My recon planes are always shot down!

[PantherCub]

Originally Posted by Griefbringer

Also, I don't really think that clearing the way for ground forces was really what the air units were doing all that much in WWII - attacking units close to the front line ran a risk of strafing and bombing friendly units (this happened historically, and it can also happen in game). Rather, they would be taking the battle to the depth and attack reserves, artillery and supply units in the rear, to prevent them from supporting the front lines.

I agree, and I used it more as a figure of speech. What I mean is that the game creates a cycle where artillery is helping the air force to penetrate to their targets, while I think a more historical cycle would be the air force hitting enemy artillery at the start of an attack to help the ground forces.

From what I know (which certainly is not everything) I think air support as in the game with planes striking enemies in actual combat contact with friendly forces was not really practiced in WW2, on account of the risk of hitting friendlies, at least not until very late in WW2. IMHO it would be more realistic with air attacks taking place before the battle than during it. Though the present effect that players have to think about AA defences and integrate them in their battle plan is nice.