Need a refresher course on some basic stuff

[Swayin]

Many of my training squadrons in the US, Canada, and Oz are filled with pilots but don't have enough planes. Do all the pilots in the squadron gain skills as quickly in this situation, or do they each need a plane to gain skill?

[btd64]

The fewer planes those squadrons have the slower they will train....GP

[WEXF]

I generally limit the number of pilots in a training squadron to 2 more than the number of planes.
Having a large excess slows things down.
WEXF

[Nomad]

I always fill the pilots slots to the maximum, 133%. remember you can downgrade the aircraft to obsolete versions.

[Swayin]

Are ASW patrols better at prosecuting sighted subs than searches or naval attack missions?

[WEXF]

Are ASW patrols better at prosecuting sighted subs than searches or naval attack missions?

ASW missions can only be flown at 50% of normal range while search missions can be at longer ranges. The key is the ASW/Search experience of the pilots. If the ASW experience is low there is little chance that attacks will take place. Search missions will also tend to prevent subs from attacking.
WEXF

[JanSako]

Naval attack missions do not fly against subs.
Only ASW or Nav Search has 'a chance' to engage a sub.

[BBfanboy]

Naval attack missions do not fly against subs.
Only ASW or Nav Search has 'a chance' to engage a sub.

Or a port attack against subs disbanded in port ...

[JanSako]

For sure, it is always a pleasant surprise to 'find' one of those!

[Swayin]

Is a ground attack by carrier air (or LBA) the best way to soften up the fearsome coastal arty on some islands?

[Nomad]

I don't think so, use Naval Bombardment missions using BBs and escorts set to NOT bombard.

You can use LBA to hit the airfield and ports. That will help reduce supply, but make sure there is no back door for supply input.

[WEXF]

All attacks on the islands will help. A big payoff is to destroy the supplies on the island as that will eventually make the coastal guns less effective. It takes a lot of bombing to really make a difference. Lots of planes over an extended period is what has a chance to help.
Of course the best approach is bombardment of the island with heavy guns from BB/CA. It may cause some hits to be had from the guns but war is hell!!!
WEXF

[Nomad]

And also, if the island is an atoll, then LBA attacks against ground troops can be useful. But not those islands that have jungle or rough terrain.

[Swayin]

Anybody know what does the "stockpile yes/no" option does on the base screen?

[Uncivil Engineer]

Anybody know what does the "stockpile yes/no" option does on the base screen?

Stockpile yes will not allow supplies, fuel, oil, or resources to flow to other bases. Stockpile no is the default position.

[Swayin]

Thank you! So a good setting for island bases?

[WEXF]

It allows you to create a stockpile of the particular item in that base. Usually not a great idea, but it can be used in certain cases to advantage. For example, if you set Oosterhaven for a stockpile of oil, you will notice the amount of oil there increasing each turn. It likely came from Palembang.
If you have the stockpile option activated the item will not flow to other bases the same way they would otherwise.
WEXF

[Swayin]

You guys are all awesome, thank you for your help. Next: what determines whether or not a base offers drop tanks to its planes? There must be more to it than just supply, right?

[btd64]

You guys are all awesome, thank you for your help. Next: what determines whether or not a base offers drop tanks to its planes? There must be more to it than just supply, right?

Yes, the calendar. You can change it in the editor but some aircraft like the F4F4 don't get drop tanks until October 42....GP

[Uncivil Engineer]

Thank you! So a good setting for island bases?

Huh? Why would you stockpile on an island? Stuff doesn't flow off the island. If it's a large island, like Hokkaido, resources and supply will move around, but not off the island. I stockpile fuel at the HI producing bases on Hokkaido to help ensure they have fuel to make HI and it doesn't move away to fuel transports.