How Should One Use PT Boats?

[yamaslob]

I don't understand how to use my PT's and what their role was/is? Can someone explain the correct way to deploy them and what kind of patrol they should be making? How many in a TF? etc...


TIA

Yamaslob

ps...friends don't let friends ride Honda's

[Odin]

hm, you could use them for attacking transport TF when the enemy base is close, such as the area around Guadalcanal...and perhaps use them defensively for guarding endangered harbours.

Once in PacWar i had some TF of them at Rabaul and the japanese Navy attacked with battleships during night, Yamato was hit very heavy and the whole attack was repulsed.[:D]

[yamaslob]

So should I sit them in suspected hexes and wait for an opportunity, patrol with then or move them into base hexes? also , what are good orders for them to have? i.e. ...retreat/react

[Subchaser]

They’re very effective as harbor guards, I usually use surface combat TF with 23 boats and 2 destroyers (DD must be equipped with radar), commander should be ‘very aggressive’ and should have moderate ratings, enough to get acceptable results and not too high so you won’t be sorry if he will be killed. Orders must be ‘react to enemy’. This is not historical TF composition, but it works very well, DDs play role of radar picket and take most of the enemy fire in combat, while enemy is trying to knock down your DDs PT-boats attack enemy with torps and usually get a couple of really good shots. You can defeat very powerful enemy bombardment group, sink a couple of cruiser or even battleships at the cost of 2 DD and 5-10 PT-boats maximum.

[yamaslob]

thank you both for the quick replies. I really want to learn this game but have many questions. It is people like you that help advance this hobby.


Yamaslob

[52nd Lowland]

ORIGINAL: yamaslob

I don't understand how to use my PT's and what their role was/is? Can someone explain the correct way to deploy them and what kind of patrol they should be making? How many in a TF? etc...


TIA

Yamaslob

ps...friends don't let friends ride Honda's

I often wondered about the PTs in UV,they never seemed to attack with torpedos.

[The Gnome]

ORIGINAL: Subchaser

They’re very effective as harbor guards, I usually use surface combat TF with 23 boats and 2 destroyers (DD must be equipped with radar), commander should be ‘very aggressive’ and should have moderate ratings, enough to get acceptable results and not too high so you won’t be sorry if he will be killed. Orders must be ‘react to enemy’. This is not historical TF composition, but it works very well, DDs play role of radar picket and take most of the enemy fire in combat, while enemy is trying to knock down your DDs PT-boats attack enemy with torps and usually get a couple of really good shots. You can defeat very powerful enemy bombardment group, sink a couple of cruiser or even battleships at the cost of 2 DD and 5-10 PT-boats maximum.

Excellent group choice there.... I didn't think of throwing in a destroyer as a leader but that's a great idea I'll have to steal!

[Xargun]

I think Rob used them in a good manner in our PBEM game. I have a landing force at Lingayen which isn't going anywhere soon, so he sent a half dozen PTs to say hi. I sunk 5 of them, but they managed to put 2 torps in my ships. I think he has a bunch more on the way as there are lots of small TFs all over NW PI.

Xargun

[Mr.Frag]

I think Rob used them in a good manner in our PBEM game. I have a landing force at Lingayen which isn't going anywhere soon, so he sent a half dozen PTs to say hi. I sunk 5 of them, but they managed to put 2 torps in my ships. I think he has a bunch more on the way as there are lots of small TFs all over NW PI.

Yep, You actually don't have to do anything except have them at a base. They automatically get sent out to attack whatever shows up. One of the million nice little rules that make WitP Heaven on Earth [;)]

[pad152]

I always like to use PT's as part of a layered defence, mines, CD units and PT's. If you take a location that you know the enemy will attack or try to retake.

[Alikchi2]

Sorry, I'm a complete droofus.. but. Didn't the Japanese have a PT boat equivalent? If so, is it in the game?

I may be mistaken.

[IronDuke_slith]

On the other side of this debate, what's the best way to deal with them? I sometimes find Destroyer groups can do the trick, but it's a bit of a risk when they are so small and numerous, and I wouldn't risk CAs or higher. Anyone got any better moves?

Cheers,
IronDuke

[kaleun]

Yes destroyers are the only answer AFAIK. The original name for the class was Torpedo Boat Destroyers. Probably DEs will do the job quite well.

[Mike Scholl]

ORIGINAL: Alikchi

Sorry, I'm a complete droofus.. but. Didn't the Japanese have a PT boat equivalent? If so, is it in the game?
I may be mistaken.

They had patrol craft, but not Motor Torpedo Boats in the sense of the American "PT's",
British "MTB's" or the German "S" boats. Had they played this game, they would have
built them..., they are WAY over-valued as ship killing assets in WITP. In the real war
they were usefull as anti-barge vessels and for ASW patrols near forward bases..., but
as ship-killers they were a colorfull failure.

[kaleun]

Didn't they succeed in the southern fork of the battle of Savo. IIRC they did quite a bit of damage to the southern japanese force?

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Mike Scholl

They had patrol craft, but not Motor Torpedo Boats in the sense of the American "PT's",
British "MTB's" or the German "S" boats. Had they played this game, they would have
built them..., they are WAY over-valued as ship killing assets in WITP. In the real war
they were usefull as anti-barge vessels and for ASW patrols near forward bases..., but
as ship-killers they were a colorfull failure.

I think their major problem is the crappy Allied torpedo. Like I posted before I had a torp hit my cruiser and a AP causing minimal damage (like 10 sys). I'm just glad those weren't Japanese type 93s. The AP would probably be crippled (if not sunk) and the cruiser would be limping home for repairs. They are a useful platform, just equipped with a worthless weapon.

Xargun

[Mike Scholl]

ORIGINAL: kaleun

Didn't they succeed in the southern fork of the battle of Savo. IIRC they did quite a bit of damage to the southern japanese force?

Nope. Weren't any of them involved at SAVO ISLAND at all..., just Cruisers and Destroyers.

[Mr.Frag]

They are a useful platform, just equipped with a worthless weapon.

You will learn to love US subs too for the very same reason. [:D]

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Mr.Frag

They are a useful platform, just equipped with a worthless weapon.

You will learn to love US subs too for the very same reason. [:D]

Only had 1 run in with an Allied sub... Damn Dutch boat I think.. It hit an AK, but didn't sink it.

Xargun

[UndercoverNotChickenSalad]

How Should One Use PT Boats?

Well if you're a senator's kid, park her in front of a Jap destroyer, take her out of gear, save whatever's left of your crew after she's plowed.

You'll be hailed as a hero ! [&o]