Vildebeest not attacking (No Jukov)

[margeorg]

Hiya,


I´m currently playing the Allies in a PBEM game scen #01. We are using the latest beta patch, and the datafile updates.

It´s around January 1942, and I have a massive problem with the 2 RAF squads using Vildebeest III torp bombers. They simply refuse to attack anything. Right now there are multiple Japanese TF sitting in 4 hexes distance, without CAP unloading troops, and they refuse to launch their strike. The following things have been checked:

* Morale is at 99
* Average experience is around 58
* Fatigue is around 3 or 2
* Airfield is size 4, base has around 26k of supplies (Soerbaja)
* 2 Air HQs are in hex, torps are supplied by the HQs
* Both squads belong to the respective air HQ
* Torps are available, "Using TORPEDOES" is displayed in yellow
* Own Escorts are available on same attack altitude (10.000ft)
* Squad leaders have 60+ leadership, 50+ inspiration and air, 55+ aggression

So what else can I do to get them attacking. From other AARs I know that they can conduct fine attacks ...

[btd64]

Try an altitude of 5000'. It might be to high at 10000'.
Cheers

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: margeorg

Hiya,


I´m currently playing the Allies in a PBEM game scen #01. We are using the latest beta patch, and the datafile updates.

It´s around January 1942, and I have a massive problem with the 2 RAF squads using Vildebeest III torp bombers. They simply refuse to attack anything. Right now there are multiple Japanese TF sitting in 4 hexes distance, without CAP unloading troops, and they refuse to launch their strike. The following things have been checked:

* Morale is at 99
* Average experience is around 58
* Fatigue is around 3 or 2
* Airfield is size 4, base has around 26k of supplies (Soerbaja)
* 2 Air HQs are in hex, torps are supplied by the HQs
* Both squads belong to the respective air HQ
* Torps are available, "Using TORPEDOES" is displayed in yellow
* Own Escorts are available on same attack altitude (10.000ft)
* Squad leaders have 60+ leadership, 50+ inspiration and air, 55+ aggression

So what else can I do to get them attacking. From other AARs I know that they can conduct fine attacks ...

What is the DL of the target?

What other air assets are based at the AF? Is it over-stacked?

What is your suspicion about possible air superiority status over the targets?

What is the weather?

What is the Air stat of the squadron leader?

[erstad]

I don't remember who figured this out, but I think someone noticed that with drop tanks there is no ordnance. If you have drop tanks enabled, try turning that off.

[Gaspote]

If you add an escort or sweep the target it will help too.

[Miller]

ORIGINAL: erstad

I don't remember who figured this out, but I think someone noticed that with drop tanks there is no ordnance. If you have drop tanks enabled, try turning that off.

This is probably the reason.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: erstad

I don't remember who figured this out, but I think someone noticed that with drop tanks there is no ordnance. If you have drop tanks enabled, try turning that off.

I wasn't the first, but I found this out the hard way.

[Alfred]

Just because "torpedoes" is in yellow does not mean that torpedoes are actually attached to the plane.
 
Always click on "aircraft data" to see what ordnance is actually being carried for that mission profile.
 
Alfred

[margeorg]

Yeah Alfred,


I checked that too. Torpedoes are carried only on ranges up to 4, which is the standard load without drop tanks. On extended range without drop tanks they carry a bomb, and with drop tanks they don´t have any ordonance at all. So I limited the range for the squad to "4" to ensure that they will carry a torpedo.

@General Patton: Tried it at 5000ft with escorts on the same level. No sorties.

@Gaspote: Escorts are available on the same base with the same range and the same altitude

@Miller & Bullwinkle: See my response to Alfred. I´m pretty sure they don´t use drop tanks.

@Bullwinkle re post #3:
> What is the DL of the target?
The TFs had no DLs, but the enemy base where they showed up had 6/10. The enemy TFs were shown with ship types, so there must be some degree of detection.

> What other air assets are based at the AF? Is it over-stacked?
It´s not over-stacked. Stack-level is 146 of 200. Base admin is 9 of 9.

> What is your suspicion about possible air superiority status over the targets?
No enemy CAP over the target at all. I had other bombers flying ground attacks on the troops landed there, and they conducted the ground attacks (these squads had much worse morale, experience and leadership values).

> What is the weather?
Light rain, moderate rain

> What is the Air stat of the squadron leader?
63 for the one, 56 for the other squad.

[EHansen]

How about a screen shot of one of the air units?

[Gaspote]

Did it say "attack is abort due to bad weather " in the report ?
Although I remember getting some trouble due to bad weather over my airfield, even if info give light rain, I got thunderstorm so nothing took off. Rain is reducing chance of launching strike too.

For how long did you wait a strike ?

[JeffroK]

2 more WAG

What is the fatigue of the aircraft??

What is the fatigue of the pilots??

[erstad]

So I limited the range for the squad to "4" to ensure that they will carry a torpedo.

Limiting range to 4 is not enough, you have to turn off drop tanks. Otherwise it will fly 4 hexes with drop tanks.

[EHansen]

ORIGINAL: erstad

So I limited the range for the squad to "4" to ensure that they will carry a torpedo.

Limiting range to 4 is not enough, you have to turn off drop tanks. Otherwise it will fly 4 hexes with drop tanks.

That is why I asked for a screen shot.

[margeorg]

Here´s a screen shot. The Vildebeests are flying without drop tanks. Target was 3 hexes away, not 4 as I originally thought.

[tigercub]

naval attack is a funny thing ... they should fly ... fighters set to escort! ...but you said that...looks good to me! set to 3 range is the only thing I would do. but that does not matter.

[margeorg]

I would leave them on 4, because if an enemy TF arrives 1 hex out to start landing at the beginning of the next turn, they can be caught. Bit they look good to me too. Seems to be just very bad luck ;( .

[Professor Chaos]

Could it be that the squad leader has an abysmal Naval rating?

I know this is not well-documented, but at least for CV groups the FAQ claims Naval skill helps in locating the target.

[rustysi]

Another SWAG. Are the air units actually attached to an HQ at the base? I seem to remember reading its better if they are.

[jeffk3510]

If it makes you feel any better, I have had the EXACT same thing happen with two groups like this at the same base for two months.. they won't fly against uncapped cargo taskforces even.. escort or not.

I have everything I need for the them to fly correctly. I KNOW I do, and they won't fly.

I have no idea why.. but I feel your pain.

I WILL mention the more I think on it KB and mini KB have been lurking in the area, but not within LRCAP of certain taskforces my torpedo bombers could strike. It COULD be air superiority coming into play.