Troop Transport (non-assault)

This rule is part of the Axis & Allies Global 1940 2E, House Rules Expansion.

The Escort unit is a sea unit, that has multiple tasks. The primary task is to protect Transports as part of a Convoy.

G40 Escorts, Transports & Convoy Protection.pdf

_Here’s a rule with two aims:

1. Safeguard Russian production (with some historical precedent) from relatively easy/early/immediate German poaching
2. More setup variety and more interesting potential play at the periphery of the map._
3. Enable/strengthen KJF and bilateral games.

The Rule:
During setup, do not automatically place any ICs in non-capital territories.  Instead, those ICs (and up to one AA unit/gun that accompanies it) may be placed in any territory controlled by their owner. The choice of where to place any starting ICs can be discussed openly, but should be made in secret and revealed simultaneously by all players.
Optional: If the UK does not start with at least one non-capital IC, allow it to place an IC+AA unit as well.

I think this works best with some of kind of mild incentive to encourage creative placements, so here are two versions of a bonus (pick one):

Bonus version A: Wherever a starting, non-capital IC is placed, permanently increase the IPC value of that territory by one (but not above 3).

Bonus version B: Whenever ANY non-capital IC is built or placed (for the duration of the game), permanently increase the IPC value of that territory by one (but not above 3).

@SubmersedElk:

In a “search roll” scenario both players should independently roll to see if they detect the other. It should be possible for both sides to detect the other, not just the winner of a contested roll. One has to assume that both sides are using seaplane recon.

I agree. Also the soze of the airforce should be taken into account. Many BBs (and alot of smaller ships too) in WW2 had a few seaplanes They could fly around trying to find their enemy. Carriers however, would have a Much larger and more efficient unit/force of search planes. While landbased planes where much more limited by fuel and proximity to the coast.

I would rank it like this:
hunit, searchroll
DD: 2
Cr,BB, CV w/o planes, landbased ftr : 3
Landbased tac /Bomber : 4
Carrier with planes : 5

The best unit you have will determine your searchvalue.

Great posts Black_Elk. I’m trying to imagine any problems a 3 move non-combat rule would create.

On my map with this rule the USA could reach the shore of Japan from San Francisco in one move and vice versa. A US navy could reach Normandy from New York. But they could not actually do anything but sit there, as it would be non-combat movement. Nobody likes to leave loaded transports floating around, so I’m thinking attacks would still come from two zones away and the three zone moves would pretty much be limited to shuffling navies from one ocean to the other. Heck, if that’s true, everything could move 4 in non-combat, 2 in normal combat, and 3 in combat from naval bases. What would it hurt? I suppose it would all have to be game tested.

@Der:

Yeah I guess I should have stuck with the more generic term “troopship” - although the Lusitania was a liner that went down. All ships were vulnerable at certain places and times.

Lusitania, a civilian ship, was sunk in 1915.
Struck by one torpedo, it exploded and sunk because there was ammunitions on board.
Also, it was slow because half engines were temporarily not operational due to a coal shortage.

Not a good case for fast, military, troopship.

SS Athenia was sunk in 1939.
It was the  beginning of WW2.
It was not equipped then and speed was only 15 knots.
But still, a U-boat U-30 was able to sink her.

PeterPaaPan,

I agree completely with Dangermouse. He has done some nice paint jobs himself. But it simply TAKES TIME! If you have someone else painting them for you,…you are still going to have to pay them FOR THEIR TIME. A painter with lesser talents would probably take more time,…and a professional will simply will cost more, read EXSPENSIVE!

I would encourage you to try painting them yourself. You’ll get better as you gain experience, and probably have some fun, too. There are several people on here that have painted their own pieces, and even some tutorials to help you out. They’re not hard to find, either. Just look around. You CAN DO IT! Good Luck.

“Tall Paul”

Thanks to everyone for all the replies. Lots of great ideas. I am implementing the idea of having to take off from AB but do not like the idea of having to land back at one (too restictive). A lot of the ideas discussed IMO are to restrictive. Here’s what my group will use moving forward.
Heavy transport $10, move 6 no attack or defend value (last unit removed - NEW) (must take off from AB-NEW) (limit 3 per major power) (can transport 3 Inf or 3 Special forces)
Special forces (paratroops) $5 Att3 Def1 (limit 5 per major power but can be replaced when destroyed).

Lately I play them as 8 Ipc defenseless units that can transport 2 inf. there range is 5. So typically they have a round trip range of a fighter unless they take off from airbase and then the round trip is that of a bomber.