CAP over TF

[murphys35]

Hi! I´ve realized that it´s time for another question to you, WitP experts. It´s Dec 26th in 41 and I want to get Prince of Wales and Repulse from Singapore. Both are damaged but able to make it (at least I think so, their flt damage is 40-50 and sys damage is 30-50 without any fire, Force "Z" was quite lucky in my game...). Now, Japs are pushing me down at Kuala Lumpur area and they established big airbase in Kota so they are able to attack Singapore from air, at the same time they have airfield at captured Kuching.I fear the air attack of the TF before it reaches safe waters.CAP will be provided from Singapore and the plan is that Dutch air force will took over after it will be out of range of RAF Buffalos.Now my question comes - when I will choose the TF as the CAP target for them, it is logically out of range. But will they automatically begin the CAP mission when the TF will reach their operational range during the turn? Or is it necessary to wait for the next turn?

[LoBaron]

They will provide LRCAP as soon as in range.

Just be aware that LRCAP at max range thins out the number of planes over target by a large margin, as many
will be either in trasit to mission area or servicing at the fields or rtb.

So expect, depending on the size and time of a potential attack, you might have only a fraction of planes actually able to
engage the strike. You can assure a regular coverage best if you use rest settings for LRCAP, you wont have so much
alpha CAP on target, but ensure that there is still a number of fighters able to engage in later phases. This is obviousely
even more important if you do two day turns (my personal favourite... [;)] ).

[TheElf]

It's also important to realize you are fighting an uphill battle to start with if you consider the way history unfolded Vis a vis land based RAF CAP for Force Z. Your expectation managment skills should tell you that you should expect to fail. Anything approaching a better-than-historical outcome should be considered a MAJOR VICTORY for you.

Land based CAP, particularly if over a TF at sea SHOULD be poor, especially early in the war. Combined arms operations such as this were frought with miscommunication, misunderstanding, if not just plain Missing altogether. The invasion of Singapore illustrated this clearly.

I recommend reading Shores Vol I if you want to get a real feel on how this played out in RL so you can be mentally prepared for the worst ; )

Best case scenario gamewise would be to get Force Z into a hex that had an AF with CAP already up, and therefore benefit from a full CAP, not long range. Then lilly-pad to another coastal Hexwhere more CAP existed. Also try head directly away from the threat and don't get caught in the Malacca Straits.

[murphys35]

Thanks guys for your replies! BTW, weather forecast is: Clear sky. I´ve remembered "The Longest Day" and its famous quote "Sometimes I wonder which side God is on?"

to TheElf: "Historical expectations" are not a major issue for me. When playing wargames,I like to have initial conditions as accurate as possible but after the first turn, I consider the war as in my hands and I like to use all I have in a way I consider the best. After all, the AI won´t mind it. And if the war will evolve in a situation in which Chinese army will be invading Japan, why not . But seriously, I think that something like "Butterfly effect" must take place in such a complex event as the war in Asia/Pacific. When playing games like AE, I know that I´m not re-enacting the history but that I´m creating the alternative one for fun so....

Anyway, thanks to you both once again!

[TheElf]

ORIGINAL: murphys35

Thanks guys for your replies! BTW, weather forecast is: Clear sky. I´ve remembered "The Longest Day" and its famous quote "Sometimes I wonder which side God is on?"

to TheElf: "Historical expectations" are not a major issue for me. When playing wargames,I like to have initial conditions as accurate as possible but after the first turn, I consider the war as in my hands and I like to use all I have in a way I consider the best. After all, the AI won´t mind it. And if the war will evolve in a situation in which Chinese army will be invading Japan, why not . But seriously, I think that something like "Butterfly effect" must take place in such a complex event as the war in Asia/Pacific. When playing games like AE, I know that I´m not re-enacting the history but that I´m creating the alternative one for fun so....

Anyway, thanks to you both once again!

Murph, you are exactly right. You have begun this game with the correct mindset. All I wanted to do was inject a sounding board against your expectations for the CAP if Force Z. Having historical background of an event your are attempting to alter in history is the best way to assess your level of success or failure. In this case losing force Z on the second day isn't necessarily a failure, it is par for the course. In fact one might argue surviving day one is a small victory in your favor to begin with.

[denisonh]

Keep the TF small and hope for thunderstorms......