2 replies to this topic

[DAVID THORNLEY]

The engagement card says that convoys come with three or four escorts, either destroyers or torpedo boats. Are these assumed to be ships from a convoy escort pool that is basically operating outside my control?

What is the starting speed of a SEQUOIA or Oil convoy?

The rules say that 75% of an air group may be used at any one time, but there's table L2 which says how many aircraft can launch. Is the 75% only true for carrier air groups?

In an amphibious assault, if the supply convoy is turned back (say 50% of the ships damaged), does the troop convoy just abort also? Where does the GCU end up?

[Blue Leader]

The engagement card says that convoys come with three or four escorts, either destroyers or torpedo boats. Are these assumed to be ships from a convoy escort pool that is basically operating outside my control?

You are right, the convoy ASW escorts come primarily from ships outside the OB. The SEQUOIA escort is listed in the Asiatic Fleet section of the Blue fleet status sheet—Gamble class DMs used for escorts are on this OB, but a number of these older ships that would be used were not included in the OB as they are tasked with performing the escort and rear area local patrol duties that go on day to day outside the fleet level operations we simulate in SSC. Several more divisions of these older DDs and TBs are provided on the Auxiliaries pages of the Optional Ship Logs in the Bonus Files, along with representative Convoy sheets, for those who want to simulate convoy engagements in more detail. For those wishing to simulate the convoys — the loss of 50% or more of the transports (AP) in a Troop Convoy would result in the loss of a GCU. That's easy, but what about the loss of only one of three APs. If the GCU is then landed because the convoy fought its way through, the GCU should be treated as a "- 1" for having taken some losses. The GCU is lost if 50% or more of the APs are sunk and OK if more than 50% of the APs and at least 50% of the AKs (with the GCU's artillery and heavy equipment) get through. Otherwise it aborts back to its origination port.

What is the starting speed of a SEQUOIA or Oil convoy?

Note that S2 on the Surface Engagement Chart lists the speeds of convoys.

The rules say that 75% of an air group may be used at any one time, but there's table L2 which says how many aircraft can launch. Is the 75% only true for carrier air groups?

The 75% rule, is to reflect that carrier air groups had a number of other tasks, such as ASW patrols, CAP and scouting to do in addition to launch air strikes. Thus, 100% of the air group was not available at any one time for a strike. LBA, in many cases, these ground air units, operating in crude forward conditions with inadequate parts and maintenance facilities were not able to maintain the readiness levels of carrier borne squadrons. LBA is also less likely tasked with ASW patrols, etc.

In an amphibious assault, if the supply convoy is turned back (say 50% of the ships damaged), does the troop convoy just abort also? Where does the GCU end up?

Yes, the convoy will abort, back to its point of origin.

[Blue Leader]

These were excellent questions that help explicate the game design and intent.

Cheers,
Blue Leader