Amphibious invasions

[High Krausen]

What is the sequence of events in an amphibious invasion? Once loaded is the fleet ordered off shore, then the troops onto shore, or can you load the troops and give them an invasion target which they will invade once the fleet gets there.

Further, how long does it take...in other words, does the fleet show up offshore, then next turn offload the troops...if true that would seem to make invasions a very risky business, as the CSA could always rail someone into the invasion target.

thanks in advance

[Le Ricain]

What is the sequence of events in an amphibious invasion? Once loaded is the fleet ordered off shore, then the troops onto shore, or can you load the troops and give them an invasion target which they will invade once the fleet gets there.

Further, how long does it take...in other words, does the fleet show up offshore, then next turn offload the troops...if true that would seem to make invasions a very risky business, as the CSA could always rail someone into the invasion target.

thanks in advance

You can load troops onto transports while the ships are in port or load them on to ships sitting offshore. The first takes place immediately and second takes 5 days. In either case the transport can move in the same turn to your target destination.

It takes 5 days to offload troops. It is not possible to load, move and offload in the same turn.

Yes, the CSA could rail troops to the invasion target. This reflects the real life situation that during the ACW it was virtually impossible to keep operations such as this a secret.

[kcole4001]

Risky, but doable, if enough force is used, if enough of the enemy forces are tied up, if you land far enough away from a large force, and particularly if you cut a rail hub that reinforcing troops would need to attack the newly landed troops.

And you really have to avoid those pesky forts (they're there for a reason).
This puts your invasion out of reach of a quick VP city grab.
Most of the open landing territory is swamp & has poor movement potential.


An easier, and safer, method would be to heavily reinforce a coastal fort (such as Pickens), then launch a 'second front' from there.

This requires a major commitment to keep pressure up, though.
A dedicated transport & escort task force to constantly ferry fresh troops to the battle area from a central troop building port (New York works well).
It's a two turn trip either way for the task force, & often takes two turns to gather a sizable force to ship down south.

Probably 1863 is the earliest this can be implemented, but you need to reinforce the fort as early as possible with what forces you can spare.
The CSA will attempt to take it, regardless.

If you wait just a couple of more turns for a few more regiments, it may be too late!
Zip down as fast as you can gather the necessary ships & troops.
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Pickens also makes a great, close, rest & refit point for your Gulf Blockade ships!