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I set up a picket line of PF, each had their own patrol zone, I checked on them and found that they had all run out of fuel - why, surely they would return to their home base when their fuel was running low?

Hano wrote: Wed Mar 08, 2023 5:51 pm I set up a picket line of PF, each had their own patrol zone, I checked on them and found that they had all run out of fuel - why, surely they would return to their home base when their fuel was running low?

From the latest manual and the first point should cover it. I've never succeeded in getting them too. I alway set one patrol point as a base with fuel.

6.2.9 TF Returning to Home Base
There are several events that will cause a TF to automatically return to its home base. These events are:
● If a TF is low on fuel and it cannot immediately refuel or does not have a replenishment TF attempting to follow
it. If the TF is a Transport or Fast Transport Mission with cargo and in its Destination Hex, it will not return to
home base.
● At the moment a Transport or Fast-Transport TF unloads all of its cargo.
● If the TF is at its DH and none of the following conditions are true:
1) the DH is not its home base,
2) it is not following another TF,
3) it is not currently loading or unloading,
4) its Patrol/Retreat status is not REMAIN ON STATION.
● A TF aborts its Mission due to being or having slow/damaged ships split off from the TF attacked (much more
likely in either case if the TF has a Retirement Allowed order).
● An Air Combat TF has no carriers that can launch aircraft remaining in the TF. When a TF decides to return to
its home base, it will set its DH equal to its home base and it will also cause the TF’s Patrol/Retreat status to be
set to Retirement Allowed. When a bombardment TF decides to return to its home base it will automatically
switch its Mission to Surface Combat. Again, an aborted TF can be given a fresh destination and orders in the
next Orders Phase.
It is important to have a thorough understanding of the above conditions that will send a TF heading for home. Also, keep
in mind that you can redirect a TF that has aborted its Mission by setting a new DH for the TF in your next Orders phase.
Be sure to check the orders of TF’s that have just been in combat, or you may find them prematurely leaving the scene of
action.

Did you by chance set those PFs to patrol at Full Speed? That could run them out of fuel faster than they could make it home. Pictures of your TFs would help.

Hi Thanks -

TF was a single PF Mission Speed its Patrol Area was two points in a line between Midway & Aleutians - if that helps

I guess that screenshot was after your saw the problem and ordered it to RTB. A screenshot with the patrol zones set might have helped more. My TFs always RTB when they are down to about 25-33% fuel. Don't know what the problem is here, but I would send out a ship with big bunkers or an AO to refuel that PF and get it to a big port to repair that high System damage faster.