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From what I can tell- and I could be wrong- there doesn’t seem to be any provision for the introduction of the VT fuse in UV. Now I know this may start a whole date modifier issue, and I may live to regret this. But here I go anyway.

To quote the USN historical center: “This test firing of proximity fuzed 5"/38 projectiles against drones was carried out in August 1942 aboard the cruiser USS Cleveland [CL-55]. Results of this test were entirely satisfactory and accordingly, full-scale production of proximity fuzes was initiated at the Crosley Corporation in September 1942. Early production was plagued with numerous difficulties but satisfactory material was finally produced. This fuze, which was designated the Mk 32, was delivered to the Fleet during November and December 1942, and the first Japanese plane was shot down with proximity fuzed projectiles by the cruiser USS Helena [CL-50] in January 1943.”

Checking the history of the Helena I find the she didn’t go to pearl or any other port for a refit immediately prior to 1/43. Also, the use of the Fuse didn’t require any retrofitting, like the addition of say A quad 40MM. All that was needed was a 5"/38 cal and instruction to the crew.

So based on the above I would suggest that the AA capabilities of all USN ships equipped with 5/38cal after 1/1/43 be increased to the direct proportion of the number of 5”/38cal that they carried. All that is needed for this capability to go into effect is to dock, or already be docked, at a major port. Such as say Brisbane or Noumea. I know, I know, - it will vastly increase the deadliness of the USN AA capabilities and make any IJN air attack on TF’s subject to vastly increased casualties. Why not? Isn’t historically that what happened? For instance on the Rear-Admiral Sherman's November 43 attach on Rabaul, when the Japanese counterattacked the Carrier TF they lost 27 of 27 attacking Vals and 12 of the 14 attacking Kates, all to AA fire from 3 carriers and 10 destroyers.

Perhaps this is a posting better suited to WITP while its still in the Beta stage. But anyway there it is. Thoughts? BTW, Mogami, I’m impressed on the Pope info- NICE (insert Chicago accent)

I'd read somewhere that the first operational use of the VT fuze was at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands (late Oct 42) by USS South Dakota. According to what I read 27 Vals from Junyo went unnoticed (due to attacks on Enterprise in same TF) until they were already into their dives on South Dakota and Juneau or San Diego. At any rate 25 of the Vals were shot down. This would have been impossible with the time fuzed AA shells but entirely possible with VT fuzes since basically all you do is load, point and shoot (and if you firing at planes attacking your own ship there's no deflection to figure into the pointing part).

Currently there is no provision for the introduction of the VT fuse in UV. However Flak is going to be looked at for WitP.

It's hard to imagine that allied flak could be any more devastating in 43 than it already is in UV. So perhaps the effects of this fuse are already included? If not explicitly, then perhaps in the general strength of allied flak?

Ship based flak vs tactical bombers is rather on the high side. One motivation for it being re-examined.

The VT Fuze is also called the Proximity Fuze. It has a radar transponder/receiver in each shell. Thus the shell "knows" when it has reached its closest point of approach to its intended target and explodes. Prior to its introduction a person at the mount hand set a time onto the fuze of each shell fired which would explode the shell a certain time (hence distance) from its being fired. This was OK against level bombers where the distance was changing relatively slowly but rendered the 5 inchers much less effective against aircraft which were rapidly approaching the platform. The VT essentially cut one step out of the process of loading/firing of the gun. VARIABLE TIME (hence VT)
meant that the shell would explode at the RIGHT TIME. All you had to do was load, point and shoot. The shell so greatly increased the effectiveness of heavy flak that it was not given to the Army at first due to fears that the Axis might find a dud and copy the design. It was finally released for operational employyment on land during the Battle of the Bulge and was instrumental in turning back several German attacks in that fight (it exploded just above the ground and caused massive casualties amongst the infantry).

USN flak continued to get better and better. VT fuse and training allowed TF's to cause Massive air losses to the Japanese. Actually it was because of these losses to Flak and CAP that the Japanese created the Kamikaze corps. They lost 10's of Hundreds of airplanes and pilots for a bomb hit here or a torp hit there. Conventional means of attacks against the USN were not working anymore. Nor could they replace the pilot losses.

Anyway, if in WITP there will be a provision for the employement of the Kamikazes then the VT fuse would also have to be provided for. As the VT fuse was a direct contributing factor that caused the Kamikazes to be formed in the first place.

"Anyway, if in WITP there will be a provision for the employement of the Kamikazes then the VT fuse would also have to be provided for. As the VT fuse was a direct contributing factor that caused the Kamikazes to be formed in the first place."

Kamikazes and Ohkas are included in WitP, however the appearance of VT fuses are not currently a determining factor in when suicide planes appear.

spence wrote:The VT Fuze is also called the Proximity Fuze. It has a radar transponder/receiver in each shell. Thus the shell "knows" when it has reached its closest point of approach to its intended target and explodes. Prior to its introduction a person at the mount hand set a time onto the fuze of each shell fired which would explode the shell a certain time (hence distance) from its being fired. This was OK against level bombers where the distance was changing relatively slowly but rendered the 5 inchers much less effective against aircraft which were rapidly approaching the platform. The VT essentially cut one step out of the process of loading/firing of the gun. VARIABLE TIME (hence VT)
meant that the shell would explode at the RIGHT TIME. All you had to do was load, point and shoot. The shell so greatly increased the effectiveness of heavy flak that it was not given to the Army at first due to fears that the Axis might find a dud and copy the design. It was finally released for operational employyment on land during the Battle of the Bulge and was instrumental in turning back several German attacks in that fight (it exploded just above the ground and caused massive casualties amongst the infantry).

Hi Spence,

Nice post. Well stated and interesting. I also remember the part about Allied fears that the Axis might get their hands on the technology. A simple solution (in WitP terms) might be just to ratchet up USN AA on all warships at a certain date. Although, as stated before, Allied flak does seem to be pretty powerful in UV as it is. However, as one who plays USN exclusively, I certainly don't mind if it's jacked up a bit more.


Hey Snig,

Just send the next turn!!