Optimum Number of CVs in Task Force?

[grumbler]

ORIGINAL: dereck

Actually, 1 carrier per task force is the norm.

The modern norm, yes. The topic is The War Against Japan, 1941-1945. Modern norms do not apply to the topic.

[Dereck]

You also have to remember how flexible the US Navy was (and is) in creating and disbanding task forces. Ships can be detached from one task force to form another task force and then reincorporated into the original or a new task force.

During World War II, Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher's TF58, the Fast Carrier Force, itself consisted of 4 task groups of 3 carriers each. Most likely they were referred to as TF 58.1 thru TF 58.4 each with it's own commanding admiral.

[ColFrost]

ORIGINAL: dereck

I'm only at February 24, 1942 and I have five fleet carriers at Pearl Harbor. Of course I husband my carriers and won't commit them until I have to or have many more to overpower the Japanese.

Cowardly Yankee! You have no honor! Come out and fight![:D]

[Dereck]

Contrary to popular belief, war is NOT about honor. It's about staying alive in situations where it ain't all that easy.

Believe me, I do fight but when I do I do it on MY terms not the enemy's if I can help it.

While I'm here ... I'm sending out supply convoys and even though I have it set to "Do Not Refuel" it seems like it's using the fuel that I'm trying to transport. Am I doing something wrong?

[ColFrost]

It was a joke, son. You aren't laughing.

[Cpt.Buckmaster]

I would say that two carriers per group is a good compromise of all the different factors. When operating more than that amount, just keep them following each other in the same hex for good CAP. Nothing gets under my skin like a nice fat Japanese strike showing up and all I've got to show 'em is 8 F4F's! [:@]

[SiTheSly]

The real trick to this is to have all your CV's in small groups following a tanker group. They will *always* remain in perfect sync with each other and should someone refuel, the tanker slows down too.

I never thought of that. I tried the set to follow CV follow CV and it didn't work perfectly.

One negative point I found with split up CVs is that when the bombers do get through the lone CV takes all the hits where if you have say three CVs then the hits are spread out a bit more.

[Dereck]

Just ran across this information in my history magazines concerning TF58 for the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944 (Great Marianas Turkey Shoot):

Task Force 58 - Vice-Admiral Marc Mitscher (flying his flag on USS Lexington)

Task Group 58.1 - Rear Admiral J.J. Clark (265 aircraft)
USS Hornet - TG flagship
USS Yorktown
USS Belleau Wood
USS Bataan

Task Group 58.2 - Rear Admiral A.E. Montgomery (242 aircraft)
USS Bunker Hill - TG Flagship
USS Wasp
USS Montery
USS Cabot

Task Group 58.3 - Rear Admiral J.W. Reeves, Jr (227 aircraft)
USS Enterprise - TG Flagship
USS Lexington
USS Princeton
USS San Jacinto

Task Group 58.4 - Rear Admiral W.K. Harrill (162 aircraft)
USS Essex - TG Flagship
USS Langley
USS Cowpens