Idea; Axis Sub Supply Ships

[Edwin P.]

Allow the axis to create a submarine supply ship from a corps instead of a normal transport. It has no attack value and no defense value.

It can supply 3 submarines that move adjacent to it - ie Submarine Combat Readiness returns to 100% before starting its gradual turn by turn decline once again - and after supplying those 3 subs its strength is reduced to 1 and it must return to port.

Would allow Axis submarines to continue to operate at Sea and reduce the need dfro subs to return to port.

[Roosevelt45(the 2nd)]

I'm pro, though I would just make this a new type of unit that can still attack but has lesser defense and attack than a normal sub and is more expensive.

[Edwin P.]

"What is a Milk Cow?

The Milk Cows were U-boats of type XIV and which their role was to support the operating VII and IX fighting U-boats by delivering supplies and ammunition. These boats were successful while operating out of US coast where their location 1000km out of New York permitted the smaller VIIC Atlantic boats to operate in US waters, and in the Caribbean during 1942 but vastly improved allied radar and better air coverage of the Atlantic eliminated them during 1943 and 14 other XIV were cancelled. The Milk Cows were of course a priority target for all allied forces.

The first 'Milk Cow' (U-459) was commissioned on November 15 1941 and went out on its first patrol in March 1942 after training and trials in the Baltic. The last 'Milk Cow' (U-490) was sunk on June 11. 1944 on its first operational patrol. She was sent out to support the Monsun boats in the far east (India Ocean)."

[pzgndr]

I agree that the operating range of subs should be extended somehow, but not indefinitely. A simple option may be to disable the sub supply loss while in Run Silent mode, but keep it enabled while the sub is active in Hunt mode. This would allow subs to get to/from hunting areas without losing supply along the way. Maybe make sub warfare in the middle and south Atlantic a bit more interesting, yes?

[Edwin P.]

Originally posted by pzgndr:

A simple option may be to disable the sub supply loss while in Run Silent mode, but keep it enabled while the sub is active in Hunt mode.

Excellent, simple and elegant.

Does not require a new unit, easy for the AI to manage. What more can I say.

Idea (just an idea, not needed but here it is): Have this option in effect only if the player has a Naval HQ unit - This limits Italian subs to the Med (Assuming they don't purchase a Naval HQ) while giving German subs (the only Axis power that can afford to purchase a Naval HQ) free range in the Atlantic.

[ July 13, 2004, 12:00 PM: Message edited by: Edwin P. ]