LSTs and CV air ops

[john martino]

Q 1 When does the US start to get LSTs and LCI ? How are they created?
Q 2 CV air ops what impact does the toggel "react to enemy" or do not reacte to enemy" have on the ability of CV based AC to launch against sighted ships? I am new to the game and feel just abit let down by the CV air ops actions or in-action. I have the "Patrol/Do retire"-" retirment allowed" thing down but not the "react to enemy" or "do not react to enemy" thing. I guess if I am hunting for capital ships with CV what settings should I have it on? Also will sending more CV board scouts out increase my locations and therefore increase my chances of launching???? help!

[Scona]

Some answers to your questions.

1. LST's and LCI's are recieved like other ship reinforcements, they exist as actual vessels and should start to appear around the begining of '43. Other Allied landing craft (LCVP etc.) will appear as "barge points", also during '43.

2. CV setting "React to Enemy" will cause your TF to move towards any sighted enemy TF's, but your air units have to be set to strike enemy ships for them to attack. Also your squadron fatigue levels should be lower than "20" for your aircraft to operate at maximum effect. Having lots of scouts will increase the ability of the CV to aquire targets.

[CMDRMCTOAST]

If your pilots are fatiuged they may not fly especially if they are inexperienced
pilots, the dive bombers and torp bombers might not fly if there is no fighter cover for them, the fighters should be set to escort with a cap of 40 - 60% to allow for air cover.
Set your TBF'S and SBD'S to naval attack with the SBD'S to 10% or 20% search
also set some SBD'S to 16,000 feet or more to allow massed attacks on convoys
instead of random attacks. ( I usually set 1 SBD group per carrier to 16 - 17,000 feet)
they will attack in large groups that way and will usually get thru to the carriers.
never set the sqdrns to attack mutliple targets ( naval attack and say ports)
as this will fatiuge your pilots more quickly.
rest your pilots, train them up on lesser targets, make sure your airgroups are
at full strength ESPECIALLY YOUR WILDCATS and then attack the IJN CV'S or convoys.