Fighter & Attack Bomber Altitudes

[steamboateng]

If I want a fighter sqdrn assigned as a bomber escort to srafe, how do I assign the mission altitude; at escort altitude or strafe altitude? Or maybe I want an attack bomber sqdn to strafe after it completes its run, how do I assign the altitude? In all cases, assuming the sqadrons are strafe trained.

[rustysi]

I'm almost certain that all strafe attacks are done at 100'. Also escorting fighters can't be assigned a secondary mission and even if they could they wouldn't be escorting at 100'. As for attack bombers, also one mission (if they can even strafe... not sure).

[HansBolter]

Yes attack bombers can strafe. And yes, the altitude setting for strafing is 100 feet.

Any bomber CAN strafe, it just doesn't make much sense to use them for that mission as they likely won't have any real skill in it and even training them up in it is somewhat of a waste as non-attack bombers get a penalty below a certain altitude which I believe is either 5k or 6k. In fact, B17s on port strafing at 100 feet will sink everything in the port, hence the standard house rule that keeps 4Es above 10k.

That being said, the penalty for non-attack bombers doesn't prevent me from training up a few B25 squadrons in skip bombing. They still perform admirably once trained up. However, I find the P39 to be one of the best ship busters the Allies have. They are devastating against non-warships and can even put some nice holes in DDs and CLs, albeit while suffering greater flack losses.

[steamboateng]

By attack bombers I meant single engine types, like Wirraway and any dive bombers
It's nice to know the P39's are usefull in the bombing role. The Russians used them successfully in the ground attack role.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: steamboateng

By attack bombers I meant single engine types, like Wirraway and any dive bombers
It's nice to know the P39's are usefull in the bombing role. The Russians used them successfully in the ground attack role.

Their main drawback is range. They are devastating along the New Guinea coast operating out of Port Moresby, but that's one of the few areas where their limited range still allows them to have an impact.

[steamboateng]

Do you use them in a strafing role too, against shipping. Or just low level bombing. It's my understanding that the Wirraways were also useful in low level bombing attacks against IJ shipping.
Even playing against the Japanese AI, Port Moresby is an early target. Getting these units trained up early is an impossibility.

[HansBolter]

Set to Nav attack at 100 ft. they strafe shipping with 37mm cannon, machine guns and deliver 500lb bombs as well.

I tend to use the Wirraways almost exclusively for ASW so have never really tried them for low level anti-shipping.

I do use the Boomerangs in the same role as the P39s when they arrive.

I do also use the P39s on ground attack. What's nice is the strafe skill makes gains from either naval or ground strafing, unlike the LowNav and LowGrnd skills which have to be trained up independently at an altitude of 1000 feet.

[steamboateng]

Hans, thanks for the tips. Trying to work out the strafing role in combat and you've been a great help.