Minelayers

[spence]

In 11.7 of the rulebook it says that "Minelayers and Submarines may only rearm mines at Noumea and Truk.

I know for a fact that Submarines (anyway) may rearm mines at Brisbane.
Presumably Destroyer-Minelayers (DMs) can do the same. Is it?

The US DMs are pretty short-legged. They're outta gas after a run from Noumea to Luganville and back. I don't know about the Japanese MLs but I have the impression that they are larger and more longwinded. Anyway it would seem to require some fancy footwork with oilers or including larger ships such as cruisers or big destroyers with large fuel bunkers for the Allies to do any offensive mining in the latter part of the game. This doesn't seem correct........and then I notice that it says "Minefields are created by DM, ML and SS....." (3 ship types) and that "Minelayers (ML only?) and submarines may only rearm..." (2 ship types) so I am wondering if maybe the DMs can rearm at other places (probably not)?

[bilbow]

DMs can also re-arm at Noumea and Brisbane along with mine-laying subs. Japanese ML and subs can only re-arm at Truk.

Most of the Jap MLs only have a fuel range of 85, which usually isn't enough for a mission. They would need to stop at an intermediate base to re-fule, but if so, set them to Patrol/do not retire so they won't drop their mines in the re-fueling base. Once refueled, change to retire and send them off to do their work.

[spence]

Thanks bilbow. Patrol/Do Not Retire and they don't drop their mines. Remember that Spence

[Drex]

Thanks bilbow. Patrol/Do Not Retire and they don't drop their mines. Remember that Spence

Because of the MLs short-range, I use them onlu for laying friendly minefields and use my subs for offensive fields in eneemy territory. A wolf-pack of mine-carrying subs can lay a good field , then break them up into separate patrols.