Remember the Texas! The United States in World War II (an alternate history)

Anyone know an online source for the specific defenses of specific German held ports in France? I know there are books, but those take time to get.
I have a wealth of information on Cherbourg (from an old table top wargame called "Longest Day") and some information on St Nazaire, but specifically want the defenses for Brest
 

McPherson

Banned
Anyone know an online source for the specific defenses of specific German held ports in France? I know there are books, but those take time to get.
I have a wealth of information on Cherbourg (from an old table top wargame called "Longest Day") and some information on St Nazaire, but specifically want the defenses for Brest


Temporary Restoration of French Port Facilities Normandy ...

The German Army In France - United States Army Center of ...

 
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McPherson

Banned
That goes back to the issue of enough trained men and enough proper equipment. The CBO can't get underway, even against French targets/far West Germany (Bremen. Cologne) until the B-17E is available in multiple Group strength and won't be effective in destroying the Luftwaffe until A) the P-51 or extended range P-47 are available AND B) Doolittle or whoever takes his spot ATL, lets the fighters off the leash to go hunting and creates the hammer & anvil tactics that gutted the Luftwaffe. The U.S. needs to train a couple million more troops before even something like Torch can be attempted (assuming Churchill doesn't talk FDR into pissing away perfectly good troops on sideshow like Dieppe) and reasonable amounts of armor can be built along with shipping bottoms to transport them (God save the U.S. Army from being deployed in penny packets in the Western Desert under Montgomery).
Land warfare capacity.

P1. No tanks.
P2. Very little artillery.
P3. Motorized transport is limited.
P4. No shipping for troop transport.
P5. Maybe 4 divisions ready for combat.

The problem is that a shooting war is in progress and the political necessity it to do something to the Nazis now. Russia is a basket case and it needs help, but that is a logistics headache and it will have to be solved the way it was. Slow and steady is the only way. The Arctic Route is not the way. Right now the Persian Gulf and La Perouse Strait routes are the two routes that must be established for as long as the peace holds with Japan..

The army, (mostly light infantry formations.), if it is committed, can only be committed to the Middle East as a reserve force to provide base defense and security to the USAAF as it builds up in Palestine. More on what this means when I discuss the air farce situation

Naval Situation>

Pacific.

1. PACFLT is screwed. It can barely secure the SLOCs to Hawaii. Parading aircraft carriers along predictable routes to be ambushed by submarines (USS Saratoga Lesson and later USS Wasp) is insane.

Atlantic:

2. Currently 70% of US naval surface strength is committed to the Atlantic. Two -three aircraft carrier task forces are wandering around aimlessly, maybe putting in training, and three surface action groups are clearly deployed in a forward power projection posture.

a. Iceland.
b. UK waters.
c. Gibraltar.

Commander of LANTFLT is competent. The CNO, however, is an idiot. Nothing in this ATL has been done about the eastern sea frontier, the torpedo crisis (which has been known since 1939) or at the other mismanaged USN bureaus. Neither has anything been done past the old show the flag Neutrality Patrol process to institute a war convoy and ports management control system in the North American Sea Frontier. Hence, disaster is in progress for the Battle of the Atlantic; only 6 months early. Naval sit-est GRIM.

3. A buildup of USAAF presence begins in the Middle East.

Because of the American flight line available and in production, this air farce will have to be built out of medium bomber groups and the existent American fighter types in production. It will be a grim introduction into modern air warfare.^1

B1. P-38 => op-rad 1000 km, serv-ceiling effective 13,000 meters
B2. P-39 => op-rad 250 km serv-ceiling effective 5000 meters, power falls off
B3.P-40 => op-rad 500 km serv-ceiling effective 5000 meters, power falls off
B4. P-43 => op-rad 300 km serv ceiling effective 7000 meters, wings lose lift.

That is your fighter line.

As for bombers? The comedy team of Douglas and Martin are ready to put on their floor show.

C1. Douglas A 20 Havoc
C2. Martin Maryland
C3. Martin Baltimore
C4. Martin Marauder
C5. Martin Super Marauder (See ^2)

Spitfires can be borrowed or license built (Canada) until the Apache/Mustang finishes development. It will not be ready until mid 1942. Pour scarce research dollars into the P-38 TO FIX IT and quit messing around with Curtiss. In fact JAIL the politics playing war-losing profiteer-mesmerized idiots running that company and nationalize it.

See ^3.

^1 Every B-24 needs to go to the US Navy. As in right now. PB4Ys need to stand up as ASW wings and start operating on the American east coast and in Iceland. To hell with HAP Arnold and the 1920 National Defense Act. (Hint. Hint.)
^2 Another stupid war production board decision. The damn thing was in progress.
^3 But that leaves the B-17 as the only Army air farce heavy bomber? Tough tiddly winks. Strategic air bombardment this early in the war has to wait for the E,F, and G and requires an escort fighter. Right now the game is North Africa and PLOESTI and hurt the Germans there.

What puts Ploesti in range?

OIP.wDt72sU_Bh9wh55FmaNGyAHaH_

[Map] Approximate bomber route for Operation Tidal Wave ...
Thou shalt invade French Syria early and often.
It goes back to my personal hobby horse (apologies to the OP; if I'm riding this too hard, tell me and I'll stop) 180 days really isn't that much time, especially considering that a lot of what is needed (B-17E, B-24E, Liberty ships, draft intake, P-38, P-47, etc.) had already begun IOTL. It is possible that Overlord can go a month early (not sure about April), but there simply won't be enough amphibious lift or destroyed Luftwaffe aircraft by August of 1943 (probably the latest date that a landing on the French coast can be practically attempted before the weather over the Continent starts to seriously interfere with Allied airpower) to even consider it short of a desperate effort to save a collapsing USSR that is very likely to fail spectacularly with huge political consequences in the U.S.
See previous comments.; To hurt them now, means cutting off the OIL.
 
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The Philippine Commonwealth Army only had one FT-17 surplus from World War I which was received in early 1941. The Stuarts came later.
True, the Philippine army was without tanks, but two companies of the US Army 194th Tank Battalion with 54 M3 tanks arrived in Manila on 26 SEP 1941. On 16 OCT, 25, 25 T12 Gun Motor Carriages arrived, followed by 20 more on 18 NOV. Paired with Philippine Scout infantry battalions, these could have been effective armored task forces if they had time to train.

The question in this TL is whether these would be sent as historically or diverted to the forces that were preparing for deployment to North Africa.
 

CalBear

Moderator
Donor
Monthly Donor
Land warfare capacity.

P1. No tanks.
P2. Very little artillery.
P3. Motorized transport is limited.
P4. No shipping for troop transport.
P5. Maybe 4 divisions ready for combat.

The problem is that a shooting war is in progress and the political necessity it to do something to the Nazis now. Russia is a basket case and it needs help, but that is a logistics headache and it will have to be solved the way it was. Slow and steady is the only way. The Arctic Route is not the way. Right now the Persian Gulf and La Perouse Strait routes are the two routes that must be established for as long as the peace holds with Japan..

The army, (mostly light infantry formations.), if it is committed, can only be committed to the Middle East as a reserve force to provide base defense and security to the USAAF as it builds up in Palestine. More on what this means when I discuss the air farce situation

Naval Situation>

Pacific.

1. PACFLT is screwed. It can barely secure the SLOCs to Hawaii. Parading aircraft carriers along predictable routes to be ambushed by submarines (USS Saratoga Lesson and later USS Wasp) is insane.

Atlantic:

2. Currently 70% of US naval surface strength is committed to the Atlantic. Two -three aircraft carrier task forces are wandering around aimlessly, maybe putting in training, and three surface action groups are clearly deployed in a forward power projection posture.

a. Iceland.
b. UK waters.
c. Gibraltar.

Commander of LANTFLT is competent. The CNO, however, is an idiot. Nothing in this ATL has been done about the eastern sea frontier, the torpedo crisis (which has been known since 1939) or at the other mismanaged USN bureaus. Neither has anything been done past the old show the flag Neutrality Patrol process to institute a war convoy and ports management control system in the North American Sea Frontier. Hence, disaster is in progress for the Battle of the Atlantic; only 6 months early. Naval sit-est GRIM.

3. A buildup of USAAF presence begins in the Middle East.

Because of the American flight line available and in production, this air farce will have to be built out of medium bomber groups and the existent American fighter types in production. It will be a grim introduction into modern air warfare.^1

B1. P-38 => op-rad 1000 km, serv-ceiling effective 13,000 meters
B2. P-39 => op-rad 250 km serv-ceiling effective 5000 meters, power falls off
B3.P-40 => op-rad 500 km serv-ceiling effective 5000 meters, power falls off
B4. P-43 => op-rad 300 km serv ceiling effective 7000 meters, wings lose lift.

That is your fighter line.

As for bombers? The comedy team of Douglas and Martin are ready to put on their floor show.

C1. Douglas A 20 Havoc
C2. Martin Maryland
C3. Martin Baltimore
C4. Martin Marauder
C5. Martin Super Marauder (See ^2)

Spitfires can be borrowed or license built (Canada) until the Apache/Mustang finishes development. It will not be ready until mid 1942. Pour scarce research dollars into the P-38 TO FIX IT and quit messing around with Curtiss. In fact JAIL the politics playing war-losing profiteer-mesmerized idiots running that company and nationalize it.

See ^3.

^1 Every B-24 needs to go to the US Navy. As in right now. PB4Ys need to stand up as ASW wings and start operating on the American east coast and in Iceland. To hell with HAP Arnold and the 1920 National Defense Act. (Hint. Hint.)
^2 Another stupid war production board decision. The damn thing was in progress.
^3 But that leaves the B-17 as the only Army air farce heavy bomber? Tough tiddly winks. Strategic air bombardment this early in the war has to wait for the E,F, and G and requires an escort fighter. Right now the game is North Africa and PLOESTI and hurt the Germans there.

What puts Ploesti in range?

OIP.wDt72sU_Bh9wh55FmaNGyAHaH_

[Map] Approximate bomber route for Operation Tidal Wave ...
Thou shalt invade French Syria early and often.

See previous comments.; To hurt them now, means cutting off the OIL.
Direct path also requires committing a major act of war against the Turks by overflying the middle of the country with as many heavy bombers as can be scraped together (which, really isn't all that many (total B-17 production, excepting the 20 diverted to the RAF was ~110 aircraft to this point, this includes 37 "B" models with no armor or self sealing fuel tanks and a total of five .30 cals). The first E model (aka the first true combat capable version with tail guns) won't fly until September.

While the Turks won't be able to really interdict any attack they can make the Allies life a LOT more complicated (letting some German and Italian subs and surface assets into the Black Sea would make the Soviet situation in the Crimea all that much worse, especially in the first five months of the war.
 
Land warfare capacity.

P1. No tanks.
P2. Very little artillery.
P3. Motorized transport is limited.
P4. No shipping for troop transport.
P5. Maybe 4 divisions ready for combat.

The problem is that a shooting war is in progress and the political necessity it to do something to the Nazis now. Russia is a basket case and it needs help, but that is a logistics headache and it will have to be solved the way it was. Slow and steady is the only way. The Arctic Route is not the way. Right now the Persian Gulf and La Perouse Strait routes are the two routes that must be established for as long as the peace holds with Japan..

The army, (mostly light infantry formations.), if it is committed, can only be committed to the Middle East as a reserve force to provide base defense and security to the USAAF as it builds up in Palestine. More on what this means when I discuss the air farce situation

Naval Situation>

Pacific.

1. PACFLT is screwed. It can barely secure the SLOCs to Hawaii. Parading aircraft carriers along predictable routes to be ambushed by submarines (USS Saratoga Lesson and later USS Wasp) is insane.

Atlantic:

2. Currently 70% of US naval surface strength is committed to the Atlantic. Two -three aircraft carrier task forces are wandering around aimlessly, maybe putting in training, and three surface action groups are clearly deployed in a forward power projection posture.

a. Iceland.
b. UK waters.
c. Gibraltar.

Commander of LANTFLT is competent. The CNO, however, is an idiot. Nothing in this ATL has been done about the eastern sea frontier, the torpedo crisis (which has been known since 1939) or at the other mismanaged USN bureaus. Neither has anything been done past the old show the flag Neutrality Patrol process to institute a war convoy and ports management control system in the North American Sea Frontier. Hence, disaster is in progress for the Battle of the Atlantic; only 6 months early. Naval sit-est GRIM.

3. A buildup of USAAF presence begins in the Middle East.

Because of the American flight line available and in production, this air farce will have to be built out of medium bomber groups and the existent American fighter types in production. It will be a grim introduction into modern air warfare.^1

B1. P-38 => op-rad 1000 km, serv-ceiling effective 13,000 meters
B2. P-39 => op-rad 250 km serv-ceiling effective 5000 meters, power falls off
B3.P-40 => op-rad 500 km serv-ceiling effective 5000 meters, power falls off
B4. P-43 => op-rad 300 km serv ceiling effective 7000 meters, wings lose lift.

That is your fighter line.

As for bombers? The comedy team of Douglas and Martin are ready to put on their floor show.

C1. Douglas A 20 Havoc
C2. Martin Maryland
C3. Martin Baltimore
C4. Martin Marauder
C5. Martin Super Marauder (See ^2)

Spitfires can be borrowed or license built (Canada) until the Apache/Mustang finishes development. It will not be ready until mid 1942. Pour scarce research dollars into the P-38 TO FIX IT and quit messing around with Curtiss. In fact JAIL the politics playing war-losing profiteer-mesmerized idiots running that company and nationalize it.

See ^3.

^1 Every B-24 needs to go to the US Navy. As in right now. PB4Ys need to stand up as ASW wings and start operating on the American east coast and in Iceland. To hell with HAP Arnold and the 1920 National Defense Act. (Hint. Hint.)
^2 Another stupid war production board decision. The damn thing was in progress.
^3 But that leaves the B-17 as the only Army air farce heavy bomber? Tough tiddly winks. Strategic air bombardment this early in the war has to wait for the E,F, and G and requires an escort fighter. Right now the game is North Africa and PLOESTI and hurt the Germans there.

What puts Ploesti in range?

OIP.wDt72sU_Bh9wh55FmaNGyAHaH_

[Map] Approximate bomber route for Operation Tidal Wave ...
Thou shalt invade French Syria early and often.

See previous comments.; To hurt them now, means cutting off the OIL.
1. The Army is well aware it is not ready for combat yet... indeed the Louisiana and Carolina manuevers are happening on schedule but the shortages of artillery, armored vehicles and a host of other items is painful and a major hurdle. There are some small units (regiments and battalions) that can be deployed and they are being deployed into the Hemisphere Defense role that was already underway (defending the bases obtained for destroyers for example). There are no combat ready brigades or division sized units although the first 2 armored divisions, a handful of prewar infantry divisions and some prewar independent regiments are combat capable but lack corps and army level support. No AEF at least until 1942.
2. Most historians I have read have a high regard for the B26, but yes the P40/P39/and early P38are decidedly second rate compared to the FW190 or ME109F/G (or even E) (although competitive with the Italian front line fighters). The A20 is a decent light bomber, and the Maryland/Baltimore were adequate light bombers. However, there is a severe lack of aviation support units equal to the severe lack of combat ready air groups. A small Air Expeditionary Force at best in 1941, similar in size to what went to the Philippines and Malay Barrier OTL late 41/early 42. The USAAF will acquire Sptifires though, just like OTL. (about 3 fighter groups worth as I recall).
3. The Navy is indeed has only sufficient forces in the Pacific to fight a delaying action in the Far East, and defend the SLOC to Hawaii (and weakly patrol Alaskan waters). Luckily the Japanese can't reach past Hawaii with surface forces and even their submarines cannot remain too long. Although they can indeed set up ambush positions around Hawaii. More on what King is doing will be coming however which will address that issue. The problem with the Atlantic Fleet carriers is they lack the punch to attack the Nazi held coast without the British carriers and that still would be high risk... they are not the Kendo Butai even if all the British and American carriers operated together.
4. The Eastern Sea Frontiers (US East Coast/Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico) are being addressed however. Note in TTL that Nimitz manage to get 35 B17 C/Ds from the Army and some B18s (in exchange the Army Air Force has managed to escape the maritime patrol mission). They aren't ready yet, but they will be available early 1942. The Atlantic Fleet is first in line for PBYs. But yes they need B24s to close the Black Pit, and a lot of CVEs, DEs, and everything else that made OTL victory in the War in the Atlantic happen in mid 1943. At this point its about damage mitigation, and the Allies did do that TTL. Losing 2 million tons instead of 3.5 millions tons lost is an improvement.
5. Stark got fired from CNO in part for Pearl Harbor, but also in part for waffling about what to do with the Pensacola Convoy and was scapecoated in part for the early part of Operation Drumbeat (remember King isn't CNO until December 30). However, as Drumbeat has been costly (indeed horrifically so), Stark will be going soon. Just need the final shoe to drop (war with Japan). Although the new CNO could just as easily be Nimitz or Kimmel rather than King. On the plus side, King is a trained carrier aviator and commanded the CV Lexington prewar (and the seaplane tender Wright and Pensacola NAS). He actually has about as much experience commanding carriers as Halsey
(Fun note, Robert A Heinlein, Ensign USN, dated one of Kings daughters).

King commanded the Lexington during Fleet Problem X (where the scouting force and vulnerability of carriers were tested) and and Fleet Problem XI and XII, with simulated attacks against Panama and Fleet Problem XIII, the famous simulated attack on Pearl Harbor. If anyone can keep the carriers safe and effective at the same time, its King.

(detailed look at the inter war USN Fleet problems can be found here)

As to Palestine, the British justed secured Vichy held Syria/Lebanon and are well on their way to making that the central base area for the RAF. It is indeed a logical place for USAAF support units to go and initial familizeration for the USAAF combat groups as they arrive.
 
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McPherson

Banned
Direct path also requires committing a major act of war against the Turks by overflying the middle of the country with as many heavy bombers as can be scraped together (which, really isn't all that many (total B-17 production, excepting the 20 diverted to the RAF was ~110 aircraft to this point, this includes 37 "B" models with no armor or self sealing fuel tanks and a total of five .30 cals). The first E model (aka the first true combat capable version with tail guns) won't fly until September.

While the Turks won't be able to really interdict any attack they can make the Allies life a LOT more complicated (letting some German and Italian subs and surface assets into the Black Sea would make the Soviet situation in the Crimea all that much worse, especially in the first five months of the war.
https://www.flugzeuginfo.net/acdata_php/acdata_b26_en.php

Crew7
Propulsion2 Radial Engines
Engine ModelPratt & Whitney R-2800-43 Double Wasp
Engine Power (each)1491 kW2000 hp
Speed459 km/h248 kts
285 mph
Service Ceiling6.309 m20.700 ft
Range1.771 km956 NM
1.100 mi.
Empty Weight11.476 kg25.300 lbs
max. Takeoff Weight17.327 kg38.200 lbs
Wing Span21,64 m70 ft 12 in
Wing Area61,1 m²658 ft²
Length17,09 m56 ft 1 in
Height6,20 m20 ft 4 in
First Flight25.11.1940
Production Statusout of production
Production Range1941-1945
Total Production5288
ICAO CodeB26M
Data for (Version)Martin B-26G Marauder
VariantsB-26, B-26A, B-26B, B-26C, B-26F, B-26G, JM-1, JM-3

The Marauder can "just" make it with bomb bay tanks and a light bomb load. It needs fighter escort. Lots of fighter escort.
 
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Authors note: I intend for the most part to stick to historical development, mobilization and deployment of ships, aircraft, tanks etc. Combat units and combat deployments of ships and aircraft are one thing, but I do not have the time, energy or desire to probe what ifs in engineering such as switching engines etc on OTL aircraft.

Also, its WAY too early to consider bombing Ploesti yet. The USAAF doesn't even have a combat ready Heavy Bomb Group at present. They are all in training or haven't even been formed.

I agree the B24 should first go to the Navy for the Battle of the Atlantic. However, the Army gets a vote and Hap Arnold wants his bombers. Although the Navy will get them a bit sooner than historically. Just not massively sooner.

6 months early US entry seems like a lot and as far as earlier economic mobilization it is. But it does not mean that the United States is really ready to fight and indeed it is less ready now than it was in December 1941
 
https://www.flugzeuginfo.net/acdata_php/acdata_b26_en.php

Crew7
Propulsion2 Radial Engines
Engine ModelPratt & Whitney R-2800-43 Double Wasp
Engine Power (each)1491 kW2000 hp
Speed459 km/h248 kts
285 mph
Service Ceiling6.309 m20.700 ft
Range1.771 km956 NM
1.100 mi.
Empty Weight11.476 kg25.300 lbs
max. Takeoff Weight17.327 kg38.200 lbs
Wing Span21,64 m70 ft 12 in
Wing Area61,1 m²658 ft²
Length17,09 m56 ft 1 in
Height6,20 m20 ft 4 in
First Flight25.11.1940
Production Statusout of production
Production Range1941-1945
Total Production5288
ICAO CodeB26M
Data for (Version)Martin B-26G Marauder
VariantsB-26, B-26A, B-26B, B-26C, B-26F, B-26G, JM-1, JM-3

The Marauder can "just" make it. It needs fighter escort. Lots of fighter escort.

to be fair, the range of the B26 is not significantly greater than that of the available Allied fighters . Its combat losse rate in World War II, even from the 22nd Bombardment Group operating in New Guinea (and lackng escorts) was very good. It did its job very well. Only the later A26 was a better interdiction weapon.
 


Temporary Restoration of French Port Facilities Normandy ...

The German Army In France - United States Army Center of ...

thanks for the links, I found a useful one regarding Brest and already had information on St Nazaire, Lorient and Cherbourg
 
True, the Philippine army was without tanks, but two companies of the US Army 194th Tank Battalion with 54 M3 tanks arrived in Manila on 26 SEP 1941. On 16 OCT, 25, 25 T12 Gun Motor Carriages arrived, followed by 20 more on 18 NOV. Paired with Philippine Scout infantry battalions, these could have been effective armored task forces if they had time to train.

The question in this TL is whether these would be sent as historically or diverted to the forces that were preparing for deployment to North Africa.
assume diversion ... tanks are in short supply across the board for the US Army
 

McPherson

Banned
to be fair, the range of the B26 is not significantly greater than that of the available Allied fighters . Its combat losse rate in World War II, even from the 22nd Bombardment Group operating in New Guinea (and lackng escorts) was very good. It did its job very well. Only the later A26 was a better interdiction weapon.
It needs bomb-bay ferry tanks. I wanted the Super Marauder, but HAP Arnold killed it RTL and would ITTL, and it would not be ready before mid 1942 at the earliest anyway. The thing is... the USAAF is going to have to now decide early if the added guns and gunners are worth the loss in range and bomb load? I say strip out all but the minimum, go in high low-high and hit that target. (Napalm is 1044, rats.) But don't let Brereton screw the op. up.
 
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CalBear

Moderator
Donor
Monthly Donor
It needs bomb-bay ferry tanks. I wanted the Super Marauder, but HAP Arnold killed it RTL and would ITTL, and it would not be ready before mid 1942 at the earliest anyway. The thing is... the USAAF is going to have to now decide early if the added guns and gunners are worth the loss in range and bomb load? I say strip out all but the minimum, go in high low-high and hit that target. (Napalm is 1044, rats.) But don't let Brereton screw the op. up.
Actually the later, heavier, 24,000 pound dry/37,000lb combat"B" model (May 1942 introduction) had better range (1,150 mile combat radius before the 18% reduction calculations needed to account for form up and normal weather) than the 21,741 pound dry/32,700lb, combat "A" model with a pre-calculation range of 1,000 pounds

Figures from: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_bombers/b26.html
 

McPherson

Banned
5. Stark got fired from CNO in part for Pearl Harbor, but also in part for waffling about what to do with the Pensacola Convoy and was scapecoated in part for the early part of Operation Drumbeat (remember King isn't CNO until December 30). However, as Drumbeat has been costly (indeed horrifically so), Stark will be going soon. Just need the final shoe to drop (war with Japan). Although the new CNO could just as easily be Nimitz or Kimmel rather than King. On the plus side, King is a trained carrier aviator and commanded the CV Lexington prewar (and the seaplane tender Wright and Pensacola NAS). He actually has about as much experience commanding carriers as Halsey
(Fun note, Robert A Heinlein, Ensign USN, dated one of Kings daughters).
I am not a fan of "Betty" Stark, obviously. I would have assembled the admirals and made an example of Stark. I won't go into details, but if Roosevelt had called in William V. Pratt to look at the mess that Stark made of things and followed Pratt's recommendations, I think Stark's next assignment would not be London, but Portsmouth.

Anyway, King was not CNO until March 1942. It is Nimitz who becomes PACFLT on 30 December, 1941 or thereabouts. I do not know how one intends to ruffle shuffle the deck, but I would like to make @phx1138 happy by unifying submarines as a strategic weapon under Tommy Hart after the Asiatic Fleet is kerplunked. It might be nice to see what a competent admiral could do with SUBPAC.
 
I am not a fan of "Betty" Stark, obviously. I would have assembled the admirals and made an example of Stark. I won't go into details, but if Roosevelt had called in William V. Pratt to look at the mess that Stark made of things and followed Pratt's recommendations, I think Stark's next assignment would not be London, but Portsmouth.

Anyway, King was not CNO until March 1942. It is Nimitz who becomes PACFLT on 30 December, 1941 or thereabouts. I do not know how one intends to ruffle shuffle the deck, but I would like to make @phx1138 happy by unifying submarines as a strategic weapon under Tommy Hart after the Asiatic Fleet is kerplunked. It might be nice to see what a competent admiral could do with SUBPAC.
I too like Tommy Hart and he seems like the perfect guy to head the submarine arm
 

McPherson

Banned
Some random thoughts.

a. The 180 days accelerated make not a jot of difference unless we nudge the needle and allow for the snowball effect. This is actually a valid point. What can be done? The material issues as a matter of course break out this way.

b. New weapon platform takes at least five to ten years from concept to proof. The B-17 as an example, was built and flown in 1935 and still was being tweaked until 1943 before it can be claimed to be proofed. The British example may be more obscure, but from the Bristol Type 142 Passenger Packet of 1934 to the Beaufighter of 1940 (first flight of that plane.) to the weapon proof of the serial (1943) is kind of similar.

c. So. What actually can be done faster?
C1. Train, baby, train. Take the human material and push the training harder and more thoroughly. Infantry are the building blocks. Mechanics are the building blocks. Signallers are the building blocks. Welders are the building blocks, Pick a trained manpower shortage category of persons, terms and throw money and teachers at it. Get the human material ahead of the curve so that when the tools are finally ready,l there will be people waiting to use them who know how.
C2. Analyze the situation and redistribute the resources available in the time available. That is beyond the scope of my ability to describe in this ATL because that is the author's domain. I do have a hint. Submarines which were 2% of the United States Navy killed half of the IJN and IJMS. See C3 and C4 for some possibilities.
C3. CAS and the medium bombers and TACAIR was more effective in the early war than strategic bombardment which only came into its own AFTER the LW was killed. So... killing the LW would be kind of high on the list of things to do early and often.
C4. There are no magic bullets, but there are chokepoints, bottlenecks and one point vulnerabilities. It was mentioned that bombing Ploesti might bring Turkey into a pro-German stance. Well, it will do more than that. Might as well as skin that hog. Mine the Bosporus and Sea of Marmara in case the Turks show a predilection for being U-boat friendly.
C5. Think outside the box. Grab a blankety blank freighter and man her up with some Naval auxiliaries trained to use K-guns and depth charges. BOLT those onto the stupid existent freighter along with a gun. But what about sonar? Think... I mentioned the Harvard Underwater Sound Laboratory and now I mention the US Weather Service automated floating weather buoys (deployed since 1935 to measure underwater temperature to predict shifting ocean currents such as the Gulf Stream.). Those buoys measured SOUND refraction as it passes through the water to determine the ocean depth temperatures to establish ocean current boundaries. Those were actually SONOBUOYS, only nobody figured that if you used the pinger to paint a sub with one, you could actually find it. Put one of those on a cable and hook it up to a display reader. What, ya' got now, Magee? DIPPING SONAR. Add an autogyro for grins and giggles. This is a 2 year project, but it can start with a proven tech already in place.
C6. How about FIDO? Acoustic ASW torpedo? RTL it was a 12 month job. ITTL it still is a 12 month job. Get cracking. Those PB4Ys need to be able to drop a Mark 24 mine in June of 1942.

Just food for thought. More later.
 
C4. There are no magic bullets, but there are chokepoints, bottlenecks and one point vulnerabilities. It was mentioned that bombing Ploesti might bring Turkey into a pro-German stance. Well, it will do more than that. Might as well as skin that hog. Mine the Bosporus and Sea of Marmara in case the Turks show a predilection for being U-boat friendly.
Two questions here:
1) Why do you think Turkey would jump so readily into the Axis camp?
2) Why would the Allies follow through on something that would add yet another combatant into the mix against them? Seems the last thing they’d want to do is get the Turks riled up enough to cause problems in the Caucasus, the Balkans, and the Levant?
 

marathag

Banned
, this air farce will have to be built out of medium bomber groups and the existent American fighter types in production. It will be a grim introduction into modern air warfare
Douglas Boston and Martin Maryland did pretty well in UK and French service, will do just as well in USAF colors
 

McPherson

Banned
Two questions here:
1) Why do you think Turkey would jump so readily into the Axis camp?
Why would an invaded country not adopt; "the enemy of my enemy, is my friend"? Finland is the case example.
2) Why would the Allies follow through on something that would add yet another combatant into the mix against them? Seems the last thing they’d want to do is get the Turks riled up enough to cause problems in the Caucasus, the Balkans, and the Levant?
The Causasus, Balkans and Levant is already 100 roiled, including Turkey which was only "technically" neutral . Turkey does not matter, if Ploesti is torched and ruined.
 
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