Gunboats are very effective at destroying fighters and bombers. Three examples of agile gunboats would be the Leopard, Tiger and Ostwind - they've killed their fair share of bombers and fighters in Rheinland and the Omegas. The Rheinland Gunboat may not be agile, but it is heavily armoured with a heavy powerplant. Basically, gunboats don't "suck". They're not the swiss army knife they were in 4.84, they're more of an anti-strikecraft scalpel now:)
What was the composition of the RHA attackers?
"Sick of the harsh taxes and economic instability caused by the Rheinland Government?
Treated like dirt by Kruger, Daumann or Republican Shipping?
Stand up to the corrupt Kanzler! Join the Red Hessian Army!"