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.