Something I'd never seen before

[Shark7]

And looking through the manual did not produce results. What exactly is the significance of the Fires that I have circled in this screenshot?

[FOW]

Attacking LBA have dropped incendiaries and started a firestorm (a small one).

The game intent is to produce the effects seen in some Japanese and German cities during the Allied bomber offensives.
To generate that type of damage unfortunately (in game terms) requires you to achieve a fire level in 5 figures and maintain it for several days. This is difficult to do. A firestorm will allegedly then cause destruction to factories, manpower and other facilities at that base.
Others will, no doubt, add further details and actual game experience.

[Feinder]

Short answer - bombing manpower isn't worth the effort.  Just bomb the specific facilities.
 
-F-

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: Feinder

Short answer - bombing manpower isn't worth the effort.  Just bomb the specific facilities.

-F-

AFAIK - i don't think it is even possible to create and sustain a firestorm... people have tried tests where they had optimal forces and no Japanese opposition, and were unable to achieve anywhere near historical results.

[Shark7]

I guess then the fact that I even got what I did as Japan falls under the 'almost amazing' category? 
 
I hope the AE manual is better than the one with the original game.  So much stuff that isn't covered (or not covered in a way you can easily find it) and you discover these little gems completely by accident.

[wwengr]

ORIGINAL: Shark7

I hope the AE manual is better than the one with the original game...

Why? Then we would have less to write about on the forums![:)]

[Cathartes]

I hope the AE manual is better than the one with the original game.

It will be.