Something wicked this way came

[satx32065]

This was kinda ugly

[DuckofTindalos]

I assume the result was sadly predictable?

[Ametysth]

Someone knows how to defend his transports.

[thegreatwent]

Someone knows how to defend his transports.

No kidding. Sort of a Spanish Armada strategy.

[satx32065]

Yeah lost all 3 CL's and 2 DD's the rest are ok but out of fuel

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: thegreatwent

Someone knows how to defend his transports.

No kidding. Sort of a Spanish Armada strategy.

Real old school.

[findmeifyoucan]

The only problem with that Strategy is that you are slowing down your Surface Fleet to transport speed and making it easier to get hit. I think if his surface fleet engaged you without the transports results would have been very different and more in his favour!
He must have been coming in on a very important objective and wanted to protect his transports at the expense of his surface fleet.

[Dobey455]

I'd have to say there at least some good point that you can take out of this.

a) He has committed a significant proportion of his surface TF power to this one TF, so you now know where it is and don't have to worry about it turning up somwhere random and surprising you.

b) You know most other Task forces that he has in the area will probably be a little "Light" on surface hitting power.

c) All those warships will have to continue to the target and all the way (or most of the way) back to a friendly port at Transport speed, meaning you won't be facing them again for some time.

d) In addition to point "c" many of those ships will need to spend at least a little time in port to repair. If this is early in the war then every day that his ships are not at the front supporting the war is going to be a plus for you in trying to delay his advance.

e) The Dutch fleet is kinda expendable. I mean you obviously want to save them if you can, but the ships are old, the crews are mediocre and from the start of the game you probably already accepted that you would loose most of them.

[Shark7]

Believe I would have sent a 2 BB 2 CA 6 DD battle fleet on ahead to clear the enemy surface forces, then used a couple of CA/CLs with the transports and escorts for better hitting power should something slip through. Carrier support would be a good thing too, it's very effective at making surface fleets scatter.

[bradfordkay]

"c) All those warships will have to continue to the target and all the way (or most of the way) back to a friendly port at Transport speed, meaning you won't be facing them again for some time."

Of course, they could be split off from the transport TF into an SCTF at any time... [:-]

[findmeifyoucan]

Yes, I agree. Sending the Surface Fleet ahead of the transports would have been the better way to go. You'd have the advantage of manouvering,speed and the chance for surprise and also not being slowed down by the transports. Adding a few surface ships in with the transports just for insurance and to make him pay if his surface fleet does get through to your transports. Carrier support is always good but not always available.

[Ametysth]

Come to think of it, it is actually quite interesting tactic. Hauling entire invasion fleet/support SAG/ASW-screen to location in one TF and then dividing it up as needed. Have to try it myself.

[JuanG]

I do this myself sometimes, though I do not put carriers in the mix, besides CVEs. If I have a dedicated CVTF providing cover, I'll split the heavier escorts between it and the invasion force depending on speed. Then you can split off the heavies for a SCTF if needed, or just let them work in the Amphib TF to both soak up damage and eliminate CD guns.

Definately a good way to improve ASW protection for your forces, rather than dividing your few good escorts piecemeal. Ofcourse, all to often the subs strike when youve split the force up, or on the way home (as in one of my PBEMs where a Dutch SS put a pair of fish into a retiring BB and CVL off Java)...

[satx32065]

oh and only reason i got any hits is it was a daylight action on 12/14/41

[Shark7]

ORIGINAL: JuanG

I do this myself sometimes, though I do not put carriers in the mix, besides CVEs. If I have a dedicated CVTF providing cover, I'll split the heavier escorts between it and the invasion force depending on speed. Then you can split off the heavies for a SCTF if needed, or just let them work in the Amphib TF to both soak up damage and eliminate CD guns.

Definately a good way to improve ASW protection for your forces, rather than dividing your few good escorts piecemeal. Ofcourse, all to often the subs strike when youve split the force up, or on the way home (as in one of my PBEMs where a Dutch SS put a pair of fish into a retiring BB and CVL off Java)...

Yes, but there is a certain satisfaction in watching your opponant scurry out of the DEI when Kido Butai shows up and starts mauling everything in range. [:D] Granted on 12-14-41 this might be a bit hard, but I generally don't go after the DEI until after I gain air superiority over Singapore at the very least, so an early '42 time frame is what I work with for DEI.

[Shark7]

And speaking of stuff sneaking by my ASuW task forces...and if the ship names seem unfamiliar, it's because the two British cruisers were decommissioned in 1931 in real life, this is a mod against the AI. [;)]