Escort Carriers?

[Koniev 2]

I've played this game for years and have finally realized that I've never used the escort carrier function. It's listed as "Escort Carrier*". I went through the manual and couldn't find anything about it.
(I probably overlooked it) I'm involved in a new game as allies and in January of '43', I found two CVE's in port in SF.
Just how can I use these and how effective are they against subs?

[Capt. Harlock]

I've found them to be fairly useful, but take care that the TF has a good number of Destroyer Escorts. Sailing a CVE TF from San Francisco to Pearl and back will often encounter Japanese subs, and usually inflict more losses than they take.

However, my advice is to wait until 1944, when you have plenty of CVE's and DE's to play with. When you have only a few CVE's, they are very valuable in "Replenish" TF's, to re-stock your fleet CV's with replacement aircraft. (Note that you must have AO's or tankers to transfer fuel at the same time.)

[Poopyhead]

One obvious use for the Japanese player is to have their CVE at the beginning of the game reinforce the PH strike force with up to 10% more aircraft. Every little bit helps. Bonzai!