CaptBeefheart wrote: Mon Nov 21, 2022 1:22 am
Truk is a tough nut to crack. Any idea of what is there now?
If the force level there is similar to stock, you'll want to embed slow BBs in each Amphib TF to absorb shore fire. You'll want to have ARs hanging out at Kusaie (sp?) or Ponape to help fix the massive system damage those BBs and other ships will receive. Some ARDs nearby wouldn't hurt either, as well as plenty of AEs and AKEs for rearming, and ADs to put torps on DDs.
There are a couple of AARs that feature Truk invasions which would be instructive if you can find them. In general, you'll want a low ratio of troops to ship capacity so they unload quickly, extra Amphib TFs with ships only holding supply (such as LSTs) since you should be going in overstacked, and do plenty of bombardment missions in advance. In my experience shore batteries don't normally do a lot of damage to bombarding ships, but SYS damage can accumulate. I tend to like using CL TFs for shore bombardment as they are easy to rearm and more expendable than BBs.
Regarding the surface TFs, there's a thread somewhere on that. I believe it was CRsutton who stated that surface TFs work best when the primary vessels have the same caliber. For instance, 8-inch CAs will have a greater range than 6-inch CLs, thus in a mixed TF the firing may be over even before the CLs get to fire. Same with BBs mixed with cruisers. I tend to like 3 or 4x[BB, CA or CL] and 4 to 6xDD for my surface TFs. I think if the TFs are much bigger not every ship will necessarily get involved. More TFs hammering the enemy may result in them being out of ammo when your last TF comes into play.
EDIT: Back in 1998 I did a five-day live aboard dive trip at Chu'uk lagoon (i.e. Truk). I recall diving 11 different vessels, including mostly AKs, an AS (torpedoes and spare periscopes were cool) and an AKE with a lot of 18.1 in. rounds. It's hard to believe it was 24 years ago. It's a fantastic trip if anyone on this forum is a diver.
Cheers,
CB
Truk is always a tough invasion. Right now I have prepped 100% for Truk
1 USMC Division
3 USA Divisions
2 NZ Brigades
6 USA Tank Bn
1 USA Tank Destroyer Bn
NZ 1st Tank Bde
6 USA Art Rgts with 24 x 155mm guns
2 USMC ART Bn
2 x USA Combat Engineer Regiments
III US Corps HQ
I have enough assault shipping to land all of it in one day using nothing but APA, AKA, LSD, LST ships
I will be landing about 82,000 stacking units in that one day. That should be enough to take the island
in a few days. In round numbers I will have about 46 APA, 16 AKA, 3 LSD, and 65 LST ships available, along
with 30 LCIs. I have so many assault shipping ships, that I will have to split it up into 2 TFs.
For support I have 9 prewar BBs, a number of CAs and CLs, 25 or so AMs, etc. At this point I expect I will use
two amphibious TFs landing at the same time. What I am not sure about is whether I will put together a Bombardment
TF or 3 or not. I might want to just embed the BBs into the amphibious TFs.
I expect him to have lots of stuff to oppose me. There will be mines, CDs, etc. But he can only put
60,000 stacking on the base and he will need some for base forces and maybe AA.
Surface Combat TFs will start with the 4 New Jersey BBs I have and also one or two around my New Orleans CAs.
Brooklyn CLs are available and they pack a punch. And I do have a number of Fletcher DDs available also.
So, I expect mines, CD guns, level 9 forts, and a lot of units. I hope to have more and to land at least 75,000 supply, all
in at most 2 days. I do not want to stick around for long.
I do have a number of AEs, AKEs, a 2-3 ARs at Ponape and I hope to have an ARD there by the time I go. I have Rabaul
with a size 7 port and an ARD.
I am getting 205 P-47D25s per month now and they can fly from Ponape to Truk with drop tanks within normal range. I will use
some to sweep Truk and then use heavy bombers to bomb, both at night and in the day.
