Bridge Busting to Reduce Enemy Supply

[MonsterZero]

Is this a worthwile activity for my air force? I've been studying the Middle Eastern scenarios and realized that Egyptian Arab supply poinst on the Western edge of the map (Egypt) can be more or less isolated from their armies if my IDF arcraft can take out the bridges.

What do you think about this strategy? Worth my time?

 

[MonsterZero]

Also, if a bridge attack is required for any reason, how do I ensure that I assign enough aircraft to topple it with the first strike?

When I roll over bridges with the air attack crosshair icon the game displays some percentage values-I don't understand them.

 

[Dan Neely]

Originally posted by MonsterZero
Also, if a bridge attack is required for any reason, how do I ensure that I assign enough aircraft to topple it with the first strike?

When I roll over bridges with the air attack crosshair icon the game displays some percentage values-I don't understand them.

the percentage is the odds of that unit dropping the bridge on it's own. If you assign multiple bombers to the attack, the percentages are added. If you assign 2 40% bombers you get an 80% chance of dropping the bridge, fi you add a 3rd bomber with at least a 20% chance of dropping the brige you're guaranteed to kill it.

As for the effects, since supply is traced primarily along roads/rails, if you can cut every road from an area to a supply point you'll reduces the locations supply to the minimum 25% of the effective level.

 

[Siberian HEAT]

Originally posted by MonsterZero
Also, if a bridge attack is required for any reason, how do I ensure that I assign enough aircraft to topple it with the first strike?

When I roll over bridges with the air attack crosshair icon the game displays some percentage values-I don't understand them.

Generally you want to find the biggest, best bomber unit to use to bust bridges...and you can usually find these by trying different units over the same bridge. The best units will show a better percentage when you pass over the bridge. The percentage is the chance that unit will destroy the bridge (assuming it makes it past the fighter defense).

Also, the variable will change depending on whether the bridge is over a major stream or a minor one.

 

[JAMiAM]

Originally posted by Siberian HEAT


Also, the variable will change depending on whether the bridge is over a major stream or a minor one.

Another modifier to the attack % is the weather over the target hex. As expected, clouds reduce those probabilities, though this is reflected in the listed %.

 

[Bob Cross]

Originally posted by MonsterZero
Is this a worthwile activity for my air force?

Another consideration is how well equipped the enemy is with engineers. In many cases, the enemy can rebuild the bridges faster than you can blow them. In that case, you can probably find a more productive use for your air units.

 

[Panzerpelle]

One important fact is that its better to blow up bridges as force 2. Even if your opponent repairs them he wil still suffer from the breach in the supply lines...during supply calc...

 

[MonsterZero]

Originally posted by JAMiAM


Another modifier to the attack % is the weather over the target hex. As expected, clouds reduce those probabilities, though this is reflected in the listed %.

Great point, I'll make sure the cloud coverage icons are turned on when planning my air sorties. I'll go after the clear weather bridges first.

 

[MonsterZero]

In the Middle East 2000 scenario the Egyptian Arab forces attempt to go all the way to Tel Aviv. Dropping the bridges in their rear and watching em' run out of steam will be one hell of a prank.

 

[Ryan88]

On the flip side, does anyone have any ideas on how best to protect bridges, if it is even possible? Obviously the single best defense is lots of effective engineer units. Some other possible defenses (I am unsure of their effectiveness..):

1. Station fighter units on Air Superiority missions within easy range of the bridge to be protected.

2. Station heavy AAA on the actual bridge hex.

Do either of these have any effect on defending the bridge? I am a little confused as to the effectiveness of AAA overall in the game, but can this be a possible use for these units?

 

[General Staff]

1. is good.

2. doesn't seem to make much difference. You might want to do a search on "AA" on the old forum- some tests were done on AA effectiveness that would have you thinking the gunners were either rangefinding using a white stick or firing downwards not upwards...