901st Hikotai

[el cid again]

The unit listed in all scenarios as the 901st Kokutai should really be the 901st Hikotai. Instead of controlling about 8 seaplanes, this wing
controls no less than 80 Betty bombers and Emily Flying Boats (when formed, possibly more later). (See The Japanese Merchant Fleet and World War Two, Parillo, p. 100). This unit formed on 15 November 1943 and was assigned to the Grand Escort Command, the first dedicated, specialist ASW air organization in Japan. "Many hundreds" more aircraft were assigned later. For simulation purposes, I have assigned it the 951st Kokutai (Heavy), the 955th Kokutai (Patrol), and the 1021st Kokutai (Heavy) with strengths of 36, 8 and 36 respectively. Reflecting norms for 1943, half the bombers are disabled. I have been unable to identify the names of additional Kolutais or other Hikotais assigned to the Grand Escort Command, but it is known that Q1W1, K11W1 and modified B5N2 (all with MAD gear) were also assigned. The JAAF similarly modified former Ki-49 bombers for ASW.

[anarchyintheuk]

I assume that the scenario designers only placed a portion of the command in the oob to reflect that most of the unit was deployed elsewhere. The Home Islands/Formosa/Phillipines sea lanes are more important and a more likely base for the unit than Truk/Rabaul in any event. Considering when it became operational and the amount of time it would take to transfer even a portion of the command to Truk, it isn't particularly usefull.