Greetings All.
Just want to run the idea of an alternate naval battle in the North Pacific in mid-late 1943 which I think offers a dynamic and interesting battle scenario. It is built around the US recapture of Attu, and what struck me at first look was the potential imbalance of the force levels I know about. When the US recaptured the island the major units I can see covering the assault were three of the old Pearl Harbour BBs and a single CVE. Were there additional covering forces and if so what were they? IRL the IJN mustered a major force (The fleet included the carriers Zuikaku, Shōkaku, Jun'yō, Hiyō, the battleships Musashi, Kongō, Haruna, and the cruisers Mogami, Kumano, Suzuya, Tone, Chikuma, Agano, Ōyodo, and eleven destroyers.) The Americans, however, recaptured Attu before the fleet could depart. This represented a major force at this stage of the war and the 'what if' I propose is their actual involvement in a battle. Ideas like major bad weather delaying the landing, early detection, major IJN units training in the Kuriles/north of Hokkaido, etc, caused the confrontation to take place. That there are many possible ways to play this out is appealing and the isolation from PH and the central Pacific to a degree acts to level the playing field to wargame the scenario out. I'd be interested in other's possible ideas on such a scenario, and what forces if any were in a covering force, or could have been despatched by the USN. Options are many for a good old-fashioned stoush and I'd be interested to hear any takes on this. Hope you all will throw up some feedback and I look forward to seeing what gets run up the flagpole. Tangles.
Just want to run the idea of an alternate naval battle in the North Pacific in mid-late 1943 which I think offers a dynamic and interesting battle scenario. It is built around the US recapture of Attu, and what struck me at first look was the potential imbalance of the force levels I know about. When the US recaptured the island the major units I can see covering the assault were three of the old Pearl Harbour BBs and a single CVE. Were there additional covering forces and if so what were they? IRL the IJN mustered a major force (The fleet included the carriers Zuikaku, Shōkaku, Jun'yō, Hiyō, the battleships Musashi, Kongō, Haruna, and the cruisers Mogami, Kumano, Suzuya, Tone, Chikuma, Agano, Ōyodo, and eleven destroyers.) The Americans, however, recaptured Attu before the fleet could depart. This represented a major force at this stage of the war and the 'what if' I propose is their actual involvement in a battle. Ideas like major bad weather delaying the landing, early detection, major IJN units training in the Kuriles/north of Hokkaido, etc, caused the confrontation to take place. That there are many possible ways to play this out is appealing and the isolation from PH and the central Pacific to a degree acts to level the playing field to wargame the scenario out. I'd be interested in other's possible ideas on such a scenario, and what forces if any were in a covering force, or could have been despatched by the USN. Options are many for a good old-fashioned stoush and I'd be interested to hear any takes on this. Hope you all will throw up some feedback and I look forward to seeing what gets run up the flagpole. Tangles.