Slitherine

Is it more effective to destroy fighter first then bombers? I have 4 bf-109s usually takes all four to destroy a spitfire and i find the Brits have lots of planes in Africa. I'm wondering if should invest in AA units along with fighters or maybe instead of fighters?

godfather wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 7:25 am Is it more effective to destroy fighter first then bombers? I have 4 bf-109s usually takes all four to destroy a spitfire and i find the Brits have lots of planes in Africa. I'm wondering if should invest in AA units along with fighters or maybe instead of fighters?

I think a combination of the two works best. AA can protect your ground troops whilst your fighters escort bombers and hunt down the enemy planes.

AA fire won't kill much (unless you have AA veteran trait) but it will suppress well and suppressed fighters will be easier to kill with your own.

The 20mm flakveirlings (sp?) are deadly against fighters and Tac bombers and the towed versions are only 1 core slot each. The halftrack version are 2 slots but are able to cover pretty large distances to get them were they are needed (especially useful to get shots off against the target you want to kill rather than just firing in defence at anything brave enough to attack whist in their range)

I use fighters to pick off weakened aircraft, so i only run with 1, sometimes 2 if its a plane heavy map.
Mostly i use truck flak to chase down aircraft fast. That way i can redeploy them in anti-tank mode, and get good double use.

Try 2x88s, and 2 truck flak ,and 2 fighters, and see how it works out for you. Its personal choice,and you'll get a feel over time for what you want to deploy.
My favourite is the russian line SU-6, tracked, 22 attack , zooms over almost any terrain,more mobile than an 88 , roughly similar damage (i've had 0,-15 vs aircraft). Has no retaliation, and is pretty decent at killing infantry let alone tanks .Every army should have one or three.

fluffybunnyuk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 11:13 am I use fighters to pick off weakened aircraft, so i only run with 1, sometimes 2 if its a plane heavy map.
Mostly i use truck flak to chase down aircraft fast. That way i can redeploy them in anti-tank mode, and get good double use.

Try 2x88s, and 2 truck flak ,and 2 fighters, and see how it works out for you. Its personal choice,and you'll get a feel over time for what you want to deploy.
My favourite is the russian line SU-6, tracked, 22 attack , zooms over almost any terrain,more mobile than an 88 , roughly similar damage (i've had 0,-15 vs aircraft). Has no retaliation, and is pretty decent at killing infantry let alone tanks .Every army should have one or three.

To further expand on that - I have 2 88s and 2 HT Flakveirlings in my current playthough and no fighters. Am managing quite well in wining the air war (only up to Battleaxe in Africa so far) And my losses to air attacks have been pretty light!

EDIT: Important bit I forgot - I have got AA veteran trait....wouldn't be able to finish off enemy air units without it.

godfather wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 7:25 am Is it more effective to destroy fighter first then bombers? I have 4 bf-109s usually takes all four to destroy a spitfire and i find the Brits have lots of planes in Africa. I'm wondering if should invest in AA units along with fighters or maybe instead of fighters?

air-veteran trait + 2x flak 88; the rest becomes optional and pleasant

In response to the topic,


AA is very strong in SCW, there is a 2 CM FLAK that you can overstrength to 15 for 2 slots and has an anti-tank mode. It is a very strong and versatile unit. Historically, the Republican Airforce had the advantage until the 109 showed up. So you will have plenty of targets for your AA and it will help protect your artillery. If you get a hero that turns half of your supression into kills, I highly, HIGHLY recommend you put it on your AA unit. It will just shred the enemy's aircraft. You can also get an 88 later on in the campaign, which is amazing and will be a good unit until the very end of the campaign. In fact, I can think of no other unit that maintains its strength from 1939 to 1945.

The HE 51s you have access to in the beginning aren't the best, but if you overstrength them they will be strong. You will also want two or three Italian fighters for most scenarios, they are cheap and the CR 32 is superior to the HE 51.Watch out for the enemy's I-16s though, they are no joke! If you have the commendation points, you will get an opportunity to buy some I-16s yourself later on and they are a great option.