ORIGINAL: Cheesesteak
ORIGINAL: HansBolter
How far does your laziness and disorganization extend with regard to all of the various things that need to be set in motion at the game start?
Are you aware of the need to examine every last xAK in every last port on the map to identify the ones that can convert to other, every important ship types, before getting them caught up in supply TFs?
Are you aware of the need to get every last xAK that you don't set to convert headed toward major supply/troop hubs?
The Allies merchant marine starts the game scattered to the four winds and getting them moving toward important hubs is a first turn must.
You stated you have played several PBEM games so I assume you have picked up already on some of these important points.
Let me know when I'm rehashing basics you have already learned.
The level of allied disorganization is astounding. I referred to laziness partly in jest, partly as an operational necessity. Hopefully Aaffins and I, when our powers of patience combine, can get right-sized TFs running with like-minded ships in good order. While clicking through pilot pools will forever frustrate me, seeing forward operating bases swollen with tons of supply brings irrational amounts of satisfaction.
As an imperfect rule, I try to slightly increase supply and fuel at bases like Colombo and PH through early-42, while pushing as much forward as possible. Too early to gauge when the Scen 2 hammer will fall, but never too early to get shipping in motion.
Side note, Turning off the 500 HI at Sydney may be viewed as gamey, but likely the only feasible way to avoid turning Hobart or Auckland into the SoPac shipping hub.
Admittedly, my conversion knowledge is poor to non-existent. Conversions should be done (the first that comes to mind is Clemson class to APD), but in terms of xAK -> support classes, my knowledge is abysmal. It's those type of plays (among others) that separate me from the more skilled members of this forum! [&o]
I turn my Lassen class xAKs into AEs ASAP. They have 5400 capacity when converted and can arm the Iowa class BBs. They are also fairly fast. But underway ammo replenishment is not available until 1945 (not positive of date) so I keep these AEs in fairly safe places, well protected by sub nets and air cover. To fill the gap there is a fairly numerous class of xAK that is about 5250 tons that converts to AKEs of 4200 tons capacity. These will arm most all Allied BBs and can be risked in forward bases.
One of the shortages I find in the early game is xAPs small enough to dock at level 1&2 ports and still carry enough supply to support the unit being landed. So I convert a lot of the British 3900 ton capacity xAKs into xAPs of 1000/2200 tons. Very handy. There are also some British xAKs of over 5000 tons that convert to xAPs of 1300/1850 capacity. On the US side, the 14 Kt. xAPs of around 4400 tons convert to xAPs of 1660/2000? tons.
Depending on your proclivity for mining your own ports, there are a few ships that can convert to ACMs to maintain the minefields. I think the 2600 nm range YPs can convert, and a couple of the Dutch PGs or PCs.
Don't convert your big US subs (Argonaut, Narwhal and Nautilus) to cargo subs until you have used them as minelayers. IIRC they are the only ones who can lay one type of mine that is available at game start but gets discontinued almost immediately. Just use up the pool available and then convert the subs to carry supply to cut-off garrisons or even paratroops for invasion of lightly defended bases.
Some of the small vessels that arrive have no ASW capability but can convert to a type that does have it. I tend to do the conversions early on because there are just too damn few escort vessels available. Once the Japanese sub threat has been dealt with or more capable ASW ships are available, these small vessels can usually be converted back.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
; Julia Child
