airfield attack results just estimated?

[LLv34_Mika]

Hi again!

Concerning airfield attacks... I get information how many bombs hit the runway or airbase.

First, what does that mean for the enemy? Problems to take off for my enemy? And the airbase? Reducing "airfield size"?

I checked the intelligence and noticed that I destroyed some planes on ground but never saw it in a report. Is this included?

And I just remember one more thing: ground attacks
are they any useful? 40 bombers kill 20men??? Not good, eh?
Or do you need large level bombers (B17) what means that the Jap has almost no chance for effective ground attack missions?

That's all... thanx in advance

Mika

[Maserati]

Taking your points one at a time.

Damaged airfields mean higher operational losses, potential closure of the field and the possibility of an effective reduction in size. We don't know exactly what, Matrix is keeping the formulae in-house, so we just guess and hope they're being realistic.

Aircraft destroyed on the ground are reported in the intelligence summary. Losses not reported in action may be as a result of landing on a damaged runway (see above).

Ground attack in a jungle is a tough job. In WW2 it was a tough job all around, but the SoPac theatre was especially tough for ground attack crews. Sometimes you'll catch them "in the open" as it were, and do more serious losses. I've seen 3 B-17s inflict 17 casualties and another strike in the same place by a dozen nets only 5 casualties. It's very random and not nearly as effective as we'd like, but the AI doesn't do any better so it works out.

Reading tip: Eric Bergerud's "Fire in the Sky". It's a fantastic analysis and I'm morally certain all three of the Matrix programmers had a copy handy during development.

Speaking of Bergerud, he's about due for his book on the naval aspects of the campaign. Has anyone heard when it's coming out ?

[denisonh]

Remember there can be FoW impacts on combat reports.

You may get a report you killed 250 men, but it was realistically more like 25.

Same goes for airfield damage and aircraft losses in the raid as well.

[AmiralLaurent]

Regarding airfield attacks, runways hits may close the airfield and will increase the probability of aircraft losses when operating from this base (or ferrying troops and supplies there), airbase hits rise the service damage score and decrease the ability of the airbase to operate and repair planes, airbase supplies hit destroy supply of the base. Airbase raids also hit the units at the base, especially the base forces and so decrease the base capacity to operate planes on the long term.

Planes destroyed on the ground are shown as destroyed. If 25 Zeroes intercept you, you shot down 2 in air battle and destroyed 4 on the ground, the report will show you 6 destroyed (without FOW).

As for troop attacks, result are widely different from one day to another and FOW is high. But they are useful in battle, or before an invasion, as they disrupt many more troops than they actually kill. So the Assault value of the unit is reduced far more than the real losses show. Some tens of SBD or Vals may for example reduce the attacking value of a regiment to nil.

The best planes for ground attacks are dive-bombers and fighter-bombers. B-17 are better used against ports and airfields. Ground attacks against troops with no AA or fighter cover is also a good "training mission".