A-20 Bombing Tactics

[Matt-357]

Started flying the A-20. Seems pretty flexible: Level bombing, glide bombing, skip bombing. Was wondering how it typically deployed bombs for different targets in Europe by the Soviet Union.  I've read skip bombing was used against ships. For level bombing on ground targets, what was a typical "medium" altitude? In an attack role was glide bombing used?  Was it usually drop them all and run or multiple passes dropping groups of 2-4 at specific targets?

[No105_Swoose]

Salute @Matt-357!  Welcome to the IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles community.  I'll leave it to members more knowledgeable about the A-20 to answer you.  You might also try doing a search in the forum to see if there have been similar questions in the past.  In the meantime I'd highly recommend purchasing and playing @Gambit21's outstanding "Havocs Over The Kuban" scripted campaign. The missions are exciting, challenging, and contain surprises.  The scenery was beautiful before but with the new clouds it should really be something special.  

Edited December 28, 2021 by No105_Swoose
Stated need for BoK module but player already has it.

[Gambit21]

1 hour ago, No105_Swoose said:

Salute @Matt-357!  Welcome to the IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles community.  I'll leave it to members more knowledgeable about the A-20 to answer you.  You might also try doing a search in the forum to see if there have been similar questions in the past.  In the meantime I'd highly recommend purchasing and playing @Gambit21's outstanding "Havocs Over The Kuban" scripted campaign. The missions are exciting, challenging, and contain surprises.  The scenery was beautiful before but with the new clouds it should really be something special.  

 

Thanks Swoose!

Matt, I'm in the process of updating the clouds. If you do purchase, you might want to wait for the update to be posted before flying

 

[Matt-357]

I did quite a search for A-20 tactics and came up empty. Creating a post is always my last resort. Like I said, skip bombing ships was about all I found. I am curious how the A-20 was actually used by the Soviet Union. What targets and what altitudes? Would they do multiple passes dropping 4 bombs at a time at specific targets? There are the capabilities of the aircraft and then there was the actual use of the aircraft.

[LeLv30_Redwing-]

On 12/28/2021 at 12:44 AM, Matt-357 said:

Started flying the A-20. Seems pretty flexible: Level bombing, glide bombing, skip bombing. Was wondering how it typically deployed bombs for different targets in Europe by the Soviet Union.  I've read skip bombing was used against ships. For level bombing on ground targets, what was a typical "medium" altitude? In an attack role was glide bombing used?  Was it usually drop them all and run or multiple passes dropping groups of 2-4 at specific targets?

I don't know about the historical tactics but if you need instructions of how to best use it in game, there's some great detailed videos for that:
 

 

 

[No105_Swoose]

@Matt-357I appreciate your desire to fly as historically accurate tactics in the sim's A-20 as possible.  Unfortunately, unlike the IL-2 Shturmovik, I doubt that information on specific tactics, techniques, and procedures on how the VVS used the A-20 exists in English.  FWIW, one of the best accounts on the A-20 in Soviet service comes from the VVS Air War/The Soviet Air Forces at War website.  The website owner cites a few Soviet sources as references.  Here's a thought: he has a contact form on his webpage.  Maybe consider contacting him with your questions?  What have you got to lose?  If he does reply I'd be very interested in his response.  Good Luck.  https://vvsairwar.com/2018/01/09/the-douglas-a-20-havoc-boston-in-soviet-service/

[LukeFF]

7 hours ago, No105_Swoose said:

@Matt-357I appreciate your desire to fly as historically accurate tactics in the sim's A-20 as possible.  Unfortunately, unlike the IL-2 Shturmovik, I doubt that information on specific tactics, techniques, and procedures on how the VVS used the A-20 exists in English.  FWIW, one of the best accounts on the A-20 in Soviet service comes from the VVS Air War/The Soviet Air Forces at War website.  The website owner cites a few Soviet sources as references.  Here's a thought: he has a contact form on his webpage.  Maybe consider contacting him with your questions?  What have you got to lose?  If he does reply I'd be very interested in his response.  Good Luck.  https://vvsairwar.com/2018/01/09/the-douglas-a-20-havoc-boston-in-soviet-service/

 

Actually...

 

I was reading in volume 4 of Black Cross / Red Star last night how A-20s at Stalingrad were sent out individually in December 1942 to hunt for rail traffic. One pilot account talks about dropping his bombs on a station from 600 meters. 

Edited December 29, 2021 by LukeFF