Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

US torpedoes have periscopes and radars?[X(]

[:D] Good catch! My morning coffee had not kicked in yet!

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

In addition to the advice from Moltrey and RJ, keep in mind that detection level is the key to any intercept. The higher the DL, the better the chances of an effective intercept. Since the DL is reset at the beginning of every 12 hour phase, you need to have night search and contact with your TFs to get a morning intercept and effective day search or chance meeting to increase the DL for the day naval phase. US torpedoes don't work well in 1942, but their periscopes and radars can do good work locating enemy TFs.

Ah, that is a crucial part I missed there BB. Indeed, it is actually one of the elements you can have control over and as you say, makes a huge difference in whether your boys find the enemy or open seas. Thanks!

ORIGINAL: Moltrey

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

In addition to the advice from Moltrey and RJ, keep in mind that detection level is the key to any intercept. The higher the DL, the better the chances of an effective intercept. Since the DL is reset at the beginning of every 12 hour phase, you need to have night search and contact with your TFs to get a morning intercept and effective day search or chance meeting to increase the DL for the day naval phase. US torpedoes don't work well in 1942, but their periscopes and radars can do good work locating enemy TFs.

Ah, that is a crucial part I missed there BB. Indeed, it is actually one of the elements you can have control over and as you say, makes a huge difference in whether your boys find the enemy or open seas. Thanks!

That is one advantage to having multiple small TFs plus some of your float planes flying at night. You can also then switch them from Naval Search to Recon for your bombardments.

Thanks for all the responses. Sorry haven't checked in lately.
Alfred, thanks for answering about the save game load. I was surprised I was able to engage their CV ~70% of the time so then I became curious. Would be good to know what not to do to have any future CV forces of my own surprised. I think I was able to get an engagement because I had a lot of (weak) air assets searching which would bring the DL on their TF up. Just surprised they didn't have their own recon to see my forces coming.

RangerJoe, I didn't do many tests with smaller TFs. I've seen some posts on the forum about limiting the use of multiple small TFs in PBEM games. Wasn't sure how 'gamey' any future opponents would see it in this situation though.

For any future new people: I did find the wiki finally and the page about Naval tactics points out that reaction does not work when using Remain on Station so (re)learned that. https://witp-ae.fandom.com/wiki/Naval_Tactics

Two to four DDs or CLs/DDs are not gamey. The problem was when the TF consisted of just one ship.

ORIGINAL: hooraysimpsons

Would be good to know what not to do to have any future CV forces of my own surprised.

1. Land and sea based air search so you see them coming.

2. When you do see them coming, form TF 34, so to speak. I always make sure a screening BB has a good naval rated aggressive captain to command it, and tell it follow your lead CVTF with a reaction of one (1). If the crisis dissipates, they can be folded back in to the CV TF.

3. Historical tangent: the fast carriers were fast, because a) some early ones were either converted from/built on the incomplete hulls of - BC (various RN and USN, Akagi) and fast (in WW1 terms) BB (Kaga, Eagle) and b) early on they were considered to be scouting/screening ships, namely "Cruisers,aViation." As the carriers exercised and naval officers climbed the learning curve in the 20/s early 30s, that speed, that initially fitted cruiser doctrine, was identified as an asset in the emerging carrier doctrine. The cruiser level SP guns were omitted from the 1930s built fast carriers, and landed from the others in the early war years, in favour of increased AAA, more aircraft ordnance stores etc. Slower/experimental ships such as Hosho, Argus, Langley, Hermes etc were reduced to supporting roles. Arguably carrier doctrine supplanted the line of battle doctrine at Taranto in 1940, or if not then, in May 1941, but that is a debate for another thread... so ...

3. TLDR version of 3 - your fast carriers are fast enough to get out of the way, and, if caught by surprise at night, the cruisers/fast BBs in the TF will engage the enemy and screen the carriers. Early in the war the only fast BBs available to you are the POW and Repulse. Happily you don't have to account for Admiral King's Anglopobia and can use them accordingly.

Edit: POW and Repulse will also act as torpedo magnets and divert attention from your carriers when an airstrike arrives.

I disagree that King was anglophobic. I believe he hated all navies other than the USN equally.

There is a Drachinifel video on Admiral King, subtitled "Semper Iratus". Its worth a listen. Link:

Semper Iratus