Sea Box Tactics

[76mm]

I've been playing around with the Guadalcanal scenario so finally have some naval issues to deal with.

Usually when I put ships or planes into a sea area, I just choose the highest available box, even if the sea area has a convoy in the zero box. Am I better off putting something in the zero box as well? If so, what? Aircraft? CL? Subs?

Similarly, if I already have a couple ships in the, say, two box, but then have the option of puting other ships in the four box, am I better off having them all in the two box, or some in the two and some in the four?

[AxelNL]

Against sub attacks best is to protect convoys in the same box with air, and a naval unit in the 4 box to get the best chance to find it.
Spreading your forces over the boxes gives better odds to find the enemy, but if he finds you instead he can pick which box to destroy.

The naval war in WiF had its own tactical challenges as the land war!

See also volume 1 of the players manual. There are chapters with advice in the first half which are dealing with this subject. Interesting reading material.

[celebrindal]

So there are several cycles and plans to consider when placing units in a box.

First off for subs, you typically want them in the highest box possible. Putting them in the zero box doesn't mean they will be included if you attack convoys.

Surface units you typically want in the highest box but will put them lower based on:
1. convoy points.. stuff in the zero box with the convoy's will protect them.
2. The one box, when you do you stay at sea they drop down to the zero box.

Otherwise you put them in either the highest box, or if you are worried about naval air in a box that has fighter/nav coverage.

CV's always go wherever is the safest but typically highest box.. the cruddy 1 point cv's you could put in with your convoy's. The only thing it really helps with tho is it might make your opponent waste surprise points to choose combat.. if not he might use the surprise points to blast the carrier.

Just my 2c.

[paulderynck]

ORIGINAL: AxelNL

Against sub attacks best is to protect convoys in the same box with air, and a naval unit in the 4 box to get the best chance to find it.

But you are very wise to also put escort ships in the zero box with your CPs as well as air for two very good reasons:

1) The weather can change to storm or blizzard and your air units will be ignored (although the subs will have a more difficult time finding the CPs.)

2) If the subs get enough surprise to pick the combat type and the zero box has only CPs and Nav, then your nefarious opponent may choose surface combat instead which negates any ASW value shooting back at the subs. CRT not quite as good for the subs, but they'll be searching again!

[Finarfïn]

As a beginner but several tests
All ideal "case"
for ASW escort in 0 and 1 boxes, picket in 4 box
Streght of escort and picket in relation with importance of CP lines

SUB higher as possible (no 0 unless for rebasing)

SCS/raiders if an air cover is possible i'm more to put them in a lower section (1, 2 or 3)with that air umbrella than to put them in a higher section without.

fin

[paulderynck]

A very effective strategy for the Axis subs in the Bay of Biscay and Cape St Vincent is to get the Italian "Catalinas" out there with them to provide a search bonus.