How to escort convoys properly?

[ETF]

Convoys?

OK so do I set up an ESCORT mission of say DD's and have a pack of AK's follow the DD taskforce zero hex separation? Is this the best configuration OR should the DD's follow the AK's?

Thanks Gents

[Mike Solli]

Are these DDs in an ASW TF? Are there escorts in the cargo TF? I usually just put escorts in the cargo TF. If you want both TFs together, I usually have the faster one follow the slower one. Technically, you can do the opposite and the fast TF will slow down for the slow TF, but I don't trust that to happen all the time.

[ETF]

I thought to put the escorts in the TF with the AK's wasn't as beneficial as having say the AK's be followed by an ESCORT mission of DD's. Something to do with the game engine.....

[BillBrown]

Do not use the ESCORT mission, it is not for what you want( read the manual to find out what they are rally for.

Use either a Surface Combat or ASW TF and have the xAKs follow it. I would also put at lest one ASW capable ship in with the xAKS.

However, I normally do not escort purely supply or fuel carrying TFs. Just those carring Troops or Air Groups.

[Lowpe]

It depends upon what the primary threat is: subs? surface raiders? air attack?

A convoy without any ASW platforms is very easy pickings for submarines, especially as the game advances.

Allies are stretched for ASW platforms early in the war.

Japan can convert a lot of merchant shipping (xakl) into PB.

If there is no threat present, you don't need escorts. Be aware, that good aerial ASW and Naval Search can act as escorts, especially late in the game with good planes and pilots.

[ETF]

OK guys.....if I have the AK's FOLLOW the ASW units won't they fall behind?
Thanks

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: ETF

OK guys.....if I have the AK's FOLLOW the ASW units won't they fall behind?
Thanks

Probably they will, but using separate ASW TF is counterproductive, unless this is late game, and ships have dozen of Depth Charge weapons. Submarines rarely attack ASW ships, they just avoid them. You need 2-3 ASW ships in Transport TF, or submarine will surface and pound your transport ships with guns. Better yet, get some AV with planes set to ASW, and range 4 (2 hexes). Better still, set path near friendly Bases, where you have planes on ASW mission. And avoid hexes, where you know enemy submarines patrolling.

[PetrOs]

I usually try to get at least one escort ship in every cargo/tanker/transport TF, just to prevent surfaced subs going for easy prey. If none there, I sometimes use warships without ASW as escort as this usually tends to keep subs underwater. A few times this also had good effect with such escort attacking the surfaced sub with guns - just a few turns ago, PG Uji just shelled S-40 submarine to the bottom, with around 20 120mm shell hits. Normal supply convoys with cheap transports running mainly outside of ASW get 1-2 PGs (converted AKLs), tanker, troop and fast cargo convoys usually use PCs, SCs, W-class DMS, Es and similar fast escorts. Often an AV with seaplanes at ASW mission is added. Invasion convoys usually get a full complement of invasion support ships from the start, I usually use individual convoys for each division, and each division gets a battleship, 2-4 cruisers, 4-10 destroyers, and 1-2 DMS as escort. Such convoys are usually set to "follow" each other, and are usually also followed by a CV and 1-2 bombardment groups (usually set to surface combat until really running the bombardment, to prevent enemy surface guys to wreak havoc to my transports), which however might join the invasion force late, only as it enters danger zone.