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Major SNAFU_M -> RE: AAR - Tora, Tora, Tora - not? (12/15/2014 4:55:38 PM)
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Great read. Love the idea.
One thought for future revisions. There were IJN subs operating around pearl at this time. I would consider the following:
Initiate immediate zig-zag alternating between full and flank every 25 minutes with ranndom deviations up to 60 degrees of bass course every half-hour. SH-3's should be sanitizing the main line of advance. Remember that subs run shallow in this time period. During contact prosecution, use active sonobuoys.
I think that option 2 would have been the only real choice. You have to let the first wave do its damage in PH because without that, there is the possibility that the Nimitz would never have been built (Timey-Wimey, wibbly-wobbly paradoxically thing...)
I think the prowlers might have had a use in making any radio communication for the IJN virtually impossible?
The only thing that I could envision would be the CAG making the following address to the pilots:
CAG: "Okay, I just have a few points that I want to make certain that you all hear and understand. There will be special ROE for this flight and I'll have the wings of anyone who doesn't follow them to the letter - no discussions, no excuses."
1- While the enemy may be flying what you would consider an antique, they have much more real combat experience that the majority of you all and no technology beats hard experience. They will know themselves, their aircraft and how they react when someone is shooting at them better than you will.
2- Under no circumstances is anyone to engage in any type of turning fight with any Japanese aircraft. The one absolute advantage that you have is power. You are faster and you can regain energy faster than they can. You will consider your maneuvers only as superior energy fighters. They can turn inside of your turning circle and will nail you if you get into a turning fight. They will also be able to make you overshoot and will nail you as you try to recover. A priest of my acquiatance who was a RCAF Spitfire pilot once told me a story where he and his wing man came upon a Storch one day. They made 5 passes at him, going as slow as they dared while maintaining flight speed vs/recoil and he evaded them every time. They finally let him go. The IJN pilots will be able to do this to you in spades.
3- If you are within 4 NM of the INJ fleet you will be at full Mil power at all times. Remember that they are much better at deflection shooting that you are, but they have trained their reflexes for aircraft within a certain speed envelope. Most of the time they will not lead you effectively if you are moving at Mill power.
4- Go vertical. It is the one direction that you will absolutely out maneuver any IJN opponent. They can out turn you, but they cannot out climb you. Each pass should be from above, take your shot, if you miss immediately go vertical. Also remember that you can, should and will bring them to the top of their operational ceiling (XO give out the figures) and still be above them. Bring them up to you, where their performance will be seriously degraded. Only move into their performance envelope for moments at a time.
5- Use your speed and jet wash as offensive weapons.
I think that covers it. Follow those ROEs to the letter and I predict very few USN losses. [:D]
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