Matrix Games Forums

Hey everyone

sorry to ask a dumb question, but knowing that certain DDs could in a way or another carry mines for minelaying ops, I wondered if it is possible in the stock WitP? If not, any historical good reason against that?
(it's just that DM aren't exactly numerous out there...)

No. Mines have to be clearly displayed in the ship's data sheet for it to be able to lay them.

Ok thanks Term. You prevented me from sending them to a 9' port for bullocks

There is this french DD (Fantastique class?) that is able to deploy a few mines, but this might be just in RHS, not sure about vanilla or other mods.

I don't think it {French DD}can in CHS.  I've never seen that option anyway.  DM are Destroyer Minelayers and can lay mines. 

But what about historical ability - were they able to do it at all?
I know most KM CLs and DDs could, but I don't know if this is just a German versatility choice, or if most of DDs of any nation were able to.

Knowing there will be a limited "pool" of mines in AE, one may not be able to take advantage of the situation if DDs are suddenly allowed to carry mines - but the question is: did they actually do it?

Only DDs that can lay mines in CHS (or AE) are DMs (Destroyer Minelayer).

The mine situation in AE is "under review".

All Italian DD's many PC's and most of Light cruisers had that capability.

At the risk of opening a can of worms, don't forget the issue of availability of mines. 
 
If we were to see even more platforms able to lay mines, then we would have to find some other way to limit the number of mines that can be laid.  The present limitation on sources of mines helps to restrict the speed at which we can create minefields, but that is an imperfect solution which would be aggravated by adding more mine-capable platforms.  

http://members.aol.com/helmineron/minehist.htm

Over 72,000 mines laid in 5 months in the North Sea by the allies alone (in WWI). Over 1/2 million submarine mines laid during WWII (counting all nations).

In AE you not only have all the mine clearing capability that is in CHS, you have more. There are coastal minesweepers, mine tenders, and you have the option of upgrading DDs to DMLs, DMSs, AVDs, and APDs. And a bunch more Im sure I either forgot or dont even know about myself yet.

DD's can load mines if:
a) it has mines defined in editor
AND
b) it is in the minelaying TF
AND
c) in this minelaying TF already contains dedicated minelaying vessel (ML, DM).

Are you sure about that last one(C) Monter_Trismegistos? Seems a bit silly, one of the reasons to use DD's in mine working is their speed. Most of ML's are slow speed.

MT's right. DDs and other non-minelaying ships which have been modded to carry mines will only drop them if they are in a minelaying task force that contains ships the program recognizes as minelayers (ML/DM). At least, that's been my experience.

I think I said something wrong. I had in mind "DD laying mines" restrictions, not "DD loading mines". I believe that DDs can load mines normally.

DDs in WitP are not meant to do minelaying (only DM, ML and SS are). DDs are not recognized by game as minelaying vessels to "initiate" minelaying.

But when there is a ML in TF, game will detect it and "initiate" minelaying procedure - and then allow every ship in TF to drop their mines, even non dedicated ones as DDs.

Ok MT, just to be sure that I understand what you're saying: using stock (or are you talking about CHS?) do you mean that if I put together an ad-hoc Minelaying mission containing several destroyers AND a DM/ML, DDs may POSSIBLY load mines too AND drop them together with the DM/ML?

If I understand it right, how may I know which DD may be eligible for such a feat?

thanks in advance

AJ

Look at point a) - DD must have mines defined in editor. Destroyers in stock or CHS doesn't have mines.

ORIGINAL: Splinterhead

MT's right. DDs and other non-minelaying ships which have been modded to carry mines will only drop them if they are in a minelaying task force that contains ships the program recognizes as minelayers (ML/DM). At least, that's been my experience.

But you SURE the DD's are actually loading and laying mines and its not simply only the ML/DM[:-]

ORIGINAL: Cmdrcain

ORIGINAL: Splinterhead

Blah...blah

But you SURE the DD's are actually loading and laying mines and its not simply only the ML/DM[:-]

Well, One can never be sure with WITP , but the (mod) DDs showed mines on their ammo display before the laying and showed 0 ammo on their display after the mine laying TF laid it's field so hopefully, yes. [:)]

If you lay them at a friendly port, you can see the numbers laid.