A New Set of BTS, RA, and Treaty Mods

[btd64]

… last December 8th I got dizzy and fell down the stairs and broke my leg and dislocated my ankle. Had surgery to repair the brake and fix my ankle. 5 days in the hospital and 11 days at a rehab hospital. Now I'm home and I'm ready to put weight on my foot.

Yikes! May you be out and about, and with no cold weather bone aches, in no time!

My daughter and her family took me in for 2 weeks as I couldn't get into my house....GP

[btd64]

… last December 8th I got dizzy and fell down the stairs and broke my leg and dislocated my ankle. Had surgery to repair the brake and fix my ankle. 5 days in the hospital and 11 days at a rehab hospital. Now I'm home and I'm ready to put weight on my foot.

Yikes! May you be out and about, and with no cold weather bone aches, in no time!

My daughter and her family took me in for 2 weeks as I couldn't get into my house....GP

And thanks for the good wishes....GP

[John 3rd]

Between the Storms: A Balance of Power

As the Treaty Period ends, history takes another turn as Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku makes a greater contribution to the development of the Kaigun from 1936-1941. Yamamoto exerts a much greater influence first on the Japan Naval Aircraft Industry, then as Deputy Navy Minister, and finally as Navy Minister itself. Yamamoto chooses, at great risk to his life, to forego command of the Combined Fleet and dedicate himself to preparing Japan for the war he didn't want. He adds two new cruiser/carrier-sized slipways (Shanghai and Port Arthur) for Fleet construction to facilitate a different, final pre-war expansion of the Kaigun. New and expanded Naval Yards, Heavy Industry, and Armaments are added at tremendous cost for the Japanese economy as the Admiral attempts to prepare Japan for a possibly long war.

This Mod features a balancing act between the air-minded and fleet-minded groups within the Imperial Navy. Admiral Yamamoto becomes the Naval Minister, risking his life to the radicals within the nation, and he does battle with this group of Admirals. In this variant of the Mod, he is able to focus both sides of the IJN to compromise and build a balanced fleet.

The Fleet Faction gets four powerful battleships of the Owari-Class (3x3 16” guns) and two fast Battlecruisers that are B-65 design. The ships are built in pairs with the first Owari’s and a pair of B-65 authorized in 1936 and a second pair of Owari’s ordered in 1940. There are no Yamato’s here as they are too big and costly for the industry to build.

To provide powerful escorts to the carrier fleet, the Japanese culminate their magnificent heavy cruiser design with 8 Niitaka-Class CAs. These ships are Command Cruisers coming in at over 15,000 tons, have 4x3 8” guns, strong 3.9” secondary, long lances, and four floatplanes. They are powerful, balanced cruisers that are ordered in pairs in 1934, 1936, 1940, and 1941.

Looking to replace the aging Nagara-Class Light Cruisers, six Teshio-Class CLs. These are balanced 6” 3x3 cruisers with good speed, long lances, and decent AA. Nine are originally ordered but thee are converted to CVL.

A-class destroyers continue to be accelerated with an even ordering of Akizuki, Yugumo, and Shimakaze-Class DD being produced. The CVs gain AA protection and the battleline gets the heavy gun and long lance striking power.

Quick, reasonably cheap carrier conversions are moved forward seeing all of the pre-war CVs/CVLs deploy by December 7th or at slightly earlier dates in 1942. Though only a few of these new ships are ready on December 7th, these additions make the Kaigun a force to be reckoned with well into 1944.

The main carrier construction focuses on the excellent Shokaku design. They are ordered in pairs in 1938 and 1940. Once the war begins four Shokaku-Kai are ordered. These are slightly bigger and stouter carriers. The above mentioned Teshio-Class see three converted into the Aso-Class CVL.

The Japan Naval Air Arm deploys its magnificent A6M2 with research complete for its land-based successor the M3. These airframes are ready in December 1941 and the Japanese wisely look at advanced prototypes elsewhere and decide to explore several second-generation fighter concepts. The Zero Team moves on to the Sam (no Jack), while private contractors work on the George. Yamamoto fosters a sense of competition between the two teams to see who will win out as having a worthy successor to the A6M2 line. Additional streamlining and encouragement brings forward second-generation aircraft of other fields--Dive-Bombing, Torpedo-Bombing, and the creation of a small heavy bomber line.

On the ground Yamamoto reorganizes the SNLF units into a Brigade-Sized offensive force and—knowing it will be a war of attrition—converts many Naval Guard into enhanced units with Coastal Defense artillery (using guns taken from refitted warships) for a stronger defensive unit. Additional small units are added to the IJN’s Troops and support units better reflecting Yamamoto's foresight into base building, defense, and expansion needs. While all these units are small and not in great number they promise to help the Japanese war effort.

The foresight of the Admiral pays off during late-1942 and 1943 as new ships, aircraft, and ground units enter into the Japanese Order-of-Battle, however, the cost is steep. Though expanded and using modern aircraft many Japanese Naval Air units start with their experience lowered to reflect the dilution of the experienced pilots into new units that start in Japan or arrive during 1942-1943.

Supply and fuel reserves start at a much reduced state. The Japanese MUST take the DEI as fast as possible!
Manpower is at a premium within the Fleet so Submarines, Escorts, and ASW forces all see a major retooling reflecting the Japanese quality over quantity belief. Yamamoto chooses the immediately useful projects, large APs converting to CVEs, better destroyers, fast transports and coastal defense forces.

[John 3rd]

What was the name of the fictional Japanese ship-building website? Has drawings and designs of never built Japanese warships...cannot remember it right now!

[Kitakami]

What was the name of the fictional Japanese ship-building website? Has drawings and designs of never built Japanese warships...cannot remember it right now!

This one? http://www.combinedfleet.com/furashita/furamain.htm

[John 3rd]

Thanks Kitakami!

I was close but couldn't quite remember it.

[John 3rd]

As seen by my other Posts this evening, Michael and I plan to be back at it. I have started working on the BTS: Air variant.

My fellow co-conspirator and I are looking at shifting the Scenario 1 Template that these Mods are based on. If there is nothing newer or different, then we stay with DaBabes.

Will be Posting here as the Mods work their way forward for a new release on an updated website.

[John 3rd]

It really hadn't occurred to me what my plans were for AE until I just made this Post over in Big Red's AAR:

As we move to a new month, the writing is on the wall for Imperial Japan.

Don't Post much these days unless I am doing Mod work but I do look every now-and-then. My commitment is to January 1, 1945 and then--I think--I am taking some months off of AE as a player.

Am currently working on updating all three of the BTS Mods and then, with Paula's help, am starting a new website for people to download the Mods and all the extra 'stuff.' Once BTS is complete then I will move on to Reluctant Admiral and Treaty for completing a revamp of all five Mods.

The May 1942 scenario that has come out is then the next project with then doing a BTS May 42 start set of Mods.

Anyone who has modded this BEAST knows that Michael and I are looking at dozens of hours of work to do all this. Think the only way to coherently achieve this is the step back from playing and focus entirely on game design and development.
John

Sooooooooo...that is the plan for the next 4-6 months of time.

[John 3rd]

Washington Conference
Capital Ships of the USN and Imperial Japan
1922
10:10:7

The Japanese stall the Washington Conference for one year buying time to advance the construction state of their Tosa-Class Battleships and Amagi-Class Battlecruisers. Once the Conference occurs, the Japanese successfully argue, by changing their diplomatic codes just PRIOR to the Conference, for a 70% Ratio in relation to the United States Navy. The delay works BOTH ways as the Americans have used that extra time to further several of the Battleships and Battlecruisers as well.

United States
Utah 21,825
Florida 21,825
Arkansas 26,000
Wyoming 26,000
Texas 27,000
New York 27,000
Oklahoma 27,500
Nevada 27,500
Arizona 31,400
Pennsylvania 31,400
Idaho 32,000
New Mexico 32,000
Mississippi 32,000
California 32,300
Tennessee 32,300
Maryland 32,600
Colorado 32,600
West Virginia 32,600
Washington Colorado-Class BB 32,600
Montana S. Dakota-Class BB 43,200
Constitution Lexington-Class BC 43,500
Constellation Lexington-Class BC 43,500

TOTAL 688,650

Lexington Converted to CV
Saratoga Converted to CV

Imperial Japan
Kongo 27,500
Haruna 27,500
Hiei 27,500
Kirishima 27,500
Fuso 30,600
Yamashiro 30,600
Hyuga 31,260
Ise 31,260
Nagato 33,800
Mutsu 33,800
Kaga Tosa-Class BB 39,300
Tosa Tosa-Class BB 39,300
Atago Amagi-Class BC 41,217
Takao Amagi-Class BC 41,217

TOTAL 462,354
688,650 x .7 482,055
Available 19,701

Remaining Tonnage allows for Light Battlecruiser Chichibu to be built in 1928.

Akagi Converted to CV
Amagi Converted to CV

[John 3rd]

Japanese Pre-Circle and Circle Plans
Changes/Additions

LBC Chichibu
CVL Ryukaku and Karasu
CVE Ibuki and Hosho
CA Yoshino, Miyako, Chishima, and Seiki (Myoko-Class)
CL Minase, Otonase, and Ayase (Jintsu-Class)
DD +4 Minekaze-Class
SS +3 ML SS and 4 I-Boats

Chichibu and the SS have already been detailed in the Washington Conference description.

There is no Ryujo here. The sister ships, Ryukaku and Karasu, have smaller air groups and are stable CVLs.

Two ‘experimental’ carriers are allowed by Treaty so Japan has Hosho and Ibuki.

The construction of 4 follow-on Myoko-Class CA comes PRIOR to the London Conference. The 3 additional CLs were planned but never built. These are. Ditto for the Minekaze DDs.

Circle One Plan (1930)
CA Kako, Aoba, Furutaka, and Kinugasa are down-gunned to 6” Light Cruisers (3x3 6”)
CL Mogami, Mikuma, Suzuyu, and Kumano built as planned (5x3 6”)
CAV Kushiro and Tokachi
6 Hatsuharu-Class DD
10 Shiratyuki-Class DD

The London Conference of 1930 goes slightly better for Japan. The Americans get their Flightdeck Cruiser agreed to and Japan then builds her CAV to the maximum allowable by Treaty and then some…

The oldest CAs are down-gunned due to the Conference allowing for the actual 15-15-12 numbers to still stand-up. A number of old CLs are phased out of active Fleet service and are converted to fast minelayers and training ships. Japan starts with 12 nearly matching CAs with 8 newer and/or more modern CLs added to her strength.

Two additional Shiratyuki-Class are ordered over the original 8 planned.

Circle Two Plan (1934)
2 Hiryu-Class CVs
2 CC Aratami-Class
3 CS Chitose-Class
4 DD Shiratsuyu-Class
18 DD Asashio-Class

Japan KNOWS it is leaving the Treaty System so Soryu and Hiryu are built as true sisters of the Hiryu-Class. The Japanese lay down two cruisers of exceptional size. The Aratami-Class Command Cruiser (25,000 tons) are built as an experiment to test new technologies that will be incorporated into the next generation of Japanese capital ships featuring triple gun turrets, better compartmentalization, differing AA armament, etc… Four additional Asashio-Class are ordered over the planned 14.

Between the Storms—Air takes hold with the next Circle Plan. Admiral Yamamoto becomes Vice-Naval Minister and begins promoting air-minded, younger officers to higher rank so their presence becomes more and more noticeable over time. Work begins on increasing naval slipways at Port Arthur and Shanghai.

Circle Three Plan (1937)
CV Shokaku and Zuikaku
CS Nisshin built as CVL
2 BC B-65-Class
2 Niitaka-Class CA
2 CL Tokoro-Class
22 DD Kagero-Class

The Fleet Faction of the IJN are sold on two fast BC with plans made for the monster Yamato-Class BBs pushed back several years. The Natori-Class Training CLs are scrapped as well as the Tone and Chikuma Aircraft Cruisers.

The B-65 require no extra yard expansion and are built as larger, tougher and more capable successors to the Aratami-Class CC. The new Niitaka-Class CA is built to provide escort to carriers freeing up the 12 early CAs for surface warfare. Tokoro-Class CL are a slightly smaller Mogami-Class CL that is fast and capable. The 4 ‘fake’ Kagero-DDs (hiding the cost of the Yamato-Class) are built as real DDs.

In 1939, Yamamoto accepts, at grave risk to his life, the position of Naval Minister. He immediately begins moving Fleet-minded individuals into retirement or other less critical positions within the Kaigun. The Yamato-Class BB, in fact ANY BB, is scrapped.
The lessons coming from the European war are taken to heart. The Bismarck’s end and Taranto demonstrate the power of the aircraft carrier.

Circle Four Plan (1940)
3 CV Shokaku Kai-Class
2 CA Niitaka-Class
2 CL Tokoro-Class
5 CLAA Teshio-Class
4 DD Shimakaze-Class
32 DD Yugumo-Class
24 DD Akizuki-Class

No Taiho or Unryu in the 4th Circle. Three slightly improved Shokaku Kai-Class are ordered with Niitaka and Tokoro continuing their builds. The Japanese take strong notice of the war in Europe and see the advent of the Dido-CLAA cruiser. A similar design is quickly worked out and the Teshio-Class is put into the order cue.

A total of 60 DDs are ordered in Circle Four. Historically the order was for 29 Yugumo, 3 Kagero, 12 Akizuki, and 1 Shimakaze—Total 45. This number is bounced to 60 due to streamlining each class to ONE manufacturer allowing for specialization and quicker building.

As Japan counts down to war, the Americans pass the Two-Ocean Bill and the Japanese have to counter it with SOMETHING.

Circle Five Plan (1941)
8 CV Hiryu-Class
3 CVL Aso-Class
2 CA Niitaka-Class
1 CL Tokoro-Class
4 CLAA Teshio-Class
8 DD Shimakaze-Class
24 DD Akitsuki-Class

Slow to build and expensive Shokaku-Kai are moved away from and Japan orders four of the far easier to build Hiryu-Class carriers. Four can be built by 1944 with four more in 1945. Four Tokoro-Class are ordered but three are converted into CVLs. The remainder of cruiser construction comes in the form of four more CLAA.

In RL the Japanese ordered 16 Shimakaze- and 16 Akitzuki-Class DDs. The number is left the same to see how many the Japanese can build by the end of hostilities.

New Ship Classes for Between the Storms
Aircraft Carriers
Shokaku-Kai: 28,155T, 32 Knots, 81 Planes (36F-24DB-21TB), Belt 165, Deck 60, and Tower 25

Aso (Tokoro Conversion): 12,000T, 33 Knots, 36 Planes (27F-9TB), Belt 75, D 25, T 0

Battlecruisers
B-65: 31,500T, 32 Knots, 3x3 14”, 4x2 3.9”, B 190, D 125, T 180

Heavy/Command Cruisers
Aratami: 25,000T, 3x3 12”, 4x2 3.9”, 6x3 LL, B 160, D 100, T 200

Niitaka: 16,000T, 4x3 8”, 3x2 3.9”, 8x4 LL, B 140, D 75, T 100

Light Cruisers
Tokoro: 9,700T, 33 Knots, 3x3 6”, 4x2 3.9”, 8x4 LL, B 140, D 60, T 100

Teshio: 8,500T, 32 Knots, 16x2 3.9”, B 75, D 25, T 75