if i do split them all up - whats the best TF composition? i now have 5 lots of TFs with just 2 DDs and a cruiser each - seems a bit light for me poor carriers!
or do i stick all the non CVs in one TF and escort the 5 CVs?
Look here, section II.B, third thread from the bottom:
Ideally, every CV should be escorted by at least 14 ships in order to maximize the AA value of the TF. If you add more ships, the AA value still increases, but with diminishing returns.
Regardless of whether we are talking KB or allied deathstars, it's best to have no more than 2 CVs per TF but you also need to make sure that these seperate TFs are mutually supporting and have at least one fast BB in the TF to increase the AA and to draw enemy bombers.
Alternately, a surface TF with 1-2 BBs stationed 1-2 hexes ahead of your carriers is quite useful in soaking up airstrikes.
For the allied player, the best way to deal with KB is to stay under cover of land-based air... especially your 4Es. After mid-late 42, KB is pretty much neutralized by the presence of allied 4Es and the strength of allied carriers. Not many Japanese players want to risk KB to 4Es unless the reward is really worth it.
As a Japanese player, I like to split KB up and use them to raid convoy lanes. I don't scatter them to the wind though. I keep the various KB TFs close enough to reform within 2-3 days. If I conduct a raid on a shipping lane, one TF attacks while at least one other remains in the background. In this way if something unexpected comes up I have the option to run or to bring the other TF forward.
I do try to keep at least 6 CV/CVLs in CENTPAC and the rest in the SRA.
Chez
Ret Navy AWCS (1972-1998)
VP-5, Jacksonville, Fl 1973-78
ASW Ops Center, Rota, Spain 1978-81
VP-40, Mt View, Ca 1981-87
Patrol Wing 10, Mt View, CA 1987-90
ASW Ops Center, Adak, Ak 1990-92
NRD Seattle 1992-96
VP-46, Whidbey Isl, Wa 1996-98
I would say that ideally, IJN would operate single CV TFs as well. However, as IJN, you don't tend to have enough ships to do this, so IJN is forced to 2 - 3 CVs per TF.
Actually the IJN CVs should really all be in 2 ship TFs (1 CV, 1 DD). Their doctrine called for the CAP and ship manuevering for defense. The idea to "ring" a carrier or force of carriers closely with ships which supported the carrier(s) with their flak did not get past the 'study' stage in the IJN til 1944. It may have saved Zuikaku at Coral Sea - she was so far away from Shokaku (which got heavily damaged) that the Americans never saw her so the doctrine did have some benefits.
Since every foible of American doctrine is hard coded (and when its not the JP usually wants to make a house rule to force it on the AP) it really seems the Japanese ought to be bound by the same sort of thing.
