Enemy warship& merchant ship visiual range

[Rockin Robbins]

Originally Posted by LCQ_SH

So I was omw to Cam Ranh to intercept IJN landing force heading to Java & Singapur when I spotted the task force almost at noon, no wind, calmed seas. Radar (16 km range) spotted the first escort and at 14.5 km, fireworks started. I don0t know for sure if Feb. 1942 IJN DDs were equipped with radar capable of spotting subs or they could actually were able to see me 14Km away (a tiny conning tower, really?=).

The questions is if that would have been a radar or visual ID from the IJN?

I'm on TMO_RSRD_OTC (Tokko's) using Ralles mod pack.

Sounds like a visual sighting to me! The Japanese were masters of visual targeting--much better than American ships, especially at night.

You were in perfect conditions for them: no wind, calm seas. Then you can expect trouble. That's a pretty extreme case there! 9 miles is a long ways but barely possible.