British Navy

[Dereck]

I'm playing against the AI and was wondering if anybody ever considered moving some of the British naval units to around Australia to help with the defense of Australia?

In the other game I played against the AI it wasn't until late 1944 that I ever found any use for the British navy.

I did notice the naval units I checked did have a nice high night fighting value so I'm very tempted.

[DuckofTindalos]

I've done it sometimes.

[rockmedic109]

I bring the Australian Destroyers in the Indian Ocean to Australia to help with ASW work.  Seems appropriate.  I haven't found a need for cruisers or battleships, yet.  I have no more RN carriers {well I have Hermes with 51% sys damage--down from 99} after a run in with KB. 

[Q-Ball]

I know some like to pair PoW with the US CV's for it's high flak value. That's a long trip though.

If I play Allies, I might take out Repulse and a couple cruisers to form the nucleus of a good night-fighting force in the Solomons. I might counterbalance that by leaving Houston and Boise in the IO, where they can serve as CV escorts. But I haven't played Allies yet, just thinking.....

[rockmedic109]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

I know some like to pair PoW with the US CV's for it's high flak value. That's a long trip though.

If I play Allies, I might take out Repulse and a couple cruisers to form the nucleus of a good night-fighting force in the Solomons. I might counterbalance that by leaving Houston and Boise in the IO, where they can serve as CV escorts. But I haven't played Allies yet, just thinking.....

Trying to get Big Bad Boise out of your hair?[:D]

[niceguy2005]

Until late in the war I like to keep the British navy in the IO.  It's something of a check on the IJN. 

[bradfordkay]

I used the RN CVs in association with two USN CVs to cover a retaking of Exmouth in a PBEM with ChezDaJez. We even had a carrier exchange between a TF of his CVLs and the RN CVs (USN ones were out of range). This particular exchange provided no hits on either side and he withdrew into LBA cover. I was satisfied with protecting the invasion.

[Yamato hugger]

I use the RN to escort convoys to and from Oz personally. And I NEVER use Brit DDs. They are all going away sooner or later and I'd rather save the PPs as long as possible.

[madgamer2]

Having played the opening 3 months of the war as the Allied player several times I have found that what ever you do do not leave them in Singapore as they will get attacked or lost if the port is taken. I have sent them to North Aus., to India, and once to that port that is in the SE corner of the PI where there is lots of fuel. They sat there and in a few turns the Jap AI sent in a 15 ship TF with only AK,AO, and AP ships. The Brits sunk them all and went south to Port Morsby. So be creative but remember leaving them in Singapore can be risky.

Madgamer

[Dereck]

Madgamer, I've been into World War II history since I was in high school 30 years ago. The FIRST thing I do in this game is get all ships out of harms way and into safe ports where I can consolidate and start my supply lines.

Anyways on the Dec 8th move I always sent the British naval forces in Singapore to Ceylon.

Anyways I have a carrier and surface force moving to Sydney. I'm going to mix some US destroyers in with the surface force when the Solomons campaign starts and maybe get the US destroyers up in night fighting and then use those in US task forces and help train up the US night fighting ability a bit faster than normal.

[JeffroK]

I usually send the Eastern Fleet to Soerbaja and there combine with the Dutch Fleet and the Asiatic Fleet.
 
I chew on my nails and try to ambush a japanese convoy, or a weak STF (With 1BB, 1BC, 1-2 CA, 10+Cl etc it would have to be unlucky to hit anything stronger) but as soon as japanese airpower arrives I head to Darwin or Perth, depending on the Timor/Ambon situation.
 
If forced to Perth I sail them around to Sydney where they become the core of SW Pac fleet.
 
PoW & Repulse with support from Houston & Boise are a much needed reinforcement, ans would do little in the IO.

[Yamato hugger]

Actually the allies are limited as to what they can do based on what the Jap does. If the Jap keeps close knit groups and strong air power in the area, the best course for the allies it to pull back. If the Jap has dozens of TFs and little to no air then the Dutch / RN in the area can score some points.

But as anything else in the early war period, what the allies can do or should do is based on what the Jap allows him to do.

[madgamer2]

ORIGINAL: dereck

Madgamer, I've been into World War II history since I was in high school 30 years ago. The FIRST thing I do in this game is get all ships out of harms way and into safe ports where I can consolidate and start my supply lines.

Anyways on the Dec 8th move I always sent the British naval forces in Singapore to Ceylon.

Anyways I have a carrier and surface force moving to Sydney. I'm going to mix some US destroyers in with the surface force when the Solomons campaign starts and maybe get the US destroyers up in night fighting and then use those in US task forces and help train up the US night fighting ability a bit faster than normal.

Sounds like a great start. I too try to save as many ships that I can. Ceylon is a good move. If you play Against a Jap AI try taking the Singapore to that small port (can't think of the name..begins with a "D") on the SE PI island. If you give them a Surface combat mission and put them in the water hex next to the town the Jap AI almost always sends a 15 ship TF with no escorts and in three turns I sank them all as the Jap AI kept trying to get them into that port for an invasion.
I take the 2 American carriers to 2 hex"s SE of Guad and put the fighters on Long range cap on Guad. On turn 1 I start sending what ever supplies and some Eng. and base units there and eventually the 2nd. Marine Div. It sounds like you have it together however.

Madgamer

[Dereck]

I have garrisons in the Hawaiian Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands, Samoa and Fuji (40th, 25th and 27th Divisions).

In Noumea I already have the 14th NZ Brigade and 102nd USA Regimental Combat Team. In Fiji I have the 2md USMC Division and the Americal Division is on it's way to Auckland. I also have the 71st Base force in Noumea and the 71st Aviation Regiment in Fiji as a major air base/transit center.

I'm still holding out in the Philippines and the Japanese still haven't hit the Kohima/Imphal line in Burma so I'm building up forces and bases everywhere I can and just waiting.

Incidentally the date in the game is 2 March 1942.

[ctid98]

I've sent the RN down to Derby and used them to harass the Japs in that part of the world, however, the key here is just to harass them, the RN can't do head to head with LBA or CV's, try to catch a supply TF or two and put the string bags to good use.

From there moving them to Brisbane is always an option to add to the offence and defence of the South Pacific.

Keeping them in IO is a bit of a waste, they can't go on the offensive and they don't have the numbers in defence unless covered by fighters, and given the short legs that British fighters have in the game means staying within 2 hexes of the base! So may as well move them out and have them support US forces.

If the Japs invade India then there should be sufficient LBA and ground troops to slow them down whilst you bring other forces to the fight.

Just my 2 pence worth.

[JVSFugitive]

I create a single task force with the Royal Navy and scout around (Phillipines or Java Sea) for some poor un-protected Japanese transport task force and strike preferrably at night and retreat hastily. I have sunk many AP's and AK's in the early stages of the war. Avoid LBA aircraft at all times. Keeps the Japs on their toes.

[lolz]

im using british subs around japan

[Ken Estes]

Playing Stock Allies vs. AI, I find AI sends IJN subs to Australian waters, and I pull the RN DDs, MSW and PC there from IO for the ASW work, along with the few decent USN ASW ships [4-stack DD, DMS] available in 1942. After a few months to sink enough of the I and RO boat, I return the RN DDs to whatever tasks.
 
I operate ABDA CA/CL/DD TF in arc from Solomons to Java as feasible to hit IJN convoys, use BB/BC force to hit IJN trying to land at Palambang, but have to w/d when Betties are based in Borneo and southern P.I. I have not used RN CV until 4 are available and then only when US a/c can be upgraded & carried.