RSRD can be frusrating....but this is why don't give up.

[JoeCorrado]

Sounds like a rewarding patrol, and from a strictly historical perspective- a huge, huge success that would have had the ComSubPac himself waiting for you at the docks ready to pass out a bag full of medals and invite you and your officers to join him for dinner to discuss your success!

I can certainly understand the thrill of contact, the chase and the hoped for results... and a single kill that happens to be a battleship is likely to still represent the pinnacle of most any sub commanders career- and make you a hero on a national scale in real life... I get it.

But from a purely "entertainment value" perspective... well, you know me. Like a spoiled brat!

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by JoeCorrado

Sounds like a rewarding patrol, and from a strictly historical perspective- a huge, huge success that would have had the ComSubPac himself waiting for you at the docks ready to pass out a bag full of medals and invite you and your officers to join him for dinner to discuss your success!

I can certainly understand the thrill of contact, the chase and the hoped for results... and a single kill that happens to be a battleship is likely to still represent the pinnacle of most any sub commanders career- and make you a hero on a national scale in real life... I get it.

But from a purely "entertainment value" perspective... well, you know me. Like a spoiled brat!

Plenty of entertainment between the two chases.Just grinds my gears that I missed a shot at the Yamato. I had no idea either would be plowing through there within 24 hours of another.

Only thing disappointed me is the ineffectiveness of the the Destroyers.I know they were set to elite(I went back and made all capital warships and their escorts set to elite except for a few cases) so they would be tough to sink and escorts would be tough. The DD's attacked me after hitting the Kongo, were rather ineffective in ideal sonar conditions.When I have time am going to overhaul the destroyers in RSRD.Make sure they have best sensors and probably adjust their depth charges, notice some only have throwers and not charge racks, need both to lay out a good pattern.

[Admiral Halsey]

My favorite thing is when you are just about to go home empty handed when a nice juicy convoy or task force appears over the horizon. I've had that happen to me plenty and it brings a smile to my face every time.

[Rammstein0991]

Originally Posted by Admiral Halsey

My favorite thing is when you are just about to go home empty handed when a nice juicy convoy or task force appears over the horizon. I've had that happen to me plenty and it brings a smile to my face every time.

Thats why I often make at least one harbor stop, to make sure I dont go home empty handed

[Armistead]

I'm currently reading "The Battle of the Java Sea." It's amazing to see the plans of both sides regarding this campaign. The US/British/Dutch knew it was probably coming, had several meetings on what to do when it happened, but failed to address it. It was clear all assets should've been removed, that the naval battles were in vain and a waste of life and ships. The battles may have served some delaying purpose if there was a mass plan to reinforce Singy, Borneo, Timor, Java, etc.... There was no plan, no hope of success to do so.

[Dread Knot]

Originally Posted by Armistead

It was clear all assets should've been removed, that the naval battles were in vain and a waste of life and ships. The battles may have served some delaying purpose if there was a mass plan to reinforce Singy, Borneo, Timor, Java, etc.... There was no plan, no hope of success to do so.

I believe the only US ground reinforcement that made it to Java before the net closed was a Texas National Guard artillery unit. And it was originally earmarked to reinforce the Philippines.

I guess in retrospect the whole area was a write-off after Pearl Harbor and the sinking of 'Force Z', but politically some gesture had to be made.

[TorpX]

Originally Posted by Armistead

I'm currently reading "The Battle of the Java Sea." It's amazing to see the plans of both sides regarding this campaign. The US/British/Dutch knew it was probably coming, had several meetings on what to do when it happened, but failed to address it. It was clear all assets should've been removed, that the naval battles were in vain and a waste of life and ships. The battles may have served some delaying purpose if there was a mass plan to reinforce Singy, Borneo, Timor, Java, etc.... There was no plan, no hope of success to do so.

I haven't read anything devoted to the battle, but I did read Capt. Hara's account of it in JAPANESE DESTROYER CAPTAIN. It seemed like a sickening, useless slaughter. So many allied ships lost, at negligable cost to the IJN. He compared the Java Sea battle to the Layte Gulf battle, with the positions of the USN and IJN reversed.

[Armistead]

Originally Posted by TorpX

I haven't read anything devoted to the battle, but I did read Capt. Hara's account of it in JAPANESE DESTROYER CAPTAIN. It seemed like a sickening, useless slaughter. So many allied ships lost, at negligable cost to the IJN. He compared the Java Sea battle to the Layte Gulf battle, with the positions of the USN and IJN reversed.

What's amazing is all the meetings, plans to deal with the Jap invasion the preceding year and no real agreement. More interesting was defending Singapore, one Admiral thinking they could hold with all their big fortress guns facing the harbor, another warning the Japs would come through the jungles from behind. They thought that impossible, but the Japs cut through rather easily..

It is rather sad that it was known no real hope for the allied forces and they should've retreated. It's not like their action served any purpose at all, because no assets to deal with it. Still they fought and died bravely, knowing it was basically hopeless.

Touching story. To think what this man went through..

[Admiral Halsey]

Originally Posted by Rammstein0991

Thats why I often make at least one harbor stop, to make sure I dont go home empty handed

I do that to but only if it not doing so would make it two dry patrols in a row.(Otherwise it feels like i'm cheating.)