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I know that when Axis surface ships in raider mode they are more difficult to engage but I'm wondering if escorts protecting a convoy route can inflict damage on them like they sink subs? I know that CVs on a convoy route increase the modifier like destroyers but do they also increase the possibility of damaging raiders?

Seems they are almost impossible to engage when in raider mode.

Escorts disperse when raiders show up. They neither can inflict damage on raiders not can they themselves be damaged by raiders.

Raiders in raider mode are hard to find, true, but eventually will be. Against small fleets (or lone raiders) splitting the searching stacks into many will help a lot and eventually bring results, sometimes even first turn.

Against a big fleet, it is harder, as you must also have big enough stacks, but big fleet raiders they do have a penalty for hiding. And when you do find them, you might finish or almost finish a big chunk of the German fleet with some luck.

The tough part is figuring out if the counter is a small or large fleet. Of course, if there are no more German naval units in ports, its means a big fleet!

CVs are good raider hunters I find. But do escort then, as the Germans might make a trap and not be in raider mode at one point if they see a pattern of light escorted CVs searching for them close...

Thanks. We are playing the 1939 Small Fleet scenario. One of his raider fleets consists of 3 groups and the other 2. I have been searching with fleets of 3 groups since I need to match the Axis firepower if a naval battle ensues. Twice now the message, "enemy fleet found +1" has been displayed. I assume the +1 means that subsequent searching fleets get that modifier but that they had no luck either.

canuckgamer wrote: Wed May 25, 2022 8:37 pm Thanks. We are playing the 1939 Small Fleet scenario. One of his raider fleets consists of 3 groups and the other 2. I have been searching with fleets of 3 groups since I need to match the Axis firepower if a naval battle ensues. Twice now the message, "enemy fleet found +1" has been displayed. I assume the +1 means that subsequent searching fleets get that modifier but that they had no luck either.

Yes, some failed attempts will give a bonus to the next one. Might take a while however. But against his fleet of 2 groups, do not be afraid to send lone BB groups. Against is fleet of 3 groups, you could send fleets of 2 groups. In the end it will eventually pay because of your much bigger overall fleet. Some sacrifice might be necessary to end the raiding. Use subs to and CVs, and of course the '' finding the enemy sacred dance ''. Can not hurt...