Having a blast

[themattcurtis]

Hey --

Got the game about a week ago. I've finally read through the manual (family issues have abounded) and played far enough into the 1922-26 campaign to think I might know some of what I'm doing. I knew I HAD to get this game because I've read Bywater's "Great Pacific War" about three times.

I'll try and start an AAR after a few more days.

Anyway. I stuck those control zones but those areas that contain the Phillipines, the US West Coast and Pearl Harbor under AI control -- don't feel comfortable trying to run everyone yet, so I'm sticking with the American assets.

I realized holding the PI is hopeless, so I transferred as many non-combatant ships from those ports to nearby French holdings (changed their home ports) as possible. I thought this would be OK as the French are lending me three cruisers and I wanted to keep as much of my support ships alive as I could.

US Subs were sent to patrol the shallow waters along the eastern/southern PI ports and Bataan. Sent an aging TF including my only cruisers (including the Huron, Rochester, Albany, etc...) and a handful of destroyers to sea west of Lingayen, where they were to link up with the Waldeck-Rousseau and company.

A small flotilla of destroyers was sent south around Leyte.

Meanwhile, I was transferring tankers to Mare Island to serve in my automated convoy system (I ticked Pearl and another port to receive) -- then set up a small supply convoy (three AKs with 10,000 capacity total) to shuttle supplies back and forth to Midway. A regiment of engineers was sent to bolster Midway's garrison, and I ordered the troops there to start expanding. Modern BBs and some destroyers/CLs were sent steaming from San Diego.

Air squadrons based on the West Coast are training (and I hope some carrier platform will eventually come by that can pick them up).

The Japanese are landing troops all along my northern and southern PI coastlines, but I have had some revenge. Namely:

The US cruiser squadron tore into the Lingayen port after patrol boats found a Japanese troop convoy and were blown to scrap. The Huron and company managed to sink two destroyers, and cripple a third (which later went down). Then mauled the modern CLs Tama and Kuma. I tried to keep them there and bombard the Japanese land troops -- as I didn't manage to hit any transports.

But then another Japanese convoy showed up with a pre-dreadnought BB which spanked the Huron with 12" guns. The cruiser now has 96 system damage and I'm hoping I can affect some emergency repairs as Manila.

My moment of glory came when the French -- who couldn't arrive fast enough for me to wait and combine my forces -- followed up with a second stab into the waters around Lingayen and sank yet another destroyer and polished off the Tama and Kuma without suffering any damage themselves. They're now steaming the hell away from that area to avoid Japanese BBs.

Down south, I've killed two more Japanese DDs at the loss of two US destroyers. And a sub has put a torp into the Aso off Bataan.

At least they're bleeding a little for the PI. Eventually, I have to lose those holdings. But in return for a crippled cruiser launched in 1904 (according to Bywater) and a couple of destroyers. I've killed two modern CLs -- launched in 1919 and 1920 -- sunk five destroyers.

I'm sure I'm missing a ton of stuff -- the whole supply issue still baffles me and I'm sure it will until I see how the game plays out. But I'm having fun [:D]

[Helpless]

ORIGINAL: themattcurtis

Air squadrons based on the West Coast are training (and I hope some carrier platform will eventually come by that can pick them up).

You don't need any special carrier platform to transport air units. AK can do this job [:)].

[DuckofTindalos]

Ayup. They just pack them in crates and send 'em on their way...

[themattcurtis]

What steps am I missing? I tried to create a transport TF, and when I clicked to see what units I could load up out of San Diego, none of the squadrons were available.

Also, how do I appoint new commanders?

Finally, does a base's support rating go up if it's got a healthy stock of supplies?

[Helpless]

ORIGINAL: themattcurtis

What steps am I missing? I tried to create a transport TF, and when I clicked to see what units I could load up out of San Diego, none of the squadrons were available.

Also, how do I appoint new commanders?

Finally, does a base's support rating go up if it's got a healthy stock of supplies?

Most probably, these groups you are trying to load belong to resticted HQ and don't show-up in load troops screen.

If you speack about TF/LCU/squadron commander - click on the commander' name and the list of available leaders will appear. TF must be docked in port.

Base support depends on support units you have there. If you have them disabled, then additional supplies might help to get them back.

Actually, it is not that bad idea to start from tutorial [;)]

Good Luck

[themattcurtis]

Is there a tutorial other than the little quick guide to forming TFs and such posted here on the forum?

I think I have the hang of the bulk of stuff in this game. Mainly it's now down to support/allocating officers and watching to see how well my supply convoys are playing out.