N00b needs help: TF Combat

[badkarma]

Do TFs have to be in the same hex as enemy TFs for the “respond to enemy” to take over? I sent a big TF to defend against the landing at Gili Gili. My TF was set to respond / do not retire and the enemy TF rolled right past (one hex adjacent). On their way out, I tried to force combat, so I gave my TF their current hex as a destination; my TF went there and stopped while the enemy TF sailed away. Since I was faster, I got a third try so I gave my TF a destination ahead of the enemy TF, hoping that that would cause it to sail into the same hex and thus force combat. That worked but is that the way it’s supposed to work? My assumption would be that a TF set to “react” would go after a nearby sighted enemy TF…

Related to surface combat, is there a way to press engagements? When I finally forced a fight, I did a lot of damage to the enemy TF and they but the fight ended and the enemy TF was allowed to limp away. I could find no method to instruct my TF to continue to follow and attack the enemy TF it had just engaged. I had to give my TF another destination and hope that this would cause an intersection that would allow an attack. Again, is this how it’s supposed to work?

[Grouchy]

TF's have to be in the same hex at certain phases to iniatate surface combat.

I think a TF will only change course and intercept the enemy TF -ie react once it spotted it during the movement phase. And even then there are a lot of other parameters who influence it; commander ratings, orders, weather, spotting rules (chapter 15) day/night (1 hex is 30 miles) etc