strike launched without escort!!!!

[Spliffmaker]

What reasons would a CAG strike launch against an IJN CV group with no wildcat escort?

I've got 2 CVs in a TF with 6 CAs and the rest DDs up to the limit of 25 ships. Both VFs are set to escort with 60% CAP, SBDs set to naval strike or rest at 15,000ft with a nav search of 20%. TBDs dont launch cos the enemy TF is out of range.

The SBDs spot the enemy CVs and my strike launches first.....57 SBDs, all shot down.

WTF?


What am I missing? What is stopping the F4Fs from escorting?

[rtrapasso]

it happens (by design), esp with the Allies, but also occasionally for Japan... this mirrors actual events where fighter escorts would get separated from the bombers... witness the Battle of Midway where i think most of the US bombers arrived without escorts... and several squadrons were massacred. One unescorted dive bomber squadron didn't get intercepted, and the battle quickly started going the USN's way...

[1275psi]

A mere flesh wound.........
I once had the entire wieght of KBs kates go in unescorted against darwin
2 planes returned
I was a bit shocked[8|]

[Alfred]

Check to see what range you had the SBDs and F4Fs set to fly - were they the same range for both.
 
Alfred

[Spliffmaker]

Yep, my fault this one.

Just noticed the damn wildcats have a max range set to 0. Set to to 4 and they launch just fine.

Doh!

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: Spliffmaker

Yep, my fault this one.

Just noticed the damn wildcats have a max range set to 0. Set to to 4 and they launch just fine.

Doh!

That will do it ... just don't be TOO surprised if you do everything right and STILL get an unescorted strike!