VR Squadrons.

[pob]

Sorry if this has already been posted/explained.

I've just received CVE Nassau in my PBEM game and I'm led to believe it's not a good idea to use VR squadrons to fly air missions.

However I have a sticky problem in that my opponent is running in small TFs of cruisers into my supply lines between SF and PH, which is causing me a headache as the first time I usually spot them is as they're sinking my convoy.
I've obviously beefed up my escorts to include old BBs and some CAs but this hasn't improved my spotting.

My thinking is that the Nassau could probably fill a role here and aid in spotting some of these piratical rogues.
Is this possible or can they only be used to replenish other carrier groups.

PS. I have tried to persuade him that this type of warfare does not fit the Bushido code, but he only replies that it was that kind of thinking that got the Japanese into the mess in the first place.

[Odin]

Well task forces of enemy cruisers between San Francisco and Pearl Harbour are surely a reason for headache...if not for a surrender.
 
Not shure but i believe you can fly naval search from them..
 
For the first, try to escort your convoys with an escort convoy, perhaps PT-Boats.
 
My suggestion but better listen to the experts here.[&o]

[pob]

Thanks. I've tried PTs etc, but they're now being used as tooth picks.
 
My initial idea to combat these surface raiders was a picket of BBs between Midway and the Aleutians and then have roving bands of BBs and CAs behind this and between SF and PH.
 
This didn't appear to work as I was hit recently losing a convoy of 10 AKs plus some escorts. I've therefore reorganised my convoy system into much larger groups of AKs and TKs escorted by Surface combat groups consisting of BBs, CAs and CLs. If I could bolster this with a CVE I could possible reduce the number of other ships which I could really do with using else where.

[Feinder]

If your CVE with VR squadrons is at capacity (30 or whatever), they can fly offensive missions.  But if your CVE is over-loaded (which it probably is, because the VR squadrons start a 24 or something times two squadrons), you won't fly missions.
 
If he's got CAs operating between SF and PH, he's got an oiler group out there; my guess is draw a line between SF and PH, find reasonable mid-point, and go about 8 - 10 hexes north and little to the west, and you'll find his oiler.

Send 2x CVs there.  Kill his oilers.  Then kill his cruisers (which will be a long way from home with no gas).
 
-F-

[pob]

Ah, Thanks for the advice. I hadn't considered the capacity of the CVE. If I remove a squadron I should be OK to fly missions then, or will this morph into one of those terrible events when left to the AI where something untoward occurs.
 
I had not considered the oilers, I'll make them my priority. I have been looking for ways to slow him down but I've been reluctant to involve my carriers into the fray as while it's a pain, it seemed like overkill to bring in a CV. Also I think this is the reponse he's looking for.
 
I've faced similar incursions into my supply runs from Karachi to Oz, but I've suspended these for the time being as he's using CVE/CVLs there which I don't wish to commit my RN carriers..

[herwin]

ORIGINAL: pob

Ah, Thanks for the advice. I hadn't considered the capacity of the CVE. If I remove a squadron I should be OK to fly missions then, or will this morph into one of those terrible events when left to the AI where something untoward occurs.

I had not considered the oilers, I'll make them my priority. I have been looking for ways to slow him down but I've been reluctant to involve my carriers into the fray as while it's a pain, it seemed like overkill to bring in a CV. Also I think this is the reponse he's looking for.

I've faced similar incursions into my supply runs from Karachi to Oz, but I've suspended these for the time being as he's using CVE/CVLs there which I don't wish to commit my RN carriers..

If you look at the battle histories of American CVs, you'll see that a number of them received battle stars for service in the western approaches to Hawaii. If you don't maintain a CV force in that area, you will get raids on your SLOC.

[Barb]

Get at least 2 CVs to the area, look for his cruisers and oilers as pointed out by Feinder. I wont go with Nassaou only. What if his Oilers are protected by Baby KB? or just 1-2 of his CVEs?

[pob]

Thanks for the response.
It's Oct 42, and since July my carriers have been supporting operations in and around the Solomons, previously they had been covering the approaches to PH. With out giving too much away, I have reconfigured my carrier forces now for other tasks as I still have 6 in operation so this is possible.
 
My opponent only started his surface raiding activity in the last few months probably because he knew where my carriers were. If these raids were causing havoc to my supply lines or the taskforces where larger then I would have to bring the carriers into play, but I was hoping to be able to counter the threat with other less important ships, which got me thinking about using my first replenishment carrier as a spotter, and maybe scoring the odd hit. The thing that bugs me isn't that he's doing the raiding or the damage being done its that I never spot them before I see AKs being sunk within two or three hexes of a squadron of BBs.
 

[pob]

Barb,
 
I think the mini KB up until recently has been operating south of the DEI, as he's made landings in North Australia and I showed up with the RN Carriers to intercept his supply runs. Plus the last convoy I had running from Karachi, got hit by a shed load of aircraft, I think he was lying in wait hoping to hit my carriers if they tried to make another interdiction.
 
This is all good advice, my only worry now is that I mentioned to my opponent I was posting, so he's getting a lot of good intelligence. But not to worry we're running a fairly open game anyway so hopfully not too much damage.

[rockmedic109]

I think VR squadrons will grow to 54 planes.  This will be too many for the CVE, and flight ops will stop once they get more than 37, I think.  I would advise against the use of VR squadron equipped CVE.  Use one or two full sized CVs and go hunting for a couple of weeks.  This is a long game, sending your carriers out on a raider hunt for two weeks will not hinder your counterattack plan much and will increase your supply stuation and convoy security.

[FOW]

VR squadrons will grow to 54 planes IF you have 'accept replacements' ON.

Move the VR-fighters off the Nassau, make sure the VR-divebomber squadron is set to NO replacements, order naval attack with 50% search at 4 hex range, then add Nassau to a convoy.

Should be no problem

[noodles]

What if the whole KB is protecting the oilers? Have you considered that this might be an elaborate trap?[:D]

[pob]

Well we know that's not going to be the case Noodles, or has the lose of two CVs simply slipped your mind or is the memory too painful to admit it ever happened.
 
FOW thanks, I'll try this out and see what happens.