From what i saw as Cap for the allied fleet was the axis bombers were either killed by cap or went in far too low in the attack (deep into the aaa) or held a fixed course too long in the attack enabling aaa to lock on.
However when we attacked axis cruisers with the SBD, attack method was hard deck at 5k (eggs gone), do not hold a course in dive but to jink around to prevent aaa lock on and acquire target only long enuf to drop eggs.
On egress at all times jink and move around, never hold a course.
We had 3 SBD left at this time, out of 5 we lost one when operating as cap for fleet another had to rtb damaged.
3 SBD went in on the cruisers and 3 came out sinking 1 cruiser in 1 pass.
Our fighter cover also entered AAA at the same time to split the defensive fire, unfortunately 1 of them did go down.
From our viewpoint the fleet AAA was not excessive.
