pilot morale - effects, causes?

[jackyo123]

trying to understand morale - effects, and causes.

i can see some units, who have taken huge losses, have low morale. But others, sitting in San Fran, with decent training and running asw missions, also have low morale(in the mid 20's); their rest figures are good, the pilots are filled out (fatigue is 3).

So what causes morale loss, besides loss of crew? Even that is hard to undestand, as i have a b17 unit that has like 15 missing/killed aircrew, and its morale is 99 (bombing accuracy of 1%, so they arent effective either)

[Sharkosaurus rex]

Air units need to ne rested sometimes. If you have an air unit flying constant ASW missions with high usage percentages then you can expect morale to fall. Or a leader with poor stats. Try reducing their number of missions, try changing leader, give them a few days off- especially if thunderstorms. Flying at too low an altitude could be another consideration. Op losses and write-offs could affect morale. Once their morale drops below 90 for ASW I rest them. For other missions might not have that luxury. Low morale can cause missions to be scrubbed, or poor bombing results.
Your B17 unit can have losses but might not have flown any missions for a few days so their morale has had time to recover. Maybe better leader has helped. The bombing accuracy can be the result of hundreds of variables, but mostly things like altitude, opposition over target, clouds, storms, trying to bomb fast moving ships, low morale, fatigue, casualties. It is probably a unit that is due to be withdrawn so you haven't looked after them too well.

[jackyo123]

thanks Sharkosaurus.

[anarchyintheuk]

A leader's inspiration rating makes a big difference.