Convoys & Logistics

[Palm Dogg]

So I'm just starting my first Grand Campaign -- I've done all the smaller scenarios for AE / WITP / UV, but this is my first whack at the big one. The main question I have are logistics and convoys: first, is auto-convoy worth doing? If so should I just dump most of my cargo ships in those ports and let the computer run it, or keep the ships spread out in smaller like they are on turn one? Do the Japanese and American 'home bases' move supplies between themselves overland, or does it all have to be done by sea?

Second (related), I tend to do hub-and-spoke transportation for my units, where all my guys get shuttled through one or two ports where I keep all my personnel transport, but does anyone do 'direct transport' between the various bases? It seems like it takes a while to get proper AK / AP ships there.

[btd64]

See your other post....GP

[LeeChard]

I only use auto-convoy when the path to the base is in my control.
Keep in mind that at no point in the game will any route be completely without risk.
I'm in the late fall of '43 in my game and the only bases I have on auto are the small islands in the south-east Pacific
In the early part of the game no base is safe.

[wegman58]

Can you use auto convoy for East Coast/Canada/UK to Capetown/Panama Canal/Falklands/Aden (after the Med opens up)?

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: wegman58

Can you use auto convoy for East Coast/Canada/UK to Capetown/Panama Canal/Falklands/Aden (after the Med opens up)?

That's a good question and I don't know. The auto-convoy management screen shows for each base which AC homeport services it. I have never looked to see if the off-map bases even have AC capability. I suspect not.

But that's theoretical. In reality none of the off-map bases would probably ever be low enough on supply and fuel to trigger an Automatic convoy. Those bases are prime candidates for CS TF runs. They're big and spoilage isn't a concern. And they want to be hub bases for you. AC delivers small shots of operational supply and fuel. It stops once the base demand level is met.

[Lokasenna]

You can definitely do CS convoys from one off map base to another. I've done it. Don't know why you'd want to auto convoy, though - the bases won't get low enough to trigger the convoy, in most cases, and it would take so long to get there that I don't see why you'd want to.

[wegman58]

Ah. Haven't used auto convoys or CS convoys yet and didn't realize the difference. I don't trust the enemy to leave the routes alone.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

You can definitely do CS convoys from one off map base to another. I've done it. Don't know why you'd want to auto convoy, though - the bases won't get low enough to trigger the convoy, in most cases, and it would take so long to get there that I don't see why you'd want to.

I checked after I posted and you can't AC off-map. The selection is greyed out.

And what you said about want to.

[btd64]

CS works fine of map. Nope, no AC though....GP