TF did not refuel - Bug or feature

[huda0816]

Hi I'am playing a PBEM-game and found a bug (or is it a feature?).

I ordered my taskforce to refuel at a waypoint before moving (full speed) to its final destination.

The base had more than 10000 fuel but my order was ignored. Now my taskforce is stranded without fuel west of Borneo.

The sad thing is, that my rescue plan did not work. In an attempt to save the taskforce I made the gamey decission to merge the Dutch destroyers into the taskforce but even if they had a whole day to execute this plan they ended one hex away from Houston's TF.

The even sadder thing is that it will cost me the whole taskforce as a submarine already got Houston and there will be a lot more submarines on the way to it's position. Also there is a huge Japanese SCTF in Singkawang which probably will race south to destroy the remaining ships.

[Yaab]

Your TF is too big hence it cannot dock, hence it cannot refuel.

Tried refueling a USN CV TF in Canton Island once. That's how I learnt those things.

The only way to refuel at a smaller bases is to have a TK loaded with fuel disbanded in that base.

Also, you can divide your TF into smaller TFs that fit into the Brunei port.

[huda0816]

ORIGINAL: Yaab

Your TF is too big hence it cannot dock, hence it cannot refuel.

Tried refueling a USN CV TF in Canton Island once. That's how I learnt those things.

The only way to refuel at a smaller bases is to have a TK loaded with fuel disbanded in that base.

Also, you can divide your TF into smaller TFs that fit into the Brunei port.

Thank you for your reply that makes sense. I just wished I had learned those things in a game against the AI where I could just reload the turn.

Loosing so many destroyers is painful.

[Ian R]

It's a feature, not a bug.

[geofflambert]

It's not a bug. It's not a feature unless you mean making mistakes is a major feature of many players.

[dr.hal]

I subscribe to that feature (making major mistakes!).......

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: huda0816

ORIGINAL: Yaab

Your TF is too big hence it cannot dock, hence it cannot refuel.

Tried refueling a USN CV TF in Canton Island once. That's how I learnt those things.

The only way to refuel at a smaller bases is to have a TK loaded with fuel disbanded in that base.

Also, you can divide your TF into smaller TFs that fit into the Brunei port.

Thank you for your reply that makes sense. I just wished I had learned those things in a game against the AI where I could just reload the turn.

Loosing so many destroyers is painful.

All part of the learning cliff for the game. At a certain level (4 or 5) a port will automatically refuel ships without them having to dock. You will see the "Refuel from Port" button activate when this is possible for a TF sent to the port. I am fairly sure that also translates to transient TFs using a waypoint for refueling. But...

Operations points are part of the mix and with too big a convoy or other ships refueling at the port, it could run out of points before serving all your ships. In 1941-42 it is usually best to only expect refueling at safe rear areas rather than in a zone the enemy can interdict. Small port sizes are an issue in the early game. Keep an eye on their docking limits (single ship and total docked) when you send supply ships and tankers to the many islands you must support.

[the1henson]

This is frustrating, even though I think it was probably the correct decision. Fueling ships takes time (op points) and big convoys are a lot to manage for a tiny little nowhere port.

Because tankers are so easy to come by…

[huda0816]

You are right and it was stupid. I should have checked the refueling capabilities of the port. The fun thing is that I did check the rearmament capabilities of the port in the handbook before I made the turn.

Now my only hope is, that I can save at least some of the destroyers.

Maybe someone can help me and answer a question I asked in my AAR:

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.a ... =&#5118998

[Chris21wen]

Might be too late (distance wise) or even dangerous but turn it round and set Brunei as new destination. You can also split it to help refuel quicker.

[ggeilman]

Which is why it is a good idea to preposition a few AOs across the Pacific for refueling at smaller bases. Fuel from the west coast is one thing you are not in short supply. Going full speed really burns fuel and causes major damage to ships. I rarely do it.

[huda0816]

Just wanted to tell you that your advice helped me to save my destroyers (for now).

Thanks for all your help!