I've got the Lone Merchant Blues.....

[Quagmire]

Thats completely understandable. BTW, I am really looking forward to the next TMO update!
.

[Ducimus]

This thread got me thinking if i should touch up convoys.

Basically right now, in the default campaign Early war has more single merchants then convoys spawning. As the war progresses, the amount of single merchants reduces and the amount of convoys increases.

I made convoy reports pretty sparce so you won't be getting too many contact reports. Convoy composition is either 4 to 6, to 9 merchants ( i may have some 12 merchant convoys in there, but not very common), with probably 6 merchant convoys being the most common, with escorts ranging anywhere between 2 and 3 escorts being the most common with some convoys with 4 escorts. All convoys zig zag at regular invtervals (no i wont say how long their zig zags are, that ruins the fun)

At anyrate, ive run into a few too many 2 escort convoys, but then maybe that 3rd escort was there and i just didnt see him. They don't always bother to engage if theres already 1 or 2 escorts on you. On the other hand trying to loose a couple escorts takes awhile, but then again, if i do have too many 2 escort convoys, their entirely too easy to attack. (but then again, its not like the IJN had alot of warships to draw from like the allies - yes i play "back and forth" with myself when making design decision.. a regular waffle iron! ).

I have to go back through the convoy files and re evalute my settings there based on what ive seen the last 3 patrols. Either way its *close* to my visioin of what i want for a convoy.. maybe close enough, i dont know. Kind of hard to gauge a whole slew of convoy entries based on just 3 patrols. Since burnout demands that i take a break, i may just put it off on a back burner.

[JoeCorrado]

After Action Report: 5 Nov 1943, USS Balao

Encountered Heavy IJN Units moving in line this day at approximately 1600 . Enemy ASW escorts both flank and ahead of main formation. Moved to engage and attack began at 16:40 - one Fuso Class Battleship 29,330 tons sank and one Mogami Class Heavy Cruiser 8,500 tons sank, inflicted moderate damage to one Tayo Class Escort Carrier.

Recieved attention from ASW units for nearly 4 hours and was unable to further prosecute the attack. Heavy IJN Units last seen moving NNW at 18 knots. Formation included Battleships, Cruisers and atleast two (one damaged) escort carriers.

Balao suffered damage during repeated depth charge attacks that cannot be repaired at sea.

Returning to Pearl.


===

Ducimus- you should give RSRD a try with your own TMO. The two just cannot be beat. True,you will not be seeing many convoys and even less of these major naval formations- but when you do run across one- you sure do enjoy it! Lurker and you have combined for one heck of an enjoyable experience!

[claybirdd]

I totally agree TMO + RSRD =the apex of SHIV.

[DeepIron]

BTW, historially speaking, The USS Gudgeon, the first US sub to hunt in Japanese waters reported a "lack of mechant shipping" in the area SE of Japan she was assigned to. Later, after she returned to Pearl, Lt. Cmdr. Grenville found out that most merchant shipping was much further south of Japan in early to mid-1942...

[Hylander_1314]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

This thread got me thinking if i should touch up convoys.

Basically right now, in the default campaign Early war has more single merchants then convoys spawning. As the war progresses, the amount of single merchants reduces and the amount of convoys increases.

I made convoy reports pretty sparce so you won't be getting too many contact reports. Convoy composition is either 4 to 6, to 9 merchants ( i may have some 12 merchant convoys in there, but not very common), with probably 6 merchant convoys being the most common, with escorts ranging anywhere between 2 and 3 escorts being the most common with some convoys with 4 escorts. All convoys zig zag at regular invtervals (no i wont say how long their zig zags are, that ruins the fun)

At anyrate, ive run into a few too many 2 escort convoys, but then maybe that 3rd escort was there and i just didnt see him. They don't always bother to engage if theres already 1 or 2 escorts on you. On the other hand trying to loose a couple escorts takes awhile, but then again, if i do have too many 2 escort convoys, their entirely too easy to attack. (but then again, its not like the IJN had alot of warships to draw from like the allies - yes i play "back and forth" with myself when making design decision.. a regular waffle iron! ).

I have to go back through the convoy files and re evalute my settings there based on what ive seen the last 3 patrols. Either way its *close* to my visioin of what i want for a convoy.. maybe close enough, i dont know. Kind of hard to gauge a whole slew of convoy entries based on just 3 patrols. Since burnout demands that i take a break, i may just put it off on a back burner.

A good idea Ducimus. It really sucks to have no fish left because of the juicy targets along the way to the patrol zone. An occasional ship of opportunity, or Jap sub from time to time, is nice to break up the monotony, but I find myself ignoring contacts, so I have ammo when I get where I need to be. In fact, I just got my first carrier, in Dec. of '43, and I started out at the beginning with the attack on Pearl, and the Philipines. It was only a small escort type, but it still was 11,000 tons. But I mainly run into destroyers and sub chasers for the most part.