Slitherine

quote:

ORIGINAL: biggins89

Had this large post I was going to offer on midstarting strategy as a semi-new guy but then realised the only reason the BIG guys were not posting it was because they are Big guys and they want you to experience it for yourself. All I can say is... Your opponent can not be every where... all of the time.

quote:

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

No don't upgrade!

If they are a valuable airframe type, then it's best to DOWNGRADE any that would take the planes with them and not deliver them into the pools.

It's also best to strip all pilots out of the squads that will take them out of theater, although your opponent might call this gamey.

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Your screen capture says the date is March 8, so you have some time to move the groups to where there ARE squadrons that will stay. Look around the map, anywhere within drop-tank range that is also a valid location to withdraw the aircraft (big enough AF, etc. - I forget what all the rules are). You may have to take a few hops to get there.

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I do not know your opponent's experience level or aggressiveness, so it is hard to judge what the lack of action in Burma means.
With experienced players it normally means they are gathering troops to attack Australia, the Aleutians, or deep into SoPac.
So you have a risk of being blind-sided in another theatre and an opportunity to first develop solid bases in Burma and then push into Indo-China.

One of the keys to decision making is accounting for all the Japanese Divisions. Search this forum (AARs) and the War Room forum to find the lists people have made of the IJA divisions. Then go back over your Sigint and bombing data to see which ones are where. If a bunch are missing, keep a good reserve of troops available to react when they show up.

Also keep in mind the IJN still controls the seas so transferring troops to places like Australia and SoPac must be well covered.

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I take it your question is about training, not operations, so that is what I will comment on.

All training should be taken at range 0 to reduce fatigue. Setting a longer range does not improve training in any way.
For bombers, you must decide what they will be most needed for - land bombing, naval attack or ASW, or Recon.

In my experience land bombing is the majority of the work, so set most bomber squadrons training in Airfield Attack or Ground Attack, altitude 2000 feet. The low altitude still trains GroundB skill, and it also gives a good rate of training in Defensive skill.

The Lysanders carry a camera so many players train them in Recon. Altitude can be as low as 100 feet - I use 1000 feet.

Torpedo bombers should train at 1000' or 100' with torpedoes for NavT or with bombs for Low Naval.

Hudson IIIs have good range and can be used for Naval Search or ASW, if you do not need them for land bombing. Use 1000' or 100' during training.

Unless the enemy has a sitting duck group in the open, with no CAP and no AA, the light bombers should only be used for training (other than Lysander Recons).

Blenheims seem best at bombing land targets.


All fighters should train escort or sweep to gain Air skill. Use 1000 feet during training. Altitude does not seem to affect the training gains except for Defensive skill. Once Air skill is in the 70s you can consider training them in Ground Attack at 1000 feet (if they can carry a bomb or two) or Strafe at 100 feet.

I leave it to more experienced players to advise on the operational altitudes. My own experience is that it varies depending on what the enemy has for CAP and AA, what the weather is and how badly I want to hit the target (take heavier losses to ensure target is hit).

You must also temper the desire to hit as hard as possible with the ability to replace aircraft and pilots.