Getting A/C to attack targets

SPWaW is a tactical squad-level World War II game on single platoon or up to an entire battalion through Europe and the Pacific (1939 to 1945).

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gdpsnake
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Getting A/C to attack targets

Post by gdpsnake »

Tactical aircraft are a great artillery asset yet I find it almost impossible to get aircraft to attack ANY target other than armor. In fact, even spotted hexes or ANY other type of unit is ignored and the assigned aircraft will go way out of thier way to find some armor to attack even if it's friendly!
How do we get the aircraft to attack the entrenched infantry/gun positions? After all, that's what they should be doing when so ordered.
Any tips?
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Voriax
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RE: Getting A/C to attack targets

Post by Voriax »

About the only advice that comes to mind is: Select the aircraft approach vectors with great care. And always avoid targets that are close to tanks. You should select the approach in such way that the aircraft has shortest possible distance from map edge to the target, thus giving it less opportunities to stray after tanks.
Experience helps, I'd say that nowadays it is a rare aircraft of mine that targets own units and I can almost always make them to hit arty positions in the rear (the number 1 use for aircraft, imho)

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plloyd
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RE: Getting A/C to attack targets

Post by plloyd »

Aircraft have a mind of their own. The pilot always attacks what he thinks is important. They seems to pick targets within 3 hexes of the target point which they spot. He will pick AFVs over soft, and any vehicle over anything else. They seem to choose interesting buildings (like ammo dumps) over infantry. My overall experience is that aircraft will do what you want, if that was what they wanted to do in first place.
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Major_Johnson
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RE: Getting A/C to attack targets

Post by Major_Johnson »

I didn't know that you could choose the approach route!! Is that in the bombardment menu somewhere??
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Voriax
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RE: Getting A/C to attack targets

Post by Voriax »

Go to the bombard screen. At lower right there's a text 'Air entry and exit' and a button below it that says 'hidden'. Change that to 'displayed'. you'll notice that you now have a bunch of arrows in that minimap. Select two of those to select the route aircraft will take for its run. *Then* designate the target. So, set route first and set target second. Otherwise your selection will be ignored (or the 2nd aircraft takes the route you intended for the 1st ac)

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Major_Johnson
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RE: Getting A/C to attack targets

Post by Major_Johnson »

Cool! Thanks, I'm gonna check that out. How long have I been playing this game?? [:)]
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gdpsnake
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RE: Getting A/C to attack targets

Post by gdpsnake »

I didn't know about choosing the route either! LOL! Guess I'll give it a try - thanks.
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TheChin
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RE: Getting A/C to attack targets

Post by TheChin »

That route thing is easy to miss. I know I have lost many aircraft by forgetting to set a route and sending a plane directly into the teeth of the AA instead of skirting the edge. What I wonder is, why is the "hidden" option even on the bombardment screen? Seems like an artifact of an earlier feature, but I might be missing something.
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Jamminji
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RE: Getting A/C to attack targets

Post by Jamminji »

I have another question about the aircraft flight path. I finally figured out how to get aircraft to fly to-from. My question is HOO do I multiple air SECTIONS to use different paths? I have tried setting a path for section "A" then changing the path for section "B" and I find that both section use the same path. Is there a way to get each group to use a different path? Other then only sending one section at a time.

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kragharr
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RE: Getting A/C to attack targets

Post by kragharr »

Hello

It seem I have just experienced the same problem than Jamminji, I've tried to designate separate different air approches to drop 2 combat groups of paratroopers and Gliders.

As my first CG landed at the right point, using the air route that I designed, the second one was dropped *offboard*, with the result I missed most of the half of my troops... Too bad ! And as I was playing a PBEM game, I just couln't change my deploy.

So, is there any chance to determine different air routes for X differents troops ? (in my experience, I choose distinctly 2 paratroopers Co, and 2 cargos troops, I did not try mix them).

Other question about air management. Is there possibilities to drop paratroopers AFTER the deploy phase in a PBEM game ?

thx for the help
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Belisarius
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RE: Getting A/C to attack targets

Post by Belisarius »

Ah, paratroops are slightly different. You can't completely guard yourself from misdrops, as they are a problem for any commander. Sometimes they're dropped so far away they won't make it to your sector in time. Same with high level bombers.

When I last tested, I had no problem choosing different paths for aircraft. I had a divebomber coming in right, exiting upper left. Then a strike aircraft came in diagonally top left, exiting right.

Remember, you need to set the new flightpaths *before* you assign the target for *each* aircraft!

edit: kragharr, yes it's possible IIRC. You should be able to set what turn you want them to appear. Sorry if I can't give more detailed info, I never use airborne landings if it's not already included in the scenario
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Major Destruction
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RE: Getting A/C to attack targets

Post by Major Destruction »

ORIGINAL: kragharr

Other question about air management. Is there possibilities to drop paratroopers AFTER the deploy phase in a PBEM game ?

thx for the help

Yes.
If you type t and then enter the turn number when you want the paratroops to drop. Then type t again and enter the turn you want the next platoon to drop and so on. Same principle applies to gliders.
Also, you can select the route of entry and exit for your paratrooper transports in the same way as for strike aircraft, being sure to select the route before assigning the unit to a 'bombardment' hex
Paratroop drops often do not happen in the exact location that you intend. If the transport is attacked by flak the paratroops may not exit the plane on time and some of the stick could by dropped off the map.

The routes for gliders can be assigned too. Just the inbound route is necessary. The gliders don't get much farther than the LZ. [;)]
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Belisarius
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RE: Getting A/C to attack targets

Post by Belisarius »

ORIGINAL: Major Destruction
... The gliders don't get much farther than the LZ. [;)]

With any luck! [:D]
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kragharr
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RE: Getting A/C to attack targets

Post by kragharr »

•> Belsarius, Major Destruction

Thx a lot for those good tips. Now I sure will own my opponent with the correct setting for my spec-ops planification...And be sure I'll post a report after the next battle.

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