jwilkerson -> RE: when to stop minelaying? (6/14/2006 7:15:31 PM)
|
I'll go with 3000 as being a minimal goal for a defensive minefield that you want to make a difference in terms of stopping an enemy landing at one of your bases. The minefield itself will not stop the landing. The minefield is part of a "rock, paper, scissors" defence that should include significant counter-strike capability (air and/or surface) as well as a credible defense on the ground in the base hex. I have had 3000+ minefields be a part of stopping two major invasions, so I'm a believer. I haven't had to face anyone doing this to me yet - but if I did, I'd say the counter includes subs (to sink the minelayers) as well as countermining (with subs or DM). In my second example, I think I lost 4 minelayers to subs in the hex and it did slow down the build up of the minefield. My opponent also counter-mined though not extensively. One of my BBs hit a mine ( probably enemy but can't be sure ) when my surface force counter-attacked the landing. But I do not think my opponent made extensive use of counter-mining, so that would be something try. I've used 7000 and even 9000 sized fields, but had the "feeling" that the 3000 size field was accomplishing the purpose (surviving in the face of dozens of MSW and sinking dozens of AP/AK which were trying to land the landing force) so 3000 still gets my vote as "optimal". But you never "stop" minelaying in a base you are trying to set up with a large field. You must continuously resow, just to sustain the field at a number like 3000. One good minelayer is probably sufficient for this purpose.
|
|
|
|