lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Sept 1, 2024 10:17:20 GMT
True, their might be a change of the Bismarck and Yamato firing at each other until things have sorted out, Yamato knows about Bismarck but Bismarck does not know about Yamato, only rumors as of 1941: "What did the USN know about Yamato and when?" Yes there was a lot of confusion about the size and other attributes of the ship, partly due to Japanese attempts to disguise their huge size and partly because so many people thought such giants were impractical, either overall or for the Japanese to be able to construct. Here more details will probably be discovered more quickly because of battle reports and photos from aircraft during the hunt. Its going to be a huge shock to the British and Americans. Might see a push for the Montana's or some similar class to be completed - although whether that would supplant any plans for the Iowa's or be alongside them but then I don't know what US shipyard capacity was at the time. At worst a reaction due to their size and the limited impact so far by carrier attacks the US cuts back on planned carrier production somewhat.
So lets say Yamato (1945) and escorts together with Bismark and the Prinz Eugen win the battle of the denmark strait and successfully defend himself against the Ark Royal group, and make it to France, the RAF will come in full force i assume. Ore will the Yamato (1945) and escorts together with Bismark and the Prinz Eugen try to head to German occupied Norway by going around Scotland, might they encounter the Home Fleet waiting for them. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Sept 1, 2024 11:22:24 GMT
Yes there was a lot of confusion about the size and other attributes of the ship, partly due to Japanese attempts to disguise their huge size and partly because so many people thought such giants were impractical, either overall or for the Japanese to be able to construct. Here more details will probably be discovered more quickly because of battle reports and photos from aircraft during the hunt. Its going to be a huge shock to the British and Americans. Might see a push for the Montana's or some similar class to be completed - although whether that would supplant any plans for the Iowa's or be alongside them but then I don't know what US shipyard capacity was at the time. At worst a reaction due to their size and the limited impact so far by carrier attacks the US cuts back on planned carrier production somewhat.
So lets say Yamato (1945) and escorts together with Bismark and the Prinz Eugen win the battle of the denmark strait and successfully defend himself against the Ark Royal group, and make it to France, the RAF will come in full force i assume. Ore will the Yamato (1945) and escorts together with Bismark and the Prinz Eugen try to head to German occupied Norway by going around Scotland, might they encounter the Home Fleet waiting for them.
If the Yamato makes it largely unaffected to France along with the Bismarck then the bomber barons will get short shift if they suggest its a distraction from the 'vital' bombing of German cities to attack them.
Mind you there were only a couple of docks that could handle Bismarck. Not sure if either could handle Yamato??
If the new Axis allies turn back then I suspect they would go via Denmark Strait as going between Iceland and Scotland exposes them to a lot more air threats than the northern route.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Sept 1, 2024 11:27:47 GMT
So lets say Yamato (1945) and escorts together with Bismark and the Prinz Eugen win the battle of the denmark strait and successfully defend himself against the Ark Royal group, and make it to France, the RAF will come in full force i assume. Ore will the Yamato (1945) and escorts together with Bismark and the Prinz Eugen try to head to German occupied Norway by going around Scotland, might they encounter the Home Fleet waiting for them. If the Yamato makes it largely unaffected to France along with the Bismarck then the bomber barons will get short shift if they suggest its a distraction from the 'vital' bombing of German cities to attack them. Mind you there were only a couple of docks that could handle Bismarck. Not sure if either could handle Yamato?? If the new Axis allies turn back then I suspect they would go via Denmark Strait as going between Iceland and Scotland exposes them to a lot more air threats than the northern route.
Yamato could go with Bismark and the Prinz Eugen, Yamato escorts, the light cruiser Yahagi, and eight destroyers (Asashimo, Hamakaze, Isokaze, Suzutsuki, Hatsushimo, Yukikaze, Fuyutsuki, and Kasumi)could go to France, ore is it not wise to split them up. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Sept 1, 2024 22:57:39 GMT
If the Yamato makes it largely unaffected to France along with the Bismarck then the bomber barons will get short shift if they suggest its a distraction from the 'vital' bombing of German cities to attack them. Mind you there were only a couple of docks that could handle Bismarck. Not sure if either could handle Yamato?? If the new Axis allies turn back then I suspect they would go via Denmark Strait as going between Iceland and Scotland exposes them to a lot more air threats than the northern route.
Yamato could go with Bismark and the Prinz Eugen, Yamato escorts, the light cruiser Yahagi, and eight destroyers (Asashimo, Hamakaze, Isokaze, Suzutsuki, Hatsushimo, Yukikaze, Fuyutsuki, and Kasumi)could go to France, ore is it not wise to split them up.
I would suspect that it wouldn't be wise to split them up as the escorts provided some support against air or sub attack while without the capital ships if they run into a powerful RN force they could quickly become mincemeat. Also I suspect a confused and still probably distrustful Japanese commander probably wouldn't want to split his force.
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