Rescuing Troops from Sinking Transports

[augustinus]

Is it possible? I am playing a PBEM game, Full Campaign (Scenario One)as the Allies. One of my APs suffered an air attack and has a DD for escort. Is there any way to offload the remaining troops? If my flawed memory is correct, I seem to remember that there is something about this subject in the manual, but going over it recently I couldn't find the info. Appreciate any imput. Thanks.

[Puhis]

Other ships in TF automatically try to rescue troops when ship sinks. I think there's no way to offload troops to another ship. You need a port to offload troops.

[String]

In addition to what Puhis posted, the more shipping space you have in your TF when your ship sinks, the better. So adding an empty freighter/troop transport to your escort TF might be useful. Be sure to set it to an escort TF or otherwise the healthy ships might split off.

[jmalter]

ORIGINAL: augustinus
Is it possible? ... Appreciate any imput. Thanks.

reading an AAR, i discovered Cribtop Lifeboat Doctrine. as your convoy loads, create another TF w/ an empty AP-type, set to merge w/ the troop-carriers. this ship will pick up (disrupted) survivors from a sunken ship, or perhaps it will soak up a bomb or torp that might otherwise have hit a loaded ship. Otherwise, i don't think there's any way to xfer devices from a loaded ship 'at sea', it can only off-load at a port. In your present case, is it possible to rush an empty ship to merge w/ your cripple? It might get there in time to pick up some floaters.

damaged ships often get auto-transferred to an Escort TF, an undamaged escort-type will be added if available. Balance this advice w/ the threat-level, but:
- if the ship is on fire, stop its movement (by setting TF dest to current hex & remain on station = ON) & add another escort-type to aid fire-fighting.
- if the ship has heavy float damage & heavy sys damage, stop it to allow best damage-control repair. you've got to get the sys damage down, so the pumps can cope.
- if the ship has hvy float damage, set the TF to cruise speed. mission or full speed will add to the float damage, you risk foundering, as well as adding time to repair (if you make it to port).
- head for the nearest port, disband there to repair the non-major damage, then head for home (repair shipyard) at cruise speed.

when possible, ensure that a unit is loaded onto >1 ship, so that if one of them sinks, the unit can be rebuilt from replacements.

[Schanilec]

I used to see a message stating other ships rescuing survivors. I can't recall if that was before or after the last official patch since I'm usually blubbering uncontrollably, like a little girl in the fetal position I when lose a ship. But I'll try and composed myself to see if that message shows up again.

[augustinus]

Thanks to all for your contributions on this subject. It bothers me when any of my naval assets are sunk (that's war), but when an AP is hit with troops on board, I am mortified. In the future, I will apply your tips.