Help, I'm being bombed to pieces...

[Houtje]

... by the AI, no less. I'm a bit stuck and looking for help; I'm playing the campaign (historical, midway and all that) as Allies and it's now Ocotber 1942. I'm holding PM (GG is taken) and have conquered 'canal. I'm holding Lunga with some 50K men, but that number is dwindling rapidly. Every day, some 40 Betty's show up and kill about 250-400 of my men, EVERY day. My AA sucks, shooting down maybe 1 Betty a day, even though I have 2 AA units. I tried putting up CAP (AF is 6), but then I lose some 10 F4's for every Zero I can get. And supplying the boys is next to impossible, since every AK/AP that comes near Lunga is sent straight down Ironbottom Sound by Nells/Betty's, too. What to do? I'd like to target Rabaul's AF, but can't get there with any strength.

Thanks for any help/tips.

[tocaff]

Try moving additional AA units into the base and cover the transports with CVs.  Soon you'll be able to field P-38s and the attrition rate will start to hurt the Japanese.  Rotate your fighter sqds so you can keep them fresh and the morale up.  Of course once the Corsairs arrive it's death to the Japanese. You don't need so many troops on the 'Canal so use themto take other bases closer to Rabul.

Move more troops to PNG through PM and send them overland to take Lae.  This will allow you to turn the map into a lake covered by your LBA.  From PNG you'll be able bomb Rabul and closer bases for your fighters will allow the bombers to be escorted.  That'll be the end of the Japanese threat. 

Of course this stuff will easily work vs the AI, but a person is a different story.

[Kingfisher]

Alternate fast transports to Lunga, one to bring in supplies, the other to bring out troops. The AI will not attempt a landing at Lunga so a minimal of combat troops should suffice. The reduction of troops will help in the supply situation.

Also, the AI will not be able to sustain 40+ Betty raids for long. The attrition from CAP and the long over water flights begin to take their toll. I'd bet by the end of the year, if not sooner, the most the AI will be able to launch will be 3-6 at most, and with low experience to boot.

BTW, you are not losing 250-400 men a day. The combat report will show how many men are incapacitated, not killed outright. Given enough time most of those troops return to action.

[Houtje]

thanks for the help, tocaff and kingfisher. I'll try and put your tips to good use.