Formation of Amphib Task Force?

[jakla1027]

So what is the best way to use various small ship/craft types like the LST, LCI, LSM, ect.... Do you creat an amphibious task force with just these ship/craft types or do you mix them in with bigger ships types like LSD, LSV, AK, APA,. Im looking for some advice or tactics someone may have.

Just looking casually at it it seems as thou the APA, LSD, & LSV are your best choice for getting troops on shore during an amphibious assualt. The other smaller types (LCI, LSM,...) look to be included for historical reference & in the big picture of this massive scaled game they dont really serve any purpose.

So can someone give me a good Amphib task force formation that works good?

Thanks

[oldman45]

The little guys are great for small operations, moving troops a short distance. Also good for dropping supplies between islands. The big boys are important when you are making divisional landings or if you have to travel a long distance.

[Sardaukar]

LST are great for dumping in a Tank Battalion or few to support your invasion. Can make a lot of difference when doing Atoll invasion. Better unloading rate too.

[beppi]

APA your top troop landing ships, everone worth a million and you have never enough.
AKA your top cargo landing ships, just a few ones
LST another top cargo landing ships, as you only get a few AKA you use them to drop your stuff.
LSD (and the other long range ships) -> same as LST.

This ships are the types you should use in amphib TFS when you invade something.

AP + AK -> have the same functionality like APA/AKA but less unload rating. You can use them in amphib invasions but only if you lack APA/AKA (most of the APA, AKA are upgraded APs and AKs)

LCI and all the small short legged stuff. Best suited for island hopping. They are not worth a lot of points so use them for small, high risk invasions. Very well suited in a battle through the Solomons.

[noguaranteeofsanity]

Also a Ampbious HQ in an AGC, will improve the unloading rate and losses. 

The LSTs, LCIs, LSDs, LSMs etc all unload in one turn, so are useful for units you want to land on the beach on day one, for example a unit with naval support to help unload other units.

[crsutton]

And, LSTs only carry cargo not troops. Any tank units in your force should be solely on LSTs. They will unload fast and save precious APA space for troops.

Personally, I can never get enough small craft such as LCIs and LCTs. When you are island hopping they just are worth there weight in gold. They along with LSTs give the Allied player much more flexibility because it makes it much easier to seize, supply and reinforce bases with level 0 ports. A lot of the bases have fine air fields but without the LC support it cannot be done.

One questions. Can anyone tell me the differences between and benefits of a "barge" TF vs a "landing craft" TF?

[morganbj]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

And, LSTs only carry cargo not troops. Any tank units in your force should be solely on LSTs. They will unload fast and save precious APA space for troops.

Personally, I can never get enough small craft such as LCIs and LCTs. When you are island hopping they just are worth there weight in gold. They along with LSTs give the Allied player much more flexibility because it makes it much easier to seize, supply and reinforce bases with level 0 ports. A lot of the bases have fine air fields but without the LC support it cannot be done.

One questions. Can anyone tell me the differences between and benefits of a "barge" TF vs a "landing craft" TF?

Five characters versus thirteen.

[ckk]

ORIGINAL: noguaranteeofsanity

Also a Ampbious HQ in an AGC, will improve the unloading rate and losses. 

The LSTs, LCIs, LSDs, LSMs etc all unload in one turn, so are useful for units you want to land on the beach on day one, for example a unit with naval support to help unload other units.

Unless something has changed, you will want an amphib FORCE HQ on the AGC. Amphib Corps HQ's act like any other HQ

[Rainer]

You're right.

1. It did not change.
2. People will continue to mix it up (and ask questions).

[noguaranteeofsanity]

ORIGINAL: ckk

ORIGINAL: noguaranteeofsanity

Also a Ampbious HQ in an AGC, will improve the unloading rate and losses. 

The LSTs, LCIs, LSDs, LSMs etc all unload in one turn, so are useful for units you want to land on the beach on day one, for example a unit with naval support to help unload other units.

Unless something has changed, you will want an amphib FORCE HQ on the AGC. Amphib Corps HQ's act like any other HQ

I was referring to the HQ type, not the name and its easy to confuse the two, with the Amphibious HQ's named Amphibious Force, but is still an Amphibious HQ in comparison to the two USMC Corps hqs, as you point out.

[Zacktar]

Also, once you start getting LCI(R)s, LCI(G)s and LCI(M)s, throw them in to suppress the shore defenses.  LSM(R)s (480x5" rockets!) and LCS(L)s, too.

[inqistor]

If it still works as in WITP:

You should be able to send landing crafts to pool. If you have TF with lots of supply, there should be possibility to create those ships in mid-ocean from supply. Example:

Last day before invasion strike beaches, click amphibious TF, you should see button "create barges", after clicking, TF will use supply, and you should see another TF with landing crafts. Add them to amphibious TF, and they will add their unload bonus during unloading.

I am not sure if "sending to pool" works with latest official patch. Japanese crafts (SSX, and barges) tends to hang in limbo forever. It was fixed in beta.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

...One questions. Can anyone tell me the differences between and benefits of a "barge" TF vs a "landing craft" TF?

Different ships go into the two types. For example a "Barge" TF allows for the inclusion of PTs and MTBs, ships which otherwise have very limited TF employment opportunities.

Alfred

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

ORIGINAL: crsutton

...One questions. Can anyone tell me the differences between and benefits of a "barge" TF vs a "landing craft" TF?

Different ships go into the two types. For example a "Barge" TF allows for the inclusion of PTs and MTBs, ships which otherwise have very limited TF employment opportunities.

Alfred

Page 280 of the manual has the chart that tells which ships can go into the various TF types. There is a difference between "Barge" and "Landing Craft"

[jakla1027]

Hey thanks for all the input & advice guys. Now maybe i can get an invasion underway somewhat more organized

[Chris21wen]

ORIGINAL: inqistor

If it still works as in WITP:

You should be able to send landing crafts to pool. If you have TF with lots of supply, there should be possibility to create those ships in mid-ocean from supply. Example:

Last day before invasion strike beaches, click amphibious TF, you should see button "create barges", after clicking, TF will use supply, and you should see another TF with landing crafts. Add them to amphibious TF, and they will add their unload bonus during unloading.

I am not sure if "sending to pool" works with latest official patch. Japanese crafts (SSX, and barges) tends to hang in limbo forever. It was fixed in beta.

Don't know if it works as you say but sending LC/LS to pool is very, very, very slow process which I now no longer do.