acbennett3
Posts: 352
Joined: 12/21/2004 From: Montana Status: offline
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I launched the KA-6D's to meet the returning strike for any AC that needed refueling (mainly F-14's). Recovery was done at night. Lessons learned: 1. Coordinating/timing multi AC groups on long range missions w/fuel concerns can be complicated. If the F-14's had lead the assault there is a good chance the A-7's could have gotten through unscathed. 2. Modern AAM's vs early WW2 AC is not a done deal apparently. Because they are slower and more maneuverable it seems they also evade better? 3. Modern smart weapons w/no countermeasures present are accurate and deadly in any time period. 4. Dropping bombs on small moving targets from high altitude continues to be a low odds crap shoot with 1980 technology just like back in 1941. So with the loss of 1/3 of his carrier strike force (including AC) Adm Nagumo, if still alive, would probably turn around and go home. This decision would have been strongly reinforced by the presence of high speed, non-prop driven AC, and AAM's and highly accurate/destructive ASM weapons. The 'American' technology would be both unexpected and shocking. LOSSES: ------------------------------- 43x Mitsubishi A6M2 Type 0 Zero 1x IJN Kongo 54x Nakajima B5N2 Kate 45x Aichi D3A2 Val 1x IJN Kagi 1x IJN Akagi As for the CO of the Nimitz - he achieved his goal of preventing Dec 7th - the surprise attack on Pearl. His strike results could have been better, he lost a few invaluable strike AC considering the time period, and expended large quantities of hard/impossible to replace ordinance (Phoenixes, Sidewinders, Walleyes). EXPENDITURES: ------------------ 26x AIM-54A Phoenix 3x AIM-7F Sparrow III 24x AGM-62B Walleye II ER/DL 66x Mk82 500lb LDGP And in the bigger Global Strategic perspective the above result may have been disastrous in the long term. The current time US might have no knowledge of the planned IJN attack on Pearl until the Nimitz magically appears with scifi technology and a story of damaging an IJN strike fleet and preventing an attack. The Japanese could have responded that the fleet was only on exercises and it experienced a dastardly surprise attack by the US. How would world opinion fall? Finally, without the catalyst of "Remember Pearl Harbor!", when if ever would the US/public agree to entry into WW2 both in the Pacific and Europe? And with delayed or no entry of the US into WW2 who would ultimately win? Who would develop the atomic bomb first - well the Nimitz already had that one answered? Hmmm… Hasty attack option tested - next is the 12/7 dawn attack. The Nimitz will be closer, fuel issues will be minimized, all strike AC will be involved, and if my computer can handle simulating the IJN First wave (over 200 AC), I will send 1 Squadron of F-14's vs the First wave in flight, a reduced Squadron to take on the remaining IJN CAP, leaving 3 F-14's on rotating CAP over the Nimitz. I will also incorporate the lessons learned from this strike on better targeting spread and better loadouts/attack profiles for the A-7's. Command continues to amaze…
< Message edited by acb3 -- 3/23/2014 6:00:33 AM >
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"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Santayana
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