Hi,
Does anyone have info on Allied bombing heights in the Pacific theatre in WW2, on airfields in and around Lae or Rabaul.
Playing WitP, first attempt at PBEM with the Japanese when my opponent hit me at 6,000ft with B17 and B24's in two big raids, i've never went below 10,000ft with my level bombers and still managed to mimic the historical expansion.
As far as I know the only time American heavy bombers went in on a low level raid was at the Polesti oil refineries in Romania. I can't remember why they did. Otherwise USAAF heavies would bomb c. 20,000 feet or so as I recall, they had the Norton bombsight afterall. I seem to remember the B:rolleyes:
That last sentence got cut off. Tried to say:
"I seem to recall the B-17s at Midway tried to bomb enemy carriers from c. 17,000 feet. von ege
Might have some info shortly as one of my workmates has a interest in aircraft, but it seems that most 4E bombers went to the European theatre with a build up in numbers the Pacific taking place much later.
See my other post under UV for naval attack bombing heights.
Prinz von Egan Wrote:As far as I know the only time American heavy bombers went in on a low level raid was at the Polesti oil refineries in Romania. I can't remember why they did. Otherwise USAAF heavies would bomb c. 20,000 feet or so as I recall, they had the Norton bombsight afterall. I seem to remember the B:rolleyes:
So, the level bombers in the Pacific didn't use the Norton bombsight?
"but it seems that most 4E bombers went to the European theatre with a build up in numbers the Pacific taking place much later."
I don't know the numbers but the USAAF began the Pacific war with quite a few B-17s. Later they used more B-24s there on account of its longer range. There were more targets in central Europe however. von ege :smoke:
"So, the level bombers in the Pacific didn't use the Norton bombsight?"
I'm sure they did. My point was that with the Norton the USAAF felt it could try its operational method of high level pinpoint strategic bombing, something the USAF is still obsessed with. The Americans, at least until they started bombing Asians, were never much interested in carpet bombing, a Brit invention I think. von ege :(
I am currently reading Morrison's History of US Naval Operations in the Pacific. While primarily a US Navy series, it does describe Air Force bombers as they were used to support the various invasions. The vast majority of 4E bombing raids described in the books were done at altitudes above 10,000 feet and most above 14,000-15,000.
A few exceptions were ASW/antishipping attacks by US Navy Liberators (only is small numbers), and there were plenty of night bombing raids with B-29s over Japan later in the war at low altitudes. Skip bombing was done at very low levels, but almost all of these attacks were carried out by 2E planes.
Many WitP players use a house rule of 10,000 feet as the minimum 4E bomber altitude, particularly for Naval Attacks.
This is excactly what l found myself and think, although not certain, that most of the 2E bombers on skip bombing raids had solid nose mounted MG's to suppress the ships flak gun crews and strafe the decks. Yes we had a house rule of 10000ft but can't remember if this was only for attacks against shipping.
What happened was ALL my opponents bombing raids where at 6000ft and when the 4E bombers arrived they also bombed at this height, so l went to the Matrix forums and found a statement by Niki whose mod we were using that " the mod has a 6000ft sweet spot for bombers " plus some other facts.
WitP is a great game, terrific value for money when playing campaigns but something like this spoils it.
Hav'nt played PBEM as the Allies but l believe if your patient and stick to 4E bombers at 15000ft minimum you'll still win.
As long as you make it past the Jan 43 auto-victory, I think it is hard to lose as the Allies. You will eventually have overwhelming firepower, especially in a stock game, but even in CHS.
By 1944, you'll have a bunch of Essex class carriers with Hellcats. You're land-based marine squadrons will be flying Corsairs. Both of these can easily destroy any carrier airstrike the IJN can launch. There was a recent post where the Allied players equivalent of Taffy 58, repulsed a 1,000 plane strike (carrier planes launched from land bases, I believe) without 1 leaker. That may be an extreme example, but zeroes are not much good against anything tougher than a P-40/F4F.
And with all that Base Support, you can buildup 4E/2E to close just about any base you need to in a couple days, even at 15,000'