"Man The Guns!"

[Sailor Steve]

I have a question regarding deck and flak gun crews in SH4. My habit is to put crewmen into the gun positions, then press "Man The Guns". When the action is over I 'Unman' the guns, then put the sailors back where they were.

Is it possible to just leave them in the Gun slots all the time? Is it correct that if I do that they will no longer perform their normal functions? In real life there would be men assigned to gun duty, but otherwise they would have other jobs.

[Ducimus]

Is it possible to just leave them in the Gun slots all the time?

Yes, but i wouldn't advise it while submerged. The game treats guns as a compartment. Each compartment is tied to a damage zone. The damage zones for guns is on the exterior of the boat, and the game does not discrern between surfaced or submerged where the damage is concerned. Leave your crew in the guns area, and a depth charge could kill them all.

Is it correct that if I do that they will no longer perform their normal functions?

If their in the guns slots, then that's all they'll do. If the guns are not manned, they just sit there picking their nose or sleeping. Personally i use them as my damage control team while submerged.

[Akula4745]

When I have the crew at Battle Stations when I surface sometimes they start firing on the nearest target without my command to do so... makes it tough as hell to sneak up on somebody if the gun crew starts shooting!

[DigitalAura]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

the game does not discrern between surfaced or submerged where the damage is concerned. Leave your crew in the guns area, and a depth charge could kill them all.

hmmm..that explains why I always have so many deaths among the gunners. I assumed that I should have these slots filled all the time (I think the game starts with them full!). I have too many sailors I suppose!

[Sailor Steve]

Thanks for the tips.

@ Akula:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

Personally i use them as my damage control team while submerged.

I never thought of that! I'll give it a try.

[Akula4745]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

Personally i use them as my damage control team while submerged.

Sounds like I need to restructure my crew too... thanks for the insights!

[SteamWake]

I usually put gun 'specialist' in the watch teams. They have good eyes and the watch team thins out when the deck gun is manned anyhow.

Just got to remember to move them around.

It would be nice if you gave the order to man the deck guns they would do just that.... man the damn gun

[Akula4745]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

It would be nice if you gave the order to man the deck guns they would do just that.... man the damn gun

Excellent suggestion for SH5... as I doubt this could be modded.

[ColonelSandersLite]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

Personally i use them as my damage control team while submerged.

You know, I was doing that, but then came to the realization that a surface actions is very probably one of those times that you *really* need a damage control team!