Frustrated Allied player needs your help...

[Gilligan]

Hey guys,


looking for some advice here on how to deal with the **** IJN navy...specifically the 7 CV/CVL behemoth TF I cant seem to do anything with except sacrafic my CVs to. I have tried scen#17 several times now, playing around with different tactics and learning the game, but the one thing I keep running into is this **** wolfpack of CVs that doesn't go anyplace unless its together.

I've re-run turns over in a 4 allied CV vs. IJN uber TF using various caps vs. escorts ratios, tossing in lunga airpower, and even placing a curse on them by waving ym fingers at the screen, all to no avail. I am getting crazy results like my 38 F4F cap engaging their 16 UNESCORTED Vals and not a single shootdown (cap at 10,000 ft) while I am getting my air strikes cut to ribbons for literally nothing ( 62 SBD made it thru to score 1 bomb hit on a CVL). Now, this is the norm for me..in several instances my cap has seemingly flown around taunting the enemy while refusing to expend what must be valuable ammo.

I understand the difference in exp is great between the opposing carrier pilots, but 1 hit from 62 SBD? So, any ideas on how to deal with this AI that doesn't do anything but sail 7 CV around wherever I happen to try to do anything. Any ideas/help is appreciated...

[von Murrin]

Well, it sounds as though your current problems are squadron morale and enemy CAP.

Squadron morale would, barring a freak accident, explain your dismal CAP intercepts. Try not setting them above 50% prior to a guaranteed engagement. Their morale needs to be above 75 for them to be really useful. Also, aggressive TF commanders are best for good CAP intercepts, as they tend to launch faster, thereby having fewer LRCAP and climbing attacks.

Heavy enemy CAP will guarantee that your strikes will be more unproductive than you would possibly experience normally. Try a 60% CAP ratio, as that will assure some reaonable escort for your strikes.

Some other advice:

1. Never engage IJN CV's at less than roughly equal odds. You'll lose.

2. Wait until they have conducted a few airfield raids. Fatigue will make their strikes much less effective.

3. Use agressive TF commanders with high air combat ratings. They will coordinate better and their CAP will be more effective. Spruance and Clark are good choices.

4. Never engage outside the range of your torpedo bombers. All other things being equal, your TB's will consistently sink CV's.

5. LRCAP is essential. If you want your CV's to survive, LRCAP will do more to free up your CV fighter AG's than anything else. However, always remember that the effectiveness of LRCAP is inversely proportionate to the range at which they provide the protection. e.g. : F4F-4's at 70% of their range limit will provide approximately 30% effective CAP.

6. Split your CV's up. Multiple TF's prevent your CV's from all being vulnerable to one strike, provide excellent AA if the TF is =< ten ships, and may not even be spotted. Put your best commanders in charge of your most valuable CV TF's and so on down the line.

That's all for now.

[NorthStar]

Some more things to add to von Murrin's list:

1) Keep in mind that if your escorts are badly outnumbered by enemy CAP, even though they may not shoot many planes down, they will disrupt you flights and seriously affect their accuracy. This -- along with AA, pilot experiance, and pilot fatigue -- could explain you one bomb hit for 62 SBDs.

2) Be patient. Especially in the long scenarios, time is on the allies side. Wait until additional carriers and LBA are available. Let the Japanese wear down their air power against bases (which at least can't sink). You'll make up the losses, he won't

3) I would modify von Murrin's no 1 to "Never engage IJN CV's without superior odds, you'll lose!" Of course, LBA counts in the equation.

4) Use subs. Especially if you manage to damage an IJN CV, swarm it with as many subs as possible.

5) In a lot of cases, there is extra room on most CV's. This allows you to add aditional marine Fighter Squadrons to increase protection.

[Didz]

So far #17 Allied is the only scenario I've played and I'm on my sixth attempt. However, I am currently doing rather well.

My own solution to the IJN Super CV TF was to avoid it like the plague. I have never attempted to attack it with surface forces or even subs.

Instead I have concentrated my such attacks on wherever it wasn't.

So when the SCVTF was in the Solomon Sea bombarding my bases on New Guinea my CV's were conducting air bombardments on their bases and supply convoys around Guanacanal. When the SCVTF moved to the slot to cover Guadacanal my CV's attacked their bases and suppy convoys around Lae.

Eventually I had two CV TF's, Enterprise and Hornet operating from Townsville and Lexington and Yorktown operating from Noumea and they took if in turns to attack IJN ships and bases when the SCVTF was operating in the other area.

Once Saratoga and Wasp arrived I had three CV TF's working over IJN convoys and bases when the enemy CV's were away.

In the meantime PM and GG had developed into major bomber bases and Dobadura was being developed.

Eventually, with the US having air superiority over the Solomon Sea from its bases at Dobadura and PM. The IJN had troops isolated on Guadacanal and New Guinea.

Unable to keep them supplied they eventually tried to suppress my LBA's in New Guinea by a carrier strike and moved their SCVTF into the Solomon Sea losing two CV's and several other vessels to LBA attacks.

That coupled with the heavy losses in merchant ships has resulted in their surviving CV's being withdrawn to Truk and my carriers now have almost free use of the Solomon Sea. Rabaul has been neutralised by B17's and Liberators from PM and B26's from Dobadura.

Guadacanal has been recaptured and the only operating IJN Bomber base is now on Kavieng.