Mission «Strategic Bombing»
Article · Mission «Strategic Bombing»
Mission «Strategic Bombing» in Hearts of Iron IV
A beginner guide: how to send bombers after enemy factories and buildings. Which buttons to click.
This article is about one button in the air orders menu — the «Strategic Bombing» mission. Where to click, why it exists, and how not to mix it up with similar missions.
No heavy math or plane designer talk. Just practical steps for beginners: when this mission helps and when it is a waste of fuel.
What this mission is
How to find it:
In the air orders menu — the same place where you set «Air Superiority» or train air wings. Pick the mission, then right-click an enemy air region.
What happens next: Planes take off and bomb buildings in that region — Military Factories, Civilian Factories, Infrastructure, Synthetic Refineries, and other structures. They do not touch enemy troops on the ground.
How it differs from nearby missions:
- Strategic Bombing — hits buildings (factories, roads, Anti-Air).
- Logistics Strike — hits trains and trucks that haul supplies to the front.
- Close Air Support — hits enemy divisions that are fighting right now.
Important: This mission does not change the air region colour on the map. Red means the enemy controls the sky. Your bombers get shot down before they reach the factories. Give fighters «Air Superiority» first.
Check range: Every plane has a combat radius. If the air base is too far, planes may not reach the targets. The UI shows what percent of the region is covered. 100% is good; less is worse.
A button in the air menu. Bombers hit buildings, not soldiers in battle.
It barely helps you win. Turn it on if you want bombing for history or for fun.
Why bother
First reason — weaken enemy production. A damaged Military Factory stops making tanks, planes, and guns. While it is repaired, the enemy gets less equipment. The effect is slow, but after a few weeks you may see fewer enemy divisions.
Second reason — lower War Support. Bombing cuts the enemy’s War Support. The cap from raids is about −30%. Bomb occupied land instead of core territory and the effect is half as strong.
Third reason — pull enemy fighters away. When your bombers start hurting buildings, the enemy often switches fighters to «Interception». Sometimes they pull planes off the front to defend the rear.
| What blocks it | How it works | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Red region | Enemy fighters shoot down your bombers | Give fighters «Air Superiority» in this region |
| Anti-Air | Each Anti-Air level cuts bomb damage by 12% | Five levels in a region means −60% damage. Sometimes bomb Anti-Air first |
| Night | Bombing accuracy drops by 50% | Bomb by day, or add a «Radio Navigation» module to the bomber design |
| Heavy rain | Accuracy −50%, mission efficiency −30% | Wait for clear weather |
| Low fuel | Mission efficiency ×0.25 | Watch your national fuel stockpile |
Why you have lots of bombers but factories stay intact:
- Red region. Check the air colour. If it is red, enemy fighters shoot your planes down. Set «Air Superiority» first.
- Heavy Anti-Air. Five flak levels in a region and your bombs barely scratch anything. Sometimes bomb Anti-Air first.
- Night or bad weather. In the dark or in rain, bombs miss. Day and clear skies work better.
On paper it weakens enemy factories. In practice the effect is slow and small.
For winning, build fighters on «Air Superiority». Bombers are for a “air war” playthrough.
Do you actually need it
Honestly, almost not. Beating the AI is easy enough, and bombers will not swing much. In multiplayer, factories are better spent on fighters for «Air Superiority». The usual reason to use it is a historical run or plain fun. As Germany, if you want France through the Maginot Line, bombers can help crack bunkers.
When to use it
- The enemy has factories your bombers can reach.
- You will not capture that land soon — you are not breaking your own future factories.
- You want a historical or roleplay game — bombing for the vibe.
When not to use it
- The region has no factories or other important buildings.
- You will march in soon and want those factories intact.
- You need a win, not a show — fighters and the army on the ground are better.
- Fuel is tight — bombers burn a lot.
Small countries: do not send bombers over empty regions. Every sortie costs fuel. If you turn the mission on, pick targets that matter.
Almost never needed. Tanks and regular air are enough against the AI. In multiplayer, spend factories on fighters.
Good for roleplay: a historical campaign, cracking bunkers, or just watching factories burn.
What to bomb first
How to pick targets: When you assign the mission, open «Strategic bombing priorities». Buttons there set which building types matter most. Leave everything default and damage spreads evenly across all types.
| Target | Why bomb it | When to skip |
|---|---|---|
| Military Factory | Enemy stops making equipment. Main target | If you will capture that land soon |
| Civilian Factory | Enemy builds and repairs slower | If you will capture that land soon |
| Anti-Air | Removes protection. Bombs hit harder without it | If Anti-Air is already gone |
| Air Base | 50% chance to damage parked planes | If range does not reach the base |
| Synthetic Refinery | Enemy loses fuel and synthetic rubber | If they already have plenty of oil on the map |
| Infrastructure, railways, supply hubs | Enemy moves and supplies slower | If you advance soon — you will repair it yourself |
Beginner tip:
- Max out Military Factory first.
- Then Civilian Factory if you want to hit construction.
- Strong Anti-Air in the region? Prioritize Anti-Air, then factories.
Do not:
- Leave every priority the same — damage spreads and gets weaker.
- Bomb Infrastructure where you will attack soon.
- Use this mission on trains — that is «Logistics Strike».
If you turned it on anyway: in «Strategic bombing priorities» — Military Factories first, then Civilian Factories, then supply (railways, supply hubs, Infrastructure).
For a normal win you do not need to tune targets — capturing factories on the ground is simpler.
Which planes get this mission
Strategic Bomber — built for this. Long range and a heavy bomb load. If you have them, use them here.
Tactical Bomber can do it too, but worse — less range and fewer bombs. It can switch to «Close Air Support» when ground troops need help.
Give this mission
- Strategic Bombers — this is their job.
- Tactical Bombers — if you have no strategic ones or range is too short.
Do not give it
- Fighters — they take «Air Superiority».
- Close Air Support planes — they support troops on the ground.
- Naval Bombers — they attack ships.
Three common beginner mistakes:
- Mistake 1: Bombers without fighters. Region is red — planes die. Fighters first.
- Mistake 2: Bombing Infrastructure where you will attack soon. You break your own roads.
- Mistake 3: Keeping Tactical Bombers on this mission while the front is hot. They cannot help infantry and bomb factories at the same time.
Strategic Bomber — if you built them “for looks.”
Do not give this button to fighters — they want «Air Superiority».
Bottom line
1. What it is: A bomber mission that wrecks enemy buildings.
2. When to use it: Almost never for winning. Yes for fun or a historical scenario. No if there is nothing to bomb or you capture the land soon.
3. What matters: Fighters on «Air Superiority» first. Red region on the map — bombers never arrive. Check range and fuel.
4. What to bomb: In priorities, max Military Factories. Bomb Anti-Air if it blocks you. Skip Infrastructure if you advance soon.
5. Who gets it: Strategic Bombers. Tactical if you must. Not fighters.
Almost useless for winning. Build fighters, take factories on the ground.
Turn it on if you want bombing just for fun.