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Zeroes - 12/26/2002 6:52:02 AM   
marshalldneal

 

Posts: 1
Joined: 12/26/2002
From: Bakersfield
Status: offline 		Does anybody have any advice for killing zeroes? They attack Moresby, or my ships thirty or forty at a time, and my pilots can't seem to shoot very many down.

I am playing the big campaign game, May 42, and I'm suffering atrocious losses.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

MN.
Post #: 1
- 12/27/2002 10:42:30 PM   
Toro


Posts: 578
Joined: 4/9/2002
From: 16 miles southeast of Hell (Michigan, i.e.), US
Status: offline 		Well, there's several notes to consider.

1. Japan can't produce as many fighters as the Allies can. Therefore, you need to achieve a level where you've destroyed a large number of Zeros which forces two things:

a. lower experience ratings in the Japanese pilots
b. diminishing returns in replacement a/c (ie, they can't keep their squadrons at full strength)

2. keep your fatigue down. If a squadron is tired, let them sit out a few turns; same goes for experience (but, obviously, keep that up)

3. don't fight them until you're ready. I often will evac most of my fighter squadrons and let a few turns of bombing go by. As long as you have good facility repair on hand (ie, engineers and supplies), you can recover. Then, when my squadrons are up to speed, I'll move them back in.

4. don't put lousy a/c against them. Wirraways a fodder, so don't even consider putting them in a role to counter Zeros. Some of the other a/c are bad against Zeros, too. When they upgrade, you'll be okay.

5. remember, if you can destroy Zeros anywhere (ie, if you can wipe a CV squadron), you're forcing Japan to pull replacements.

Eventually, you'll have the upper hand, it can just take a bit of time. Keep your fatigue down!

(in reply to marshalldneal)
Post #: 2
About them Wirraways - 12/27/2002 11:08:13 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		The last post spoke disparagingly of Wirraways against Zeros while another post in a different thread recently spoke highly of the same aircraft ("thank God for the Wirraways," or something to that effect).

In one of my current games I have a Wirraway squadron at PM with something like 38 kills (it's late May '42). They've done very well against Zeros and Jap bombers. I thought Wirraways handled themselves okay against Zeros. Am I wrong?

_____________________________

"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.

(in reply to marshalldneal)
Post #: 3
Re: About them Wirraways - 12/28/2002 12:08:38 AM   
Pawlock

 

Posts: 1041
Joined: 9/18/2002
From: U.K.
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by Canoerebel
[B]The last post spoke disparagingly of Wirraways against Zeros while another post in a different thread recently spoke highly of the same aircraft ("thank God for the Wirraways," or something to that effect).

In one of my current games I have a Wirraway squadron at PM with something like 38 kills (it's late May '42). They've done very well against Zeros and Jap bombers. I thought Wirraways handled themselves okay against Zeros. Am I wrong? [/B][/QUOTE]

Toro's spot on with his analasys of defending Pm in the air war, basically all you can do as US is wear the IJN down, you arnt gonna win many battles in the air as US in the opening months of the war against the zeroes. Accept that fact, and your halfway there to realising how to beat the Japs.

Wirraways have a very limited use IMO, but they do have a use. They are absolutly uselless as a front line sqadron on an even basis. I find the best use is to station to rear bases that are still within bomber range ,but out of fighter escort range. They give convoys around this area some protection which can deter bomber raids and do some damage to unescorted bombers should they try for your convoys here.

(in reply to marshalldneal)
Post #: 4
- 12/31/2002 9:29:56 AM   
Drongo

 

Posts: 2205
Joined: 7/12/2002
From: Melb. Oztralia
Status: offline 		Posted by Pawlock
[QUOTE]Wirraways have a very limited use IMO, but they do have a use. They are absolutly uselless as a front line sqadron on an even basis. I find the best use is to station to rear bases that are still within bomber range ,but out of fighter escort range. They give convoys around this area some protection which can deter bomber raids and do some damage to unescorted bombers should they try for your convoys here.[/QUOTE]

For some reason, I've found that the Wirraways tend to be the best fighter-bombers for early scenario anti-ship missions.

Most of my initial P39/P400s get sucked into CAP roles in the attempt to reduce the Japanese A6m/G4m threat. Having 2 squadrons (later 3) of Wirraways dedicated to naval strike (with a secondary strike target of troops or poorly defended bases) gives a lot of flexibility. Care has to be taken to avoid clashes with enemy fighters (recon flights over potential land targets to check for CAP and if enemy CVs are around, take the Wirraways off naval strike).

I've never tested to confirm it but they do seem to hit more often with bombs than the P39/P400s (2 bombs vs 1?). I've also found them very effective against barges (1000ft) as they tend to hit multiple targets, unlike the P39s/P400s. When the P39/P400s start converting to P38s (fighter only) in late 42/early 43, the Wirraways will still be around in large numbers (3 squadrons) to conduct naval strikes.

If they get mauled early then, as Pawlock said, pull them back and put them on rear area CAP duty while they rebuild (slowly).

_____________________________

Have no fear,
drink more beer.

(in reply to marshalldneal)
Post #: 5
- 12/31/2002 10:33:23 PM   
Toro


Posts: 578
Joined: 4/9/2002
From: 16 miles southeast of Hell (Michigan, i.e.), US
Status: offline 		Drongo,

Interesting use of Wirraways. I've never considered using them as anti-ship a/c. I'll try that... (watch out, Bax).

(in reply to marshalldneal)
Post #: 6
Zeroes and Wirraways - 1/2/2003 10:31:49 AM   
johnbruning

 

Posts: 13
Joined: 1/1/2003
From: Oregon
Status: offline 		Hey all,

Using Wirraways in the anti-ship role is a very clever idea! I'll have to try that. Historically, though, they were worse than useless as fighters. Keep in mind, the Wirraway has its roots in the AT-6 trainer.

The RAAF used Wirraways as artillery spotters and later as a primitive "fast FAC" platform later on during the war. Every time they went up against Zeroes, they were pounded.

To wear the Zero groups down at Rabaul, I usually put the entire 8th and 35th Fighter Groups at Port Moresby, along with both RAAF P-40 squadrons. Then, I'll throw in two F4F squadrons for good measure. I don't usually commit the Lex and Yorktown until the Big E & Hornet show up, so this gives their fighter squadrons something to do & gain experience.


JohnB

(in reply to marshalldneal)
Post #: 7
- 1/3/2003 5:33:10 AM   
crsutton


Posts: 9590
Joined: 12/6/2002
From: Maryland
Status: offline 		Experience and morale is the key. Nurse your first generation fighters and pilots carefully. Give them easy tasks to build up experience and rest them when necessary. You will find that once the experience levels go above 65 or so, they will really start to shoot down Japanes planes with vigor. If you are losing three planes to two Japanes over Port Morsby, then you are doing fairly well. Because of the distances involved-more of your pilots will survive and most of your damaged planes will get home. A great many of his will not as distance causes more damaged planes to crash before getting home.

The key is to keep your pilots intact and healthy. As the p39s and 400s eventually get replaced by better 2nd generation planes, you will then get a chance to run riot.

_____________________________

I am the Holy Roman Emperor and am above grammar.

Sigismund of Luxemburg

(in reply to marshalldneal)
Post #: 8
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