Fast transport

[EUBanana]

So can your average run of the mill DD or CL no longer run fast transport missions?

You can add them to a fast transport TF, but you can't load supply.

unless I'm missing something, very possible.

Or is fast transport APD and the like only now?

[treespider]

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

So can your average run of the mill DD or CL no longer run fast transport missions?

You can add them to a fast transport TF, but you can't load supply.

unless I'm missing something, very possible.

Or is fast transport APD and the like only now?

May need to do some conversions of the DD's to give them troop space if the converison is available and not all of them have this option...

[EUBanana]

I don't think so, the manual says that DDs can load supplies and troops as part of a fast transport TF.

Yet no option appears...

[treespider]

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

I don't think so, the manual says that DDs can load supplies and troops as part of a fast transport TF.

Yet no option appears...

Check out some of the DD's in the Phillippines. They have the option to convert to have troop space...

[JWE]

ORIGINAL: EUBanana
I don't think so, the manual says that DDs can load supplies and troops as part of a fast transport TF.

Spiderman is correct. You need some capacity to load things into. DDs can load supplies and troops as part of a fast transport TF, but yours have a capacity of '0', so not much will get done. If you find some DDs with troop capacity or cargo capacity, then, golly, all the lights will turn on.

To answer the basic question - no. There are no more run-of-the-mill DDs or CLs. Some have capacity, some don't.

[RAM]

wow. This means the APDs are even more valuable in AE than in WITP. And I valued them A LOT!...

[Historiker]

Have you slept tonight, EUBanana?
Already in August 1942... [X(]

[RAM]

That's Guadalcanal scenario. A good starting one to get the "feeling" of the many changes AE brings. I know most people couldn't resist going head on into the Big Campaign, but I also chose to start rather slow and go with a Guadalcanal scenario before taking command in the Grand Campaign .

[EUBanana]

ORIGINAL: RAM

That's Guadalcanal scenario. A good starting one to get the "feeling" of the many changes AE brings. I know most people couldn't resist going head on into the Big Campaign, but I also chose to start rather slow and go with a Guadalcanal scenario before taking command in the Grand Campaign .

Yeah, exactly. [:D]

Notice how Noumea has 2000 fuel. Logistics have been kicking my ass! [:'(]

I had a CV battle between Shokaku + Zuikaku vs Enterprise - the other CVs were home due to being out of gas. Lovely engagement, very indecisive, Enterprise took two bomb hits, Zuikaku took three, though the air battles were quite bloody. The new raid mechanic works a charm I think.

But the new range of aircraft takes some getting used to. I've had Charter Towers bombed by Betties from Rabaul. [X(]

[Historiker]

I see.

I just thought about a little fruit sitting in front of a computer all night [;)]
When Oblivion came out, I wasn't seen in public for 8 days [:D]

[RAM]

ahhh don't get me started on the fuel...I have some serious problems because I've overused my fuel reserves to the point that Noumea is almost dry.

So I tried to run a supply convoy carrying fuel from Sydney to Noumea and the next thing I know is that I've lost four ships to four consecutive submarine intercepts. stupid me, I didn't wait for a proper escort to come from brisbane.

Another thing breaking my head is the new load/unload rules and port size limits. I brought a transport TF to lunga to unload supplies, base forces, engineers and an air regiment, and was forced to have that particular TF sitting on spot for a full week before they were fully unloaded. Thankfully I had the carriers as cover, because the KB decided to do a little trip to the zone.

My own first carrier battle was in very heavy weather. I was lucky because I received the first strike and avoided being hit between CAP, AAA and weather, but I didn't fare much better: shokaku received one 1000 pounder. Only hit achieved by a force of 36 dive bombers and 20 torpedo bombers. Yeah, weather really screwed everything, lol.

I love this game

[EUBanana]

I did a few turns this morning, and the loss of the assumed fast transport ability I thought I had but actually didn't is really making it tough going.  I need to resupply Lunga badly as its dry, but the only way I can do it without being Japped by KB, which the AI likes to send out to Lunga to raid, is by sending up carriers. 

But I don't have enough fuel to keep using CVTFs in this way!    Very nice.  Decisions decisions.  I gotta wait for a big oiler TF to come up from Sydney, which will take a good while, or I can be brave/suicidal and try it with minimal to no air cover.

...but Port Moresby is besieged by slightly superior Japanese forces and down to 5000 supply, so there are strains there too...  argh!

[EUBanana]

Oh, and I like the more detailed combat reports.

An Allied SC took a Betty torpedo, and there was a little message about something being 'obliterated by torpedo'.  Nice.  [:D]

[RAM]

hm. You should have four APDs, 2 at the scenario start, 2 coming at reinforcements. What I'd do is ,if you don't have any air support already at lunga, to bring part of an air regiment with the APDs so some air support is there. Then rebase a couple of marine F4F squadrons there, and run in a small convoy with a trasport of a tonnage a size 2 port can handle, covered by the fighters from Lunga. In the meantime you can use the B-17s you have at Noumea to send supply. It is not much, but enough to keep those Wildcats running.

That should give you enough supply to keep lunga without problems while you bring some fuel from OZ to Noumea and recover from your logistic problems.

As for PM I don't know. In WITP I always found it was untennable against a decided japanese attack. So far I'm keeping the japanese at bay in the trail between PM and buna...but somehow (and I don't know how, I thought you couldn't move from an hex with an enemy presence to the next hex if the hexside wasn't yours), horii group HQ and one japanese infantry unit have appeared at PM. Not a problem because they lack the power to capture PM, but I'm also running low on supplies and I'm still deciding how to react.

[EUBanana]

The APDs are scattered as I didn't realise their importance, but 2 were available and I sent those in.  But they only transport 60 supply each, so its a drop in the bucket.

I didn't think of using the Fortresses for supply, thats a good plan, I'll do that. However I think there is no avoiding the fact that I'll need to stump up the fuel for another major operation there involving CVs at some point.

In this scenario in the past I found PM very easy to defend, but logistics were less of an issue.  Now fuel seems to be quite critical, though I do have the hulls at least.  Also I found it fairly easy in the past to make it hell for the Japs to resupply at Buna/Lae, but in AE

a) you can't base Beauforts at Port Moresby with torpedoes from turn 1 anymore
b) my Marauder squadrons just don't have the punch they once did.  Too many attritted for maintenance, or needing fixes, or too little aviation support compared to WITP.  I can have 12 or so level bombers ready to roll, but when they raid, damage is minimal.

The scenario is far more of a challenge in AE, thats for certain.  In WITP I'd just send a huge convoy to PM with av support and supply aplenty and then use B17s to totally shut down Japan in eastern PNG, while fast transporting Lunga with the whole fleet if need be.  This is no longer viable.

[RAM]

Well, true, the APDs can carry only 60 supply each...but if you use them to carry parts of one of the Air regiments present at Noumea, you'll be loading quite a portion into them . The objective is to put enough air support at Lunga so you can rebase a couple F4F squadrons, and give air cover from there to the incoming supply convoy. That way you don't need to rely exclusively on your CVs to provide air cover. And will save you some very precious fuel .

PM is a headache for me right now. I put an A20 squadron there to try and stop the incoming japanese ships to lae and buna. Lost 6 of them in the first attack, with a further 2 P-39s (honestly ,the P-39 is so useless it hurts!). Zeros had a field day...

since then, I base only fighters and a Catalina unit in PM. when (If) I'm able to bring enough supply to PM, I'll try to do a max effort attack on lae using marauders from PM, escorted by australian Kittyhawks, and B-17s from OZ, and see if I can shut the airfield down. But I don't have too much faith on such plan to be honest...and if buna AF gets more developed the problem will be really, really serious.

[EUBanana]

ORIGINAL: RAM
PM is a headache for me right now. I put an A20 squadron there to try and stop the incoming japanese ships to lae and buna. Lost 6 of them in the first attack, with a further 2 P-39s (honestly ,the P-39 is so useless it hurts!). Zeros had a field day...

P39s seem to be pretty good at strafing troops. [:D] I've had mine working on the Jap LCUs at Port Moresby, their losses are essentially zero and they dish out a fair bit of pain to the Japanese day in day out.

The Kittyhawk is a reasonable fighter. I'm not too bothered about air superiority much over PM - it's not mine but it's well contested, which is good enough for me. Betties seem to be very fragile now, if fighters manage to get into them their losses are heavy. It's just the lack of punch against Japanese transports that gets me.

I'm in the process of moving a lot of submarines over there, as subs really seem to kick ass in this. I get a sub attack every day on average.

since then, I base only fighters and a Catalina unit in PM. when (If) I'm able to bring enough supply to PM, I'll try to do a max effort attack on lae using marauders from PM, escorted by australian Kittyhawks, and B-17s from OZ, and see if I can shut the airfield down. But I don't have too much faith on such plan to be honest...and if buna AF gets more developed the problem will be really, really serious.

I'm still making a fight out of PM. Unless I'm out of supply I don't think his LCUs are adequate to take the base without reinforcement. So PM strictly speaking doesn't need reinforcements - I did ponder sending another Aussie Bde there but decided against in the end - just supply. I guess I'll use my B17s here as well as at Lunga...

[wpurdom]

Nik's scenario illustrates two things:
1. We've all seen in the threads how AE requires more advanced planning and awareness of of logistical constraints.
2. Historically, Guadalcanal was Operation Shoestring and thrown together at the last minute. No logistical follow-through planning was done and the Marines found themselves stranded without supplies.

Nik's scenario is wonderfully deceptive. Your amphibious mission is all pre-planned and seemingly ready to go without a hitch. In reality, you have an opportunity before the troops hit the beaches to do the in-depth planning that hasn't been done yet. You've got a limited, but substantial stash of fuel and supplies in Sidney with your transport assets out-of-position, due to lack of advanced planning. But, judging from the Nik-Joe AARs, you're in better shape than the Japs.

[JWE]

ORIGINAL: wpurdom
Nik's scenario illustrates two things:
1. We've all seen in the threads how AE requires more advanced planning and awareness of of logistical constraints.
2. Historically, Guadalcanal was Operation Shoestring and thrown together at the last minute. No logistical follow-through planning was done and the Marines found themselves stranded without supplies.

Nik's scenario is wonderfully deceptive. Your amphibious mission is all pre-planned and seemingly ready to go without a hitch. In reality, you have an opportunity before the troops hit the beaches to do the in-depth planning that hasn't been done yet. You've got a limited, but substantial stash of fuel and supplies in Sidney with your transport assets out-of-position, due to lack of advanced planning. But, judging from the Nik-Joe AARs, you're in better shape than the Japs.

By George, Ollie !!! I think you are getting it !!!

[Chijohnaok2]

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

Oh, and I like the more detailed combat reports.

An Allied SC took a Betty torpedo, and there was a little message about something being 'obliterated by torpedo'.  Nice.  [:D]

Early on off the east coast of the southern PI, several of my B-17s struck the Jap. CVL that happens to come by. The Claude fighers on CAP were trying to attack the bombers but I saw a combat message something along the lines of "fighter falling behind, can't keep up".

A vision flashed through my mind of one of the B-17 crew members flipping the Bird, then waving "bye-bye" at the Claude as the bomber pulls away from the slow fighter...