reinforcement pipeline

[Ron Saueracker]

In Iain Christies' AAR thread, mention was made of approx. 50% of USN fleet replenishment vessels disabled as a result of an airstrike. If this is a real result, logistical headaches will surely hamper the allies. Given this reduced capability, does the reinforcement pipeline remain static, or do reinforcements of this type become a requisition priority? Obviously, this same question could be applied to most units.

I just remembered how difficult it was to resupply Henderson Field in Gary's "Guadalcanal Campaign", after the listed ships (APs in OOB) were ravaged by repeated need to resupply HF. I found it hard to believe that historically, the USN would not compensate for unforseen losses and send more through the pipeline. Of course, this would have to depend on the historical availability of various units. In 1942, the was a shipping crisis in the Pacific, as most mercantile hulls were heading to North Africa for Torch and building up forces in England for Bolero.

[madflava13]

I think the problem was more one of a lack of particular types of ships, in this case, fleet oilers. Off the top of my head I'd guess there were not that many ships in 1942 capable of unrep missions, so if you knocked them out, you'd hurt the other side...