Small TF and ship bombard reults

[Arizona41]

I have found that unlike WITP small TFs comprised of say a CL and a few DDS wreck airfields much easier and are much more likely to sneak through search planes and evade air attacks then the traditional bombard TFs of CAs and BBs.

Something seems out of whack with the results. It seems as if this small TFs operate with near impunity and can cause incredible damage. Anyone else see these results?

[Schatten]

smilar, have send a Bombard TF of 2 BB and around 15 Cruiser and Destroyer´s to Bombard Akyab.
result were around 10 casauties (drunken soldiers that fell into the holes of BB shells i think^^).

2 Days later a single Destroyer has make around 10 Hits into Ships in Harbor, destroy around 5 Planes and caused ~ 100 casaulties at same Basis.

[Sardaukar]

One thing that makes big difference in results is Recon & Detection Level. You can for example set your cruiser float planes to recon the target base and you see results getting lot better.

[pompack]

Another thing is escort bombardment: DDs can inflict considerably more damage than CAs on occasion because they come so close to the shore. Of course the cost of this can be near total if there is any meaningful artillery opposition.

[USSAmerica]

ORIGINAL: Arizona41

I have found that unlike WITP small TFs comprised of say a CL and a few DDS wreck airfields much easier and are much more likely to sneak through search planes and evade air attacks then the traditional bombard TFs of CAs and BBs.

What were the different airfield runway and service damage levels after the bombardments? I would expect BBs to be able to make bigger runway holes, and cause a higher damage %. If not, then maybe the routine to calculate airfield damage % is not using the warhead rating for the different size guns, and just seeing a higher total of hits (even though from smaller guns) by the DDs.

[Moss Orleni]

This might be a good place to ask...

When talking about 'escort ships bombarding' in an amphibious TF, is that something you can set as an option? I mean, is there a specific button 'set escorts to bombard' that you can select and that will allow you to set your preference? If so, where is it located, because I seem to have missed it entirely [&:]

Cheers,

Moss

[Sardaukar]

ORIGINAL: Moss Orleni

This might be a good place to ask...

When talking about 'escort ships bombarding' in an amphibious TF, is that something you can set as an option? I mean, is there a specific button 'set escorts to bombard' that you can select and that will allow you to set your preference? If so, where is it located, because I seem to have missed it entirely [&:]

Cheers,

Moss

That setting is only in Bombardment TF. In Amph TF combat ships support the landing automatically.

[Moss Orleni]

Thanks Sardaukar, I just found an example in a Bombardment TF.
What does it mean in game terms? If turned off, certain ships in a Bombardment TF won't bombard after all, correct? If so, how do know which ones?

Cheers,

Moss

[Sardaukar]

ORIGINAL: Moss Orleni

Thanks Sardaukar, I just found an example in a Bombardment TF.
What does it mean in game terms? If turned off, certain ships in a Bombardment TF won't bombard after all, correct? If so, how do know which ones?

Cheers,

Moss

DDs and smaller escorts. CL and bigger ships will bombard. Since CLs have quite thin armour, I usually use only BB & CA escorted by DDs in Bombardment TFs.

[Moss Orleni]

And thanks again! Useful info...

Cheers,

Moss

[John Lansford]

The USN Cleveland and Brooklyn class CL's have enough armor to take on shore defense positions in a bombardment TF.  Don't use the Detroit class or any other Allied CL's though unless you want to turn them into a reef. 

[Disco Duck]

ORIGINAL: Arizona41

I have found that unlike WITP small TFs comprised of say a CL and a few DDS wreck airfields much easier and are much more likely to sneak through search planes and evade air attacks then the traditional bombard TFs of CAs and BBs.

Something seems out of whack with the results. It seems as if this small TFs operate with near impunity and can cause incredible damage. Anyone else see these results?

In the "thousand Mile war" scenario I have used the PG charleston to wipe out the kiska airfield and most of the air craft. All by it's lonesome.

Seems like an adjustment is needed.

[Bullwinkle58]

[/quote]

That setting is only in Bombardment TF. In Amph TF combat ships support the landing automatically.

[/quote]
To an extent. Don't let your kids read this--it isn't pretty. This was all in ONE day at Saipan. If there are "heavy fires" that ship was almost certainly a goner:

Pre-Invasion action off Saipan - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

344 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Shell hits 14
AKA Algol, Shell hits 21, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Gambier Bay
DD Selfridge
AKA Alcyon, Shell hits 2
APA James O'Hara
DD Cushing

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
302 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (1 destroyed, 19 disabled)


BB Maryland firing at 5th Base Force
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging AKA Algol at 17,000 yards
CVE Gambier Bay fires to suppress enemy guns at 17,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging AKA Algol at 17,000 yards
BB Maryland fires to suppress enemy troops at 17,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging AKA Algol at 17,000 yards
DD Selfridge fires to suppress enemy guns at 17,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging AKA Alcyon at 17,000 yards
BB Maryland fires to suppress enemy guns at 17,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging AKA Algol at 17,000 yards
BB Maryland fires to suppress enemy troops at 17,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging AKA Algol at 17,000 yards
BB Maryland fires to suppress enemy guns at 17,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging AKA Algol at 17,000 yards
BB Maryland fires to suppress enemy troops at 17,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Saipan

TF 300 troops unloading over beach at Saipan, 108,93


Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)


5 troops of a US HMG Section accidentally lost during unload of 2nd Marine Div /2
Motorized Support lost overboard during unload of 2nd Marine Div /7


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Saipan - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

621 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia, Shell hits 143, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Azimech, Shell hits 31, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Lang
CVE Sangamon
APA Cambria, Shell hits 3
AK Allegan, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Roe
APA Knox
DE Spangler

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
237 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)


BB West Virginia firing at Saipan Naval Fortress
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Azimech at 11,000 yards
CVE Sangamon fires to suppress enemy guns at 11,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Azimech at 11,000 yards
CVE Sangamon fires to suppress enemy troops at 11,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Azimech at 11,000 yards
CVE Sangamon fires to suppress enemy guns at 11,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Azimech at 11,000 yards
CVE Sangamon fires to suppress enemy guns at 11,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Azimech at 11,000 yards
CVE Sangamon fires to suppress enemy troops at 11,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging APA Cambria at 11,000 yards
CVE Sangamon fires to suppress enemy guns at 11,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Azimech at 11,000 yards
CVE Sangamon fires to suppress enemy guns at 11,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Azimech at 11,000 yards
CVE Sangamon fires to suppress enemy guns at 11,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Allegan at 11,000 yards
CVE Sangamon fires to suppress enemy troops at 11,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Saipan

TF 395 troops unloading over beach at Saipan, 108,93


Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)


5 troops of a US HMG Section lost overboard during unload of 7th Infantry Div
Motorized Support lost in surf during unload of 7th Infantry Div /7


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Saipan
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

96 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAK Jean Lykes, Shell hits 26, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Martin
DE Fleming
xAK Joseph Lykes, Shell hits 2, heavy damage
xAK Lipscom Lykes, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK General Fleisher



15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Jean Lykes at 15,000 yards
DE Fleming fires to suppress enemy guns at 15,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Jean Lykes at 15,000 yards
DE Fleming fires to suppress enemy guns at 15,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Jean Lykes at 15,000 yards
DE Fleming fires to suppress enemy guns at 15,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Joseph Lykes at 15,000 yards
DE Fleming fires to suppress enemy guns at 15,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Jean Lykes at 15,000 yards
DE Fleming fires to suppress enemy guns at 15,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Lipscom Lykes at 15,000 yards
DE Fleming fires to suppress enemy guns at 15,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Jean Lykes at 15,000 yards
DE Fleming fires to suppress enemy guns at 15,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Jean Lykes at 15,000 yards
DE Martin fires to suppress enemy guns at 15,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Lipscom Lykes at 15,000 yards
DE Fleming fires to suppress enemy troops at 15,000 yards
DE Martin firing at enemy troops
DE Fleming firing at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Saipan

TF 432 troops unloading over beach at Saipan, 108,93





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Saipan
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

277 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAK Nathaniel Ingersoll, Shell hits 1
CVE Nehenta Bay
xAK Nancy Lykes, Shell hits 9, heavy fires
xAK Idaho
APD Gregory


Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 12 (0 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 18 (2 destroyed, 16 disabled)


15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Nathaniel Ingersoll at 17,000 yards
CVE Nehenta Bay fires to suppress enemy guns at 17,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Nancy Lykes at 17,000 yards
CVE Nehenta Bay fires to suppress enemy guns at 17,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Nancy Lykes at 17,000 yards
CVE Nehenta Bay fires to suppress enemy guns at 17,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Nancy Lykes at 17,000 yards
CVE Nehenta Bay fires to suppress enemy guns at 17,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Nancy Lykes at 17,000 yards
CVE Nehenta Bay fires to suppress enemy guns at 17,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Nancy Lykes at 17,000 yards
CVE Nehenta Bay fires to suppress enemy guns at 17,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Idaho at 17,000 yards
CVE Nehenta Bay fires to suppress enemy troops at 17,000 yards
APD Gregory firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Saipan

TF 447 troops unloading over beach at Saipan, 108,93


Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 27 (1 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)


Engineer Vehicle damaged beyond repair during unload of 871th EAB /2
40mm M1 Bofors lost overboard during unload of 97th Cst AA Rgt


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Saipan - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

378 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DD Lang, Shell hits 4, on fire
AK Alnitah, Shell hits 16
CVE Sangamon
DD Roe
APA Knox
DE Spangler


Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


DD Lang firing at 5th Base Force
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Alnitah at 17,000 yards
CVE Sangamon fires to suppress enemy guns at 17,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Alnitah at 17,000 yards
CVE Sangamon fires to suppress enemy troops at 17,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Alnitah at 17,000 yards
CVE Sangamon fires to suppress enemy guns at 17,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Alnitah at 17,000 yards
CVE Sangamon fires to suppress enemy troops at 17,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Alnitah at 17,000 yards
CVE Sangamon fires to suppress enemy guns at 17,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Alnitah at 17,000 yards
CVE Sangamon fires to suppress enemy troops at 17,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Saipan
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

158 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAK Idaho, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Nehenta Bay
xAK David Lubin, Shell hits 3
APD Gregory


Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)


15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Idaho at 16,000 yards
CVE Nehenta Bay fires to suppress enemy guns at 16,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Idaho at 16,000 yards
CVE Nehenta Bay fires to suppress enemy troops at 16,000 yards
12cm 3YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Idaho at 16,000 yards
CVE Nehenta Bay fires to suppress enemy guns at 16,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK Idaho at 16,000 yards
CVE Nehenta Bay fires to suppress enemy guns at 16,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging xAK David Lubin at 16,000 yards
CVE Nehenta Bay fires to suppress enemy troops at 16,000 yards
APD Gregory firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


----------------------------------------------------------------------------

[BletchleyGeek]

A retaliatory strike on Baker Island in early March 1942. Not really a small TF - those 3 BBs pack quite a punch. Recon was provided from nearby Canton Island by a O-47 squadron and float planes on the TF:

Naval bombardment of Baker Island at 149,136

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K2-L Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Warspite
BB Nevada
BB Colorado
CA Minneapolis
CA New Orleans
CL St. Louis
CL Trenton
DD Kane
DD Crane
DD Allen
DD Dale
DD Preston
DD Helm
DD Blue

Japanese ground losses:
336 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)



Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 139
Port hits 48
Port supply hits 12

BB Warspite firing at Baker Island
BB Nevada firing at Baker Island
BB Colorado firing at Baker Island
CA Minneapolis firing at Baker Island
CA New Orleans firing at Baker Island
CL St. Louis firing at Baker Island
CL Trenton firing at 4th Garrison Unit

DD Kane firing at Baker Island
DD Crane firing at Baker Island
DD Allen firing at 4th Garrison Unit
DD Dale firing at Baker Island
DD Preston firing at Baker Island
DD Helm firing at Baker Island
DD Blue firing at Baker Island

Recon makes a difference and escorts can indeed bombard (if set so from the TF orders screen).

[PzB74]

Must admit that I find that many and large guns still make big holes...
If you recon your targets well before bombarding the results are usually better;

Naval bombardment of Chittagong at 55,41

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses (ca 50 ac destroyed on the ground)
Blenheim IV: 3 destroyed on ground
Wellington Ic: 5 destroyed on ground
Bolingbroke IV: 5 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIb Trop: 10 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
CL Naka

Allied ground losses:
518 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 27 destroyed, 80 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 11 (5 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (7 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Airbase hits 43
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 305

BB Hyuga firing at Chittagong
BB Yamashiro firing at Chittagong
BB Fuso firing at Chittagong
CL Naka firing at Chittagong

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Bletchley_Geek

A retaliatory strike on Baker Island in early March 1942. Not really a small TF - those 3 BBs pack quite a punch. Recon was provided from nearby Canton Island by a O-47 squadron and float planes on the TF:

Naval bombardment of Baker Island at 149,136

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K2-L Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Warspite
BB Nevada
BB Colorado
CA Minneapolis
CA New Orleans
CL St. Louis
CL Trenton
DD Kane
DD Crane
DD Allen
DD Dale
DD Preston
DD Helm
DD Blue

Japanese ground losses:
336 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)



Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 139
Port hits 48
Port supply hits 12

BB Warspite firing at Baker Island
BB Nevada firing at Baker Island
BB Colorado firing at Baker Island
CA Minneapolis firing at Baker Island
CA New Orleans firing at Baker Island
CL St. Louis firing at Baker Island
CL Trenton firing at 4th Garrison Unit

DD Kane firing at Baker Island
DD Crane firing at Baker Island
DD Allen firing at 4th Garrison Unit
DD Dale firing at Baker Island
DD Preston firing at Baker Island
DD Helm firing at Baker Island
DD Blue firing at Baker Island

Recon makes a difference and escorts can indeed bombard (if set so from the TF orders screen).

You're not getting the point. Your comments don't apply to the situation I presented.

I reconned Saipan every day for two months.

These were not bombardment TFs. They were amphibious, with heavy and light combat ship escorts in the TFs. The results speak for themselves. Escort ships in this context does not mean what "escort ships" means in a bombardment TF.

[BletchleyGeek]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58
You're not getting the point. Your comments don't apply to the situation I presented.

I reconned Saipan every day for two months.

These were not bombardment TFs. They were amphibious, with heavy and light combat ship escorts in the TFs. The results speak for themselves. Escort ships in this context does not mean what "escort ships" means in a bombardment TF.

EDIT: I misread completely the point of the topic, "Small TF and ship bombard reults" and converted it into "Small Bombardment TF results" [:(]

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Bletchley_Geek

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58
You're not getting the point. Your comments don't apply to the situation I presented.

I reconned Saipan every day for two months.

These were not bombardment TFs. They were amphibious, with heavy and light combat ship escorts in the TFs. The results speak for themselves. Escort ships in this context does not mean what "escort ships" means in a bombardment TF.

EDIT: I misread completely the point of the topic, "Small TF and ship bombard reults" and converted it into "Small Bombardment TF results" [:(]

That's OK, I probably semi-hijacked it too.

My point is only that, in the war up until 1944, I had a few tough invasions, such as Wotje and Tarawa (twice.) But the Marianas are an order of magnitude harder and more destructive.

I'm sure I made mistakes at Saipan, such as leaving the CVEs in the landing TFs instead of stripping them just before landing, but overall I think my force structure was reasonable. Lots of infantry and tanks on Day 1, separate supply convoys, over-shipping early TFs so they would unload faster, using dedicated amphibs whenever possible for the beachhead, having the Amphib Force HQ in the hex, offshore, etc. I didn't have a huge bombardment effort because I had a massive air power effort in advance of the landings, and because I'm heavily committed in the IO with my remaining BBs. So I put what I had in the amphib TFs and hoped they could suppress the CD guns long enough to get a beachhead. The problem is the engine lets the CD units fire thousands of rounds in the first phases, shredding even TFs with BBs along. In RL, response would be point-blank, not to mention CAS with WP rounds and (maybe) napalm, but the engine doesn't model that. So, on some days, I was losing 10-12 cargo ships per day at Saipan to CD units that would not die, and no good way in the engine to specifically target them. The AI had level five forts, and about 28,000 defenders, well-supplied, so it was not a two-day pushover campaign.

For me the game cruised along until I hit the Marianas, and then it changed wholesale, even though my tactics didn't. The Allies have a lot of ships in 1944, but come on . . . I shudder to think what Iwo Jima and Okinawa will be like with kamis thrown in. My basic point is, don't count on what you're seeing in 1942 to be what you experience in the late war. I'd say that the CD routines don't make it possible to capture historic bases and still have a USN left. You might have to pick, choose, and bypass.

[Dili]

Well i don't know what you do was expecting when you put BB's in invasion forces like that and task forces with that composition.And not even a minesweeper in the force. BB's shouldn't be put in a place where they loose the range advantage. Of course land guns have all advantage they are covered many can only be destroyed by direct hit, they don't move around so their accuracy is better and they are a tiny target compared to a ship. If defenses are strong you do have to suppress them with BB bombardments and air attacks. Only after that you can go in. You make a carrier Tf and a BB/CA/CL Tf to bombard, your invasion forces should be PG's, MW and DD's the more guns the better covering directly transports . The results you got are to be expected.

[Nomad]

Bullwinkle, what target(s) did you concentrate on with your air strikes? Ground, airfield, or port? I am trying to find answers before I have a TF get blasted. [8D]