Extending Carrier Operations

[corona]

As a first timer having dived right in to the campaign, I've made a ton of mistakes and had some agonizing defeats. The Japanese have managed to make a lot of headway in the Bismarck Arch. taking over a number of bases there including Rabaul, Gasmata and assorted others. Despite the fact that the war in the far south isn't exactly going my way, I almost jumped out of my chair when my 3 CV task force entered the area and proceeded to sink just about everything in sight (15 assorted transports, 3 DD's, 1 CA and 1 BB). After enduring flight after flight of Hudsons, Blenheims, Wirraway's and even B-17's that seem to score very few hits on target, Dauntlesses and Devastators that never miss was sooooo gratifying. Unfortunately, it only took 4 turns for my CV's to run out of supplies. Pago Pago and Darwin are close, but it's still more than a week before any of my CV's could get back on station.

So, anyone have any advice for the best use of replenishment TF's? Placing supply/fuel transports within the Air Combat TF would negate the speed advantage right? Will having a transport loaded with supply perform replenishment refill a CV's 'max sorties'?

Any help appreciated.

[2ndACR]

Need some more info.

What scenario?
What is the date?

If it is early into scenario 15, my advice to an allied player is run away. You do not try and engage the IJN carriers in standup fight.

In WITP, you need to think ahead of your operations. You want a good size port close by size 3 or more. This will help with emergency repairs. Make sure the base you pick has about 30,000 or more each of supply and fuel. If it does not, ship it in ahead of time or ASAP.

You can create a replenishment TF if you wish. You need to form them seperate at first.
1 TF for fuel. 1 TF for AE. then merge them together.

But I play as the IJN so I always have to run for port to resupply.

[ShadowB]

You could use transport subs or regular transports with some escorts. The latter one is more risky, but the cargo capacity is greater. Sorry if I'm wrong in any way, I'm just a newb. [&o]

[kayjay]

You cannot UNREP any 'ammo' type stuff (you must be in a port, with 'supplies') until 1945 when you can use AEs for this. It is buried in the manual somewhere. You can set up a 'REPLENISHMENT' TF (2 AO and a few escorts) and give them an order to follow your CV TG. Then to gas up just get both TF in the same hex and give the replenish command.

Kevin

[tsimmonds]

ORIGINAL: kkelley

You cannot UNREP any 'ammo' type stuff (you must be in a port, with 'supplies') until 1945 when you can use AEs for this. It is buried in the manual somewhere. You can set up a 'REPLENISHMENT' TF (2 AO and a few escorts) and give them an order to follow your CV TG. Then to gas up just get both TF in the same hex and give the replenish command.

Kevin

You can always park the AE's in a handy atoll, as was done IRL at Ulithi and Majuro. Instant port for replenishment.

[corona]

So in order to replenish supplies to refill the max sorties I must use AE's? Is that the only type of ship that can replenish CV supplies?