Recommended first use of P38s

[wga8888]

Its mid Oct-42 and my first P38 groups via upgrade, are being made serviceable, getting ready to join the fight. Seems choice for first missions is either to escort my bombers within normal range or use for sweeps of Japaneses bases. Opposition is mainly Tonys, Tojos, and Zeros. I am guessing use as escorts may negate some of P38 combat capability if staying with the bombers vs given free reigg [via my experience playing Grigsby's Strategic bombing games; USAAF, 12 O'Clock High, Eagle Day]. Since I want to upgrade more groups, losses must be controlled.

I will be discouraged is P38s do not fare any better than P40Es, the latter are knocked down with ease.

Seeking input from those with insight via experience.

[wdolson]

Since they are the longest range fighters available at that point, I have used them to sweep bases, but you can't sweep every day. The service rating on early P-38s is too high. They are much better on the offense than on defense.

Bill

[Feltan]

I find that they get used best in the South West Pacific. For example, base at Port Moresby on sweep missions (not with drop tanks!), and after about a week to ten days fly them to Charters Tower for rest refit and training -- have a second group training there you can fly into Port Moresby to pick up the sweep mission. You can do the same duty cycle with other available airfields like Noumea and Lunga for example.

Bill is correct, they have a lousy service rating. I find you have to swap them in and out of front line service to get the most out of them.

Regards,
Feltan

[Barb]

Definitively offensive - sweeps to clear the way for your bombers.
That way you can choose the place, time and altitude at which your pilots will try their best.

On defensive their SR will keep them at ground, on escort they will be bounced many times more, attacked from above, etc...

[crsutton]

Never use them for escort. Any fighter used as escort is at a disadvantage in combat any your replacement rate is so pitiful that this just wastes your best fighter. If you really need to have protection over the target, set them to LRCAP over the intended target. However, as said it is best to reserve them for offensive operations. Avoid forward airfields as a smart Japanese player will attack and take the first turn attrition and then destroy them on the ground when they are damaged. Good fighters to have but the service rating required you to use them differently.

[Louisvillan]

Good topic. Wish I'd seen this a few weeks ago.

My recent experience backs these suggestions.

I'm playing against Japanese AI. It's late November, 1942. I began a bombing campaign using B-17's & B-24's based at Lunga, Guadalcanal, tasked with knocking out the Jap airfield at Shortlands. Decided this was a great opportunity to use the newly upgraded P-38g squadron for long range escort duty.

On their first mission, lost 3 P-38's while only taking down one Zero. I had the bombers at 18,000 and the fighters escorting at 20,000 (figured that would give me the altitude advantage). The AI only has one squadron of Zero's to defend. Over the next seven game days, the P-38's were at best trading fighter for fighter (attrition rate well above replacement rate). On the eight day, I brought in a second P-38f squadron from Milne Bay to augment the campaign. Good news, while the fighters were slugging it out, the bombers were pounding the airfield (no bombers lost).

Since the AI did not bring in reinforcements, I did get the airfield neutralized in the next few game days. Before reading this thread, I realized I was unhappy with the cost the P-38 escorts were paying, and was going to reevaluate their use.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be shifting them to sweep missions, keeping an eye on rotation.

[Gaspote]

Use it on LRCAP and bring down the Yamamoto G4M [:'(]

[offenseman]

ORIGINAL: Louisvillan

Good topic. Wish I'd seen this a few weeks ago.

My recent experience backs these suggestions.

I'm playing against Japanese AI. It's late November, 1942. I began a bombing campaign using B-17's & B-24's based at Lunga, Guadalcanal, tasked with knocking out the Jap airfield at Shortlands. Decided this was a great opportunity to use the newly upgraded P-38g squadron for long range escort duty.

On their first mission, lost 3 P-38's while only taking down one Zero. I had the bombers at 18,000 and the fighters escorting at 20,000 (figured that would give me the altitude advantage). The AI only has one squadron of Zero's to defend. Over the next seven game days, the P-38's were at best trading fighter for fighter (attrition rate well above replacement rate). On the eight day, I brought in a second P-38f squadron from Milne Bay to augment the campaign. Good news, while the fighters were slugging it out, the bombers were pounding the airfield (no bombers lost).

Since the AI did not bring in reinforcements, I did get the airfield neutralized in the next few game days. Before reading this thread, I realized I was unhappy with the cost the P-38 escorts were paying, and was going to reevaluate their use.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be shifting them to sweep missions, keeping an eye on rotation.

Make sure you check out this tm.asp?m=2382494

It is also a sticky in the war room. I am sure that using those thoughts will further improve your game play and enjoyment level. [:)]