tsimmonds
Posts: 5498
Joined: 2/6/2004 From: astride Mason and Dixon's Line Status: offline
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Re: altitude selection for dive bombers: DB ordnance is always considered to be dropped at an altitude of 2000 feet regardless of the altitude selected. The altitude selection affects two things only: - DBs take flak twice. Once at the approach altitude, and once at the drop altitude. Obviously, higher is better for the purposes of taking flak on the approach.
- DBs attack in groups of either 4 or 9. A group will all take flak together and will all drop on the same target together. The number of a/c in the attack group is determined by the approach altitude. Above 15000 feet they attack in groups of 9. Otherwise they attack in groups of 4.
So, a high altitude approach will tend to mitigate the effects of AAA, by flying above the ceiling of some of it, by making all of it shoot further, and by approaching in fewer, larger groups that will dilute the effects of AAA further. They will also concentrate more ordnance on fewer targets. Therefore, a high altitude approach should be used when attacking a target with lots of flak and a few, high-value targets (CVTFs). A low altitude approach should be used when attacking a target with relatively less flak and relatively more, low-value targets (transport TFs). An airfield, being a single target with relatively heavy AAA, should be approached by DB from high altitude, IMHO.
< Message edited by irrelevant -- 5/2/2005 4:06:00 AM >
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