Nail's Newbie Question of the Day

[Nail78]

Is the ground attack mission of any use? Seems like I can send in a large air strike of B-24's, B-25's and get 20 casualties. Does it provide though a suppresion of enemy troops effect? Thought maybe you PBEM players would have some experience with the effect of ground attack on troops.

[niceguy2005]

Ground attack does work, but best on low altitude and in mass. My esteemed opponent is pounding Bataan right now and getting 100+ casualties per day using Sallys.

I am just starting to explore the possibility, but it seems that maybe strategic bombers don't work as well for ground attack. Might be tactical bombers like fighter bombers and b-20s work best. My flight of 8 Wirraways bombing at 2000 feet did almost as much damage as my 20 B-17s did at 10,000.

Altitude definitely plays a factor. You won't hit anything at 15,000 feet.

Lastly, remember that air strikes have random die rolls. You can bomb one day with b-17s and get 20 casualties and the next day get 100.

[ny59giants]

I use the 2 48 plane BG of LB-30's in India/Burma to go after the various resource/oil within range in Burma. They do so very quickly and will cut down the supplies available to them in Burma.

I use the heavy bombers for that and long range airfield attacks set at altitude between 7,000 to 12,000. Before you do so, set these bombers on Supply Transport over their home base until the experience level get into the 70's (79 is the max using this method).

Use the medium bombers at between 6,000 and 12,000 for ground attack. This avoids most of the heavy flak. If possible have them come from multiple bases. Why?? If there are multiple LCU's in a hex, then from only one base will come one attack against the top unit (possibly two). I have 5 bases with some bombers assigned to ground attack against the Japanese at Mandalay to ensure the 4 Infantry Divisions units get hit almost daily (weather doesn't stop them all in one day). [:D]

The causualties aren't as important as getting disruption on the units and making ground attacks less effective. [;)]

[Nail78]

I'm curious has anyone playing as Allies against AI, ever invaded the Japanese mainland? Or how close did you get? Sounds like a lot of folks get a automatic win before getting too the mainland.

[Nail78]

Today I have a technical question. On occasion when playing WiTP it will change my screen resolution. Another Matrix game Steel Panthers does this also, in fact maybe more so than WiTP. Any tips, suggestions, am I doing something wrong?

[niceguy2005]

I know players have invaded Japan. I don't know how it went. I think most players try to play on past AV.

[niceguy2005]

I think also, a lot of players get bored playing the AI long before invasion of Japan is possible. My last AI game I quit after smashing the IJN at Truk in 1/1943. Most jap carriers gone, half the BBs sunk and over 50 ships at truk with 99 sys damage. What would be the point after that?

[adamc6]

Since this is the "newbie" thread: someone hook me up with some of your accronyms!

CHS: (Okay, a mod, fine -- tell me more -- even in the mod area, lots of talk, but no summary)

KB: okay, Jap carrier force -- what does it stand for?

any else?

[alfrake]

ORIGINAL: adamc6
KB: okay, Jap carrier force -- what does it stand for?

Kido Butai (sp?). The task force that hit Pearl Harbor was refered to that way. Historically, they promptly split it up. Many players don't, or at least only split it only temporarily.

[dtravel]

ORIGINAL: adamc6

Since this is the "newbie" thread: someone hook me up with some of your accronyms!

CHS: (Okay, a mod, fine -- tell me more -- even in the mod area, lots of talk, but no summary)

KB: okay, Jap carrier force -- what does it stand for?

any else?

And I believe "CHS" stands for Combined Historical Scenario. It is basically the result of several players combining their efforts to produce a "more historically correct" scenario by adding ships that are not in the base game, changing some equipment stats to get what they feel are more accurate combat results, expanding the map to include the Panama Canal and more of the Indian Ocean, etc.

[Nail78]

What role did PG and PC type ships play in WWII?

[Mike Solli]

I'd say they were targets for the most part.

[Mike Solli]

Ok. Cheap AA & ASW ships. Escorts for all those mundane convoys that kept Japan alive - for a time.

[Nail78]

When I dock an aircraft carrier do I need too bring the squadrons ashore for them too replenish their numbers?

[dtravel]

ORIGINAL: Nail78

When I dock an aircraft carrier do I need too bring the squadrons ashore for them too replenish their numbers?

No.

[niceguy2005]

ORIGINAL: Nail78

What role did PG and PC type ships play in WWII?

They were the work horses of the back alleys of the war. They were coastal patrol, ASW, escort to frieghters, etc. While the capital ships were grabbing all the headlines in major battles, these ships were conducting guerilla warfare.

[niceguy2005]

Also, they helped provide close in cover fire for smaller invasions.

[Nail78]

Is there any point in the game where withdrawing an air squadron or disbanding one would benefical? ie good strategy?

[tsimmonds]

As IJ I disband air units all the time, starting on turn 1. It is the best way to get trained pilots into front-line units, particularly into the carrier units.

[niceguy2005]

ORIGINAL: Nail78

Is there any point in the game where withdrawing an air squadron or disbanding one would benefical? ie good strategy?

As the allies I will often disband a squadron and reform it later to put some planes back in the replacement pool. When my Brewster squadrons get very low on planes I do it. Might as well have 2 squadrons of 10 places instead of 10 squadrons of 2 planes each. Be aware though that when the squadron does reform in 90 days, it has to draw planes out of the replacement pool, which can suddenly shift a lot of planes to the rear bases.