Air Cover

[tbridges]

OK, first time as Allies in PBEM game that I'm actually in a position to plan a modest offensive mission. What's the best way for a carrier TF to provide air cover to a SC or invasion TF? Should the carriers follow the transports by a hex or two with its fighters set to LR cap? Or should both TFs share the same hex with fighters set to normal cap? If the fighters are set to regular cap and both TFs are in the same hex, they'll cover both TFs, right?

[erstad]

Well, I won't argue that I know "best" but I can explain what I do and why, and you can decide if it makes sense. Note I most often play Japan but my style is the same for both.

On the way to an invasion site, I keep all my TFs (CVs, SC TF, invasion) in the same hex. You are correct that the CAP covers them all. I figure that gives me the best protection. Plus, I then have more freedom to rearrange the TFs. For example, maybe I want some ships with the CVTF for AA on the way there, but they are then supposed to be heavy cover in the invasion hex. Or, if one of my TFs gets attacked on the way in and shoots off lots of AA, I can shuffle a bit to balance the ammo.

At the invasion site, only the invasion TF, cover TF(s), and bombardment TF (if any) go in, the CV stand off some distance. I vary the distance because A) I can't make up my mind B) It's not good to be too predictable. Some fraction of the CV air LRcaps the various TFs in the invasion hex. I don't bring my carriers in because:
- Invasion hexes can be mined, do you really want to take that chance with a CV?
- Similarly, someone might send a bunch of subs to the hex
- There's always risk of an opposing SCTF showing up
- There's been a bit of controversy over whether CV TFs in hexes like enemy bases have a penalty for air operations and to me it makes sense to just not do it rather than parse through who said what and what's real. Because in real life, I don't think the CVs were steaming 10 miles offshore of an enemy base anyway [:'(]
- Wherever you're invading probably has LBA or LBA nearby, and it's not a bad idea to keep a little more distance with your more valuable assets.

[Chickenboy]

In WiTP and AE, Fleet CVs suffered from having 50% of their CAP reduced if they were in a hex with a port. It's very dangerous to have your big CVs in the same hex as a port, if you're doing a landing or even refueling (see Canorebel's AAR for more on this).

CVEs are a different animal and are designed for close in air support and CAP. They don't suffer these penalties, so you can bring them in danger close. Just beware-some of the early Allied CVEs are designed for REPLACEMENT purposes only rather than operating CAP flights, ASW or anti-shipping strikes. The airgroups can be distinguished by the VR (replacement) versus VF or VT prefix.

Rather than LRCAPing your invasion TF, you could also keep the CVs one hex out to sea and set the fighters to a range of 1. Some will 'leak' over into the adjacent hex, thereby covering your invasion TF. This is a little more unpredictable than LRCAPing the invasion TF though.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: erstad
- There's been a bit of controversy over whether CV TFs in hexes like enemy bases have a penalty for air operations and to me it makes sense to just not do it rather than parse through who said what and what's real. Because in real life, I don't think the CVs were steaming 10 miles offshore of an enemy base anyway [:'(]

I think this controversy has been largely resolved. Both the manual and AARs document the effect of base hex dimishment of CAP. See Canorebel's AAR for further examples and citation of the relevant manual pages.

[erstad]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: erstad
- There's been a bit of controversy over whether CV TFs in hexes like enemy bases have a penalty for air operations and to me it makes sense to just not do it rather than parse through who said what and what's real. Because in real life, I don't think the CVs were steaming 10 miles offshore of an enemy base anyway [:'(]

I think this controversy has been largely resolved. Both the manual and AARs document the effect of base hex dimishment of CAP. See Canorebel's AAR for further examples and citation of the relevant manual pages.

Canorebel's AAR was a case where the carriers were in a hex with a friendly base. The manual says "base hex" but isn't clear on whether that means a friendly base. Not arguing that an enemy base is/isn't the same, I really haven't tried to find the answer as I have lots of other reasons I don't want my CVs in an opposing base hex.

[tbridges]

Thanks for all the great info guys, appreciate your help. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions as the Allies begin to take the offensive for real.