Matrix Games Forums

I'm back to playing the A-A campaign. Units that I never use are anti-tank because you're always on the offensive. I'd like to use StuG units but when you have a limited number of units to deploy, a StuG starting value of 5 just doesn't make it a good choice. Also, why use AA units when you can use a fighter. I usually disband these units for the points to buy different units. However, I'm always looking to try different play styles so I'd appreciate any opinions about using these unit types in case I'm missing something.

I agree that these unit types have limited use but there are some ideas.

Towed AT units are always in the wrong place whether you are on the offensive or defensive, unless you advance through a narrow pass. StuG units could be of some use because they can move and fight in one turn. They could be used in Op Barbarossa campaign where you do not have a restricted number of units.
There is a cheat for getting a StuG regiment: disband your 37mm AT, buy a 50mm AT which is regiment size and immediately upgrade to StuG. You will get a StuG unit of regiment size.

AA units. I have used them in Lvov scenario. The unit in the south can try to catch a soviet plane if it comes close - it will if you bring your bombers there. The one in the north can either defend the airfield or hold one of the bridges when the infantry moves to Kovel.

In Op Barbarossa you could use some AD units to protect your advancing columns.

An example from the Luga scenario. You attack Luga with your main force but leave some infantry and artillery near Novgorod, to attack the city in the middle of the scenario. Your fighters go to take out the Bolshevik airfield but another Bolshevik bomber that was elsewhere attacks your artillery. An AD unit can defend your position until your fighters finish the airfield and come back to fight the bomber.

Conclusion: These will not bwin the AA campaign but as auxiliary units they can be helpful sometimes.

Thanks for your reply. I like the StuG regiment idea.

Hi guys,

time for another commercial [:D]

The release version of 1.07 is very close at hand now, and that means you will have even more to experiment with.

And i am not only refering to the new units you get, but that you will be able to create different kinds of formations or change the formation of an existing unit. Also formations will differ more as smaller ones now have limited support units you can attach while bigger formations are slightly more expensive to maintain.

The screenshot shows the new function:

Nice feature.

Thanks!
Rick

One unit I have not figured out is Bf 110. Cheaper than a bomber although carrying less ammo than most bombers, not as good as a fighter in fighting role and, again, runs out of ammo very quickly.

Right now I see two roles for it:
- "Stuka replacement" when you need a bomber but are short of resource points.
- addition to a fighter force that can also do some bombing.

The battle for Kiev was another hour of glory for air defense units: To protect the artillery from air attacks I brought 3 flaks of 88 mm. 1 was taken from AG Center, 1 upgraded from a 20 mm flak and 1 was the original 88 mm flak from Lvov. There was little space and many units so the flaks did not stand in the right places; I could not bring them too close to the front because of the Bolshevik artillery fire from Kiev. Even so, the flaks protected my artillery killing 1 enemy fighter and reducing the other one to 6 points from the original 10. The Il2 was too experienced to get in range so I never had a chance to shoot it, but then I kept it from attacking the artillery.

Together with the Lvov mission this may be all battle history for air defense, at least in 1941.