Continuous patrols

[HBuhring]

Is it possible to have any number of hexes continuously patrolled by setting a standing orger of some kind and then let the 2iC handle the details (sending out the new fleet in time to relieve the previous one, notifying if the patrol is discontinued due of lack of available ships, etc.)?

Thanks

HBuhring

[tony_glazebrook]

Is it possible to have any number of hexes continuously patrolled by setting a standing orger of some kind and then let the 2iC handle the details (sending out the new fleet in time to relieve the previous one, notifying if the patrol is discontinued due of lack of available ships, etc.)?

Thanks

HBuhring

HB - yes, you can do this very easily :-)

You simply nominate one or more target hexes for offensive and/or defensive patrols. The target hexes stay on the books until you change/delete them.

Your 2IC then tries to find the best ships to create the patrols, looking through all of your fit ships every turn, selecting those most suited to the kind of mission, and balancing out the numbers and ratios of ships as per your general mission parameters.

Note that you can do this not only for surface ships, but also for subs. Eg you could authorise your 2IC to try to create between zero and four types of patrol missions every turn:
a. surface defensive patrols
b. surface offensive patrols
b. sub defensive patrols
c. sub offensive patrols.

For each of these you can set target patrol hexes, minimum and optimum numbers and ratios of ships. (You only need to set these parameters once; they stay active until changed again)

Then your 2IC handles all the grunt work of finding the right ships and creating the missions - the movement routes, speeds and rules of engagement.

If you haven't nominated any target hexes, he will determine them himself, and the priority of these hexes reflects a sophisticated calculation. For offensive patrols, he looks at every possible enemy convoy route is traced and the hexes in it accorded a value based on the notional value of a standard convoy on that route given the value of the materials that could carried and processed at the ened point. If multiple routes go through the same hex, the hex accrues in value. So the most valuable target hexes are those where shipping is likely to be conventrated and carrying valuable cargo. For defensive patrols, he chooses hexes close to your own ports.

Note that if there are enough ships your 2IC will try to create multiple missions for each type. He will create the missions prioritising the target hexes as he goes according to either the list you nominated or else the sorted, prioritised targets he has determined this turn. Eg, if there are say say 12 target hexes for sub offensive patrols in the north and south atlantic, he may create several sub offensive patrols. Each will have a sub set of these target hexes to aim for.

As the German player in the Atlantic 1 campaign, you will find (if you have offensive sub patrols enabled -and why wouldn't you!) that as your U Boat strength builds to large proportions, your 2IC will be sending out each turn (if he can) multiple offensive patrols in the Barents Sea, North and Irish Sea, North and South Atlantic. The patrols are likely to come from a variety of bases in Germany and France. Lots of action each turn!

In any event, you can always review what he has done each turn and, if you don't like it, you can edit or cancel any of the missions he has created, or add yoiur own manually created ones.

[HBuhring]

Sorry, I still miss an important piece of information (my grasp of English doesn't always help me): does this process ensure that a target hex will be patrolled continuously until further notice (or until my 2iC run out of suitable ships)? In other words, will the 2iC dispatch new units automatically to relieve those that must return to base due to lack of fuel or ammo (as opposed to just sending out one or more patrols at the beginning of each turn)?

Thanks again

HB

[tony_glazebrook]

Sorry, I still miss an important piece of information (my grasp of English doesn't always help me): does this process ensure that a target hex will be patrolled continuously until further notice (or until my 2iC run out of suitable ships)? In other words, will the 2iC dispatch new units automatically to relieve those that must return to base due to lack of fuel or ammo (as opposed to just sending out one or more patrols at the beginning of each turn)?

Thanks again

HB

HB - your English is fine; I realised after I sent my reply that I had neglected this aspect.

The basic answer to your question is 'no'. Your 2IC tends generally to send missions out at the start of the turn. He will stragger them sometimes (eg convoys leaving from the same port) to create some separation. And he times the departure of assault missions, from potentially multiple points, to arrive in a coordinated way in pre-dawn hours. But he does not do what you would like in regard to patrols.

However, you should find that the way missions are set up will naturally create a cycle somewhat similar to what you were intending anyway. With each new turn, new missions missions will be created to supplement those still at sea.

[tony_glazebrook]

HB - one other thing regarding your question: if you set the operational turn to less than a month - say 2 weeks or 1 week, then your 2IC gets to do his thing with more regularity, and it becomes easier to maintain continuous patrols. (When missions are sent out, they are still planned for on the basis of being at sea either as long as possible or for a planned return by the end of the month (the choice depends on the type of mission); it's just that your 2IC (and you) can review things more frequently)