April FSO: Ketsu Go

[Tull]

Gents,

With the discussion on the altitude that the B-29s should bomb from as seen in:

Well Nef has implementing three things so far to try to balance out the design.

1) Forcing the B29s to hit multiple targets to make sure there is not one massive force of them (no pig piling)>

2) Enforcing an alt limit on the B29s (no 32K alt strikes from them).

3) Japanese forces will have the numerical advantage on the U.S.  Exact advantage TBD once all squads have indicated their preferences.

   Let us look back at the history of this air campaign over Japan.  When Gen Curtis Lemay took command of the campaign, he first noticed that the high altitude bombing of Japanese targets was showing ineffective accuracy.  His solution was to bring the B-29s down to 10K, night raids with fire bombs.  The reason found why the B-29s were not hitting from extreme altitudes was the effects of the JET STREAM that flowed over the Japanese Islands.  I know that the CMs can play with the wind speed at different altitudes.  This to me looks like a scenario modification that would be historically accurate.  

Jamie
Tull

XO, 367th FG

They're trying to kill me," Yossarian told him calmly.
"No one's trying to kill you," Clevinger cried.
"Then why are they shooting at me?" Yossarian asked.
"They're shooting at everyone," Clevinger answered. "They're trying to kill everyone."
"And what difference does that make?"

[gyrene81]

not exactly correct tull...lemay's decision was brought on by 2 issues, accuracy and losses...his orders were for the 29s to fly 15-17k over target...strangely enough, they had fewer losses to ack and enemy aircraft, and accuracy increased "satisfactorily"...but that's just what several sources say, i wasn't there.

[Tull]

Brother,

   I defer to your historical information.  I was hip shooting and did not go look it up before posting.  The altitude that you quoted, I believe was correct and the losses were reduced due to an exploition of a weakness in the Japanese Anti-Air Defense Artillery shells.  There was an altitude band that the shells could not be set for to blow up.  The B-29s were flying in that gap.  The same thing happened with the AA Guns on the Bismark.  They could not be set for an aircraft flying at the slow speed of the Swordfish. 

Jamie
Tull
XO, 367th FG

They're trying to kill me," Yossarian told him calmly.
"No one's trying to kill you," Clevinger cried.
"Then why are they shooting at me?" Yossarian asked.
"They're shooting at everyone," Clevinger answered. "They're trying to kill everyone."
"And what difference does that make?"

[Zoney]

Man, its not about the b24 but the b29...
You have the same speed of your target, but your target has 3*20mms and 36*50cals plus hard like crazy. Not to talk about the ponies and jugs BnZing you. GL Jappos, i wont take part in this FSO, just as the majority of my squad. Have fun. 

Well that is very dissapointing sir.

[Debrody]

Ok sirs, flame on me, but that FSO will be a BnZ fest to the allies and a megadeth, unsuccessful chase to the axis. Remember me after the first frame.
At Perd: ok i shut up. Forever.

[perdue3]

Yes but it also based on having fun. How much fun is it going to be to have everything out run you and you have your 1 pass on the 29s only to most likely have them fly on. Yeah the allies may have a blast in the turkey shoot but the axis will get the shaft.

Axis always gets the shaft, that is why we are Axis. Should be used to it by now.

To all Axis pilots:

Let's just shut up about it and whoop some arse. Hell, let the CM's throw some F-86s in too, should be fun.

[AKH]

It'll be nice to see the B-29s escorting the fighters.

[killrDan]

I can recall tearing the frame out of JU88's with a Hurri in BoB.  Once we spotted them coming in it was just a matter of time before we caught them.  Patience was the key...

[Shifty]

Axis always gets the shaft, that is why we are Axis. Should be used to it by now.

I fly Axis because I choose to, not because of any perceived shaft.

To all Axis pilots:
Let's just shut up about it and whoop some arse.

Funny I don't see that many of us talking... 

[gyrene81]

I fly Axis because I choose to, not because of any perceived shaft.

Funny I don't see that many of us talking... 

         

[perdue3]

I fly Axis because I choose to, not because of any perceived shaft.

Funny I don't see that many of us talking... 

The whole post was directed at Debrody. But I didnt want to call him out so I said Axis. I am sorry that I offended you Shifty. Enjoy your high horse.

[Shifty]

The whole post was directed at Debrody. But I didnt want to call him out so I said Axis. I am sorry that I offended you Shifty. Enjoy your high horse.

I wasn't offended and I don't need to be on a high horse to spot somebody in the whine celler.

[ghostdancer]

I think both sides will be doing a lot of BnZ. Allied escorts will stack above the B29s and Japanese will also stack up there. So will come down to the escort work to disrupt the Japanese planes up there.

If I was the Japanese CiC I would concentrate my N1K2s and Ki84s to defend the targets the B29s are going after. While using the Ki61 and A6M5s elsewhere. Plus, like attacking any bombers I would tell my attackers to concentrate on the main buff of the formation (take it out and the buff driver takes a few seconds to switch to another buff), plus the usual of concentrating on blowing off a wing of the buff instead of the body. If figure even with the B29 being more rugged that other bombers that the wing is still easier to blow off than other areas.

[Bino]

I think both sides will be doing a lot of BnZ. Allied escorts will stack above the B29s and Japanese will also stack up there. So will come down to the escort work to disrupt the Japanese planes up there.

If I was the Japanese CiC I would concentrate my N1K2s and Ki84s to defend the targets the B29s are going after. While using the Ki61 and A6M5s elsewhere. Plus, like attacking any bombers I would tell my attackers to concentrate on the main buff of the formation (take it out and the buff driver takes a few seconds to switch to another buff), plus the usual of concentrating on blowing off a wing of the buff instead of the body. If figure even with the B29 being more rugged that other bombers that the wing is still easier to blow off than other areas.

IMHO the most vulnerable part of *any* bomber sits in the pilot's chair!   

[AKDogg]

The problem I see is not the speed but the acceleration to get to the speeds needed to catch the B29's.  A zeke will acclerate fast to about 250mph, after that u might as well push it to get to its top speed.  The only Jap plane that accelerates really quick is the Ki84 and like someone stated, that is only for a very short time.  Niki acclerates somewhat quickly to a certain point, then it also will take for ever to get to its max speed.  This is the real issue.

When u make a attack on any bomber flying level at full throttle with a Zeke or Ki61, U will basically get 1-2 attack runs on it before u lose all ur speed and it will take to long for u to get back up to speed to catch it.  Niki and Ki84 may be the same with maybe 3 attack runs on it and it too will be left in the dust.  Now add the Escorts into the mix and guess what, U be lucky to have more then 1 attack run on the bombers for any Jap plane.