Matrix Games Forums

Has anyone seen a sea zone air strike damage a U-boat?

By design air units do not attack subs.

There will be discussion of this decision, but given the game level it has some justification. The air ASW model might be factored into tech level, or effectiveness. Aircraft were of vital importance in ASW, but not in broad spectrum search and destroy missions early in the war. Later the use of radar led to adaptation of snorkelling and other measures to avoid losses to this type of ASW. If the game were modeled at a lower level then the presence of a jeep carrier in a convoy would give a major advantage to the escorts, but that is too low level to be modeled here.

If the use of aircraft against subs is built into the present model I would hope the search odds would be much, much lower than for surface ships, and perhaps it is so low that not allowing such attacks is proper.

Chuck

Why not have only Strategic Bombers capable of attacking U-boats? It was the long-range aircraft that closed the Atlantic gap, and the Brits doesn't have too many of those early. That could be an effective compromise.

Yep,
 
Historically once the allies figured out how to do it, LR aircraft made all the difference in the battle of the atlantic

Yes I think it important that aircraft be used for ASW Recon and Interdiction.

It was the significant shift in the balance of the Atlantic war, and would add another dimension to the game.

Adding a carrier to a convoy might also enhance its survivability as it did in real life.

Can it be done?

Of course it might be done.

I'm considering is there a good way to implement it, without leaving AI behind.

Exact same thing happened with SC, as you add more complexity the AI has to be adjusted as it has a hard time keeping up with the simple actions of a human.
 
It will bode well for the AI if you remember this simple axiom when making suggestions, although the AI can be scripted to counter human developments this adjusting will take years to complete, actually...it will never be complete.....well ...at least in our lifetime![;)]