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kentaggie -> Timing of CV airstrikes (6/11/2003 4:51:20 AM)
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This is really an a contiuation of a thread that Yamamoto posted on the UV board, but I think that it is as important for WITP. The current system for CV airstrikes allows the player to choose a primary and secondary mission for its bombers. That is great. But the fact of the matter is the execution of this system is unrealistic.
If a CV TF is going to run in and hit a base, i.e. the Marshalls, Wake, etc., they would launch their strikes at first light. This was a reflection of risk/reward. If they waited for their scouts to fly out looking for enemy CV's and report back, they woulg get hit by LBA. If they launched their strike at first light, they would probably get in the first punch, but would be vulnerable to an attack by enemy CV's (Midway). A big reason they would almost always attack at first light was that they generally (not always) knew where each others CV's were and took a calculated gamble. If they didn't hit the airfield at dawn, they were in big danger from the LBA. No admiral, especially early in the war, would risk that.
Under the current UV system, however, this risk/reward system does not exist. Set to primary naval attack and secondary port/airfield/ground attack a CV TF has the option to do either at first light. It can get off either 2 naval stikes or 2 base attacks in the same turn since it seems to know at dawn if there are any enemy ships around. It takes the very real chance of an ambush out of the equation.
This threat of enemy ambush was very real during the war. The early US CV raids were considered risky missions, and we all know about Midway. In the current system, you can keep a CV TF near an enemy base for several days and pummell it with airstikes, yet if an enemy TF shows up you know that your aircraft will automatically strike at first light. How aggressive would you be if you know that while you mega strike of 160 Kates was closing PM's airfield your carriers were beibg hit by SBD's.
Just my 2 cents worth.
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