Destroyers.... Japanese Style

[oldpop2000]

In 1927, Admiral Suetsugu lectured at Eta Jima and suggested a radically enhanced (not my word) surface capability mainly torpedo units. He stated that this might be necessary to contend with an opponents superiority in fire power. The idea was that up to this time, the heavy guns of the fleet would annihilate the enemy fleet as they had during the Sino-Japanese Fleet. The Japanese after that war concentrated on night torpedo operations.

The IJN decided that it needed fifteen fast destroyers of the Minekaze class. Maximum speed of 39 knots and range of 4000 miles at 14 knots. It would carry large numbers of 24 inch. Torpedoes.



Ok, so in that vain, I decide in my Japan game of 1907 to design a Japanese torpedo destroyer. Of course the problem is this is 1907 and I am at 600 tonners. I've added a 900 ton destroyer.

    



I might start developing two kinds of destroyers: regular destroyers and torpedo destroyers but I have not been able to figure out how to assign only the torpedo boat destroyers to one formation. Help is required, gents
.

 

[oldpop2000]

Here is a picture of the Oboro Class 900 Tonner

[oldpop2000]

I decided to start a 1920 game as Japan and build a much more advanced destroyer

Attachments:

[oldpop2000]

I was doing research on high temperature steam and turbines for all ships but more importantly studying the design of destroyers especially the Japanese. It occurred to me from comments in one of my books, that instead of destroyer designs in the game being set to speed, they should be set to reliability. So here is my new design from 1921 Japan game that goes in that direction. Destroyers are needed all the time in fleets for ASW, scouting, torpedo attacks and escorting duty. These kinds of mission require reliability far more than just speed which I could get anyway. So, this is my new direction for all destroyers I build.... reliability. I could only get two 5 inch guns but eight torpedo tubes and a good 32 knots. I have to get to dual and triple turrets to mount more guns but this is adequate for these ships for now.

[oldpop2000]

The design committee decided that the Satsuki class should have more guns so here is the latest version of that ship.

[oldpop2000]

I have been reading a complete history of WW2 Naval warfare and it brought to mind, the Flower Class Corvettes. There were small, 960 ton, 16 knot ships for convoy escort. The British had lost many destroyers in the Norwegian Campaign and at Dunkirk, so they had to replace them quickly. This was their solution, temporarily. So here is my Japanese version of the Flower class Corvette. It is cheap, faster than the Flowers so that is good. I am going to mod the design and add more light AA guns and maybe some mediums. 





Another observation is that my designs are not cramped, but the Flower's were very cramped. If you don't believe me, read Lt. Commander Nicolas Montserrat.

[rimbecano]

Nov 24, 2020 21:25:42 GMT -6 oldpop2000 said:

Another observation is that my designs are not cramped, but the Flower's were very cramped. If you don't believe me, read Lt. Commander Nicolas Montserrat.

My maternal grandfather was a medic on Eyebright. I didn't hear too many of his war stories myself (or, at least, I was too young to find them interesting enough to commit to memory), but after my parents married my dad took quite an interest to his war stories and I've heard a bit second hand. I seem to recall "cramped" and "wet" being mentioned.

[stevethecat]

I build my IJN destroyers entirely around the shock attack mechanic.

1x 2" gun, and as many torps as the hull capacity allows and *just* enough speed to out pace enemy DDs.

It can be be quite effective.

nws-online.proboards.com/attachment/download/7593

[oldpop2000]

Nov 25, 2020 6:45:22 GMT -6 rimbecano said:

Nov 24, 2020 21:25:42 GMT -6 oldpop2000 said:

Another observation is that my designs are not cramped, but the Flower's were very cramped. If you don't believe me, read Lt. Commander Nicolas Montserrat.

My maternal grandfather was a medic on Eyebright. I didn't hear too many of his war stories myself (or, at least, I was too young to find them interesting enough to commit to memory), but after my parents married my dad took quite an interest to his war stories and I've heard a bit second hand. I seem to recall "cramped" and "wet" being mentioned.

Montserrat wrote some novels, one being The Cruel Sea which was made into a movie in 1953. I have always loved the movie. You really get a good feel for what it was like in the convoy escorts. It won an oscar and had three nominations.  My dad would never watch Victory at Sea but always insisted that I watch it. His words were "I was there, I do not need to watch it.". I'll bet you have some real good stories. Maybe you should sit down and write them for out for your family.

[oldpop2000]

Nov 25, 2020 7:19:58 GMT -6 stevethecat said:

I build my IJN destroyers entirely around the shock attack mechanic.

1x 2" gun, and as many torps as the hull capacity allows and *just* enough speed to out pace enemy DDs.

It can be be quite effective.

nws-online.proboards.com/attachment/download/7593

I like that idea, maybe I will expropriate it. If you don't mind. When my research reaches diesel, I will substitute diesel engines which might improve range etc.