Long-ranged CAP question

FM_Freyland · Post by **FM_Freyland** » Thu Jun 20, 2002 8:07 am

I suspect this has been covered previously, but when I was reading about CAP on this forum, I did not yet have the game, so it was all gobbily-gook.

Formalities now aside, I ask this.... Do you assign a target for Long ranged CAP, or do you just assign a force to LRCAP, and it will protect anything within a certain radius? If the former is true, how do you 'time' the arrival of the LRCAP with your TF (for example), if it is moving? The enemy might technically hit it anytime.

Thanks for the help. I am really just starting to get settled in this game. Oh, and thanks for fixing the retirement bug, gents!

Jonathan

JohnK · Post by **JohnK** » Thu Jun 20, 2002 9:12 am

LRCAP can cover a specific hex (say, covering your ground troops attacking Port Moresby flying out of Lae), OR a specific naval force. It doesn't generically cover everything out to a given radius.

Let's say you have fighters in Lunga, and a surface combat TF and a transport TF are approaching Lunga that are several hexes away, but both in the same hex, that you want to protect.

If you choose a target for LRCAP, and click on the hex with the task forces, you can choose which task force to protect; or you could put one squadron on one TF and one squadron on another (and actually, both seem to fight anything that would attack that hex, even though they're assigned to different TFs.

Hoever, WHEN you assign the LRCAP the target TF must be within range of that fighter. Sometimes a bit of a problem when the force begins out of range but ends the turn in range.

1089 · Post by **1089** » Thu Jun 20, 2002 9:57 am

Originally posted by JohnK
However, WHEN you assign the LRCAP the target TF must be within range of that fighter. Sometimes a bit of a problem when the force begins out of range but ends the turn in range.

I don't believe this is true. The system informs that they are out of range, but assigns the CAP. When they come within range, the CAP begins to cover. At least, this has been my observation pre-patches.

kp

Avenger · Post by **Avenger** » Thu Jun 20, 2002 3:15 pm

I don't believe this is true. The system informs that they are out of range, but assigns the CAP. When they come within range, the CAP begins to cover. At least, this has been my observation pre-patches.

This is correct. It will say that the target is out of range, but the fighters will fly CAP when it comes within range.

When assigning CAP to a task force you really only need to pay attention to where the fleet ends its turn. Thats the AIR phase. Thats when the CAP will matter.

Flying CAP from Buna to a transport fleet bound for Lae, the fleet begins out of range at Gili Gili, but the CAP will start as soon as the fleet makes its first move and comes in range. The CAP will continue for several turns, while the transports unload, then the CAP will automatically end when the fleet reaches Gili Gili again (Moves out of range). (I've done this route dozens of times). (It is exhausting for the crew that is flying CAP).

--Avenger

Sonny · Post by **Sonny** » Thu Jun 20, 2002 5:07 pm

And if you don't assign LRCAP to a specific base/TF then the local commander will pick where the LRCAP is to go - sometimes good sometimes bad.

JohnK · Post by **JohnK** » Thu Jun 20, 2002 5:59 pm

Geez, I had no idea it still flew the LRCAP if the target was out of range, you get that screaming "TARGET OUT OF RANGE!!! message, so I always just clicked on something else or reset the cap and didn't notice it did have the target.

Von_Frag · Post by **Von_Frag** » Thu Jun 20, 2002 11:52 pm

[QUOTE]Originally posted by FM_Freyland
I suspect this has been covered previously, but when I was reading about CAP on this forum, I did not yet have the game, so it was all gobbily-gook.

Are you sure it wasn't namby pamby?.................. Sorry.

Von Frag

Nikademus · Post by **Nikademus** » Fri Jun 21, 2002 12:21 am

I found out a great use for LR-CAP.......covering an enemy base that the AI is underhandedly supplying and reinforcing with transport planes.

The booger......before i knew it that cut off, half starved airbase with but one shattered brigade to defend it suddenly contained a whole new full strength brigade making my mop up job suddenly become a major operation.

I got revenge though.....one day's worth of LR CAP from three surrounding airfields decimated it's effort shooting down 47+ unescorted C-47's and damaging more.

I suspect the AI wont be trying that trick again for a bit. A good wakeup call for this sleepy gamer

Wilhammer · Post by **Wilhammer** » Fri Jun 21, 2002 12:33 am

...and you would think this LR-Cap over an enemy base would function something like a sweep mission, this time focusing on returning flights.

Sweeps are used to draw an enemy to battle, so LR-CAP intercepting return flights is not quite the same.