Tactical Question

[Gargoyle]

Situation was: I'm WA in SP42. I had control of N. Africa, Sicily and Sardinia. My navy controlled Central Med. I had enough land, air and transport to do sizable attack on S. Italy. Italian Navy was sitting in port in S. Italy.

So I begin an Amph Assault on S. Italy. The Italian Navy Op Fires from Port! Mess up entire landing.

So how do I deal with that bottled up Navy? I cannot mass a large air attack, and a small one is not going to do enough. Can I sail my navy into Adriatic to face them? Will they just stay in port, impervious to surface attack?

Basically I am asking if Surface fleets can challenge fleets in port. And if not, would a fleet in the same area suppress their Op fire on an Amph Assault? If neither, then is my only option a Mass Air raid on the port?

[carnifex]

The only OpFire during invasions is coming from an Artillery unit (see section 8.5.4), not the fleets. You might want to send an air strike right before the invasion to eliminate it, although it could be costly if there is sufficient AA fire.

What you are referring to is regular defensive fire from the Italian fleets. It sounds like you attempted the landing without any naval support, which was a grave mistake. Next time, stack your entire available navy next to the invasion zone and answer 'yes' to the 'do you wish to have fleets bombard' pop-up.

You can send in your air assets to perform a port strike beforehand, although unless you have clear air superiority and upgraded airframes you will probably take significant losses.

[Gargoyle]

Okay, that makes sense. The Op-fire knocked down 3 infantry units. If it were the Navy, it would probably done a lot more. And I didn't take into account that the Navy in port would be part of the normal defense of the area once the battle started. Doh. So the defense was stronger then just the ground and air in the area. I don't use the combat screen and I didn't think of looking at the Combat summary.

Thanks, in my current game the German's are defending N. Africa, and it will be later in the game to begin those landings. I just wanted to be prepared in advance.

[carnifex]

Also, if you check out the amphibious invasion rules, you will see that each successive OpFire shot from an Artillery unit is less and less effective. Therefore, land your cheapest and least effective units first.

[MarcelJV]

Better yet do a para drop as the first unit into battle as then the first artillery shot is -4 right from the start.[8D]

ORIGINAL: carnifex

Also, if you check out the amphibious invasion rules, you will see that each successive OpFire shot from an Artillery unit is less and less effective. Therefore, land your cheapest and least effective units first.

[Gargoyle]

ORIGINAL: carnifex

Also, if you check out the amphibious invasion rules, you will see that each successive OpFire shot from an Artillery unit is less and less effective. Therefore, land your cheapest and least effective units first.

ORIGINAL: MarcelJV

Better yet do a para drop as the first unit into battle as then the first artillery shot is -4 right from the start.[8D]

These replies all help, thanks. carnifex's tip would help in any Amph Assault. MarcelJV's is obviously depended on have the Para unit. I plan on having them for every major invasion, but I didn't have one in early 42 with the US still not activated. I did not like the Axis leaving Africa so quickly. If I did not push them hard for this decision it would have paid off for them.

[carnifex]

Better yet do a para drop as the first unit into battle as then the first artillery shot is -4 right from the start.

aah good tip thanks

[ilovestrategy]

How did you take north africa? I'm WA and all i get is illegal move and it is still politically frozen. and its now 1943.[&:]

[carnifex]

you're either not in supply or you don't have the amphibious capacity to land there

you should be able to stroll right in there if you're pushing the germans west from suez