Defending against Bridge Bombing

[Edwire]

Hi Guys,

I need some advise how to defend bridges against bridge bombing. I've been playing as the Axis on TR1942 scenario and find it hard to defend against Allied bridge bombing in both West and East front (Air War briefing is about 120 Allies vs 105 Axis).
Placing flak units on top of the bridge doesn't seem to work, my bridges keep bombed and destroyed each turn, causing most of my rail repair unit to be locked to these bridges. Any advise?

Thank you !

[Oberst_Klink]

Edwire

What version are are using, that's the TOAW III version. I can recommend the 3XBb.exe which also fixed the
AAA-bug.

Klink, Oberst

[SMK-at-work]

AFAIK there is no "defence" against bridge attacks - all yuo can do is have some fighter cover in your rear areas - eg 2nd rate allied units, or the long range night fighters) and shoot the BJJ out of the bombers so they go into reorg as often as possible, cutting down the total number.

[Edwire]

Kamerad Oberst,

I'm using the 3XBb.exe, so I do think that cause some damage to the bombers, but unfortunately it does not prevent the bridge form being destroyed.

Actually, is there any way to see the action report from opponent turn, so I have an idea how effective my air defense are?

AFAIK there is no "defence" against bridge attacks - all yuo can do is have some fighter cover in your rear areas - eg 2nd rate allied units, or the long range night fighters) and shoot the BJJ out of the bombers so they go into reorg as often as possible, cutting down the total number.

Thanks. Yes I do put my long range night fighter in the rear. Hopefully that hurts them a little. What's BJJ?

[ogar]

Edwire,

JMHO, but I think if you put flak unit(s) and engineer unit on the bridge hexes that you think are most valuable, then I think it makes it more difficult to destroy the bridge.  Depending on the flak strength, it may be slightly harder to much harder.  Of course, dig the units in, all the way to F if possible.  Engineers not only help to repair the bridge but also the re-digging after attack.  I think the higher entrenchment level, making it easier to get to F, combines with the flak numbers to make it more difficult for the bombers.

That said, your opponent will still destroy bridges, but it will be more difficult, and may force him to use more planes on a single hex than before.

[USXpat]

Note that most Axis HQ's have 1-2 construction battalions - about 25% & 50% bridge and rail repair capability. That drops if supply is low or if the unit moves. Some HQ's may be used to augment your brigade level construction units.

Currently, AA is not working without a patch, but I have not tried the patch. Units with the AA icon should cause some damage, but won't prevent the bridge bombing. Concentration of fighter units on air superiority seems to occasionally cause bombers to break off their attacks, but not consistently enough to aim for. Soviet air units have lower proficiency and will go into re-org frequently enough if pressed too hard.

The air war is meant to be a very active component of the scenario. Both sides are effectively guaranteed more planes than they will ever be able to fly, but for the Axis - the proficiency of its air units can be expected to fluctuate quite radically when they suffer enough losses and receive enough replacements to toggle their veteran/green status. Good to keep an eye on their proficiency levels and keep your best units in reserve for when you "absolutely must" have some fighter coverage.

Trying to keep the Luftwaffe at 100% supply and readiness to the extent possible is probably the biggest factor for its longevity. This requires rotating units into and out of the front, even putting units into rest mode to recover faster.

[sealclubber]

In Europe Aflame this is a constant issue for the Axis 1942 onwards. I just identify rail routes from a central hub (Berlin) to all fronts I need to maintain rail communications with the fewest possible bridges.. then I just leave the flak units on them. Until you press deep into the Soviet Union you can usually keep two per bridge to pretty much nullify the impact of Allied bridge bombing, provided you are not trying to keep every single bridge repaired.

In your scenario, check for excess HQs and other units that may have engineering capability and park them on the key bridges. I do find it helps to keep some long-range fighters well in your interior lines of communications (eg outside the range of enemy fighter escort). You don't need them to prevent the bridge from being bombed - but these will affect the bomber readiness/supply and degrade their effectiveness to the point that they will be able to bomb fewer bridges or they will stop to rest.

[Edwire]

Thanks for the reply all. I did all the suggested, I put flak and engineers on the critical bridges and provide plenty of air cover. The HQs does have engineers, so they can be substitute to repair bridges. Actually just realized on the TR 1942 scenarios the Hungarian HQs have significant engineer and rail repair capabilities, though Hungarians doesn't have any dedicated rail repairs brigades compared to other Axis nations. I guess we learn something new every time.

Actually I have another question, does interceptor aircraft works better to "intercept" bombers on bridge bombing? I see their air defense (e.g. Ju-88G, Me-110G) are lower than normal fighter aircraft (FW190 and Me-109, etc). Do they interceptor have other advantage that does not shown?

My main problem is the supply is calculated at the beginning of turn. So although I repair the bridge(s) every turn, the supply will never ever reach front line, especially once you penetrate deep into Caucasus. As USXpat mentioned, both side (especially the allies) will never run out of planes. I guess this is historical though, this shows how difficult it is for the Axis to conquer Baku.

[sealclubber]

I remember looking that up quite a while ago and came to the conclusion that the "interceptor" description is just flair/polish. But perhaps someone with inside knowledge can answer that for sure.

I see your problem - under old or new supply rules as player 1 you will never get the supply benefit of the repaired bridge. Here are some options:
- e-mail the scenario designer and vociferously complain about how unfair the scenario is for the Axis. Make sure to berate his design decisions and include phrases like "what drugs were you on when you were put a bridge hex here with only one airfield in range?" (they like it when you do that). Maybe he/she (who am I kidding, women don't play TOAW) will add an event to put a limited supply point in after the bridge, triggered when the Axis penetrate further into the region.
- move all of your strongest air units within range of the bridge and/or try to attack the bombers blowing the bridge at their source.
- most realistically: since you have rail communications (presumably close to your front), rotate troops back across the bridge to rest and rail them back to the front after they recover. This is how to overcome those pesky scenario designers who judiciously model supply because of some silly devotion to accuracy and realism.