Senior Member
I was told that RSRD (I'm playing with TMO) models the significant battles in the Pacific, including Midway. Accordingly, I decided that rather than trying to find the CV battle group NW of Midway, I would ambush it on leaving Japan.
My problem was that according to historical records, the fleet left Hashirijima at 0600 17 May, Japanese time. This would be 2100Z 16 May and 1100 Hawaii (base) time. In other words, a 19 hour time difference. Again, according to historical sources, the carries sailed through the Bungo Strait - the perfect ambush point.
Since I left Pearl on 3 May and reached Midway for refueling on 6 May, that left me only 10 days to get into position and prepare for the ambush. I determined that at 16 knots, I would arrive with around 9 hours to spare. I would still have enough fuel to get back to Midway at the economical cruise speed.
Here is my problem: the IJN fleet never showed up. Four escorts appeared a few hours before the main fleet should have showed but other than a couple of stray merchants, I encountered nothing. I gave it a couple of days and still nothing.
So, what is the story? If RSRD is accurate, it should have followed the times and path indicated above. Does it follow some other behavior? Does it show up at Midway at the appointed time?
I did a 6 May save at Midway, so I can restart if I have the correct information.
Senior Member
Senior Member
Yes, to my chagrin, I misread the departure date. According to official Japanese records, the fleet sailed at 0600 27 May. There is a 19 hour time difference between Hawaii (base) time and Japan time so that means departure is 26 May 1100 (or 2100 Zulu).Originally posted by MWolfe1963:
With RSRD, I'm fairly sure you can ambush the Midway TF leaving the Bungo May 25. All the capital ships come out in one long row...
May have been the night of the 24th or dark morning of the 25th.., so get there a day early.
I saved the scenario at 6 May, so I'm going to rewind and sail to the ambush point at cruising speed. That should put me outside the Bungo Strait around 23 May.
Senior Member
OK, I now have the definitive word: I made first contact with the outer screen at around 1300Z 27 May (2200 local). My position was just outside of the Bungo Strait, around two or three thousand yards off the centerline.
You are correct that the capital ships come out in a long line, with the four CV's in the lead. I bagged the lead CV - the Hiryu.
I'll have a full writeup in due course.
Senior Member
Senior Member
Senior Member
I've got Leyte Gulf coming up.Right now I'm on assignment patrolling Convoy College, Oct. 8th, 1944. I have to stay here until the 12th, then it's on to the Sibuyan Sea and Kurita's Center Force.
I'm gonna try and pick it up at the same location I did last time. Hope to get some good SS this time too.
Senior Member
Why not attack those carriers coming from the north? I followed them for a couple of days waiting for Haley's planes to show up, they did and bout sunk everything before I could get some torps off, but fun to watch.
One thing I was wondering. Obvious we can't attack the JP's why they attack Pearl, but I just read the TF returned through the Bungo on Dec. 23. If we start from Manila, should be able to get to the Bungo by then...
Senior Member
Banned
I was about to post a new thread dealing with this topic, but a quick search led me here so I'll ask a followup question.
I've researched the dates of the Midway force leaving the Inland Sea as noted by others above. My dilemma is I've been sent to patrol between Area's 8 and 7, near Bungo Str., but it is early May, three weeks before they sortie. The question I had was if RSRD scripts the movements of capital ships as they assembled prior to departure on the 27th of May? According to Japanese records, for a couple of weeks in early may the combined fleet was moving into the Inland Sea to assemble at the anchorage prior to departure. Or alternatively, if I could infiltrate into the anchorage in the week prior to the fleet's departure, would I expect to find the fleet assembling there?
