Realistically, I’d hazard that there were quite a few Jap task forces early war. IIRC, there were a number of sightings throughout the war by US boats; they just never got into a firing position.
I ran into a similar task force at night in the sea that’s East of Manila (1941 AD), near the North choke point: at least 3 BB/BC, a number of CC/CA and a shipload of DD.
I hit one BB at <1000 m. with two MK14 set to impact; fired three but the third hulled an escorting destroyer that sped up after the first impact – I died by crush depth.
(Note to log: early US boats don’t go as deep as German ones.)
|