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The Japanese have a number of capital ships with over 50% damage anchored at Shortland, along with lots of juicey AP. Many are anchored, while there are also several small transport convoys there. Shortland has poor aircover and average AA, so seems the perfectly place to wage a major air offensive to clear out this shiping, despite the Rabaul Betty's.

A few raids with 100 SBD's would really clear the place out, however I simply can't get such attacks to occur. When I have my aircraft set for Naval Attack, they bomb the convoys around Shortland and leave the anchored ships untouched, and when I have them set for Port Attack they predominantly attack the facilities, with maybe a DD or AP bombed.

Attacking ships, especially warships, required AP bombs, the bigger the better. Attacking port facilities including warehouses required HE bombs, usually 100-250 kg. Thus, each type of attack requires a different load-out, but it seems that an AP attack on anchored ships is not in the game. I don't think the Japs were aware of this at Pearl Harbour.

I would appreciate any advice on how to attack anchored ships in port.

I use B-17s and B-24s to great effect on ships disbanded in port.

SeaWolF K wrote:I use B-17s and B-24s to great effect on ships disbanded in port.

Thanks Seawolf. I they operating for PORT attack or NAVAL attack.

Disbanded = port attack

Formed in TF = naval attack

I also try not to use SBD's on Port attack missions, they tend to have a low chance of getting home again.

I have smashed the Jap carriers (Kaga, Soryu, Shokaku, Hiryu and Shoho all sunk, and Akagi and Zuikaki both bombed to not much better than scrap), which gives me a free hand in August 42.

I have placed my 5 carriers 5 hexes east of Shortland, and the Rabual Betties don't seem to be bothering them. This is allowing my SBD's to launch massive airstrikes against Shortland, which is only defended by 6 Zeroes and Claudes. Shortland is full of damaged BB's and CA's caught bombarding Lunga, and I am now bombing them into history. It is a slow job, as each is taking up to 5-10 1000 pound bombs a day. But with no AA and next to no CAP there, so my SBDs are doing it with hardly a scratch.

Hi, sounds like you're playing the AI. Consider the poor performance of SBDs a trade-off for the lack of AA from the damaged BBs and CAs. The AI docks or disbands damaged ships and then doesn't refuel them. Refueling is the only way to replenish ammmunition and hence after a few turns the ships are defenseless and for all intents and purposes dead. Try turning the game on in head-to-head mode and fuel the Japanese BBs and CAs. If they haven't been too damaged (eg. all guns are not out of action) watch your SBDs die in the next raid.

I sometimes stake out a fully armed BB task force as bait for small CV TFs or LBA in games against the AI. The BBs do great job at destroying level bombers and a moderate job on dive bombers and torpedo planes. Ship AA values are typically a lot higher than a land-based AA unit.