Escort cordination in carrier attacks

[DKF12]

Complete campaign
Allies vs AI

02/1945

I have read everything on this topic, but I have one area I don't understand
Matching altitude is most important, so I select the target TF for the DB's and TBs. DB at 12k-13K and TB at 6-8K altitude
I set the CAP at 40-50% in Escort. How do you set the escorts at 12 k or 6k alt. Also, on some fighters you cannot select a target TF except in LCAP. Do you divide the Fighter groups between CAP and LCAP groups? Obviously, I want CAP at 15k to 20K.

Thanks

[BBfanboy]

Once you set the % CAP you want over your TF, any unassigned aircraft are available to escort your strike and will go with them at an appropriate altitude for the escort role. You don't have to set it.
You may want to reconsider your TB altitude. No matter what altitude you set, they will descend to 200' to drop their torps and then climb back to their assigned altitude - so why not set them to the same altitude as the DBs so they can share the escorts more efficiently?

[DKF12]

Thank you
I thought that was the case but when I used Google Ai it gave me that set up and I had read previously that was the case with TB’s. Guess that AI guy is not as smart as he thinks he is.

Happy hunting

[Chris21wen]

Thank you
I thought that was the case but when I used Google Ai it gave me that set up and I had read previously that was the case with TB’s. Guess that AI guy is not as smart as he thinks he is.

Happy hunting

An AI? Without blowing a trumpet read this, it's not perfect as things have been found out later but it is better than a AI that gets most of it's info form 15 years ago.

https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopi ... 3&t=396274

[BBfanboy]

Something I forgot to mention - sometimes you can surprise the enemy CAP by sending in your TBs at very low altitude - 1000 feet. If his CAP is too high, it might not detect them in time to intercept, but his light AAA will have more "in range" time to shoot at the TBs. I use the very low attack early in the game when light AAA is fairly in effective - too few or poor quality or both. By 1943 it is better to come in above light AAA levels (over 8K feet IIRC) because the escorts get to fire before the actual low-level torp attack starts. At that point only the target ship fires at your TBs.