@The_Good_Captain The rule applies in all sea battles where there are sea units allied to the attacker present, regardless of the type(s) of defending German sea units. The rule mentions only German subs because the author failed to take into account the possibility that the situation could also exist with German surface units if they were mobilized in a hostile sea zone. This oversight was corrected in the Axis & Allies Pacific Rulebook.
Defending submarines against air attack
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Suppose I have a have a force of 1BB, 1DD and 3 subs, being attacked by 3 fighters.
I think the subs can’t defend, but can you use them as losses? -
The subs aren’t valid either way. Without a Destroyer in the seazone the FTRs cannot attack the sub so it is FTRs on the surfaces ships only. Subs can’t shoot aircraft.