It should be carrying about 50,000 tons of fuel and about 10,000 tons of avgas. The 6 AOs should have about half of their 40,000-50,000 tons of capacity left and be accompanied by 2 DDs as a screen.

The KB should expend about 2700 nm of endurance on 7 December and about 17000 tons of fuel. On 8 December, it can probably get by with half that, which would be wise, given that the AOs would only have about 20-25,000 tons of fuel for it. Returning directly to the Inland Sea (10 days) will probably expend about 30-40,000 tons due to the need to conduct air operations. Once back, a big drink of about 90,000 tons of fuel/avgas would be required from that available in Japan.

The KB's returning to Kwaj is not in the cards, due to the limited fuel and avgas available there.

Hanging around Pearl is also not in the cards--each day in range would cost another 2700 nm of endurance and 17000 tons of fuel. Lurking further away and speeding up only for air operations would still cost 5-8,000 tons of fuel and 400-1200 nm of endurance a day.

If the US Fleet is in Lahaina Roads, add 2700 nm of endurance and 17000 tons of fuel to those figures. Note that this results in the screen DDs needing at-sea replenishment before the KB gets back to the oilers. It might be exciting if they are found by US CVs during that. Ditto if the US CVs find the oilers, since that would mean the KB would be arriving in Japan running on empty. Can you spell "no air operations"? Think Halsey would play fair and let them limp home? Remember, the IJN expected to lose two CVs in the Pearl Harbor operation--this should make it clear why.

[el cid again]

In game terms, Hiryu and Soryu cannot even make the real life run from the last fueling! This is because IRL they "cheated" - and carried extra fuel in 55 gal drums!

I use Tokyo time and dates for the entire theater - easier than time zones and the dateline. So my "8 December" = your "7 December."

I am considering starting all ships at their historical 8 December locations,
and running in from there - or as nearly as possible (since I cannot put "extra" fuel drums on Hiryu and Soryu!).

This for RHS - I don't control CHS - I just help when asked.

[akdreemer]

ORIGINAL: el cid again

In game terms, Hiryu and Soryu cannot even make the real life run from the last fueling! This is because IRL they "cheated" - and carried extra fuel in 55 gal drums!

I use Tokyo time and dates for the entire theater - easier than time zones and the dateline. So my "8 December" = your "7 December."

I am considering starting all ships at their historical 8 December locations,
and running in from there - or as nearly as possible (since I cannot put "extra" fuel drums on Hiryu and Soryu!).

This for RHS - I don't control CHS - I just help when asked.

Actually all of the carriers have a problem with endurance and all of them had extra fuel drums aboard from what I have read from multible sources. With a high speed run in and the retreat the DD's must surely have been sucking fumes by the time they met up with the tankers. The extra fuel drums would have been consumed early on as they were stashed everywhere and would have impeded operations and were a not inconsiderable fire risk. The Hiryu actually carried more fuel that the Soryu.