Question regarding pre-invasion naval bombardment

[Supreme 2.0]

Hi there, long time lurker here. I'm playing the GC scenario as allies and have the invasion of Makin and Tarawa coming up (it's Nov 43 in my game). I pretend to have pretty okay knowledge when it comes to gameplay and mechanics but I I was wondering what kind of TF arrangment will yield better results during shore bombardment.

There are two options here:

1.) Create a separate bombardement TF that is set to follow my invasion force and will manually be ordered to bombard the assigned target once my ships are one or so turn away.
2.) Put all vessel meant as bombardment ships in the same amphibious task force as the invasion transports to provide fire support and to make sure the actual bombardment happens the same day as the assault.

Again, my question is what of the above arrangements will deal more damage to the defender on the atoll. Until now I was under the impression that bombardment TF deal more damage than escort ships providing cover-fire in amphibious TF but honestly that might just be my imagination.

I'm sure some of you can shed a bit more light on the subject as you always do Cheers!

[Admiral DadMan]

Yea, you will want to do both things. Also remember to set the Bombardment TF to Remain on Station to help with AAA and fire support.

[BBfanboy]

A single bombardment before landing will not likely suppress the enemy all that much. A bombardment campaign of several weeks is much better - increasing fatigue and disruption before they get a chance to recover will eventually cause disablement and destruction of squads or devices. And if you get enough supply hits you can further degrade the enemy capabilities.

If you are NOT able to mount a bombardment campaign (air, naval or both), then embedded warships are most necessary to help suppress beach fire and take on coastal defence guns. This is preferable to a single bombardment TF. I usually split my bombardment capable ships because they will use up their ammo in a day. Half will embed and bombard on the day of the landing and then be swapped out with the other half for the second day of unloading. Bombardment capable ships may be short of their main gun ammo after bombarding but they can still provide AA cover for the Amphibs or an AGC if you have one.

Note that I assume you also have a SCTF available to deal with raiding enemy warships.
Also note that TFs do not reinforce each other's AAA in the 40 nm hex - they only protect their own TF. Extra TFs can sometimes attract enemy attacks away from the most vulnerable ships, but the code is written for the Naval Attack planes to go after carriers and transports as a priority.

[Platoonist]

One other advantage of having BBs and CAs embedded in you amphibious fleet is they tend to draw enemy fire unto themselves and away from your troop transports and landing craft, particularly if the invasion site has a lot of artillery defending it.

[Vici Supreme]

Hi, this is my actual account. Seems like I messed up and created a new account instead of logging into my old one...

Thanks for your answers. As for pre-invasion bombardment, I'm sending daily B-24 raids from Baker and the Ellice Islands to soften up the defences but haven't yet ventured with any surface vessels into the Gilberts. For the later invasion of Kwajalein I plan to bring an AGC with an embarked Amphib Force HQ.

I I usually split my bombardment capable ships because they will use up their ammo in a day. Half will embed and bombard on the day of the landing and then be swapped out with the other half for the second day of unloading.

This is something I haven't thought about or seen before but I like this concept. Will implement this for the upcoming landings. Thanks