Spot on, as usual!ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
There's no black magic there.
Japan had superior quality, superior numbers and superior tactical position. Not a surprise the overall result.
The allied SDBs aren't borked at all in 1942. It's just a matter of different factors. As someone else has pointed out, if the Escort does its job (keeping the fighters at bay), the allied SDBs can sink the whole KB. But if the escort isn't good enough (here the number of F4Fs on escort was too small)the CAp will simply ruin the aim of the SDB.
Also weather normally has a big part in these battles and luck too.
Don't understand, really, why are you all surprised by this result.
Honestly Joc shouldn't have dared so much in this strategic situation.
We've all gone through these results in our witp career. We know it.
Good Play on Tom's part here! Kudos!
Although the code is not open source and we are not allowed to look at it, the developers have been very good about giving certain assurances, and the scenario data is 100% there for us to see. Allied DB are not treated any differently at any time from either the Japanese DB or versus at later game dates.
It's really hard to get the USN air arm trained up to the stats that Mr. Kane cited, even later on. Some pilots, sure. But as the USN air arm increases it is impossible to keep up completely. So in September '42? No way, especially when factoring in that the USN carriers must do things and therefore cannot devote all their time to training.
Joc's op was in a spot making it very dangerous without knowing for certain the KB's location. Mr. Kane noted his Intel, analysis, and plan for his counter-op. No magic; rock solid decisions and execution, plus the required minimum of luck (not being socked in by weather on battle day, not having search miss enemy due to weather or failing checks, and so on).
See you next time.
