Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins
Actually if you're at any time before the last half of 1944 and in Japanese waters, identification isn't necessary. Submarines are the only American game in town and if it floats, it's Japanese.
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I would debate that. One exception I know of for a fact is the Doolittle raid, which means hornet and enterprise in Japanese waters in April of 42. I would be surprised if submarine skippers where alerted to the raid as it was hush hush.
I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that there where also several less publicized special ops of varying nature as well during the war.
You also have the potential issue of neutrals (can't think of anyone in that entire area of ops that Japan wasn't at war with off the top of my head though) and if in the Aleutian fleet, allies.
Anyways, given the track record of the US military even in more recent conflicts, I would be very surprised to find that firing at a target BVR without at least being in communication with someone that has eyes on target was in any way authorized in any role in any branch of service. I'm willing to bet that any BVR shooting done during world war 2 was done only under extenuating circumstances, and was either done without authorization or authorization came down for that special case.
But yes, I can and do set up a full plot by radar or sonar when the opportunity presents itself, ready to fire long before I can see him, but will not pull the trigger until I have had eyes on target with very few extreme examples (If you're in Tokyo harbor in 43 it's Japanese
). I'm also practiced in firing at a target by sonar or radar only as well, but drills are one thing, and your career is another.