Matrix Games Forums

I recently took out my copy of this game and started a new 1943 campaign as allies.
I realized that the rules are basically the same as the old 12 o'clock high ones. But the options are not all covered in them, I feel. So, here are two questions:
1) I can use my fighters to be lead units against ground targets. It should be a good idea NOT to use Mustang I's for this (no bombs). But what about the P47s? They CAN use bombs but basically come equipped with a drop tank, which is the default switch. What exactly will they do, when I select them as bombing units? Do I have to actively switch drop tanks for bombs for each lead unit? ...each additional bombing unit? ...each close support fighter (they will bomb as well, if they support tacticals like typhoons)? It would really make sense for them NOT to start flying against a target with drop tanks mounted, wouldn't it? But will they realize that before they leave? In fact they jetison their drop tanks if attacked, but that is in the air. So, you never know.
2) I always had the "gut feeling" that medium bombers were somewhat more effective against SOME targets (railway stations or ground units eg) compared to strategic bombers, though the sheer mass of bombs is MUCH higher with the latter. So does it make sense to reequip say the Med Air with heavies? That looks to be the case keeping in mind the kilogramms of TNT dropped noto the ground units. Or should we stick to to these B 26s etc?

I do appreciate the much higher variability of planes in the newer game compared to 12oh (especially as an allied player), but I don't see how I could once again play a German side to the end

depends on which airforce they are with, some have a default load out of drop tanks (to give range) or bombs

so yes, units you want to lead a strike, should be checked to be sure they have bombs loaded, as well as any on close support (while top cover should have tanks)

which in the long run, you would want to have some units set up to always be fighter bombers while the others are fighters

the fighters with the VIIIth are set up to be fighters, while the fighters with the IXth are set up to be fighter bombers, most of the RAF are set up to do a little of both

yes, there are targets that fighterbombers, lights and med bomber do better against then others, I am not so sure that the Heavies would do worse.

for the MED, depends on your style of play, and what your plans are, if you are losing a lot of Heavies, then you would want lights and meds to fill out the other units, if your losses are lighter and you have more in stock, yes, you could switch them over, but alot of troops, RR and Airfields will be there main targets, and they are good for those types

Thanks for the info. Very helpful.
In England the default (drop tanks) makes a lot of sense. The main theatre where fighters act as fighterbombers would be the Med. I guess your suggestion to rig some of the 12. or the Med Air up as standard fighter bombers is the way to do it.
What is this about the white top cover? Is it referring to the silhouetted play style? I never use it.
I am only in december 43 and according to my experience with 12oh campaigns it does not make too much sense to play too reckless in that stage (exception night bombing). So there is plenty of heavies available.

that is while top cover, not white

which yea, in 43 you should still have extra planes around, but meant,. later in the game/war, does you no good to have lots of BGs with only half the numbers of bombers needed to fill them out (that can happen alot with new fighters coming in, you want to get as many units as you, flying them, but can't replace losses, if you change over too many too soon

Another question:
Is the wheather schedule "rigged"? In other words, will the program throw the dice to determine each day's wheather or will it be clear that the wheather on 1.12.1943 is say 75% at 500 feet? Reason for this question is an extremely long period of bad wheather in december 43 (sigh).

Hey Tuby,

I am also suffering the bad December '43 weather. I can't wait for it to improve, and also for longer periods of daylight. I have done a couple of things to mitigate the clouds and rain somewhat.

The first is to launch my raids as late in the afternoon as possible. The later the day gets, the better the weather gets. I hold off launching until as late as possible. I don't want my raids returning later than 4:15-4:30 because that means a lot of landing at twilight or after dark, which leads to crashes. In this respect, the B-24's are superior to the B-17's because they are faster and get to the target and back in a shorter amount of time.

The second thing I do is to concentrate on targets near the North Sea coast, especially around Wilhelmshaven and Hamburg. The reason for this is that the weather clears from north to south, and these areas will have a better chance of being under sunny skies than targets in the Ruhr, the occupied countries, or central Germany.

I would like to offer one final caution in regard to your fighter escorts for these raids. Even if the weather is clear enough for your raid to launch, it can close in when delayed escorts are due to take off. As such, it is advisable to launch some of your escorts with zero delay so that you won't have unescorted bombers flying deep into German airspace. The P-38J's have long enough legs to accompany a raid to Hamburg and back with a zero delay.

I guess the wheather must be taken as it is.
I simply do not fly when the conditions are not as they should be. I sometimes fly "below the clouds" if that is applicable. But otherwise, I'll simply wait until there is a chance that my guys will see anything.

Everything else is just waste of material and effort.

The time is not lost, as planes and morale keeps coming in.

The weather isn't "set", in that any date will not have exactly the same weather this game as it did last game, but it IS seasonal, so weather in mid - winter will fluctuate between awful to truly abysmal.