dealing with 2nd wave of PH attack

[murphys35]

Hi guys,

I´m starting my second (parallel) Allied vs. Japan AI full campaign in which I want to go much deeper in operational planning. I want to discuss the best plan for Pearl Harbor defense against anticipated 2nd wave of Japanese attack. On December 7th, the raid was as folows:

32x Zero, 144x Kate, 126x Val were detected in estimated altitude of 12k feets. No US plane scrambled and raid made huge damage. 2nd attack on December 8th is likely to be ordered by Nagumo and I want to make him as much damage as possible. By reading combat report, I've found these facts about the attack:

Kates either launched torps at 200 feets (44 planes) or droped 800 kg bombs at 9000 feets (99 planes). Vals released 250 kg GP bombs from 1k (52 planes), 2k (29 planes) or 3k feets (40 planes). Zeros were either sweeping at 15k feets or bombed with their 60 kg bombs at 100 feets (9 planes).

Airfield service damage is 29, runway damage is 60. Following fighters are available in "ready" condition: 21 Mohawks (14+7 in two squadrons), 6 Wildcats (in one squadron) and 42 Warhawks (12+12+14+1+3 in 5 squadrons). I plan to transfer some squadrons to Lahaina - which is 3(7) airport with 30 AV support at the moment - and LRCAP Pearl Harbor from there (two of those P-40B squadrons?).

Most important question for me is - what altitude(s) should be settled to tackle the raid which will probably have very similar characteristics as one described above. Should I settle several CAP layers or should I concentrate ma CAP in one altitude?

[koniu]

If AI sweeping at 15k. Give most of CAP at 17k. That way You will have many planes diving on enemy. Also his DB are diving so he is using them at 10-15k so again set fighters above them.

Set some fighters at 10,11,12k. To have them deflect some dive from enemy planes. Also they will have chance to intercept those TB flying at 9k.

Note that 200ft is attitude of torpedo attack. but during interception they probably are at 9k.
Also DB are relising boms fro 1-3k but during interception phase they are at 10-15k.

Yo can also set 1 unit at 5k they will have chace to interscept bombers after they relise bombs

EDIT:
Do not expect giving him big air loses . If his sweep arrive before bombers, those elite pilots will eat You alive.
Your plan is not to shot down enemy planes(secondary goal). Your primary mission is to disrupt enemy bombers to limit damage they will make during attack.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: murphys35

Hi guys,

I´m starting my second (parallel) Allied vs. Japan AI full campaign in which I want to go much deeper in operational planning. I want to discuss the best plan for Pearl Harbor defense against anticipated 2nd wave of Japanese attack. On December 7th, the raid was as folows:

32x Zero, 144x Kate, 126x Val were detected in estimated altitude of 12k feets. No US plane scrambled and raid made huge damage. 2nd attack on December 8th is likely to be ordered by Nagumo and I want to make him as much damage as possible. By reading combat report, I've found these facts about the attack:

Kates either launched torps at 200 feets (44 planes) or droped 800 kg bombs at 9000 feets (99 planes). Vals released 250 kg GP bombs from 1k (52 planes), 2k (29 planes) or 3k feets (40 planes). Zeros were either sweeping at 15k feets or bombed with their 60 kg bombs at 100 feets (9 planes).

Airfield service damage is 29, runway damage is 60. Following fighters are available in "ready" condition: 21 Mohawks (14+7 in two squadrons), 6 Wildcats (in one squadron) and 42 Warhawks (12+12+14+1+3 in 5 squadrons). I plan to transfer some squadrons to Lahaina - which is 3(7) airport with 30 AV support at the moment - and LRCAP Pearl Harbor from there (two of those P-40B squadrons?).

Most important question for me is - what altitude(s) should be settled to tackle the raid which will probably have very similar characteristics as one described above. Should I settle several CAP layers or should I concentrate ma CAP in one altitude?

against AI? Anything more than one wave would be like cheating yourselve in a head to head game.

[murphys35]

2nd wave is AI´s idea, not mine [:D]. I can easily live without another raid on my already crippled ships.

[jmalter]

w/ Pearl runway only 40% operational, your idea of using LRCAP from Lahaina is good.

[Bullwinkle58]

Not everything is airplanes. If there's a second wave put every ship with AA into several, or many, TFs, undock them, give them React=0 orders, and let them stand in the harbor and shoot back. They can be very disruptive. Unless the big guys catch 3 or more torpedos you will probably be able to shove them into the yards and save anything the next turn. If there are fires being in a major port will go a long way to putting them out. If you lose some minesweepers so be it. But use you ships as AA. Don't depend on CAP to save your bacon.