Sub Hunting

[frank1970]

I tried a new method of subhunting:
Created a TF consisting of an AV, one DD and several SCs.
Set all planes to ASW-search

Results:
AV sunk, no subs found!

Next time I will run on my own minefield again, works faster and sinks my ships, too.

[v.Manstein]

I don`t know what you are on about. I am playing a PBEM-game and all my subs are almost wiped out. However it is a good change to how it worked before. I must admitt, I shouldn`t place them in shallow water.

[frank1970]

How did you manage to let all your subs kill?

I nearly sink any in the game although my planes sometimes spot and attack subs.

On the other hand my subs work fine: succeded in sinking an Japanese CV!!!! poor sub was heavily damaged afterwards;) .

[v.Manstein]

Well, my subs creep around/attack ships at enemy bases or in shallow water. As soon as there is an enemy subhunter TF around, (either consisting of SC`s or DD`s) they attack my subs. The same happens to my PBEM-game opponent. He complains that I sunk quite a lot of his subs as well. And we played only around 60 turns.

[Apollo11]

Hi all,

Originally posted by Frank
I tried a new method of subhunting:
Created a TF consisting of an AV, one DD and several SCs.
Set all planes to ASW-search

Results:
AV sunk, no subs found!

Next time I will run on my own minefield again, works faster and sinks my ships, too.

The AV can't launch float planes while at sea. Only IJN CS can
do that. In your TF (if you did send it to see to hunt subs) the
AV was just dead weight and no float planes flew at all.


Leo "Apollo11"

[jules]

Why do you count on hunter-killer-groups ?
Escort your convoys and fly asw patrols and you will see what will happen !

Bye

[frank1970]

Originally posted by Apollo11
Hi all,



The AV can't launch float planes while at sea. Only IJN CS can
do that. In your TF (if you did send it to see to hunt subs) the
AV was just dead weight and no float planes flew at all.


Leo "Apollo11"

This explains a lot!

Thanks!

Next time I ´ll use CSs!

[Drongo]

Posted by Frank.

Next time I ´ll use CSs!

Only the Japs get CS's. I always keep them with the IJN carriers (each one adds 20 search a/c) to help spot enemy TF's to increase the chance of my naval strikes finding their target.

The IJN DD escorts should be very good at sinking subs without having to risk putting a CS in their TF. Also, the seaplanes on the CS's are not always great quality and may be that reliable in spotting subs. The one time I tried using a CS as part of a A/S group, it was promptly torped without its a/c seeing the sub first.

[Scouters]

What about a group centered around a CVE. Maybe 2-3 DD's with 2-4 PC/PG. The jeep carrier could carry TBDs or SBDs on ASW search. You could use this to patrol the area around Noumea. The carrier may even act as a magnet for subs. At the very least you should be able to increase your chances of spotting subs and I believe that negatively impacts their chances for initiating attacks.

[Oleg Mastruko]

Originally posted by Apollo11
Hi all,



The AV can't launch float planes while at sea. Only IJN CS can
do that. In your TF (if you did send it to see to hunt subs) the
AV was just dead weight and no float planes flew at all.


Leo "Apollo11"

SOME Jap AVs may launch while at sea - larger ones, like Kamikawa Maru (the one I just sunk in our game Apollo - I am sorry you won't be able to try it's capabilities anytime soon )

Regular ones (Sanyo Maru & the others) AFAIK may use planes only when docked.

O.

[Erik Rutins]

Definitely take a look at Spooky's strategy FAQ. In the early game, mixing in your best ASW DDs with those SCs/PGs/PCs is a good call. Adding in CVEs with planes on ASW can enhance the operation in the later game. Sending DDs back for upgrades to better depth charges as time goes on can also be a big help. Always having at least one decent size squadron on ASW patrol at a relatively low altitude is essential as well.

I look at land-based ASW patrols as having CAP or flak over a TF. You would expect an air attack on a TF to do better if it had no CAP or flak. Similarly, subs will do better in areas with no ASW air patrols. Running unescorted convoys in areas with no ASW patrols is like leaving your cruisers without CAP and no flak ammo sitting five hexes from an enemy air base - you're going to get hit eventually.

Regards,

- Erik

[Mundy]

I've gotten a credible ASW force by simply keeping the SCs at Noumea (sp?) constantly at sea, and in one group. Sure, they've taken their hits, but Dawrin's rule takes effect and the remaining ones are strong. 5 or 6 months into scenario 17 and I've finally hit an I boat with the mousetrap.