Optimum use of LCIs, LSTs, LCI(G)s?

[derhexer]

How can I calculate the optimum number of LCIs, LSTs, etc., to include with an invasion fleet?

[Barb]

IRL - LSTs were used for transporting LVT battalion each for 1st assault wave. However in the game you can use them for cargo. I would say that their number depends on number of artillery or armor you are bringing with. Also you can use them for supplies for 1st wave.

LCI(G) are fire support ships to suppress enemy defenses.

LCI - for shorter legs.

IRL - each assault regiment was basically carried on a transport division (3 AP(A)s, 1AK(A)s) and one LST with assigned LVT battalion. Other stuff was added as needed (like div artillery or tank battalion attached to division on separate LST),...

[derhexer]

OK, I didn't ask the question very well. Let me try again.

I'm playing the Marianas scenario, which showed up in the Mod board.

As the American player I have 3 divisions to use to invade the Marianas
2nd Marine 11415 Troop 13725 Cargo
4th Marine 10329 Troop 11075 Cargo
27th Inf 7883 Troop 13255 Cargo

and, yes, I know that there are many artillery, tank, etc supporting units

I have
15 LCI(G)s
12 LCIs
22 LSTs
8 LSDs

I know how LCI(G)s are used
I'd like to know how to allocate the LSDs, LCIs and LSTs so my invading units have the best chance of success. I don't know how to calculate.

Thanks

[rjopel]

You could either split it in a third for each division. Or take the 2 most expierienced divisions and give them the majority of the transports.

[jimh009]

Be VERY wary about using LCI's. I'm not familiar with the details of the scenario you're playing, but readiness falls FAST for units embarked on LCI's. If your assault units are loading up at Pearl, by the time they disembark in the Marianas, it's a guarantee that their readiness will be 0%. As a previous poster said, LCI's are best used for very short hops - as in, no more than 1-2 days sail away.

As for how to use the remaining ships, I've been embarking artillery, engineers [Sea Bees] and armor on LST's along with extra cargo. I then use APA's and AKA's for the actual infantry elements of the assault.

[wwengr]

ORIGINAL: jimh009

Be VERY wary about using LCI's. I'm not familiar with the details of the scenario you're playing, but readiness falls FAST for units embarked on LCI's. If your assault units are loading up at Pearl, by the time they disembark in the Marianas, it's a guarantee that their readiness will be 0%. As a previous poster said, LCI's are best used for very short hops - as in, no more than 1-2 days sail away.

As for how to use the remaining ships, I've been embarking artillery, engineers [Sea Bees] and armor on LST's along with extra cargo. I then use APA's and AKA's for the actual infantry elements of the assault.

One thing to recognize is that LCI's have a troop capacity of 190 and a bulk cargo capacity of 75. If you try to load a unit with inadequate troop capacity, but adequate bulk cargo capacity, it will start using bulk cargo capacity to load the troops. LCI's, like other landing ships, will load troops fairly efficiently in cargo space. For an LCI, it takes 2 cargo capacity to load one troop capacity. The down side is that LCI bulk cargo space is not good for the troops. The squads in bulk cargo will suffer 1-30 disruption per day and will suffer 1 point of damage when they unload.

My recomendation (this may seem tedious), organize a amphibious task force to load a single division. In that Task Force, ensure that there is more than adequate troop space capacity to load all of the troops and enough cargo capacity load everything else.

You need to use this care when loading troops for any kind of transport when using ships that happen to have bulk cargo capacity. AP, APA, xAP, LSI(x), LST, and LSV all generally have bulk cargo capacity, but the daily disruption is very low, so troops can arrive relatively unmolested by the experience. Troops pay a heavy daily toll for loading in bulk cargo in LSM, LCM, LCT, LB, and LCVP and all of these ships have bulk cargo space.

[wwengr]

The worst way to load an LCU on ships is to load it on a TF that does not have enough troop capacity for all of the squads, but has more cargo capacity than needed to load all of the equipment. That's the situation that gets troops stuck in the cargo holds.

[wwengr]

Question: I have not been observant, nor have I concentrated enough of the LCI(G), LCI(M), or LCI(R) to see if they work well. Do they?