Air attacks vs airfields

[stjeand]

Looking for a little insight...

I know air units can attack airfields but from what I see they have little effect.
In fact if I send my fighters vs and enemy fighter base...I am not sure I have ever come out on top.

I know in WW2 the Germans devastated the Polish and Russian air forces on the ground.

For example...I tested and attack on the Polish fighters in Warsaw with German fighters.

Germans lost 4.
Polish 0.

Yes they lost their reaction ability and some effectiveness...but that appears to be all.

Is that basically all that attacking airfields is for?

[ncc1701e]

Few months ago, I have suggested to beef up airfields attack on the first turn a DoW is made. All your examples are linked to surprise airfield attacks when the war is declared.
But, for the Soviet in PBEM, airfields are usually far behind the frontline.

[stjeand]

Well I get that for the Soviets. No reason to suicide their airforce...they save massive amounts of PP being able to retreat their air., Then they all get upgraded in 42...No way for the Germans to catch them.

Foresite is a HUGE bonus for them there.

[MorningDew]

I might do an airfield attack once every 2-3 games. Have never figured out how they are valuable because, as you pointed out, the impact on the enemy air units are usually very disproportional to the attacker.

Not sure when it should be used or its intended purpose.

[WraithMagus]

I haven't seen any air attack as worthwhile. Even if I can make enemy air superiority pull back, I can attack what should be a weak unit, and get 3 losses for 0 damage. I think that the main benefit of air attacks is in dropping the effectiveness of the enemy, but you can't see the enemy's effectiveness or know how much it dropped, so who knows if it helps?! I've generally defaulted at this point to just letting bombers go full support, because I think, maaaybe that helps push odds in your favor, but in general, it seems really random and ineffectual to use your air power.

[Meteor2]

Is it ok to see that they are mostly ineffective?
Maybe Alvaro can give some reasoning for the mechanic behind.
Battle of Britain, Barbarossa or Bodenplatte are examples, that attacks on airfields were seen to be worth the effort.
That should be simulated more or less in the mechanic of the game.

[ncc1701e]

One important question: what type of planes are you using for airfield attacks?

[MorningDew]

Interesting question. What air unit attributes most impact airfield attacks?

[AlvaroSousa]

It is a ground attack. It mostly lowers the effectiveness of the opponent's planes

[MorningDew]

As noted early in the thread, the experience is that it also usually causes more damage on the attackers than is inflicted on the defenders and, therefore, it isn't worth doing.

[squatter]

I strongly agree this should be looked at.

Currently, players can switch off all their air units from intercept mode during the other player's turn so that nothing flies, and then carefully micromanage attacks and escorts in their own turn to great effect.

The opposite player can't really do anything to touch the enemy airforce during his turn because direct attacks on airfields are so lame.

I feel that if a player isn't prepared to have their fighters on intercept mode, then any attacks on their airfields should take a heavy toll. This was not an era of hardened bunkers to hide your air frames in - unprotected airfields full of aircraft were juicy targets when there was no air opposition.

[baloo7777]

ORIGINAL: squatter

I strongly agree this should be looked at.

I feel that if a player isn't prepared to have their fighters on intercept mode, then any attacks on their airfields should take a heavy toll. This was not an era of hardened bunkers to hide your air frames in - unprotected airfields full of aircraft were juicy targets when there was no air opposition.

+1

[ncc1701e]

The old WW2 image I have in mind is that fighters can do a lot of damage to aircraft parked on an airfield. Fighters should perhaps have a ground attack bonus for airfield attacks.

[ncc1701e]

ORIGINAL: squatter

I feel that if a player isn't prepared to have their fighters on intercept mode, then any attacks on their airfields should take a heavy toll. This was not an era of hardened bunkers to hide your air frames in - unprotected airfields full of aircraft were juicy targets when there was no air opposition.

I like your idea. The thing is there are only two operation points already for aircrafts. Perhaps, we should think to increase this a little bit: three?

[stjeand]

Two points is enough...fighters can only intercept so many attacks. Add more then you just attack more. Does not change overall.

I got my answer...do not use.

I just wanted to be sure I was not missing something.

It would be nice if on the first turn of the war airfield hits do something but since the USSR will move all their plans...in the end it does not matter.

[ncc1701e]

ORIGINAL: ncc1701e

Few months ago, I have suggested to beef up airfields attack on the first turn a DoW is made. All your examples are linked to surprise airfield attacks when the war is declared.

@Alvaro - do you think this is something feasible? It won't work against French air force but this is historical. The French airfields bombing in May 1940 were not very successful.