The Whale has Wings

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Astrodragon

Don't let anyone tell you a fighter can't sink a destroyer. A P-51 fighter pilot from the 99th Pursuit Squadron sank a German-controlled ex-Italian destroyer in the Adriatic during the war by setting off her depth charges with 50 caliber machine gun fire!:)
 
Astrodragon

Don't let anyone tell you a fighter can't sink a destroyer. A P-51 fighter pilot from the 99th Pursuit Squadron sank a German-controlled ex-Italian destroyer in the Adriatic during the war by setting off her depth charges with 50 caliber machine gun fire!:)

All that O2 is awfully vulnerable to 20mm cannon fire...:)
 
I have an image of the Java invasion force being reduced to one soldier in a rowing boat still determinedly making for the landing zone.
 

Hyperion

Banned
I have an image of the Java invasion force being reduced to one soldier in a rowing boat still determinedly making for the landing zone.

The token Japanese guy in McHale's Navy probably.

That and there was this one Japanese guy I remember in a Bob Hope movie, had something to do with a ship load of beer.
 

Hyperion

Banned
23rd March (continued)
The troops had now been reduced to some 9,000, and a considerable amount of equipment had been lost. The Japanese intention was to establish a foothold for additional troops to exploit; another division was available in the Celebes to reinforce the landings[/FONT]

So how many Japanese troops started out on the invasion force.

I take it also this doesn't count the losses on the Mogami and the destroyer, and you mentioned in the previous update something about another cruiser or destroyer down by the bow.
 
Astrodragon

Excellent, an update.:D

I'm a bit surprised that the allies didn't try and push the issue after the carrier strike as that not only did a good bit of material damage it would have caused a good bit of disorder amongst the Japanese. Dodging an unopposed air attack is not good for the accuracy of naval gunnery. Also, with how overloaded and in some cases structurally suspect some of the Japanese designs were [the down-side of trying to fit too much on too small a hull;)] how are those cruisers that took torpedoes doing.

Sounds like Somerville is planning a night strike on the invasion force, which would make sense given its presumably getting quite close. Ideally would free his hands to look for the covering carriers. Not to mention the mauling both invasion force and covering cruiser squadron have take pressurises the Japanese carrier commander to do something more to cover the invasion, or possibly go hunting that CVL that has been plaguing them.

By the sound of it we could have two almost simultaneous conflicts with the Japanese playing divide and lose by sending 2CV against both the RN and the USN. I know you said the latter was a diversion but given the aggressiveness of the IJN commanders, their increasing need for a victory or seven and the fact the USN is probably spoiling for a fight I could see it turning into something bigger.

With Yamashita's attack going according to plan [Blamey and Alexander's plan that it:D] by the end of March the Japanese could be starting to realise high big a hole their in. Which probably won't stop them digging it deeper for another year or so.

Steve
 
I think that Astrodragon showing less than a kamikaze level of aggressiveness from Somerville may be not just that he is setting a trap but that his CV aircraft do not have the comparable range of the IJN's planes? Or am I wrong in this?
 
You are correct, sir. The Zero out-ranges them.

For single engined aircraft, the Zero out-ranges pretty much eveything but the Merlin engined Mustang.

What about Vals and Kates? AIUI, even as late as the Battle of the Philippine Sea Spruance had to take into account the IJN carrier force strike aircraft having a longer reach than he. I know how short legged such British naval fighters like the Sea Hurricanes and Seafires were OTL, but how is the FAA doing with their aircraft designs in terms of range compared to IJN attack aircraft?:(
 
yea but

90 long lance and only 1 hit you mean the IJN has not sunk Somerville and the entire Home Fleet with this awesomeubersuperweaponaganstwhichthereisnopossibledefence? I mean it probably sank the Bismark as well, tis the only thing capable.

Sounds like you have been looking at the data Astro.

Hyperion,

I don't know about TTL but OTL the invasion force was 2 Div each with an additional Rgt attached. say 35,000. Right now I think the IJA forces are outnumbered 2:1, 3:1 by the (OTL) defenders, but the defenders do not have proper fighting spirit, just artillery machine guns, air support, food.
 
For single engined aircraft, the Zero out-ranges pretty much eveything but the Merlin engined Mustang.

What about Vals and Kates? AIUI, even as late as the Battle of the Philippine Sea Spruance had to take into account the IJN carrier force strike aircraft having a longer reach than he. I know how short legged such British naval fighters like the Sea Hurricanes and Seafires were OTL, but how is the FAA doing with their aircraft designs in terms of range compared to IJN attack aircraft?:(

The Zero definately outranges them, the only comparable fighters are the Merlin Mustang (in service in small numbers, but ramping up for the USAAF), and the Spitfire Mk8.
The TBR and dive bombers are much closer in range, but the Japanese have a small edge. The RN does have one range-enhancing advantage (which isnt always workable), which is to track the enemy on ASV radar (hiding well out of sight in the clouds) and guide them in. When using Spearfish, they also use its built-in ASV to go straight to the enemy.This allows less fuel wasted finding the enemy. But in general, the RN prefers a closer launch range than the Japanese.
The Sparrowhawk and Sea Eagle range was decided by how much it needs for escorting the other planes.
 
90 long lance and only 1 hit you mean the IJN has not sunk Somerville and the entire Home Fleet with this awesomeubersuperweaponaganstwhichthereisnopossibledefence? I mean it probably sank the Bismark as well, tis the only thing capable.

Sounds like you have been looking at the data Astro.

Hyperion,

I don't know about TTL but OTL the invasion force was 2 Div each with an additional Rgt attached. say 35,000. Right now I think the IJA forces are outnumbered 2:1, 3:1 by the (OTL) defenders, but the defenders do not have proper fighting spirit, just artillery machine guns, air support, food.

The actual tropps available is about 35,000, as OTL, but the initial invasion fleet is smaller (for some reason they dont have as many transporst available :)
There were 18,000 in the first convoy, about 3,000 peeled off for Bali.
If the landings were successfull, the next wave would either reinforce or land further west to trap allied defenders between them.
After the losses so far only around 9,000 men are available to land (not all casualties, a couple of cripples are heading back to the Celebes hoping noone notices them, and some men are injured after the air attacks)

I assume no-one remembers Somerville has a second TF south of Java...? :D:D
 
I assume no-one remembers Somerville has a second TF south of Java...? :D:D

My expectation is that this second task force will sail up to the southern coast of Java then launch a maximum strength strike on the transport fleet, leaving it sinking and the Japanese with a totally misleading idea of where Somerville's fleet is and what they're up to.

The fighters may need to stage back through airfields on Java to refuel though.
 
The actual tropps available is about 35,000, as OTL, but the initial invasion fleet is smaller (for some reason they dont have as many transporst available :)
There were 18,000 in the first convoy, about 3,000 peeled off for Bali.
If the landings were successfull, the next wave would either reinforce or land further west to trap allied defenders between them.
After the losses so far only around 9,000 men are available to land (not all casualties, a couple of cripples are heading back to the Celebes hoping noone notices them, and some men are injured after the air attacks)

So the Japanese are already hurting so much for transports that they have to do their OTL invasion in two waves. [Make that 3, 4, 5 whatever given the number of transports being sunk or damaged]. If Somerville knew about this I think he could already start discounting the 2nd wave.:D

I assume no-one remembers Somerville has a second TF south of Java...? :D:D

We remember. More importantly the Japanese don't know. :D Alratan's idea could well work, with the Japanese carriers moving to intercept one fleet and being caught in pincers and "scratch two more flattops".:D:D:D

As said in my last post, with just a little luck the Japanese offensives southwards could be over in a week or so.

Steve
 
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