Naval matters - Kerch and Baltic Fleet

[Hardradi]

Help!

Is it possible to cross the Straits of Kerch?

I have been stuck at the Straits of Kerch for three turns. There is no enemy opposition directly on the other side, I have tried interdicting the ferry hex (with Recon help). All I have managed is 5 points of interdicting on the mouse pop up. I have tried moving infantry, cavalry and spanners across but they never move to the other side. The Kerch port is not fully repaired, is that the problem?

I also have the Soviet Baltic Fleet sitting outside of Sevastopol. I have interdicted it directly and indirectly with naval patrol air directives. Nothing seems to do any damage. Its CV sits at 2.4. I have used a variety of load outs. There are no torpedoes available. I also have a land unit directly opposite in Sevastopol. Any help is appreciated.

[Kursk1943]

Never happend to me, when I took Kerch the ferry hex flipped over to Axis control and immediately I could cross with whatever unit I wanted. Sounds like a bug, also because Baltic fleet sitting at Sevastopol.

[Hardradi]

I'll put a screenshot up. The ferry hex definitely says Soviet controlled and is coloured red/brown denoting enemy control.

I am playing Destruction of the SouthWestern front. Was you game the Grand Campaign 41?

[loki100]

the fleet is taking damage just the effect (from your pov) is binary, its there or its sunk. It will sink when it reaches 99 damage.

the rules on ferry hex control are a bit complex so worth a double check. Remember there is a specialist GA-ferry mission for this, conventional interdiction or naval patrol doesn't really help.

The point is you can't stay stacked on a ferry hex, you have to cross. So if you lack the MP to complete the move then it can't be done

[carlkay58]

It depends on the weather and the MP cost. If there is any bad weather of any kind an infantry unit will not have the MPs to pay the cost of using the ferry. Use a mech unit with over 40 MPs and you should be able to cross the straits.

[Hardradi]

EDIT: I appreciate the assistance provided. Thanks

Its not working. Weather is good. I have a 15MP cavalry brigade right there. Previously I had Panzer Regiments with 30+ movement points. It made no difference. This turn I went all in on Ground Attack - Ferry, still says the Soviets have control of the hex. No Soviet air force around, no Soviet units directly blocking the straits. Still cant move across.

I was easily able to get across to the Baltic Archipelago in the RtL scenario.

ORIGINAL: loki100
the fleet is taking damage just the effect (from your pov) is binary, its there or its sunk. It will sink when it reaches 99 damage.

I can see a reduction in the CV now, so it seems to be getting beaten down.

[carlkay58]

Try Naval Patrol over the straits. You may be having problems with the hex ownership - you need +2 interdiction value over your enemy's rating to own the hex. Other than that I really don't know.

[loki100]

I find in practice (both here and in WiTW) the application of the ferry control rules complex.

I've reprinted the relevant section below but there is a core rule of who controls the bulk of the adjacent hexes - and here geography favours the Soviets as they usually have 2, but controlling Kerch means it should tie at 2-2

its then determined by interdiction or relative adjoining cv.

since the ferry hex has a net Axis interdiction, I'd say it should be axis controlled. The only undocumented extra rule I can think of is that control changes in the logistics phase not in the action phase where the interdiction is generated?



edit, the other possibility is if Kerch is damaged, it doesn't meet the level 1 criteria, if so what is shown is right, the Soviets win on the 'hexes adjacent' part of the test.

[Hardradi]

Thanks fellas.

Loki, yes the Kerch port is not fully repaired yet. Hopefully I get a chance to test this out.

[Hardradi]

Yes, once Kerch was fully repaired, I gained immediate control of the straits (I also have the highest CV).

For some reason there is no interdiction from either side showing in the ferry hex.