This is from a wish list post I made some time ago.
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CV should not be able to roam independently but should require supply ships to occasionally steam out to resupply them. Even a CV without air operations still needs to be refueled from time to time, needs provisions for the crew, etc. In addition, the more air operations that are conducted, the more av-gas would need to be steamed to the CV group to keep the birds fueled up. At short distances, we can use the supply barges (which are already in the game) but at longer distances we can use ocean going cargo ships.
What would this accomplish? It would; allow hidden CVs to be found, create a strategic type of gameplay by hunting down those cargo ships, and overall create more play and targets for a bomber force which has little to do.
Here is a picture of an Essex Class CV undergoing refueling at sea.
Here is a picture of a CVE under going refueling.
This is a link to a diary made by a sailor, note the multiple refuels in his log.
http://www.cowpensvets.org/wardiary.htmlNow I'll quote Donald L. Miller, who is well known for his consulting work and historical background.
"... along with a
sea train of fuel (bold added by me), cargo, repair and hospital vessels that allowed the task groups to operate out of port for as long as 70 days. Each carrier group was refueled every 4 days by oilers, which also brought the mail and the latest movies."
This is a nice reference for the use of resupply during the Okinawa campaign. (Summary of Service, Biographical File: Rear Adm. Edward E. Paré)
"The fuel required for the Okinawa operation far exceeded that consumed during any previous campaign. This large consumption was the result of the many ships employed and an increase in their endurance at sea because of the underway replenishment facilities of Service Squadron 6. Between 17 March and 27 May, the amount of fuel oil, diesel oil, and aviation gasoline issued by Task Group 50.8 for replenishment at sea (including its own use) was 8,745,000 barrels of fuel oil (ninety tankers' worth), 259,000 barrels of diesel oil, and 21,477,000 gallons of aviation gasoline. This was more petroleum than Japan managed to import or produce during the entire year of 1944!"