Am I headed for a bloodbath?

[fcam1387]

It is Jan 43 and my opponent is busy throwing me out of the Aleutian islands. He is making a go for Kiska but it is a tougher nut to crack than he thought, thanks mostly to the attrocious weather. Meanwhile, I scraped together a hastily constructed force of 4CA, 2 CL and 7DD under the leadership of a good commander.

The force is now 2 days away from its destination and intelligence has uncovered 1BB Tennessee class, 2CA, 3CL and 6DD in the hex. There is also on carrier (perhaps light) several hexes away.

I am wondering whether my small but agile force stands much of a chance given the terrible winter weather (blizzards and all) around the Aleutians. While I am not expecting to obliterate his forces, I am hoping to disrupt the landings and weaken his surface combat units, notwithstanding the fact he has a BB - I am hoping my long lances can incapacitate it. Bascially I hope to blitz in and blitz out with my nimble force...

Is this wishful thinking on my part or do I stand a chance? I better know soon or the point of no return will be reached!

[ny59giants]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained (or loss). [:D][:D]

The forces look relatively even. If he can use LBA, it may tip the balance in his favor. The other thing is what type of CL's he has. If he has those "pocket CL's" (Brooklyn Class), then if could also help him. As an Allied player, I like putting those Cleveland Class in SC TF due to their high durability and very high endurance.

For proof, ask most Japanese players about the exploits of the Boise. [&o][&o]

[AmiralLaurent]

In fact US light cruisers are only "light" because they carry 6in rather than 8in guns, not because they are smaller. In WITP US CL are more dangerous than CA because they take more punishmenet and the rapid rate fire of the 6in is compensating the reduction of caliber, while 6in will pierce IJN CA armor.

My advice would be to go in if you're not detected. If you have been seen, retreat. The DL may help you to win surprise and so score enough hits to have then the advantage.

Another factor will be how your opponent behaved until now. If the TF you describe is used to bombard Kiska then your success chances are greater than if it is used as a surface TF to escort the invasion convoy.

Can your Betties reach the area (or to ask it differently do you have an AF size 4 in the Kuriles). If the answer is yes then your bombers may finish Allied damaged ships. Also having submarines in the area will help for that matter.

If your surface TF is alone (no sub, no LBA), I will rather not fight, except if the battle is supposed to win you enough time to bring more forces and save Kiska. Allied ships damaged in battle will have a shorter trip to do than you to reach a friendly port, and will have more chance surviving it. And the Allied CV may chase you too.

By the way your surface TF needs one of your best surface commanders (Tanaka, Nishimura) to achieve something in such a situation.

From the above, your surface TF alone will IMOO fight an even battle in the best case, and be dominated in the worst one. So as I said, I won't take the risk until it is really needed.

Another thing: what is the fuel situation of your surface TF ? If fuel is low you may have problems retiring at full speed.

[niceguy2005]

US carriers rarely go anywhere alone, where there is one there is probably more...I would use caution.

Regarding the surface fleet I would call it an even match. You will probably both get dinged up pretty good. Long lance torps are deadly to old US BBs. Your best chance of course is to try for a night time engagement.

I agree that US CLs are dangerous, in testing I did they beat IJN CA 2:1. However, it all depends on range. The 6" guns can only penetrate the heavy CA armor at close range. If your commander is good and stands off to fight you will be better off.

Question to ask would be is Kiska important enough to risk losing several cruisers over? Sounds like best case scenario is an even match for you.

[anarchyintheuk]

Don't be overly concerned by the presence of BB. In a night action the most it will probably accomplish is serving as a floating 5" battery and as a slow target.

[ny59giants]

If the Germans could have "Pocket Battleships," then I feel good in calling the American Cleveland Class CL's "Pocket CL's."  They may say there "just" a CL, but they carry a heavy punch for their size. [:D]

[Vetamur]

Another thing.. you might be experienceing bad weather at the moment, but its a coincidence. The weather model doesnt take into consideration that you are around the Aleutians and all that implies in real life. Its all on the same weather model from what I understand.

[niceguy2005]

IIRC the weather model is different for the northern and southern latitudes. Seems like there is a routine that "pushes" the weather towards bad for the aelutians. What isn't modeled is the highly variable nature of the weather in the area. How it can be good one hour and bad the next.

[bradfordkay]

The real question is whether the game's weather system translates to closer initial sighting ranges for surface combat in bad weather, such as is found in the Aleutians in January.