ORIGINAL: Jellicoe
I too follow the hub protection model for allies in the early war although I find that my Canadian and Australian minesweepers are just a bit too slow and tend as a result to get torpedoed quite a bit. Nonetheless with mass Hudson and Wirraway cover they serve a purpose
For later amphibious assaults I always try and lead my assault shipping with at least one ASW TF as a I normally have more destroyers than I know what to do with by that stage. Would colleagues also add an ASW TF to other forces eg a CV or SAG or are you normally content that a decent escort will do the job of protecting the big boys?
Your fast carrier TFs are moving quickly enough that they literally have to run over a sub (probably at night), for the sub to make an attack. All your search planes are searching the area round the TF on the way in and out, making subs submerge. I have seen a sub have a crack at a slower CVE group transiting alone, and the 6 DEs made mincemeat of it.
I suggest you send the MSW group, and ASW group in on D-1. I have observed that Andymac organises the scripted opponent to execute an amphibious assault with a bombardment group leading, and everything else following - I think this has the advantage that after a lengthy transit to target, the bombard group slows everyone down as it times its run in for night time - meaning your following assault force will get two unload phases before the atoll fight. You can do all this manually if you assemble everything one hex adjacent to target under air superiority, but it could be a useful technique where there is still some IJ airpower to contend with.
; Julia Child