SDR and I thought we'd have a bash at playing, someone other than ourselves, this great new game from GMT - Wing Leader
We'll be using VASSAL to PBEM the following scenario:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2FT001C_zpst9pfdexf.png&hash=421401d8a3d684040019ecd33517356033399e94)
SDR graciously offered to setup the game and found himself volunteering to play the British. What a great guy. O0
So here's the setup for the start of the game:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2FWing%2520LeaderMap_zps7nr39fta.png&hash=128e2f88895b720701b83e28a7c3e510df9d3c5d)
A closer view of our glorious airmen enjoying a nice fly about the mostly clear French sky.
You can see 2 squadrons of Ju 87B-1's being escorted by a squadron of ME 109E's. A bit below them is another squadron for ME109e's on a CAP mission for our bridgehead across the Meuse River. For some unknown reason the dastardly Brits want to wreck our fine bridge. :(
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2FT001A_zpskjgcwock.png&hash=282cd12221c61ce8ae7a6646486f5997c6cae16a)
Should be a slaughter. One thing I learned from playing the game designer's previous title Nightfighter is that he likes to design most of his scenarios based on watershed moments in history where one side's tactics or technology were shown to be revolutionary or deeply flawed. I think this scenario is meant to highlight the flaws in RAF tactics such as the use of the tight, 3-plane Vic flying formation and the lack of a higher level radio net for comms between squadrons. The poor buggers in the Blenheims and Battles are going in without escort.
Here we can see the evil British flyboys trying to sweep the skys of our wonderful planes and bomb our fine bridge.
Two squadrons of Hurricanes Mk. 1's are trying to catch up to a couple of squadrons of Blenheim Mk.1's.
Below them is some Allied troops to whom we will try to deliver some very special packages.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2FT001B_zpsqhjbq6lh.png&hash=0db460b0a699f8c9b0110fd5b75a7b5d7847e69b)
All comments welcome in this thread as there is no hidden info in this game.
There are fairly strict command and control rules in this game so there's not much your opponent can do until he gets a Tally on your squadrons. A Tally allows a flight to break out of the C&C and attack the enemy with free movement.
For instance, my ME019's that are on the CAP mission have to circle in their current space until they can get a tally on an enemy. To do that they need to roll 1D6 and have that be higher than, or equal to, the distance to the enemy plus any clouds that might be between.
Look. This is all a misunderstanding. The French asked us to ask you if you'd mind holidaying somewhere else this year. They heard from the Poles that you tend to overstay your welcome and also that you refuse to take your shoes off when you come into their houses. This messes up the carpets and scuffs the furniture.
Anyway, here are the RAF and Luftwaffe squadrons:
The RAF:
G, H, and I are the Hurricane squadrons. They are all on a sweep mission meaning that they'll ignore our bombers and just fly straight ahead until they spot Jerry at which point they'll be free to move as they please.
S and T are Blenheim bombers. They're cleverly well out in front of the fighter screen and without escort. We're expecting big things from them.
X and Y are the Battle bombers. They're still at the aerodrome drinking and won't enter until turn 6.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv320%2Fbogaty%2FWL%2520RAF%2520wings_zpsvg2rujhq.jpg%7Eoriginal&hash=a1c18330708df448d22f708628a01c88a09436e2)
The Luftwaffe.
Veterans and Aces everywhere! Even worse, the Huns have assigned their fighters to bomber escort. That means if my Hurricanes attack their bombers, the Bf109s will be able to dive right in and possibly intercept. The wiley Teutons also have tactical flexibility, meaning they can split their fighter squadrons into smaller flights and act like frat boys in a buffet line.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv320%2Fbogaty%2FWLaxis%2520wings_zpseowwscw4.jpg%7Eoriginal&hash=b91214edc4aa939d8b3db5d7f4025eea70ba64cc)
See, now this is how rumours are started. Poland started it all by not allowing us access to the nice port city of Danzig. So we'd thought we show them how to properly engage your neighbors in friendly path sharing.
The French.... well, it's the French, you know how they are....
Each counter for the Germans represents a squadron of 9 aircraft, while the British squadrons have 12 aircraft each.
Damage from combat is kept track of at the individual aircraft level.
The Veteran status of a squadron is the training level of the entire squadron.
The Experte means there is an ace in the group.
A squadron can never lose it's training level from combat but can lose it's ace!
The more I see of this game the more I want it. Will be eagerly reading this AAR. Thanks, gents. O0
Here are the aircraft cards for this scenario. The card for the Blenheim is for the Mk IV but the Mk I is used in this battle. The only difference is that the Mk IV has a protection rating of 4-5h and the Mk I has a rating of 3-4h. Whenever an attacker scores a possible hit, the attacker rolls 1D6 and adds his unit's firepower rating to the roll. If the roll is less than the defender's protection rating there is no damage. If it's equal to the rating then one plane is damaged and becomes a straggler or if a straggler already exists, that straggler gets shot down. If it's greater than the protection rating then one defender is shot down. The "h" means the unit is vulnerable to head on attacks.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv320%2Fbogaty%2FWL%2520cards_zpsj0gqkmfe.jpg%7Eoriginal&hash=e7d0ddd864a18e19110310dd1086fa6ca0f91051)
These cards are something else! There are like really large counters being thick and not like playing cards at all.
There's history and variant info on the back side.
Turns 1 to 3 were uneventful as neither side was aware of the other and therefore all flights were required to fly straight and level (except for Bart's 1 Staffel of Bf 109s on CAP which are required to circle in square R4). There was a chance for the leading fighter units of both sides to tally the bombers on turn 3, but we both needed 6s on 1d6 and both failed our rolls.
We have both just completed movement for turn 4 and I have made my tally attempts. (Bart hasn't made his yet). My leading squadron of Hurricanes (Sqn H) has spotted the Stukas below him. Unfortunately, each of the British squadrons is on a separate radio net so I can't inform the other Hurricanes of my tally.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv320%2Fbogaty%2FWL%2520turn%25204_zpsmr7zawtw.jpg%7Eoriginal&hash=9fededfc380b52ddc5f444083b988036708b34ad)
Close up view.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv320%2Fbogaty%2FWL%25201st%2520tally_zpstgz0ywcr.jpg%7Eoriginal&hash=346269550d73addb97c65054ba522985ad9d7b45)
Lee's updated the rules. The changes are underlined in the new rulebook.
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/filepage/119168/wing-leader-rulebook-v13 (https://www.boardgamegeek.com/filepage/119168/wing-leader-rulebook-v13)
So...both of my 109's fail to get tallys. >:(
So the escorts fly straight ahead and the Ju87's move forward and down an altitude level.
I still get one last change to React just before his Hurris enter the bombers square. I need to make a successful roll on 2D6....
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft004a_zpsox7evvqs.jpg&hash=8970abdd0c94242a4e29e8be45b469b66135342c)
So SDR's Hurris dive down my poor unsuspecting Ju87's. My escort tries to react but fails and only gets a late react.
Because the Luftwaffe is so awesome at this point in the war, we have tactical flexibility which means I can split my squadron into 2 flights.
I do this and 1 flight chases the Hurris into the combat with the Ju87's while the other flight remains on escort duty.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft004b_zpsgk8egi3p.jpg&hash=a778203cfa1095cdaf0f1d9c2011e2568f982bde)
Sorry for the silly question that I'm sure has been asked and answered elsewhere dozens of times but how does the game handle planes horizontally when they are in the same row? Are they all assumed to be flying at the same radial or does the game have a way to account for placement among an horizontal axis?
They are just in the same area. The squares represent very large pieces of sky. You can be in the same space as enemy planes and not have to combat them. In fact the only way to initiate combat is to have a tally on your target first. Then you need to get in their square to have combat.
Does that help?
Ok so if they're in the same space, they can either be assumed to be within range of one another or not; there's no 3rd axis that's calculated. Right?
Quote from: GJK on September 08, 2015, 07:26:44 AM
Ok so if they're in the same space, they can either be assumed to be within range of one another or not; there's no 3rd axis that's calculated. Right?
That's correct.
My veteran Hurricane squadron (Sqn H) was able to dive in on the Stukas before the 109s could react. As one of Bart's units in the square is a bomber formation, his side automatically becomes the defender but he's allowed to select if he wants his Stukas or his 109s to be the primary combatant. For my part as the attacker, I get to choose whether I want to use hit and run tactics ( boom n' zoom fighting) or engage in a turn fight. If I use turn fighting, our units compare their turn values at this altitude (5 for both the 109s and the Hurricanes). If I use hit and run, we compare our speed values (5 for the 109s vs 4 for the Hurricanes). Normally there'd be no reason for my Hurricanes to choose speed over turn but if one of the defending units in a fight is a bomber formation, they get to add 2 to their defence value when in a turn fight.
I decided to go with a turn fight even though this will give Bart a bonus to his defensive fire roll. Combat results are derived by determining the combat differential between the attacker and the defender and then rolling 2d6 on the appropriate column. As I chose a turn fight, we use our respective turn values and I subtract the defender's value from the attacker's value. As we both have a turn rating of 5, the combat differential initially equals zero. We both get to add +1 because we are both veteran units. Bart suffers a -1 because he's split his squadron into two flights so I end up on the +1 column on the combat differential table and Bart ends up on the -1 column.
Once that's been determined, the combat modifiers have to be applied. In my case I get no bonuses or penalties so I simply roll 2d6 and find the results on the table. I rolled a 10 which means 2 possible hits. I can apply hits as I choose provided that I hit each unit involved at least once before assigning any additional hits. As I only got 2 hits, I have to assign one to the 109s and one to the Stukas.
Next I roll to see what damage I did. I do this by rolling 1d6, adding my Hurricane's firepower value of 1, and comparing this result to the defender's protection rating. The is no damage if my roll is less than the protection rating. If it's equal to the protection rating then one of the defenders becomes a straggler. If it's greater than the protection rating, it is a kill.
I rolled against the 109s first and they have a protection rating of 4. I rolled a 1, plus 1 for my firepower giving me a total of 2 which wasn't enough to do any damage.
Next I rolled against the Stukas which have a rating of 3. I rolled a 5 +1 for a 6 which knocks down one of the Stukas.
Now it's Bart's turn to fire back. He rolls on the -1 combat differential column but gets a +2 to the dice roll for bombers defending in a turning fight.
Quote from: Barthheart on September 08, 2015, 07:48:31 AM
Quote from: GJK on September 08, 2015, 07:26:44 AM
Ok so if they're in the same space, they can either be assumed to be within range of one another or not; there's no 3rd axis that's calculated. Right?
That's correct.
I'm really enjoying this AAR. This game looks great in Vassal!
Glad you're enjoying it. It's fun to play against another person for a change. O0
My combat roll is a 6 +2 for bombers in a turning fight = 8. This equates to 1 possible hit.
I roll 1D6 +1 for my firepower and get 4 total, against his protection of 4 means I cause a straggler. This is a plane that has minor damage. If another result later gives another straggler then it changes to a loss.
So SDR downs a Ju87 and I damage a Hurri. Not a fair exchange. >:(
Here's what my Wing Display shows after the combat results:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft004c_zpsxustx8dt.jpg&hash=461cb2988349c6fb6a0149983e967c2a764c9dff)
And here's SDR's:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft004d_zpsdpk9xahq.jpg&hash=a486889221bef62534460917aa8958472eb12122)
We both get low ammo markers for our fighters after shooting. This will affect our cohesion rolls in later combats.
For now we roll for cohesion after combat. My 109's need to roll a 7 or better on 2D6. I get a +1 because they are Vets. I roll 11+1 makes 12 so I easily keep my shit together.
The Ju87's only need to roll 5 or better, because their bombers so cooler I guess, but I get a -1 for the loss suffered in combat. I roll 7-1 make 6 and keep it together as well.
Back to SDR for his cohesion roll.
I'll post this question here rather than playing email tag with the .vlogs.
My Hurricanes also passed their cohesion roll but failed in their attempt to evade the dogfight that your 109s were pressing for. Therefore H squadron's tally switches from the Stukas to the 109s.
Before I advance the turn to turn 5 and the arrival of more dirty Huns, do you want to try to use CGI to try and assign a vector to the 109s flying CAP in R4? I think you'll need a 6 on 1d6 to do so due to radio clutter on your net from the combat and dogfight.
Nah, I'll try for the tally.
OK, I'll advance the turn, do my stuff and then send it on.
Things look bad for the RAF.
The two hurricane squadrons that were in position to intercept the Stukas have both been drawn into fights with the 109 escorts. Even worse, both hurricanes are on the defensive.
The unescorted Blenheims have been spotted by the 109 staffel flying CAP over the target bridge and are about to get jumped. The Stukas now have a clear run at our tanks and troops and if those first two Ju-87s somehow manage to miss, a second group has shown up with escorts in tow.
Dirty Jerry rotters!
A flight of 109s got the better of our Hurricanes in G squadron after a high speed head on pass. They managed to knock down one Hurricane for no losses.
Our second group of Hurricanes in H squadron were hoping to stay on the Stukas but Bart's other flight of 109s managed to pull them into a turning dogfight and got them on the defensive where our reliance on the tight Vic flying formation is a hindrance. Sometimes luck just isn't on your side. Bart's 109s missed but I rolled well and scored 2 possible hits only to have them both bounce off the 109's armor. This depleted the squadron's ammunition and the formation is also disrupted.
The 109s flying CAP over the bridge tallied the Blenheims and dove down but didn't engage. They're maneuvering to try and hit the Blenheims from the rear and out of the sun. Just not sporting, what?
Here's a view of the action described by SDR. Both my 109 flights keep their heads about them and are trying start and maintain dogfights with his Hurri's to keep them off the Ju87's lining up for their bombing run. Keep in mind that the 109 flights are only 4 aircraft while the Hurricane squadrons are 11 and 12 aircraft strong.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft005a_zpsz7njibgh.jpg&hash=538813f82fb28f728b74d1eb635f7b96c8f305ab)
At the other end of the battlefield, my 109's line up to pounce on the Blenheim Bombers before they get to the bridge... if I'm unsuccessful there's always the flak for final protection. Plus my second wave of Ju87's have entered the map with escort.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft005b_zpsgkutlksr.jpg&hash=57a3359928fca669785ace21681809f011c08d73)
And a look at our Wing status displays at the end of turn 5...
Germans:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft005c_zpsfhxckmum.jpg&hash=07d9535af0447fe64f1fda6a736fe8259e3eaaf7)
Brits:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft005d_zpsabrfx7nc.jpg&hash=96f4a17c753c35734383eb265c153eb71534a638)
I definitely should have gone into a Lufbery with the high squad.
Both sides could do with a little more gunnery practice.
My Blenheims managed to keep Bart's 109s at bay for the most part. He damaged one bomber but had one of his Emil's damaged in return.
The high level dogfight in H7 saw a lot of tracers flying through the air from both sides but nobody managed to score a hit.
The furball between the Hurricanes and 109s in G4 was a little more exciting. They moved into F3. The Hurricanes managed to down a 109 but then the squadron got spread out as the pilots lost situational awareness. The squadron is now broken and out of ammo and they're running for home.
So the end of turn 6 is here and this is what we have:
My bombers about to start their bomb runs on the French Army units, while SDR's bomber continue to plow forward.
One dogfight broken up as the Hurri's scurry and I'm trying to continue to tie up the other squadron.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft006a_zpshemrmwsm.jpg&hash=10051aadfa1c370d51fab7f5aa0c39dcceea45ad)
On the other side of the map SDR's Blenheim's are about to start their bomb run while I try again to blast them for the sky.
Also my flak should see some action this turn. ^-^
Above all that move of our glorious forces are stream west to do some follow up bombing.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft006b_zpspelvffms.jpg&hash=a37701ba0d39da099b87f63c1595a7ae0c72bfba)
The Wing displays look like this:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft006c_zpsef3ok5ro.jpg&hash=fca1c69ae4600f99744173b8c618b463f6c65557)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft006d_zps5nd1gndd.jpg&hash=f4383755b817cbd5fa7d05391df3ce1f40e32fe3)
From these we can see that SDR is actually winning at this point with 2 VP's, one for each of the 109 and Ju87.
My score is only 1 for the single Hurricane shot down. This coming turn I hope to get lots morefrom bombing.....
With my Hurricanes broken and running for home, Bart's Stukas have a clear run at the French troops and tanks. The ground troops throw up some volleys of small arms fire but unsurprisingly fail to score any hits.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv320%2Fbogaty%2Fstuka1_zpsxusuvx8q.jpg%7Eoriginal&hash=2c39a6970ec9216239db8d1544a44e4384fc019e)
On the other side of the map, the Blenheims continue on towards their target. They're unescorted and about to receive a visit from some Bf 109s just as they start their attack run against the bridge.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv320%2Fbogaty%2FBlenheim1_zpswgxxfuex.jpg%7Eoriginal&hash=e5a7d894d9ddbbb3041e40e91073dca1484e2274)
Both my Ju87's do their job well and 50% of each of their bomb loads hit the targets. This heavily damages each and nets me +3VP for he tanks and +2VP for the troops..
At the other end of the map, my heavy flak takes a shot at the trailing Blenheim squadron and misses.
The 109's however have better luck and shoot down the straggler and another bomber in the forward group. O0
My guys have pretty shaky nerves. The lead Blenheim squadron got disrupted after Bart knocked two of them out of the sky.
They managed to hit nothing in return.
The high alt dogfight between my Hurricanes and the 109s continues. I managed to score a kill but our ammo is depleted and we'll probably end up breaking for home this turn.
Well, the good news is my Hurricanes didn't break but they didn't manage to do much good either. They somehow managed to chase down the fleeing 109s, get them in a turn fight and only damage one.
The Blenheim bombers braved a wall of flak while trying to bomb the bridge. Bart's guns swatted 3 of them out of the sky and threw their aim off. The leading squadron managed to drop their bombs on target but didn't do any damage to the bridge. The trailing squad is lining up for their attack run now.
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on September 02, 2015, 01:12:00 PM
The more I see of this game the more I want it. Will be eagerly reading this AAR. Thanks, gents. O0
It's superb..and plays well solo.
So here we are at the start of turn 9. The top most 109 flight has broken and is trying to flee off the map while being harassed by SDR's Hurricane squadron.
There's a bit of a mix up in F4 as my 109 flight makes a climbing attack on some Battle bombers and some Hurricanes join the fun.
Down low my Ju87's are making their way home after a successful dive bombing run.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft009a_zps2zhndhep.jpg&hash=1916116da540c4e4c78c2ecce9007acd75cac38f)
On this end of the map, more Ju87's continue toward their target with a 109 squadron above and behind as escort.
A squadron of 109's is circling in R6 waiting for good targets.
The lower squadron of 109's is just waiting for the Blenheims to clear the flak before diving back in.
Flak getting ready for next targets.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft009b_zpsmkwsfbj1.jpg&hash=fc26b58cafc5aada13245744a59a949695156e2b)
And a look at the state of our forces at the start of turn 9:
My glorious forces:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft009c_zpswbheb8ty.jpg&hash=74ec0ba952650a7271c8ae71957dbe079aa74a66)
and SDR's ratty RAF:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft009d_zpspwo5otfg.jpg&hash=c2405055033a0bf26ece24ee041920e354b7434b)
Argh! My 109 dive out of the sun on to a group of lumbering Blenheim's and total wiff on the shot. :tickedoff:
My Flak defending the bridge dose marginally better by only causing a cohesion check on the bombers dropping bombs on the bridge. :buck2:
Sad... just sad.....
I managed to slightly dent a stop sign on your bridge and scratch a little paint. Victory!
Turn 10 was almost uneventful.... until my 109s caught up with some Blenheims after they bombed my bridge. O0
Here's what the skies look like now.
Over the British troops my Stukas are running for home, while his evil Hurris attack my fleeing 109s.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft010a_zps4y5nkjle.jpg&hash=d8c8cfaf5c7eaec0ccad512ebdea8da7757e5446)
Over my bridge my 109s exact revenge on the Blenheims for scratching the paint on my beautiful bridge.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft010b_zpsfjjjedeo.jpg&hash=9ee7bdd8a333b33f3bc291e0318fc1f37bff1a74)
And the Wing cards tell of the carnage...
German
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft010c_zpscbjmyo69.jpg&hash=06d3e9b762d4af87013f61b62f5bca56286a5c30)
British
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft010d_zpshhdh4iui.jpg&hash=7f306e0f9db62e52e7b19c0b76db95b32fca32d1)
Still more bombers from each side moving in for the kill and a few fighters still buzzing about to defend them.
It's now turn 12 and things are thinning out. SDR's Battles have dropped their loads early and are scooting for home after being tallyed by fresh 109 squadrons.... probably a good choice.
The 109s are going to try and run them down anyway. My last 2 ju87s are still on route for a final bombing run.
Both side are pretty beat up after much dogfighting and bomber bouncing.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft012a_zpssaa4czav.jpg&hash=290c4226272427523af09f64701d0ca1a73b8d74)
German wing status:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft012b_zpsg3pl6nmm.jpg&hash=82aa792de1d35057ce3aff1afed030ca5fd16107)
British wing status:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1294.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb613%2Fbarthheart%2Ft012c_zpsb4d13hpo.jpg&hash=d13322f9280ae5ee2252420135013b9dc3161646)
If my bombing runs are poor it might be close on points for who wins!
I think the Battles are in for a lot of pain. Having that last Hurricane squadron break due to loss of cohesion after bouncing the Stukas meant the Battles lost what little fighter cover there was and now have to face two fresh flights of 109s. I'm running them back home and have them down on the deck in a tight formation. Hopefully they can at least knock down a few 109s and drive them off quickly. These Battles are very fragile though.
Sorry for the lack of updates folks. The map got pretty static so there wasn't a lot to update via screenshots.
My Fairey Battles had no escort and didn't fancy braving a dozen or so Bf109s plus heavy flak so they jettisoned their bombs early and ran for home. They just didn't run fast enough and the 109s caught them and knocked a few out of the sky.
The only bright spot as far as the Allies were concerned was the stalwart defence of the ground troops. They managed to down 4 Stukas with small arms fire and prevented the dive bombers from doing too much damage.
Bart pulled off a German victory with a final points differential of +16 in his favour (30 German VP versus 14 British). Killing 7 Blenheims definitely tipped the balance as each one of those was worth 2VP compared to 1VP for every other type of aircraft in this scenario
Good job Bart! Next up, the Pacific.
Great game SDR. O0
This scenario really did a good job of showing the differences in the 2 air forces at the time, the Luft's flexibility vs the RAF ridged adherence to doctrine.
Great fun.