AA defended by arty...how to beat?

[godfather]

I am wondering if anybody can give me some suggestions on how to deal with AA protected by arty using support fire? The Arty is often placed so it takes multiple turns to get close with units and tac bombers are risky given the AA. I guess the question is which should be the priority for destruction first the AA or the Arty?

[fliegenderstaub]

In such cases I use artillery to suppress the enemy artillery. A second artillery (if possible) should prepare the attack on the AA. If there is enough suppression a tactical bomber could add further damage. Depending on the defensive terrain Infantry or tanks finish the job.

If you deal with the soviet heavy AA guns, which are switchable, approaching with tanks and keeping the air units somewhere else sometimes makes the AI switch the guns to AT mode, which in turn gives you the opportunity to attack the guns by air next turn.

Easiest way: Use Rudel!

[Egge]

You can still fire your guns after you have moved them. So move them four hexes away (or even further if you have self-propelled arty) from your designated target press end turn. The next turn you can move up and suppress both the enemy arty and aa. Then close in to wipe them out.
imho, arty is the most important unit in-game, particularly in Allied Corps where the maps seem to be cramped with German 88s. I rely on arty a lot.

Damn, someone was faster than me.

[captainjack]

I would use my own arty to suppress the AA, set a strategic bomber or a tac bomber on the suppressed AA (but do check AA experience and how much is still able to fire before launching the aerial attack). My logic is that once the AA is gone, then I can use the bomber(s) to help take out the arty.

Another reason for this approach is that I often put strategic bombers to maximum overstrength as the improved attack results usually justify the expense. Unless I muck up my fighter cover the only thing that can take off the very expensive overstrength points (and 13 and above gets pretty pricey) is AA, so I have a reason for disabling it as soon as possible.

If you are not in a rush, waiting for the Russian 85s to switch to AT makes this approach even more effective.

[Tarrak]

All the mentioned strategy are very valid and best way to deal with this combination but in a pinch if you need to hurry you can, at least later in the war when you have the heavier armored tanks (late Pz III and IV are ok already), just attack the AA guns with them. They are quite immune to artillery fire unless it's really the heavy ones which are usually rare. Just make sure to have some kind of backup plan in case you haven't destroyed or at least weakened the AA gun enough with the attack as some of them are capable of switching into AT mode and then your tanks may be in a world of pain.

[BiteNibbleChomp]

Simplest Answer: Tiger Tank bombs Artillery and destroys it. AA needs no more threatening, a weak unit can take care of it later!

- BNC (Well, this works in '44 anyway!)