New Player Needs Advice

[Dodo98]

Hello everyone,

Since I'm fairly new to the game and are about to start a campaign as the allies, I could need some advice. My main problem right now is that I don't really know what types of aircraft are best for a mission and what altitude is best for a particular mission. While I know that heavy bombers like the B-17 are best used for industrial targets, what about fighter-bombers, for example? Should I use them exclusively against radar installations and airfields, or can they also be effective against industry? And what about the altitude of fighter-bomber missions, for example?

[Johntxic]

Daylight bombing: yes, use Typhoons to attack industry in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. I usually use 2 squadrons for the attack - saves having to go back again another day if you've only stroked it; depending on the depth of the strike, no escort, or one high escort only, or one high and one low for deeper raids. Husband your Mosquitos, and eventually convert some of your 11 Gp squadrons to the FBVI; you can then strike targets much further away, and still attack industry when 2Gp is mandated for Overlord missions in '44. When you get the Mustang III to escort the Mossies you can even strike the Ruhr; I usually fly 12,500/13,500ft, with one close and one high escort. Losses are moderate. Also, schedule 1 hour later than an 8th AF attack, so most of the LW fighters are busy elsewhere.

A trick of mine is to convert several Typhoon squadrons to Hurricanes: I then use these on radar and airfield attacks in France, rather than squander Tiffies. Coastal radar I attack at 3,500ft - further inland, 6.500ft.

Use auto-plan for recce - saves it being a chore.


Cheers,

John

[Dodo98]

Hi John,

thank you for your reply, some very helpful advice there. I do have one more question for now, how do you use Fighter Sweeps? Do you let the sweep attack the airfield directly, which can cause high losses to the defender but also high losses for me due to flak, or do you let the sweep patrol near the airfield?

[Johntxic]

Don't go in for sweeps much - as the fighters attack any railyard or other goody rather than wait until they get to the intended target, I only plan sweeps on airfields relatively close to the coast - or those which can have a long clear run in to the target. Please note fighters will not strafe until a recce sortie has confirmed there are a/c on the ground to attack.

Sometimes a sweep can reap rich rewards - often it's a dicey do...

[Fifty Dollar Jones]

Well, I'm not new to the game but have need of some advice nonetheless.So I'll latch onto Dodo98's thread in order to not create a new one.

After almost 10 years I am starting a new Campaign.

I have been searching the forums for an answer to a very basic question to no avail.The manual said that there is a penalty for overstocking an airfield past it's capacity.

About how bad is the penalty? I plan on sticking about 6 short range ftr units per AF in North Sicily if I can.And I'm on Offense so turnaround time doesn't mean a ton to me...But any big Delays to takeoff do matter to me.

Thanks.

[Pete McCullagh]

Re: sweeps...love'em! Very useful tool for air superiority. If there is an airfield that has been bugging me(say some 410s on my preferred bomber path) hit it first light with a F/BOMBER bomb mission (this also counts as a recon) then about 30-40min. After launching your main strike send a sweep of Mustang Is (cheap and obsolescent) you will either cause mayhem if they are on the ground or kill a bunch on their return. Don't forget a high escort for them. I love Mossies, but they are fragile and need a good Quality escort all the way. Don't use for sweeps unless you know airfield is Flak free.

[Johntxic]

Indeed, Pete: Mossies can be fragile, and are not to be squandered as fighters. I re-equip 10 Gp with them when sufficient are available: with Mustang III escorts I can hit the aircraft factories in the South of France.

[simovitch]

I have been searching the forums for an answer to a very basic question to no avail.The manual said that there is a penalty for overstocking an airfield past it's capacity.

The code says that overstacking adds 20 minutes to your readiness time per overstacked group, although I need to dig deeper to see how this affects the attacking player.

[simovitch]

ORIGINAL: simovitch

I have been searching the forums for an answer to a very basic question to no avail.The manual said that there is a penalty for overstocking an airfield past it's capacity.

The code says that overstacking adds 20 minutes to your readiness time per overstacked group, although I need to dig deeper to see how this affects the attacking player.

OK so there apparently is no overstack penalty for the attacker, not good. The defender does acquire an additional 15 (not 20) minutes of delay per overstack unit when trying to scramble. But now with the next patch your damaged aircraft will acquire an additional delay to repair damage per overstack unit.

[kaybayray]

Dodo98 <S> Sir

For a rigorous overview of operating the Allies in Bombing The Reich I would recommend my post in The War Room forum. It is KayBay's Allied Strategic & Tactical Doctrine.

I am working on new posts to add to my works there.

Regards,
Kaybay [8D]