ASW Task Forces

[takacssteve]

Which option provides better protection for Allied ships: ASW ships in the escorted TF or ASW ships in a separate TF following the escorted TF at range 0? Allied ASW ship availability is limited.

[AW1Steve]

I'd say neither. I always have high value task forces Follow an ASW group. You get an early attack ,, then can avoid the subs location.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

I'd say neither. I always have high value task forces Follow an ASW group. You get an early attack ,, then can avoid the subs location.

I agree with that, and I think some people have said that the TF # of the ASW TF needs to be lower than the escorted TF to ensure it gets first chance at combat.

[AW1Steve]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

I'd say neither. I always have high value task forces Follow an ASW group. You get an early attack ,, then can avoid the subs location.

I agree with that, and I think some people have said that the TF # of the ASW TF needs to be lower than the escorted TF to ensure it gets first chance at combat.

Actually when I said following, I meant like 3 hexs. That way the ASW TF runs over the sub. It doesn't really matter if you sink the sub (it's nice) but what's really important is keeping the sub from sinking your high value assets.

[takacssteve]

We're playing with 4-Players. We allowed the Japanese to change their submarine doctrine. Big mistake; they sink everything the subs contact! We (Allies) have tried to convoy as much as possible using ASW TFs following these Cargo TFs, but they still get 'em!

[paradigmblue]

ORIGINAL: S Lee T

We're playing with 4-Players. We allowed the Japanese to change their submarine doctrine. Big mistake; they sink everything the subs contact! We (Allies) have tried to convoy as much as possible using ASW TFs following these Cargo TFs, but they still get 'em!

You have ASW ships embedded with the cargo TFs as well, correct?

[Alpha77]

Vs. the AI (to be really safe) I would use 2-3 ASW ships then the high value fleet following 1 hex after it, the hv fleet has some asw ships too ofc. Also even better is an CVE, CVL or CS put planes on asw patrol But not let the asw ships follow the hv fleet why do you do this OP?

[takacssteve]

But not let the asw ships follow the hv fleet why do you do this OP?

Is "OP" operation? If so that was my initial question: better to use ASW ships embedded or as a separate TF.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: S Lee T

We're playing with 4-Players. We allowed the Japanese to change their submarine doctrine. Big mistake; they sink everything the subs contact! We (Allies) have tried to convoy as much as possible using ASW TFs following these Cargo TFs, but they still get 'em!

What does "allowed the Japanese to change their submarine doctrine" mean?

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

Actually when I said following, I meant like 3 hexs. That way the ASW TF runs over the sub. It doesn't really matter if you sink the sub (it's nice) but what's really important is keeping the sub from sinking your high value assets.

Your method can lead to loss of a lot of ASW ships from air attack though.

[takacssteve]

What does "allowed the Japanese to change their submarine doctrine" mean?

At the game setup there is a toggle switch: On/Off which changes the Japanese submarine doctrine. Either Historical (attack Naval ships only) or Alternative (attack either Naval or Transport/Cargo ships).

Once the game is begun, there is no changing this switch.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: S Lee T

What does "allowed the Japanese to change their submarine doctrine" mean?

At the game setup there is a toggle switch: On/Off which changes the Japanese submarine doctrine. Either Historical (attack Naval ships only) or Alternative (attack either Naval or Transport/Cargo ships).

Once the game is begun, there is no changing this switch.

That switch only existed in the original War in the Pacific. It was taken out of AE. You're in the AE forum.

[AW1Steve]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

Actually when I said following, I meant like 3 hexs. That way the ASW TF runs over the sub. It doesn't really matter if you sink the sub (it's nice) but what's really important is keeping the sub from sinking your high value assets.

Your method can lead to loss of a lot of ASW ships from air attack though.

Yeah. Of course. No body said about running convoys through the hearth of a air intense zone. I was talking about open ocean. And if you do happen to run afowl of the KB , would you rather lose 3 DD's or a massive formation of high value ships? Plus of course DDs are the toughest ships to hit , by planes or subs. It's all about "risk management" Moose. There are no perfect answers. You always need to adjust to the threat. The threat , as I understood it, was subs laying in ambush. If It were planes maybe I'd throw in a couple of AAA cruisers. More likely I'd take a different path.

[rustysi]

That switch only existed in the original War in the Pacific. It was taken out of AE. You're in the AE forum.

Thanks Moose, exactly what I thought when I read the post.