                               Command : STRAFE

 SYNTAX:
   [##:##] Command: strafe <PLANES> <SECT> <PATH>

The strafe command lets you use interceptors and other non-bomber aircraft  in
strafing  raids  against  populace, vessels, planes, or vehicles in a specific
sector.  As strafing raids use no heavy  artillery,  no  guns  or  shells  are
required.

<PLANES> is a list of one or more planes which are to travel to  the  destina-
tion.   Only  planes which are provided with petrol and have positive mobility
will be successfully selected for the mission.

<SECT> is an assembly point.  This is a sector over which all of the planes in
the  mission  meet  before proceeding on as a group to the destination sector.
The assembly point must not be more than four sectors away  from  any  of  the
planes selected for the mission.

                               Command : STRAFE

<PATH> is the flightpath from  assembly  point  to  destination.   (See  `info
flightpath'  for information about specifying flightpaths.)  Note: if you want
to fly higher than altitude 1, you should include an  altitude  change  (e.g.,
"^4")  early  in the flight path.  Strafing, however, can be performed only at
altitude 1.  Indicate strafe targets by including asterisks "*"  at  one  more
points in the path.

Once the planes are over  enemy  territory,  then  they  may  be  intercepted,
aborted,  or shot down; flights over sectors equipped with guns and shells may
draw anti-aircraft flak.  If the destination sector is not  an  airport,  then
all planes in the mission must have V/STOL capability.

Each plane in the raid is generally able to make multiple strafing  passes  at
each  target  sector.  The number of total passes a plane can make in a single
mission is equal to the plane's bomb load capacity.  All  planes  involved  in
the  attack  make  each pass as a group going after a specific type of target;
you specify the target type (ship, tank, train, balloon, plane,  or  populace)
at the start of each pass.  Once the pass is underway, you will be prompted to
specify a more specific target for each plane that is able to shoot.

                               Command : STRAFE

Strafing of populace is usually not extremely accurate.  Although you  specify
whether to exclusively strafe mil, civs, or uws, there is always a good chance
that your pilots will screw up and kill a  few  innocent  bystanders.   (Think
twice before using `strafe' to kill civs in a newly conquered but still uncon-
trolled sector; you may kill some of your own military.)

On the other hand, strafing is a very effective way to put an end to  unwanted
overflights by foreign balloons.

Here is a sample strafing run:

   [##:##] Command: strafe 135/137

                               Command : STRAFE

   assembly point (or '.')? .
   assembly point @ -80,-18
   <0: -80,-18 @ 1> g*jh
   Ending sector is -80,-18
   range to target #1 is 1
   range to final destination is 2
   (#135) fighter 1 standing by
   (#137) escort 2 standing by
   (#137) escort 2 equipped and airborne
   (#135) fighter 1 equipped and airborne

   aircraft departing, grouping at altitude 1
   flying over mine at -82,-18 (alt:1)

   TARGET #1: POGO (#0) mine @ -82,-18

   Target sector is a completely constructed mine:
   Coming in for first pass...
   Strafe what (ship, tank, train, balloon, plane, populous, quit)? pop

                               Command : STRAFE

     many mil
     mass civs
   escort 2 (#137); strafe who (`?' to list, `d' to defer)? m
   !! rat-a-tat-a-tat-a-tat !!!!!!!!!!
   escort 2 (#137) out of ammo
   estimated casualties: 13
   fighter 1 (#135); strafe who (`?' to list, `d' to defer)? m
   !! rat-a-tat-a-tat-a-tat !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   fighter 1 (#135) out of ammo
   estimated casualties: 16

   flying over airfield at -80,-18 (alt:1)
   escort 2 (#137) landing in -80,-18
   escort 2 (#137) unloading 7 unused pet
   fighter 1 (#135) landing in -80,-18
   fighter 1 (#135) unloading 1 unused pet
   2 aircraft landed successfully

                               Command : STRAFE

See also : fly, para, bomb, shoot, populace, flightpath, plane-types

