1920's Fighters Against Ships.
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 5:37 am
Just a note I'd like to put here on this subject. I know some of WitP's house rules will creep into WPO. But one I hope is done away with is the no fighters strafing/bombing at 100 feet. In WW2, this is a gamey tactic. However, in 1922 Billy Mitchell proposed this exact tactic.
Billy Mitchell, in his tests in 1921, figured pursuit planes would strafe the enemy decks to kill or pin down the AA gunners, letting the bombers attack unmolested. In fact, in his attack on the destoyer G-102 on July 13, 12 planes did exactly this. Now I will grant you that by 1925 and on this would be suicide, bu until thin it would be a viable tactic, and game or not in line with thinking of the time. Since all carriers are assigned only 2 groups, the best way to simulate this would be to split the fighter group into 3 units. the First can be on 90 Cap and escort, the 2nd as escort and 0 cap, and the third at 100 feet, no cap.
It is a bit of departure from WitP tactics, but this was (at least in 1921) more or less doctrine (such as can be considered doctrine in those days)
Billy Mitchell, in his tests in 1921, figured pursuit planes would strafe the enemy decks to kill or pin down the AA gunners, letting the bombers attack unmolested. In fact, in his attack on the destoyer G-102 on July 13, 12 planes did exactly this. Now I will grant you that by 1925 and on this would be suicide, bu until thin it would be a viable tactic, and game or not in line with thinking of the time. Since all carriers are assigned only 2 groups, the best way to simulate this would be to split the fighter group into 3 units. the First can be on 90 Cap and escort, the 2nd as escort and 0 cap, and the third at 100 feet, no cap.
It is a bit of departure from WitP tactics, but this was (at least in 1921) more or less doctrine (such as can be considered doctrine in those days)