DD Nominated: Yoitzuki Hiyodori - Otori class escort type. Only one in class to achieve a kill (USS Amberjack). New class. CD escort type - Always loved the type 13 mini, so more smaller stuff. DD Amagiri - Fubuki class destroyer that rammed PT-109 (Ram SA) Akatsuki Hibiki -> could also be used in UDSSR team ability Ikazuchi DD Kuwa (Matsu class) DD Oshio (Asashio class) Namikaze (a ship in the 3 ship Nokaze subclass of the Minekaze class), converted into a Kaiten carrier late in the war. Could have an SA about using these. Tachikaze/Hakaze, both had relatively active careers. Would be a generic unit, as I could not find much unique about the careers of these. Yukaze, used as an escort and plane guard for Hosho for the entirety of the war. Could get some sort of AA ability, or carrier escort ability. Ushio - Ayanami class, served throughout the war, as an escort. Could be added mostly to have another Fubuki class. No Ayanami class is in game at the moment. Sagiri - Ayanami class, sank on December 24, 1941, by a dutch submarine. perhaps a negative SA for being hit by sub torps Kawakaze - Shiratsuyu class, participated in the Battle of the Java Sea, participated in sinking of multiple ships. Hibiki/Verniy - Akatsuki class (subclass of Fubuki), saw service with the IJN for the entirety of the war. Survived, and was given to the USSR as a war prize, under the name Verniy. add as soviet ship? Mutsuki Class;; Class needs a lower cost unit, skip the SA's
Aircraft Nominated: Ki45 Ki49 Ki61 Ki-21 'Sally/Gwen' Ki-? 'Tina' or similar (Ki-49?) Ki-27 'Nate' Yokosuka P1Y 'Frances' - Navy patrol bomber (I am waiting on a new book to be published in June on Japanese WWII ASW aircraft. It would be great to get a good candidate for that IMO.) Nakajima Ki-44 'Tojo' - Land-based interceptor; something to slot in between the Oscar and the Frank/George. B6N1 “Jill” torpedo bomber - carrier; maybe sans "Harass from a Distance" Fighter-Bomber J2M Raiden "Jack" Fighter Ki-61 Hien "Tony" Patrol Bomber Q1W Tokai "Lorna" Ki-115 - a special attack unit (kamikaze) aircraft. These were produced in numbers, but not used in combat. Q1W - A dedicated ASW aircraft. Did not see much service, but would be interesting to see nonetheless.
Other Nominated: shinano that isn't overcosted and would see play (alt version) Kitakami CL and also a Kaiten carrier, did survive the war Tatsuta - I think this is the only conventional cruiser type not to have a card in any deck anywhere. BB Kii - Yamato Class Sister 30% completed CV Taiho Kai - Taiho sister planned but not started. Increase class limit of late war carrier for Japan to 2 Aux Akitsu Maru - Auxiliary cruiser and sub tender. SA's Disguise, Long Cruise, and Torpedo Replenishment - During the Submarine Attack phase, one friendly submarine within range 2 may reroll its Torpedo attack Aux Tsugaru - fleet mine layer (also nominating USS Terror fleet minelayer in USN thread for game balance) BB Fujimoto or Hiraga planned treaty battleships; I think we need to be open to units that "could have" for the Axis at this point BB Kii-class battleship (1920) CVE Kaiyo Sub RO-109 (KS Class) Aux Nigtsu Maru Aux Mizuho (Seaplane tender)
The Sen-Toku submarines, I-401, I-13, I-14. I-400 is already represented in game, but her sister ship, and flagship of the sen-toku squadron of subs, is not. The I-13 and I-14 were also in this squadron, and were type AM class subs who could carry 2 Seiran aircraft, the same as those carried on the I-400s. For those who do not know, these subs were designed to launch aerial attacks against the American mainland, and the Panama Canal. An interesting SA for the I-401 or her type AM sisters would be something along the line of wolfpack or expert bomber, for using the Seiran detatchments together, like intended. This kind of SA could aptly be named "Storm From A Clear Sky", which is the translation of Seiran. The name is symbolic of the Serians intended purpose, taking the Americans by surprise, like a storm from a clear sky. An example of the SA: "Storm From a Clear Sky - If you control any other submarines with Seiran detachments, this unit’s Seiran detachment rolls 2 extra attack dice when making bomb attacks in the same sector as another Seiran detachment.
Type 3 Submergence Transportation Submarine - a purpose built transportation sub, designed to carry supplies to stranded Japanese soldiers and holdouts. Interestingly, these subs were built for the Imperial Japanese Army, as they wanted a way to get supplies through the allied surface and air superiority. These operations conducted by the IJA with these subs and the IJN with their transport subs were called "Mole Operations". This unit would serve the same purpose as many other low point cost units, as being a cheap victory point grabber. It could have an ability like many other units, where upon reaching an island on the opposite side of the map, you score a few victory points. It could also even be used as a unit that has Supply Run, or some other installation replenishing SA.
Kaibōkan (Ocean Defense Ships) - Japan currently has a lack, if not a complete absence, of destroyer escort - esque ships in W@S. The Kaibōkan ships are pretty much that. In general, these were multipurpose ships, with abilities and specializations depending on class in minesweeping, anti air, ASW, and convoy escorting. These ships vary per class, but overall they are similar to destroyer escorts, and would be pretty much the same stat wise in game. The Kaibōkan classes are as follows:
Shimushu class - first of the Kaibōkan classes, they were general purpose ships designed to be competent in all of the above roles, except anti air. A specific ship of note in the class is Ishigaki, who sank US sub S-44. If added, they would be similar to the American DEs Samuel B Roberts and John C Butler. Etorofu class - the class following the Shimushu class, these were essentially improved Shimushu class ships, with greater ASW capabilities. All of these ships saw service, but none had an exceptional career. Stats would be essentially the same as the Shimushu, but better ASW. Mikura class - While the preceding classes were designed more as multirole ships, the Mikura class were specifically designed around anti air and ASW specialization. Like all of the other classes of Kaibōkan, they saw extensive service as convoy escorts. Notable ships include Mikura and Chiburi, each assiting in sinking a sub. Ukuru class - essentially an improved Mikura class, the Ukuru were known for uncharacteristically good suitability. They often were able to survive damage that would have sank larger ships, like surviving torpedo hits and mine damage. Notable ships include the Okinawa, which was one of the most successful Kaibōkan. She participated in the sinking of 2 US subs. Any ASW SAs for any of these ships would work.
Katori - Katori class training cruiser. She was used for escort duties as well as training, and during the Attack on Truk, she tried to defend herself against the aircraft from 5 aircraft carriers, as well as the battleships Iowa and New Jersey. It wasn't really a fair fight Abukuma - Nagara class light cruiser. Converted to carry Kaiten. Kaiten SA perhaps Kitakami - Kuma class light cruiser. Converted into a torpedo cruiser like her sister, Oi. Later converted to carry Kaiten. Same Kaiten SA as Abukuma
Chitose/Chiyoda - Chitose class carriers. these two ships were converted from seaplane tenders, as they are represented in game, and turned into light carriers. Had many similarities to Zuiho. Both saw action in Leyte Gulf. perhaps and SA for using in conjunction with Zuikaku and Zuiho, forming the carrier fleet at Leyte. Kaiyo - unique carrier conversion. converted passenger liner. Used as convoy escort. Shinyo - unique carrier conversion. converted passenger liner Also used as convoy escort. Akashi - unique repair ship. An impressive repair ship with many facilities, Akashi was one of the best repair ships of WW2. naturally, "repair" should be one of her SAs. Ashigara: Sank HMS Exeter. Is a "rare" unit not in other decks, though would be the 4th Myoko in the game - a tall order when Haguro is a goto selection. Chokai: another "rare" for Japan - adds another takao CA to Atagi and Maya Sana Cruz Shokaku CV Give it the 3 expert and add 2 pts. (Operational Variant) Guadalcanal Kirishima BB Vital of Hiei or Steadfast (Operational Variant)
Voting Thread
Once nominations are closed, I will make voting threads for each nation. There, you list your top 5 choices for each category.
Destroyers 1. Hiyodori - Otori class escort type. Only one in class to achieve a kill (USS Amberjack). 2. Amagiri - Fubuki class destroyer that rammed PT-109 (Ram SA) 3. 4. 5.
Other 1. BB Kii - Yamato Class Sister 30% completed 2. CV Taiho Kai - Taiho sister planned but not started. 3. Aux Akitsu Maru - Auxiliary cruiser and sub tender. 4. Aux Tsugaru - fleet mine layer 5. Katori - CL - flagship for submarine force
1. Akashi - unique repair ship. An impressive repair ship with many facilities, Akashi was one of the best repair ships of WW2. naturally, "repair" should be one of her SAs.
2. Ashigara: Sank HMS Exeter. Is a "rare" unit not in other decks, though would be the 4th Myoko in the game - a tall order when Haguro is a goto selection.
3. Chokai 4. Operational variant of Shokaku
Erwin Rommel - "Give me American supply lines, British planes, German officers and Canadian troops, and I can take over the world".
DDs Hiyodori - Otori class escort type. Only one in class to achieve a kill (USS Amberjack). New class.
Others 1. BB Kii - Yamato Class Sister 30% completed 2. CV Taiho Kai - Taiho sister planned but not started. Increase class limit of late war carrier for Japan to 2 3. Aux Akitsu Maru - Auxiliary cruiser and sub tender. SA's Disguise, Long Cruise, and Torpedo Replenishment - During the Submarine Attack phase, one friendly submarine within range 2 may reroll its Torpedo attack 4. Aux Tsugaru - fleet mine layer (also nominating USS Terror fleet minelayer in USN thread for game balance)
Other 1-Aux Akitsu Maru 2-Kaiyo - unique carrier conversion. converted passenger liner. Used as convoy escort. 3-Shinyo - unique carrier conversion. converted passenger liner Also used as convoy escort. 4-Aux Tsugaru - fleet mine layer 5-BB Settsu - totally forgot to nominate it, still voting even if it doesn't count.
Destroyers 1. DD Amagiri - Fubuki class destroyer that rammed PT-109 (Ram SA) 2. Ushio - Ayanami class, served throughout the war, as an escort. Could be added mostly to have another Fubuki class. No Ayanami class is in game at the moment. 3. Namikaze (a ship in the 3 ship Nokaze subclass of the Minekaze class), converted into a Kaiten carrier late in the war. Could have an SA about using these. 4. Hibiki/Verniy - Akatsuki class (subclass of Fubuki), saw service with the IJN for the entirety of the war. Survived, and was given to the USSR as a war prize, under the name Verniy. add as soviet ship? 5. Kaibōkan (Ocean Defense Ships)
Aircraft 1. Nakajima B6N1 “Jill” 2. Yokosuka P1Y 'Frances' 3. Q1W Tokai "Lorna" 4. J2M Raiden "Jack" 5. Ki-115 - a special attack unit (kamikaze) aircraft.
Other 1. I-401, I-13, or I-14 2. Kaiyō 3. Katori 4. Type 3 Submergence Transportation Submarine 5. Kitakami
Destroyers 1. Hiyodori - Otori class escort type. Only one in class to achieve a kill (USS Amberjack). New class 2. Yukaze, used as an escort and plane guard for Hosho for the entirety of the war. Could get some sort of AA ability, or carrier escort ability. 3. Ushio - Ayanami class, served throughout the war, as an escort. Could be added mostly to have another Fubuki class. No Ayanami class is in game at the moment.
Aircraft 1. Yokosuka P1Y 'Frances' - Navy patrol bomber (I am waiting on a new book to be published in June on Japanese WWII ASW aircraft. It would be great to get a good candidate for that IMO.) 2.
Other 1. CV Taiho Kai - Taiho sister planned but not started. Increase class limit of late war carrier for Japan to 2 2. Aux Akitsu Maru - Auxiliary cruiser and sub tender. 3. BB Kii - Yamato Class Sister 30% completed 4.