Bring me the head of Diego Garcia...and the Mayor of Addu Atoll too!

[Cap Mandrake]

Several weeks ago I saw 6 mariachis in their mariachi outfits lined up hip to hip in a booth all eating double-doubles at In-and-Out. Funniest damn thing you ever saw. They were all just looking straight ahead eating their burgers not saying anything. Not an "Ay-ay-ay" among them.

I was tempted to stand by their table and sing "Down in the west Texas town of El Paso" to see if they would give me a tip.

[Cap Mandrake]

Oh, yeah. A turn came in too!

[Cap Mandrake]

BTW, I did not invent the name "Battle of Bunker Hill" [:)] The British did capture Bunker Hill right after Breed's Hill fell.

As a matter of fact, I'm not sure Bunker Hill was called Bunker Hill before the battle.

[BBfanboy]

Even when from the same Air HQ, fighter squadrons of different plane types will generally not act cooperatively on sweeps.

In another thread, it was stated that altitude is one of the keys to keeping aircraft together. If you set a different altitude for one group, it will not fly with the others.
This also splits up the escorting aircraft if they are not the same altitude as the strike.

[Cap Mandrake]

*************July 30, 1943(c)***********

The IJN attacks with what they have left, which is evidently not very much. This is exactly what one would expect the IJN to do when two of the home islands have been invaded but we saw them coming after they ran over one of our subs by Hong Kong.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Even when from the same Air HQ, fighter squadrons of different plane types will generally not act cooperatively on sweeps.

In another thread, it was stated that altitude is one of the keys to keeping aircraft together. If you set a different altitude for one group, it will not fly with the others.
This also splits up the escorting aircraft if they are not the same altitude as the strike.

Hmmm. I thought the AI was supposed to adjust the escorts to a couple of thousand feet over the strike aircraft? I know it sounds improbable but I think I actually read that in the manual. Of course, it might have been a dream sequence or something...or the peyote buttons.

Having the strike aircraft and escorts in the same HQ defintely helps with strike cohesion but not with sweeps..but I will have to look at the altitude idea.

[Cap Mandrake]

Nagasaki: P-38's flying LRCAP from Kanayo (which is now down to 38% runway damage) protect the bombers over Nagasaki. We bust up the airfield pretty good. We have quite a few heavies sitting idle because the airfield at Okinawa is only level 5 so far.

Morning Air attack on Nagasaki/Sasebo , at 102,58

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 56 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 8
B-24D1 Liberator x 21
P-38H Lightning x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 8
Runway hits 35


Interestingly, the B-25's arrive after the 24's even though they are from the same airfield and HQ. Speed difference???

Morning Air attack on Nagasaki/Sasebo , at 102,58

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11


Then straglers blow some more stuff up.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Even when from the same Air HQ, fighter squadrons of different plane types will generally not act cooperatively on sweeps.

In another thread, it was stated that altitude is one of the keys to keeping aircraft together. If you set a different altitude for one group, it will not fly with the others.
This also splits up the escorting aircraft if they are not the same altitude as the strike.

Hmmm. I thought the AI was supposed to adjust the escorts to a couple of thousand feet over the strike aircraft? I know it sounds improbable but I think I actually read that in the manual. Of course, it might have been a dream sequence or something...or the peyote buttons.

Having the strike aircraft and escorts in the same HQ defintely helps with strike cohesion but not with sweeps..but I will have to look at the altitude idea.

Found it! Check out the Air Unit Coordination Guide in The War Room
tm.asp?m=2382494

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Even when from the same Air HQ, fighter squadrons of different plane types will generally not act cooperatively on sweeps.

In another thread, it was stated that altitude is one of the keys to keeping aircraft together. If you set a different altitude for one group, it will not fly with the others.
This also splits up the escorting aircraft if they are not the same altitude as the strike.

The most important thing about altitude is not letting it abruptly change to zero. That makes the aircraft come apart every time, and is very hard on formations, too.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Even when from the same Air HQ, fighter squadrons of different plane types will generally not act cooperatively on sweeps.

In another thread, it was stated that altitude is one of the keys to keeping aircraft together. If you set a different altitude for one group, it will not fly with the others.
This also splits up the escorting aircraft if they are not the same altitude as the strike.

The most important thing about altitude is not letting it abruptly change to zero. That makes the aircraft come apart every time, and is very hard on formations, too.

CFIT

"Controlled Flight Into Terrain" [:)]

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy



In another thread, it was stated that altitude is one of the keys to keeping aircraft together. If you set a different altitude for one group, it will not fly with the others.
This also splits up the escorting aircraft if they are not the same altitude as the strike.

The most important thing about altitude is not letting it abruptly change to zero. That makes the aircraft come apart every time, and is very hard on formations, too.

CFIT

"Controlled Flight Into Terrain" [:)]

Until 1944 when the Japanese also have the option of CFIS ...

[Cap Mandrake]

You know. B-24's with P-38 escorts are just brutal. It's almost not fair.

NEVER..EVER let the Allies get within P-38 escort range of the HI in 1943. [:)]

[Cap Mandrake]

**************7000 ft over Kanoya, Kyushsu, 13 miles from target, 09:20, July 30, 1943(c)*********


Fright Officer Hata: Standing Stork One to base. Approach target. Prease to terr mother Fright Officer Hata fight werr!"

Base: Hai, Standing Stork! Good ruck! Standing Stork need it.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kanoya at 102,61

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N1 Jill x 2

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 2
P-38H Lightning x 11
P-40K Warhawk x 29
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 18
F4U-1 Corsair x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses


Oh dear. [&o]

[Cap Mandrake]

We beefed up the dive bombers at Kume-jima, anticipating an attack from the area of Shanghai. This is exactary what happen. We also sent some TBF to Hory-crappo-jima. Urukaze seems headed either to Kume-jima or Naha.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kume-jima at 93,61

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 17

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Urukaze


Another group north of fist target headed SE. It's easier to hit a squirming DD with SBD's

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Shanghai at 96,58

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 25

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hagikaze, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Arare, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'


Turns out Urukaze has a friend.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kume-jima at 93,61

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 55 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 9
SBD-5 Dauntless x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Oite
DD Urukaze, Bomb hits 1


Yet another DD group inbound toward Kanoya. We miss, but they still have to get through the PT boats and sub screen and then there are 3 surface groups waiting at Kanoya. It's a suicide mission.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tokara Retto at 99,60

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 20
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 26

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 damaged
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Akebono
DD Ushio
DD Kisaragi


Quite a few dive bombers sorties are wasted on SC's in the area.

[Cap Mandrake]

Hokkaido: TBF's from the carriers find Chikuma again but cant hit her. Chikuma retreats westward. The SBD's pound enemy AK's in the area.

Bihoro airfield now at 50% runway damage. B-25's from Shimiseku-jima go after the airfield Kushiro which has a bunch of Bettys.

[Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,54

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 56 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 9
TBF-1 Avenger x 7

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
/color]

[Cap Mandrake]

Fewer and fewer WJD fighters now. Rangoon is no longer defended. Nagasaki poorly so. The end is nigh. Pretty soon it will be impossible to get oil in from Pusan or China.

[Disco Duck]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

BTW, I did not invent the name "Battle of Bunker Hill" [:)] The British did capture Bunker Hill right after Breed's Hill fell.

As a matter of fact, I'm not sure Bunker Hill was called Bunker Hill before the battle.

And they came back in 1814 and stole things from the White house. Before they burned it down of course.

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-28833238

[anarchyintheuk]

In a time of constant change, it's good to know some things stay the same.

Now, I've got about 400 pages to read.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk

Now, I've got about 400 pages to read.

400? A mere trifle! That's only about 1/6th of the Affordable Care Act and the printing is WAAAAY bigger and we have rots of pictures.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk

Now, I've got about 400 pages to read.

400? A mere trifle! That's only about 1/6th of the Affordable Care Act and the printing is WAAAAY bigger and we have rots of pictures.

Tell us you are not reading the ACA manual or your reputation is ruined! [:-]