Command Attack Event Question

[RedBravo65]

I have a group of AI B-25 bombers in a mission I'm making.  I want them to bomb an airfield, level bombing.  I have three choices in the advanced properties of the Command Attack Event. 

• Attack Air Targets
• Attack Ground
• Attack Ground Targets

What is the difference between the Attack Ground and the Attack Ground Targets settings?  I'm assuming that the Attack Ground Targets is for AI to attack linked targets at the airfield and the Attack Ground is used for just dropping bombs on a point on the ground regardless of targets in the area.  Am I correct?

 

Also, is there a certain distance you want to make the way-point target marked to the Command Attack Event or does it not matter?

[No_85_Gramps]

4 hours ago, RedBravo65 said:

What is the difference between the Attack Ground and the Attack Ground Targets settings?  I'm assuming that the Attack Ground Targets is for AI to attack linked targets at the airfield and the Attack Ground is used for just dropping bombs on a point on the ground regardless of targets in the area.  Am I correct?

 

Also, is there a certain distance you want to make the way-point target marked to the Command Attack Event or does it not matter?

That is the way I interpret how the Command Attack works.  As far as the distance, I have one set at 3500 m from the waypoint to the command attack and it works fine.

[RedBravo65]

Okay, thanks.  Testing this stuff out myself.

[JimTM]

20 hours ago, RedBravo65 said:

I have a group of AI B-25 bombers in a mission I'm making.  I want them to bomb an airfield, level bombing.  I have three choices in the advanced properties of the Command Attack Event. 

• Attack Air Targets
• Attack Ground
• Attack Ground Targets

What is the difference between the Attack Ground and the Attack Ground Targets settings?  I'm assuming that the Attack Ground Targets is for AI to attack linked targets at the airfield and the Attack Ground is used for just dropping bombs on a point on the ground regardless of targets in the area.  Am I correct?

 

Also, is there a certain distance you want to make the way-point target marked to the Command Attack Event or does it not matter?

 

Just to be clear:

• Attack Command: Attack the target-linked object.
   
• Attack Area Command:
  - Attack Ground: Attack the entire attack area (i.e., carpet bomb)
  - Attack Ground Targets: Attack any object within the attack area (no links to objects involved)

 

[RedBravo65]

@JimTM Thank you.  Much clearer now.

[Gambit21]

Very rarely do I use the ‘attack’ MCU even for low level attacks - almost never. Rather ‘Attack Area/attack ground targets.

 

I’ll also use “attack ground” for artillery etc when I’m going for effect, which is most of the time where artillery is concerned.

 

 

Edited October 16, 2019 by Gambit21

[RedBravo65]

Thanks.  Will be doing all kinds of experimenting with respect to the tips advised.  I am actually really enjoying working with this mission editor.  Very powerful, very flexible.  Allows one to be extremely creative.  That is a very good thing.

[IckyATLAS]

The attack command is interesting in certain cases. Basically when you want your fighters or bombers to concentrate on a specific target first.

An example when you have a large multi level bomber box staged vertically. You build the box with say three plane flights (one leader and two wingman) and you want the attacking fighters that are flying higher than the bomber to dive in the box then you set the attack command to the leader of a group in the lower level. Set the "attack group" parameter so the leader and the two wingman are attacked. 

I set a separate attack command for different attacking fighters and each with a different three plane group leaders in the bomber box.

As a result the fighters dive in the box through different directions. And the Bomber gunners try to get them, and you have tracers crossing all over. The Bombers fly at 350, the fighters are going down at almost 500 so the visual effect of the crossing speed is amazing with the cover fighters also trying to get them.

Very spectacular, if your system can handle all of it.

 

[GAE_YaniBarto]

It is not working well for me. I have an AI that attacks some ships, but I want it to attack only cargo ships and it doesn't.
I did not find much information on how to use this command.

[Beebop]

On 2/13/2021 at 6:30 AM, GAE_YaniBarto said:

It is not working well for me. I have an AI that attacks some ships, but I want it to attack only cargo ships and it doesn't.
I did not find much information on how to use this command.

I don't think the AI recognize types of targets, only coalitions.  To achieve what you want you would need to make the cargo ships a Linked Entity (enemy) and the rest of the ships "Neutral".  But then every object capable of attacking would shoot at your 'Neutral' ships, even friendlies.

[jollyjack]

Now is that also for a neutral linked entry (ship) with engage-able not selected?

[Beebop]

5 hours ago, jollyjack said:

Now is that also for a neutral linked entry (ship) with engage-able not selected?

Dunno.  Never tried that.

[IckyATLAS]

If you use an attack command with an object link to the attacking plane and a red link to a cargo ship then the plane should attack only that cargo ship.

It is strange that it does not work.

[DFLion]

Ground strafing problems. I've been working on a new semi-historic mission where 350 Sqn Spitfire XIV's discovered a German petrol tanker ship on the Baltic Coast in Wismar Bay.(I'm simulating this area on the Rhineland map) I've tried to get the Spits to 'ground straf' the ship without success. I will try some other ways to do it and let you know how I go. I just might have to call a flight of rocket firing Typhoon 1B's (now we have this great aircraft) to finish off the job properly?

DFLion

PS Thank you Han and the Team for getting the Typhoon out earlier than you originally said - great effort.

[Beebop]

Getting AI to strafe ships is not in the AI routine.  They bomb them just fine (haven't tried rocket attacks yet) but even the AI know that "GB Brand" bullets are harmless to the ship itself even though I have seen countless footage of planes strafing ships and I suspect larger weapons actually triggering some kind of explosion, possibly from ordinance on deck. 

The AI will probably get shot to hell but you might get lucky and have them strafe the guns.  But if there are no guns aboard....good luck. 

And yeah, ain't the Typhoon a kick in the butt!

[DFLion]

Thanks 'Beebop' that explains the situation in the game regarding ship strafing. The actual combat really happened with the English CO, Terry Spencer being spectacularly shot down in his Spitfire XIV on the strafing run (refer to pp306 in Johnnie Johnson's book 'Wing Leader'). Spencer was a lucky man, he survived the crash, eluded the German's looking for him and eventually wandered back onto their airfield at Celle with a badly burnt face.

DFLion

I'm putting the Typhoons into the mission now! ?

Some pics to wet our appetites, on the last discussion.

DFLion

[[DBS]Tx_Tip]

Not having a problem with Spitfire MkXIVs strafing German Tanker either stationary or underway.

Check your Attack CMD and make sure it isn't set to attack group. Spits fire until cannons run dry.

 

 

 

Good Luck with your Mission Design

Tip

[DN308]

@[DBS]Tx_Tip, can you explain the subtility of the Attack group in Attack CMD please?

[Beebop]

I'm no Tip, (far from it), but, as I understand it, you tick the "Attack Group" if you want them to attack all planes in a formation.

From the manual, page 236,

Attack Group
If the object to attack is the leader of a formation, attack the entire formation.
Otherwise, attack only the leader.

 

HTH.

Edited June 6, 2021 by Beebop

[DN308]

Ok, thanks. 

I ask that because I used a CMD ATTK against a bomber formation with a plane that refuse to do it, don’t know why.

 I so tried to check or uncheck « Attack group » but nothing more happened...

[[DBS]Tx_Tip]

58 minutes ago, DN308 said:

Ok, thanks. 

I ask that because I used a CMD ATTK against a bomber formation with a plane that refuse to do it, don’t know why.

 I so tried to check or uncheck « Attack group » but nothing more happened...

 

Without knowing anything more with regards to your mission. 

I would suggest deleting and then redoing the logic. The Attack CMD doesn't lend itself well to being changed from unchecking and rechecking <<Attack Group>>. Don't ask me why. The way it is.

 

Additionally the bomber group needs to be activated prior to the attack plane in question reaching the waypoint which targets the CMD Attack.

The logic stream for this CMD needs to be at least one step ahead of the waypoint which targets it.

If the attack plane in question is AI only why not make sure the bombers are activated before it is. Again the way it is.

 

Lastly <<Attack Group>> means just that as posted above. You wish to have the planes, tanks whatever attack a properly designed and activated aircraft formation, vehicle convoy, armored or artillery platoon or set of fake vehicles for that matter.

CMD Attack with <<Attack Group>> unchecked means you wish to have the planes, tanks whatever attack a single linked entity.

 

I don't give the AI leeway with this.

For instance if I wish to have a flight of IL2s attack Dugouts, Ammo Bunkers then I set up activated fake vehicle(s) as the flights CMD-Attack's target. Obviously there are nuances with regards to what, where, when and how you wish to manipulate the attacking entities.

 

Good Luck with you Mission Design,

Tip

 

 

 

 

[DN308]

Good advices thank you.

my bombers formation is active (this is the player’s formation), but the axis’ plane don’t even attack them even when they react and shoot at it. I will redo all these logics because I have changed some things like change behaviour, attack group, waypoint low priority, nothing works.

As you suggest, I will erase my exam’s page and do it again... ??

[Beebop]

1 hour ago, DN308 said:

the axis’ plane don’t even attack them even when they react and shoot at it.

What is the priority of the waypoint before/after?  If it is set to 'High' it's telling the Axis flight to do only one thing, fly to the next waypoint.

'Medium' should get them to attack if close enough, 'Low' will get them to attack any shiny objects.

Also how much fuel do they have?  IIRC low fuel state can make the plane head for home without engaging.

 

Just throwing some chum into the waters.

[DN308]

95% of fuel, medium priority.

As said before, in that case, I will just delete everything and redo the entire logic

[Gambit21]

I’ve never had problems with AI strafing ships.