Defending the Channel 1940

[gwgardner]

I'm a newbie, so did something really stupid in my first WAW game playing the Western Allies. When the Germans launched their attack into France, I decided to start moving the BEF into France. Loaded half the BEF on cargoships UNESCORTED! I had this great idea, stationing all my carriers near Bristol, thinking their aircraft would intercept any attacks on the cargoships. Also I had 4 squadrons of fighters stationed near the coast, for interception.

The Luftwaffe sent all my cargoships to the bottom of the Channel, along with all the BEFs armor. Looking through the history of the turn, I saw no evidence that any of my fighters, carrier-based or land-based, did interceptions.

Perhaps my interceptors had used all their APs intercepting previous actions? I need to check that.

So what should I have done differently. Some heavy escort, obviously - but then the escort would have been a major target too. How to protect with CAP?

[ernieschwitz]

First thing that strikes me is that you probably forgot to set an intercept order for your fighters.

[gwgardner]

I had them at 50%.

[ernieschwitz]

2nd thing, were they in range? You can see their actual range by clicking the recon button. The area with red planes on it is the interception range. Note, you should do this BEFORE moving, as the interception range is NOT dependent on current movement allowances, but the recon range is.

3rd thing, and this is mainly advice. Although in most games these days you cannot load and unload (on a foreign coast) the same turn, this does not mean you need to park your troops in harms way. They could be in port, until next turn...

[gwgardner]

Oh, good point! And I rechecked, two of the fighter squadrons had 'don't intercept' orders. I really blew it.