Detecting Target at Sea

[operating]

This a "How To" to detect targets at sea. Best used with more than one fleet. I try and always look for distortions in sea hexes before moving a naval unit (click on unit, movement range will appear), in this SS my armored cruiser spots a distortion (possible enemy fleet or enemy convoy), but is not exactly sure which hex this fleet is in, for that distortion maybe a shadow of a fleet that is actually closer to the armored cruiser than it might seem? One thing for sure: The target is in a red dot sea hex, which will lower my fleet's efficiency at the end of my turn, so I want to be somewhat accurate when I move to reconnoiter, then attack or not (could be a dreadnaught, that would be bad for my cruiser). How would I know for sure? As you can see I have other fleets nearby, all set up as a ship detection screen., so I am going to click on them to see if they can help? As you will see in the following 3 SS.

[operating]

OK, a class IV sub fleet sees the same distortion, plus another distortion hex, a little confusing to me? Am I now looking at the possibility of 2 enemy fleets (possibly troop transports, supply convoy with an escort, or what?). Certainly this sub fleet can go and investigate without being detected itself (subs are fearless no matter what the conditions are), but wants to pick the best target first, or do a joint attack with the armored cruiser. Don't forget there maybe enemy sub fleets in the area too. Yet still I have a third fleet nearby that maybe able to help, let's see in the following SS to this one..

[operating]

All-right, the third fleet does not detect any distortions, however it has a good size hexagon search range and can get in close to the distorted hex or hexes. So I am going to send this fleet into the green circled area to check out what is going on. Unfortunately I was so taken [X(]by what I found in this part of the mission, went into attack mode right away after positioning the other fleets and forgot to take SS.[:(] The target ended up being a class IV American cruiser, which I did a 3 sided attack on with Admiral Sheer in overall command, knocking the American cruiser fleet down to a 1 strength fleet and in trouble.[:)] This just happened a couple of hours ago in a MP match, so I can't show you everything just now.

[GreyDonkey]

Many thanks for sharing knowledge with us. It improves definitely my skill.

[operating]

The American light cruiser confounded me by going even deeper into the hornet's nest, also in a direction that has no port in which to do repairs. Personally: I would have thought the cruiser would have headed to the French Casablanca Port (for repairs), or perhaps turned tail and headed for home. Possibly the cruiser was willing to sacrifice itself (be a decoy)to save something else, Such as what is in the green circled distortion hex in my armored cruiser's range to the southwest? Again I don't know what's there? Going to have to figure out what I am dealing with?

[operating]

Didn't mean for this to turn into an AAR, however it's shaping up that way, I hope there is a lesson to be learned here about detecting enemy units at sea. In the below SS elected to send down 2 sub fleets to investigate (SEARCH ZONE) what's lurking in the FOW and try and determine in which direction the enemy (Yes Xaal it's you) is moving and what the possible target maybe.. I'm guessing that he is moving from west to east (green circles) towards Gibraltar, or if he heads north through my search zone that is a dreadnaught looking for action.

[operating]

Before dispatching my subs for a search: Sub fleet #1 detected a sea distortion or anomaly (whatever you want to call it) green circle near the American light cruiser. It could be a shadow made by the cruiser, or possibly something else, such as a enemy sub. After this SS I'll post 2 others just to show points of view. If my naval units are closer to a suspected hex area, they may not even see these anomalies, often missing detection of a target (especially if is a sub fleet).

[operating]

Sub fleet #2 also sees an anomaly in 2 sea hexes, but it still does not answer my question: Is anything there? Or, is it just a shadow?

[operating]

This third point of view if from an armored cruiser, which does not help at all, for it sees anomalies north east of the American cruiser, different from what the subs see. Regardless, that American cruiser is going down to the bottom as a place for scuba divers to go to view old shipwrecks a 100 years later.

[operating]

Sailed a Class VI light cruiser commanded by Admiral Sheer all primed for action to sink the American class IV light cruiser. Still have to wonder what's in the next hex?

[operating]

A small victory for Germany..!! Admiral Sheer is on his way to Berlin for some fancy "Iron Cross" , giving the Fatherland a morale boost, after sinking the American... Have to keep focused on what is in the FOW south of here. I usually don't try to attack enemy subs in open water, even if detected, for seldom in the exchange there is a positive result for surface fleets to make it worth it.

[operating]

Final phase of this naval detection series:

OK, the sub screen did result in seeing an anomaly sea hex by sub fleet #1, however could it be a shadow from the German supply convoy? The convoy only has a line of sight (LOS) of 1 hex, no help here.

[operating]

Now sub fleet #2 sees a larger anomaly area of sea hexes, which makes me very suspicious the enemy fleet is there. Going to have to check this out.

[operating]

#1 sub fleet goes in for a look to discover a USA transport full of American infantry, an easy target. Summons the help of a light cruiser fleet to assist in sinking this transport. Another light cruiser overshoots the target, can't remember why? but in any case it is keeping a lookout for any other enemy fleets. I believe Admiral Sheer is still in overall command of this operation. German supply convoy in blue circle..

[operating]

Put Admiral Sheer on the deck of the light cruiser fleet, then commenced the attack resulting in knocking the transport fleet down to 2 ships. Then called in sub fleet #2 to finish off the transport fleet (combat prognosis is a 6 to 0 positive chance of success).

EDIT: I think I might have messed up the sequence of the final SS's, I think you would have gotten the idea anyways.

[operating]

Job finished: # 2 sub fleet gave the American transport fleet the "coup de gras" ending another threat to CP. Berlin is still waiting for the Admiral to give him a Hero's welcome home!! Much celebration at the Home Front!! Hope this War Room exercise helped players with their game, if not, I hope you enjoyed the posts.[:)]

During my next turn's replay: An American sub attacked the nearby German convoy knocking it down from a 10 to a 9. Gave me reason to believe that sub fleet had been lurking around the whole time of this naval detection piece.

[operating]

Back at Berlin they felt the momentum of the naval victories and put out this poster:


Does anybody know what it says?

[GreyDonkey]

It says in german:

Line 1 Für den Flottenbund deutscher Frauen
Line 2 zum Besten der Hinterbliebenen/Fürsorge der kaiserlichen Marine
Line 3 Marine-Konzert
Line 4 Vom Musikkorps des
Line 5 III. Geschwaders
Line 6 an Bord eines
Line 7 Grosskampfschiffes
Line 8 unter Leitung des kaiserlichen Obermusikmeisters Paul Kurtze

My trial of a translation:

It's an invitation to the "Flottenbund deutscher Frauen zum Besten der Hinterbliebenen/Fürsorge der kaiserlichen Marine" (a charity organisation of german females which supports the naval troops and its veterans or widows)
It's a concert given by the III. Geschwader (squadron)of the german navy to honour the noble services of the "Frauenbund". The concert is lead by Paul Kurtze and the musicans are the music corps of the III. Geschwader.

I hope this is helpfull.

p.s. an nearly exact translation will follow tomorrow.

[operating]

ORIGINAL: Kettengeist

It says in german:

Line 1 Für den Flottenbund deutscher Frauen
Line 2 zum Besten der Hinterbliebenen/Fürsorge der kaiserlichen Marine
Line 3 Marine-Konzert
Line 4 Vom Musikkorps des
Line 5 III. Geschwaders
Line 6 an Bord eines
Line 7 Grosskampfschiffes
Line 8 unter Leitung des kaiserlichen Obermusikmeisters Paul Kurtze

My trial of a translation:

It's an invitation to the "Flottenbund deutscher Frauen zum Besten der Hinterbliebenen/Fürsorge der kaiserlichen Marine" (a charity organisation of german females which supports the naval troops and its veterans or widows)
It's a concert given by the III. Geschwader (squadron)of the german navy to honour the noble services of the "Frauenbund". The concert is lead by Paul Kurtze and the musicans are the music corps of the III. Geschwader.

I hope this is helpfull.

p.s. an nearly exact translation will follow tomorrow.

Yes, I got ya! I thought it was some kind of WW I German navy recruiting poster (at least that was how it was identified). Thought it kind of funny to have pink in a recruiting poster.

Thank you very much for your time explaining this,[:)] Bob

[GreyDonkey]

You're welcome — I was happy to help, JT

p.s. thanks again for sharing your knowledge! It already helped me to sink a convoy. [8D]