LCVP's

[motaman]

Under what conditions are you allowed to create LCVP's and LCM's?? Once created how are they used in the game???? I see no detailed information ANYWHERE, not even the manual!

[XPav]

LCVPs and LCMs are the US version of barges. Send a transport force to a barge hub, hit the "create barges" button and watch an entire TF of little tiny transports appear.

Then use them like normal transports. They have extremely short range and I find they are best used to ferry supplies through dangerous waters, like the Solomons.

[motaman]

thats strange, I was under the impression they were used to unload troops/vehicles. Is that historical, their use for supply?

Thanks for clearing it up, even though I am dissapointed as I thought they'd play a more significant role. I think they should be part of every invasion.

[bradfordkay]

Yes, from the beginning they were used on supply runs between Guadalcanal and Tulagi. On August 12, 1942 appeared the first of many local courier runs by Higgins boats between Guadalcanal and Tulagi, with the loss of one of two boats (to the deck gun of a Japanese submarine!).

[RUPD3658]

They also make great mine trippers. Since you rarely detect that an enemy base is mined until you hit the mines I like to use my cheap and easily replaceable barges as canaries in the proverbial coal mine (no pun intended). I like to send in 4-5 barges loaded with a small expendable detachment of troops to "Discover" the mine field. I then can send MSWs there for a few days before the real invasion fleet tries to land. Barges are worth 0 VPs and land units are cheaper than transports. It is cruel but effective in the cold calculus of war.