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I just discovered (better late than never [:D]) that both the AE and AKE seem to be the jack of all trades when it comes to reloading shells, torpedoes, and most mines for both sides.

Thus, how many ships are you converted to these early in the war for either side?? I will be playing both sides, so I'm asking it this way.

It would seem that these are nice ships to have at a forward base that doesn't have enough naval support or a large enough port to handle the various ships that may be involved.

Early in the war still and as allies, so I don't have too many forward bases were I'll risk anchoring ships, but I am interested in hearing if players find these useful later in the war.

Real useful once the offensive into the central pacific starts.

They are invaluable early in the game as well, by providing a temporary rearming location for the Allies' CV and surface TF's.  As long as the AE is larger than the ammo rearming size, it will rearm the guns or torpedoes for that ship.  You can park a big AE at an unremarkable spot in the ocean and use it to rearm your ships without needing a big base with lots of supply.

ORIGINAL: John Lansford

They are invaluable early in the game as well, by providing a temporary rearming location for the Allies' CV and surface TF's.  As long as the AE is larger than the ammo rearming size, it will rearm the guns or torpedoes for that ship.  You can park a big AE at an unremarkable spot in the ocean and use it to rearm your ships without needing a big base with lots of supply.

Hmm ... with "unremarkable spot in the ocean", do you mean a dot base or just any ocean hex?

Why I ask is because the manual description of an AE is "A ship specially equipped to carry ammunition and to rearm other ships while underway. Underway rearming is only available late in the war - until then AEs functions as AKE" (p.276) AKEs, in turn, can only rearm other ships when both ships are anchored at the same location" (p.277). I interpreted these two together as meaning that you only could rearm with AEs/AKEs at bases?

Haven't used these ships much up until now, but are starting to get interested as I've started to deploy anti-raiders far from the major bases as a counter to the AI raid tactics.

AKE, AE prior to 1945, and TK/YO can only replenish ships when at a base. Emulating at anchor. Doesn't have to be a port, just a base.

AO and AE post-1944 can replenish underway.

ORIGINAL: Don Bowen


AKE, AE prior to 1945, and TK/YO can only replenish ships when at a base. Emulating at anchor. Doesn't have to be a port, just a base.

AO and AE post-1944 can replenish underway.

Crystal clear - thanks.

Grullub,

The 'unremarkable spots' I was talking about are the numerous 0 Port/0 Airfield atolls throughout the CentPac and SoPac region.  Just park a TF with an AE/AO in it and you can refuel/rearm your ships to your heart's content (at least until the supplies run out).

ORIGINAL: John Lansford

Grullub,

The 'unremarkable spots' I was talking about are the numerous 0 Port/0 Airfield atolls throughout the CentPac and SoPac region.  Just park a TF with an AE/AO in it and you can refuel/rearm your ships to your heart's content (at least until the supplies run out).

Already ordered [:)]. Sent along an AVD and some Catalina's as well to get some early warning when AndyMac's prowling raiders are inbound ...