Can anything be done about those 4 plane sorties

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Can anything be done about those 4 plane sorties

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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> Uncommon Valor - Campaign for the South Pacific >> Can anything be done about those 4 plane sorties

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Can anything be done about those 4 plane sorties - 10/7/2003 11:11:46 AM

swagman

Posts: 103
Joined: 8/8/2001
From: Australia
Status: offline

Against a balanced enemy task force, only a major combined air strike has any chance of success. However, the AI continually sends sorties of less than ten aircraft against carrier and surface TF's, as well as against bases. All this does is waste aircraft, but more importantly experienced pilots in doomed and futile attacks.

I can understand why the AI does it...there is a hard-coded minimum stricke of 4 aircraft like in Carrier Strike, so as soon as a few planes return to service from search or repair, the AI it throws these at the enemy. While this might be done against a shattered enemy force or a lightly defended transport TF, it is ridiculous and unrealistic against major surface groups.

I would suggest a preference option allowing the minimum aircraft for a strike based on target taskforce characteristics. The player can then set the minimum number of aircraft against each mission type combined with AA rating. eg 20 planes for air mission enemy taskgroup below 3000 AA and 30 above.

Part of the intel process would be to set an estimated enemy taskgroup AA ratingand mission. Eg. If a fleet carrier is present the mission would be air, if major surface elements surface, if transports, etc. Intel error may result in an understrength strike, but them the breaks.

As it is, I can lose 20% of my air strength in these futile air strikes.

Post #: 1

- 10/7/2003 11:15:59 AM

Alex Gee

Posts: 14
Joined: 9/16/2003
Status: offline

While I suppose the teeny strike forces attacking the enemy could be due to the reasons you stated, I always figured it was due to strikes being broken up due to poor navigation, getting lost etc. It was pretty common and historical for a/c strike groups to get seperated in bad weather and end up coming at the enemy in small groups, or missing their escort.

(in reply to swagman)

Post #: 2

- 10/7/2003 11:43:08 AM

CapAndGown

Posts: 3206
Joined: 3/6/2001
From: Virginia, USA
Status: offline

[QUOTE=swagman]Against a balanced enemy task force, only a major combined air strike has any chance of success. However, the AI continually sends sorties of less than ten aircraft against carrier and surface TF's, as well as against bases. All this does is waste aircraft, but more importantly experienced pilots in doomed and futile attacks.

I can understand why the AI does it...there is a hard-coded minimum stricke of 4 aircraft like in Carrier Strike, so as soon as a few planes return to service from search or repair, the AI it throws these at the enemy. While this might be done against a shattered enemy force or a lightly defended transport TF, it is ridiculous and unrealistic against major surface groups.[/QUOTE]
Excuse me if i missed something, but are you implying that the historical actions at Midway and Santa Cruz did not occur because they were futile? :rolleyes:

[QUOTE=swagman]
I would suggest a preference option allowing the minimum aircraft for a strike based on target taskforce characteristics. The player can then set the minimum number of aircraft against each mission type combined with AA rating. eg 20 planes for air mission enemy taskgroup below 3000 AA and 30 above.
[/QUOTE]

And what historical reality is this supposed to model? Do you really think that a carrier commander could control what happened after the planes left the deck? There are such things as cloud banks, poor navigation, misidentification, etc.

(in reply to swagman)

Post #: 3

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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> Uncommon Valor - Campaign for the South Pacific >> Can anything be done about those 4 plane sorties

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