Barges for Beginners

[elmo3]

Originally posted by LargeSlowTarget
I was going to ask the same question. You can use barge TFs from any base, either under human control, cs or computer control just like an ordinary transport TF. So what is the deal with those barge hubs?

..snip...

Hope this helps.

LST

LST

I believe barge only TF's that start a Resolution Phase at a Barge Hub will automatically resupply nearby bases (i.e. within the ranges posted above) if under computer control. This will occur without the need to specify any destination. If not working from a Barge Hub you have to tell the TF it's destination. See pg 59.

Maybe someone from 2by3/Matrix can help us out here if that is incorrect or if there are other advantages of designating a Barge Hub.

elmo3

[Erik Rutins]

Barges are cheap and don't care about enemy air power. They're a great way to run supplies into bases that are under enemy air threat, since it doesn't hurt (much) to lose them and more often than not, some get through with supplies/fuel.

Regards,

- Erik

[Armorer]

Greetings,

Playing as the Allies, game time it's the middle of April, '43. Approx. Feb of '43 was when barges began to show up as available. Barge TF's are created the same way as PT boat TF's. Check your Ship Availability screen - if you have barges available, and have a Transport TF with supplies, create the Barge TF in the same manner as you would a PT boat TF. The American barges are the LCVP, which I believe has a capacity of 60, and the LCM, with capacity 36. I'm at work, so those numbers are from what is an often faulty memory. The barges will be created in a Transport TF, which can then be set to supply the same base repeatedly, as part of a CS routine convoy. I currently have 3 different convoys running repeatedly between Noumea and L'ville; each has 3 LCM and 10-12 LCVP's.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Randy

[elmo3]

Randy

Thanks but now I'm confused. The manual says barge TF's will move up to 12 hexes to resupply a base if the destination has fuel. The distance from Noumea to L'ville looks like about 16 hexes to me. Are you using a computer controlled barge only CS to make this run? If so then is the manual in error on the allowed distance? Thanks.

elmo3

[Armorer]

This is a minor problem with the system. CS routine convoys will load a little fuel when they are loading up; this is for at sea replenishing. This allows my TF's to make it to L'ville from Noumea without running out of fuel. Unfortunately, after off-loading at L'ville, the TF doesn't pick up any fuel for the return trip. So, typically, my TFs spend the last two days out of fuel, moving one hex per phase. Not a big deal, probably only costs one day per round-trip, but there's plenty of fuel at L'ville, so it would be nice if they would pick up a little for the return ride.

Hope this helps,

Randy

[elmo3]

The manual says every 5th barge will load with fuel (pg 59). Maybe you're running out of fuel becasue you're going more than the 12 hex range, although since L'ville has fuel I don't follow why they aren't at least topping off the tanks while unloading the supplies. Do they also unload the fuel that they supposedly loaded for their own refueling? Might be worth posting in the bug section. Maybe someone will clarify what is happening if it's not a bug.

[LargeSlowTarget]

Sorry for my earlier mistake. Armorer is correct about the USN being able to create barge TFs the same way PT TF are created. I have seen the 'create PT' button but not the 'create barge' button becoming active in the TF screen and have wrongly assumed it does not work with the Allied side. I'm just in Nov 42 in my game, apparently there are no barges available for the USN yet. When I wrote my last post I was at work and couldn't check in the game, so I might use Armorer's 'faulty memory excuse' on my behalf.

LST