Question on air operational losses

[mmoore327]

Am on turn 3 of new 1943 full game where I want to concentrate on improving my allied air game.

Weather was rainy so decided to rest my escorts and send both Bomber Command and 8th force on a night mission to bomb submarine targets on north coast of Germany.

Bomber Command did surprisingly well but the 8th Air Force lost 90 planes to operational losses and I can't figure out why. Is it because 8th Airforce is supposed to fly during the day and there is a penalty for using them on missions at night? (that's the only thing I could think of)

If that's not the case, what other reason might it be?

[loki100]

basically yes.

Look at the aircraft load outs, you'll see Bomber Command planes all have some form of hight radar. 8 AAF doesn't (don't think there is even a specialist choice) so yes they are flying pretty much blind on a mission they haven't trained for.

Its why (in reverse) I think its really gamey to use BC on day raids apart from very late in the game. They used a different doctrine to organise the bombers for protection and to hit the targets, 8 AAF worked out how to do this in daylight and the expectation of substantial fighter presence leading to different tactical approaches.

If BC had gone in by day over the Ruhr in 1943 using its night formations it would have been shredded.

[mmoore327]

Thanks for explanation - that's an expensive lesson I'll remember