Low CAP vs High SWEEPS test #1

[obvert]

Another interesting screenshot. This shows that the low group is being sent high immediately, at the beginning of the combat.

So what makes this different (and more effective) to having a group at 20k going being sent high to climb over sweepers? Wouldn't a higher group have a better shot of getting up there quicker?

There is something still so odd about how this is working. It has to be something to do with some portion of the fighting taking place at a lower altitude.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: Lowpe




I don't believe that is the case.

I know some people swear by it, but I think the game doesn't care what HQ units are attached to.

It definitely does. You probably don't notice much playing as Japan because you don't have 3 dozen air groups that are all going on a bombing raid in one day, but as the Allies... try a scattershot approach with your bombers and watch them arrive piecemeal over the target. Try assigning them to the same HQ (having an HQa at the base is also very important, but for THAT case it doesn't have to be the same one), and watch 200 bombers arrive over the target simultaneously.

I'm not sure if it works at all for sweeps, since sweeps are not coordinated but merely a chance arrival over the base at the same time. For that matter, I've seen "cooperating" sweeps where one of the groups that is cooperating just never even fights at all. For example, it will say 75 P-47's are sweeping in the combat report texts, but in the animation only 50 ever show up. Then at the end, it will show 3 groups sweeping at altitude. Is strange.

Have you noticed the HQ affecting those late fragments in sweeps?

I agree the cooperating sweeps behave oddly and I think many multiple groups is more effective to wear down CAP. The trick is getting them to arrive before bombing.

I pretty much take the late fragments (which aren't always late...sometimes they arrive first) as a given. The 3-plane groups? I've also seen 3 groups of 25, for example, arrive over the target in these numbers (in order): 22, 22+3, 25, 3+3. Or 22, 22, 22, 3+3+3. It's about 50/50 that a 3-plane wing will get split off from a sweeping unit, it seems. Sometimes it even goes to a 19/6 split. This just seems to be random chance. I almost never sweep with units that aren't at 0 Fatigue and they must be 90+ Morale also, so even if those are factors in the splitting they not the only ones.


I got a nice screenshot for Lowpe here, on assigning your bombers (and fighters, if you want escorts!) to the same HQ for offensive purposes. If these units were in different HQ's in the command structure, this raid would not have come together like this. Mind you, I still had ~200 bombers arrive in single groups of 8-10 throughout the rest of the day, but it started off with one big strike for the second day in a row. Just in case this affects sweeps (and it may not, given that sweeps don't coordinate but merely arrive at the same time by chance), I put my sweepers into the same HQ with each other as well. I'll take every chance I can get.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

I pretty much take the late fragments (which aren't always late...sometimes they arrive first) as a given. The 3-plane groups? I've also seen 3 groups of 25, for example, arrive over the target in these numbers (in order): 22, 22+3, 25, 3+3. Or 22, 22, 22, 3+3+3. It's about 50/50 that a 3-plane wing will get split off from a sweeping unit, it seems. Sometimes it even goes to a 19/6 split. This just seems to be random chance. I almost never sweep with units that aren't at 0 Fatigue and they must be 90+ Morale also, so even if those are factors in the splitting they not the only ones.

I've always taken it as a given too, and so it surprised me when it suddenly didn't happen at all. I wish I had more time to run all of the possibles right now but it's slow going to fit between work and wife. [;)]

When I can I'll run some small sweep tests, then take the HQ out, change group leaders, etc.

I got a nice screenshot for Lowpe here, on assigning your bombers (and fighters, if you want escorts!) to the same HQ for offensive purposes. If these units were in different HQ's in the command structure, this raid would not have come together like this. Mind you, I still had ~200 bombers arrive in single groups of 8-10 throughout the rest of the day, but it started off with one big strike for the second day in a row. Just in case this affects sweeps (and it may not, given that sweeps don't coordinate but merely arrive at the same time by chance), I put my sweepers into the same HQ with each other as well. I'll take every chance I can get.

So that's about 230 bombers in one strike. Impressive.

Do you organize around an air HQ or the area Command HQ?

[Lowpe]

LoBaron said this....

Assigning squads to the same HQ improves coordination.

in his coordination sticky, about half way down the first page.

There is also talk of having the HQ prepare for the target, and I admit, that I do that.

[Lokasenna]

Those bombers are all in XX US Bomber Command. Shouldn't matter as long as it's all the same. For that strike, range was 6 with size 9 AF.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

LoBaron said this....

Assigning squads to the same HQ improves coordination.

in his coordination sticky, about half way down the first page.

There is also talk of having the HQ prepare for the target, and I admit, that I do that.

Well, I don't see what difference the HQa being prepped for the target would make. Unless I missed something, prep is purely for ground combat purposes and amphibious landings.

[LoBaron]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

LoBaron said this....

Assigning squads to the same HQ improves coordination.

in his coordination sticky, about half way down the first page.

There is also talk of having the HQ prepare for the target, and I admit, that I do that.

Hey Lowpe. Just to clearify a detail:
You are correct there has been a discussion on whether prepping for a target helps coordination in the coordination guide, and back then I carefully pointed out that I never noticed any effect(post #24).

If you want my personal opinion, I am convinced that prepping doesn´t affect raid coordination at all. As Lokasenna pointed out, it is purely a ground warfare related variable and has no affect on air or naval warfare (with the exception of amphibious landings and para drops that is).

[SqzMyLemon]

For those Japanese players struggling against the Allied fighters, I suggest you adopt every one of the suggestions here. It works.

Watch the P-38s, P-47s and Corsairs shot out of the sky.

Now a challenge to all you number crunchers and game mechanics manipulators. Come up with an Allied counter to Japanese low CAP.

[Chris21wen]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

For those Japanese players struggling against the Allied fighters, I suggest you adopt every one of the suggestions here. It works.

Watch the P-38s, P-47s and Corsairs shot out of the sky.

Now a challenge to all you number crunchers and game mechanics manipulators. Come up with an Allied counter to Japanese low CAP.

Having read all this that's something I like too see.

Is it possible that the cap is too low for the high sweeps to see/hit effectively? Planes taking off are then vetored to a higher altitude too take advantage of the now low sweeps. The numbers taking off should also be larger than the cap.

Could sending the sweeps in at say 15K improve thing?

I'm not an aircraft buff so this is pure speculation.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Chris H

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

For those Japanese players struggling against the Allied fighters, I suggest you adopt every one of the suggestions here. It works.

Watch the P-38s, P-47s and Corsairs shot out of the sky.

Now a challenge to all you number crunchers and game mechanics manipulators. Come up with an Allied counter to Japanese low CAP.

Having read all this that's something I like too see.

Is it possible that the cap is too low for the high sweeps to see/hit effectively? Planes taking off are then vetored to a higher altitude too take advantage of the now low sweeps. The numbers taking off should also be larger than the cap.

Could sending the sweeps in at say 15K improve thing?

I'm not an aircraft buff so this is pure speculation.

Thanks for bringing back this thread, Joe! I think it's time to discuss the Allied side for sure. (I play Allies too and I would need help agains this tactic). [8D]

It's interesting to speculate why this works to limit Allied dominance (in 43-44 at least. We have yet to test the real beasts in a game situation). Lets remember too though, that the Allies are winning the air war in our game, and even with this "working," overall losses are still 1:1.5 in the favour of the Allies during recent months.

I used to play a lot of mid to high-level layering CAP, from 15-31k usually. Sometimes I'd set fighters low based on comments from Alfred and others who kept reassuring me that it would limit the strato-sweep advantage by letting those planes dive into an area where better Japanese manoeuvre would limit their speed advantage. Sometimes there were glimpses of possibility there, and then a set of P-47 sweeps would get 9:1 and are me think this didn't work at all.

Some players have used mid-level 15-20k sweeps with high 31k sweeps to spread the defenders out, get them into different zones, against a low CAP. It can work, but I hope not to be unwavering in my use of low CAP. I'll throw it right out here, even though it's a bit revealing, that I will change it up once the Allies compensate by changing their tactics. So far when he's swept with mid-level I've set high CAP which has also been hard on the sweeps, especially if they're arriving at 15k.

One of the keys for me is a blend of airframe types on CAP. If I've got a mix of service 1, 2 and 3 fighters, then I won't be left with everything on the ground after two days. This is a multi-day tactic. The Japanese have to have staying power against the Allied onslaught, and Joe has been experimenting with different airframes on sweeps too. he's thrown a lot of hellcats in recently, which are plentiful in 44, and those have gotten 1:1 while wearing CAP down for the later Spits, Corsairs and Jugs.

I've got a lot of examples of this in the Elephant AAR, but here is one recent combat report showing the results of a few sweeps.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]___________________________________________________

Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 22
A6M5b Zero x 34
A6M5c Zero x 2
A6M8 Zero x 5
J2M3 Jack x 16
N1K2-J George x 39
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 45
Ki-84a Frank x 30
Ki-100-I Tony x 18

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 51

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 2 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 10 destroyed

CAP engaged:
S-305 Hikotai with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(17 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(29 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 18000.
Raid is overhead
Ominato Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 13 on standby, 15 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 5 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 31000 and 35300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-2 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 11 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 35300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
263 Ku S-1 with A6M8 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000.
Raid is overhead
265 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 17 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
S-601 Hikotai with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
381 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Raid is overhead
18th Sentai with Ki-100-I Tony (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 7 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
20th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 2 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Raid is overhead
73rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Raid is overhead
87th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 4 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
204th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 11
A6M5b Zero x 21
A6M5c Zero x 2
J2M3 Jack x 14
N1K2-J George x 35
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 24
Ki-84a Frank x 27
Ki-100-I Tony x 14

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
S-305 Hikotai with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
Ominato Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 6 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 38500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 2 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 35300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
265 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
S-601 Hikotai with A6M5c Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Raid is overhead
381 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
18th Sentai with Ki-100-I Tony (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
20th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 32920.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 281 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 3 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
204th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 149 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-2 with N1K2-J George (3 airborne, 3 on standby, 8 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 35300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 2
A6M5b Zero x 19
J2M3 Jack x 14
N1K2-J George x 28
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 20
Ki-84a Frank x 23
Ki-100-I Tony x 9

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 19
F6F-3 Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
S-305 Hikotai with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
Ominato Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 38500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
265 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 111 minutes
381 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
18th Sentai with Ki-100-I Tony (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
20th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (2 airborne, 2 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
204th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-2 with N1K2-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 31000 and 35300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 2
A6M5b Zero x 12
J2M3 Jack x 12
N1K2-J George x 22
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 17
Ki-84a Frank x 19
Ki-100-I Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
S-305 Hikotai with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Ominato Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 38500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 31000 and 35300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
265 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
381 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
20th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 34440.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
204th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-2 with N1K2-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 10 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 35300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
18th Sentai with Ki-100-I Tony (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 2
A6M5b Zero x 10
J2M3 Jack x 12
N1K2-J George x 21
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 17
Ki-84a Frank x 14
Ki-100-I Tony x 5

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 29
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet *
11 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet *

CAP engaged:
Yokosuka Ku S-2 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 10 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 10330 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
S-305 Hikotai with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Raid is overhead
Ominato Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 38500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
265 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
381 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
20th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
204th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
18th Sentai with Ki-100-I Tony (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1
A6M5b Zero x 4
J2M3 Jack x 12
N1K2-J George x 15
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 14
Ki-84a Frank x 8
Ki-100-I Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet *

CAP engaged:
S-305 Hikotai with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
Ominato Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
381 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
20th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 35000 and 37900.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
204th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-2 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 17270 and 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
18th Sentai with Ki-100-I Tony (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 2
J2M3 Jack x 3
N1K2-J George x 8
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 11
Ki-84a Frank x 3
Ki-100-I Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
Ominato Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 35300 and 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
381 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
20th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 36000 and 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
204th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 121 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-2 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 32630 and 38300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
18th Sentai with Ki-100-I Tony (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 3
N1K2-J George x 5
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 9
Ki-84a Frank x 2

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9
B-24D1 Liberator x 51
B-24J Liberator x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 5 damaged
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 6 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 18000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 3
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3
B-24J Liberator x 13
P-38J Lightning x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 18000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

... (and onward, more small bombing packets add to the carnage)
[/font]

[BBfanboy]

Seems to me the Japanese advantage in numbers is what is giving them disproportionate victories.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Seems to me the Japanese advantage in numbers is what is giving them disproportionate victories.

You might think so, but that isn't all of it. I've had even bigger numbers advantages, and the Allies best sweepers would still get 5:1 results. This is slightly different.

Numbers are critical, but the tests showed it was more complex than that, and it's been shown now through a number of turns here.

[obvert]

Recently I've gone back to some testing. I was going to post in the AAR but decided to add it here, since it makes sense as a follow-on to the previous low CAP tests.

Lokasenna suggested my n might not be high enough to really differentiate between certain setting combinations, so I decided to try some more extensive test of limited settings.

He was kind enough to help and offer a setting combination and some advice, also mentioning that the Japanese CAP had a fairly big numbers advantage in the previous tests.

I've set up new ones, tested three runs of a bunch of stuff, and then decided what to pursue for the longer tests of 20 runs through. Below are some results.

The setup has 2 x 25 plane P-47D2 and 2 x 25 plane P-47D25 groups sweeping at 42k. The CAP is 3 x 45 plane Japanese groups of various types.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Trial Test 1[/font]

---

All of these are from 4 hexes, PM to Lae, and are with the same groups and pilots. The only changes are which planes are at which altitude layer.

Frank Ki-84r - 34, 450 (max)
Tony Ki-100-I - 20k
Jack J2M5 - 10k

Adding it all up shows the Japanese not faring so well. One turn was great. One horrific. Overall still not bad for going against P-47s.

Japanese: 180
Allies: 84

2.14:1

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Trial Test 2[/font]

---

This is the following layering:

Jack J2M5 - 36,910 (max)
Frank Ki-84r - 20k
Tony Ki-100-I - 10k

The Japanese do slightly better with the Jack up high. Is it because it has a higher ceiling?

Japanese: 167
Allies: 96

1.74:1

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Trial Test 3[/font]

---

This is the following layering:

Frank Ki-84r - 34,450 (max)
Jack J2M5 - 20k
Tony Ki-100-I - 10k

With the Jack in the middle the score goes back a bit to the Allies.

Japanese: 186
Allies: 83

2.24:1

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Trial Test 4[/font]

---

For this test I used low CAP as I've been using for the past year in game. Three bands at 9k, 7k and 5k. Usually I put more manoeuvrable planes low with the best airframes and pilots high.

This is the following layering:

Frank Ki-84r - 9k
Tony Ki-100-I - 7k
Jack J2M5 - 5k

Japanese: 147
Allies: 122

1.20:1

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Trial Test 5[/font]

---

In this set I used 80 percent CAP to see if a higher percentage CAP is better n the same conditions. This might even be a bit worse than the 50 percent CAP in all of the other tests to far.

This is the following layering:

Frank Ki-84r - 34,450 (max)
Tony Ki-100-I - 20k
Jack J2M5 - 10k

Japanese: 194
Allies: 78

2.49:1

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Trial Test 6[/font]

---

In this one I decided to try a completely different set of planes on low CAP related to how I might use it in my current game (with airframes I was just about to get in production). Interesting that overall kill numbers are higher for both sides.

George N1K2 - 9k
Frank Ki-84b - 7k
Oscar IV - 5k

Japanese: 163
Allies: 134

1.22:1

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Trial Test 7[/font]

---

Here is a taster of smaller bombing run, well escorted, with the same sweeps and CAP tested earlier. I did this first with the low CAP setup, then with a higher layered CAP.

I'll only spam with the first part of the CR to show the ordering and CAP at each stage in the battle. [;)]

The key here seems to be that the first sweepers are crushed, then the CAP is strong for the first bombing run, and although a good number of airframes are hit on the round, the field is not closed and the following bombers without escort get nailed. More Allied planes are destroyed overall than Japanese.

George N1K2 - 9k
Frank Ki-84b - 7k
Oscar IV - 5k

Japanese: 220
Allies: 249

1:1.13


[font="Trebuchet MS"]AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 17, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 46,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 45
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 36
Ki-84b Frank x 45

Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 7 destroyed (even though the the D25 come first they still get nailed here!)

CAP engaged:
Genzan Ku R-2 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 24 on standby, 9 scrambling)
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 35300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
900th Sentai with Ki-84b Frank (0 airborne, 24 on standby, 9 scrambling)
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 34450.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
17th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar (0 airborne, 20 on standby, 7 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 36811.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 44
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 32
Ki-84b Frank x 39

Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 5 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 7 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Genzan Ku R-2 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 9 scrambling)
15 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 35300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
900th Sentai with Ki-84b Frank (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 8 scrambling)
15 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 34450.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
17th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 3 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 36811.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 37
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 24
Ki-84b Frank x 36

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 15
B-25C Mitchell x 15
B-25C Mitchell (FM) x 36
P-40K Warhawk x 50

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84b Frank: 20 damaged
Ki-84b Frank: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-100-II Tony: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K5-J George: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIb Tojo : 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed on ground
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
J2M5 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-61-II KAI Tony: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-25C Mitchell (FM): 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 4 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x B-25C Mitchell (FM) bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell (FM) bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Genzan Ku R-2 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 12 scrambling)
25 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 41811.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
900th Sentai with Ki-84b Frank (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 9 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 40811.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
17th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 6 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 39811.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers[/font]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Trial Test 8[/font]

---

Here is with the higher layered CAP against the same sweep/bombing setup. Here fewer Japanese are downed and hit on the ground, but many fewer Allied planes lost.

A lot of scrambling and CAP in the air, but maybe too spread out in the layers?

Frank Ki-84r - 34,510 (max)
Jack J2M5 - 20k
Tony Ki-100-I - 10k

Japanese: 278
Allies: 140

1.99:1


[font="Trebuchet MS"]AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 17, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 45,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M5 Jack x 45
Ki-84r Frank x 45
Ki-100-I Tony x 45

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M5 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 6 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Chitose Ku K-1 with J2M5 Jack (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 22 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 36910.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
13th Sentai with Ki-100-I Tony (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 22 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 36090.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
1000th Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 22 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 34450 , scrambling fighters between 34000 and 34450.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes[/font]