Reasons for TF´s not bombarding
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:55 am
Ok heres the situation:
I am playing Guadalcanal scen PBEM as Japanese and had a trap lying in wait for the Allied supply TF approaching under CV cover
to Lunga AB.
The CV battle went well, supported by some lucky sub action and on the next day I wanted to commence phase 2 of the plan
which was shutting down Lunga with 2 Bombardement groups.
I doublechecked every setting because I knew there were still some allied CV´s lurking around and I wasn´t sure if my honoured opponent Rob
wouldnt risk unloading under heavy Lunga aircover despite the outcome of the battle.
The distance to target was same for both Bombardement groups, one arriving from Rabaul and going round the southern tip of
Guadalcanal containing Tanaka´s CAs, the second force contained a BB and should have arrived from the east passing Tulagi in the process.
Distance was calculated with a 1 hex safety margin to still let the TF´s be on the return leg even if delayed by surface action so both TFs
were set to reach Lunga, bombard the base and be out of danger after the second naval movement phase.
What happened was that Tanaka bombarded as ordered and was returning north with a TF now designated as surface combat which is
as it should be. The second TF that should approach via Tulagi also made the whole trip as it seems (checked fuel consumption), was also designated
as surface combat TF and on the way back to the north but they didn´t bombard. No combat report, nothing.
Both were set to waypoint/threat tolerance High/Absolute.
As a result and Tanaka preferring to hit the coastal defense instead of the AB the next day my sweeping Zeros were caught offguard and
I bet Rob had an entertaining replay watching my carrier ace pilots going down in flames above Lunga. [;)]
Does anyone have an explanation why the BB TF did not do as I tolde them?
I am playing Guadalcanal scen PBEM as Japanese and had a trap lying in wait for the Allied supply TF approaching under CV cover
to Lunga AB.
The CV battle went well, supported by some lucky sub action and on the next day I wanted to commence phase 2 of the plan
which was shutting down Lunga with 2 Bombardement groups.
I doublechecked every setting because I knew there were still some allied CV´s lurking around and I wasn´t sure if my honoured opponent Rob
wouldnt risk unloading under heavy Lunga aircover despite the outcome of the battle.
The distance to target was same for both Bombardement groups, one arriving from Rabaul and going round the southern tip of
Guadalcanal containing Tanaka´s CAs, the second force contained a BB and should have arrived from the east passing Tulagi in the process.
Distance was calculated with a 1 hex safety margin to still let the TF´s be on the return leg even if delayed by surface action so both TFs
were set to reach Lunga, bombard the base and be out of danger after the second naval movement phase.
What happened was that Tanaka bombarded as ordered and was returning north with a TF now designated as surface combat which is
as it should be. The second TF that should approach via Tulagi also made the whole trip as it seems (checked fuel consumption), was also designated
as surface combat TF and on the way back to the north but they didn´t bombard. No combat report, nothing.
Both were set to waypoint/threat tolerance High/Absolute.
As a result and Tanaka preferring to hit the coastal defense instead of the AB the next day my sweeping Zeros were caught offguard and
I bet Rob had an entertaining replay watching my carrier ace pilots going down in flames above Lunga. [;)]
Does anyone have an explanation why the BB TF did not do as I tolde them?