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I've been thinking about how best to use my Jap barges and came across the following Jan. 27, 1944 US intel report on "Japanese Use of Military Barges".

http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/ttt09/barges.html

Interesting details.

I found that very interesting. Thanks for posting it.

ORIGINAL: crsutton

I found that very interesting. Thanks for posting it.

+2!

Thank You Knyvet

Mac

6000 barges in operation? 300-mile trips? Looks like the range and number of Japanese barges in the game need a boost...

How many barges  do Japan get in the WITP:AE?

In using the Japanese Barges, just remember they do not play well with PT-Boats or P-39/B-25 strafers.

ORIGINAL: Yaab

How many barges  do Japan get in the WITP:AE?

A bunch. Depends on where you are in your game, but a bunch.

USS Henrico is right-the PTs do a fine job of breaking up your barge flotillas, so bear that in mind where you station them.

ETA: In reviewing that technical data (thanks for posting), the Devs got the capacity (11 tons) and speed (8 knots) exactly right for the large Daihatsu barges. [&o]

Like LST says above: I wonder why the range is so truncated in the game though?

I believe the game has the endurance correct as well. If you read the linked document carefully, it does not say barges had 300 mile range..

Also, in terms of numbers, don't forget that a lot of barges are abstracted to allow for neighboring ports to auto move supply/resources.

You are correct, the reference discusses (in several places) 300 mile trips over several days duration. Don-where can we find out more information about the range (unrefueled) of these barges?

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy
You are correct, the reference discusses (in several places) 300 mile trips over several days duration. Don-where can we find out more information about the range (unrefueled) of these barges?

The reference discusses 300 mile trips with fuel staging points along the way and several tons of extra fuel on board the barge itself. The barge fuel capacity is correct. To do 300 mile trips, either do fuel depots along the way (as Japan did) or bring along a PB or something to gas them up (as an abstraction).

PB method works well for me. Depots are difficult to setup, especially in areas like the Solomons and northern NG due to very small or non-existent port sizes. A barge fleet will suck a LOT of fuel.

ORIGINAL: Mynok


PB method works well for me. Depots are difficult to setup, especially in areas like the Solomons and northern NG due to very small or non-existent port sizes. A barge fleet will suck a LOT of fuel.

Yes, this (the PB method) works for me as well as an abstraction.

I retract the 300-miles statement. The 17m and 14m Daihatsus had a range of 100 nautical miles at 7.5 knots, the 10m Shohatsu of 60 nautical miles at 7.5 knots.

Problem is that barges used diesel or gasoline engines and not fuel oil. They should use supplies for propulsion, like plane engines do in the game. Same for PTs. Ok, won't happen, but would make it much easier to setup fuel staging points.

Yes it would. Much easier. I suspect that would be quite difficult with the engine however.

Somewhat off topic, but why can't the Japanese barges be set up in the CS mode?

And another question.

On two separate occasions, I loaded an 11-barge TF in Kwajalein with supplies for a trip to Namu, a base next to Kwajalein. Every time two barges loaded four points of fuel each instead of supplies. Is this WAD?


adult image[/img]

Ian Allens' JAPANESE NAVY OF WWII, many Daihatsu were converted by putting armored sides on them and loading them with anti-aircraft guns, (mostly revenge types)..

ORIGINAL: Yaab

And another question.

On two separate occasions, I loaded an 11-barge TF in Kwajalein with supplies for a trip to Namu, a base next to Kwajalein. Every time two barges loaded four points of fuel each instead of supplies. Is this WAD?


adult image[/img]

I could be wrong but I was under the impression that when some barges load fuel instead of supplies this is because that amount of fuel is necessary for the convoy to be able to make the round trip (had they not loaded the fuel the convoy would run out of fuel on the return trip).

I could be wrong though.

The barges travelled from Kwajalein to Namu and back.

The whole journey was 2 hexes.

The TF showed their Fuel 2/2 in green.

When a journey takes three hexes, the Fuel is displayed as 3/3 in red, even though the barge range is actually three hexes.

Why would they take fuel if they have enough fuel for their return leg? Also, there were no ships at Namu wanting fuel.

My guess is a big (10-12?) barge TF just loads some barges with fuel by default.