I see Calvin like to give out a lot of wrong information before looking at a rulebook.
@calvinhobbesliker:
… You pick whether to resolve the territory attack or bombing raid first…
AAE40 rulebook>page16>Combat Sequence>
1. Strategic Bombing raids
2. Amphibious assaults
3. General combat
Notice that if one were to do a SBR AND try and take (or strafe) a territory, that the SBR happens first; while the territory is not yours. (Before the “why would you do that” clown peep up, most people would not. However, well-written rules allow for stupid play.)
Later Calvin shows that the AAG fires after the dogfight.
(AAE40 Rulebook>page 16>Strategic Bombing Raids)
Gargantua, in your example at the beginning…
You declare a SBR (I assume that you did not attack the territory with other units, just doing a SBR.)
Gargantua states “2 bombers and 2 fighter escorts” (You do NOT state the targets at this time i.e., Minor IC, Naval Base, Air Base.)
After combat movement, but before Conduct Combat the defending interceptors states how many interceptors (in this case 0-3 fighters) are committed to the SBR dogfight.
Let’s say the defender Bob says “3 interceptors”.
Gargantua rolls for his escorts 2@1 (1,6) 1 hit!
Bob rolls for his interceptors 3@2 (5,1,2) 2 hits!
Gargantua mumbles @$$*%/{
Bob removes 1 fighter.
Gargantua decides what to take casualties.(Clowns may peep again here saying “the only strategic choice is to take the 2 fighters”)
However many other things may change that decision. May he Gargantua needs one of those fighters for his Carrier, or other reasons may have him take 1fighter and 1bomber as casualties.
Gargantua removes 2 fighters.
NOW Gargantua decides what to SBR with his 2 remaining bombers. “1 to Minor IC, 1 to Naval Base”, he says.
AAG fire is rolled separately for each group of bombers (any surviving escorts are not fired apon, they await noncombat movement), in this case 2 groups and only 1 bomber in each group.
Bob rolls 1@1 (1) for the Minor IC 1 hit! (more %@&%) EDIT: the hit was supposed to go here
Bob rolls 1@1 (5) for the Naval Base
Gargantua removes 1 bomber SBRing the Minor IC
Gargantua roll 1@6 (4) for the damage on the Naval Base, places 4 chips under the Naval Base and the Naval Base doesn’t work until it is repaired.
1. attacker make combat moves
2. defender commits some or zero interceptors
3. escorts roll
4. interceptors roll
5. remove casualties
6. declare targets
7. roll facilities built-in AA gun at bombers only
8. remove casualties
9. roll for damage
10. apply damage chips
(Gargantua, mad at the dice: eyes up the Low Luck rules.)