Logistics ?

[lancer]

Hi there,

I'd be appreciative if somebody could explain how the logistical side of the pacific war is handled by the game.

Supplies, convoys, resources, that kind of thing.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Lancer

[jomni]

Have you read the AAR?  It talks about the importance of logistics.
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2441439

From what I read, you create a convoy from indicating the and the destination. Destination can be ports (with varying capacity?) or beachheads.
You can create convoys to either ferry supplies or production points (resources).

Sounds interesting but I still don't have the game so I don't know the details. [:D]

[doomtrader]

Hi,

I'll try to explain that without going into the details.

The most important part of supply lines are Main Supply Sources (MSS), which usually represents capital or important city. Basically its set up at level of 30. Then the supply is distributed to other cities which are connected by own or allied territory. When a supply gets to the city, then it's forwarded to the next one and distributed to the nearby units. The larger the distance between city and unit the less supply provided. But here we are not counting the hexes, only checking movement cost for mechanized unit. So the supply for a unit that is 4 hexes from a city can be on different levels on summer than during the winter.

If a city is cut of from the MSS is also able to generate supply, but usually it's a lower level than at MSS.

If a unit is cut off from a city then it's strength and movement possibilities is slowly degenerating turn after turn, to reach almost zero after 3 of them. Units are always able to move at least one hex.

There are also mulberry harbors that produce supply (20)

Also a presence of a friendly navy can produce some supply for units that are cut of from any city.

Of course there are convoys that allow to send supply from port to port but this is limited (amount of supply sent) to the size of port.


Hope this helps a little.

[jomni]

ORIGINAL: doomtrader

The larger the distance between city and unit the less supply provided. But here we are not counting the hexes, only checking movement cost for mechanized unit. So the supply for a unit that is 4 hexes from a city can be on different levels on summer than during the winter.

Makes sense. Simulates the movement of supplies via trucks where it bogs down in difficult terrain. But not rail movement(?).

[doomtrader]

You can imagine like supply from city to city is transported via railroad, then from city to units by trucks.

If you are asking about possibility of strategic redeployment of your units then you have to spend some points from Strategic Movement Points pool.

[lancer]

Goodaye,

Thanks for the information. I've a couple more questions.

Do ships at sea have any supply limitations or can they remain on station for the duration?

From the excellent AAR I've read here I see that AP's (cargo vessels) are portrayed by the game. How are they utilised in a convoy, eg. From main supply port 'x' to island port 'y' what determines how many AP's you need in the convoy?

Also the AAR touched on 'beachhead' supply for amphibious invasions. It was a little vague on how this worked.

Cheers,
Lancer

[gwgardner]

Beachhead supply is available at a max supply level of 20, which is sufficient to maintain a unit in the field at full strength (someone correct me if I'm wrong on that level as full strength). HOWEVER, in order to get that level of 20 supply to the beachhead, support ships must be present in the adjacent sea zone. Details in the manual, but I believe it is 2 supply from each patrol group adjacent, 1 from each battle group, 1 from each carrier group. (A 'group' representing the major named ship plus destroyers, tankers, supply ships, maintenance, etc.)

A limitiation on beachhead supply is that it only extends three hexes from the beachhead. So it is imperative that any landing force actually conquer a port city fairly soon, in order to be able to extend the invasion.

As for regular supply in convoys, port to port, that's done with 'STP's. Sea Transport. You setup the convoy, and the supply system determines how many STPs are needed based upon the land and air units drawing supply from the destination port.

Critical in this is that you provide 'escort' for your convoys, in the form of ships that patrol the waters traversed by the convoy.

If for example a convoy of 3 STPs is needed, and the enemy destroys 1 of those STPs in transit, then supply for the troops in the field is reduced.

[lancer]

Goodaye,

O.K, thanks.

Sounds interesting. Logistics that make a difference but without the micromanagement.

If I'm the Japanese conquering the pacific and I manage to take a new island does that island automatically draw supply or do I have to establish a convoy before it gets any?

Oh, and are STP's fixed or can you produce more if required?

I'm done. No more questions.

Cheers,
Lancer

[doomtrader]

If I'm the Japanese conquering the pacific and I manage to take a new island does that island automatically draw supply or do I have to establish a convoy before it gets any?

A new convoy is needed. Otherwise you will use local supply which most often is not sufficient.

Oh, and are STP's fixed or can you produce more if required?

You can buy some more, but all comes with a price.