BTR- LW nightfighters

[zuikaku]

Hi.
I've been playing BTR for a few turns now, axis side. Longest scenario ('43-'45). I 've noticed that BC is sending no night raids at all. Will it start sending them eventually, or is this a bug? What about heavy fighters and nightfighters. I know that in real life, Luftwaffe used them against dayraids. But in the game, they have very slow respond time (1 hour) while 109 and 190 JGs have these at arround 10 minutes? So, what's the trick?

[Hard Sarge]

Well, since they are Night fighters, they pretty much have the day off, so are on a 63 minute delay

the trick to use them, is to guess when and where something may be comeing, and then you can order them to patrol ahead of time (if needed or wanted, remember, as Night Fighters, excourts will chew them up, and the firepower of the bombers will also take a toll, but they can be useful)

they are best used for stragglers

BC should be okay, it may be the attack pattern the AI has picked, or the amount of moonlight is not good

but I think we will have to wait for some of the more GE based players to speak up

[Speedysteve]

Hi Zuikaku,

Yes at game start the moonlight is fairly high and as such it's not optimal for BC to launch (easier for NF's to see and hence attack the bombers). In time when the moonlight is low enough BC should attack. Having said that (at present at least) there will be several groups that the AI just doesn't use. It will send out the same groups time and time again where as 100% rested and ready groups will just sit there. Accordingly, if these used groups are low on morale etc it may not launch raids at all.

As for using the NF's in the day. They can put some hurt on the 8th BUT you need to time them right (just like when using Zerstorers). If escorts are around i'd be very wary of sending them into attack. If you wish to use them in a daylihht role. I'd launch them as the 8th is coming across the north sea. By the time they are in the air you'll be in a position to judge where/if they should attack.

[Nikademus]

Show him how it's done Speedy.....send up those NF's into the day in our game. Com'on....you know you want too.....

[Speedysteve]

Send the turn back Buttdemus and i'll show you how its done..............[:'(]

[AmiralLaurent]

In fall 1943 German nightfighters may be used against 8th AF raids. Just order them to take off when the B-17 cross the seacoast or fly over Germany bay in all possible target area. Ju88 are better than Me110 but are slower IIRC and will have trouble to catch the raid in the air. They work wonders against stragglers.

You can do as in RL and not use your best NJG pilots for B-17 hunting, a riskier task than BC hunting. To do this, order the launch of some 2-3 patrols (of 3 AC each), and then launch the whole unit. So you will have 6-9 of your best pilots (in fact the first in the DB, but the historical and best pilots are there) taking off, and then you will order them to land one minute later, while the rest of the unit will go chasing B-17.

The AI won't fly night raids for about a week at the start of the long campain, waiting for better light conditions (actually darker nights).

[Nikademus]

its coming Goering boy......how 'bout my next WitP turn? stop air pumping the Mark I GF blowup doll. [:'(]

[Speedysteve]

Will be with you within 3 hours buttmunch. GF is busy tonight (with husband[;)]Grrrrrrrrrr)

[Nikademus]

husband?

[X(]

[Speedysteve]

For now. She announced months ago she wasn't happy and wanted to get a divorce. She's planning on moving out with a 'friend' at the end of January. I'll take her on her word and see what happens!

[Hard Sarge]

Yes at game start the moonlight is fairly high and as such it's not optimal for BC to launch (easier for NF's to see and hence attack the bombers). In time when the moonlight is low enough BC should attack

the odd part here is, this is not how they they flew in real life, they wanted some moonlight, the total dark nights, they avoided, but in the game, the Darker the better

[Speedysteve]

Indeed bud. Handy to notice those rivers etc for ref points.

[zuikaku]

Thaks to all!
Didn't know that moonlight matters to the AI...