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

Rammstein0991 · 10-24-13, 11:41 AM

Quote:

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 · 10-24-13, 12:00 PM

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 · 10-24-13, 12:14 PM

Quote:

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 · 10-24-13, 08:41 PM

Quote:

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 · 10-24-13, 09:07 PM

Quote:

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..

Bilge_Rat · 10-25-13, 10:09 AM

I had read about the Java battle in S.E. Morisson's history of the U.S. Navy. Most of the forces were dutch as was the commander. There was some wishful thinking that they could defend Java against the japanese. The Dutch also did not want to simply abandon Indonesia which they viewed as Dutch territory.

The U.S. forces involved were a scratch force, basically what was left of the old Asiatic fleet.

As to the actual battle, the ships were a hodgepodge of Dutch, U.S. and CW with a Dutch commander. They had never trained together, had different tactics, language, communication codes. The battle plan of the Dutch admiral was basically "Follow me". During the battle, the U.S. ships did not understand most of the orders given and were just trying to survive. Yes, a real mess...

Armistead · 10-25-13, 12:50 PM

In high school Red was voted "Most likely to get sunk."

Red Devil · 10-25-13, 01:47 PM

Can someone give me a link to RSRDC for SH4 1.4. I thought I found it but it came down as 1.5, which I dont have/didnt want.

Admiral Halsey · 10-24-13, 12:08 PM

Quote:

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.)

10-24-13, 12:00 PM	#2
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	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. __________________ You see my dog don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it.

10-25-13, 10:09 AM	#6
Bilge_Rat Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: standing watch... Posts: 3,856 Downloads: 344 Uploads: 0	I had read about the Java battle in S.E. Morisson's history of the U.S. Navy. Most of the forces were dutch as was the commander. There was some wishful thinking that they could defend Java against the japanese. The Dutch also did not want to simply abandon Indonesia which they viewed as Dutch territory. The U.S. forces involved were a scratch force, basically what was left of the old Asiatic fleet. As to the actual battle, the ships were a hodgepodge of Dutch, U.S. and CW with a Dutch commander. They had never trained together, had different tactics, language, communication codes. The battle plan of the Dutch admiral was basically "Follow me". During the battle, the U.S. ships did not understand most of the orders given and were just trying to survive. Yes, a real mess... __________________

10-25-13, 12:50 PM	#7
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	In high school Red was voted "Most likely to get sunk." __________________ You see my dog don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it.

10-25-13, 01:47 PM	#8
Red Devil The Old Man Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sutton Coldfield England Posts: 1,540 Downloads: 305 Uploads: 0	Can someone give me a link to RSRDC for SH4 1.4. I thought I found it but it came down as 1.5, which I dont have/didnt want. __________________ > > Captain!, there's a destroyer on the por........ periscope is flooded Sir! > Darkness is only the absence of Light; Ignorance is only the absence of knowledge © www.worldwartwo.uk www.captainwalker.uk