“No carpeting the sea with single xAKLs"? It is real history!

[jiajia1]

Just saw in a opponent wanted post some HR which is just something I was discovering a few days ago, so I would like to share some information if you are interested in real history how IJN tried to establish early warning lines with about 400 converted watch boats (called Watch-Boat Division under 5th fleet, Wiki call it Patrol boat division but Patrol boat is totally different from those fishing vessels in IJN concept).

Here is the link http://www.tokusetsukansen.jpn.org/E/index.html
The website: http://www.tokusetsukansen.jpn.org is in both Japanese and English (very detailed history about every ship is still Japanese). mainly focused on temporary naval/army vessels.

The Nitto Maru No. 23 detected the Doolittle raid TF, sent warning then challenged the whole TF with the only machine gun is a well known story. It is not the only one sunk by US TF on 18 April 1942. Watch-Boat Division was created by Yamamoto himself in Feb 1942, 3 platoons out of 6 (each contain 30 ships) was present on 18 April to form the line 700 NM east of Tokyo. They keep a distance of 20 NM of each other. The patrol cycle is 2-3 days on the sea followed by 2 days rest. Those watch boat fought until the end of the war and most were sunk, many by CV fighters.

before conversion

nitto maru fish.jpeg (32.24 KiB) Viewed 623 times

model

nitto maru 23.jpeg (37.07 KiB) Viewed 623 times

sunk by CL

nitto maru 23 sunk.jpeg (29.98 KiB) Viewed 623 times

and

nitto maru.jpeg (62.48 KiB) Viewed 623 times

[jiajia1]

oops, sent to wrong place, how can I move this post to other board?

[Yaab]

Nice info.

However, in-game, this anti-aircraft xAKL carpet would do nothing for earlier detection of air raids. If your bomber raid overflies several hexes with air radars enroute to their destination, this does not result in i.e. CAP having more time to intercept incoming bombers or intercepting bombers enroute.

In-game, the xAKL carpet only serves for earlier detection of incoming surface combat TFs.

[LargeSlowTarget]

The HR may just need some more detailed specification. Using xAKLs converted to PBs as picket boats on the approaches to the Home Islands is a historic and valid tactic. Using clouds of single-ship xAKL task forces in front of KB or other high-value targets in order trip-wire / soak-off enemy air strikes and surface forces however would be unhistoric and pretty cheesy in my book.

[WEXF]

oops, sent to wrong place, how can I move this post to other board?

You can repost it where you want it and delete it from this location by using the "x" button on the right side of the screen that reads with the mouseover "delete post". When you use that you will be asked why you are deleting. Just say you put it in the wrong place.
I hope it works for you.
It might not be possible this way after others have posted in the thread.
WEXF

[spence]

In the end the Nitto Maru did EXACTLY what Adm Yamamoto 'told' it to do. It is simply that the Doolittle Raid launched from 700 miles away which is something that Adm Yamamoto couldn't envision. He figured to put the Nitto Maru and others 700 miles from Tokyo because the Americans would have to close to within 200 miles to launch a strike. The Nitto Maru was never envisioned as a ship that would provide early warning of air raids.

Moot point anyways since the Doolittle Raid isn't possible. I have to say that preventing air attack on the KB is cheesy and unhistorical but if the Japanese Player wants to limit the speed of the KB to the speed of an AKL it's fine by me.