Night Air-to-Air Advice

[scondon87]

I'm playing my first Grand Campaign as the Allies, and I think I have most of the rules figured out (other than forgetting to give random units orders [:(]), but am somewhat stymied by the IJA/N night bombing missions.

I'm in May 1942, and I realize I don't have any dedicated night fighters yet. Bad weather basically protects my air bases from bombing, but light clouds or clear skies mean I get a bunch of runway hits, and even worse, aircraft destroyed on the ground. I've tried using Hurricanes and P-40s to disrupt the air strikes (usually 50% CAP, 10k alt), but I'll only occasionally damage an unescorted bomber.

I'd appreciate any advice you guys have on protecting airfields against these kinds of night attacks. I get that prior to aerial radar on my fighters, it's going to really tough to make contact, but is there anything I can do to maximize that chance? Even when raid and CAP altitudes match, I feel like I can't effectively interdict.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can share!

[Bullwinkle58]

Put AA there.

[Amoral]

The best solution is to find his airbase and pummel it with you 4E. Combine that with Flak batteries in your base.

Assuming you have your fighters on CAP flying night ops there is not much else to do to contest it directly. However, unescorted bombers take a penalty to accuracy if they face a cap, even if it is an ineffective cap.

[dr.hal]

Yes just get something up there as cap, even if they are float planes!

[scondon87]

I was hoping there was some magic trick to it, but guess not.

I've been starting to give my bomber bases some of the Heavy AA Rgts the Aussies and Brits are starting to get. Also, I think some of my base forces haven't upgraded their radars yet. Unsure if that helps the actual intercept at night, or just time to get more planes in the air.

Thanks for the replies!

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: dr.hal

Yes just get something up there as cap, even if they are float planes!

+1

Even non-radar equipped fighters will interdict the mission more often than not.

They very rarely get any kills ,but kills should not be your gauge of success against night bombing.

You gauge of success should be whether, or not, the mission succeeded in doing any damage.

Every time you prevent damage you are enjoying a successful interception.

Also second the advice on AA and going after the other guy's base.

[Lowpe]

If you are using non night fighters set them to where they won't close with the enemy bombers.

Pick a plane with a very poor climb rate for example.

Reason: bombers at night defend at 100% or close enough%; fighters doing night work are penalized. You want the fighters to appear, but not actually close and fight.

The very presence of fighters will degrade bomber accuracy.

Flak, flak and more flak.

My thougts, ymmv.

[rustysi]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

If you are using non night fighters set them to where they won't close with the enemy bombers.

Pick a plane with a very poor climb rate for example.

Reason: bombers at night defend at 100% or close enough%; fighters doing night work are penalized. You want the fighters to appear, but not actually close and fight.

The very presence of fighters will degrade bomber accuracy.

Flak, flak and more flak.

My thougts, ymmv.

As Japan I often use Pete's to do this.

[Dragoastro]

Build up Fort and airfield levels should help. Engineers in combat mode may repair damage before you next turn.

Question: Does night CAP altitude make much difference? Maybe matching last turns bombing level?