A Different 1942, prolog.

How many carrier battles were there? How Many aircraft carriers did the IJN/USN use?

  • I think there was just the one, wasn't there?

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • IJN aircraft carriers used = 2 USN aircraft carriers used = 2

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • IJN aircraft carriers used = 4 USN aircraft carriers used = 3

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    21
  • Poll closed .
Hi folks, my health's been down in the dumps lately but still wanted to start this...

First off, I am going to be doing a group of threads that are mini ATL's, that cover a single OTL battle, and have the purpose of getting us to a place in an alternate WWII in the Pacific that sets the stage for a massive battle in Fall 1942 between the carrier fleets of the IJN/USN. Think "Jutland", but with carriers and the fate of the Pacific War hanging in the balance (No, not that Japan can win, but that their defeat is much different than OTL, based upon the outcome of this hypothetical Decisive Battle).

I want to practice creative writing skills, and get better at researching things to keep things pluseable and close to historically, so this thread is where I'll post ideas and ask for input.

I want to make things both fun and informative, and provide a place where folks can point me in the direction of things I didn't know.

As a fun challenge, I'll try to post questions that require some knowledge of the time periods historical battles and carrier forces.

I'm specifically looking to change historys battles from May 1st to June 15th, in order to lay the groundwork for the main thread I'll be making later on, after I have a reasonably good working to work with.

How many battles took place in the 1.5 months from start of May to mid June, 1942 in which 1 or more carriers took part? How many Japanese carriers were involved in these battles? Put your answers in the poll, please.

Bonus question, name as many IJN/USN carriers that took part in these battles as you can!
 
Also, when I do the mini timelines, I'm probably going to go with one thread covers just a single day, from an OTL battle, type of format, so that I can focus on getting everything I can out of each historical battle and ideas for how to change them.
 
I'm looking to keep the poll going, so bumping this to bring it back to the front page.

Additionally, How many aircraft carriers did each side loose? How many of the aircraft carriers didn't fire a shot?
 
Not having read too much on the pacific, I may be off in my guestimates, but please explain in more detail. Are you suggesting a midway on steroids the Japanese win?
 
Coral Sea

Shoho sunk.

Lexington sunk.

Doolittle Raid on Tokyo

No carriers lost either side, but an entire B-24 squadron was written off by the Americans.

Midway.

Akagi sunk.
Kagi sunk.
Soryu sunk.
Hiryu sunk.

Yorktown sunk.

Every participating aircraft carrier including the incompetently handled Hornet at Midway launched effective aerial participation into the battles.

Every Japanese carrier still afloat and able, except Zuikaku and Shokaku (both mauled at Coral Sea), including the training carrier Hosho, participated during Midway / Aleutians.

Japanese IJN order of battle at the time included eleven aircraft carriers either fitting out, under repair, or in commission. HIyo was not ready yet, the two Coral Sea survivors had no air groups or were too damaged, which means the Japanese had eight battle ready.
American order of battle for PACFlt before Coral Sea included Hornet, Enterprise, Yorktown, Lexington and Saratoga. Saratoga was under repair after torpedo damage. Effective order of battle potential was four flattops for Coral Sea, but Halsey arrived too late.

Midway; the Japanese actually only used six carriers in two separate battle actions, Kondo's flattop escort did diddly squat, likewise Yamamoto's. Nagumo lost all four he had off Midway and fumble dorked around. Yamamoto relieved him, then lost his own nerve and retreated against two American flattops who survived among the three Nagumo originally engaged there.

Why Zuikaku and Shokaku were not there is simple. Zuikaku's air group was DEAD and Shokaku's flight deck and hanger was burned out.

Did I miss anything?
 
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