DJAndrews
Posts: 305
Joined: 1/26/2003 From: Toronto, ON, CA Status: offline
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The structure of your landing forces and method of attack can make a difference too. I typically incorporate a couple of CA/CLs, plus some DDs, PG,s and MSWs into the assault convoy. CA/CL's can hold their own against most of the shore batteries below 8 inch. The DD's and gunboats will be hurt pretty badly, but will draw fire away from the transports. I also send in the assault in waves. Shock infantry and combat engineers go in on LSTs, LCIs and small APs in the first wave. The other ships enter the target hex, but have orders not to unload. In normal circumstances this gets your main fighting force ashore in one day, but keeps your supplies and support troops far enough off shore so that they take few hits. The next day, the assault ships ships withdraw and their supporting CA/CLs and any surviving DDs transfer to the larger AP and AK support TFs. These go in a little at a time or all at once, depending on how strong the CDs are. Of course while this is going on, bombardment TFs are pounding the defenses (until their ammo runs out (at which time they either withdraw or join the assault TFs)) and CVs are providing cover for all and attacking port positions from the air. As a final note, keep formimg sub-TFs as fast as ships unload and move the empty TFs off shore. I used to lose a lot of empty APs that were just sitting around waiting for the last troops or suppiles to be unloaded across a beach from the bigger support ships.
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