ASW procedure

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 6:09 am

In my attempt to protect my transports from sub attacks, I have been forming small ASW TFs of DDs, SCs/PGs and having them follow the transport TF. The Transport TF will have some escorts but only a few. I guess my question is: is an accompanying ASW TF more effective than incorporating them into the Transport TF itself. It seems to me that the extra ASW TF is effective. Any comments?

Raverdave · Post by **Raverdave** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 6:24 am

Also make sure that the DDs have a high ASW number, 8 is very good, 6 is good, 4 is ok, and 2....well don't bother !

You can check the ASW rating of a DD by right clicking on the ship in the "selection" menu when you are forming a TF.

With SCs, unless they have an exp rating of over 50, then they are going to be nothing more than a target for the subs.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 6:44 am

Thanks Raverdave. I do check out the ASW ratings but sometimes what you see is what you get. But what I want to know is: is an escorting TF more effective in protecting a Transport TF than incorporating the escort into the TF proper? It seems to me that escorts within the TF seem less effective against subs than an escort TF.

ADavidB · Post by **ADavidB** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 9:16 am

Drex -

If you want to kill subs, set up dedicated hunter/killer groups. Use around 6 to 8 ships. If you are playing the Allies, just use DDs once you start to get them in droves. If you are short on DDs, mix them with SCs or PGs. Using DDs gets you good surface commanders rather than the retreads and rookies that you get with SC/PG-only TFs. Set up several of those TFs and keep sending them to where you expect the subs to be. Also, keep some air nearby on naval search. Only bother with escorts in transport TFs when you are going in harm's way and want some support against air strikes.

Dave Baranyi

CapAndGown · Post by **CapAndGown** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 9:27 am

From my experience, it does no good to have an ASW TF follow, or even be in the same hex as the TF to be escorted. The sub might attack your ASW group, but I have generally seen the subs attack the APs instead (US subs, that is). I would go ahead and add the escorts directly to the TF to be escorted.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 9:39 am

Thanks Cap. That's the answer I was looking for. and if that is the case, then what is the optimum mix for escorts and transports to keep the subs away? I realize in the beginning no one on either side has the assets, but a month or two into the game there are enough escorts to form a good convoy. But what is the perfect convoy?

Mr.Frag · Post by **Mr.Frag** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 10:38 am

then what is the optimum mix for escorts and transports to keep the subs away

24 DD's per TF if you are Japan and you'll still loose the Transport

Seriously, you want to pre-spot the sub with airpower then send a dedicated group to park on the sub. Even if you do not sink the sub, it will burn out fuel and have to head home.

Mixing stuff into the TF doesn't really help as the sub is still likely to get a shot off and odds are it will be into one of the transports. The DD's can move and react much better without the transports, and are harder to spot so less likely to get pounced by local air power.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 10:47 am

Okay I am getting two suggestions here: 1) add to the transport escort and 2) keep the ASW TF separate. How about some others? I am suggesting to protect a transport TF what is the best method? Add extra escorts to the transport TF( and if so what should be the ratio?) or make up a separate ASW TF to follow the supply TF?

Raverdave · Post by **Raverdave** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 3:12 pm

Keep the ASW DDs with the AK/AP/AO TF....if you sent a ASW TF to follow, it could still be on the "otherside" of the 30 mile hex......and would have to race-like-hell to get over and cover the Transport TF. Well at least that is what I think in theory. Practice also shows that even if one of the transports in a mixed TF gets a torp, the "escorting" DDs will try to detect the sub.....where as a ASW TF following might not for the reasons layed-out above.

Veer · Post by **Veer** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 4:22 pm

3-4 DD's in a Transport TF seem to be a good number. 1-2 have too little chance of finding the sub, and anything above 4 dosn't seem to give you 'that' much of a greater advantage.
Raver is right - a DD TF on follow will not always attack the sub which torped your transports, but the escorts will do something (hopefully).
There is no 'safe' or 'sure' way of protecting your transports. I've found that keeping even 1 DD is better than none, mainly because it seems to disuade the sub from attacking rather than finding and killing it.
Other than that it's just cross your fingers.

I leave ASW to aircraft. Not worth the effort to actually go out and find those subs unless they're sitting in your port and you HAVE to do something about them.

I've found that leaveing subs on computer control leads to best results. As IJN I lose several transports and even got a few holes in capital ships, but I have been able (or at least my escorts have) to sink allied subs - 3 to date (Oct' 42). in my latest game.

derwho · Post by **derwho** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 4:31 pm

My 10c worth.

Using ships to hunt down and kill US subs is a waste of time for the IJN.

USN players are tempted to move their subs in number to the following places:

a) Around Rabaul and Kavieng to intercept TF's to and from Rabaul
b) Around Gili Gili to harass shipping and get some lucky CV or BB intercepts.
c) Around the corridor from Shortlands to Lunga

Do this immediately when you spot a sub within range:

Nells and Bettys supported by Kates and Vals are your best ASW asset as the IJN. Fly your LBA's at 1kft and 100% asw. Fly your Mavises at 10kft and 100% naval search. If you have Mavieses to spare, fly them also at 1kft and 100% ASW. Fly your Val's at 10kft and 100% ASW and fly your Kate's at 1kft and 100% ASW.

Fly all available floatplanes at 1kft and 100% ASW, from bases, not from your AV's or CS's that are docked at port. Not sure if this _actually_ has anything to do with it but I feel that it does.

A PBEM-opponent mine who I don't wish to name-and-shame sent 6 subs to patrol around Rabaul. I had 2*27 Bettys, 2*27 Val's, approx 30 Kates, Mavises and a shitload of floatplanes doing what I just described. A week later four subs provided homes for crabs at the ocean floor and two limped back home.

Use your best assets at this, let your lower EXP airgroups do something else.

You should be getting reports of subs getting hit in a few turns depending on the weather. It is of no real consequence if you sink a sub or not. It's not like you get 100 points for one. They repair forever. A sub in a USN port or in Pearl Harbour at 30% SYS DMG is a sub not harassing you and out of the game for a few months - it's as good as sunk.

If you want to protect a Transport-TF from subs I've noticed this is a good tactic. 3-4 DD's with high ASW rating and 4-5 PG's. A experienced and carefull admiral. Add a AV or CS (or a few if you have them in abundance and you don't do convoy raiding) in the TF flying 100% ASW at 1kft. Move the TF so that you stay clear from the most obvious hexes of attack. Eg, just west of Kavieng, the shallow water hexes between Shortlands and Lunga.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 6:47 pm

Excellent advice from all. Ask and you shall receive:)

dtx · Post by **dtx** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 7:54 pm

As noted, US DDs are much better sub killers than SCs. However, when playing against the AI, many jap subs appear near Nomeau and early in the game, DDs are too valuable to keep back just to attack subs.

Also, the loss of a DD is much more costly in victory point terms than lossing a SC (only 1 pt). Hence, although you'll lose some SCs in attacking subs, it matters little and overall they'll sink more subs than the subs sink of them.

To do this, early in the game, move all SCs to Nomeau. Keep them out of port as much as possible until they attain experience of 55. (despite success in sinking subs, this is likely the maximum experience that they'll ever achieve).

I'm real interested to try Dr. Who's various flt altitude recommendations.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 8:08 pm

i do use my planes on ASW aat 100' and 1000' but Vals at 10000'?I'm going to try it but it seems a little high.

Veer · Post by **Veer** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 9:12 pm

high Altitudes help to spot, low alltiudes help to attack.

Generally I keep all ASW at 1kt and Naval search at 6-10kt.

It helps, but not as much as more planes help.

derwho · Post by **derwho** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 9:42 pm

VALs are divebombers. You need to fly them high enough that they can dive for the attack.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 10:01 pm

Yes, of course, but for spotting does 10k make it a little difficult? And what would be the minimum height required for bomb release? A sub is not the same as a CA so perhaps they would not need the greater height.

crsutton · Post by **crsutton** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 11:00 pm

Vals could and were used for glide bombing so I am not sure if altitude is all that critical but who knows.

Most certainly, use your American PCs often to gain experience. They have those dang mousetrap things and when they work-it's not fun for any Japanese sub. Experience makes the difference.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 11:19 pm

there must have been a ratio of escorts-to-transports that was preferred or most effective. what would that be?

derwho · Post by **derwho** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 1:06 am

My findings for the IJN are that 2*DD 3*PG/PC and 10 AK/AP is usually a good mix. I might add a MSW or maybe even 2 if there is the possibility of mines, but then I'd add one DD and 2 PG/PC for that extra bit of protection.

ASW procedure

ASW procedure

SC use by US