Use for APDs?

[OldCoot]

Stock Scenario 15

I've just gotten six of these guys and am wondering what to do with them. I don't see any more coming in down the line. If I'd gotten them earlier, I could have used them in the DEI or PI

[Misconduct]

Useless, I have mine stationed at Gili Gili for ASW work, basically all they can do anyhow. Edit on a serious matter, you can use these if you want to have fun with raider battalions or run supplies quickly somewhere, however they are not all that great any which way you use them, ASW, Bombardment, Transport, etc they are just a short fix for situations.

[Mobeer]

If they are Japanese, then they carry more depth charges than any other early war escort.

[DivePac88]

ORIGINAL: Mobeer

If they are Japanese, then they carry more depth charges than any other early war escort.

Yes if you're playing the Japanese side they're the best ASW vessels in your fleet.

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: Misconduct

Useless, I have mine stationed at Gili Gili for ASW work, basically all they can do anyhow. Edit on a serious matter, you can use these if you want to have fun with raider battalions or run supplies quickly somewhere, however they are not all that great any which way you use them, ASW, Bombardment, Transport, etc they are just a short fix for situations.

For the Allies, they are nice for hauling in supplies to cut off units, or alternatively picking them up,

But, although you can unload supplies over a non-base beach, you can not pick up units on a fast transport mission from a non-base hex.

[ny59giants]

For Allied player, use them for Fast Transport missions.

[marky]

oh far from useless!!!

1. ASW- theyre LETHAL
2. quickly taking islands without garrisons
3. bringing in supplies, this is a historical use ala the Guadalcanal campaign
4. a guardian ASW TF for carrier TFs, but beware they may be set upon by hordes of jap carrier planes

[Misconduct]

ORIGINAL: marky

oh far from useless!!!

1. ASW- theyre LETHAL
2. quickly taking islands without garrisons
3. bringing in supplies, this is a historical use ala the Guadalcanal campaign
4. a guardian ASW TF for carrier TFs, but beware they may be set upon by hordes of jap carrier planes

Yeah I found out APD's are decent for ASW, but at time I started with 6 I am down to 2, 4 sunk by subs and only sunk one RO boat. Before '43 they are useful for gobbling up islands, but problem is unless you have long range fighter CAP they are sitting ducks.

I did put them to use dropping off an entire Aussie inf group to Borneo capturing an AF and got enough airpower to duke out the Japanese on Java, however resupplying became a huge problem since betties are flying beyond my CAP and trashing my AK's before they can resupply.

[marky]

hmm. well make sure they get alot of shakedown cruises. cuz the AI and of course a live opponent will concentrate subs to hunt your carriers, and they have quite good ASW on APDs. i also like to supplement ASW with Avengers and the cruiser and battleship floatplanes, since the catapult floatplanes arent that long ranged, so IMHO theyre best used for close in ASW patrol, especially if you have a buttload of em

[bradfordkay]

I don't consider them very good for ASW at all. In fact, I usually turn off the upgrade for most of the Clemson and Wickes class four-pipers until I start getting a good supply of Fletchers. In the original Clemson and Wickes configuration they are good at ASW (the best DDs the USN has at ASW in the early going), but lose depth charge racks in the conversion to APD so they end up weaker than your other DDs. 

[TulliusDetritus]

Fast Transports. Especially true for the Japanese. The Japanese will be on the defensive some day. If you decide to abandon your assaulted islands, garrisons then you don't need them. But if you want to supply them (and thus delay the allied advance) they are the perfect [and only reasonable] tool: slow AKs are a suicide.

But since the ASW ratings are very high you can use them on that role. But if you lose them, what ships will perform the Fast Transport missions? Hard choice.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Misconduct

Useless, I have mine stationed at Gili Gili for ASW work, basically all they can do anyhow. Edit on a serious matter, you can use these if you want to have fun with raider battalions or run supplies quickly somewhere, however they are not all that great any which way you use them, ASW, Bombardment, Transport, etc they are just a short fix for situations.

No priceless, I can't get enough of them early in the war. I use them for fast transport and don't waste them (not always possible) on other duties that DDs and old DDs can perform. Late war, you have so many that you can really mount a lot of quick invasions.

Japanes APDs tend to be slower but are still usefull. And as mentioned they are useful in ASW as well.

[Radio]

What is an APD? I mean I've seen them in game, and the ASW/Fast transport roles make sense given their statistics, but what were they designed to do? From the designation "APD" I'd guess they were a troop carrying destroyer hybrid? But thats really clutching at straws.

[Barb]

Why you dont try wiki on this?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_speed_transport

[Radio]

ORIGINAL: Barb

Why you dont try wiki on this?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_speed_transport

Because I'm very, very, lazy, and a simple google presented me with a lots of things that had nothing to to with naval warfare.

Thanks for the link, I know what a APD is.

Thanks.

[Nemo121]

APDs are useful for fast transport TFs ( as are many of the AVs etc). Do note though that DDs, CAs, CLs and DDs can also be used as fast transports. APDs can just do this job more efficiently.

The next question then is whether or not FT TFs are useful. I would suggest reading the AAR of my game against Damian as I think it shows quite conclusively that FT TFs can be used to push an advance into enemy territory despite enemy naval and aerial superiority at a reasonable cost. That's a capability well worth having.

Barb: Is your sig quote from the IT Crowd?

[John Lansford]

Given enough time, you can ferry an entire EAB to a base using APD's.  Seebee units would lose their heavy equipment, but for some reason EAB's don't have that problem.

[Barb]

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

Barb: Is your sig quote from the IT Crowd?

Yes, I realy love the quote. It was absolutely rofl when they made their "automatic call-respond machine".[:D]

And I am also in IT industry ... in my past job, I really have to turn few peoples computers ON to have them running ...
Few more times monitor signal cable was unplugged...
Should I continue? [8|]

[Nemo121]

Barb, do you guys still use "PEBUAK" ?


As to ferrying EABs. Hell, I've used FT TFs of multiple CAs, CLs, DDs and APDs to move an entire regiment in a single lift and capture a lightly held enemy base far behind their lines before. The only limit with FT TFs is one's imagination and willingness to risk major assets.

[m10bob]

As mentioned above, APD's are invaluable for getting supplies or troops someplace in a hurry when you don't want to risk some "slowboat to China."

IRL, "Haul-ass Jack" took off with the loaded transports and the Gyrenes ashore on the 'canal were on their own for quite a while, lived on captured foodstocks till supplies returned.