Problem tasking Player Gruppe in Luftwaffe SPC

[Helmut_AUT]

Hi all

Since my RAF pilot just died in the BoBII Day-by-Day Campaign (http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/f ... Day_b.html)

I'm wondering if I should restart my campaign on 12th August with a fresh "Adlertag", for II/ZG26.

But there's a major problem: By itself, the campaign AI doesn't task ZG units a lot it seems. So what I want is to set up individual raids for my II/ZG26, maybe even fly "Freie Jagd".

I know in principle how to pick a british target and authorize/create a raid against it. Yet I have one major problem: If I authorize a raid vs. an airfield in the Luftwaffe SPC, I can select Me-110 as bombers, but this always defaults to "Dive Bomber Attack" as attack method on the next page. If I then want to select a different squadron as the one default selected (aka - MY Gruppe aka II/ZG26) I can't because for a Dive Bomber Attack I only get Stuka Gruppen shown on the "pick next squadron screen".

Attacking enemy installations would be a good (and not unhistorical) way to use the Me-110 in the campaign. But the tasking is complicated. All the ZG Gruppen are Cat A with enough aircraft and pilots, high morale.

Not sure why it's not doing it's thing, or what causes the "dive bombing default" bug. I need a good and easy way to ensure II/ZG26 seems some business.

[Cherkassov54]

I'm not at my own PC to check but I'm sure I have run an ersatz Erpro 210 campaign using II/ZG26.
I think I did this by assigning Me110 escort to the reconn flights (1 pair Me110) this uses up the 1st Gruppe and makes II/ZG26 the default when you change your bomber to Me110.

S!

[Helmut_AUT]

Good solution, might just work.

I know that at least once I actually managed to get a "horizontal attack" selection on page two, allowing me to pick any ZG Squadron. But I have no clue what causes the "diving attack" bug, will try your idea.

[Helmut_AUT]

Okay, I just tested around some...

Yes, it works that way, to get the Gruppe you want onto a specific target, but the mission profile is still "dive bomber attack" and that means the Me-110 will actually fly a dive bomber altitude profile. Which is total bogus since they had no dive brakes.

Something is broken here. There should be an option "strafing attack".

[Cherkassov54]

I can't remember what I did, this was pre SPC, I think I went to 'task' and altered the heights, there was a button you ticked somewhere for straffing too if I remember correctly.

[Helmut_AUT]

Okay yes, I can set the altitude. Not finding a "strafing" box though, but I also seem to remember something like that?

[stickman]

Helmut,

Yes, it works that way, to get the Gruppe you want onto a specific target, but the mission profile is still "dive bomber attack" and that means the Me-110 will actually fly a dive bomber altitude profile. Which is total bogus since they had no dive brakes.

First, let me say that I do not use Single Player Campaign.
In the Rowan "Commander" Campaign, ME110C's always get the Dive Bomb mode when assigned to bomb a target. Therefore so does the SPC, I assume.
That does not mean that they behave exactly as Stukas. Their bombing behavior is much more of a shallow bomb run.
Depending on the altitude at Initial Way Point of attack. I suppose if they are at 12,000 feet at Initial Way Point, their attack angle will not be very shallow!
Usually I use ME110's for low level attacks. At least from the Initial Way Point altitude.

Okay yes, I can set the altitude.

In SPC? Good if so, you have some control then.

Not finding a "strafing" box though, but I also seem to remember something like that?

The Strafe box -check- option is for Fighter Escorts, when assigning initial orders.
If you check this box for Emil escorts, as soon as they get to target, they strafe it ONCE, and then go directly home,
never doing their Patrol. I never use it.

Also know this..
If you assign Emils to escort a ME110C bombing raid, the Emils will never attack any RAF interceptors attacking the ME110 bombing raid.
As if they say " Screw them hot shot ME110 fighter pilots! They can take care of themselves, damned Prima Donnas!"
They ignore all RAF activity in the Raid area and go home, just wasting fuel.
I consider this a game bug.

Strafe radio orders.
If a Leader (dive bombing) with a Stuka or ME110C formation, while in 3D flight, you radio order your unit to either Bomb or Strafe.
Results are the same. They will bomb the target once, and return home. They will never repeatedly strafe a target.

Could the Strafe order, both in 3D flight, and original Commander orders be better? Surely. Need someone to tweak the code, tho.

[Helmut_AUT]

Thanks, that clears things up!

[stickman]

I might add, as a ME110 bomber guy..

With the "Emil-Failure-To-Escort-ME110s" bug,
normally I never assign ME110s any Emil Fighter Escorts. A Return Escort type of escort for Emils may work. Not tested it much.

When bombing with ME110Cs, I usually sally forth a full Gruppe of them.
Once the 1st RAF intercepting Squadron attacks my formation,
the lead, 1st ME110 Staffel jettisons bombs, and peels off to deal with that 1st threat. The other two Staffeln proceed to bomb target,
unless a 2nd RAF intercepting Squadron attacks my formation, then the 2nd ME110 Staffel jettisons bombs and peels of to engae this 2nd threat.

If a full Gruppe of ME110s is met at the same time with 3 RAF intercepting Squadrons, before bombing the target,
they all jettison bombs, and all become air to air fighters.

Standard game operating procedure, as I have seen.

[da Held]

Erprobungs-Kommando 210 actually did dive bombing! They lost a lot of planes in training BECAUSE of the lack of dive breaks...

So it's not a bug at all. They did it in reality. Actually the bug is assigning level bomb missions to the Zerstörer.

By the way, you'll find the Strafe Target tic box in the: Missions Folder - Task menu - Escort folder