To "follow" or not to "follow" - that is the question...

[Apollo11]

Hi all,

I am wondering if there is any practical difference when you have escorting
ships in separate TF following your main TF or is it better to have all ships
in single TF?


Is there:

#1
Any difference in ship AAA coverage (i.e. would the TF set to "follow" still
be able to protect the main TF from enemy aircraft with same effect)?

#2
Any difference in ship ASW coverage (i.e. would the TF set to "follow" still
be able to protect the main TF from enemy submarines)?

#3
Any difference in ship MSW coverage (i.e. would the TF set to "follow" still
be able to protect the main TF from enemy mines)?

#4
Any difference in ship battle coverage (i.e. would the TF set to "follow"
still be able to protect the main TF from enemy ship attacks)?


Have you ever tested this?

Any ideas gentleman?


Leo "Apollo11"

[Gabby]

The only thing I can recall seeing TF's in the same hex share is CAP. In all other respects they seem to be treated seperatly.

[Mike Wood]

Hello...

The task forces do not travel close enough to each other for any AAA sharing, but MSW task forces will try to sweep for friendly task forces in the same hex, surface groups will try to protect the others from enemy surface task forces and ASW task forces will try to protect the others from subs. As has been mentioned, CAP will also try to protect any groups in the same hex.

Hope this Helps...

Michael Wood

[Apollo11]

Hi all,

Originally posted by Mike Wood
Hello...

The task forces do not travel close enough to each other for any AAA sharing, but MSW task forces will try to sweep for friendly task forces in the same hex, surface groups will try to protect the others from enemy surface task forces and ASW task forces will try to protect the others from subs. As has been mentioned, CAP will also try to protect any groups in the same hex.

Hope this Helps...

Michael Wood

Thanks for answering!


Michael, are you 100% sure regarding MSW "Follow TF" ops?

Would the "Follow TF" consisting of MSWs really clan in front of main TF just as effective as if the MSWs were placed in the main TF directly?

BTW, did you write this with your own UV experience or you saw this in some other thread here at UV forums?


Leo "Apollo11"


P.S. Sorry for being non-believing but I really would like to be 100% sure on this...

[zed]

my experience has been that no ASW benefit is shared. If 2 TFs are in same hex, 6 dds in one and 2 APs in another. The 6 dds do not help at all. That is why I combine at any and every occasion, even while unloading in port, etc. I discovered this the hard way.

[Mike Wood]

Hello...

If there are several task forces in the hex and they move into the hex, the MSW task moves first and tries to sweep mines. If there are no MSW task forces, but some task forces have mine sweepers, the mine sweepers will sweep for the task force of which they are a part. It is best, then, to put one or more in the task force that the others are following.

In other words, it is ok to distribute your mineswepers into the other task forces.

I know because I am a programmer on the project.

As far as destroyer task forces trying to protect transport task forces in the same hex, they do not always suceed. Sometimes, the sub will slip past them.

Michael Wood
Lead Programmer,
Matrix Games

[DoomedMantis]

Originally posted by Mike Wood
Hello...


As far as destroyer task forces trying to protect transport task forces in the same hex, they do not always suceed. Sometimes, the sub will slip past them.

Michael Wood
Lead Programmer,
Matrix Games

What do you mean sometimes, don't you mean all the time. I have found to my detriment that having ASW assets in a hex doesn't help other TF's. The amount of times I get hit by subs on consequetive turns on AP's docked unloading when I can see the subs and have several DD's and PC's in the same hex plus up to 20 planes on ASW patrol makes me sick.

[panda124c]

I have found that if the 'following' TF is faster (and has the fuel) it will arrive at the 'followed' TF's destination before the 'followed' TF.

To move short ranged ships (PT boats for instance) you can assign a ship with large fuel capacity (tanker of CL) to 'follow' the short ranged ships so that when these ships run out of fuel the 'tanker' will catch up and refuel them. CLs do make wonderful fast tankers.