What am I doing wrong Part II (Ground attack missions)

[samuraigg]

Hey guys, seeing as how helpful everyone was with my CV mission launching problem, I figure I mind as well ask about this too.

I have been having a lot of trouble getting my level bombers to go on ground attack missions.

Take for instance, this screenshot which I am posting. These Liberators are in range of Rabaul, have an HQ unit present, more than enough Aviation support, are within range, pass the morale requirements, and are at a high enough altitude. In addition, I have two seperate PBY squads doing Recon on Rabaul every turn. I have a total of 3 or so Liberator squadrons, and a couple B17 squadrons with the same exact settings as shown in this screen shot. In addition, I even have escort fighters capable of reaching Rabaul set up in Buin.

My bombers fly airfield missions and port attack missions just fine against Rabaul, even when I didn't have escorts.

So why won't my guys commit to ground attacks? This could make a potential future invasion of Rabaul pretty difficult if I can't get my bombers to start targeting their infantry. [:(]

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can give.

edit to add: Lunga is a size 7 airfield, so it shouldn't be that.

[dtravel]

The problem is probably the range. If you go look at the thread about what is going to be changed in the 1.3 patch, you'll see that Kid let slip something that isn't in any of the documentation the players are given. For Ground Attack missions there is an additional check of some sort if the range is greater than 10 (for the Japanese) or 8 (for the Allies). No clue what kind of check it is or how hard it is or even exactly what effect it has, just that its there. (Another "Grigsby Gotcha". I am really getting tired of them.)

[Falke]

One condition that your are fullfilling is that atleast 50% of the unit max size planes have to be ready, ie you need 24 to be ready before there is even a chance that the mission will be flown.

[Ron Saueracker]

If I remember correctly, this is a bug or programming gaff. Has been fixed in the upcoming patch, I believe.

[dtravel]

Falke is right. I missed seeing that.

Ron, I know the 50% requirement for Ground Attack is undocumented but I don't remember it being considered a bug. My impression was that it was put in intentionally.

[samuraigg]

Thanks for the replies guys. The 50% thing and the possible range requirement could explain why the Liberators aren't flying. However, I set up another experiment on ground attacks. This time, at Buin. These B25s are set up to do a ground attack on Rabaul. They pass the morale requirement, the 50% requirement, the range requirment etc. However, two turns in a row they have not attacked. Im thinking there probably is a bug somewhere. I thought I remember one of the devs saying that planes were a bit too reluctant to commit to ground attacks.

[Ron Saueracker]

ORIGINAL: dtravel

Falke is right. I missed seeing that.

Ron, I know the 50% requirement for Ground Attack is undocumented but I don't remember it being considered a bug. My impression was that it was put in intentionally.

I really should look at the post more intently. [8D] There was a ground attack issue at one point and this is what I was referring to.

[dtravel]

ORIGINAL: Ron Saueracker

I really should look at the post more intently. [8D] There was a ground attack issue at one point and this is what I was referring to.

I know, I was the one who raised it by starting the thread. [:D]

But back to samuraigg's problem, yes, the 1.3 patch is supposed to make level bombers fly Ground Attack more often.

[Falke]

Saruraigg, in the second screenshot your supply is red, which could explain why they are not flying. Also it has only a Size 2 airfield, which can only support 100 aircraft, yet you have over 200 their and Bombers need at least a size 4 airfield.

In "The War Room" Dtravel posted a complete checklist. Although it is only as complete as possible based on tests and the manual since some areas in the manual are not exactly precise.

In any case for Pre-invasion use mostly airfield/Port attacks since these will:-
a) Destroy supplies
b) Damage support units which results in combat units being disrupted when there is no longer sufficient support for the combat units.

[DJAndrews]

I didn't think that the level bombers could fly offensive operations at all from a level 2 field. For some reason I thought it had to be at least a level 3 and then they would fly with extended bomb load. They can fly other missions (recon, supply) from the smaller field.

[Mr.Frag]

Just what on earth do you have stacked at that base that ate over 100,000 supply in 1 turn?

All LBA need 2x the bases requested supply level to fly AT ALL.

You obviously have nowhere near the supply requirement if there is so much stuff there that it ate 100,000+ supply in ONE TURN !!! [:D]

[dtravel]

ORIGINAL: Mr.Frag

Just what on earth do you have stacked at that base that ate over 100,000 supply in 1 turn?

All LBA need 2x the bases requested supply level to fly AT ALL.

You obviously have nowhere near the supply requirement if there is so much stuff there that it ate 100,000+ supply in ONE TURN !!! [:D]

<quietly whispers in Mr.Frag's ear> He changed bases.


[:'(]