Escort Carriers

[Jack59]

CV carriers main task was to support the fleet during naval actions. On the other hand the slower
CVL was to assist ground forces. Maybe the escort carriers bomber abilities should be strengthen for ground support and be weakened for navel actions? They at least could modify the attack values of ground units.

[Bo Rearguard]

I've never been sure whether these units represent escort carriers or light carriers or a mix of both. Some have CVL names like Zuiho or Independence. Some have CVE names like Taiyo or Bogue. The default counter art reads CVL. Japanese CVEs were never used for ground support, (due to a lack of arrestor gear they mostly acted as aircraft ferries) so it likely should be an Allied trait only. Given the historical animosity between the Japanese Navy and Army I don't think many Japanese carriers supported IJA ground units in the war, period. But that would probably be too much of a handicap for the Japanese player.

[Jack59]

Yes, the ship names and usages of carriers is confusing. The “World at War” game did a better job with the ship naming. Different scenarios also use carriers them with different properties.

According to my research there are three types of carriers: (1) CV’s purpose-built carriers used to suppress enemy carriers and combative surface ships, and when appropriate used in ground support missions. (2) CVL’s that smaller carriers, converted from older ship hulls (cruise ships) to bypass treaty limitations. They were smaller, slow and movement was somewhat unstable. They were often used for additional CAP, ground support, and transporting planes to various bases. (3) CVE’s , escort carriers, that were also built from smaller hulls, used for special purposes. The American CVE’s termed “Jeep” carriers were mainly used for ASW in the Atlantic, and ground support for invasions, suppressing enemy land-based fighters. Japanese CVE’s were highly specialized and most were unsuccessful and sunk. The main role in this game was used for ASW. An interesting roll was used by the Japanese Army. They refit older hulls to carry amphibious craft and troops to an invasion beach. The upper carrier deck was used by aircraft for reconnaissance. Most were sunk with a great loss of life in the Coral Sea. Other CVE’s were used for transporting planes and training.

There is one MOD to War in the Pacific, “World at War”, that uses CV’s differently; ground attack weapons are used instead of naval weaponry. Ground attack weapons were used against the Chinese. This was the main training ground for Japanese pilots, for both Navy and Army. Advanced naval fighters (in bomber mode) sink ships and over land ground attack weapons inflict land losses. This could be applied to the Day of Infamy scenario. In the Okinawa scenario the CVE's were used in a ground support role and the CV’s to protect against Japanese fighters and kamikazes.