Another naval question

[juntoalmar]

Hi,

I have come to this doubt again, and I'm actually not sure if I asked before, so my apologies if this is a repeating question. Let me explain it with an example.

Let's say Japan has a Task Force in Bay of Bengal covering British movements in the area. Royal Navy has some ships in Ceylon, and some in Calcutta, and want to engage with the Japanese fleet. Let's say Japan has 30 combat factors, and Royal Navy 17 in Ceylon and 17 in Calcutta.

At the moment, British fleets move one after the other. So, although the british will eventually have superiority, the japanese can intercept the first task force (30 to 17) a break havoc (if they are lucky), and afterwards engage the other Task Force (or the both of them if the first stayed at the sea).

Is there a way of avoiding this for the Royal Navy and fight in superiority to japanese fleet?

Still, if we compare it with "real life" it kind of makes sense. If both british fleets were to meet in the Bay of Bengal, and there was a japanese task force already in the area, it could happen they intercept one of the british TF before they join forces.

Thanks in advance,

PS. I think I should end each post in this forum just saying how much I'm enjoying this game. I started a Global War and have learnt how difficult playing the CW can be. Japan has conquered the resources in Hanoi, Malaya, Borneo and Sumatra, and the situation is getting more and more interesting.

[Courtenay]

No, actually, the CW has no problem here. If the other side intercepts your moving units, you have a choice: You can stop your movement, in which case there is no immediate combat, or you can try to keep moving, in which case there is, with your side probably being at a significant disadvantage from surprise.

In this case, since the CW wants to fight in the Bay of Bengal, it makes no difference whether the Japanese player intercepts them or not. No matter what the Japanese player does, the CW player stops the first stack he moves in the Bay of Bengal. Then he moves the other stack to the Bay of Bengal. Again, it makes no difference if the Japanese player intercepts that stack; it stops in the Bay of Bengal and there is no immediate combat.

Then, after all of the Allied naval moves have been done, the CW will be given the chance to fight in the Bay of Bengal, with his whole force. If the CW declines, then the Japanese will be given the same option. However, no matter what, the whole CW force will fight.

[juntoalmar]

Thanks for your answer. What about if both british task forces are moving to Singapore instead of Bengal Bay? Do they still attack together, or can the japanese intercept individually?

[paulderynck]

Individually.

[Joseignacio]

Yes, individually, except if you decide to stay at BoB and stack with the rest.

The combats are resolved after the movement of all units except if you try to force your way to Singapore after being intercepted.

So, if you are intercepted on your way to Singapore and decide to stay in the BoB, you can still stack together with the rest of your units if you want.

IMHO.