Still More Questions

[rokohn]

Here are more in a long series of questions that I can’t find the answers to in the manual.

1. Lets say I set up a supply TF (AKs) of 10 ships from LA to Pearl. After the home port, destination and load type is set up; I switch it to computer control (CS:Pearl). Why does the computer automatically switch the speed from “Mission Speed” to “Cruise”? Is it a bug? What happens if I switch it back?

2. I have stopped using the automatic convoys from SF. However, looking at the ones still on the board, some of them mention that they will refuel at a port on the way to the target. That would be a nice feature for me to be able to use. Is there a way to automatically refuel a TF on long missions? The manual way would be to set the TF with “Do not unload” and “Do not retire” and have them move to the ports manually, I understand that. But did I miss an automatic method?

3. I have got pieces of the 4th Division with “/numbers” scattered all over the Pacific. I started by telling a TF with 4 or so APs to load the division and supply and send it to Noumea. Later I still found the 4th Division in LA and I figured that I didn’t have enough room on the last TF. I made another TF with AKs this time and set it with “no unload” and “no destination” and “load troops only” to load the division. After three days there was still room on the APs and I sent it on its way figuring it would finish loading and move out. There are still remnants of the 4th division in LA. I figured the Aquitania could take the rest of it, nope.[:@] What am I doing wrong?

3. And finally, just what exactly is the difference between a Cargo and a Transport mission?

Thank You all once again for your assistance.[:)]

[ckk]

1 The computer sets the speed initially. You can change without penalty
 
Second 3 Really no difference Transport usually transports troops

[VSWG]

1. Not a bug. I guess they are supposed to run at cruise speed because the AI doesn't check for system damage, and they would accumulate system damage too fast at full speed.

2. That's the way I do it, too. If there's a more convenient method, I would like to know it, too.

3.  Create transport TF. Set TF to "load only troops", and select the unit you want to load. Set "TF destination" to the port you are currently at. Set "Home port" to the port you want to transport the unit to.

Now the TF will not leave port until a) it is fully loaded or b) the unit is completely on board. Oh, and a divisiopn needs a lot of transports, 4 APs, some AKs (not recommended anyway, because they are very inefficient for troops - check the table on p. 97 if the manual) and the Aquitania might not be enough to carry that division.

4.

6.1.11 Impact of Roles on Auto-Created TF’s
[blockquote] When selecting to create a new TF from a base hex, an Automatic Ship Selection option
appears on the TF Mission selection window. When set to On, the computer selects your ships
during TF Creation and a list of eight Roles will appear next to the 12 Primary Missions. These
Roles only exist to allow the computer to better refine its ship selection when creating a TF. A PT
boat task force is always a role of a Surface Combat TF.
The eight Roles for TF Missions are:
  - Transport – Cargo
  - Transport – Barge
  - Transport – Air Transport
  - Air Combat – CV Escort
  - Transport – Amphibious
  - Surface Combat – PT boat
  - Transport – Tanker
  - Mine Warfare – Minesweeper

[/blockquote]

[niceguy2005]

ORIGINAL: rokohn

Here are more in a long series of questions that I can’t find the answers to in the manual.

1. Lets say I set up a supply TF (AKs) of 10 ships from LA to Pearl. After the home port, destination and load type is set up; I switch it to computer control (CS:Pearl). Why does the computer automatically switch the speed from “Mission Speed” to “Cruise”? Is it a bug? What happens if I switch it back?

The computer is concerned with conserving fuel, as the Allies did in real life. A TF would not needlessly burn extra fuel getting to a destination a few days faster.

2. I have stopped using the automatic convoys from SF. However, looking at the ones still on the board, some of them mention that they will refuel at a port on the way to the target. That would be a nice feature for me to be able to use. Is there a way to automatically refuel a TF on long missions? The manual way would be to set the TF with “Do not unload” and “Do not retire” and have them move to the ports manually, I understand that. But did I miss an automatic method?

You can use the home and destination port setting to set way points. Otherwise you must manually set a TF to go to a port, like you mentioned.

3. I have got pieces of the 4th Division with “/numbers” scattered all over the Pacific. I started by telling a TF with 4 or so APs to load the division and supply and send it to Noumea. Later I still found the 4th Division in LA and I figured that I didn’t have enough room on the last TF. I made another TF with AKs this time and set it with “no unload” and “no destination” and “load troops only” to load the division. After three days there was still room on the APs and I sent it on its way figuring it would finish loading and move out. There are still remnants of the 4th division in LA. I figured the Aquitania could take the rest of it, nope.[:@] What am I doing wrong?

SOunds like your still getting used to how ships load. This is not a highly deterministic routine. IF you set a transport TF with plenty of room to load a single unit and leave it alone, it should load fine. If you are loading multiple units into one TF there is no telling what the computer will do.

Here's what I do when loading transports.
1. Plan the TF size according to what I think I will need. I rarely combine troops and supplies on the same TF. Also, unless I have an over abundance of transports I build one TF to transport each unit I want to move, then once the unit is done loading I combine the TFs
2. Build the TF and select load only troops
3. Set the destination hex that turn. If your TF finishes loading before it has a destination it will start unloading.
4. Let the TF load and sail.

I suspect that when you set the destination hex you somehow managed to also hit cancel loading, which sent the TF on its way before all troops were aboard.

3. And finally, just what exactly is the difference between a Cargo and a Transport mission?

Very little really. The mission types, beyond excluding ships from certain missions (like AKs cant be in an aircombat TF) they tell the computer how to react if the TF is under computer control. NEVER give the computer control of your TF. This is not a good game to deligate tasks in.

[AmiralLaurent]

As for 2, you can use the following orders if you want your TF to sail from A to C while refueling at B.
Destination: B
Home Base: C
Orders: "retire", "do not unload"
So the TF will sail at B, stop for one phase there and refuel, and then start again without unloading anything to home (C). Between B and C, or once it arrived at C, you will have to change the orders to "unload".

By the way, if you have shipping to spare, and the base is relatively safe and is supplying forward bases, it's better to keep orders "do not unload", and then disband TF while ships are still laden with supplies or fuel (won't work for troops), so once you need to send supplies somewhere else, ships will already be laden.
Examples of such bases are PH, Auckland or Noumea as Allied (not in all games) and Singapore or Truk as Japan for example.

[niceguy2005]

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent
By the way, if you have shipping to spare, and the base is relatively safe and is supplying forward bases, it's better to keep orders "do not unload", and then disband TF while ships are still laden with supplies or fuel (won't work for troops), so once you need to send supplies somewhere else, ships will already be laden.
Examples of such bases are PH, Auckland or Noumea as Allied (not in all games) and Singapore or Truk as Japan for example.

WOW! [X(][X(] I did not know this was possible. THat will have me rethinking the entire way I handle logistics. [&o][&o][:D]

[rokohn]

I am glad that my question led to the new found strategy you just acquired Niceguy2005. I feel better about my posting. Logistics is one of the most tiring, necessary and thankless aspects of the game. No wonder it is what most of my questions have been about.

[dtravel]

AKs should almost always operate at "cruise" rather than "mission" or "full" speed.  At least for the Allies it is only a 1 knot speed difference and it greatly reduces the SYS damage they take.  Enough so that they will probably get there sooner at "cruise" as they won't lose as much speed to damage.  Personally, I would leave your CS convoys at "cruise".  In the low threat areas they should only be operating in anyways the speed doesn't matter.