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JuanG -> RE: At start deployment: Large Naval (2/15/2010 8:28:59 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: John 3rd
We would have prewar intelligence so Juan could perhaps provide a 'history' of the other Fleets so we know what we might be up against. That would really help some! Is Force Z augmented? Does the Royal Navy move CVs to the Indian Ocean? Do the Dutch or Aussies have any new toys we should be aware of?
Important questions as I sip my cup of Darjeeling...
Of course. Here's the story of the other navies leading up to the war;
US
As a result of the 1922 Washington treaty, the United States was force to abandon the majority of its proposed fleet building program, retaining only the Colorado class BB Washington, and four of the Lexington class CCs, two of which were converted to aircraft carriers.
In addition to this, to use up some of the remaining tonnage for carriers, the US built two ~16,000ton carriers around 1930.
The US opted to use the limited replacement clause of the London treaty, scrapping some of their oldest battleships to allow for the construction of two "next generation" standard battleships, the North Carolina class. These are ~35,000tons and reportedly capable of 28 knots, a marked improvement over the otherwise slow US battleline. The construction of these ships was delayed due to problems within the US as a result of the depression.
After the collapse of the treaty around 1936, it is known the US has started work on a fleet expansion program, including a new class of carriers, and another class of fast battleships.
The confirmed strength of the US fleet stands at a total of 13 older Battleships, 2 new Battleships, 2 Battlecruisers and 5 fleet Carriers. In addition to this, there are reports of another two fast Battleships and up to 3 new fleet Carriers having been built since 1936.
The US fleet is concentrated in Pearl Harbour, though there are some units located in the Atlantic and on the West Coast. The US carriers are believed to be located in Pearl Harbour, though this is unconfirmed.
RN
The RN were allowed to build four new ships under the 1922 treaty, resulting in parity with the US treaty fleet. The RN construction following the treaty did not move to the maximum gun size of 16in, but has standised on 15in which is now used in all their capital ships. The ships built following the treaty are all capable of ~30knots, and despite their inferior weapons are amongst the most advanced ships to exist in the treaty era.
In addition to this, as the RN did not opt for up to two "oversized" conversion carriers, they were allowed to retain a third unit over the 35,000ton limit, the HMS Hood. The RN carrier program was relatively undeveloped in the 20s.
Like the US, the RN opted to scrap two of its older battleships (two of the Revenge class) to build new ships (the HMS Price of Wales and HMS King George V) under the limited replacement clause. These ships continued to use 15in guns and are capable of 28 knots.
Following the end of the treaty, the RN started work on an evolution of this class, but it is likely that work on it has been delayed or cancelled due to the war in Europe.
RN carrier design has evolved during the end of the treaty and in the years after to result in a type of heavily armoured carrier. The IJNs Taiho class carriers under construction are based on the same principles, although enlarged to allow a much larger airgroup than their RN counterparts.
The RN has historically maintained a naval presence at both Singapore and Ceylon, though only a fraction of the fleet has been based in the region. Currently there are reportedly three battleships in the theatre, one of which is confirmed to be located in Singapore. It is likely atleast one of the others is located in Columbo on Ceylon. There have been plans for the RN to transfer one of its carriers to the region, but there have been no confirmed reports yet.
Dutch
The Dutch naval presence in the region around Java was significantly strengthend by the arrival of a new light battlecruiser constructed with the help of German designers before the war. German design documents reveal that the ships are ~25,000tons and armed with nine German 28cm/54.5 guns. They are capable of up to 34 knots, but their armour protection is inadequate and designed only to stop heavy cruiser sized guns.
If theres anything else you'd like to know about them without specifics to ruin the fun, let me know.
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