AE Misc. questions

[medicff]

the oil + refinery makes fuel, if you steal the fuel then you are doing the same thing only taking the end product and forcing the japs to ship the oil to other places.

[Blackhorse]

10. I have a battalion in Seatle attached to the West Coast Command that is planning for a base in Alaska. Is there some way I can load that unit onto a ship to send it there or do I have to use political influence to switch it to North Pacific and then ship it there?

Change to North pacific (or any unrestricted HQ)

11. How do I interpret the leadership abilities of the various officers? I suspect there may be something on this in the manual but for the moment the numbers and the skills don't mean anything to me.

Its something of a mystery. Land Rating is obviously a big deal for leaders of combat units. Admin, Aggressiveness and Skill(?) also affect training, and morale/fatigue recovery. For HQ, Admin and Aggressiveness seem to me to matter most, but that's a casual observation, not methodical analysis.

12. Search sectors assignment is not clear. If I want to search say the left half circle (west coast of the USA for example) do I set it: 180-350 or 180-0? Is the direction of the search always clockwise basically? How does select on the map end by right clicking the mouse? This might be in the manual but after two go throughs there is still lots of the little nitty gritty stuff that is not so clear to me.

Alsways clockwise, yes. 180-0 covers the left half in your example above.

Gads...I can't figure out how anyone does a turn in 20 min...I am always spending a couple of hours checking out the various situations and tweeking the odd thing here or there. Hard to get the time to down to less than 2 hours to do a turn.

I'm with you. The only way I can cycle through a turn in 20 minutes is if I'm reduced to defending the West Coast. [;)]

[PMCN]

Thanks everyone. The on map assignment of search arcs is a breeze, I just have to remember to give them clockwise. Also at long last my detchments merged so now I have 3 good sized bomber groups one of which I have to figure out how to get back to India since it is attached to 221 Wing. I hope the Palanbang-Tip of Java base-Port Blair-Rangoon works range wise.

The stranded planes are in one case in the Lesser Anderman Isles (bad place to station a ship) and the other on the other base on the Island with Rabaul (currently the Aussies are holding that base and pounding the Japanese invaders with the medium bombers there) but that base is getting hit daily by betty raids so again not a good place for a AV. At least it is keeping the Betties busy.

[vlcz]

Gads...I can't figure out how anyone does a turn in 20 min...I am always spending a couple of hours checking out the various situations and tweeking the odd thing here or there. Hard to get the time to down to less than 2 hours to do a turn.

If you play one turn at a time it is very hard -at least for me!- As I have to cycle and check everything but when I got REAL time to play -about 4 hours- things go far better

As an example many allied turns in first half 42 really takes less than 20 min
- Check new threaths
- Check reinforcement report for new units
- Check avail of new AK/TK in SF and LA in sufficient numbers
- Check ships unloading/loading in PH
- Check ships unloading in "Mounting base" (i.e. Noumea)
- Check position of your carrier fleet

Only every 3-4 turns I make a biger check but then quicker than the initial of the day as you got the situation fresh in yopur mind.

This may be not "maximizing of oportunities" but by tweaking each turn you risk losing sight of the situation, and that can result in things as sending one/two merchants convoys each turn and then have no escort available for that 12 merchants division carriying mega-convoy [X(]

And ....if you forgot move that AD from PH to noumea, change that chinese corps orders, modify the trainig % of an air unit for 3-4 days...well its a 3 years war you know [;)]...

[hbrsvl]

Hi-Next batch.

1. Search arcs-can I set them as, say,250-160, or should they be clockwise-160-250?
2.Do(can) bomb squadrons merge into parent bomb group? Is this automatic, or do I have to do something?(What?)
3. Eng. units. What setting should be used (move, combat, etc.) to enable them to work on building or enlarging ports, airfields, etc.?

Thanks, Hugh Browne

[John Lansford]

Hugh,
 
1) Search arc descriptions are always clockwise.  If you left click at 250 and right click at 160, you'll get the part of the circle you don't want searched.
2) I believe squadrons merge once they're at the same base for a certain period of time.
3) Combat

[CowboyRonin]

2) I don't think the US groups that are broken down at start merge back up-I have a lot of them in the same base and there's no "recombine unit" button like there is for LCUs (more's the pity, IMO). Detachments and split squadrons will recombine if you put them in the same base for 1-2 days, and there is a "rebuild unit" button that lights up for them.

[PMCN]

Well I have to get more efficient as 2 hours/game day means I play 1 game day per real life day. A lot of my time is spent looking at what is where. Plus looking up what a lot of things are.

A further question: If I have a tanker task force parked on an island can it refuel other ships? I am trying to get fuel and supplies to Suva and Pago Pago and it looks like I have to pitstop at Christmas Island and have the boys siphon a bit out of their tanker.

Joy of joys...the Japanese just landed on Canton. I suspect this is something I will have to do something about. Not to mention to divert the 3 DDs and ADV that were headed there to Christmas Island. I am also starting to wonder the what the crews of a lot of IJN xAKs are doing withe their new cargo of 1-3 unexploded torpedoes?

[vlcz]

ORIGINAL: Paul McNeely
A further question: If I have a tanker task force parked on an island can it refuel other ships? I am trying to get fuel and supplies to Suva and Pago Pago and it looks like I have to pitstop at Christmas Island and have the boys siphon a bit out of their tanker.

Tankers (TK) only refuel other ships anchored in the same port... I am not completely sure if this means both ships must be docked, but given the restrictions in refueling at ports < 5 I advice you to use AO types, anyway given the limited number of both of them (AO and TK) I prefer drop the fuel in the port and have the TK doing his work.

ORIGINAL: Paul McNeely
Joy of joys...the Japanese just landed on Canton. I suspect this is something I will have to do something about. Not to mention to divert the 3 DDs and ADV that were headed there to Christmas Island. I am also starting to wonder the what the crews of a lot of IJN xAKs are doing withe their new cargo of 1-3 unexploded torpedoes?

From the large number of AAR displaying this attack , this seems to be the common choice of the IA, in my own game as Feb42 they are trying to land in baker and the little atolls between canton and Suva...with the anoying custom of giving no escort to speak of, probably you will have a free shooting at them. IMHO the canton move - well done of course- is sound for the japs.

[PMCN]

How accurate is the ships sunk listing? I'm asking because the Dutch put 3 torpedoes into the Akagi when she was where she had no business being (the south coastal chanel of Borneo) and she shows as sunk. That leaves 2 CVLs that I know of...and another group with 4 ships though if that is the K(ickmy)B(utt) in disguise I am in trouble but the CVLs I may be able to overwhelm with ground based air. The dutch planes at least seem to be manueverable compared to say the buffalo's.

A ground force related question. I will often seen on the unit screen something like: Ind Inf (5)x0 Does this mean the unit has currently 0 Inf sections operational and 5 that are disabled? I was thinking the first time this was something to tell me how many were in the pool but I'm not sure after having seen something like 1600 support squads in my pool.

Is there a reason to use less than 100% training percentage when you have a air unit training?

I have a bomber unit set for Primary: Naval Secondary: Ground. I have given it an objective hex (Kuching in this case). Does that mean that it waits to see if a naval attack is possible and then launches the attack on Kuching or does it mean that the Ground attack takes priority? The reason I ask is because before I gave them a specific target they would never launch an attack.

I've had 16 bombers flying out of Singapore bombing Kuching for over a week and they have never lost a single bomber, and been doing a pretty good job on the one Japanese Battalion (its reported strength is 1600 men so I guess it must be that even if the name III/124 Bn made me think it was the 3rd Company of 124 Bn) but their morale is still the same. I would have thought it would have been climbing.



Those little float plane fighter-bombers have actually been doing much much better than I ever expected. I hope I can get them out of manila when the "time comes."

They managed to take Canton (no surprise) but the Enterprise BG showed up to bomb them as a "well done" message from the USN. I've got ships moving everywhere as I attempt to get the other islands stabilized. I need to reinforce pearl with that infantry division currently surfing at San Fransisco. Getting the supply to Suva and Pago Pago is turning into a rather amusing set of hops. Los Angeles to Christmas Island: Refuel from the tanker; Christmas Island to Pago Pago: Refuel from the tanker; Pago Pago to Suva: Refuel first then unload. The way back will likely be the same only I'll use waypoints and have them refuel from the bases.

[CowboyRonin]

ORIGINAL: Paul McNeely

How accurate is the ships sunk listing? I'm asking because the Dutch put 3 torpedoes into the Akagi when she was where she had no business being (the south coastal chanel of Borneo) and she shows as sunk. That leaves 2 CVLs that I know of...and another group with 4 ships though if that is the K(ickmy)B(utt) in disguise I am in trouble but the CVLs I may be able to overwhelm with ground based air. The dutch planes at least seem to be manueverable compared to say the buffalo's.

I'd take it with a substantial amount of salt. In that case, I would wager she's not flight-capable, but I'm not sure I'd call her sunk.

A ground force related question. I will often seen on the unit screen something like: Ind Inf (5)x0 Does this mean the unit has currently 0 Inf sections operational and 5 that are disabled? I was thinking the first time this was something to tell me how many were in the pool but I'm not sure after having seen something like 1600 support squads in my pool.

Yes-your current interpretation is right.

Is there a reason to use less than 100% training percentage when you have a air unit training?

The ones I can think of are fatigue (every pilot flying every day will build up fatigue), Op Losses (if you're talking about hard-to-replace plane types), and supply usage. Frankly, I use 100% more often than not myself, but I sometimes will do 80% if I have a unit that I need to lower the fatigue for.

I have a bomber unit set for Primary: Naval Secondary: Ground. I have given it an objective hex (Kuching in this case). Does that mean that it waits to see if a naval attack is possible and then launches the attack on Kuching or does it mean that the Ground attack takes priority? The reason I ask is because before I gave them a specific target they would never launch an attack.

It's supposed to mean that the unit flies a naval attack if there are enemy ships in range, but flies a ground attack against Kuching if there are no ships in range, IIRC.

I've had 16 bombers flying out of Singapore bombing Kuching for over a week and they have never lost a single bomber, and been doing a pretty good job on the one Japanese Battalion (its reported strength is 1600 men so I guess it must be that even if the name III/124 Bn made me think it was the 3rd Company of 124 Bn) but their morale is still the same. I would have thought it would have been climbing.

Probably supposed to mean 3rd Battalion, 124th Regiment.

They managed to take Canton (no surprise) but the Enterprise BG showed up to bomb them as a "well done" message from the USN. I've got ships moving everywhere as I attempt to get the other islands stabilized. I need to reinforce pearl with that infantry division currently surfing at San Fransisco. Getting the supply to Suva and Pago Pago is turning into a rather amusing set of hops. Los Angeles to Christmas Island: Refuel from the tanker; Christmas Island to Pago Pago: Refuel from the tanker; Pago Pago to Suva: Refuel first then unload. The way back will likely be the same only I'll use waypoints and have them refuel from the bases.

Why so many hops? There aren't that many short-ranged xAKs for the US-the 11K endurance xAKs should be able to make Suva in one shot and back without refueling. All of the xAKs I've been seeing as reinforcements are nice 13K and 14K endurance ships that can make Oz in one hop without refueling.

[PMCN]

The ships I chose were based on speed not endurance. I goofed in other words. I am now sorting things out...but it is working out not to bad anyway the ships are closing in on their targets and so far the DDs escorting them have not had any contacts. I'm getting more clued into "endurance" and waiting at Pago Pago are the first lot of long range Australian/British cargo ships that I will add to the return trip. The annoyance of having to dodge Canton island though is growing.

What is surprising me is China. I have 3 battles going on around Canton/Nanning and these have been ongoing for weeks and the Chinese are holding their own there. I have one at the extreme north end of my line where the troops are easily holding off the japanese (mountains plus lvl 4 entrenchements). In the central areas I have a couple of battles going on where in one case I am holding easily and the other was just a catastrophy for the japanese intell reports 840 men left. I think I'll deliberate attack them and see what happens. I also am seiging Singyaun(?) its a few hexes east of Hangchow on the rail line and its cut off and the last few deliberate attack by the defenders have failed. A huge relief force is on the way but once its in I plan to cut it off as well. What astounds me is Wunchow (the eastern port) 4 japanese divisions landed by sea and the last shock attack got only 1-2 odds and they lost 1200 men in it. True they have a lot of men there but my troops are gaining experience and their entrenchements are back up to 2. I lost Cheng(something) near lao(something) but just recaptured it with a strong force and I have a "corps" moving in on the undeveloped base with 101 resources (should be there in a few days) a hex or two away from them both. I have units preping for an attack on Hangchow since the garrison left to relieve Singyaun so maybe I can sneak that attack in.

Add in that both Rabaul and Kuching remain in my hands even with Japanese troops landed in both places. I even threw out 2 japanese tank regiments with a counter attack by a PI Division and hurt their attacking force in Clark Field when I attempted the repeat that (unfortunately the rest of the troops arrived or I suspect the tanks would have been tossed out on their ear). I'm not sure I follow the ground combat results as often they seem absurd (especially with the japanese shock attacks) but counter attacks seem to pay off when timed right. The chinese despite their crappy morale and low training are holding and I'm more or less stunned. The Japanese major rail line is cut in several locations and while I've no illusions of stopping major offensives they are running about a lot more than I suspect they like and that diversion of 4 divisions which have been hurt something fierce really makes me happy.

Thanks again for the answers this is most helpful.

[hbrsvl]

Latest batch'

1.What is significance of promotions being displayed on screen? This whole pilot thing has me baffeled.

2.If I turn off "show clouds", will I eliminate such messages as " Colorado patrols cancelled."..?

3.I have some P-40s at Cairns. I want a squadron to go to Darwin. Darwin is Australia Cmd. I changed unit's HQ to Australia Cmd., but it still won't go there. Closest I can get is Alice Springs. Thoughts, anyone?

Thanks, Hugh Browne

[mjk428]

ORIGINAL: hbrsvl

3.I have some P-40s at Cairns. I want a squadron to go to Darwin. Darwin is Australia Cmd. I changed unit's HQ to Australia Cmd., but it still won't go there. Closest I can get is Alice Springs. Thoughts, anyone?

Thanks, Hugh Browne

P-40E has a transfer range of 12 hexes without drop tanks. With drop tanks you should be able to fly directly from Cairns to Darwin.

Note: You can send short range planes by rail to Alice Springs and hopscotch them to Darwin via Tennant Creek and Katherine.

[hbrsvl]

OK, a new one.

LCU mergers. Allies, any scenario.

I've noted several US Inf regiments arriving East coast US, with HQs for the Pacific. I've been transporting them to WC by strategic RR movement.

My question is, do they ever combine into a US Inf Div.?

Thanks, Hugh Browne

[rockmedic109]

ORIGINAL: hbrsvl

OK, a new one.

LCU mergers. Allies, any scenario.

I've noted several US Inf regiments arriving East coast US, with HQs for the Pacific. I've been transporting them to WC by strategic RR movement.

My question is, do they ever combine into a US Inf Div.?

Thanks, Hugh Browne

If all the elements of a division are present in the same location, a button for "Rebuild Unit" becomes available. It may require all the units to be at the same level of upgrade {if one or more of the units have not upgraded it's TO&E, the button is not available}.

[dr. smith]

ORIGINAL: CowboyRonin

ORIGINAL: Paul McNeely

How accurate is the ships sunk listing? I'm asking because the Dutch put 3 torpedoes into the Akagi when she was where she had no business being (the south coastal chanel of Borneo) and she shows as sunk. That leaves 2 CVLs that I know of...and another group with 4 ships though if that is the K(ickmy)B(utt) in disguise I am in trouble but the CVLs I may be able to overwhelm with ground based air. The dutch planes at least seem to be manueverable compared to say the buffalo's.

I'd take it with a substantial amount of salt. In that case, I would wager she's not flight-capable, but I'm not sure I'd call her sunk.

What IS accurate is the points for ships sunk. If it's early, there shouldn't be many IJN ships sunk, a big VP ship like Akagi would definitely be evident in the Point Total.

Did a comparison of Ships Sunk List on both sides once. The number of ships sunk and the list of sunk ships varied widely from the Japan side and the US side. But the Point Totals for Sunk Ships was the same on both sides.