JuanG
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quote:
ORIGINAL: jimh009
For the Allies in 1942, do not keep three US CV's in ONE large CV task force. That's a guarantee to have un-coordinated air strikes against the Japanese. Ideally, for the Allies, during 1942 you want 1 CV in each CV task force. You can get away with two CV's per TF on occasion, but one is best. Additionally, by having only one CV in each TF - you reduce the probability of a Japanese attack wiping out all three carriers in one attack.
In the ideal world, you want one US CV per CV TF - and then keep all the CV task forces in the same hex to maximize CAP (have one follow the other to coordinate movement). In 1943, the ideal US CV TF consists of two CV's per task force - perhaps with a CVL too. 1944 is the year when the US can put three CV's in each CV task force without worrying about coordination issues.
As for what to with the surface forces in 1942, if they are fast battleships (North Carolina, etc...) - I'd put them in the CV TF itself for additional flak protection and to absorb some bombs/torpedoes. If they are slow battleships (Colorado, Arizona, etc...), then I'd keep the surface TF in the same hex as the CV TF's as by having these slow BB's in a CV TF you really end up slowing the potential moving speed of the CV's down.
For the Japanese, you can start right from the get-go with 3 CV's per TF - so no need to split everything up like you have to do with the Allies. That said, I still think it's good practice to have multiple CV task forces early in the game (even for Japan) instead of having one gigantic TF full of CV's. By late 1942, the Allies have plenty of striking power if they have all their carriers. By splitting up the CV's into multiple TF's (2-3 CV's per TF) and keeping the carriers in the same hex to provide CAP, you reduce the odds of a "Midway wipeout."
As Japan I tend to operate my carriers in pairs. Kaga and Akagi are slightly out with regards to speeds, so once the Junyos arrive I tend to use those with Kaga, and pair Akagi with the fast CVLs.
I'm also beginning to believe that placing all your carriers in one hex might not be the only good option - while it does concentrate CAP, the attacks then to spread out across all the TFs rather well, and I've noticed the CAP tends to be out of position occasionally. The disadvantage is of course that flak is less concentrated too, and occasionally a single CVTF may react somewhere while the others dont. As Japan the issue is also in finding enough DDs to screen all these TFs effectively.
When involving a SCTF, I tend to have it follow the CVs so as not the slow it down, set on either react 6 if I want it to go hunting, or react 0 if its just there for defence.
< Message edited by JuanG -- 1/13/2010 11:10:46 AM >
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Basic tactics on how to use BB and CV? - 
See Speedy's reply below for an excellent example of the kind of responses I'm hoping to get!
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