How do I keep PM Dive Bombers from bombing targets north?

[Nezlezar]

PM Dive Bombers keep trying to attack targets north and get eaten alive by CAP. What I would like is for them to only engage targets that try to zip around Milne Bay. I have tried to set search arcs that only target that area but they still fly north to the Lae area. If I disable the search patrol, same thing. My only options seem to be:

1) Disable all 'eyes' around Lae. Basically blind myself so the DBs don't know anything is in that area.
2) Reduce their range to 2-3 so they can't even go that far
3) Station them off AUS

In each example, there is a downside I would rather not have. It would be nice to simply 'instruct' them to only cover the southern approach but I can't seem to figure it out.

Thoughts?

[RangerJoe]

Either reduce the range or remove them to somewhere else.

Don't forget to escort them if that is needed. Sweeping the enemy areas for days first, especially getting to any leaky CAP, can be beneficial.

[Arkham]

Sweep Lae with your fighters? If your DBs are going to Lae its because there is something valuable up there and hitting transports in port is much easier for your DBs than hitting them in open water where they can dodge. Don't think of it as a bug, think of it as a feature.

Otherwise...
1) Is your 'best' option, but that kinda sucks.
2) If you reduce range to 2-3 then they are effectively useless.
3) Base them in Townsland or something like that? Yeah you could, but again, unless transports go into the Coral Sea area to invade PM they won't be doing anything.

Can you take Milne Bay and base your DBs there?

[RangerJoe]

Don't forget that all Naval Search will automatically search the 4 surrounding hexes, no matter the range. So any search from PM will go to at least 4 hexes away.

If you have Milne Bay, build up the airfield to level 2 so your DBs can operate from there. Put lots of AA there. You could also move Devastators there from any carriers and replace them on the carriers with fighters. The Devastators should carry four 500 pound bombs instead of a torpedo.

[Nezlezar]

Things are still really early in the war so having access to planes and pilots that could sweep and run CAP are limited, otherwise I totally would be doing that. I was just trying to make use of the DBs with this very specific mission parameter (transports are attempting to sneak around and unload into PM directly) to see if it was possible. Sounds like it isn't. In time, it won't be an issue as the Milne Bay base will have the airfield built and I will have enough fighters with pilots to handle it properly.

Thanks.

[RangerJoe]

Set the DB range to 0 or 1 and maybe even have a few PTs there to greet the visitors. Minefields may also be a nice gift as well. Each minefield laid at one spot in one day is just considered to be one minefield.

[Platoonist]

I have tried to set search arcs that only target that area but they still fly north to the Lae area.

I think every player of this game has wished for an "attack arc" setting at some point.

Also be wary of mixing army fighters and marine bombers. Maybe it only happens to me but I've often noticed one will fly while the other doesn't even when given the same range.

[Yaab]

In them old days
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 9#p3440459

[Nezlezar]

In them old days
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 9#p3440459

Looks like I am a decade late from that party. Good to see I am not alone in the sentiment.

[Yaab]

Thoughts?

Build up Terapo and base separate DB units there for bombing the northern bases.

[Sardaukar]

I have tried to set search arcs that only target that area but they still fly north to the Lae area.

I think every player of this game has wished for an "attack arc" setting at some point.

Also be wary of mixing army fighters and marine bombers. Maybe it only happens to me but I've often noticed one will fly while the other doesn't even when given the same range.

Setting air units under same Air HQ helps a bit, especially if said HQ is in same base. Of course during early war, one does not have many of those and some cannot be transported to places like Port Moresby.

In DaBabes scenarios I play, I think I have too many Air HQs in 1944...

[Platoonist]

Setting air units under same Air HQ helps a bit, especially if said HQ is in same base. Of course during early war, one does not have many of those and some cannot be transported to places like Port Moresby.

I'll give that a try. In the meantime I always try to keep marine dive and torpedo bombers paired with marine fighters at the same airfield just in case there is some unexpected inter-service rivalry.

Of course , if it turns out that the game is simulating bar fights between army and marine pilots where they're in no mood to cooperate the next day that's cool too.

[Sardaukar]

Setting air units under same Air HQ helps a bit, especially if said HQ is in same base. Of course during early war, one does not have many of those and some cannot be transported to places like Port Moresby.

I'll give that a try. In the meantime I always try to keep marine dive and torpedo bombers paired with marine fighters at the same airfield just in case there is some unexpected inter-service rivalry.

Of course , if it turns out that the game is simulating bar fights between army and marine pilots where they're in no mood to cooperate the next day that's cool too.

It'd be so typical for Gary Grigsby if inter-service rivalries were modelled.

My guys in Port Moresby seem to be pretty happy, all US Army/Marines/Navy & AUS under 11 MAG HQ.