[Immelmann]

Originally Posted by Immelmann

Just when I thought I had seen all the weirdness that SH4 is capable of generating, it surprises me yet again.

June 21st, 1944 06:51 hrs. Made contact with three Japanese vessels at approximately 32 deg 37 min N, 138 deg 42 min E. Course roughly 350 deg, speed 5 kts. The inline formation was led by a Medium Combifreighter. A Crab Boat was bringing up the rear. The identity of the middle boat is where things get really strange. Sonar correctly identified this one as a warship, and the other two as merchants. Looking closely at the very small middle boat I realized that I was looking at what the recognition manual calls an Armed Daihatsu 25mm or an Armed Daihatsu 37mm. Both are visually identical and have a displacement of 9 tons. Crew of three, LC drop ramp on the front. The cargo was one miltary transport truck.

All three vessels were sent to the bottom. The Medium Combifreighter with 3 Mk14s and the other two with the deck gun. I'm pleased to report that the Armed Daihatsu went down with one well placed round at close range from the deck gun. Pleased because I have recently dealt with IJN Midget subs that seemed impervious to repeated hits from the deck gun. This despite displaying extensive damage on the skin of the midget sub. Additionally the landing craft offered no resistance to attack even though it is called an "Armed Daihatsu".

Afterwards I looked in the logbook and found the sinkings. There seems to me to be some sort of a mis-match here with the recognition manual because the logbook called the Armed Daihatsu 25mm or an Armed Daihatsu 37 mm out as a Landing Craft Daihatsu.

Strange enough to see a Crab Boat way out in deep water in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Okay maybe it was headed back to mainland Japan for a refit? What really seems implausible to me is the landing craft. Not only would the voyage be on a par with the likes of the Kon-Tiki, but that thing would have to refuel how often?