xAK and AE in WW2

[Yaab]

Supply is abstracted in WiTP:AE, and represents ammo/food/avgas/spare parts/device replacements etc.

Suppose I am only intrerested in ammo. As I understand, an xAK ship in WW2 with i.e. 4000 capacity (supply points in WITP:AE) would normally carry a mix of items: vehicles,ammo, lubricants, food, building materials. An AE ship with 4000 capacity would carry ammo only ( a mix of bombs, arty shells, rifle rounds,grenades etc.) .

Thus, an xAK ship of 4000 capacity would probably carry a 1000 supply points of pure ammo, while an AE ship would carry 4000 points of pure ammo.

Is that how such ships usually were loaded in WW2? Were xAK also used to carry ammunition only up to their full load in emergency situations, making them temporary AE ships in terms of loadout?

[RangerJoe]

Supply is abstracted in WiTP:AE, and represents ammo/food/avgas/spare parts/device replacements etc.

Suppose I am only intrerested in ammo. As I understand, an xAK ship in WW2 with i.e. 4000 capacity (supply points in WITP:AE) would normally carry a mix of items: vehicles,ammo, lubricants, food, building materials. An AE ship with 4000 capacity would carry ammo only ( a mix of bombs, arty shells, rifle rounds,grenades etc.) .

Thus, an xAK ship of 4000 capacity would probably carry a 1000 supply points of pure ammo, while an AE ship would carry 4000 points of pure ammo.

Is that how such ships usually were loaded in WW2? Were xAK also used to carry ammunition only up to their full load in emergency situations, making them temporary AE ships in terms of loadout?

The cargo ships may carry a full load of ammo only but they don't have the capabilities to directly supply the ships. That is what counts. The cargo ship would have to unload the cargo into a port before it could be supplied to a ship or reloaded onto a replenishment vessel.

[Arkham]

I would also imagine the xAk has their ammo loaded for the most efficient way of transporting it, stacked in an optimal way to cram as many units into any given volume as possible, while the AE's have to unbox all that stuff and have them prepared for transfer to ships that would use them.

Similarly to why AKs in a transport task force can load more supplies than the same AKs in a amphibious task force.

[Chris21wen]

What RangerJoe said.

AE is a ship designed to carry ammo safely, e.g. reduce the risk of an explosion (not always possible). This is also true of AKE's but they were converted general stores ships. The other main difference between them is the AE were later modified to carry out replenishment at sea (RAS) and are the only dry cargo ship types capable of doing this in the game. The other thing to consider is both also carried some general supply and we all know the game does not distinguish between ammo and supply. xAK also carried ammo but not as much and not as safely but needs must.