Matrix Games Forums

If only IJN would be able to put some serious port bombing raids, but alas, with Bettys and Nells...

How about Ki-21 Sally and Ki-48 Lily? Are they better than Betties and Nells? When does IJN get them? And after Nells and G4M1 Betty are upgraded G4M2 Betty, is it a little more durable?

Some clarifications...

Bombers on Port Attack will bomb ships in port that are actually disbanded.

Bombers on Naval Attack will bomb ships that are in the port hex, but not disbanded (even if they're unloading).

CAP from an airfield at the port will protect both.

Your ships can only disband in a size 3 or larger port.

Ships in port (disbanded) can only be attacked with BOMBS, you cannot attack them with torps. So your Avengers and Bettys and Nells will automatically carry bombs if they're set to Port Attack.

-F-

Originally posted by Full Moon
What does it mean? So, ships in a port which is disbanded from a TF can be attacked by Bombers which are set to port sttack? If so, I haven't seen the case yet.
I always thought that ships docked at a port can be attacked but not the ships disbanded from a TF.

Port attack missions are used to hit ships disbanded (i.e. not in task forces) in the port. Naval attack missions won’t hit those ships, unless they changed something in 2.30.

Before 2.30 it was always luck if you would find ships in port when you snuck the carriers in for a little port raiding. Now it is possible to know ahead of time if you are wasting your time or not. The only problem with port raiding is that you usually won’t sink anything…just damage ships. Against Japan that’s almost as good but against the allies thy will just send it home and get an equal or better replacement.

Yamamoto

The only problem with port raiding is that you usually won’t sink anything…just damage ships. Against Japan that’s almost as good but against the allies thy will just send it home and get an equal or better replacement.

But it could sink damaged CVs parked in the ports?:)

Historically, once the Allies could hit Rabual with a steady flow of bombers, the port became unusable for major ships and the Japanese pulled their fleet units back to Truk. That is pretty much the situation in the game. If you don't take PM and Lunga, then you are not going to be able to base CVs out of Rabaul after the Allied air arm starts to build up.

The zero was woefully ineffective against the later model B17s.

Originally posted by crsutton
Historically, once the Allies could hit Rabual with a steady flow of bombers, the port became unusable for major ships and the Japanese pulled their fleet units back to Truk. That is pretty much the situation in the game. If you don't take PM and Lunga, then you are not going to be able to base CVs out of Rabaul after the Allied air arm starts to build up.

The zero was woefully ineffective against the later model B17s.

Can B-17s bomb Rabaul, Kavieng or Shorland from Australia? If so, which base do Allied player usually use for B-17s? Cairns?

Originally posted by Yamamoto
Port attack missions are used to hit ships disbanded (i.e. not in task forces) in the port. Naval attack missions won’t hit those ships, unless they changed something in 2.30.

Before 2.30 it was always luck if you would find ships in port when you snuck the carriers in for a little port raiding. Now it is possible to know ahead of time if you are wasting your time or not. The only problem with port raiding is that you usually won’t sink anything…just damage ships. Against Japan that’s almost as good but against the allies thy will just send it home and get an equal or better replacement.

Yamamoto

ok so when you say disbanded do you mean docked? i havent seen a disband button anywhere just a scuttle ship button except for the disbanding of planes. sorry im a little confused here!

Originally posted by iceboy
ok so when you say disbanded do you mean docked? i havent seen a disband button anywhere just a scuttle ship button except for the disbanding of planes. sorry im a little confused here!

No. He's talking about disbanding a TF.

Originally posted by Full Moon
No. He's talking about disbanding a TF.

ok so i now see where you can disband a task force but what is the difference in just docking the task force? are there advantages or disadvantages?

If you're disbanded, you cannot be attacked by subs or surface units. You are however, much easier to hit by planes (which must be on the Port attack mission).

-F-

Originally posted by Feinder
If you're disbanded, you cannot be attacked by subs or surface units. You are however, much easier to hit by planes (which must be on the Port attack mission).

-F-

ahhh.. gotcha. so if your cv's are disbanded do they still lauch air strikes? and for that matter will your disbanded surface forces still react?

Also if you disband your ships are not suffering operational damage. Another bebefit is that as Feinder said earilier they can't be attacked by torpedoes.

Originally posted by Full Moon
Also if you disband your ships are not suffering operational damage. Another bebefit is that as Feinder said earilier they can't be attacked by torpedoes.

torpedoes from subs and planes or just subs?

Originally posted by iceboy
torpedoes from subs and planes or just subs?

Both.

Originally posted by Full Moon
How about Ki-21 Sally and Ki-48 Lily? Are they better than Betties and Nells?

Betty and Nell are the only 2 level bomber that carry torpedoes, otherwise, not really worth a ****...

Originally posted by Full Moon
Can B-17s bomb Rabaul, Kavieng or Shorland from Australia? If so, which base do Allied player usually use for B-17s? Cairns?

The closest Australian base to Rabaul is Cooktown - 28 hexes.

B-17 extended range is 27 = cannot reach.
B-24 extended range is 28 = can reach, but op losses would be staggering.

Cooktown would have to be level 4 airfield or higher to support the mission.

Originally posted by Full Moon
Also if you disband your ships are not suffering operational damage. Another bebefit is that as Feinder said earilier they can't be attacked by torpedoes.

so if your cv's are disbanded do they still lauch air strikes? and for that matter will your disbanded surface forces still react?

Originally posted by iceboy
so if your cv's are disbanded do they still lauch air strikes? and for that matter will your disbanded surface forces still react?

No - they are sitting at anchor - the only way to get planes off of them is with a crane.

Dave Baranyi

Originally posted by Full Moon
But it could sink damaged CVs parked in the ports?:)

YES! As I whined earlier, I had 4 healthy CVs resting disbanded in port and along came unescorted B-17s who flew through my cap and hit 3 of the 4 CVs.

Here is the difference between being docked and at anchor:

When at anchor:
ships repair damage faster.
ships cannot be attacked by naval attack, thus no torpedo bombers.
ships cannot fly planes (although this doesn't seem to apply to AVs and CS's).
ships are vulnerable to port attacks.
ships will not engage enemy ships that enter the harbor but can be hit by a bombardment.

When docked:
Ships cannot be attacked by subs if in a size 3 or greater porter.
Ships can fly planes, CV operations are halved.
Ships can be attacked by naval attacks.
Ships will engage in surface combat with enemy ships that enter the harbor.