Am having a tough time...

[GI Tom]

Ok, some more newbie questions.

I have read 90% of the manual and am ok with most everything. I seem to understand technically how to do things, but I'm having some trouble doing things smartly, or can't quite seem to figure out the tricks of the trade that everyone else is probably using.

The problems I'm running into are with supply transport mostly. I have completed the first 3 scenerios thus far. All as Japanese. I won the first two simply by being able to destroy more ships, I wasn't able to take over any additional bases. Seems to take a long time to get my troops loaded, find a safe route, etc, I need work here too apparently [8|] Was finally able to take over a base in the 3rd scenerio, but I lost 2 of my carriers due to extreme stupidity. This caused me a loss.

Ahh, how glorious it was when I sank my first CV's though. It was a thing of beauty. [:D]

Regarding supply, while I understand HOW to get supplies and fuel from Truk to say Rababul, I'm having a hard time getting them distributed to my outpost islands from there. I've used available air transport, but it always seems I never have enough AP's or TK's or AO's to get it all distributed properly. I guess part of my problem is with the TG's. Is there a way to set these puppies on automatic between two locations for a perpetual run? I didn't see anything in the manual on that.

Also, barge hubs. Not real clear on how they work. Manual doesn't seem to be much help when I've read this section several times.

Supply is causing me great headaches.

Any general help/tactics on this would be appreciated.

Tom

[crsutton]

Yes, change your transport TF from human control to computer control. Once you do that, then set the destination to the base you want to resupply. Make sure your base with supplies is set as your home base. Note that now the Task Force will say CS *** with the name of the base that you are supplying following. Like CSPort Morsby. The TF will then run constantly back and forth to that base. You can do that with barges as well.

If you are the Japanese and running a lot of operations-especially using your BBs a lot, you will have difficulty keeping fuel on hand.

[Panzer76]

Use barges from Rabul to supply the other bases. They can be created by Transport TFs from Truk. Look at the TF screen for the button.

[GI Tom]

Thanks for all the advice. Very helpful as usual around here. [:)]

Tom

[AmiralLaurent]

If you play the Japanese, forget about supply transport by air. Your bombers are for more useful in other tasks and will carry very little.

My supply system is the following:

1) big convoys from Truk to Rabaul, Shortlands and later Wewak or Los Negros (all ports built to maximum size). I use 3000-ton AP only in this area.

2) smaller convoys load in Rabaul, Shortland and Wewak/Los Negros to carry supplies to advance bases

3) barges operate mainly in Solomons. Their base is one of the New Georgia ports, where fuel and supplies are brought by bigger ships and they carry them to the more advanced bases

Convoys in area 1) and 3) are automatic. To create them, do the following
a) create a TF with enough transports (and some escorts if not a barge convoy)
b) set his home base as the base where you want to load the supplies/fuel and sent the TF to this base if it is not there
c) change the TF to computer control
d) order to load supplies/fuel
e) give it a destination
The orders are now changed to CS: (destination base), that means that the ships will sail until the end of the world from base A to B

If a base is under enemy plane range, you can use your numerous cruisers and DD for a fast transport mission.

[Halsey]

If you are sending supplies into dangerous areas, such as Port Moresby, set them to Do Not Retire. They are safer at a port with an airfield, and they won't run away when a CV group is 30 hexes away from them.[;)]

I constantly run my 3000 cap AP's to Moresby on these settings. Most have experience levels in the 50's. All from shooting at recon aircraft over a 3 month period. In addition I keep two CA Surface TF's at Moresby padded with PT boat TF's. They always draw the Betties in, and they shoot down a lot of recons. The IJN may come after them a couple of times, but your LBA will pick off the stragglers on the way home. Very expensive to knock them out.[;)]

[52nd Lowland]

The fast transport option is v useful for sneaking in small amounts of supply or something like an engineering unit/RCT/Brigade under the eyes of Rabaul's Nells and Bettys.
However for Port Moresby i just pack as many transports in the TF as well as having as much Airpower in Port Moresby as possible.