The trouble with Me-410s, Ju-88Cs...

[Nicholas Bell]

The trouble with long-range interceptors in BTR is that they in effect, carry too much fuel which enables they to pursue the bomber streams all the way to the English or Italian coasts when under AI control. The normal result is that they get slaughtered in doing so, rather than the more realistic result of breaking off (which doesn't happen using the normal morale routines until after the buggers are mostly shot down anyway).

This is a code-related issue. Units expend 4 times the fuel when they engage in combat IIRC, which works pretty good for shorter-legged fighters in overall effect, but distorts the ability of longer ranged fighters to continue to attack despite a probable lack of ammo to do so in real life. Yes, it would be nice to track ammo levels, just like it would be nice for AI units to have some situational awareness rather than just attacking because the fuel gauge says they can. But that isn't going to make it into the code, is it. [:D]

However, might it be possible to adjust the fuel consumption for these types of planes when engaged? Or a less subtle fix might be to decrease their endurance to create a more realistic "effect" in their use by the AI. I know this goes against the "technical" capabilities of the aircraft, but I think historical and doctrinal considerations are more important. Not to mention it would make the AI look smarter. [;)]

[Hard Sarge]

and what about the twins that followed the bombers back to base ?

not common, but it did happen, and most times somebody took a hurting when it happened

[Nicholas Bell]

It's a game - we can't have everything.  I prefer to lean toward the more realistic common event than the exception. Especially when it makes the AI appear more realistic.

 There was one incident in July 44 where an Me-410 night intruder unit based in France, not central Germany, was vectored into a late-returning B-24 Group without escort and followed it to the coast, inflicting considerable losses.  What one sees in BTR is the Me-110, 410 and Ju-88 units doing this every day until they cease to exist because of losses.  That is not realistic, nor can I locate records to indicate it happened more than once involving twin-engined fighters. [:)]

[Hard Sarge]

Funny, I don't see it happen too often, since there is already code in there to make them break off and return to patrol mode

[Dobey455]

I would also suggest that if the allied player is doing his job properly and sending sweeps back up the return path of the bombers you should see these twin groups taking severe losses

[Hard Sarge]

they get hurt, they should break off

but for me, I normally catch them on the way in, not on the way out

[Golden Bear]

[:)]

[joey]

I rarely have it. They normally break off when you would expect them to.

[Nicholas Bell]

Well I just finished the Big Week scenario and the twin engine units lost over 20% of the total Luftwaffe losses, and were almost totally wiped out as units.  All in 7 days of action.  Even on the last day they were chasing units across to the English channel even though they must have been flights of only 4 planes instead of 20-30 and their morale was bad (as I found by examining the Germans at the end of the game).

I think it would be fair to say that the self-preservation routines for units have to be beefed up so they either do not fly or break off sooner than they do now.