Airfields

[histgamer]

Whats the best way to destroy planes on the ground? Level bombing as japan dosnt seem to be very effective is it better to send carrier airplanes at say 2000 feet or what?

[Terminus]

Japan isn't really able to inflict a lot of damage from the air; their aircraft don't carry big enough loads of heavy enough bombs. As for "carrier airplanes at 2000 feet", that's too low; they'll get hammered by AA, and dive bombing always takes place at 2000 feet anyway.

As the Japs, I rely on pinning instead of destroying. If the airfield in question is in a territory I want to invade, I only have to pin down the airplanes long enough to get ground troops there. In fact, I want as little damage to the airfield as possible, because I'll need it myself.

Overall, the number of aircraft that get destroyed on the ground (post first-turn surprise) is very low. It's just one of the things you have to get used to as the Japanese.

[bbbf]

Yep, in my game against MC3744, I can barely keep a size 2 field closed bombing it nearly every day with 100-150 Helen's.
 
Every time the damage slips (due to weather or having to bomb another target), MC gets to kill a lot of my bombers as I close it again.
 
Basically, as Japan you can supress a field for a while, but you very seldom get to keep it closed.  And it only gets worse as the game progresses and the Allies start receiving more and more engineering units.

[histgamer]

[:(]

[bbbf]

All JFB's are masochists!
 
Basically, after the glory days, anything you can do unto the Allies, the Allies can do unto you, but with a nuch bigger stick.

[RUPD3658]

I managed to keep PM closed for a month after it was recaptured by the Allies but it took all of my Bettys and Sallys to do it.

Bombardments are the only way you will totally shut down an Allied AF.

[RUPD3658]

ORIGINAL: bbbf

All JFB's are masochists!

Basically, after the glory days, anything you can do unto the Allies, the Allies can do unto you, but with a nuch bigger stick.

Yes.....that is exactly what we want you to think.[:D]

Japan need not roll over and play dead come 1943.

Playing Japan after the end of 42 is totally different than in the glory days. It is still fun but different. My PBEM just started 1944 and I am focusing on a defensive plan along with the occasional hit and run raid to frustrate and irritate my opponant.

[histgamer]

I honestly cant wait for planes crashing into ships. sounds like fun. Or does the messed up A2A system not allow any of ur planes through.[:D]

[bbbf]

ORIGINAL: RUPD3658

ORIGINAL: bbbf

All JFB's are masochists!

Basically, after the glory days, anything you can do unto the Allies, the Allies can do unto you, but with a nuch bigger stick.

Yes.....that is exactly what we want you to think.[:D]

Japan need not roll over and play dead come 1943.

Playing Japan after the end of 42 is totally different than in the glory days. It is still fun but different. My PBEM just started 1944 and I am focusing on a defensive plan along with the occasional hit and run raid to frustrate and irritate my opponant.

Hey, I predominantly play as Japan!

Just being realistic - I am a masochist. Generally, as Japan, your victories are small ones in the late war period - but they are very sweet!

[Ron Saueracker]

ORIGINAL: RUPD3658

I managed to keep PM closed for a month after it was recaptured by the Allies but it took all of my Bettys and Sallys to do it.

Bombardments are the only way you will totally shut down an Allied AF.

Perhaps that is why it is possible in game to bombard massive airfield/base complexes into the stoneage in silly night shoot and scoot missions.[8|]

[Honda]

What's easier to fix. A hole in the dirt or a hole in the tarmac?

[Feinder]

I honestly cant wait for planes crashing into ships. sounds like fun. Or does the messed up A2A system not allow any of ur planes through.

While it is fun to see "D4Y Judy hits Intrepid..."

Yes, the A2A system tends to effect a wholesale slaughter (think 300 - 400 planes lost in a single sorty vs. Allied mega-KB). And -probably- no hits (I'm not kidding).

I did have some success by trying to specifically target the CVE groups (Wildcats aren't nearly as good as Hellcats, and not as many of them). I sank a few CVEs. But then again, your opponent may not afford you that opportunity either.

But Kamis are *not* as effective as you think/want them to be (even if they hit, which rarely happens). And they tend for the same "target fixation" as every other bomber in WitP - I had 4 of them hit a single LST. It eventually sank after 3 days... [:@]

-F-

[histgamer]

Well historically most of them got blown outta the sky. I realize they were not effective, but its still a fun idea.[:D]

[Nikademus]

ORIGINAL: flanyboy

Whats the best way to destroy planes on the ground? Level bombing as japan dosnt seem to be very effective is it better to send carrier airplanes at say 2000 feet or what?

Best way if your using aircraft is to attack at normal range. Extended range payloads for Japanese naval 2E's in particular is very anemic.

[Yava]

ORIGINAL: bbbf

All JFB's are masochists!

Basically, after the glory days, anything you can do unto the Allies, the Allies can do unto you, but with a nuch bigger stick.

I like to do the mentioned "Allies can do unto you, but with a nuch bigger stick"[:D]

But Kamis are *not* as effective as you think/want them to be (even if they hit, which rarely happens). And they tend for the same "target fixation" as every other bomber in WitP - I had 4 of them hit a single LST. It eventually sank after 3 days...

Banzai!!!![8D]

[KDonovan]

Whats the best way to destroy planes on the ground? Level bombing as japan dosnt seem to be very effective is it better to send carrier airplanes at say 2000 feet or what?

Best way if your using aircraft is to attack at normal range. Extended range payloads for Japanese naval 2E's in particular is very anemic.

also remember that Betty's/Nell's will only carry 2x250kg bombs on airfield attack missions (at all ranges). So your only true AF busting plane's are Helen's and Sally's at Normal range.

[Sonny II]

Playing Japan in '44 is easy:

Click end of phase.

Save game.

Send to opponent.

Can't believe I lasted until May of '45.

[jwilkerson]

ORIGINAL: KDonovan

Whats the best way to destroy planes on the ground? Level bombing as japan dosnt seem to be very effective is it better to send carrier airplanes at say 2000 feet or what?

Best way if your using aircraft is to attack at normal range. Extended range payloads for Japanese naval 2E's in particular is very anemic.

also remember that Betty's/Nell's will only carry 2x250kg bombs on airfield attack missions (at all ranges). So your only true AF busting plane's are Helen's and Sally's at Normal range.

I think Betty/Nell carry 2x250KG on shorter range missions against AF, but only 1x250KG at longer ranges. Yes Helen's and Sally's are good, but Lily with 8x100KG and high exp will get more "runway" hits, just not as many service/suppply hits.

[KDonovan]

Best way if your using aircraft is to attack at normal range. Extended range payloads for Japanese naval 2E's in particular is very anemic.

also remember that Betty's/Nell's will only carry 2x250kg bombs on airfield attack missions (at all ranges). So your only true AF busting plane's are Helen's and Sally's at Normal range.

I think Betty/Nell carry 2x250KG on shorter range missions against AF, but only 1x250KG at longer ranges. Yes Helen's and Sally's are good, but Lily with 8x100KG and high exp will get more "runway" hits, just not as many service/suppply hits.

i find this info screen very confusing then. What does the "reduce load" stand for then. I always assumed it was for extended range missions

[Nikademus]

IIRC, nominally it refers to the extended range payload, however in the case of torpedo bombers it may refer to the alternate (land attack/< airbase 4) loadout.