In Gen. George Kenny's history of Air War in the Pacific (WW 2 5th AF and FEAF commander) he describes the strategy for use of the incredible array and effectiveness of the gunships designed with practical and outside-the-box thinking at the front lines. These weapons were always employed as part of multi-aircraft team designed to wreak absolute destruction on the target. The usual attack included B-25s, A-20s and RAAF Beaufighters as line abreast strafers at tree-top level followed by medium level B-24s. P-38s provided top cover and follow-up strafing if they weren't to busy with interceptors. The average attack might consist of over 80 aircraft. The strafers made one or two passes to catch aircraft on the ground and create general havoc with parafrag bombs. The B-24s holed the runways. P-38s kept interceptors busy. Kennedy usually had accurate intelligence. On more than one occasion the attack force caught a fully prepared Japanese attack group on the ground manned by pilots with ground crews working. The whole force was just slaughtered and the airfield totally destroyed with practically no survivors. 5th AF did things no one in Europe ever thought possible. They used B-17s to skip-bomb ships at wave-top level at Rabual.
Spot on. Waves of B25's and A20's running strafing runs and dropping parafrags, napalm, and 500 pounders with delayed fuses. The RAAF Beaufighter's often flew lead and concentrated on the AA and flak batteries. Teamwork.
The book I read, "Battle of the Bismark sea". It has the B25s flying below the level of the ships decks,. So low that the big guns simple could not depress enough to hit the aircraft. The bombs were aimed to go through the water and explode below the water line. Also RAAF Beaufighters gave effective gun support.
There are some books out there on how the strafers were employed. You're flying this mission way too high and the attacks should be coordinated. Read the book "Air Combat at Twenty Feet." Written by a guy who flew B-25 strafers in the Pacific. You need to get low and stay low. Prevents diving attacks by Zeros and lets you put more lead on the target. That 75mm should fire first... has greater range. .50 follows up for softer targets and AA suppression. Strafers don't do diving attacks... they skip bomb.
I just watched a documentary about the Mitchell saying that as well. They said they'd fly so low their propellers were almost hitting the water. They'd drop their bombs from ridiculously low altitude and skip then into ships, like a stone. Don't know if IL-2 would support "bomb skipping" tho. I'd assume not.
Very good video and flying, the attack runs were good also. Where was the other squadron members? The AAA was erratic at best. Did any ships get afforded the opportunity to fire back? But overall very enjoyable
Man I remember when this game first came out in 2006 hell I remember when the original il2 sturmovik game came out in 2001 I can't believe that's been 22 years ago
The plane's response to the firing of the 75mm was quite realistic. Is this on the base game or a mod. I have the base game but haven' explored all the missions yet. From Florida, thank you for posting and God Bless.
