Embarked Flag Officers

[javnavy]

I've been playing the AI, full campaign. Got through July '42, but not too satisfied with the play of the AI (not ready yet for PBEM)-very entertaining, but not too realistic. So I jumped to the Marianas Scenario.

Question, what is the use of the Fifth US Fleet icon in Pearl Harbor (RADM Spruance)? Historically he embarked on the Indianapolis to command the fleet at sea. This icon has a troop load of 2600 and I don't see anyway to get him at sea (as ComFifthFlt)-other than one of the amphib command ships.

Down the road, Halsey (ComThirdFlt) will fly his flag from the New Jersey for the assault on the Philippines. How would this play in WitP-AE?[&:]

How have you experienced folks used these flag commands in the game?
Thanks for any feedback.

[inqistor]

You can have commander in unit (his statistics influence THIS unit), HQ (his statistics influence ALL units in range), or fleet (his statistics influence THIS TF).
So, if you want specific commander to command landing, this landing should be in range of his HQ. If he is supposed to command a fleet, assign him as TF commander.

[javnavy]

Thanks for the reply, but how does that relate to the icon for Fifth Fleet and the invasion of the marianas in this game? Since the Fleet Commander icon does not seem to fit/load on to a cruiser/battleship-how does Spruance impact this battle (as ComFifthFleet)? Does it's ranger cover those operations? My problem is I know historically Spruance (acting as Fifth Fleet - not a task force commander) embarked on the cruiser Indianapolis to command the invaision on scene. All the task forces at sea in the marianas reported to him. WitP-AE does not seem to allow that.

Have some of you embarked that Fifth Fleet icon on one of the Amphib Command ships (to get him closer to the action)?

Forgive me if I'm over-enthusiastic (this game is awesome). I'd love to see LOTS of Naval command icons embarked at Sea. Take this Battle of the Marianas for example. You had Task Force 58 divided into four task groups (each with it's own admiral in command). Admiral Mitcher was in overall command of TF 58 (embarked on the Lexington). Within the task groups the battleships were providing AA cover for the carriers. Admiral 'Ching' Lee was flying his flag (CmdrFastBattleships) on the Washington. Once the Japanese were detected, Lee pulled his battleline out of the carrier groups to form TF58.7, ready to intercept the Jap surface units (if needed).

The game would be awesome if it had icons for commanders of Battleship Divisions, Cruiser Divisions, Destroyer Squadrons. They could be embarked at sea, ready to take overall command of any new task forces seperated from the main group.----I know, I'm a control freak and asking too much.
Thanks for letting me vent..... [:)]

[inqistor]

This "icon" is the whole HQ. If you want specified commander, you must first unassign him from current position, and assign to unit you want (just click on commander name).
Now, I am not sure, how ranks in game works. You probably can not assign fleet officer to command land operation. And naval HQs have no impact on combat operations. If you REALLY want him on scene (which costs lots of PP), make him commander of Bombarding Task Force, or one of Air Combat TFs.
And you can only assign new commanders in port, not at sea [:)]