Matrix Games Forums

Yes, there is a "learning cliff", I'm seeing the size of it now...

1) I understand the concept of building "Landing Craft", "Barges", and "PT Boats" per the manuel (or what passes for a manual).
Landing Ships come as reinforcements correct? But Landing Craft are "built" on the spot (either a Port or ship(s) with supplies).
If you want these specialized landing craft for a island to island crossing (very short distance) simply create them at the port, load em up and send them on thier happy way, correct?
If you want these specialized landing craft for island to island crossing (long distance) you create them from supply ship TF's near the island to be invaded? If so then how do you load them? IE, are LC used only in very short range or can you use them to help invade, oh say Guam from long range of 14+ hexes away origin port?
I note LCI's are not built (per the manual again) but LCT, LCM, & LCVP are. This is odd, why not LCI's as well?

It would be nice to be able to use the LC for longer range attacks... but what is the normal proceedure for creation then use?

2) Allied AV & AVD's do NOT have float planes aboard (unlike some Japanese Seaplane Tenders) when a scenario begins. Are they ever supposed to have such? Can they be loaded aboard? How?
If an Allied AV or AVD is only supposed to "support" float planes that are stationed at a spec of land in the Ocean then how is this accomplished? Does an AV or AVD lend aviation support to allow a floatilla of float planes to operate where there is no real base to speak of? In this case is the AV / AVD & the float plane squadron seperate entities?
If I'm wrong about the Allied AV / AVD & the float planes are supposed to be "abourd" then how do you load them????

3) AG's = Barges? The Manual states "Collier" which is a "Cole Supply Ship". Ah-wha? Maybe I'm not understanding the term? Are these ships for local island to island supply runs or do/can they carry troops as well? The Japanese used many "barges" in the South Pacific with varied sucess, is this what the AG's are for, carrying supply or troops in short hops (Shortland Island to Guadacanal was a favorite Japanese run of barges with troops & supplies in 42/43). Am I reading this correctly or way off base?

4) Games question instead of rules question: in late 41 / early 42 does mine laying by the Allies (Java/Sumatra/Borneo) have any effect that you have noted? I've have not laid down mine fields but am looking for results others have gleened early on. Should I mine Midway ASAP? I've not instigated a game with a player yet (got the player, we both just need to learn more).

Tanks!

1. The LCM/LCVP/LCT are supposed to represent the craft used by the 'boat Squadrons' used for inter-island transport and local invasions. As you correctly say create at a port from supplies and use short distances.
You cannot create them at sea and load troops to invade over a longer distance. The APs and APDs are ussumed to already have an intrinsic completement of LCVPs aboard (their amphibious value) for the beach landing/unloading, and are not shown separately in the game.

2. Allied AVs and AVDs do NOT have nor can they load floatplanes. They are used to give aviation support at a base or dot base to support a patrol plane squadron. You have to put both AV/AVD and air unit at the base (and provide supplies) for them to operate.

3. AG is the Japanese designation for the equivalent of the allied LCM/LCVP/LCT. They are used in the same way. Why AG was used is lost in WITP development history [;)]

1) All your corrects are correct except there is no ship to shore loading of amphib tfs. Landing craft have to be loaded at a port like all other transport-type tfs. I don't know why or how a differentiation between lsts, et al and landing craft was determined.

2) Iirc no allied av or avd has an organic squadron attached to it nor can you attach one. Just fly the squadron there. The av's aviation support will keep it in business.

3) AG are IJN barges, they function like landing craft with an even shorter range. The collier reference is a mistake.

4) Mine laying is always useful. For the Allies in the early game it does give the Japanese player something else to think about. Be careful about risking MLs. Some players use the Mk XIV US subs to lay mines since their torps are pretty useless.

Anarchyintheuk and FOW are right.  There are some additional wrinkles.
 
1)  You can use landing craft for longer invasions.  If the Transport TF has some larger ships (AK's) then the landing craft will refuel from the AK's.  Given the small capacity of the landing craft and the 100 ship maximum size of a transport TF, there is a practical limit on the unit size you can embark within a single transport TF this way.  Given the loss of ops points for refueling, this also will limit such a task force to a rate of advance of just two hexes a day.  You can also refuel at sea from a replenishment TF. As a practical matter, it seems reasonable enough for medium range invasions (Tarawa to Kwajelein) but gets pretty gamey for a long invasion.  That seems a reasonable enough subject for a house rule in a PBEM game. 
 
2)  Colliers seem like some bleed through from War Plan Orange. 
 
3)  I'm a big proponent of mining.  In stock, the Allied player has limited ports that allow minelayers to reload but anarchyintheUK's comment about US subs is on the money.  Allied 4E bombers can also lay aerial mines.  The Japanese AI tends to do a little mining but usually loses its minelayers by using them as APDs.  A Japanese player can slow down the Allied player with a mining campaign.