Board Thread:Event Community Discussion/@comment-25730832-20170511175819/@comment-28069733-20170512180808

For now, I've compiled the following list:

Arguments that the Kaiboukan should be DE (Destroyer Escort):

 * The community has already accepted it as the correct classification, even though the majority didn't bother to look through the historical facts first.
 * They have the same role generally during the WW2, even though they lack all the armanents and specifications of an American Destroyer Escort.
 * The US Army identification magazine used both DE and PF interchangeably: https://archive.org/details/USANJOR194405-nsia (Note: Magazine, thus most likely not official practice)
 * The documents could all have been written by someone from the Royal Navy or they could've exchanged info with them, which does not prove that the USN themselves uses the classification PF themselves.
 * Nobody cares about the Naval Treaties, so we shouldn't either.

Arguments that the Kaiboukan should be PF (Patrol Frigate):
 * The ONI has classified the Shimushu-class as PF: http://archive.hnsa.org/doc/id/oni222j-japan-navy/pg107.htm
 * Page 40 of the USN Technical Mission to Japan classified the Kaiboukan as PF: http://www.fischer-tropsch.org/primary_documents/gvt_reports/USNAVY/USNTMJ%20Reports/USNTMJ-200H-0602-0659%20Report%20S-03.pdf
 * The IJN does not treat any ships with no torpedo capabilities as destroyers.
 * The Republic of China's Navy classified these ships as PF when they obtained them post-war. Likewise, the American Destroyer Escorts were given a different classification, which means there are distinctions.
 * In-game, they cannot effectively replace DDs in most of the expeditions and map branching rules. It is evidence enough that they are not treated as destroyers, as genuine destroyer escorts should be able to effectively replace them.
 * DE are subject to the London Naval Treaty of 1930 if they have a displacement of over 2000 ton, any gun above 155cm, more than 4 guns above 76mm, the ability to launch torpedoes and the speed of 20 knots or above. The Shimushu however, is nowhere near 2000 ton, does not have any gun above 155cm, only has 3 guns above 76mm at most, no torpedo capabilities and has a speed of 19.7 knots. They are not a destroyer by London Naval Treaty definitions.
 * The Kaiboukan were built with the purpose of settling fishing disputes between USSR and Japan, not for use as an escort in war.
 * The Kaiboukan lacks the armanent to be as combat effective as the American Destroyer Escorts. While the lightweight part does fit the role of the USN DE, their capabilities dont.
 * The US Army identification magazine used both DE and PF interchangeably: https://archive.org/details/USANJOR194405-nsia (Note: Magazine, thus most likely not official practice)

Arguments that the Kaiboukan should be EE (Escort):
 * The in-game shipcards themselves literally state that they're Escorts. Not PF or DE, but Kaiboukan and Escort.
 * NHHC has provided a statement that they are Escorts. They have also provided the following trusted source: http://www.combinedfleet.com/Kaibokan.htm
 * Escort can basically mean PF, DE and Kaiboukan, pretty much resolving everything in the debate.