Originally posted by Gun Grape
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I know if the roles are reversed and I have command of the IJN fleet, I would suspect a southern approach. The only way for the US to force Japan out of Manchuria is to cut the Japan-Korea sea link.
The Japanese speed, close range advantage and inability to take what they can dish out presents a whole different set of problems. Scouting is going is going to be critical.
If the IJN commander can get both his BB divisions ganged up on just one US division.....
If the Americans are coming straight in from Pearl, the low bunkers give me a serious edge since the Americans wont try to build up full speed until the last possible minute to save fuel. This makes the chance of racing the 3 hours to the enemy fleet and engaging it piecemeal before the elements close a much more likely outcome.
If they come out of the south and have full bunkers they have the edge on linking up. Only a fool would stay divided against a faster force they can't force to fight.
I would probably come at the Americans line in a double line abreast with my faster ships in the rear. 1 they are newer and more valuable and 2 they can rapidly close and form a single battle line. Using two lines abreast also lets me plot evasive maneuvers as I close with less risk of collision. I am also coming at them at the faster possible sustainable speed minus 1 knot.
1. it keeps my force together 2. if the Americans assume I am going the fastest they I throw their plots off for at least 1 salvo.
I am also probably going to lead with some destroyers that are fast enough to zip around laying smoke so that the only splash spotting is via air, and possibly getting in a torpedo shot.
The Americans have an 8.5 miles gunnery advantage until it reverses and favors me. The Americans have two options- form a battle line as I race in and try and pick me off at range or turn it into a tail chase sacrificing firepower
in order to keep the range extended longer.
Luckily I think I can get them to telegraph their intent by watchign the US destroyers, if they interpose between the battle lines I am going to assume they mean to stand and fight and are setting up an anti-torpedo screen.
Also once the range is in my brackets I want to take a slightly off center course opposite the US line of travel. This will hopefully let me slide around the end of the US battle line and cross the T.
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