The Shipwreck of Their Hopes: Good'Guyz (aka "The Allies")

[Fishbed]

Yes actually. Beefed up BB OOB (more modern battleships) new CVs, USS Essex already available (3 more arriving in 1942), two constitution class BC (and uber-UK and Dutch BC too), a beefed up KGV class ("Jellicoe" class), in general it's pretty sexy, but rather seaborne from what I see.

[kfmiller41]

Well I sent the turn to my partner, not much I can do turn one except for certain things. Made a dozen single sub TF's, all that was allowed and half laid mines and the other half are on patrol. They are the 21 knot subs, and yes I know they can't hit a barn with a bazooka right now[8|] but at least they may get out alive from the death that's coming. Diverted the at sea carrier's west of pearl to meet up near Suva, the carrier east of pearl is heading back to San Diego to meet up with the 2 carrier's on the west coast. Will start supply and fuel convoys next turn. Am defending Bataan and Clark field in the PI. The plan in OZ is to start moving all units back to southern zone except small garrisons and defend the South. If they come there I want John to stretch his lines a lot[:'(]

[khyberbill]

They are the 21 knot subs, and yes I know they can't hit a barn with a bazooka right now but at least they may get out alive from the death that's coming.

You will really begin to like those boats in Jan 43.

[Fishbed]

The traditional first day hangover, before we go into details when we'll get the turn:
- The attack on Pearl Harbor was average. BB Arizona and Tennessee are sunk, and so is CVE Langley (the conversion of Langley in our reality). BB Oklahoma, Maryland and BC Constitution are heavily damaged. Most modern ships, including BB North Carolina, seem to have escaped the worth... For now.
I think John will stay there another turn.

- The attack on Manilla isn't that special either. The only major combattant there is CA Wichita (yes, THIS Wichita), which is burning fiercily, while a dozen subs are either hit or sunk. The attack was two-pronged, with the KB cruising on both sides of Luzon.

- Singapore was... SAFE! The pride of our fleet over there, HMS Jellicoe, is still up and running. Should we attempt a strike along the Malayan coast...? Maybe...

[kfmiller41]

So waht is the best strategy for surviving the second days attacks? Hunker down under my flak and Cap is what I figure. Any other comments for the peanut gallery?

[Fishbed]

I'll post details. But I guess the main question about you is: do we have lady Showboat run for her life, or do we keep her at home? She's tough, but is she tough enough to survive another strike?

Btw flak losses have been horrible for the Jap strikes, there are 60+ planes reported down, most of them Kates.

On my side Im starting a completely dissymetric war. Convoies are reported everywhere, let's see if I can grab some little guys while the bigger ones are still pounding us elsewhere...

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: miller41

So waht is the best strategy for surviving the second days attacks? Hunker down under my flak and Cap is what I figure. Any other comments for the peanut gallery?

It's assumed that you've spirited away POW and Repulse from the inevitable Nettying that they would otherwise take? Don't assume that you're obligated to waste those two ships, as they are already in an 'existing' TF.

A little late now, but I wouldn't have agreed to the CAP rules as described in your HRs. Although your HRs supported the allies flying CAP, with surprise on there are hard coded December 7 limitations on how much CAP flies for the allies (see the manual). Assuming these limitations, as well as the others so imposed, handicapped you further for the first turn.

[Fishbed]

I'm putting together a first turn report Chickenboy. The CAP wasn't that much of a problem, I guess we went through on the good side (unlike what John seems to think...). About PoW and Repulse, they don't exist in this dimension (remember we're playing with a what if scenario), and the RN really got lucky, with no hit whatsoever (and actually a small victory - not much practical effect, but a nice touch for our morale!)

[Chickenboy]

Hi Fishbed and Miller41,
 
I'm having trouble following the OOB changes that you've agreed to for this scenario.  After scanning the first two pages of the AAR, I didn't find the detailed departure from reality that your agreed upon scenario provides.  Is this one of the 'packaged' scenarios or something made from whole cloth?  If the latter, please advise regarding early LCUs that you have deployable (particularly USMC / USAA) for defense.  How many more CVs does he get at the beginning?
 
As Nemo121 points out, giving an uber-aggressive (and maybe carelessly so) opponent more shiny toys to throw at you for early victories is likely to stoke his sense of sense of superiority-at least for as long as his materiel superiority bears out.  I'm not sure I'd have agreed to provide his ego this additional 'cushion', were I in your situation.  If he's to be laid low by foolish aggression, let it be sooner rather than later.
 
Perhaps this could still be advantageous for you.  If he has more toys, his application of this bonus may be to simply try to grab more early on to show his inherent superiority. 
 
This could be effectively countered by not spreading yourself out as much, but focusing your defense and reinforcing it early.  I would expect the multitude islands on the West Coast CONUS to Australia supply route to be in immediate jeapordy, perhaps-if it was just John 3rd by himself-the Hawaiian islands.  His partner may steer him back to more sane projections of power.
 
I would expect Tahiti, Canton, Johnston, Midway, Pago Pago, New Caledonia and Suva to be attacked early if he has new landing forces and ships to effect early landings at these underdefended locations.  He can show his 'progress' by using the first turn movement bonus to teleport ships far and wide.  There's little that you can do at this stage to defend those sites, so I wouldn't really try.
 
If I had a bunch more good RN and USN Battlewagons, I'd move 'em to Australia as quickly as I could.  Same with CV Essex.  Unless he uses the bulk of his toys at a singular strike on the Australian coast (less likely because of his tendency to spread himself thin trying to take everything QUICKLY), you can have force of defensive mass against an inferior opponent at Australia.  Strike emptyness with fullness to (badly) paraphrase Sun Tzu.
 
The DEI isn't necessarily a given defeat (yet), particularly if your OOB has changed substantially.  You may be more able to effect a decent defense, but I don't have a feel yet for whether that's realistic without much more detail on the OOB in your home-grown version.

[Fishbed]

Although our battleline is stronger, so is the IJN's one, not to mention his KB, which is now 8+ CV strong, with no hope for the Allied player to reach parity before long. I guess India and Melbourne will be our bases for our most vulnerable units.

[Fishbed]

Once upon a time...
Ok, let's be blunt: December 8 sucks big time

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 94
     B5N2 Kate x 87
     D3A1 Val x 146



Allied aircraft
     no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
     B5N2 Kate: 9 destroyed, 25 damaged
     D3A1 Val: 23 destroyed, 65 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
     F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground
     B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
     B-18A Bolo: 1 destroyed on ground
     SBD-1 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground
     PBY-5 Catalina: 6 destroyed on ground
     P-40B Warhawk: 4 destroyed on ground
     P-36A Mohawk: 1 destroyed on ground
     O-47A: 1 destroyed on ground
     A-20A Havoc: 1 destroyed on ground
     C-33: 1 destroyed on ground
     F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
     BB Nevada, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
     AV Wright
     BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
     BB Colorado, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire
     AVP Avocet, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     BB California, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage
     BB Arizona, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
     BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire
     CA Salem, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire
     CVE Langley, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
     DD Blue, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
     BC Constitution, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire
     BB North Carolina, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire
     AV Tangier
     CM Oglala
     BB Maryland, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage
     BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
     CL Detroit, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
     DD Conyngham, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
     CA Tuscaloosa, Torpedo hits 1


Allied ground losses:
     7 casualties reported
        Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
        Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Repair Shipyard hits 2
Airbase hits 39
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 106
Port hits 14
Port fuel hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 59
     B5N2 Kate x 55
     D3A1 Val x 82



Allied aircraft
     P-40E Warhawk x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
     D3A1 Val: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
     P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
     PT-35, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
     xAKL Compagnia Filipinas, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
     AVD Childs, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires
     SS Sealion, Bomb hits 1,  heavy damage
     AS Holland, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires
     SS Perch, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
     TK Gertrude Kellogg, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires
     xAK Ethel Edwards, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
     CA Wichita, Bomb hits 8,  heavy fires
     xAKL Don Jose, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
     SS Shark, Bomb hits 1
     xAKL Anakan, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
     SS Sargo, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
     SS Salmon, Bomb hits 1,  heavy damage
     AS Canopus, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires
     SS Permit, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
     CL Raleigh, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires
     SS Seal, Bomb hits 1
     TK Mindanao, Bomb hits 2,  on fire
     SS Tarpon, Bomb hits 1,  heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
     27 casualties reported
        Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
        Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
     Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Repair Shipyard hits 2
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 31
     B5N2 Kate x 27
     D3A1 Val x 24



Japanese aircraft losses
     B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
     D3A1 Val: 11 damaged

Allied Ships
     PT-32, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
     SS Pike, Bomb hits 1,  heavy damage
     AS Canopus, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     SS Seawolf, Bomb hits 1
     AM Quail, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     SS Porpoise, Bomb hits 1
     SS Sailfish, Bomb hits 1
     DD Peary, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
     xAKL Palawan, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     AM Bittern, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     SS Searaven, Bomb hits 1,  heavy damage
     PT Q-111, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
     SS Seal, Bomb hits 1,  heavy damage



Repair Shipyard hits 1
Port hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 22
     B5N2 Kate x 30



Allied aircraft
     no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
     B5N2 Kate: 6 destroyed, 24 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Allied Ships
     CL Philadelphia, Torpedo hits 1
     BB Arizona, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
     BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire
     CL St. Louis, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire
     BC Constitution, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
     BB Maryland, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
     CVE Langley, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
     BB Colorado, Torpedo hits 1
     BB Oklahoma, Torpedo hits 1,  heavy damage



Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 1

These were the main attacks, I won't spend too much time describing the effects. 100% chance John is spending next turn near PH in order to finish off the cripples. The attack on Pearl Harbor was average. BB Arizona and Tennessee bit the dust (at the bottom of the harbor), and so did CVE Langley (the conversion of Langley in our reality). BB Oklahoma, Maryland and BC Constitution are heavily damaged. Most modern ships, including BB North Carolina, seem to have escaped the worth... For now.



Showboat may be able to take another round of pounding though, she's a tough lady. Miller, if I was you, I'd put Showboat, USS Constitution, USS Salem and USS Philadephia in repair yards right now. Maybe they can somehow avoid the storm, and they all just fit in the shipyard capacity



In the Philippines, the situation is not very joyful either. Clark Field took some damage, and our own fighters were rather inefficient, to say the least. CA Wichita is hit, and that's not cool, because she's a hell of a boat, but not that severely. Landings will start next turn in Aparri.

In Malaya, there's nothing special - our opponents landed in Singora and Kota Bharu, and mounting a naval counterstrike from Singapore would put our fleet in jeopardy because of the Genzan mates in Saigon, which are probably insanely mad at the fact they didn't get fed with force Z this morning. Everyone runs to safety... For now. Soerebaja is going to greet one of the most powerful forces ever put together, so we may strike back in the forecoming days.

All in all, the day was bloody, as one could expect. But with Singapore safe and the AA losses (roughly equivalent to three full daitai of Kanko's or Kanbaku's), this could have been worse.





At least, the day ended with a nice moment, as revenge (I'd rather say salvation) came from one crew nobody would have expected.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Singora at 51,72

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     Ki-27b Nate x 2



Allied aircraft
     Swordfish I x 2


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
     PB Eiko Maru, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires ---> actually a converted AKL type. Way to go, stringbags, a taste of things to come! [8)]

Aircraft Attacking:
      2 x Swordfish I bombing from 6000 feet *
              Naval Attack:  1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Hong Kong destroyers were sighted and attacked. Let's not lose time: they're on their way to DEI, but they'll sweep the Vietnamese coast first. There's a big troop convoy inbound for Camranh Bay, let's see if we feel lucky. I guess some destroyers from Singapour will join the fun, and try to disrupt the enemy effort in the area. Let's see if, indeed, the torpedo hit rate against small target got tweaked in a sensible way... We fear no Nells nor Betties, come on you bloody hags!

As a final note for today, here is a little taste of things to come. First, here's the beefed up Force Z/X/ABDA command (just put together the most powerful units, most of them being new). We definitely have some punch in the area, with 2 modern BBs and 2 BCs. Problem is we don't really know what we're up against (and we're totally outmatched in the air, but nothing new there unfortunately).



And here are the upcoming reinforcements for the battleline and the carrier force (including USS InteRpid... Ooops Juan ^^). Some big stuff, as you see... This can get nasty if we keep our own forces intact till then (Q-Ball, you're my living god you know that don't you)





More to come in the next days as I go through the second turn, stay tuned!

[Chickenboy]

Wow, this OOB is really 'out there'. 
 
Your opponent clearly used that foreknowledge to use a split 4 CV apiece attack versus PH and Manila.  Personally, I chalk these strikes up to fantasy OOBs, your opponent will likely cite his superior capacity for aggressive manuever and tactical prowess.
 
Best wishes with your AAR. 

[Fishbed]

Best wishes with your AAR. 

Thanks, but does this mean you're leaving Chickenboy?
Don't you dare even think about it, I need your malaria carrying friends to chew up some fresh samourai flesh out there in the jungle! How am I supposed to invoke them without you?

[Fishbed]

Just received a mail from John about the fact that we would need a little more time for turn 2.

[font="calibri"]I FULLY understand!  You have the HELL that Michael and I--to a lesser extent--had to have with our first turn.  Get her done when you can and we will eagerly await your futile response to our AMAZINGNESS! [;)]  [/font]

This means WAR! [:@] [;)]
However, it's true I didn't exactly start on the right foot when it comes to the time I need to process a turn, especially in China... God I hate already the place, gamewise (and Im half-Chinese myself and living there right now... still !). It's clustered by hundred thousand units all over the place. It looks sooooo unmanageable. I started to get some troops together, but here again, it seems like a hell lot of work for a battlefield whose frontline didn't move much in 2 years and a half. I'd love to concentrate instead on South-East Asia, but I think I'll have to face a very violent opponent in China, I can't let him wander around with his troops. But Gawd, the place is a mess! I wish I had asked the guys about a truce over there so we could concentrate on something funnier...

Im already tired at reading the Chinese mainland combat reports, and everytime I start to work over the map, my eyes just bleed... Too much land out there ^^ It feels like the workload will slower my turn rate considerately to not so much avail...

I think I may finish my part of the turn tonight, but now it's working time [:(]

[Alfred]

Notwithstanding the suggestion made in post #89, I would not rush to reinforce Australia with the Allied battle line. 

Firstly, unless this mod has seriously altered from stock the starting fuel stockpiles in Australia,you would quickly run out of fuel if you heavily reinforce Australia with capital ships.

Secondly, if you send too much too early to Australia you will tie yourself down to having to defend your vulnerable SLOCs.  Reducing your flexibility and ability to maneouvre would ensure the initiative remains firmly with your opponents.

Alfred

[Fishbed]

Chickenboy -

Alfred - You're right, I'd rather put them in India for the time being. Problem is, if he ever comes in the IO with the full might of KB, I don't know where I could run... Well anyway, Bombay is a nice place enough already.
Tanker TFs were formed already, and are on their way to Abadan. With Singapore unhurt, my tanker fleet is quite stronger - there's something like ten tankers there. I'll evacuate the fuel, no need to leave some for anything but PTs I guess.

Wow, this OOB is really 'out there'. 

Well not that much actually. If one of Juan's design decision was that the treaty conferences didn't happen or didn't go well, I guess this OOB is pretty believable. The G3 battlecruisers went on (that's the "Anson" class) and the KGV ("Jellicoe" class) became armed with 8x15'' instead of 10x14'', probably because of the big guys on the other side of the fence. But the CV sure are really tough. I'll show you what Juan did when I find his topic again.

[kfmiller41]

Let me chime in here, Alfred is correct as far as the fuel in OZ, it will not support operations by to much right now. One thing though is if he comes after you in Ceylon with any amount of carrier support he leaves the americans with at least 5 big carriersthat can cause alot of trouble for him. They are not the only ones who have extra stuff and I wouldn't mind trading carrier for carrier, seeing as how we end up ahead in the end. Am forwarding as much air as i can to the other side of the map to try and give my partner some extra planes to deal with what comes his way.

[JuanG]

I suppose I should comment on this since I'm the one who did the OOB;

ORIGINAL: Fishbed

Chickenboy -

Wow, this OOB is really 'out there'. 

Well not that much actually. If one of Juan's design decision was that the treaty conferences didn't happen or didn't go well, I guess this OOB is pretty believable. The G3 battlecruisers went on (that's the "Anson" class) and the KGV ("Jellicoe" class) became armed with 8x15'' instead of 10x14'', probably because of the big guys on the other side of the fence. But the CV sure are really tough. I'll show you what Juan did when I find his topic again.

The premise was that the WNT in 1922 was not a 'strict' as historically, and each country was allowed to retain a few more ships. For the USN this was the two later Lexington class CCs, for the IJN the Kaga class BBs, and for the RN it meant another two BBs after the treaty - the J3 class (sort of a 'light' G3), with the F3 taking the place of the historical Nelsons.

The 1st LNT of 1930 is also different as a result of this, with countries allowed allowed to replace up to two ships according to the original schedule. This results in the North Carolina class BBs for the USN, the Fuji class BCs for the IJN, and the King George V class BBs for the RN.

The treaties fall apart around ~1936 because of Japan's decision to not sign 2nd LNT. Unlike historical however, the US is in a better position to begin a naval expansion program immediately afterwards.

[Fishbed]

Hello Juan! Thanks for the posting.

Could you please give us the specs of the biggest unit changes that would be known to the Allies at the time of the breakout of the war?
Just like in December 1941 the USN was quite aware about most IJN designs, like older BBs, rebuilt Kongos or cruisers that have been cruising around in the 30s, but not about Yamato - could you please give us the big picture about the specs of the new units we're supposed to be aware of? Like a sort of short intelligence briefing, so that we don't have to go over to the Japanese side and check it by ourselves (and spoil the fun I guess...). Or maybe there's already a text like that available?

Thanks in advance!

[JuanG]

ORIGINAL: Fishbed

Hello Juan! Thanks for the posting.

Could you please give us the specs of the biggest unit changes that would be known to the Allies at the time of the breakout of the war?
Just like in December 1941 the USN was quite aware about most IJN designs, like older BBs, rebuilt Kongos or cruisers that have been cruising around in the 30s, but not about Yamato - could you please give us the big picture about the specs of the new units we're supposed to be aware of? Like a sort of short intelligence briefing, so that we don't have to go over to the Japanese side and check it by ourselves (and spoil the fun I guess...). Or maybe there's already a text like that available?

Thanks in advance!

Hey,

There isn't anything like that available, but I dont mind doing one for you guys (the Japanese side actually requested something similar just get a 'vague' overview of what they expect to be up against).


Capital Ships
The Japanese battleline, though mostly old, saw several rebuilds both through the end of the 20s and in the early 30s. While the LNT included restrictions on exactly how extensive these could be, there is reason to believe that the Japanese may not have followed these as they should have.

All of the Japanese capital ships have seen some form of modernization - in most cases this involved updated tertiary HA AA weapons, new boilers and possibly turbines, and an increase in main gun elevation. More extensive work was done on the Nagato and Kongo classes. There is also evidence that the Japanese may reactivate the demilitarised ships Kongo and Haruna which were disarmed and converted to training and target ships as a result of the 1st LNT.

The Japanese battleline consists of 3 divisions, the 'slow' Ise and Fuso classes, the 'fast' Nagato, Kaga and Harima classes, and lastly the Fuji and Kongo class battlecruisers.

Following their failure to sign the 2nd LNT in 1936, it is likely the Japanese have continued their naval expansion unhindered by its restrictions. There are confirmed reports of two and possibly as many as four battleships under construction.

Known Units
Kongo - 30,000tons, 8 x 14in/45, 27-30 knots
Haruna
Kirishima
Hiei

Fuso - 31,000tons, 12 x 14in/45, 22-25 knots
Yamashiro

Ise - 32,000tons, 12 x 14in/45, 23-25 knots
Hyuga

Nagato - 35,000tons, 8 x 16in/45, 24-27 knots
Mutsu

Tosa - 39,000tons, 10 x 16in/45, 24-27 knots
Kaga

Harima - 36,000tons, 8 x 16in/45, 25-28 knots

Fuji - 36,000tons, 8 x 16in/50, 28-30 knots
Ashitaka

New Construction - Estimated 40-45,000tons, 9 x 16in/50, 28-31 knots



Carriers
The Japanese carrier force is known to consist of the two converted Amagi class ships, along with the two Shokaku class carriers built in the late 1920s - these ships are similar in size to our own Yorktown class. There is good reason to believe the Japanese have built further carriers in the last 4 years. Reports suggest that as many as 4 new fleet carriers and 2 new light carriers have been operated by the IJN in the last years, effectively doubling their carrier strength and bringing it on par with our own.

Japanese carriers carry a mixed airgroup of similar size to our own, although the aircraft composition is slightly different, with an even mix of fighter, divebomber and torpedo aircraft.

Known Units
Amagi - Estimated 33,000tons, ~80 aircraft, 31 knots
Akagi

Hosho (CVE) - 7,500tons, ~18 aircraft, 25 knots

Shokaku - 21,500tons, ~80 aircraft, 32 knots
Zuikaku

New Construction - Estimated 22-26,000tons, ~90 aircraft, 32 knots


Cruisers
The Japanese cruisers are very varied - the older heavy cruisers are similar, if somewhat larger, to those used by the RN, whereas the newer (post 1934) heavy cruisers are much more similar to our own following the adoption of triple turrets in the Tone class and the follow on Ibuki class. After the treaty the Japanese have also built a pair of 'super heavy cruisers', armed with 12 8in guns in four turrets. These ships are reportedly lightly armoured and designed to destroy enemy cruisers.

Japanese light cruisers traditionally act as destroyer leaders, and this role continues to be their primary task. However, more recent classes of ships have been more varied - the Mogami class CL (similar to our Brooklyn class, though armed with 5.5in guns like all Japanese CLs) and the more recent Agano class. The Japanese have also modified the oldest of their CLs to serve as CLAAs by replacing their weapons with HA AA weaponry - however, this conversion will likely have compromised their effectiveness in surface actions somewhat.

Known Units - CA
Furutaka - 8,500tons, 6 x 8in/50, 32 knots
Kako

Aoba - 9,500tons, 8 x 8in/50, 32 knots
Kinugasa

Nachi - 10,000tons, 10 x 8in/50, 33 knots
Myoko
Harugo
Ashigara

Takao - 10,000tons, 10 x 8in/50, 32 knots
Atago
Maya
Chokai

Tone - 10,000tons, 9 x 8in/50, 33 knots
Chikuma

Ibuki - 10,000tons, 9 x 8in/50, 33 knots
Iwaki
Hikari
Hokkai

Tsurugi - 12,500tons, 12 x 8in/50, 32 knots
Kaimon

Known Units - CL
5 x Kuma CLAA - 5,500tons, 12 x 5in/40, 32 knots
6 x Nagara CL - 5,500tons, 7 x 5.5in/50, 32 knots
4 x Sendai CL - 5,500tons, 7 x 5.5in/50, 32 knots

1 x Yubari CL - 3,000tons, 6 x 5.5in/50, 34 knots
1 x Sorachi CL - 3,500tons, 6 x 5.5in/50, 34 knots
4 x Ayase CL - 4,000tons, 8 x 5.5in/50, 34 knots

4 x Mogami CL - 10,000tons, 15 x 5.5in/60, 33 knots
4 x Agano CL - 5,500tons, 8 x 5.5in/60, 34 knots


If theres anything else, or you want more specifics, or you'd like me to do DDs too, let me know.