Navel TF attack question

[KDonovan]

here's the situation, in my PBEM game i have a Crusier TF (lead by the Exeter) within 3 hexes of Makassar, where scouts have identified a Japanese Transport TF. I NEED to engage this TF and not screw it up (KB is not far away so it needs to be hit and run). It appears that i haven't been spotted yet, and it seems like the TF is unloading/loading at the level 1 port there, since it hasn't moved in 2 turns. Question is, what the best way to approach this TF. Should i keep the order on "surface TF" with retirement allowed, or should it be a "bombardment mission" with retirement allowed since the TF i want to attack appears to be docked...any ideas?

[Lt. Calley]

I'd put it on surface combat do not retire. Bomardments to kill ships usually work only on ports size 3 or higher. And whenever you see an enemy task force, it means it cannot be disbanded inside a port.

[dtravel]

Well, first off, there is no guarentee that you will be able to engage the enemy TF even if it is still in the hex when your ships arrive. Having said that, if it really is docked you probably have a better chance if you Bombard the base. If it isn't docked then you might have a better chance of engagement with a Surface Combat TF, but no one knows if that is true or not (including probably the game's programmers). Now, if KB is nearby then you also need to take into account the fact that a Bombard TF will probably not be able to move away as fast, having spent some time to actually fire on the base. It would also be taking the chance that the defenses might be able to fire back and damage one or more of your ships, which would slow you down even more.

It all comes down to one thing. Do you feel lucky? [:D]

[KDonovan]

thanks for the info, but i'm curious on your advice why you would put it on "don't retire" vs "retire", its not so much the KB that worries me (16 hexes away), its the land base bombers at Kendari and Balkipan that concern me

[KDonovan]

hmm....now i'm confused again [:)]

[dtravel]

ORIGINAL: KDonovan

hmm....now i'm confused again [:)]

Just means that the designers have succeeded in their real goal with this game. What are you confused about?

[pasternakski]

ORIGINAL: dtravel

Do you feel lucky? [:D]

Only a pig would eat ketchup on a hot dog.

[dtravel]

ORIGINAL: pasternakski

ORIGINAL: dtravel

Do you feel lucky? [:D]

Only a pig would eat ketchup on a hot dog.

Okaaaaayy, that was so cryptic it is awe-inspiring. Care to bring it within at least a telescope's sight of reality? [:'(]

[KDonovan]

ok i've decided to go for Surface action (so i can watch the animation [:)]). Now with should i use retire or do not retire (KB 16 hexes away....and not moving at the moment). Also should i go in at full speed for a night engagement (one of my ships does have radar), or should i use mission speed??

[dtravel]

You would still get the animation if a Bombardment TF got involved in a surface combat. Its just the bombardment itself that has no animation.

As far as KB is concerned, they can probably move 12 hexes in a day and their aircraft range is greater than 4. So they are within a single day's steaming of being able to attack.

As for speed, radar isn't a factor. If you set them for "mission" speed, they should go full speed for the run in to the destination and then again for the run out before returning to cruise speed. But you can't count on it. I would go full speed in this case.

[pasternakski]

ORIGINAL: dtravel

ORIGINAL: pasternakski

ORIGINAL: dtravel

Do you feel lucky? [:D]

Only a pig would eat ketchup on a hot dog.

Okaaaaayy, that was so cryptic it is awe-inspiring. Care to bring it within at least a telescope's sight of reality? [:'(]

A fella named Harry Callahan is responsible:

Harry: Nah, this stuff isn't getting to me, the shootings, the knifings, the beatings, old ladies being bashed in the head for their Social Security checks, teachers being thrown out of a fourth-floor window because they don't give As. That doesn' bother me a bit.
Partner: C'mon, Harry, take it easy.
Harry: Or this job, either. Having to wade through the scum of this city, being swept away by bigger and bigger waves of corruption, apathy, and red tape. Nah, that doesn't bother me. But you know what does bother me?
Partner: What?
Harry: You know what makes me really sick to my stomach?
Partner: What?
Harry: It's watching you stuff your face with those hot dogs. Nobody - I mean nobody - puts ketchup on a hot dog.

So, do ya feel lucky, punk?

[Nikademus]

You might want to consider setting to retirement allowed as this will ensure a night action which may yield better results for you due to the close range fight. Setting the TF to do not retire will cause a day action which tends to be rather indecisive most of the time. DNR also will leave you open for a KB strike if they are nearby.

[tsimmonds]

It's good that you decided on surface combat TF rather than bombardment, as any other type of TF seems to have significant unfavourable modifiers when engaging in surface combat. ASWTFs and CVTFs seem to be especially disadvantaged in surface combat.