Kami and Special Weapons Prep

[AirGriff]

How do you JFB's plan for the end game's use of kamikazes and special weapons? This is my
first game as IJ, so up to now I've only had to worry about stopping the stuff. What planes
do you use? Do you just convert existing platforms for kami's, or do you plan to use specific
platforms for this? Also looking for thoughts on the naval side.

[Chickenboy]

Unfortunately, I haven't been in any PBEM games that have seen employment of kamis yet, AirGriff. From those that have:

1. Start training IJAAF pilots early and often. LowNav >60 seems to be the right trending for training.

2. IJAAF will have to carry most of the kami burden for you, as you'll be too busy using (or training) your IJNAF units for carrier duty (hopefully) to use them in kamikaze training. Later in the war, you get a mess of IJNAF kamikaze 'training' units. These can be helpful in training up your kamikaze 'pools'.

3. Kamikaze 'impact' / damage is built around payload and probably some imput involving speed and / or aircraft weight. Look for planes that carry at least 2x250kg bombs. Early in the war you can produce the Oscar IIa, which has speed and a decent payload. I plan on continuing the Oscar line throughout the war for this purpose. The single engine 800kg bomb-carrying aircraft are particularly sweet as kamikazes.

4. Speed is important to get through CAP. Later war attacking aircraft are faster than the earlier TBs, for example. They make for more efficient CAP penetrators.

5. Some have vouched for using multiple altitudes for multiple groups of attacking aircraft. I think this, combined with sheer numbers and / or combined with CV-based attacks on the enemy fleet should ensure the largest numbers of kamikazes reaching their targets. Overwhelm the enemy defenses, like IRL.

Some places to start. Hope this helps.

[AirGriff]

Yes, that is very good information, thanks C! How about the human torpedo's, subs and such?

[CapnGreasy]

I am in Feb 45 in my PBEM. One of the dec 8 DBB scenarios. The Ohka is being built/avaiable and I have e type betties in the field with them but they have not launched any strikes as of yet.

Have done my first kami attacks (Frank A's) but not enough escorts to get through. Carrier CAP is in excess of 500 fighters in a hex mind you. The hardest part is having enough airfields in an area to organize a strike large enough to get through. May just save them all up till he gets within range of the home islands and the multiple well supplied (for now) larger size airfields packed close together.

Been looking for the Kaiten in the weapons bin but have not seen it. I can find its stats but not any stockpiles. Shame, all the subs have already updated to carry it. Stats look like a one hit kill for most anything.

The training sqdns are great. Any skill gets trained up to 70 easily enough. But exp stays at 50 or lower unless you really start putting the pilots into some kinda combat.

Just my experience so far. Browse the AAR's and I am sure you can find an instance of someone really putting a good Kami attack on. Like it has been said, volume equals success. (See 500 or greater CAP above.)

[AirGriff]

Thanks Cap, great info. Is the Betty e model the only one that can carry the Ohka, or is it any torp capable bomber?

[offenseman]

ORIGINAL: CapnGreasy

Been looking for the Kaiten in the weapons bin but have not seen it. I can find its stats but not any stockpiles. Shame, all the subs have already updated to carry it. Stats look like a one hit kill for most anything.

Is it possible that your subs are not upgraded enough? Only certain SS can use Kaiten. Here is a list

Available- 11/44
Type J3, last upgrade

Available- 12/44
Type C2, last upgrade
Type B1/B2, last upgrade

Available 1/45
Type C3, last upgrade

Available 4/45
Type J2, last upgrade
Type KD5, last upgrade
Type KD4, last upgrade
Type KD3A/B, last upgrade

Maybe make sure your sub types that can carry the Kaiten are upgraded far enough.

[CapnGreasy]

The subs do have Kaiten currently listed as one of their weapons. Though the warhead may not be the ship killer I originally thought it was. Where I might have made a bigger error was letting the Kitikami class CL upgrade to where it carries kaiten only and nor Long Lance torps at all.

There is a later version of the Peggy that can carry the Ohka also. Have landed some Kami hits since my last post. Day of multiple strikes, 90 plane Frank a went in last, 60 made it through the CAP. One hit with fuel explosion on a CVL maybe 2-3 flight deck penetrating hits on CV. A few hit on BB's and CV's without penetrating. At the most ten hits in total. About normal I would say against 1945 flak.

They were attacking at 1000 ft, prior strikes were 10- 25k so that must have been the trick.

At this point in the war I feel lucky to be able to provide any deterrent. JFB woes y'all.

[AirGriff]

Love the briefing, Cap. Thanks!

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: CapnGreasy

The subs do have Kaiten currently listed as one of their weapons. Though the warhead may not be the ship killer I originally thought it was. Where I might have made a bigger error was letting the Kitikami class CL upgrade to where it carries kaiten only and nor Long Lance torps at all.

There is a later version of the Peggy that can carry the Ohka also. Have landed some Kami hits since my last post. Day of multiple strikes, 90 plane Frank a went in last, 60 made it through the CAP. One hit with fuel explosion on a CVL maybe 2-3 flight deck penetrating hits on CV. A few hit on BB's and CV's without penetrating. At the most ten hits in total. About normal I would say against 1945 flak.

They were attacking at 1000 ft, prior strikes were 10- 25k so that must have been the trick.

At this point in the war I feel lucky to be able to provide any deterrent. JFB woes y'all.

Just a pity that the Kitikami can't do it smartly. I'd love it if they could act as midget sub carriers for a half-dozen Katiens...