What does KB stand for?

[jerrylt2008]

Yes I know this is a newbie question, but everyone says "KB" this, "KB" that.....what is KB? I know it is the main carrier fleet for the japs but what does it stand for?

[Terminus]

Kido Butai. The translation is a bit disputed, but it's something like "1st Air Fleet".

[Mike Scholl]

I think it's more like "1st Striking Fleet" (though for game purposes it could also be "Kicker of Butt"---at least in the early part of the war.)

[Nikademus]

Mobile Force

[bradfordkay]

It is generally used to refer the the large task force consisting of the majority of Japanese fleet carriers. I thought that the translation was "mobile strike force", but my knowledge of japanese is rudimentary.

[DaveB]

Well, Wiki says

literally Mobile Unit/Force

and as all the Chinese Lancaster bomber fans will know that's a wrap.

As for other languages, thanks to my 23 year RAF career I can confidently order beer in the native tongue across (approximately) 70& of the world's surface, for those parts that I visited more frequently I can also order a burger. The funniest occasion (just to completely sidetrack) occurred in Spain, having just been into Rota to set up a mini ops setup along with a couple of auxilliary officers I'd been despatched to help on an exercise - standing in a nearby Mc Donalds (someplace named Santa Maria or similar?) I confidently ordered a 1/4 pounder, fries, and lemon fanta and totally amazed the Flt Lt I'd gone there with, who (stunned) said 'You never told me you could speak Spanish'....

...amazing how quickly you can pick the lingo up when there's a poster on the window advertising a 1/4 pounder, fries, and fanta limon deal isn't it?

Dave

(I can still vaguely recall, maybe ten years further down life's highway - "Uno cueva libre con patatas fritas y fanta limon, por favor" I think the relevant phrase ran....)

[bradfordkay]

A buddy of mine used to tell the story of going into a McDonalds while on a high school trip to Germany - he had proudly ordered a Big Mac in German when the cashier responded in English: "Do you want fries with that burger?"

[morganbj]

I remember having to drive all the way to Munich from Bayreuth for a Mikkey D's burger in 1972, I think it was.  There were only two in Germany at the time, as I recall.  I had been without for about a year.  Dang it was good, except for, of course, the beer I had to have with it (Coke was WAAAY to expensive).  The beer was great, but not with a hamburger and fries .... jeesh!
 
Besides we were about a block or two from the Oktoberfest grounds and had all the beer we could stand by that time anyway.
 
Went back maybe two or three times more in the 3 1/2 years I was there.  Now there's a Mikkey D's everywhere.

[niceguy2005]

ORIGINAL: Mike Scholl

I think it's more like "1st Striking Fleet" (though for game purposes it could also be "Kicker of Butt"---at least in the early part of the war.)

I'd vote for KB = will be at the bottom of the Ocean by 43. [;)]

[hawker]

ORIGINAL: niceguy2005

ORIGINAL: Mike Scholl

I think it's more like "1st Striking Fleet" (though for game purposes it could also be "Kicker of Butt"---at least in the early part of the war.)

I'd vote for KB = will be at the bottom of the Ocean by 43. [;)]

In your dreams[:D]

[cantona2]

ORIGINAL: Mike Scholl

I think it's more like "1st Striking Fleet" (though for game purposes it could also be "Kicker of Butt"---at least in the early part of the war.)

Indeed, most accurate description so far

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: bradfordkay

... I thought that the translation was "mobile strike force", but my knowledge of japanese is rudimentary.

Re Shattered Sword, Brad is the closest -- mobile striking force -- w/honerable mention to Nikademus.

Sword said KB was "a term of convenience rather than a formal organizational title."

BTW, I had a Wendy's in Saudi Arabia, but ordered in English.