Divert to Buna, become guests of the Emperor

[Kingfisher]

Hopefully someone can explain the logic behind what I've witnessed in my last game, as a search came up empty.

Playing the Coral Sea scenario against the Japanese AI. In the resulting carrier battle Yorktown took 3 torps. Her planes immediately began diverting to a friendly field, except instead of choosing PM (closer and with more than enough base support) they headed to Buna (no garrison and about to be overrun by the Japanese). I lost half of the remaining air wing on the ground.

PM's air groups had taken a swipe at the invasion TF prior to the carrier battle, so the word was out that Buna was about to be overrun.

Why the bonehead move? [&:]

[RGIJN]

Welcome to the forum!

Maybe PM airstrip was cratered by japanese air attacks and some damage there deluded the AI to send these planes into the jungle of Buna. However, a weird move indeed. Though I dont know the exact location of your carriers, the bases in Northern Oz seem to be another wise choice to divert too...

[SuluSea]

Welcome, close to the same thing happened to me yesterday as I was playing the Coral Sea Scenario. Both carriers sustained serious damage and planes were diverted to both Buna and Port Moresby. Strange thing was Buna had no air support nor troops. I guess that would be a good idea for CF. If at all possible planes should divert to where there is air support, at 282 I had plenty at PM.

[tocaff]

What was the damage level at PM?  Was it over it's ac capacity?  Did you forget to bribe the AI not to screw you?

[ILCK]

ORIGINAL: Kingfisher

Hopefully someone can explain the logic behind what I've witnessed in my last game, as a search came up empty.

Playing the Coral Sea scenario against the Japanese AI. In the resulting carrier battle Yorktown took 3 torps. Her planes immediately began diverting to a friendly field, except instead of choosing PM (closer and with more than enough base support) they headed to Buna (no garrison and about to be overrun by the Japanese). I lost half of the remaining air wing on the ground.

PM's air groups had taken a swipe at the invasion TF prior to the carrier battle, so the word was out that Buna was about to be overrun.

Why the bonehead move? [&:]

I've seen the same thing happen without the soon-to-be-overrun part. Planes will divert based on logic I don't get as my planes usually seem to head for the nearest base without any support.

[Kingfisher]

ORIGINAL: tocaff

What was the damage level at PM?

Couldn't say for sure, but it couldn't have been much if any. I made it a point to fly or ship in extra engineer units from the get go, for example those that start out in Brisbane and Cairns, so recovery would have been quick. In any event a dozen or so Bettys every other turn hardly made an impression.

Was it over it's ac capacity?

Again, couldn't say. IIRC, It was a level 4 field with both the 111th and 113th base forces, which put the aviation support points up around 250+. As far as squadrons, I had both P-40s, a P-400, the Hudsons, the A-24s and both B-25s.

Did you forget to bribe the AI not to screw you?

I made sure to switch the AI's morality level from "Chicago Politician" to "Mother Teresa" prior to the game.

[DEB]

Although you ( as the player ) knew the current situation at Buna, the person who made the decision ( Pilot, Squadron leader, Carrier Air OPS Officer, or whomsoever - played by the AI ) did not. Therefore it's just bad luck. ( NB - Of course the AI knew at some level, just not one that could help. )

[Kingfisher]

Perhaps, but I'm having a hard time believing that. The fact that York's entire airwing (minus the TBs which didn't have the range) made for Buna leads me to believe the order came from someone higher up the CoC than individual pilots or even a squadron commander. Why that someone would choose to send everything to a field that is furthest away is bizzare.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: SuluSea

Welcome, close to the same thing happened to me yesterday as I was playing the Coral Sea Scenario. Both carriers sustained serious damage and planes were diverted to both Buna and Port Moresby. Strange thing was Buna had no air support nor troops. I guess that would be a good idea for CF. If at all possible planes should divert to where there is air support, at 282 I had plenty at PM.

I've had the same thing happen on the other end of the map. After a carrier battle in the triangle between Nevea, Irau and Luganville at least half of the planes diverted to Nevea which had no air base support troops. Having just finished a level one airbase that has not yet had air base support troops shipped to it is a severe liability. Squadron commanders should know better that to divert to an airbase devoid of airbase support troops. The air base itself would not have been declared and listed as "operational" at that point in time. Squadrons should only be allowed to divert to a non operational airbase as a last resort if no other operational airbase is available.

[RGIJN]

Don´t bother, I´ll take care for these orphans then...! [:D]

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: RGIJN

Don´t bother, I´ll take care for these orphans then...! [:D]

And where did I say it was in my game against Ralf? It could just as well have been my game against Todd as we also had a much bigger carrier battle in the same location around the same time (we both have 200% ship committment).

Don't be greedy now! [:D]

[decaro]

I've had planes head to Buna in that scenario; it could be something hard-coded, or perhaps the "logic" was to simply go to a friendly base closer to the enemy CVs for a better counter-strike?