Fog of War Question

[CBase]

I am curious, with Fog of War turned on, is the number of aircraft participating in an attack reported accurately in the AAR? For example, in the AAR below, was I really attacked by 90 Vals with an escort of only 4 Zeros or is this inaccurate reporting brought about by FOW (perhaps my guys only saw 4 Zeros or perhaps there were not really 90 Vals)? Obviously the number of Vals shot down has to be exaggerated since it is not possible to shoot down 117 Vals when only 90 attack, but I wonder if the reported number of aircraft attacking is always accurate.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/11/42

Air attack on TF at 41,45

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
D3A Val x 90

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 138

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 117 destroyed
D3A Val x 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 damaged

LT E. Bassett of VF-42 is credited with kill number 4

LT Z. Abe of DII-2 Daitai is KILLED

[Raverdave]

Nah.....just some of your F4 guys claiming multiple kills;)

[Pkunzipper]

The number of partecipating aircraft is correct, you were really attacked by 90 Vals escorted by 4 Zero....
Fog works on your pilots claims.

[thantis]

That's got to be one of the most impressive air engagements I've ever seen.....can you give us a few more details (I'm assuming it was a massive carrier strike on your carriers - and ****, that some mighty fine flying by your pilots).

Its the Solomons Turkey Shoot...........

[CBase]

The air attack from the Japanese occurred as both the Japanese (AI) and the US (Human) were supporting the fight for Lunga. The Japanese carriers were Northwest of Lunga while the US carriers were Southeast of Lunga. The distance between forces was around 300 miles. The US forces consisted of four carriers (Yorktown, Saratoga, Enterprise, Hornet) divided into two task forces (two carriers each). Each carrier had 35 F4Fs with CAP set at 60% at 10,000 feet. Their experience ranged from 69 to 78 with minimal fatigue. I assume no Kates attacked because the distance was too great for them to carry torpedoes. Why only 4 Zeros escorted the Vals is anybody’s guess.

I have no idea why the US CAP was so effective. I find it interesting that 138 out of 140 Wildcats got into the battle. I suppose this could be due to the early warning provided by radar. It is my understanding that the radar at that time could pick up an air strike while it was still approximately 100 miles away. This would give each carrier around 30 minutes to launch any Wildcats not already on CAP (of course, these newly launched aircraft would still have to gain altitude so as to be in a position to intercept the Vals). I do wonder if the US carriers in this battle gained any advantage because the Japanese planes flew right over Guadalcanal. Is it conceivable that the game took into account the possibility of US forces at Lunga broadcasting the fact that a large flight of enemy aircraft was spotted flying over Lunga toward the Southeast? Could this information have provided the US carriers with an even earlier warning than radar could have provided?