rsrd/tmo, all task forces, no merchants

stephenf555 · 03-17-11, 08:39 AM

Hi folks,
Was on patrol last night and hunting for merchants to sink to complete my patrol. I couldn't find any merchants even though I sailed around to my various patrol points for days and days. The only contacts I encountered were lots of aircraft as usual, and I met 2 task forces. When I met the task forces the DDs were heading towards me by the time I received the contact, presumably because of the cruisers radar, so it was a matter of duck and cover.

So, question, with rsrd (and tmo) is there a big reduction in the number of sole merchants wandering around? Maybe it was just coincidence last night but normally I don't sail around for more than 36 hours before bumping into some merchants, alone or in convoy.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Stephen

cdrsubron7 · 03-17-11, 04:27 PM

What date was it and what area were you patrolling?

stephenf555 · 03-17-11, 06:07 PM

it was early '42 (possibly Jan/Feb) and patrol areas were a lot of places including outside Makassar, in the Java Sea north of Surabaya, East China Sea and the Luzon Straight. And in all that patrolling I only came across 2 task forces and nothing else (except for lots of aircraft)

cdrsubron7 · 03-17-11, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephenf555

it was early '42 (possibly Jan/Feb) and patrol areas were a lot of places including outside Makassar, in the Java Sea north of Surabaya, East China Sea and the Luzon Straight. And in all that patrolling I only came across 2 task forces and nothing else (except for lots of aircraft)

RSRD is noted for a lack of merchants early in the war, but things will pick up. Escpecially in the beginning of the war the Japanese Merchant Marine were busy carrying the invasion forces as the Japanese spread southward.

Armistead · 03-21-11, 10:05 AM

Not sure how you missed all the large invasion forces near Java late feb 42, some convoys over 50 ships. A lil north of Semarang.

Actually Makassar is a poor shipping lane. 42 I find the best convoys near Bismark, not to mention all the invasion forces for the Solomons and Port Moresby.

RSRD spawns random traffic, but at a much lower rate. It spawns over 1000 realistic convoys. If you want tankers, Singy is the best place, sit outside the Bungo, places like that.

I'm goin' down · 03-21-11, 12:25 PM

Why, oh why, would any captain complaoin about the opportunity to confront a TF? Here are the advantages. 1. Potential to delay or stop the Japanese offensive threat. 2. Opportunity for lots of tonnage. 3. Renown. 4. Medals to wear at supper to impress the wife and kids, and you can wear them at the FRATERNAL ORDER OF MOOSES , formerly the Racoons, that meets on the third Wednesday of each month.

03-17-11, 08:39 AM	#1
stephenf555 Watch Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cork, Ireland Posts: 28 Downloads: 49 Uploads: 0	rsrd/tmo, all task forces, no merchants Hi folks, Was on patrol last night and hunting for merchants to sink to complete my patrol. I couldn't find any merchants even though I sailed around to my various patrol points for days and days. The only contacts I encountered were lots of aircraft as usual, and I met 2 task forces. When I met the task forces the DDs were heading towards me by the time I received the contact, presumably because of the cruisers radar, so it was a matter of duck and cover. So, question, with rsrd (and tmo) is there a big reduction in the number of sole merchants wandering around? Maybe it was just coincidence last night but normally I don't sail around for more than 36 hours before bumping into some merchants, alone or in convoy. Happy St. Patrick's Day Stephen __________________ Install 1: RSRD, TMO, SCAF, Max Optics, TGT Dials to PK, Convoy Routes Map Install 2: OP Monsun, Black Contacts, TMO Keys, Webbers Smoke Install 3: Stock v1.5

03-17-11, 04:27 PM	#2
cdrsubron7 Sink'em All Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 2,150 Downloads: 305 Uploads: 1	What date was it and what area were you patrolling? __________________ Head Deep and Keep'em Astern" - LtCDR Samuel D Dealy SHIV Guide \| Imperial Japanese Navy \| US Submarines

03-17-11, 06:07 PM	#3
stephenf555 Watch Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cork, Ireland Posts: 28 Downloads: 49 Uploads: 0	it was early '42 (possibly Jan/Feb) and patrol areas were a lot of places including outside Makassar, in the Java Sea north of Surabaya, East China Sea and the Luzon Straight. And in all that patrolling I only came across 2 task forces and nothing else (except for lots of aircraft) __________________ Install 1: RSRD, TMO, SCAF, Max Optics, TGT Dials to PK, Convoy Routes Map Install 2: OP Monsun, Black Contacts, TMO Keys, Webbers Smoke Install 3: Stock v1.5

03-21-11, 12:25 PM	#6
I'm goin' down Ocean Warrior Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Notify command we have entered the Grass Sea Posts: 2,822 Downloads: 813 Uploads: 0	Why, oh why, would any captain complaoin about the opportunity to confront a TF? Here are the advantages. 1. Potential to delay or stop the Japanese offensive threat. 2. Opportunity for lots of tonnage. 3. Renown. 4. Medals to wear at supper to impress the wife and kids, and you can wear them at the FRATERNAL ORDER OF MOOSES , formerly the Racoons, that meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Last edited by I'm goin' down; 03-21-11 at 04:09 PM.

03-21-11, 10:05 AM	#5
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	Not sure how you missed all the large invasion forces near Java late feb 42, some convoys over 50 ships. A lil north of Semarang. Actually Makassar is a poor shipping lane. 42 I find the best convoys near Bismark, not to mention all the invasion forces for the Solomons and Port Moresby. RSRD spawns random traffic, but at a much lower rate. It spawns over 1000 realistic convoys. If you want tankers, Singy is the best place, sit outside the Bungo, places like that.