ETO Bombing Tactics

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> The War Room >> ETO Bombing Tactics

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ETO Bombing Tactics - 4/28/2020 3:35:24 PM

Taxcutter

Posts: 389
Joined: 4/4/2016
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Zeroes and Oscars have fabulous maneuverability ratings. Even Spitfires and late-model P-51s can't beat them at normal Pacific altitudes (15,000 to 20,000 feet). But their maneuverability drops off at higher altitudes.

US 4E bombers (B-17 and B-24) have reliable turbocharged engines that allow operations at very high altitudes.
P-38s and P-47s have low maneuverability (~13 IIRC) but it does not degrade with altitude. Zeroes and Oscars see a big loss in maneuverability at high altitude (~18 IIRC). so by engaging a high altitude the US planes don't suffer the big disadvantage in maneuverability at very high altitudes. At this point the speed and other advantages should make the US fighters supreme.

Oscars have a tough enough time with US 4E bombers by themselves, but with decent escort the bombers get through easily.

Yeah, hitting anything at 31,000 feet is a hard proposition. Again ETO tactics: Big raids get the Law of Large Numbers on your side. Enough bombers over the target and you'll eventually hit something worthwhile.

I'm trying this now. Chittagong is 12 hexes from Rangoon. B-24D escorted by P-38F at 31,000 feet. I'm trying the idea that if I rubblize Rangoon the lack of IJA supply makes the land warfare easier and getting the Burma Road open sooner a possibility.

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RE: ETO Bombing Tactics - 4/29/2020 1:58:30 PM

ITAKLinus

Posts: 630
Joined: 2/22/2018
From: Italy
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Taxcutter

Zeroes and Oscars have fabulous maneuverability ratings. Even Spitfires and late-model P-51s can't beat them at normal Pacific altitudes (15,000 to 20,000 feet). But their maneuverability drops off at higher altitudes.

US 4E bombers (B-17 and B-24) have reliable turbocharged engines that allow operations at very high altitudes.
P-38s and P-47s have low maneuverability (~13 IIRC) but it does not degrade with altitude. Zeroes and Oscars see a big loss in maneuverability at high altitude (~18 IIRC). so by engaging a high altitude the US planes don't suffer the big disadvantage in maneuverability at very high altitudes. At this point the speed and other advantages should make the US fighters supreme.

Oscars have a tough enough time with US 4E bombers by themselves, but with decent escort the bombers get through easily.

Yeah, hitting anything at 31,000 feet is a hard proposition. Again ETO tactics: Big raids get the Law of Large Numbers on your side. Enough bombers over the target and you'll eventually hit something worthwhile.

I'm trying this now. Chittagong is 12 hexes from Rangoon. B-24D escorted by P-38F at 31,000 feet. I'm trying the idea that if I rubblize Rangoon the lack of IJA supply makes the land warfare easier and getting the Burma Road open sooner a possibility.

Have you ever sent Oscars and Zeroes against Spitfires and P51s in a PBEM?
They die in dozens with an extremely low kill ratio.

Now. In WITPAE it works pretty much the opposite of your theory.

As Allied player you sweep for a while over a base to degrade enemy's CAP. Max altitude. Your planes supposedly go in dive on Japanese ones and they have a favourable kill ratio even if the Japanese is a relatively expert player who knows how to structure a low-alt layered CAP.

After the sweeps, you send huge waves of 4Es at the lowest feasible altitude and you close the AF.

Rinse and repeat for every base you find on your way to Japan or whatever can be your ultimate strategic goal.

Sweep at the highest altitude allowed by HRs.
Bombing runs at the lowest altitude allowed by enemy's resistance.

As Japanese there is relatively little you can do to counter this way of waging the air war.
Personally I am a proponent of networks of AF served by railways plus low-altitude layered CAPs plus huge quantities of AAs.
It works quite well for a while, but at a certain point the allied player simply has too much stuff and too good for you.
Also focusing your production and R&D on relevant airframes is important from the Japanese side and it can make you resist a little bit longer.

I would sign immediately without a single moment of hesitation to have my allied enemies adopt your doctrine of high-altitude bombing.

_____________________________

Francesco

(in reply to Taxcutter)

Post #: 2

RE: ETO Bombing Tactics - 5/18/2020 3:04:44 AM

Taxcutter

Posts: 389
Joined: 4/4/2016
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No bombing yet, but first P-38F v Oscar high altitude battle.
Very pleasant after nearly eleven game months of qualitative disadvantage.

P-38Fs fly top cover for Hurricane IIc on LR CAP.

At 31,000 ft the P-38Fs mugged the Oscars 11-0. Hurris slaughtered the bombers (no surprise).

(in reply to ITAKLinus)

Post #: 3

RE: ETO Bombing Tactics - 5/18/2020 8:39:28 AM

inqistor

Posts: 1813
Joined: 5/12/2010
Status: offline

In-game bombers above 20k ft can't hit anything on the ground. Just fly above 25mm ceiling, and you are good.

When you come in high, the main difference is that enemy CAP have to climb first, to reach you. So lower number of planes to fight.

(in reply to Taxcutter)

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RE: ETO Bombing Tactics - 5/18/2020 11:49:14 AM

Yaab

Posts: 4552
Joined: 11/8/2011
From: Poland
Status: offline

You can hit ground targets from high altitude but you need to fly in Clear weather, use 250kg (for their innate higher accuracy), and have high exp/Ground skill pilots.

I have seen Idas from Canton hit Hong Kong with 30kg bombs form 15,000 feet in Heavy rain weather. The Ida's pilot have 65exp/65Ground skill.

EDIT:
15 x Ida vs Hong Kong, bombing from 19,000 feet, THUNDERSTORMS - 4 hits achieved out of 60 bombs.

< Message edited by Yaab -- 5/24/2020 5:38:33 PM >

(in reply to inqistor)

Post #: 5