Using the Escort Command Correctly

[ETF]

Not really sure about the escort command.......reviewed the manuel still not quite sure.
In order to reduce micrmanagement time would it not be just as easy to include DD's screen WITHIN a TaskForce rather than assigning every time a escort TF to escort my delicate AP's.
Any pros and cons to this?

[Dereck]

I "think" the escort command would be more appropriate to use with a CVE task force to protect a convoy or invasion type fleet. Any veterans out there, please correct me if I'm wrong.

[tsimmonds]

The escort type TF was designed to create a group of ships that will stick together despite differences in speed. It is most useful in shepherding damaged ships to port. Just put the damaged ships together with their screening ships into an escort-type TF. Damaged ships are slow, and fast-moving escorts will desert them (a single faithful DD will remain, but you usually want more escorts than this) if placed in any other type of TF. It can also serve as a handy administrative TF to move things around in rear areas; this is the only TF type that any kind of ship may be put into. But don't make the mistake of thinking that you can use them for screening CVTFs or SCTFs, they won't do anything except defend themselves if attacked.

[ETF]

What about placing them in the TF itself. Will they jsut look after themselves and ignore the merchant ships.
So how do you set up convoy's............sorry what is a SCTF's

[tsimmonds]

SCTF=surface combat TF

Convoy=transport mission TF with escorts in the same TF. You can also create a separate ASW TF and have it follow your high-value convoys. They seem to at least soak up the attacks, if not actually keep the subs at bay...the escorts in the Transport TF can make sub attacks more difficult, and may counterattack vs the sub, but the ASW TF seems far better at this. Here's one possibility: Transport TF with 20AK and 5TK, plus 1DD, 3PC and 3PG. Followed by an ASW TF with 4DD and a very good leader. I'm sure many folks would beef up the screen(s), but I try to be realistic.