Hi oldman45. Don’s right on the money, and Friedman is indeed much better.ORIGINAL: Don BowenORIGINAL: oldman45
I think we should look at the AP vs APA. According to Silverstones book, the only difference between the two was the addition of a 5" gun. In fact on of the AP's the only difference was they changed the designation to APA with no changes. I think the amphib bonus should apply to the AP's and APA's evenly. The penalty should remain for xAP's.
Please forgive me if I just say no. I've had this discussion at least 100 times. Even though the change on designation was small, there were considerable differences in cargo handling and troop debarkation facilities. I would recommend Friedman as a better source than Silverstone. And it you really want an expert, wait until JWE posts.
The basic differentiation is:
xAP/xAK (etc). Merchant ships designed and fitted to carry things pier to pier. Minimum crews, perhaps augmented by a few gunners. Very limited ability to carry/handle small boats, almost no reserve crew for damage control.
AP/AK (etc). Militarized versions of the above. Larger crews, improved damage control facilities, full naval gun crews, trained damage control parties, more small craft and (probably) upgraded cargo booms. But still primarily oriented toward loading/unloading at established port factilites.
APA/AKA. Specifically modified for amphibious operations, carrying lots of landing craft, specially equipped boat launching and loading facilities, and with crews/weapons/damage control at combat ship levels.
APs began life with LCPLs, some LCMs, conventional davits, 20-30 ton cranes/kingposts/winches, crew size abound 350, 4-5 diesel donkeys. APAs ended up with LCPRs, LCVPs, LCMs, LCIs, Wellin davits, 30-50 ton cranes/kingposts, 40 ton high speed winches, crew size around 400, 8-12 diesel donkeys, and significant changes in doctrine and technique.
AP to APA was a designation change for some classes, yes, but it was also an evolution in facilities and operation; and with a gray area in the middle. Lots of the oldies originally just got redesignated, but all subsequently got refitted to APA standards. Also note that several later war classes did not receive APA designation, but were simply APs (P2 Admirals, P2 Generals, C4 Generals) because they weren’t fitted to “assault” standards.
So yeah, there is a difference between AP and APA. How big should the difference be? Woof, that’s always open to interpretation.
