Normal vs Amphibious Unloading at Friendly Port

[davbaker]

Hi Guys,
Long time lurker, first time poster [;)]

I'm trying to understand the best / quickest / most efficient way to unload troops at various sized small friendly ports.
I'm finding getting troops into smaller ports under fire lots of fun. [:)]

If I understand correctly Troop unload rate (in commercial mode) for size 1 port, 0 Naval = 325

In combat mode when docked, using AP/AK = 300

1. Am I reading this correctly?

2. Why would an AP/AK TF using Combat load unload more slowly when docked than an xAP/xAK TF using Commercial load?

3. I assume that if I don't dock an Amphib TF at a friendly port it will use the 'over the beach' rate? (600 using AP/AK), or isnt it possible to use 'over the beach' in friendly port/hex?

The manual hints at some of this but I'm not really clear on how it all works.

"Amphibious TFs not docked at a friendly port unload at a different rate, depending on port size, amount of free dock space, and the types of ships in the TFs. Amphibious ship types, with attached landing craft, will unload faster than non-amphibious ships."

Thanks

P.S. love the game, best game experience in 25 years of wargaming.

[Xxzard]

I certainly agree with your last statement, WITP has been the most worthwhile game I ever played, and AE is simply the next generation.

I have a question to attach to these questions as well:

Can one unload strat mode troops on a dot hex? Will unloading 30 naval support before doing this make any appreciable difference in unloading rate?

If trying to unload more than one unit in a size one port, say at Luganville, is it better to take a convoy with troops onboard in Strat mode to Sydney to unload and then reload in Amphib mode?

so that is: unload one ship in port, unload others over beach at very slow rate; versus go extra distance to Sydney, unload, put units into combat mode, send back to island, and unload amphib style.

[rockmedic109]

Many of the APs the allies have initially are large.  Too large for a size one port to handle.  They are so slow and there is a load cost limit of items that will not unload no matter how long you wait {The .50 cals unload but the CD guns of a CD unit wouldn't.  This makes amphib tf a better choice in these circumstances.  As soon as I can get the port large enough or the ships small enough, I use strat move/transport tf.

[vlcz]

ORIGINAL: davbaker
If I understand correctly Troop unload rate (in commercial mode) for size 1 port, 0 Naval = 325

In combat mode when docked, using AP/AK = 300

1. Am I reading this correctly?

I think not, as in the rules "6.3.3.3.2 AMPHIBIOUS UNLOADING"
"Amphibious Unload Rate bonuses differ for the two situations"

so , as a bonus I would say this rate is added to the basic rate. But it confuses me that in the next paragraph "6.3.3.3.2.2 FRIENDLY PORT " it says "Troops unload at a Rate of xxx points per ship per turn"

[Disclaimer: not a native english speaker myself, I can be VERY wrong in this]

2. Why would an AP/AK TF using Combat load unload more slowly when docked than an xAP/xAK TF using Commercial load?

As said before, I think it is a bonus...but if not so, I only can think that combat loaded troops encumbered with all his equip walk slower the pier.

Anyway it would be compensated (imho) by "There are no Port-derived cargo handling limits"

3. I assume that if I don't dock an Amphib TF at a friendly port it will use the 'over the beach' rate? (600 using AP/AK), or isnt it possible to use 'over the beach' in friendly port/hex?

It seems not posible, "6.3.3.3.2.1 OVER THE BEACH" "This is for assault unloading over the beach", and "Amphibious TFs not docked at a friendly port unload at a different rate, depending on port size, amount of free dock space, and "

If the unit/s you want to move fits in a TF that can dock in both ports (origin/target), make regular transport. Any other time make it amphibious...

As an advice, reserve all AP and AK for amph TF, keep them in a sizeable port next to the front line, [i.e. builded up noumea] make all reinforcements from away areas come by “transport tf” of xAP/xAK, unload there and put them in an amph TF made of AP/AK

[John Lansford]

A transport TF will eventually unload at a 0 port, but it will take so long you will think it is just sitting there.  For example, I had a loaded xAP at Pago Pago (size 3 port) that was too large to dock, so I set it to unload anyway.  A week later the bulk of the loaded LCU was still on board.  I have no idea how long it would take at a 0 level port but think the war would be nearly over if you tried.

[davbaker]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Raised a few interesting points that I didnt notice:

1: 6.3.3.3 Task Force Unloading
6.3.3.2
The Amphibious Unload Rate bonus applies only to ships in an Amphibious TF.
6.3.3.2.1 - Over the Beach
6.3.3.3.2.2 - Friendly Port (<4)

The intro talks about Bonus, the text just talks about what looks like a flat "rate".

Any idea which it is?
A bonus would make more sense as it would take into account Naval Support bonuses that may be landed across the beach during/after the initial assault.
It would also give docked Amphibious TF a better unload rate than commercial Load.

I'm not sure why port size <4 is a factor though when the rate/bonus is talked about though.

2. I Didnt think about tonnage of some of the early AP/AK and not being able to dock at smaller ports. Makes some of the smaller ones more valuable I guess.

3. Does anyone know what the "much slower rate" for non-docked TF is? 50% , 10% of full rate.
6.3.3.2.5 Also mentions a seperate "undocked cargo handling" limit, but no hard figures are given.

4. How are "6.3.2.1 Load Types" related to what can unload at a give port size?
Light <4
Medium 5-8
Heavy >9
I have seen this happen at Noumea where you get the message that not all of the TF can be unloaded.
a) how do you tell what mix of load types a unit has.
b) how do you tell what the limits are for various port sizes, i.e. Port size <4 cannot unload >5 load type etc.

Cheers.