ASW patrols

m0ngoose · Post by **m0ngoose** » Thu Dec 19, 2002 9:52 pm

After reading several threads on ASW I got the bright idea to actually set my planes to that search mode.

What do ya know? It actually works! Of course for the field test I had all the planes in the TF search at 100% at 100ft but I wanted to see if it made a difference.

I sank 3 jap subs that turn. I knew one was following me...but it was the other 4 that were such a surprise.

So if there are any doubters out there try ASW. And as per the other thread, use squadrons with 70 exp or higher.

I'm going to play as IJN in my next campaign and will see if I can improve on their ASW abilities....

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Thu Dec 19, 2002 10:20 pm

You've had better luck than I have. I usually put my cruiser float planes on ASW as well as naval search in my carrier TFs and also use the planes on the CS Nisshin, Chitose and Chiyoda(?) for ASW. I spot alot of subs and even attack them but have rarely sunk one. I usually have to send out destroyer groups.

Toro · Post by **Toro** » Fri Dec 20, 2002 11:47 pm

Drex, don't forget FOW. You may have sunk some of those subs, but don't know for sure until many days later.

I often set a CV squadron on ASW during transit times, or when I know there is little risk of encountering a target TF (ie, when the CVs are doing LRCAP for other TFs, etc). Keepin' them subs away, oh yeah.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 12:55 am

You're correct of course Toro but all too often the planes spot the sub and don't attack. Now when I put all bombers, scouting planes and destroyers on ASW in a port hex then I can get some results.

m0ngoose · Post by **m0ngoose** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 1:35 am

Drex--you just made an interesting comment...

How does one set destroyers to ASW?

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 1:58 am

Hi Mongoose, you form a small TF of DDs, PCs or SCs( or a combo) and put them on Patrol/do not retire and make sure they are undocked. They then cruise the hex looking for trouble. O f course this exposes them to attack by the target sub and by enemy air.

Feinder · Post by **Feinder** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 2:09 am

It's worth while to put a SC or two in with your ASW TF. Say 4 DDs, and 2 SCs.

The SCs are lot more pokey than the DDs, and thus more likely to be attacked (at least if IJN is playing with Sub Doctrine "off"). They're also only worth 1vp, whereas your DDs are worth about 12vp.

The SCs basically serve as the bait (and can even potentially fight back), while your DDs (usually with about 75 exp), will then follow up and kill the sub. Make sure your DDs have at least 4 depth charges on them tho. I think there's a class that only carriers 2 depth charges, and they're obviously not as effective.

-F-

Ron Saueracker · Post by **Ron Saueracker** » Mon Dec 30, 2002 4:41 am

Just wait until 1943 when your SC force is built up and has exp ratings around 55 and up. They kick the crap outta I Boats. The Mousetrap and Mk 9 DC are deadly. Keep them in groups of around 6 or 8 and watch them kill, kill, kill!

Fred98 · Post by **Fred98** » Mon Dec 30, 2002 5:31 am

How about if the ASW TF, is sent out one hex from the base. The intention is that it sail back to the base searching all the time for subs.

I have not had any success with this – and reason for this?

Ron Saueracker · Post by **Ron Saueracker** » Mon Dec 30, 2002 6:09 am

Originally posted by Joe 98
How about if the ASW TF, is sent out one hex from the base. The intention is that it sail back to the base searching all the time for subs.

I have not had any success with this – and reason for this?

I just pick a hex where sub was sighted and send TF out on "patrol, do not retire" and maneuver it about for three or four days. It stays in one hex and has much better chance of detecting subs before subs fire at them during daylight. If they are on retire, all that seems to happen for me is the sub gets a crack at night and then the ASW TF is in harbor (not necessarily a bad thing as PBEM opponents sit in base hexes all the time...real annoying as your ASW TF docks automatically! Jeez.)

Fred98 · Post by **Fred98** » Fri Jan 03, 2003 3:22 am

I have tried creating ASW surface TFs as suggested above, but the TF docks itself each day.

If it is docked, how can it kill subs?

Is it docked at the start of the turn or at the end? If it docks at the start it will never kill subs.

dpstafford · Post by **dpstafford** » Fri Jan 03, 2003 3:25 am

Originally posted by m0ngoose
What do ya know? It actually works! Of course for the field test I had all the planes in the TF search at 100% at 100ft but I wanted to see if it made a difference.

Is 100 feet the ideal altitude for ASW? For some reason I thought it was 1000.......but I've never had results that good.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Fri Jan 03, 2003 4:27 am

I always thought the best altitude was 1000 ft also. At 100 ft the plane would be moving too fast to see a subs profile in the water, plus the problem with reflection.

dpstafford · Post by **dpstafford** » Fri Jan 03, 2003 4:35 am

Originally posted by Drex
I always thought the best altitude was 1000 ft also. At 100 ft the plane would be moving too fast to see a subs profile in the water, plus the problem with reflection.

Well, I guess we'll have to run our own altitude experiments. DD's are still the best way to spank a sub, but ya have to know where it is first.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Fri Jan 03, 2003 4:57 am

DDs are the best except when you are in range of enemy air, then all they are is a target. Sometimes air attack is all you got. If you set all your bombers and search craft on ASW, you should get some results: all i get is alot of spotting and attacking but no cigar.

dpstafford · Post by **dpstafford** » Fri Jan 03, 2003 5:13 am

Originally posted by Drex
Sometimes air attack is all you got. If you set all your bombers and search craft on ASW, you should get some results: all i get is alot of spotting and attacking but no cigar.

Same here. So I'm going to try the 100 feet next chance I get.

Admiral_Arctic · Post by **Admiral_Arctic** » Sat Jan 04, 2003 5:32 pm

For your destination: if you want to enter the port, left click.
If you want to stay outside port, right click.

This way your ASW/minesweepers TF can stay outside the port.

Also someelse said that if you left click they only enter port at the end of the phase. So they should still attack.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Sat Jan 04, 2003 9:43 pm

I guess I missed that in the manual. Thanks for this very valuable info.

Grotius · Post by **Grotius** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 9:00 am

I notice that MSW's and ML's have some ASW capability. I'm always low on escorts, so I'm considering using some of these in my current game (as IJN vs the AI in Scen 17). What do you think?

Feinder · Post by **Feinder** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 9:35 am

The Allied MSWs are good enough at backup for ASW. Be aware however, that their experinece is usually fairly low, so put them in some mundane "safe" convoys at first to get their experience up. After that, they're about as effective as SC (which are fine for me), and they're faster and have better range. Just make sure you're not losing your MSWs tho, because they obviously have a more important function... :^)

-F-

ASW patrols

ASW patrols

SCs

ASW TF

Re: ASW patrols

I read elsewhere...