Dive Bombing Altitude

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uncivil_servant
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Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:55 pm

Dive Bombing Altitude

Post by uncivil_servant »

I have a question regarding Dive Bombing altitudes and how to make the cheeky buggers actually Dive Bomb.

Scenario: Two American Carriers in July of 1942. Lexington & Saratoga, Pilots trained up, all dive bombing pilots have between 65-75 naval attack.
I have dive bombers set at 12,000 feet. I also have fighter squadrons on CAP at same altitude to provide escort

Torpedo bombers set at 5,000 feet and with alternate fighter support.

Between Luganville and The Canal they spot and engage a fast BB task force (Fuso, another BB, and assorted support) 6 hexes away

Both morning and afternoon attacks go off but the bombers come in at 16,000 feet! I looked as each and every attack missed. No hits scored whatsoever. Some were damaged, three shot down by AA, but numerous groupings of 4 went undamaged and they all missed as well.

I looking at the AAR I see that they came in at 16,000 feet which isn't that level bombing altitude? Dive Bombing is 10-15 right?

Any assistance would be appreciated. I don't know what I did wrong.
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Jorge_Stanbury
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RE: Dive Bombing Altitude

Post by Jorge_Stanbury »

dive bombing will happen between 10 and 15;
in the combat report you should be getting the altitude at which bombs were dropped

something like:

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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dr.hal
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RE: Dive Bombing Altitude

Post by dr.hal »

Jorge is right, the combat report will confirm that these aircraft did indeed dive on their targets. Quite often the observed altitude of the attack is higher than the actual altitude of the attack (bombers sited at 17K and attack at 14K, releasing at 2-3K).
Xargun
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RE: Dive Bombing Altitude

Post by Xargun »

The first altitude given in the Combat Report is rarely right. And for Dive Bombers it is based off their normal altitude (your case 12k) and not where they released the bombs. Same goes for Torpedo Bombers. Check the bottom of the combat report for that battle to see actual bomb / torpedo release details.
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Gaspote
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RE: Dive Bombing Altitude

Post by Gaspote »

What was the skill of your DB pilot ? What was the weather ?
Under 60 in navB it's not useful to try just change to have under 10k feet so they glide bomb, more loss but they need less skill.
jmalter
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RE: Dive Bombing Altitude

Post by jmalter »

hi u_s,

w/ Fighters set to Escort, it's the 'unassigned' %age that are available escort strike missions.

the best method for a 'coordinated' strike is to fly the TBs, DBs & Fs at your selected dive-bombing alt. The bombers automatically attack at a programmed level (DBs at 1-4k', TBs at 1-200'). This means they are subject to flak at both the high & low levels.
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