CAPs and Naval Bases

[Shankmaster]

Here's couple of questions that I need clarification on:

1) Can bombers attack a CAP? If not, can a bomber attack a naval unit that the CAP is defending anyway?

2) I'm a little bit confused on the FAQ sections on this website. It would seem to me that they never repeat themselves, no matter what edition they are talking about. Consequently, I assume that the rules generally apply to all the A&A games (well, at least the Europe and Pacific editions). So, because of this, I have the following rule to clarify:

In the Europe FAQ section, it states you can move any land unit into a newly aquired territory. Does this mean that in the Pacific edition, you can conquer the sea/land zones associated with a Naval Base on your combat move, and then transport men into that new territory from a port 3 spaces away on your non-combat move?

Please help me! Thanks :o

[Krieghund]

Here's couple of questions that I need clarification on:

1) Can bombers attack a CAP? If not, can a bomber attack a naval unit that the CAP is defending anyway?

Yes, bombers can attack a CAP.

In the Europe FAQ section, it states you can move any land unit into a newly aquired territory. Does this mean that in the Pacific edition, you can conquer the sea/land zones associated with a Naval Base on your combat move, and then transport men into that new territory from a port 3 spaces away on your non-combat move?

Yes, it does. Unlike captured Air Bases, you can use captured Naval Bases immediately.

[Shankmaster]

Thanks Krieghund! Though I urge you to take a look in the AA:P rulebook. It makes some comments about fighers attacking a CAP but makes no note of bombers. It doesn't say that they can't but it sounds like they can't - and it makes sense if they can't. I'll doublecheck later today when I go home and get back to you.

[series]

Thanks Krieghund! Though I urge you to take a look in the AA:P rulebook. It makes some comments about fighers attacking a CAP but makes no note of bombers. It doesn't say that they can't but it sounds like they can't - and it makes sense if they can't. I'll doublecheck later today when I go home and get back to you.
Makes sense that they can't? Let me tell you boy, those bombers had nasty machine guns on them.

[Krieghund]

Thanks Krieghund! Though I urge you to take a look in the AA:P rulebook. It makes some comments about fighers attacking a CAP but makes no note of bombers. It doesn't say that they can't but it sounds like they can't - and it makes sense if they can't. I'll doublecheck later today when I go home and get back to you.

Hmm. I see what you are talking about. Page 24:

An enemy player may move air units through the sea zone without being stopped by the CAP. An enemy player may move fighter planes into the sea zone with the CAP to engage the CAP, or to fly to an island within the sea zone to engage ground units there.

Italics are mine.

I can see how this might be interpreted to exclude bombers from attacking a CAP. I looked this up in the DOI Annotated Manual (with AH clarifications), but it is silent on the subject. I'm not sure this has ever come up before.

However, even if bombers cannot attack a CAP, they could still attack a naval force supported by the CAP (this I am sure of). This leads me to believe that not allowing bombers to attack a CAP without ships under is just overly complicating things by creating exceptions.

Rich, do you have any input?

[Shankmaster]

Yes, that is exactly the part of the rulebook I was refering to. On one hand, they say you can throw fighter planes in there, on the other they don't say you can't use bombers. If you find anything more out, let me know. I think I'd rather play with the bombers not being able to participate as a house rule until I can find reason to do otherwise.

I looked this up in the DOI Annotated Manual (with AH clarifications)...
I've never heard of this manual. I'm not new to the A&A franchise by any means, but I'm very new to the online community. Could you explain to me what that is? Also, if I want a definitive answer on any of these questions, is there an offical person I can ask? If so, do they even respond?

[Krieghund]

DOI is "Days of Infamy", an on-line AAP PBEM club (Days-of-Infamy (www.rjware.net/DOI/club-headquarters.htm)). Check it out sometime. They have a version of the Rules Manual containing notes on club rulings as well as clarifications direct from the game's development team.

I am not sure if there is anyone "official" to ask anymore.

[richyj1]

First off, a comment on the DOI Annotated Manual (http://www.rjware.net/DOI/manual_annotated.htm). The purpose of this was to combine the FAQ and other misc. questions answered over the years (primarily by Rob at AH, the author of the rulebook) with the text of the rulebook to have a single, searchable source. Any club-specific rules are clearly denoted in yellow.

That said, not every single thing Rob has ever said is in there. For example, back in May of 2001 Rob stated at Don's board:
Fighters on CAP are just like fighters on CVs. They defend at 4 at any combat in the sz.
And, in general, Rob has always stated that CAP was 'just like' fighters being in that SZ. So, just like bombers could attack fighters on land or on a CV in SZ, they can attack the fighters on CAP.

As for the rulebook quote above, it is unfortunate that that term was used. But the point being highlighted is that CAP does not stop air movement - planes are free to engage or bypass the CAP.

Rich