Why stand-down with bad weather?

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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> Uncommon Valor - Campaign for the South Pacific >> Why stand-down with bad weather?

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Why stand-down with bad weather? - 12/23/2002 5:57:01 AM

entemedor

Posts: 65
Joined: 6/14/2002
From: Barcelona (Spain)
Status: offline

The weather forecast was Thunderstorms, so I decided to give a rest to my IJN fighters in New Guinea. Surely the Allied (AI) would not risk sending its already weakened bombers in so bad weather against the few ships unloading at Finschhafen? I also hoped my task forces retreating from the Australian coast shall not attract too much attention. I should have known better:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/20/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Runway hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 23,77

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 3
B-26B Marauder x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Michishio

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 23,77

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 21
B-25D Mitchell x 6
B-26B Marauder x 12
A-20B Havoc x 15

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
DD Akitsuki
DD Nowaki

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
1 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 11,33

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3
P-40E Kittyhawk x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 3
B-26B Marauder x 15
A-20B Havoc x 8

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Tokyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Enju Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Heiwa Maru, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shinai Maru

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
1 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Salamaua at 9,34

Allied aircraft
A-20B Havoc x 3

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Hakuyo Maru, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 11,33

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 4

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AG 102, Shell hits 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 29,72

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 7

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 23,77

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 24
B-25D Mitchell x 3
B-26B Marauder x 10
A-20B Havoc x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
DD Hibiki
DD Michishio
DD Akitsuki

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
1 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet

****************************************************

In fact, braving the thunderstorms, the Allies mounted almost a maximum effort, with 727 sorties. Losses: ONE recce PBY... With the bad weather prevailing, and several bombers returning with damage, I expected operational losses to be more than a few.
What's the point of watching the weather reports and keeping aircraft grounded, if you can put 727 sorties while suffering just one operational loss? Was the Allied AI extremely lucky, or that's happening in a regular basis? From now on, I will watch more closely the Intel pages when there has been bad weather.

Another problem can be seen in the above combat reports:

B-26B Marauder x 15
A-20B Havoc x 8

Japanese Ships
AP Tokyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Enju Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Heiwa Maru, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage

When finding no CAP nor AA fire, and despite target being overcast, 23 level bombers at 6,000 feet scored 20 hits. That's way too much accuracy. No need to train crews for skip or dive-bombing if plain level bombing can give those results.

For the rest, I can't complain. HAGURO task force survived two air strikes without a single hit (AA fire is obviously a great disrupting factor to level bombing), and if CVL UNYO was hit by a mere bunch of Mitchells it was my fault, for risking her too close to the Australian coast without fighter cover.

All in all, a very enjoyable game!

Entemedor

Post #: 1

Weather - 12/23/2002 6:46:38 AM

Pawlock

Posts: 1041
Joined: 9/18/2002
From: U.K.
Status: offline

I dont think the weather(could be wrong here) effects operational losses.
What it does effect is the chance bases and Air tf's offensive missions will be cancelled. Each base and TF I assume takes a weather test each turn based on current weather to decide wether missions will be flown or not from them. It can also effect spotting chances, accuracy of bommbing and interception chances.

So whats the point of grounding your units, or trying to run the gauntlet with transports? Well, for me it reduces fatigue , increases morale for air units and tf's that are on the move have less chance of being spotted or attacked for reasons I already mentioned. Saying all this though, there is no guarentee's ,but just an increased chance of an easier time.

(in reply to entemedor)

Post #: 2

Bad weather - Local CAP - 12/23/2002 4:59:25 PM

entemedor

Posts: 65
Joined: 6/14/2002
From: Barcelona (Spain)
Status: offline

Thanks for the reply Pawlock,

then my TFs must have been really unlucky this turn, every one of them was spotted and attacked, some twice (a total of eight air strikes). You can be right however, that the attacking units must have suffered higher fatigue than usual; I will not check that because I don't want to cheat the FOW.

I wonder what is the best way to provide local CAP over my port/airfield hexes? If I assign my squadrons an 'escort' mission with high CAP percentage, they seem to suffer even higher fatigue than when assigning them Long-Range CAP. I wanted to rest them for a few days, only taking-off to defend their bases if attacked, but the options 'Training' and 'Stand-down' leaves them as sitting ducks (CAP percentage to 0).

Cheers,

Entemedor

(in reply to entemedor)

Post #: 3

CAP & Fatigue - 12/23/2002 7:35:01 PM

tanjman

Posts: 717
Joined: 1/26/2002
From: Griffin, GA
Status: offline

entemedor,

The only way I've found to keep my fighters rested is to rotate them thru CAP/Escort and standdown/rest. For every two squadron/daitai I usually use have one on CAP/Escort and one on standdown/rest for two days then rotate them. Sometimes if I need more CAP I use 2 to 1 ratio.

When I have a high value convoy coming in half the squadron/daitai on standdown down go on long range CAP until they arrive at the port (the fighters are operating from) then stand the LRCAP down. Be aware that LRCAP really wears a unit out, so they need to be rotated off of it as soon as possible.

_____________________________

Gunner's Mate: A Boatswain's Mate with a hunting license.

(in reply to entemedor)

Post #: 4

- 12/23/2002 11:22:49 PM

TIMJOT

Posts: 1822
Joined: 4/30/2001
Status: offline

The thing about weather its a "forecast" not a actuality. There may not have been thunderstorms at all in the area of your TF's. Keep in mind that weather is extremely unpredictable in the S.Pacific and this is modeled in the game.

(in reply to entemedor)

Post #: 5

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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> Uncommon Valor - Campaign for the South Pacific >> Why stand-down with bad weather?

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