Matrix Games Forums

Hi all -

This is the first time I've ever played the Japanese and I'm doing fairly well but the US subs are eating my lunch. What's the best aircraft to base at land bases to try to combat this?

I've already deployed DD's and DE's with my convoys but of course this takes away from the AA fire of the combat TF's.

Koniev

Patrol-type airplanes, hands down. Be aware that sub search range is only half that of regular search range, so you want the longest-range aircraft available. (They cost a lot to produce, but they're worth it.)

Jap Navy G4/G3/D3 are effective to surpres and sometimes to sink subs.

I personally like to use the Mitsubishi G4M to search for subs - they are also nice ship killers but they often outrun their escorts due to their longer range and tend to be massacred by allied cap. The flying boats are worth more in heir traditional scoutin role - search for allied shipping.
I tend to use some D3A units on sub hotspots.

Does anybody use CVEs against them or are they too precious for such duties?

How can you actually use CVE/CVL for sub fight since there isnt a way to organise ASW TF in the game like you do for air combat or bombardment TF?
I am wondering because later in the game the IJN CVL/CVE are having no purpose given that they are too weak to fight in the 1st line.

You can form the CVEs into Air Combat TFs (the ones that have squadrons) - the TF will create an air zone, which can then suppress enemy subs.  You would send them towards a base with a standoff range and "remain on station" orders so they park in the middle of the ocean - areas where it is difficult to cover with LBA.

As the allied player this is about the only way to control I-boats operating between Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast. For the Japanese, the South China Sea or the Philippine Sea would be the most likely locations to use this.

The CVE TF idea is a good one, and can be made even more effective by also having a replenishment TF at the nearest port. That way, the CVE's can be maintained at sea almost indefinitely, with a little use of the "Replenish" command.

One thing to remember about ASW aircraft: dive bombers are the most accurate, but the Japanese have none with decent range. (Odd numbers are rounded down.) Next are torpedo bombers and patrol aircraft. Last are tac-bombers, though still fairly effective.

ORIGINAL: Rybka

Does anybody use CVEs against them or are they too precious for such duties?

Too precious and even more, they are vulnerable to sudden assault of enemy forces.