B-25G

[John B.]

Hello everyone,

time for my weekly question about allied aircraft. [:)] I just noticed that the B-25G has a mounted forward facing 75mm cannon. Assuming this is not meant primarily as an anti-aircraft weapon (but what a joy if it was) is it supposed to be used for low ground attacks? Or, does it work at the 7,000+ altitude for non-attack bombers? Basically, what is the best way to employ this weapon?

[Lecivius]

I'ts a low level attack bomber. The nose cannon is for flak suppression.

[John B.]

Great, thanks for the tip. I'll give it a whirl and see what happens.

[Alfred]

Guns on a bomber have two purposes.
 
1.  Defensive fire against enemy fighters.
 
2.  Offensive fire in a strafing attack.
 
Notwithstanding what some people will say about Allied 4E, AE bombers don't dogfight/sweep enemy fighters.  Plus bombers never engage enemy bombers on "CAP" as that air mission is not available for bomber units.
 
The primary use of guns on bombers is therefore the defensive role.  When a fighter attacks a bomber, whether it approaches the bombers head on, from underneath, from behind or from one of the sides, is largely a random call.  Of course if the fighter is climbing to meet the bomber it is most unlikely to be attacking the top side of the bomber or conversely if patrolling above the bomber, it is most unlikely to be making a belly attack.
 
There is therefore a random chance that a B-25G will be attacked head on and if that is the case the 75mm cannon indeed become an anti-aircraft weapon.
 
You cannot strafe from 7k+ feet.  Strafing of enemy LCU is an option but the real use of those cannons offensively on an attack bomber is on a low level (1k feet) anti-ship strike.  They help to suppress enemy flak and can inflict large holes in ships, particularly non combat ships.
 
As usual with AE, applying the historical tactics is usually the way to go.  Mind you, because of the abstractions which are inherent in the game, one cannot slavishly apply historical tactics without due regard to the specific game tactical situation and the necessary compromises resulting from the abstractions.
 
Alfred

[John B.]

Alfred,

I had not thought of the anti-ship possibility, that's a very good point. Thanks.

John

[Odin]

1k for strafing? Wasn´t it 100 feet before?

[Alfred]

100 feet is a pure strafing attack.  You will need that level for fighters to target enemy barges or PT Boats.
 
Attack bombers at 1000 feet on a low level naval attack incorporates a "strafing" run using their forward firing guns.
 
Alfred

[John B.]

do you need to be at 100 feet for strafing airfields?

[Pilsator]

fighter bombers do

[wdolson]

The B-25G and H had a 75mm cannon. The G had two 0.50s in the nose and the 75mm was hand loaded. The H had 4x 0.50s in the nose and the 75mm had an auto loader.

The purpose of the G and H were attacking shipping. With what was essentially only a 3 inch gun, adding the speed of the plane to the muzzle velocity added to the hitting power of the gun. At least on paper. The ballistics of the 75s was not the same as the 0.50s and the gunsight was set to the ballistics of the 0.50s. So in practice, the 75mm was mostly useless. Crews tended to hate them and they were often removed in the field and replace with a pair of 0.50s in the tunnel where the 75 had been mounted.

Bill