Hi Larry, Well . . . very Interesting gameplay and looking forward to a big showdown with the Kido Butai and seeing the USMC Sea Basing concept play out with an amphibious assault on the Kuril Island hex & Northern Japan later in the game!
Here are some additional observations and community questions:
The Indo-Pacific theater of WWII was arguably the most technologically transformative front of the entire war. Unlike the largely continental battles in Europe, the Pacific demanded innovations in naval, air, and amphibious warfare. There were numerous game changers such as . . .
A. Radar and Radar-Controlled Gunnery (Is this modeled in the scenario?)
What it was: Radio Detection and Ranging (Radar) systems, such as the U.S. Navy’s SG surface-search radar and fire-control radar like the Mk 37.
Impact: Allowed fleets to detect enemy ships and aircraft at night or in poor weather, giving the U.S. an enormous advantage in night battles and carrier defense. Radar-directed gunnery increased accuracy dramatically against aircraft and surface vessels.
B. Proximity (VT) Fuze (Is this modeled in the scenario?)
What it was: Miniaturized radar in a shell that detonated when within lethal range of a target.
Impact: Revolutionized anti-aircraft defense, especially against kamikaze attacks and Japanese bombers. Boosted the effectiveness of naval flak by a factor of five or more.
C. Long-Range Submarines with Advanced Torpedoes (Is this modeled in the scenario?)
What it was: U.S. fleet submarines (like the Gato and Balao classes) with extended range, equipped by 1943 with reliable Mark 18 and improved Mark 14 torpedoes.
Impact: Cut Japan’s merchant marine to pieces, strangling its industrial and military supply lines. Submarines became the most effective U.S. naval weapon against Japan.
D. Codebreaking and Signals Intelligence (MAGIC, ULTRA, JN-25) (Is this modeled in the scenario?)
What it was: Cryptanalysis of Japanese naval codes, notably JN-25.
Impact: Allowed the U.S. to anticipate Japanese operations (e.g., Midway, Leyte Gulf). Signals intelligence turned battles before they began and shortened the war.
8. Advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Tools (Is this modeled in the scenario?)
What it was: Sonar (ASDIC), improved depth charges, “hedgehog” spigot mortars, and escort carriers with aircraft patrols.
Impact: Neutralized the Japanese submarine threat and secured the vital trans-Pacific supply lines to Australia and the Philippines.
More on wars game changers at
https://pwkinternational.com/2024/08/15 ... mpetition/