Airfield strikes need love

[ncc1701e]

End of April 1940, General GAMELIN is looking at the map. The Germans have concentrated their forces near Belgium. However, he is pretty confident the French army is ready to repulse the attack.

[ncc1701e]

But the first days of combat turn out to be catastrophic. Netherlands surrenders. Belgium army is in a very bad shape.
All because of the constant air raids by the enemy.

[ncc1701e]

At the HQ of the French 2nd Army, General HUNTZIGER decides to activate full support mode for the fighter group there to intercept enemy bombers and protect his corps.

[ncc1701e]

The 4th Ftr Grp is a good unit, Interceptor 1939 perhaps, but Air Combat 5, experience 50% and effectiveness 101%. It has the same Air Combat level than the Royal Air Force squadron deployed in France.
It was kept in reserve until now.

[ncc1701e]

However, on the German side, a ground attack group Tactical 8 is given the task to do an Airfield Strike on this target. It will be escorted by a fighter group Air Combat 8.

[ncc1701e]

A deadly combination. The first combat is devastating for the French.

[ncc1701e]

Rotating the units, a second ground attack group Tactical 7 is given the task to do a second Airfield Strike on the same target. It will be escorted by a fighter group Air Combat 6.

[ncc1701e]

Another disaster for the French.

[ncc1701e]

Checking each unit. This one: no loss, experience +1%, effectiveness -9%

[ncc1701e]

This one: 1 step lost, experience +1%, effectiveness -12%

[ncc1701e]

This one: 2 steps lost, experience +0%, effectiveness -10%

[ncc1701e]

This one: 1 step lost, experience +0%, effectiveness -8%

[ncc1701e]

The losses are very light for the Germans and they will continue to perform ground support with a French fighter out of fight.

Indeed, for the 4th Ftr Grp the losses are catastrophic for the remaining of the campaign. They will need time to recover from such a blow: 15 steps lost, experience +1%, effectiveness -30%

[Harrybanana]

Examining this it appears to me that your airfield attack did no damage at all as the Combat Logs all show "Defender Losses Airfield: 0". What caused the losses to the French Fighter was the air-to-air combat. You would have gotten exactly the same results if you had performed an air strike of an enemy land unit rather than the airfield. Of course, if the French Fighter had not been set to auto you would not have caused any casualties at all.

[ncc1701e]

Yes you are right, Airfield Strike is completely useless if your opponent is not in full support. And even if in full support, he can counter this by another fighter in full support doing CAP.
What was your proposal already? I'll read it again.

[scout1]

Airfield strike really shouldn't be impacted by the defenders mode (full support or not) ... there were huge losses of aircraft on the ground which was frankly the preferred method
The opposing air force was nearly always the attacking air forces primary agenda