Patrol Area 14 (book)

[Bubblehead1980]

Wondering if anyone has read this book. Thoughts ?

https://www.amazon.com/Patrol-Area-1.../dp/1543446892

[propbeanie]

Yes, I have, when it was originally on Google Books and was a "trial" book. Details of patrol techniques that I was not aware of, but that we've incorporated somewhat into the next FotRSU release. One aspect of the game that is difficult to "model" is the "rotation" aspect, where the boats would come into the Mariannas Patrol Area, which was further divided into boat areas. This was especially true as the US prepared to land on Saipan. As the boats there at a given time would run out of fuel or torpedoes and then leave, one of the other boats would then rotate into their area, someone else would rotate into that 2nd boat's area etc. and then a new boat would come along and fill the empty spot. Lather rinse repeat. It seemed the senior skipper was deferred to. I do like print in my hands, but the kindle book would be fine also, and is basically the way I read it (digitally) on Google. It sure didn't seem to be 400 pages when I read it... lol - but it is full of detail on top of detail. I did pick and choose what I read, and skipped some of his background info, which I wish now I wouldn't have... It is definitely not Fluckey or O'Kane telling the story, and might be considered closer to a history textbook than a "reading" book.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by propbeanie

Yes, I have, when it was originally on Google Books and was a "trial" book. Details of patrol techniques that I was not aware of, but that we've incorporated somewhat into the next FotRSU release. One aspect of the game that is difficult to "model" is the "rotation" aspect, where the boats would come into the Mariannas Patrol Area, which was further divided into boat areas. This was especially true as the US prepared to land on Saipan. As the boats there at a given time would run out of fuel or torpedoes and then leave, one of the other boats would then rotate into their area, someone else would rotate into that 2nd boat's area etc. and then a new boat would come along and fill the empty spot. Lather rinse repeat. It seemed the senior skipper was deferred to. I do like print in my hands, but the kindle book would be fine also, and is basically the way I read it (digitally) on Google. It sure didn't seem to be 400 pages when I read it... lol - but it is full of detail on top of detail. I did pick and choose what I read, and skipped some of his background info, which I wish now I wouldn't have... It is definitely not Fluckey or O'Kane telling the story, and might be considered closer to a history textbook than a "reading" book.

Nice. I stumbled across it while working on wolfpack missions aka coordinated attack groups, I am working in TMO. The patrol grid in TMO has the area not listed as 14 but broken down to area Maple Grove, Rosegarden etc suppose they were sub areas of 14. I am going to purchase the book, sounds interesting.

Well for rotation I have orders worked in using the date/time trigger so is player receives orders, rotates, unveils new area to rotate to. I have worked in coordinated attacks at certain dates and times. I use the message triggers to simulate orders from the group commander. I've tried to add some actual wolfpacks such as the first one with Grayback, Cero, Shad in Oct 1943 in East China Sea. "Bens Busters" in April-May 1944 in the Marianas , which was the first truly successful wolfpack, after some issues following initial deployment.

Initially wolfpacks would embark a senior officer, usually a Captain or Commodore (Barb had Commodore Swinburne aboard commanding the pack in August-Sept 1944 patrol in Luzon Strait) to have overall command of the pack but from what have read eventually stopped this and allowed the the most senior CO in the pack to have tactical command.

Testing so far things going well. Really is cool when attack roughly same time as AI sub. As you prob know us subs usually took turns instead of attack at exact same time. One would attack from port, other would next attack from starboard, third sub in pack would then attack, rinse and repeat if possible.


One I tested, they ambushed a convoy west of Guam in November 1943. I was 10 miles away but heard the explosions and saw smoke. I left external cam on since testing, went over and saw a merchant on fire sinking, I assume from torpedo hits. Saw escorts firing on AI sub, close enough dropped some depth charges, then the sub reach its exit time or delete point, to simulated diving deep. I attacked next and sunk two ships. They moved along and were attacked a third time, saw smoke and flames in the distance, it was dusk by that point.

Followed up with night surface attack..I sunk another, results of others inconclusive in this test.


Most wolfpack missions proceed independently to area but I have to where play departs with pack mates and travels with most of the way. The issue that can be problematic since subs cant dive, so run into a aircraft, they get damaged or sunk or invite a bunch of planes to area. So I changed it where they "dive" before reaching enemy territory, then "surface" ie respawnin assigned areas/

I have rendezvous with pack mates set up, one to deliver spare parts etc via raft.


Keep things interesting a gives a sense of coordinated operations but not having them pop up too much since A its a pain to build these missions for the campaign lol and B it takes the players autonomy away.

Two chance to be assigned wolfpack missions in late 43, three in 1944 (Different periods) and two in 1945. Also depends on the area, what command are in. Lockwood favored pack tactics where as they were not as common for boats out of Australia, they did occur, but not as common.

[propbeanie]

If you like the occasional side-trip into the weeds of detail, then it is up your alley. Maybe not as detailed as a Tom Clancy novel, where he spews forth figures that a person then later goes "Huh? what did I just read?" as they wake themselves, but he knows the history inside and out there, and loves it...

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by propbeanie

If you like the occasional side-trip into the weeds of detail, then it is up your alley. Maybe not as detailed as a Tom Clancy novel, where he spews forth figures that a person then later goes "Huh? what did I just read?" as they wake themselves, but he knows the history inside and out there, and loves it...

Sounds great, I like details. Look forward to it. Thanks for the info