Destroying ships in port

[gornard]

As the UK i found that finishing off the german navy was taking quite some time, i've got patrols set up all along the coast and the north sea area, and i defeated them every time they poked their heads out of their ports, but most the time they stay in hiding and a sizeable part of the fleet remains. I thought bombing ports was the answer but it seems it only reduces the port size (and by extension the amount of time before their org has recharged enough before they come out for another beating). I could go on forever, except that i'll likely have to divert some of my fleets to fight the IJN later, which will reduce my ability to defend norway and my shipping at home.

So what i'm asking is, is there a better way to lure them out, or can you destroy ships by bombing them in port with a large enough group of aircraft?

 

[unmerged(105989)]

it's called the port strike mission, and it is VERY effective. Just mass a bunch of TACs (or CAS if they reach that far) on a port and off they go. I've sunk darn near the whole RN that way. If your planes are only bombing the port, send more aircraft there, and give them time to do their job. trust me, it works.

 

[Thurak]

If you can/have to choose the plane: NAV > CAS > TAC > STR.

And there is the '41-tech in the TAC/NAV air doctrine that boosts the port strike from 50% efficiency to 100%.

But even before that: It rocks. the RN has so many old (battle)ships with so low air defence and attack values that you should be able to sink them within weeks, if they really stay in port.

 

[unmerged(105989)]

of course, he IS the RN, but good point. I've had aircraft kill more ships (and most of those on port strike) than all the ship kills combined.

 

[lambrf]

Carrier strike on port is also effective.

 

[Le Jones]

Carrier strike on port is also effective.

Not to mention fun!

 

[unmerged(105989)]

However, be careful of CV strikes on port when you don't have good control of the surrounding area. I've seen CVs, depleted in org after a long series of strikes on port, get decimated on their way back to home port.

 

[son of liberty]

However, be careful of CV strikes on port when you don't have good control of the surrounding area. I've seen CVs, depleted in org after a long series of strikes on port, get decimated on their way back to home port.

By the time you get to massive strike doctrine though, you don't lose so much org.

 

[unmerged(105989)]

True, but it takes time to get there, and the AI loves to send in barely escorted CVs to try and port strike your fleet. As Germany, I barely had a CTF escape after a port strike mission. I like living dangerously and using CTFs with Germany's original naval doctrines.

 

[midget_roxx]

I have yet to see Carrier strike to something to ships. It's pathetic

 

[unmerged(105989)]

You need a fairly large (6 or more) CTF with doctrines recent of about say, 1942 or so, to do well. Also remember that the air doctrines must be up to date as well for the CAGs to be at prime efficiency. That said, I've found a stack of 20 Tacs to be somewhat..... effective in clearing ports of ships.

 

[gornard]

Ok thanks, i'll know better next time.