Local mine sweeping

[tverse]

Is it necessary to set a patrol zone for local mine sweeping? Or is it enough to establish the task force?

[dasboot1960]

I so far have only targeted 'known or suspected' mine hexes. Is a patrol zone available on a minesweeping mission?

[tverse]

Yes you can’t set it just like ASW patrol etc.

[BBfanboy]

Minesweepers do not have to be on patrol, but IME they do have to be in a TF. Some players have stated they are certain that disbanded minesweepers will automatically sweep any mines dropped at the base, but I have not seen/noticed that.
My preference is to set the minesweepers in a patrol so they gain experience faster (up to the national limit for non-combat experience for that type of vessel).

One problem I did have - I sent an TF of AMc's along with a bombardment TF but wanted the bombardment to happen first and the AMc's to sweep the next day. Both TFs stopped at the hex next to the target and I set the AMc's to "remain on station" while I sent the BBTF to go in and smash the target. The BBTF DDs detected mines and swept a couple but then the AMc's reacted to the known mines and began sweeping during the day phase! The enemy shore guns beat them up pretty bad. Had they gone in next night I am sure they would not have taken so many hits.

[tverse]

How do set the sweepers to night operations? I know how to set patrol but not sure how to set up for night operations.

[geofflambert]

Mine sweepers typically patrol at night, the question should be how do you get them to do so in the daylight? The answer is you don't, the commander you pick to lead, or the commander that was assigned and you don't override makes those decisions.

[bradfordkay]

I've been supplementing my west coast USA/Canada ASW efforts with local minesweeping TFs set to patrol. These are small craft with some ASW capability but cannot be placed in ASW TFs. Since I rarely find mines in the west coast ports but often do encounter subs off the coast near those ports, these local minesweeping TFs help keep those subs occupied - and thus less likely to attack important TFs

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: bradfordkay

I've been supplementing my west coast USA/Canada ASW efforts with local minesweeping TFs set to patrol. These are small craft with some ASW capability but cannot be placed in ASW TFs. Since I rarely find mines in the west coast ports but often do encounter subs off the coast near those ports, these local minesweeping TFs help keep those subs occupied - and thus less likely to attack important TFs

Good point, and the mere detection of these subs greatly reduces their chances of ambushing any ships.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: tverse

How do set the sweepers to night operations? I know how to set patrol but not sure how to set up for night operations.

Read s.3.0 of the manual.

Alfred

[rustysi]

Some players have stated they are certain that disbanded minesweepers will automatically sweep any mines dropped at the base, but I have not seen/noticed that.

I have seen this work. AMc's disbanded in a friendly port will and do form TF's within the turn to sweep its own base.

ne problem I did have - I sent an TF of AMc's along with a bombardment TF but wanted the bombardment to happen first and the AMc's to sweep the next day. Both TFs stopped at the hex next to the target and I set the AMc's to "remain on station" while I sent the BBTF to go in and smash the target. The BBTF DDs detected mines and swept a couple but then the AMc's reacted to the known mines and began sweeping during the day phase! The enemy shore guns beat them up pretty bad. Had they gone in next night I am sure they would not have taken so many hits.

As for bombardment TF's hitting mines at a base, not that I've noticed. If you wish to sweep a base you are invading I suggest you embed your MS with the invasion TF. Of course its always best to 'properly prepare' the invasion site with air and naval bombardments. In addition you need to have some 'Heavies' in the invasion TF as well to fend off any CD guns.

[BBfanboy]

I should have mentioned that I did have DMS embedded with the bombardment TF, it's just that the AMc react got them in there first!