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SpencerH
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Co-Ruler of my patch of land south of Birmingham Alabama
Feb 2002 time: 23:18
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quote: Originally posted by Venger
Good post IGD. In Civ2, I gave the Aegis cruiser the ability to attack air units - so not only did it have good defensive capability, it could actually shoot down bombers that were nearby. I'd like to have seen units with different strengths vs. air, land, sea - but I doubt we'll ever see that in Civ3 just due to the nature of the changes.
However, there MUST be a risk for aircraft attacking ships. Aircraft own ships, but they also take heavy tolls at times to do it. Having aircraft able to attack shipping with impunity, as they can now, is nonsensical and pure gameplay anthrax.
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We dont actually know whether who will come out on top, the air-launched anti ship missles or the anti-air ship launched missles. That war has not been fought.
Given the wildly successful air to ground missions over Iraq and Bosnia in the face of reasonable anti-aircraft defenses (at the start of the conflicts) and the effectiveness of the exocets against the Brits, I think aircraft launched anti-ship missles will have a large superiority against even the aegis cruisers.
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Venger
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Keeper of the Can-O'Whoopass
Jan 1970 time: 23:18
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The issue re: aircraft vs. ships is one of sheer numbers - a ship has low numbers - limited offensive platforms, limited speed, limited munitions, and bad big numbers, such as size, cost, resource requirements.
Aircraft can sortie, launch ordinance, and resortie. It's simply a matter of numbers - 24 aircraft attacking a cruiser will, eventually, sink her, all else considered. No system is 100%, and 95% effectiveness means you won't get hit by 20 AS missiles, just one. Which will often do the trick...
Venger
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IGD
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quote: Originally posted by Venger
P.S. The thing about the Belgrano was that really was the ONLY ship the Argentines had that was worth a damn and could pose a threat to the British surface fleet. I always thought it was ironic that the Belgrano was refitted with many British missile systems for use...tragic loss of life though. Still, it was one of those moments when you think Argentina realized "uh, do we know what we got ourselves into here?" |
Actually the Argentine Navy had a significant surface inventory including two very modern Type 42 destroyers, sold to them by the UK ! They also had the Aircraft Carrier Venticinco De Mayo, carrying Super Etendarde with Exocet. Belgrano was attempting to conduct the southern half of a pincer movement with VDM to the North for a co-ordinated exocet attack on the British main group from VDM's aircraft and surface engagement by Belgrano. VDM however could not get her aircraft off the deck due to light winds (Super E's were heavy and even at full speed VDM needed a head wind to get em off). Belgrano was making her way to a holding area to await more favorable conditions for a second attempt when the Conqueror, who had been tailing her for the previous 48 hours was given an overdue change to her rules of engagement and sent her to the bottom. Belgrano's escorts took off immediately as did the VDM group and never ventured out again.
I agree with your estimate of their thought process !!
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IGD
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quote: Originally posted by Venger
The issue re: aircraft vs. ships is one of sheer numbers - a ship has low numbers - limited offensive platforms, limited speed, limited munitions, and bad big numbers, such as size, cost, resource requirements.
Aircraft can sortie, launch ordinance, and resortie. It's simply a matter of numbers - 24 aircraft attacking a cruiser will, eventually, sink her, all else considered. No system is 100%, and 95% effectiveness means you won't get hit by 20 AS missiles, just one. Which will often do the trick...
Venger |
Sorry to keep using your quote venger, but seems appropriate to make my point. Spencer H is right about the missile war, it has been fought in such small numbers until now that conclusions are hard to draw, except from operational analysis, trial firings and extensive modelling -- all of which are put to very great use to ensure that US/UK weapons (both the Air to Surface missiles and on the other side of the coin the SAM systems both missiles and guns) are better and more effective than those which they may come up against. The simple truth is that the better technology will win unless swamped by sheer weight of numbers in either case. Modern Western SAM systems are pretty good and it is not a fair comparison to compare them to such systems as may have operated in IRAQ. It should also be noted that SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defence) infrastructure and Command & Control systems are one of the primary targets at the start of any campaign such as the Gulf or Serbia...often using stealth and Special Forces, usually rendering enemy integrated AD systems useless after a few hours.
Where is the SF unit in Civ3 ?
In the case of warships .. all modern warships can shoot down an aircraft with ease, even several at a time, the problem is missiles. An AEGIS (And many other modern warships), I can assure you is quite capable of dealing with all modern missiles, providing it does not become swamped (Back to the eventual overpowering of any technology by sheer weight of numbers) Warships have an integrated suite of "soft" and "Hard" kill methods of dealing with both air and ship launched ordance. The few successes of EXOCET in the Falklands conflict (Actually only 1 kill and 1 damaged ship!, the other 3 ship losses were to bombs) are remembered, the large numbers of any aircraft and missiles which were shot down or successfully decoyed are often not.
Finally I would make 1 last point....warships very rarely go around in ones. They almost always act as part of an integrated Task Group which has a layered defence concept utilising Satellites AWACS, Air defence aircraft, submarines, hard and soft kill systems and electronic warfare in all 4 environments, space, air, surface and sub surface. Hence my earlier point about the Nuclear Carrier group having all these defence capabilities inherent within its makeup.
I agree that one of the most disappointing aspects of CIV's naval side is that it gets reduced to bombarding improvements. It could be so much better. One simple idea would be to render a harbour ineffective if an enemy unit was within so many squares (Number of squares depending upon power of unit) (same with airports for AEGIS or Carriers) Modern Naval units (Destroyer, AEGIS) should be able to conduct precision attacks as well as bombardment, these should include against enemy land units as well as city improvements. (This would represent their Land attack Cruise Missile capability as well as the accuracy and range of modern naval Gun systems)
Just the thoughts of an old sailor !
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notyoueither
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of naught
Aug 2001 time: 22:18
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The Falklands seems to be a popular topic. Can I ask this?
How many British war ships in the Task Force? At least 10 by my recollection.
OK, how many times were they attacked by 50 or more Argentine air craft at the same time? I don't believe it ever happened. What must have been shocking (to the brain trusts both in the US and the UK) was how effective small numbers of air craft belonging to a third-rate power were in attacking one of the world's most advanced navies.
At least that's how I recollect.
Last edited by notyoueither on 02-04-2002 at 10:03
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IGD
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[QUOTE] Originally posted by SpencerH
Before the Falklands the defense against exocets was to shoot down the aircraft carrying it. That wasnt an effective defense in the face of a determined enemy. HMS Sheffield and RFA Atlantic Conveyor were lost to air-launched exocets. HMS Glamorgan was damaged with 13 dead by a land-based exocet. Most ships were damaged by unexploded bombs. British losses would have much higher if the bombs had exploded. As a result better anti-missle defenses were developed but they have not been tested.
While I accept that you have experience of naval matters on your side, you say but where is the evidence for that statement. [END/QUOTE]
Hi Spencer, in response to the above, firstly nice to see someone so well informed. Actually I left out MV Atlantic Conveyor because she was a "civilian" casualty unable to defend herself, perhaps that was a little unfair of me since she was an exocet kill. It is interesting however to realise that she was not the target of that exocet, HMS AMBUSCADE was. 2 Missiles were fired at the same target by 2 Super Etendardes, they were locked on to AMBUSCADE for a time but she seduced them with electronic warfare. One missile flew into the sea, the other now confused flew blindly on, conducted a re-acquisition sequence and unfortunately found Atlantic Conveyor who had no such means of self defence.
I agree our losses would have been much higher if the bombs which failed had worked ! I probably wouldn't be sending this e-mail in that case ! You need to set that against, however, the very high aircraft losses of the argentine air force, many of which were shotdown by warships as well as Harriers. That is not to take away from them their undoubdted skill courage and determination, but the mounting empty seats at the dinner table in Rio Grande must have been very difficult to take.
Don't forget warships shot down Canberra's Pucaras, Pumas Mirages Daggers, and Hercules transport aircraft as well as many of the A4 Skyhawk kills.
I personaly witnessed a raid by 4 A4s on HMS BRILLIANT. She shot down 3 with her Sea Wolf system in an engagement lasting no more than 3 seconds. The 4th was so badly damaged it crashed into West Falkland on the way home.
There really haven't been many conflicts in which the warship has been tested in combat against a modern airforce since 1982, however the following incidents spring to mind.
USS Stark hit by an exocet missile in the gulf in the early 90's
2 Iraqi exocet carrying airctaft shot down by US cruiser (Can't remember which one which is rather bad of me, I am sure you will) in the Gulf war (From radar information relayed from HMS GLOUCESTER !)
IRAQI SILKWORM anti Ship Missile targetted at US Cruiser, shot down by Sea Dart missile from HMS GLOUCESTER.
As for your point about never really knowing the worth of a military idea or technology until it is tested. I agree entirely, but you still have to do the best you can. I have witnessed hundreds of Aircraft attacks against warships in exercises, where everything but the final missile leaving the launcher is accurately simulated. All I can say is I would rather be in the warship any day. Hence my view that in CIV warships should be able to shoot down aircraft.
Cheers
Last edited by IGD on 03-04-2002 at 15:02
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IGD
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quote: Originally posted by notyoueither
The Falklands seems to be a popular topic. Can I ask this?
How many British war ships in the Task Force? At least 10 by my recollection.
OK, how many times were they attacked by 50 or more Argentine air craft at the same time? I don't believe it ever happened. What must have been shocking (to the brain trusts both in the US and the UK) was how effective small numbers of air craft belonging to a third-rate power were in attacking one of the world's most advanced navies.
At least that's how I recollect. |
Number of ships in the task force was :
37 warships
30 support ships
42 Civilain vessels taken into service
Would have been a bit difficult to have re-taken an island garrisoned by 10,000 men at the end of an 8,000 mile logistics chain with 10 ships !
I think you are right that the effectiveness of the argentine air force woke up a few people. Only lessons we already knew though but were conveniently forgotten due to cost cutting. The RN abandoned proper aircraft carriers with real air superiority fighters and organic airborne early warning in the 1960s. A mistake we lived to regret. Thank God Uncle Sam didn't forget the lessons of Pearl Harbor ! (Note I use the US spelling of Harbour, why can't you get that right -- same with colour -- only joking)
We have come a long way in the last 20 years, both in technology and in doctrine. Ships are now much more capable than they were in all warfare disciplines especially Air defence and the UK is about to embark on the building of 2 proper Aircraft Carriers. The main armament for which will be the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter.
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Bill_in_PDX
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The Wilderness of Orygun
Nov 2001 time: 21:18
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quote: Originally posted by nbarclay
It depends on how you define "epic." In the Pacific, the reason U.S. losses were so light was that the war was so lopsided. |
It really wasn't lopsided until late 1943 and on. Yes, there was no question it would get very bad for the
IJN as time wore on, as pointed out by yourself and others here. Post Midway, there were very serious concerns in the USN at Battle of Santa Cruz, and during the Gilberts campaign. Carrier support was basically pulled out of Guadalcanal because of fear of exposing the limited carrier resouces, at one point down to just the Enterprise in action, to land based air attack.
Clearly TF58 in 1944 was one of the most formidable forces ever assembled. When in full air cover mode, the task force would be 100 miles in diameter.
My theory for small US losses are three fold:
1) The Pacific theatre, unlike the Med, and the Atlantic approches where most of the UK losses occured, was relatively wide open, and made it very difficult for the Japanese to deploy subs in an effective pattern. The US had great success at interdicting shipping due to the nature of the shipping routes from SE Asia to Japan that served to bring traffic to our subs, much like the convoys in the Atlantic.
2) By 1943 on, the US was deploying Essex class carriers which were known as "fast carriers" capable of 30kts. Making it nearly impossible for a sub to attack as long the fleet remained in open ocean. Interesting to note that is why the Iowa battleships were designed, in order to keep up in the speed department, as nearly every BB at Pearl Habor had been raised and returned to service in time for revenge in the opening round of Leyte Gulf.
3) The US placed exceptional emphasis on damage control design and preparedness. This advantage is under appreciated in the war, but played out many times, including the Yorktown's availability at Midway. The IJN much less so, and many reports say that the Shinano supercarrier was brought down by a single torpedo that started a fire. An exception to this trend was the Yamoto which took a phenominal pounding before sinking.
Bill
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nbarclay
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Huntsville, Alabama
Dec 1999 time: 23:18
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quote: Originally posted by Bill_in_PDX
It really wasn't lopsided until late 1943 and on. Yes, there was no question it would get very bad for the IJN as time wore on, as pointed out by yourself and others here. Post Midway, there were very serious concerns in the USN at Battle of Santa Cruz, and during the Gilberts campaign. Carrier support was basically pulled out of Guadalcanal because of fear of exposing the limited carrier resouces, at one point down to just the Enterprise in action, to land based air attack.
Bill |
True, Japan and America fought pretty evenly through the end of 1942 with the HUGE exception of Midway. As a side note, not only was Enterprise our only operational carrier for a while, but there was a period where they didn't dare use her forward elevator because of battle damage that might cause it to jam somewhere other than the up position and put her out of action as well. I wasn't trying to say that America had its way with Japan throughout the war, just that the overall balance of losses was extremely lopsided.
Nathan
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IGD
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quote: Originally posted by notyoueither
No plan survives first contact with the enemy. D*mn I wish I'd said that first.
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Good Post. I wish I had said that too !
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TCO
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Richmond, VA
Jan 1970 time: 00:18
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quote: Originally posted by Bill_in_PDX
It really wasn't lopsided until late 1943 and on. Yes, there was no question it would get very bad for the
IJN as time wore on, as pointed out by yourself and others here. Post Midway, there were very serious concerns in the USN at Battle of Santa Cruz, and during the Gilberts campaign. Carrier support was basically pulled out of Guadalcanal because of fear of exposing the limited carrier resouces, at one point down to just the Enterprise in action, to land based air attack.
Clearly TF58 in 1944 was one of the most formidable forces ever assembled. When in full air cover mode, the task force would be 100 miles in diameter.
My theory for small US losses are three fold:
1) The Pacific theatre, unlike the Med, and the Atlantic approches where most of the UK losses occured, was relatively wide open, and made it very difficult for the Japanese to deploy subs in an effective pattern. The US had great success at interdicting shipping due to the nature of the shipping routes from SE Asia to Japan that served to bring traffic to our subs, much like the convoys in the Atlantic.
2) By 1943 on, the US was deploying Essex class carriers which were known as "fast carriers" capable of 30kts. Making it nearly impossible for a sub to attack as long the fleet remained in open ocean. Interesting to note that is why the Iowa battleships were designed, in order to keep up in the speed department, as nearly every BB at Pearl Habor had been raised and returned to service in time for revenge in the opening round of Leyte Gulf.
3) The US placed exceptional emphasis on damage control design and preparedness. This advantage is under appreciated in the war, but played out many times, including the Yorktown's availability at Midway. The IJN much less so, and many reports say that the Shinano supercarrier was brought down by a single torpedo that started a fire. An exception to this trend was the Yamoto which took a phenominal pounding before sinking.
Bill |
You're omitting the incredible performance of US submarines. incredible amounts of shipping sunk...
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bigvic
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Columbia, S.C.
Nov 2001 time: 00:18
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quote: Originally posted by Bill_in_PDX
Interesting to note that is why the Iowa battleships were designed, in order to keep up in the speed department, as nearly every BB at Pearl Habor had been raised and returned to service in time for revenge in the opening round of Leyte Gulf.
3
Bill |
Yeah, and didn't the US also buld at least one lighter, cheaper BB, the Guam or something? I remember this from my old World in Flames boardgame. This difference, in quality, with the help of a sense of the abstract, could go a long way towards explaining silly combat results, if you like. Maybe that BB that got wasted by that ironclad was a "Guam" going up against an out of date "Ise".
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