SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post

Takao · 03-28-08, 09:51 AM

Problems abound with this scenario Rockin Robbins and AkbarGulag,

Throughout the entire war Germany only produced 193 Type IXs of all types. The Type VII could not make the long trip "round the Horn" without tankers for refueling. Even the Type IXs needed a "drink" to make it. Then you had the Allies sinking the U-boats on the way to Japan. While pre-1943 the few U-boats that were sailing to patrol around Capetown encountered few troubles, U-boats sailing after mid-1943 ran a 50-50 chance of being sunk.

Moving on to logistics. How in the world could Germany provide an adequate supply of fuel and torpedoes for 250 U-boats half-a-world-away? Even constructing a production facility for torpedoes is of little use. To be of any use, all the parts of the torpedoes would have to be produced locally; and that means the gears, tubing engines, batteries, ets. Even then, the facility might reach 100-200 torpedoes a month. And thats provided an adequate supply of raw materials. During WW2 the all German torpedo production varied between 1,000 and 1,700 a month. Although, it would probably be easier to adapt(if possible) the German tubes to fire Japanese torpedoes(given that Japanese torps were roughly 2 meters longer).

Then, you have to fuel all those U-boats. Germany had a few tankers to supply the U-boats based in the Far-East, but even those were inadequate to supply the U-boats that operated there historically. The Japanese would be of little help, since their fuel supply problems are well known.

Another thing, Germany would derive no "benefit" from sending 250 U-boats to the Pacific. The only one gaining anything is Japan, as it would help her to cut-off and possibly conquer the Aussies. I don't see Germany doing this without getting something major in return. And Japan had nothing of immediate vital importance to offer.

For such a scenario to work, it had to be started well before the onset of WW2. With everything in place(the factories, fuel, munitions, and U-boats), it is a much more plausible scenario. But that means tipping of the Allies(especially the US), who would start re-armament policies much earlier in our time-line. This in turn means many more ships and planes when the US enters the war, not to mention the fact that with Germany moving into the Pacific. The US is more likely to enter the war on Great Britain's side, instead of waiting for an "overt act" by Japan.

Food for though.

I feel this strang need to play the old boardgame "Axis and Allies" or run "Hearts of Iron II" for some reason.

03-28-08, 09:51 AM	#18
Takao Officer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 244 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Problems abound with this scenario Rockin Robbins and AkbarGulag, Throughout the entire war Germany only produced 193 Type IXs of all types. The Type VII could not make the long trip "round the Horn" without tankers for refueling. Even the Type IXs needed a "drink" to make it. Then you had the Allies sinking the U-boats on the way to Japan. While pre-1943 the few U-boats that were sailing to patrol around Capetown encountered few troubles, U-boats sailing after mid-1943 ran a 50-50 chance of being sunk. Moving on to logistics. How in the world could Germany provide an adequate supply of fuel and torpedoes for 250 U-boats half-a-world-away? Even constructing a production facility for torpedoes is of little use. To be of any use, all the parts of the torpedoes would have to be produced locally; and that means the gears, tubing engines, batteries, ets. Even then, the facility might reach 100-200 torpedoes a month. And thats provided an adequate supply of raw materials. During WW2 the all German torpedo production varied between 1,000 and 1,700 a month. Although, it would probably be easier to adapt(if possible) the German tubes to fire Japanese torpedoes(given that Japanese torps were roughly 2 meters longer). Then, you have to fuel all those U-boats. Germany had a few tankers to supply the U-boats based in the Far-East, but even those were inadequate to supply the U-boats that operated there historically. The Japanese would be of little help, since their fuel supply problems are well known. Another thing, Germany would derive no "benefit" from sending 250 U-boats to the Pacific. The only one gaining anything is Japan, as it would help her to cut-off and possibly conquer the Aussies. I don't see Germany doing this without getting something major in return. And Japan had nothing of immediate vital importance to offer. For such a scenario to work, it had to be started well before the onset of WW2. With everything in place(the factories, fuel, munitions, and U-boats), it is a much more plausible scenario. But that means tipping of the Allies(especially the US), who would start re-armament policies much earlier in our time-line. This in turn means many more ships and planes when the US enters the war, not to mention the fact that with Germany moving into the Pacific. The US is more likely to enter the war on Great Britain's side, instead of waiting for an "overt act" by Japan. Food for though. I feel this strang need to play the old boardgame "Axis and Allies" or run "Hearts of Iron II" for some reason.