The Dambuster Raid Design by Jeremy White

The Dambuster Raid design by Jeremy White

7.3 Move Phase 24 rule book 7.4 Navigation Check Phase 25 table of contents 7.5 Place Hazards Phase 26 1.0 Introduction 2 7.6 Evade Hazards Phase 26 2.0 Assets 3 7.7 Resolve Hazards Phase 27 PART 1: ATTACK 7.8 Target Acquisition Phase 30 3.0 Target Maps 7 7.9 Target Map Phase 30 4.0 Sequence of Phases - Attack Turn 8 7.10 Clean-up 32 4.1 Run Phase 8 PART 3: TRAINING & PLANNING 4.2 Approach & Release Seq. 8 8.0 Mission Planning Blotter 33 4.3 Circling Phase 14 9.0 Groundcrew 33 4.4 Status Phase 14 10.0 Sequence of Play -- Planning Turn 34 5.0 Ending the Game 17 10.1Requisitions Phase 34 5.1 Return to Base (RTB) 17 10.2Security Phase 35 5.2 Morning Reconnaissance 18 10.3Training Phase 36 5.3 Outcomes 18 10.4Modifications Phase 38 PART 2: FLIGHT 10.5Recon Phase 40 6.0 Flight Map 18 11.0 Flight Preparation 40 7.0 Sequence of Play -- Flight Turn 21 12.0 Surprise Check 44 7.1 Coordination Phase 21 13.0 Jinx 45 7.2 Wireless Phase 23 14.0 Optional Rule -- High Altitude 45

GMT Games, LLC P.O. Box 1308, Hanford, CA 93232-1308 www.GMTGames.com 2 Enemy Coast Ahead 1.0 INTRODUCTION On the night of May 16-17, 1943, the Royal Air Force attacked Germany’s dams. The Dam- buster Raid simulates that action. “MOST SECRET: Operation Chastise [stop] Immedi- NEWBIES ate attack of targets We suggest you learn the game by setting up one of the Attack Scenarios, such as Scenario 5 ‘X’, ‘Y’, ‘Z’ approved (it has a special variant just for beginners). Set up information can be found in the Scenario [stop] Execute at first Book, and to play, use the player aid card to guide you through the sequence of phases (the suitable opportunity [stop]” card to use is the one labeled A1 to A14; it has Attack Turn information on it). Outgoing cypher message from Air 1.1 Rules Ministry, Whitehall to Headquarters, This book describes the rules of the game. Rules are numbered and cross-references to Bomber Command, RAF, May 15, other rules are listed [in square brackets]. Examples appear off to the side in the margin, as 1943. do historical and design notes (but these are in shaded boxes).

The rules are presented in three sections. This introduction [1.0 and 2.0] and Part 1 [3.0 to 5.0] presents everything you need to play Scenarios 1-5. Part 2 adds the flight rules, and combined with Part 1 will tell you everything you need to play Scenarios 6-9. Part 3 ex- Avro Lancaster type III, plains the additional rules necessary to play Scenario 10 (the campaign game). Provisioning 1.2 Scenario Book Historical notes, set up information and Debriefing Charts for the scenarios are included in a separate Scenario Book. There are ten scenarios in The Dambuster Raid, plus combina- tions and variants. 1.3 Players The Dambuster Raid is a solitaire game. You play the role of the British squadron commander, and sometimes the game asks you to assume other roles too.

Multi-Player Games: The game may also be played with two or three players, either coop- eratively or competitively. Special rules for group play can be found in the Scenario Book [p.43]. Originally designed to correct the defects of the Manchester bomber, the Lancaster 1.4 Scale came into service in 1942. Its initial task Each Lancaster marker represents a single Lancaster, and each Aircrew marker represents was mine-laying along the German- occupied coast of the North Sea. The the seven men operating the aircraft. Some Elite Crewmen are singled out, represented by machine was capable of carrying a bom- individual markers. The specially engineered mine - codenamed Upkeep - is also repre- bload weighing as much as 10,000lbs, or sented by its own marker. Each Planning Turn represents approximately two weeks, each more, and would ultimately become the Flight Turn represents an hour, and each Attack Turn represents seven or eight minutes workhorse of RAF Bomber Command. (eight Attack Turns are nested inside a single Flight Turn). Despite its impressive capacity and horsepower, to carry but a single specially engineered mine, codenamed “Upkeep”, 1.5 Component List required the removal of the Lancaster’s A complete game of Enemy Coast Ahead: The Dambuster Raid contains the following com- top turret and dismantling of some of its ponents: armor. One Rule Book One Scenario Book One 22” x 34” map Three 11” x 17” player aid cards (double-sided) One 11” x 25.5” player aid card (double-sided) Two 8.5” x 11” player aid cards (double-sided) One half sheet of 1” playing pieces (35) One and a half sheets of 5/8” playing pieces (264) Four six-sided dice 1.6 Mapsheet The game map is organized in three sections. The leftmost section is the Mission Planning Blotter (explained in Part 3 of the rules), while the rightmost section presents the Target Maps and each dam’s Status Record Track (explained in Part 1 and used in all scenarios). The center section is the Flight Map (explained in Part 2 and used for Scenarios 6-10).

Dambuster Raid 3 1.7 Player Aid Cards refers to information The three 11x17 player aid cards carry regularly accessed information, including the charts (table or chart) on a A1 and tables necessary for playing the game. Each card is dedicated to a part of the rules: at- player aid card tack, flight and planning, and each is organized by the sequence of play. The three-panel player aid (11 x 25.5) includes a flow chart which may help you understand how the vari- ous sequences fit together. Although a game of this complexity will necessitate dipping into Attack Turns A the Rule Book from time to time, these cards present that information in short and graphic form, hopefully reducing the number of visits you make to this manual. Flight Turns F 1.8 Squadron Log Instead of using the markers provided, players may prefer to keep track of the condition of Planning Turns P the Lancasters with pencil and paper. Two log sheets are provided at the back of the Sce- nario Book for that purpose. You may use either one, and may copy them. End Game E 2.0 ASSETS A variety of 1” and 5/8” square playing pieces (also called markers or counters) are used to play the game. They represent the aircraft, crewmen and ordnance at your disposal. Others identification (AJ-F) allow you to keep track of a variety of functions during the game. nationality of pilot (if not Great Britain) 2.1 Lancaster Australia (Lancaster type III 464, Provisioning) New Zealand Individual Lancasters are represented by 1 inch squares, referred to in these rules inter- changeably as “Lancaster(s)”, “bomber(s)” and “aircraft”. Canada USA 1 The numeral in the lower right-hand corner of the marker is used only in Scenario 10 (it is the requisition cost), and the letters at the top of the marker (for example, “AJ-F”) is the historical pilot Lancaster’s identification sign. The name at the bottom left is for informational purposes requisition cost (flavor text), indicating the historical pilot’s last name, and the number or word on the back (Scenario 10 only) of the counter is also for historical interest (it is the time of the aircraft’s return to Scamp- ton, or its fate as known at the time of the raid).

2.1.1 Damage to Lancasters The front of the Lancaster marker is its undamaged side, the back is its damaged side (damage is caused when the Lancaster suffers a “hit” by either Flak [4.2.4] or Hazards [7.7]). Once damaged, a Lancaster marker should be flipped over so that its damage side is face identification A up. A Lancaster may never become un-damaged during the game (in Scenario 10, however, -1 historical return time 0533 during the Modifications Phase, aircraft damaged in training can be repaired [10.4.5]). A or fate (e.g. 0533 hours) damaged Lancaster that suffers damage again is destroyed and removed from play.

release modifier 2.1.2 Attachments to Lancasters [see 4.2.13 step 3] Aircrew, Upkeep, and Elite Crewmen “attach” to the Lancaster markers when they are assigned to a Lancaster. An easy way to indicate attachment is to literally stack them on the Lancaster marker, or keep them adjacent, or use the Squadron Log and a pencil. Attach- ment happens at set up, or in Scenario 10 at the end of the Flight Preparation Sequence before the first Flight Turn [Sortie, 11.5]. Once attached, those markers must remain attached to their aircraft throughout the game. Upkeep is an obvious exception: remove the Upkeep marker from the Lancaster when it is released against its target [4.2.5, 4.2.9, 4.2.12]; or as an adverse result during the Resolve Hazards Phase of a Flight Turn [Crash, 7.7.2e]). Once assigned, attachments may not be transferred to another aircraft (Scenario 10 exception: the Jinx transfers to another Lancaster [see 13.1]).

Aircrew 2.1.3 Hazards as Attachments Veteran aircrews were those who en- dured two or more tours of duty, Sea- During the Resolve Hazards Phase of a Flight Turn, it is possible for a revealed Hazard soned aircrews had at least one tour, marker to be attached to an aircraft. Once attached, the marker may not be removed. If the and Green crews had less than one. Lancaster is destroyed, place the Hazard marker back in the cup (exception: Delayed Sortie These terms are relative and there were [7.7.3f]). There is no limit to the number of Hazard markers that may be attached to the no “sprogs” in 617 Squadron, all had same aircraft (their effects are cumulative). flight and combat experience of one kind or another. 2.2 Aircrew The seven men operating a Lancaster are represented here by 5/8 inch markers rated ac- Green Seasoned Veteran aircrew aircrew aircrew cording to experience type, as noted on the counter: Veteran, Seasoned, and Green. 1 2 3 Each Lancaster on the Target Map or Flight Map must have an Aircrew marker attached to it. During Flight and Attack Turns an aircraft may not be in play without an attached © 2014 GMT Games, LLC

4 Enemy Coast Ahead aircrew, and no aircrew may be in the game without attachment to an aircraft. If the aircraft is destroyed during a Flight or Attack Turn, so is the attached aircrew.

The single-digit number on the Aircrew marker is used only in Scenario 10 (it is the requisition cost, explained in Part 3).

2.3 Elite Crewmen These represent individual crewmen who distinguished themselves during previous mis- sions or training for this mission. Each provides a benefit to the Lancaster he is attached to. Elite Crewmen

An Elite Crewman must be attached to an aircraft, and no aircraft may have more than one y Elite Crewman attached to it (exception: the Jinx in Scenario 10 [13.0]). Unlike Aircrew markers, an aircraft need not have an Elite Crewman at all; it may operate in the game without it. Once assigned, an Elite Crewman must remain attached to its aircraft throughout the game, and is destroyed if its aircraft is destroyed. It was the designer’s original intention to represent each and every airman in Elite Crewmen Effects: One side of the Elite Crewman marker indicates its beneficial 617 Squadron who was decorated prior effect. Unless noted otherwise, the effect applies only to the Elite Crewman’s Lancaster. In to the Dambuster Raid or as a result many cases, the effect may only be used once (this is indicated on the marker), and to sig- of it, but the completed design nixed that aim for the sake of playability and nify that it has been used, flip the marker over so that the name and face of the crewman is cost. As a small token to the player who face up (or make a note on the Squadron Log). Even after being flipped, an Elite Crewman would appreciate such representation, a still influences its Lancaster’s ability to Return to Base [5.1]. complete list of decorated crewmen and their awards are provided at the back of The special effects, or benefits, of each Elite Crewman are explained below: this book.

2.3.1 Bomb-Aimer +1 Release Modifier – Add 1 as a modifier to the release during the Release Sequence A12 [4.2.13 step 3]. release modifier (positive numbers are good) 2.3.2 Engineer +1 Speed Chit – During step 2 of the Approach Sequence, draw an extra Speed chit [4.2.2]. A2 A11 It has no effect during the Release Sequence; that is, it may not be used during the Final +1 Speed Check [4.2.13 step 2]. This is a permanent benefit.

2.3.3 Front Gunner Gunnery -1 – Subtract 1 from the die roll when performing Gunnery using the front gun- A5 nery [4.2.8 & 4.2.11 & 4.2.13 step 5]. This is a permanent benefit. Gunnery is the only game 2.3.4 Wing Commander function where negative numbers are good You may re-roll one or more dice. You may do this only if the roll directly affects the Elite Crewman’s Lancaster. However, if on the Flight Map and attached to a Wave Leader [6.7.5], you may use this benefit if the roll directly affects ANY bomber in the wave. Regardless of how it is used, the Wing Commander benefit may only be used once per game.

2.3.5 Navigator There are four types, each with a unique benefit: Navigation Check +1 – Add 1 as a dice roll modifier when you make Navigation Checks for this Lancaster [7.4.1]. If making a check for a wave and this Elite Crewman is attached F4 to the Wave Leader, you may use this benefit too. This is a permanent benefit.

+1 Altitude Chit – During step 3 of the Approach Sequence, draw an extra Altitude chit A3 A10 [4.2.3] (it has no effect during the Release Sequence; that is, it may not be used during the Final Altitude Check [4.2.13]). This is a permanent benefit.

2.3.6 Pilot Each marker has a unique benefit: Approach Vector – Roll two dice instead of one when making an Approach Vector Check, and select the most favorable die [rule 4.2.1, the table is printed on the map].

Ignore Damage – When the Elite Crewman’s Lancaster suffers damage [2.1.1], you may choose to ignore it (you must make this decision immediately). This benefit may be used only once each game.

Dambuster Raid 5 Weave & Jink – Remove an unrevealed Hazard marker during the Evade Hazards Phase of F6 the Flight Turn [7.6.2]. If in a wave, this Elite Crewman’s benefit may be used to remove a hazard from the Wave marker. Only one Hazard marker may be removed, and only once per game. It may not be used to evade hazards in the English Coast or North Sea Zones.

Ignore Map Error – You may remove one Map Error marker from the Elite Crewman’s map error aircraft. This benefit may be used anytime, but only once each game.

A5 2.3.7 Rear Gunner Gunnery -1 – Subtract 1 as a die roll modifier when you make a Gunnery Check when using rear gunnery [4.2.11 Balloons, 4.2.13 step 6]. This is a permanent benefit.

2.3.8 Wireless Operator F2 Three Dice – During the Wireless Phase of a Flight Turn, when you perform Wireless Telegraphy, you may roll three dice instead of two [7.2.1]. After rolling, select two of the dice and then apply the result. If in a wave, this benefit applies to the Wave Leader even if not attached to the Wave Leader’s Lancaster. This benefit is permanent. If the elite wireless operator’s Lancaster has a Broken Radio attachment, you may not use this benefit.

2.3.9 Armorer, Jinx, and Spy P4 These three Elite Crewman markers are used only in Scenario 10 and are explained in Part 3 of the rules [Armorer 9.4, Jinx 13.0, Spy 10.2.3].

2.4 Upkeep (ordnance, aka the “bouncing bomb”) In Scenarios 1-9, scenario instructions will tell you which Lancasters must start with an Upkeep marker as an attachment. In Scenario 10 attachment happens during the Flight Preparation Sequence [11.5]. Only one Upkeep marker may be attached to a Lancaster, and once attached, may not be transferred to another Lancaster. When selecting an Upkeep “Bouncing Bomb” marker for attachment, pick it randomly and do not peek at its damage side. Codenamed “Upkeep,” the specially- engineered mine was a most unusual The back, or “damage side” of the Upkeep marker must remain hidden throughout the ordnance. Designed to be dropped low game, and may be revealed ONLY during the Detonation Result step during the Status from the belly of a bomber, it was sup- Phase of an Attack Turn [4.4.4], or when you perform Morning Reconnaissance at the posed to literally skip across a dam’s reservoir, bounce over lines of torpedo end of the game [5.2]. Even when an Upkeep marker is removed from play (for example, netting, hit the lip of the dam wall, and because the aircraft carrying it is destroyed), you may NOT peek at the damage side of the then sink before exploding. marker.

odds 2.4.1 Evens & Odds There are two numbers printed on the back of the marker, an odd number above an even

evens number. When you resolve damage inflicted on a dam from a successful release [4.4.4], you A14 will apply one of the two numbers as determined by a die roll: if the roll is even, apply the even number, and if odd, apply the odd number. 2.5 Wave A Wave marker (1 inch square) serves as a placeholder on the mapsheet for multiple aircraft. When you form a wave, find a convenient place for the Lancaster markers and their attachments on your gaming table (you are welcome to use the Wave Holding Boxes player aid cards). An aircraft in a wave is considered to move wherever the Wave marker moves.

On the Target Map, the Wave marker’s only purpose is to mark the location of multiple aircraft sharing the same space, and you may “create” or “dissolve” Waves at any time while on the Target Map. In fact, the use of Wave markers is not mandatory on the Target Map at all; use them only as a convenient method of handling the aircraft and their attachments. tan pink approach release The use of Waves on the Flight Map is more strict (in Scenarios 6-10). They are explained in Part 2 of the rules [6.7]. speed 2.6 Approach & Release Chits These fourteen chits are used during the Approach & Release Sequence of the Attack Turn, allowing you to determine the speed and altitude of a Lancaster. Half are Speed chits and half Altitude chits (you will need to keep them in separate opaque cups). The pink “release” altitude side is used only when the Lancaster is in the Release Box [4.2.13] while the tan “approach” side is used when the Lancaster is in the Far, Near and Close Zones of the Approach [4.2].

6 Enemy Coast Ahead These chits are drawn randomly and blindly from a cup and reused each time altitude or A2 A3 A10 A11 speed must be checked during the Approach & Release Sequence. 2.7 Dam Defense Level Markers Use these to keep track of the status of each dam’s defenses. There are three categories of FLAK Search defense: Flak, Searchlights, and Balloons. Place the markers on the dam’s Status Record lights Track to record the current Defense Level as indicated by the Scenario Book. Ba -4 2.8 Very Light Flare Markers On the back of the Flak and Searchlights markers are Very Light Flare markers. Most likely Dam Defenses you will not require all eight Flak and all eight Searchlights markers (if you do, surrender), Except for one dam, 617 so you are free to use the extras as Very Light Flare markers. Squadron attacked undefended targets (the success of the raid On the Flight Map: A flare may be fired during the Coordination Phase [7.1.1] of a depended on it). Balloons and Flight Turn. Place the marker on the Lancaster that fired it, or on its Wave marker. These searchlights will not be used markers are removed from the Flight Map during the Resolve Hazards Phase [7.7]. except in Scenario 10 or the follow-up raid to Scenario 9. (That’s when you’ll be mutter- On the Target Map: A flare may be fired by any Lancaster during the Circling Phase of ing to yourself, “dang those darn an Attack Turn [4.3.1]. Place the marker on the Attack Turn Track, and check for flare re- dam defenses.”) moval at the end of each Status Phase [4.4.5]. It may also be fired during an Uncoordinated Entry into a Target Map at the start of a dam attack [7.9.4]. 2.9 Water Level Markers Place this marker on the dam’s Status Record Track to record the dam’s current Water Level: Rising, High, or Full. In Scenarios 1-9 all Water Levels will be Full, but in Scenario water 10 they may vary. level 2.10 Recon & Activity Level Markers Record the amount of reconnaissance that has been performed prior to the raid, referred 12 8 h to as the “Recon Level,” by using the Recon Level marker. Hostile Flight Zones have Recon Level Tracks (Scenarios 6-10) while each dam has a Status Record Track (all scenarios). Record the Recon Level by placing the marker on the appropriate space on the track. Refer to the Scenario Book for Recon Levels at the start of the game. The other side of the Recon Level marker is used only for resolving a Surprise Check in Scenario 10, and is explained This example shows the Activity Level at 0 in Part 3 [12.0]. (zero) and the Recon Level at 2.

Activity Level: Use the Activity Level marker to record the aggressive actions of your bombers at the dam (all scenarios) [see 4.4.3]. It influences Nightfighter Checks. 2.11 Hazard Markers Hazard markers are used only in Scenarios 6-10, explained in Part 2 of the rules [7.5, 7.6, F5 7.7]. F6 2.12 Primary & Secondary Target Markers F7 These are intended to designate a wave’s Primary and Secondary Targets. They are used only in Scenarios 6-10 and are explained in Part 2 [6.4.1 & 6.4.2]. 2.13 Mission Planning Blotter Markers A number of markers are needed to keep track of your decisions and the effects of those decisions on the Mission Planning Blotter. They are described in Part 3 of the rules [10.0]. 2.14 Groundcrew These 1” markers are used only in the campaign game (Scenario 10), and are explained in P2 Part 3 of the rules [9.0]. 2.15 Dummy Run & Approach Observed Marker This marker is brought into play and attached to an aircraft during the Approach & Release A8 Sequence of an Attack Turn [4.2.5, 4.2.9, 4.2.12, 4.2.13 step 3]. The marker may be used in a subsequent turn. A13

2.15.1 Effect Regardless of which side is face up, Dummy Run or Approach Observed, this marker lends the same benefit to the Lancaster it is attached to. You may use it when you draw Altitude

Dambuster Raid 7 or Speed chits during the Approach or Release Sequence, as follows: when drawing chits you may remove the Dummy Run/Approach Observed marker from the Lancaster. This allows you to draw one more chit (either Altitude or Speed). You may use this benefit during Steps 2, 3, 6 or 10 of the Approach Sequence, or Steps 1 or 2 during the Release Sequence.

Clarification -- No Aldis Lights: You may exchange this marker for an Altitude chit even when the Approach Lancaster does not have Aldis Lights on [see 4.2.3 and 4.2.13 step 1].

2.15.2 Removal Besides “trading it in” for a chit [2.15.1], you may remove this marker from a Lancaster at any time. If not removed, it can remain attached indefinitely. P3 2.16 Security Markers Use these only during Scenario 10. When brought into play during the Security Phase of 5 the Planning Turn, place tan-side face-up. The effects of each marker are explained in Part 5 15 3 of the rules [10.2]. Part 1 – Attack 3.0 TARGET MAPS The mapsheet has three vignettes, the Target Maps. Each vignette is organized by spaces (“boxes” and “zones”). Individual aircraft must be in a space, none may be outside a space, or in between spaces. If you have more aircraft (and their attachments) than can reasonably fit in a space, use a Wave marker as a placeholder to reduce clutter. Arrows or text connect the spaces to indicate how a Lancaster may move from one space to another. Those connec- tions are also described here in the Rule Book [4.0 to 4.3].

3.1 Circling Boxes: Near & Far There are two circling boxes, Circling Near and Circling Far. There is no limit to the number of Lancasters that may be inside either space. The Circling Far Box represents airspace far from the dam, beyond visual contact, while the Circling Near Box represents airspace in close proximity to the dam and its reservoir, but beyond flak and effective searchlight range.

The Approach 3.2 Approach (Far, Near, & Close Zones) The Approach is intended to portray (and The “approach” is a line of spaces in the corner of the Target Map, and represents airspace analyze) three key elements in a bomber’s above the reservoir leading to the dam. It is organized into three zones: Far, Near and attack: altitude, speed, and distance from Close. You initiate the Approach & Release Sequence by placing a Lancaster into the Far the dam. During an attack you will strive Zone of the Approach. Note that the Sorpe Target Map has only Far and Close Zones. for the perfect speed and the ideal altitude, adjusting one or more of these before releasing Upkeep at just the right distance from 3.3 Release Box the dam. This box may be accessed from any zone of the Approach, but only by a single Lancaster carrying Upkeep (thus initiating the Release Sequence [4.2.13]). Only 1 Lancaster may enter this box each Attack Turn and its entrance signifies the release of ordnance.

surprise icon [12.0] 3.3.1 Released Upkeep Box (Scenario 10 only) When you place a Lancaster in the Release Box, detach its Upkeep marker and put it in the Water Level and cor- Released Upkeep Box. Do not peek at its damage side. It stays here until you resolve the responding damage release [4.2.13, step 3], at which time you will shift the Upkeep marker to the dam’s Status needed to breach Record Track. [4.4.4] 3.4 Climb Box track space A bomber may only move into this box from the Release Box, and only after releasing Up- (Levels 0-4) (example, Level 2) keep at the conclusion of the Release Sequence [4.2.13]. 3.5 Dam’s Status Record Track On the extreme right of the mapsheet are eight record tracks, each corresponding to one of the target dams. Use the tracks to record the Water Level of each dam’s reservoir, the level of defenses (Flak, Searchlights, and Balloons), the Recon Level, and the Activity Level of your Lancasters at the dam. There are five spaces on the track, ranging from 0 (zero) to four reservoir value (Level 0 to Level 4). You will also place Upkeep markers here [4.2.13 Step 3]. (Scenario 10 only)

8 Enemy Coast Ahead 3.5.1 Reservoir Value (rv) Turn Length Each dam has a corresponding “rv”, or reservoir value. This value corresponds to the res- The debris and spray from a detonation ervoir’s capacity (Eder Dam’s reservoir was the largest, it has the highest rv). This value is prevented aircrews from determining if used only in determining the outcome of Scenario 10 [see the Scenario Book, p.39]. a mine had breached the dam. Visibility returned after five to ten minutes. Sorpe Dam’s rv: The rv of Sorpe Dam is variable. If Möhne Dam is breached, add 1 to Sorpe’s reservoir value. 4.0 SEQUENCE OF PHASES – ATTACK TURN A1 An Attack Turn is comprised of four distinct phases: a Run Phase, an Approach & Release Sequence, a Circling Phase, and a Status Phase. The player aid outlines the steps of the Approach & Release Sequences [A1]. 4.1 RUN PHASE You may move one Lancaster into the Approach from the Circling Near Box, thus initiating the Approach Sequence [Step 1, 4.2.1]. To make a run, the Lancaster MUST have an Upkeep marker attached. If you do not place a Lancaster in the Approach Box, skip the Approach & Release Sequence and proceed directly to the Circling Phase.

4.1.1 Start in the Far Zone The Lancaster may only enter the Approach at the Far Zone.

4.1.2 Escort Up to two other Lancasters in the Circling Near Box may “escort” the Approach Lancaster. The escorts must be placed in the Escort space(s) next to the Approach in the Far Zone. You may only place aircraft in the Escort space if you place one in the Approach. An Escort may NOT have Upkeep attached. AJ-B escorts AJ-A in the Far 4.2 APPROACH & RELEASE SEQUENCE Zone The Approach & Release Sequence is triggered when you move a Lancaster into the Ap- proach Box during the Run Phase. If the Approach is empty, skip this phase and go on to the Circling Phase. Perform the release portion of the sequence only if you end the Ap- proach portion by moving a Lancaster into the Release Box. Perform the sequence in steps: 4.2.1 -- Step 1 -- Approach Vector Check Roll one die and refer to the Approach Vector Check table on the mapsheet (it is next to the Attack Turn Track). The results will not have immediate effect, but they will influence the next two steps of the sequence. The table is organized in columns that correspond to the dams, while its rows correspond to the Recon Level at that dam. At each intersection of column and row is a yellow box. Find the result in that box. Example -- Approach Vector Check: In Sce- nario 3 which takes place over Sorpe Dam, you will use the Sorpe column and the num- Clear or Fog? If visibility is Clear, use only the top results, but if Fog, use ALL results in ber “2” row (because the Recon Level is 2). the box. You roll a 4, and let’s say visibility is Clear, so the result is S. But let’s say visibility is Fog; In Scenarios 1-5, starting visibility is determined by the scenario instructions, but in 6-10 in that case the result is S and A, or SA. But...you fired a Very Light Flare in a previ- it is determined during the Target Map Phase of a Flight Turn when transferring Lancast- ous turn (it sits on the Attack Turn Track), ers to the Target Map [7.9.5]. In all scenarios visibility is checked during the Status Phase so you ignore the A result. of some Attack Turns [noted on the Attack Turn Track printed on the map; also see 4.4.1]. Approach Vector Check? Explanation of results... Picture the Lancaster dropping into the valley of the reservoir as it initiates its at- S – Draw 1 less Speed chit when you check speed during Step 2 of the Approach Sequence tack. The result of the check represents [4.2.2]. the crew’s attempt to quickly find an approach to the target. By the time you complete this step the pilot and bomb- A – Draw 1 less Altitude chit when you check altitude during Step 3 of the Approach Se- aimer can see the dam dead-ahead and quence [4.2.3]. Each Very Light Flare marker on the Attack Turn Track nullifies 1A result. have about ten seconds to adjust speed and altitude before releasing the mine. Tactical information about the dams M – Suffer a -1 modifier when you perform the Michelskopf check after releasing Upkeep and surrounding terrain was imperfect. during Step 4 of the Release Sequence [4.2.13]. This result is possible only at Eder Dam. Wing Commander Guy Gibson noted that prior to the raid, recon planes flew Results are cumulative. Thus, anSS means you must deduct two from the number of a circuitous route in the proximity of the Speed chits you are permitted to draw during Step 2. targets so not to tip-off the enemy.

Dambuster Raid 9 A2 4.2.2 -- Step 2 – Check Speed Draw a number of Speed chits allowed by the aircrew’s Altitude & Speed Training Level (recorded on the Mission Planning Blotter on the extreme left of the mapsheet; the Sce- nario Book indicates what the Training Levels are [p.2]).

Look at the tan approach side of the chits. It’s okay to look at the pink “release” side as well, but during the Approach Sequence you only use the “approach” side. The pink side is used only during release [4.2.13]. Use Training Level markers and the Mission Planning Blotter to note the Training Levels. Modifiers: Alter the number of Speed chits you may draw according to the Lancaster’s attachments (if any) and by the result of the Approach Vector Check (from Step 1). The Example -- Speed chits: in Scenario 1 the Al- modifiers are indicated on the player aid card, and on the attachments themselves. titude & Speed Training Level of Veteran aircrews is 5, which means 3 Speed chits may be drawn by a Veteran aircrew in the Approach Drawing Zero Chits: If modifiers reduce the number of chits to zero, you may not draw Box. any Speed chits during the entirety of the Approach & Release Sequence (including Steps 6 and 10 of the Approach Sequence, and Step 2 of the Release Sequence). The exception is the Dummy Run/Approach Observed marker.

Dummy Run? Dummy Run/Approach Observed Marker: If the Lancaster has this marker attached, you may exchange it for a Speed chit even if you were not permitted to draw chits due to “Dummy Run” was modifiers [see 2.15.1, and player aid A8 & A13]. If you elect to trade in your Dummy Run the phrase used by Sgt. G.L. Johnson, or Approach Observed marker for an extra chit, you must still end this step with only a the bomb-aimer in AJ-T. It was the bomb- single Speed chit (see “Keep One” below). aimer’s task to release the bouncing bomb at precisely the correct moment when al- Keep One: If you draw two or more Speed chits, keep the best one and put the rest back titude, speed, angle of approach and distance from the dam were perfect. Quite in the cup. Place the one you keep in the Speed space in the Far Zone of the Approach (or often it wasn’t perfect and the bomb-aimer just set it aside in a handy spot). The “best one” will have the highest chit value (3 is the shouted “dummy run” and the pilot pulled highest and zero the lowest). up. A3 4.2.3 -- Step 3 – Check Altitude Repeat Step 2 except draw Altitude chits instead of Speed chits. The number you must draw is determined by the aircrew’s Altitude & Speed Training Level modified by attachments and the result from the Approach Vector Check (from Step 1) [see player aid, A3].

No Aldis Lights: You may only draw Altitude chits if the Lancaster has its Aldis Lights Aldis Lights on. This means that if the hazard “No Aldis Lights” is attached to the Lancaster (Scenarios 6-10 only), you may not draw Altitude chits. You may also voluntarily choose to approach Barnes Wallis engineered the mine to be dropped at 60 feet, a dam without using Aldis Lights, which has the same effect as the No Aldis Lights hazard, an altitude too precise for mea- but you must make this decision before drawing chits. Once on or off, the lights stay on or surement by altimeter. The British devised off for the duration of the Approach & Release Sequence of the current Attack Turn. (Even a simple technique to solve that problem. with Aldis Lights off, you may use the Dummy Run/Approached Observed benefit to draw They equipped the belly of the Lancaster with a pair of Aldis signal lamps, one near an Altitude chit [2.15.1]). the nose the other further back, each ori- ented so their beams would intersect at ex- Sorpe and Bever Dams: Aldis Lights (or the lack of them) have no effect at these dams. actly a distance of 60 feet. Aldis Lamps were originally developed by the Royal Navy prior to A4 4.2.4 -- Step 4 – Flak Check the Great War. If the Flak Level is 0 (zero), skip this step. If the Flak Level is 1 or greater, refer to the Flak Check table on the player aid card [A4], and roll 2 dice (or 3 for lights, see “How Many Dice?” below).

Procedure – Flak Check: The Flak Check table is organized in columns, each corresponding to a Flak Level (each dam’s Flak Level is determined by set up instructions in Sce- narios 1-9, and by Recon in Scenario 10). A range of numbers is located in each column. This is the “to hit” range. Roll the dice, and if the sum of the numbers rolled falls within the range, the Lancaster is hit (and thus damaged [see 2.1.1]). If the sum does not fall within Example -- Flak Check: In the column corresponding to Flak Level 2, the to-hit range the range, no hit is scored. There are no modifiers. If hit, you may attempt to avoid the hit is “3-5.” If you roll two dice (say, a 2 and a 3, by Evasive Action (EA) [see below]. adding to 5), a hit is scored. If you roll a 3 and 4, adding to 7, no hit is scored. If you roll a 1 How Many Dice? If the Lancaster has its Aldis Lights on, or if the dam’s Searchlights and a 1, adding to 2, no hit is scored (but it is doubles, so you roll again). Level is 1 or higher, roll three dice and select the two most lethal. If there are no Search- lights and the Lancaster does not have Aldis Lights on, roll two dice. You never roll 4 dice.

10 Enemy Coast Ahead pens in Step 3 [4.2.3]. At Sorpe and Bever Dams, Aldis Lights have no effect, on or off.

“Lethal”: If rolling three dice, choose the pair that will result in a hit (the pair of dice you choose is called the “kept dice”). If no combination of dice results in a hit, keep the two dice that are doubles, if any (e.g., a 2 and a 2).

Doubles: If you rolled doubles, roll again. If you scored a hit with the first two dice, that Doubles? hit must be applied before rolling again. If rolling three dice, consider only the kept dice. Repeat as many times as you roll doubles or until the Lancaster is destroyed. Also, if the This represents German gunners chasing Lancaster attempts Evasive Action, do not roll again (EA cancels the “doubles” effect). your Lancaster with tracers.

Applying the Hit: A “hit” renders a Lancaster damaged [see 2.1.1]. A hit on the Target Example -- Flak: If the Flak Level is 4 and the Map may be applied to the Approach Lancaster or its escort (your choice). On the Flight Lancaster has its Aldis Lights on, you will roll Map a hit may only be applied to the Lancaster that the Flak hazard was assigned to [7.5 three dice. Let’s say you roll a 4 and a 1 and a 1. The 4 and the 1 add to 5, which falls with- & 7.7]. in the to-hit range of numbers in the flak’s 4-level column (5-7), so a hit is scored. Al- Critical Hit: If a hit is scored, and the sum of dice is 7, you score an automatic second hit though you rolled two 1’s (doubles), you did and the Lancaster is destroyed. (If rolling 3 dice, count only the kept dice.) If the bomber not keep both 1’s, so you do not roll again. (Had the Flak Level been 1, you would have was already damaged, the Lancaster is destroyed and one other Lancaster in the Approach needed a 2, 3, or 4, so a hit would have been or Escort space (if any) is also damaged. If on the Flight Map during the Resolve Hazards scored and the doubles would have counted. Phase, the excess must be applied to another Lancaster in the wave (if any). Note that a The 1 and the 1 would have been your kept Critical Hit is possible only if the Flak Level is 4 or 5. dice.)

Evasive Action (EA): If hit, a Lancaster may attempt to avoid the hit by Evasive Action. Example -- Evasive Action: The Flak Level at (This applies to a Critical Hit too, and if the evasion fails and another Lancaster suffers Möhne Dam is 2, and during the Run Phase you bravely move a Lancaster into the Ap- damage, it too may attempt EA to avoid the excess hit.) proach and another into the Escort space. With Aldis Lights on, you roll three dice, get- EA -- Procedure: If this is an Attack Turn and the hit is about to be applied to the Ap- ting a 2, 3 and 6. The range needed to score proach Lancaster, you may evade only by forfeiting either your Speed chit or your Altitude a hit is 3-5, so you must determine if a pair falls within that range, and it does (the 2 and chit: put the chit back in the cup (to perform EA, you must have a chit to forfeit). If the the 3 add to 5). A hit is scored. You decide to evading aircraft is an escort, it may take Evasive Action only by immediately moving to apply it to the escort, and then you make the the Circling Near Box (no chit is forfeited). If the evading Lancaster is on the Flight Map decision to let that Lancaster attempt evasive (during the Resolve Hazards Phase), move the Lancaster to the Missing Box. After forfeit- action. You move it to the Circling Near Box ing the approach chit or moving the evading Lancaster, make an Evasive Action Check and roll a die: if you roll an EVEN number the Lancaster will escape the hit, but if you (EA Check). Attempting EA automatically ends the “doubles” effect (see ”Doubles” above). roll ODD it will be hit despite the evasion. EA Check: Roll one die to determine if the hit was avoided: if the result is EVEN, the hit is not applied (it was avoided successfully). If ODD, the hit must be applied despite the evasion.

Empty Approach: If the Approach Box is empty at the end of Step 4 and only escorts remain, you may continue the Approach Sequence but only to perform Flak Checks and Gunnery in the Near and Close Zones. Bombers may never move from the Escort space to the Release or Climb Boxes, nor from the Escort space to an Approach Box. 4.2.5 -- Step 5 – Release, Proceed or Pull Up? After resolving Flak you have three choices: release Upkeep, proceed into the Near Zone, or pull up.

Release Upkeep? If you choose to release now, place the Lancaster in the Release Box, detach the Upkeep marker and place it in the Released Upkeep Box next to it, and initiate the Release Sequence [4.2.13]. Return escorts (if any) to the Circling Near Box (they pull up). Releasing from the Far Zone incurs the EARLY RELEASE PENALTY, an adverse modifier when you resolve Step 3 of the Release Sequence. If playing Scenario 10 (or the follow-up raid to Scenario 9) and there is a Balloons marker in the Close Zone, you avoid denotes Early Release penalty that hazard by releasing from the Far or Near Zones.

Pull Up? If you choose to pull up, place the Dummy Run marker on the Approach Lan- Pull Up? caster as a temporary attachment [see 2.15] (an escort may not earn the Dummy Run Pulling up now will give your marker). Then, place the Lancaster, and its escorts (if any) in the Circling Near Box. This aircrew an advantage when it ends the Approach & Release Sequence; proceed to the Circling Phase [4.3]. makes another run.

Proceed Nearer? Your Lancaster may move into the Near Zone (if this is Sorpe or Bever

Dambuster Raid 11 Example -- Adjustment [4.2.6]: Let’s say your Dam, where there is no Near Zone, the Lancaster proceeds into the Close Zone instead). Approach Lancaster begins Step 6 of the Ap- Slide the Lancaster into the Near Zone and perform Step 6 (if Bever or Sorpe, step 10). proach Sequence with both an Altitude and a Speed chit. And let’s say you choose to adjust Escorts may slide forward as well, or pull up (but Escorts may not earn the Dummy Run the Speed chit, so you draw one from the cup marker). and compare it to the one you already have. You then choose the better one to keep and 4.2.6 -- Step 6 – Adjustment (Near Zone) put the other back in the cup. If you also had the Dummy Run marker you could exchange You may adjust Altitude or Speed (you may adjust one, but not both), by replacing the chit it for another chit (Speed or Altitude), let’s with a new one. You must already have a chit to replace. You may also use the Dummy say another Speed chit. So now you draw 2 Run or Approach Observed marker at this time if the Approach Lancaster has it attached Speed chits and compare them to the one you [2.15.1] (you may do so either immediately before or after looking at the new chit; in either already have, keeping only one of the three. case, you must end this step with no more than one Speed chit and one Altitude chit). Re- But let’s say you started this step with only a Speed chit and no Altitude chit. In that case, turn excess chits to their respective cups. you could not draw an altitude chit during this step, only a Speed chit. However, if the Procedure -- Adjustment: To adjust Altitude or Speed, draw a new chit. You may draw Approach Lancaster had the Dummy Run/ only 1 chit (this number is not modified but you may use the Dummy Run/Approach Ob- Approach Observed marker attached, you could trade it in for an Altitude Chit (or a served marker now too). Compare it to the chit you already have, then choose one to keep Speed chit), and then immediately “adjust” and put the other back in the cup. it -- that is, draw another Altitude chit, comparing it to the first chit, A4 4.2.7 -- Step 7 – Flak selecting one to keep and putting If the dam has a Flak Level of 1 or greater, perform a Flak Check (repeat the process de- the other back in the cup. scribed in Step 4 [4.2.4]). 4.2.8 -- Step 8 – Gunnery Gunners A5 Your Approach Lancaster and its escorts (if any) may attack the dam’s defenses, each tar- Ordinarily the front gunner was also geting ONE of the dam’s defense categories (each Lancaster may target the same, or differ- the bomb-aimer, but the top turret gunner was shifted to the front gun, allowing the ent, category): Flak, Searchlights, or Balloons (Balloons and Searchlights are possible only bomb-aimer complete devotion to timing in Scenario 10 or the follow-up raid in Scenario 9). A targeted category must be at Level 1 the release of the mine. This shift also made or higher (for Balloons, there must be a Balloons marker in the Close Zone or Climb Box). sense because of the low-altitude frontal Resolve the attack(s) one Lancaster at a time. approach to the dam, giving the front gunner plenty to do as the Lancaster careened towards its target. Procedure – Gunnery: Select a Lancaster and a defense category, then roll a die. Sub- tract 1 from the die roll if the appropriate elite gunner is attached to the aircraft. If equal to Example -- Gunnery: In Scenario 1 the Flak or less than the Defense Level, you score a hit. A hit reduces that level by 1. To score a hit Level at Möhne Dam is 3. To attack it with against a Balloons marker, you must roll a 1 (or less), and the hit removes the marker from gunnery you roll a die. Let’s say you rolled a 1, which is less than the Flak Level, so you play. The Approach Lancaster and its escorts (if any) do not have to target the same defense reduce that Flak Level to 2. category or Balloons marker.

Example -- One Hit Max: Even if the ap- One Hit Max: Each targeted defense category may only be reduced a maximum of 1 level proach bomber and its escort make successful gunnery attacks against Flak, the Flak each time this step is performed, regardless of the number of Lancasters that score a hit. Level is only reduced by 1. Had one targeted another category, such as Searchlights, then Front or Rear Gunner? Every Lancaster is manned by front and rear gunners, you do there was the possibility of reducing both the not need elite gunners to attack. When a Lancaster is in the Near and Close Zones, only the Flak and Searchlights level. Front Gunner may attack. Only rear gunners may attack when in the Climb Box. In both cases, balloons present an exception:

Gunnery & Balloons Balloons in the Close Zone: A Balloons marker in the Close Zone may be attacked by front gunnery when the Lancaster is in the Near and Close Zones, and by rear gunnery V when the Lancaster is in the Close Zone or the Climb Box. [See 4.2.8, 4.2.11, 4.2.13 step 6.] Climb Box REAR GUNNER Close Zone Near Zone Balloons in the Climb Box: A Balloons marker in the Climb Box may be attacked by front Release Step 6 FRONT & REAR FRONT GUNNER Approach Step 11 Approach Step 8 gunnery when a Lancaster is in the Near or Close Zones, or when it is in the Climb Box. It may also be attacked by a rear gunner when the Lancaster is in the Climb Box [4.2.8, 4.2.11, 4.2.13 steps 5 & 6]. V

Climb Box 4.2.9 -- Step 9 – Release, Proceed or Pull Up? FRONT & REAR Close Zone Near Zone You have three choices again: release Upkeep, move the bomber forward into the Close Release Steps 5 & 6 FRONT GUNNER FRONT GUNNER Approach Step 11 Approach Step 8 Zone, or pull up. If entering the Close Zone, proceed to Step 10. If it releases, proceed to Step 1 of the Release Sequence [4.2.13]. If it pulls up, move to Circling Near [see 4.2.5].

A4 4.2.10 -- Step 10 – Adjustment, and Flak (Close Zone) If the Approach Lancaster moves into the Close Zone, perform the same procedure described for the Near Zone, steps 6-7.

12 Enemy Coast Ahead 4.2.11 -- Step 11 –Gunnery...and Balloons? Perform the same procedure described in Step 8 (Gunnery), and again, only front gunners A5 F7 may attack (for now).

Balloons: After Gunnery, if playing Scenario 10 (or the follow-up raid in Scenario 9) and a Balloons marker is in the Close Zone, the Approach Lancaster must resolve the Balloons hazard [as described in 7.7.3a]. Escorts are not affected by the hazard (they automatically evade it). Finally, the Approach Lancaster and its escort may attack the Balloons marker with Rear Gunnery [as per 4.2.8, player aid A5]. 4.2.12 -- Step 12 – Release or Pull-Up The Approach Lancaster must either proceed into the Release Box (and thus initiate the Release Sequence [4.2.13]), or pull up and return to the Circling Near Box, thus ending the Approach & Release Sequence (if it pulls up, place the Dummy Run marker on the Lan- caster). Regardless of your choice, all escorting aircraft, if any, must return to the Circling Near Box.

Late Release: If the Lancaster enters the Release Box from the Close Zone, it must make A9 a Late Release Check to determine if there was an adverse effect to letting go of Upkeep too close to the target, or if it garners a benefit because the timing was “Spot on!”

Procedure -- Late Release Check: Roll a die and apply the result indicated by the table Too Late or Perfect Timing? printed on the player aid card [A9]. The Close Zone represents a desperate moment that may either be a second too Results explained -- Late Release... late or perhaps just right. If you roll 1-3, a negative modifier (indicated on the table) must be applied during Step 3 of the Release Sequence (a marker is provided as a mnemonic; use it as a temporary attachment until you conclude the Release Sequence). It means the release was botched and most likely induced an extra bounce or incurred some other detriment. If you roll 4-5 there is no effect, but if you roll a 6 you earn a +1 modifier (“Spot on!”) that will be applied during Step 3 of the Release Sequence [4.2.13]. The ‘M’ result applies only to Eder Dam and takes effect only when the Lancaster is about to enter the Climb Box [4.2.13 step 4]. 4.2.13 Release Sequence The Release Sequence is initiated when the Approach Lancaster enters the Release Box (as the result of a choice you make during the Approach Sequence [4.2.5, 4.2.9, or 4.2.12]). Only the Approach Lancaster may enter the Release Box. Escorting aircraft, if any, must return to the Circling Near Box (they pull up, but Escorts may not earn the Dummy Run marker).

Release Step 1 – Final Altitude Check To determine the Lancaster’s Altitude at the point of release, draw a number of Altitude A10 Example -- Final Altitude Check: RELEASE chits indicated by the Altitude approach chit you already have. If you don’t have a Lancaster enters the Release Box from the Near Zone. The Altitude chit an approach chit, you may not draw release chits. You may use the Dummy Run/Approach selected during the Approach Sequence Observed marker now if attached to the bomber [2.15.1]. [4.2.3] indicates that the Lancaster’s altitude is 60ft – the marker reads “3 chits.” There are no modifiers to this final check of altitude, draw only the number indicated on Thus, the player draws 3 Altitude chits the Altitude approach chit. (If you don’t have an approach chit, you don’t draw release chits; from the cup, and looks at their pink “release” side. He elects to use the Dummy but you may use the Dummy Run/Approach Observed marker now [2.15.1].) Look at the Run benefit too, so draws a total of PINK side of the chits. Select one Altitude release chit, and put the rest back in the cup. 4 chits. He selects one and p u t s Finally, put the Approach chit back in the cup. the rest back in the cup.

Release Step 2 – Final Speed Check Repeat step 1, drawing Speed chits instead of Altitude chits. You may do Steps 1 & 2 simul- A11 taneously. Release Step 3 – RELEASE! indicates the number Tally all release modifiers into a single aggregate modifier, and roll 2 dice: if the modified A12 of release chits you draw sum of the numbers rolled is 15 or higher (after adding the aggregate modifier), the release is successful. If lower, it fails. If the modified dice roll is 10 or lower, it fails and results in a concussion to the Lancaster. The modifiers and results are explained below.

Dambuster Raid 13 Example -- Release Step 3: You slide AJ-M Modifiers(in alphabetical order)… from the Near Zone into the Release Box, release modifier detaching the Upkeep marker and placing it Altitude release chit: Add the number on the chit; into the Released Upkeep Box. You take stock of the modifiers: AJ-M is damaged so that’s a -1 modifier, but you have an elite bomb- Early release penalty: Subtract 2 if the Lancaster entered the Release Box directly from the aimer attached so that’s a +1. The aircrew is Far Zone of the Approach [4.2.5] (this modifier is printed in the Far Zone space); veteran and its Bomb-Aiming and Release Training Level is 5 which gives you a +2. Your Altitude release chit is +4 and your Speed chit Elite Bomb-Aimer: Add +1 if this Elite Crewman is attached to the aircraft; is +3 for another +7. Altogether you add 9 to your dice roll (pretty good). You roll a pair of Faulty Release: Subtract 1 if this Hazard marker is attached; dice, a 3 and a 4 (adds to 7), and then add the aggregate release modifier (+9), for a total of Lancaster is Damaged: Subtract 1 if the bomber is damaged; 16. A successful release! Late Release: Subtract 1 or 2 if the aircraft suffered a late release penalty, or add 1 if the release is “Spot on!” [4.2.12]; A missing -1 No Moon: Subtract 1 if the raid was launched on Planning Turn 2 or 4 (this applies only to Scenario 10 and its follow-up raid);

Searchlights: If the dam has a Searchlights Defense Level of 1 or greater, subtract 4;

Speed release chit: Add the number on the chit;

Training: Add the aircrew’s Bomb-Aiming & Release Training Level modifier (indicated on the Mission Planning Blotter). In Scenario 10, this modifier applies only if you com- no damage side pleted Cockpit modifications [10.4.4]. Results explained... SUCCESS: Upkeep detonates successfully and damages the dam. Place the Upkeep marker on the left or “damage” side of the dam’s Status Record Track. Do not flip the marker over yet (you will do that during the Status Phase [4.4.4, player aid A14]). damage side FAILURE: Upkeep is released and detonates, but does not damage the dam. Place the Up- keep marker on the “no damage” end of the dam’s record track. Do not peek at the damage side of the marker.

Approach Observed A13 CONCUSSION: This result is the same as “failure” above, plus the Lancaster is damaged At Eder especially, speed was difficult [2.1.1]. The “concussion” result represents a complete botch: the mine struck the airplane, or to maintain. The approach across the its detonation damaged it, or the bomber clipped the dam’s structure...etc. reservoir involved hopping over a hill and a castle, and this little maneuver played havoc with speed control. Pilot Approach Observed: If the result is Failure or Concussion, you may place the Approach officer Knight of AJ-N observed AJ-Z’s Observed marker on a Lancaster in the Circling Near Box as an attachment. You may do so muffed attack, and while circling he de- even if the marker (or the Dummy Run marker) is already attached to another Lancaster vised a slightly altered approach vector. Instead of a straight on approach, he (simply transfer it) [2.15.2]. steered around the steepest part of the Hammerberg rather than hop over. It Release Step 4 – Climb worked. AJ-N was credited with breach- Return Altitude and Speed release chits back to their respective cups. Move the Lancaster ing the Eder Dam, its pilot awarded a from the Release Box to the Climb Box. However, if this is Eder Dam, the Lancaster must DSO while its navigator and bomb-aimer were awarded DFCs. pass the Michelskopf Check first. Four months later Knight and his crew died in action over Germany. Eder Dam – Michelskopf Check: If this is Eder Dam, before moving the Lancaster to the Climb Box, roll two dice and refer to the Michelskopf table on the Target Map. If the sum of the numbers rolled is 3 or less, the Lancaster collides against the hill (see “Impact” below). Modify the sum by the following: Michelskopf -1 if the Lancaster entered the Release Box from the Near Zone (note the “M” Although Eder Dam was undefended icon in the Near Zone space); (except by torpedo netting), the steep hill behind the dam made it a difficult -1 for each “M” icon earned as the result of a Late Release Check [Step 12, 4.2.12]; target. -1 for each Release chit with the “M” icon, and for an ‘M’ result during the Approach Vector Check [Step 1, 4.2.1]. ‘M’ denotes the Michelskopf modifier Results explained -- Michelskopf... (-1) Impact: If the modified result is “impact,” the Lancaster fails to negotiate the steep face of © 2014 GMT Games, LLC

14 Enemy Coast Ahead the Michelskopf. It is destroyed.

Climb: The Lancaster proceeds to the Climb Box without harm. Release Step 5 – Flak and Balloons If the Flak Level is 1 or greater, make a Flak Check [4.2.4]. If Aldis Lights were on during A4 F7 Approach & Release they are still on, in which case you must make the Flak Check with three dice. Then, if a Balloons marker is in the Climb Box, your front gunner may attack it [Gunnery, A5; see 4.2.8]. Finally, if a Balloons marker is in the Climb Box you must make a Balloons Check [see 7.7.3a].

Release Step 6 – Rear Gunnery The aircraft’s rear gunner may use gunnery to attack one of the dam’s defense categories A5 [4.2.8], including Balloons if present in the Close Zone or the Climb Box.

Release Step 7 – End The Release Sequence is over. Proceed to the Circling Phase [4.3].

4.3 CIRCLING PHASE You may, and sometimes must, move your aircraft on the Target Map during this phase. They may also fire Very Light Flares [4.3.1]. The following applies:

Circling Near to Far, or, Far to Near: Lancasters in either circling box MAY move to the other circling box.

Climb Box: A Lancaster in the Climb Box MUST move to the Circling Near Box. It may not move to the Circling Far Box this phase, nor may it Return to Base.

No Upkeep: Lancasters not carrying Upkeep MAY exit the Target Map. To be able to do Example -- No Upkeep RTB: A Lancaster this the Lancaster must start the Circling Phase in one of the circling boxes. Place exiting is in Ennepe Dam’s Circling Near Box at the start of the Circling Phase. It is not Lancasters in the Return to Base Box on the Flight Map (in the corresponding Flight Zone carrying Upkeep. The player may move [6.3]). the bomber to the RTB Box in the Ruhr Flight Zone. Approach: Lancasters may not enter the Approach during this phase.

Moving is not mandatory: Except for a Lancaster in the Climb Box (and possibly a Lancaster with a Broken Radio), none of your aircraft on the Target Map need to move.

Broken Radio: If a Lancaster has a Broken Radio attachment (possible only in Scenarios 6-10 [7.7.3c]), it MUST move to the Circling Near Box. It may not move from the Circling broken Near to Circling Far. If not carrying Upkeep it MUST move from the Circling Near Box to RADIO each Very Light Flare the RTB Box on the Flight Map [6.3]. marker nullifies 1A Approach Vector result 4.3.1 Very Light Flare A Lancaster that begins and ends this phase in the Circling Near Box may fire a Very Light Flare to mark the Approach. The reason for doing this is to nullify anA result during subsequent Approach Vector Checks [4.2.1]. Place a Very Light Flare marker in the current space of the Attack Turn Track. Only ONE Very Light Flare marker may be placed on the Attack Turn Track each turn.

4.4 STATUS PHASE Perform this phase only if you have one or more bombers on the Target Map. In Scenarios A1 6-10, a Lancaster is not considered to be “on the Target Map” if it is on the Attack Turn Track waiting to enter [this can happen as the result of an Uncoordinated Entry, 7.9.4].

This phase consists of five steps, performed in this order: 4.4.1 Visibility Check On Attack Turns 3, 5, and 7, roll two dice and add the numbers rolled, and then note the re- A1 Use the Visibility marker to de- sult on the Visibility table on the player aid card. Subtract the Visibility modifier indicated note the visibility at the dam. Keep it near or on the Approach on the Flight Turn Track, if appropriate (e.g., on Flight Turn 7, subtract 2 from the Visibil- Vector Check table on the map- ity Check dice roll). In Scenarios 1-5 this modifier will be indicated in the Scenario Book. sheet. © 2014 GMT Games, LLC

Dambuster Raid 15 Results explained -- Visibility Check... Defense Attrition? This represents the effect of detonated mines as well as Clear – This is the default condition. the depletion of ammunition, or mechanical failures that Fog -- Place the Visibility marker “Fog” side-up near the Approach Vector Check table as a might bedevil the Germans. reminder. Fog will have an effect on subsequent Approach Vector Checks [4.2.1]. Example Defense Attrition [4.4.2]: You released Upkeep this turn. A7 4.4.2 Defense Attrition Check Both Flak and Searchlights levels If you released Upkeep this turn, roll a die for each defense category whose level is 1 or are 1 or more, and there is a Bal- higher (and for each Balloons marker, if any). loons marker in both the Close Zone and the Climb Box. You will : Roll a die, if the number rolled is equal to or less than make a total of 4 Defense Attri- Procedure -- Defense Attrition tion Checks. If the Flak Level is 3 the Defense Level, reduce that level by 1. For a Balloons marker, if you roll a 1, remove the and you roll a 1, reduce the Flak marker. This is summarized on the player aid [A7] (it’s the same procedure as Gunnery). Level to 2. Let’s say Searchlights is at Level 1 and you roll a 4, so 4.4.3 Nightfighter Check it remains at 1. You roll a die for A6 each Balloons marker, a 2 for the This is a two-step procedure (refer to the player aid card). First, check to determine if a Climb Box and a 1 for the Close German Nightfighter has been sighted. Then, if sighted, check to determine if it attacks. Zone, and so you remove the one In Scenarios 6-10, Nightfighter Checks are sometimes triggered on the Flight Map during in the Close Zone. the Resolve Hazards Phase [7.7.3l], but the procedure is identical to that explained here.

Example -- Nightfighter Sight- Procedure (Step 1) – Nightfighter Sighted? The “Nightfighter Sighted?” table is -or ed? The Alert Level is 1 and there ganized in columns, each corresponding to the current Alert Level (in Scenarios 1-5, the are no Searchlights. The sighting range is therefore 2-4. You roll Alert Level is determined at set up; see the Scenario Book). There are two rows. Use the a pair of dice and score a 3 and a 4, add- top row if the dam has a Searchlights Defense Level of 1 or greater (possible in Scenario 10 ing to 7, which falls outside the range. No or the follow-up raid in Scenario 9), otherwise use the bottom row (note that Searchlights sighting, which means the sky is clear of does not include Aldis Lights – Aldis Lights, on or off, are irrelevant for this check). (When Nightfighters. Had you rolled a 2 and a 2, a Nightfighter would have been sighted and checking for sighting on the Flight Map in Scenarios 6-10, use the bottom row unless a you would have proceeded to the next step. Searchlights marker has been assigned to the Lancaster or its wave [7.7].) Select the appropriate column and row. A range of numbers is located in each cell of the table. This is the Alert Level 0 1 2 3 “sighted” range. Roll two dice, and if the sum of the numbers rolled falls within the range, Searchlights 2-4 3-5 4-6 5- a Nightfighter has been sighted and you must determine if it attacks (Step 2). If the sum does not fall within the range, the Nightfighter Check ends immediately without a sighting. No 2-3 2-4 3-5 4- Searchlights For Step 2, there are two “Nightfighter Attacks?” procedures, one for use on the Target Map during an Attack Turn, the other for the Flight Map during the Resolve Hazards Phase of a Flight Turn (scenarios 6-10 only). Each is described here:

Example -- “Nightfighter Attacks?”: You Procedure (Step 2) – Nightfighter Attacks? – Target Map: The “Nightfighter At- have yet to release Upkeep or fire a Very tacks?” table is organized in columns and rows. Each column corresponds to an “Activity Light Flare, so the Activity Level is zero. You therefore use the “0” column. A Night- Level” at the dam (see below). There are two rows, a top and a bottom. Use the bottom row fighter is not nearby, so you use the top row. if there is a Nightfighter Nearby marker present from a previous “Nightfighter Attacks?” You roll two dice, a 3 and a 5, adding to 8, Check. Otherwise, use the top row. Locate the appropriate row and column, and roll two and check the result in the far-right column dice. Each cell of the table has three number ranges, stacked vertically. Add the numbers of the table – the result is “vanish.” Either rolled and locate the sum in the appropriate range in the cell. Each range corresponds to a the Nightfighter disappeared without notic- ing your bombers, or the aircrew reporting result located in the far-right column: “vanish,” “nearby,” and “attack.” the sighting was mistaken. Activity Level Example -- Activity Level: Your The Activity Level is the aggregate of four factors: Lancasters released 2 Upkeep thus far and have reduced the - the number of Upkeep markers released at the dam (regardless of success or Flak to 0 (zero) (it started at Flak failure); Level 3). One Lancaster was shot down by - the number of Defense Levels that have been lowered at this dam (by gunnery Flak. The Activity Level is currently at 6. but not by Defense Attrition); The Status Record Track only - the number of Lancasters that have been destroyed at the dam; goes up to 4, so if you use this - the number of Very Light Flare markers currently on the Attack Turn Track. marker, flip it over to denote an Activity Level of 5 or greater. In every case, include only those items in the above list that have taken place at this dam (while the Alert Level affects all dams equally, each dam has its own Activity Level).

Added together, the sum of these factors is the Activity Level. Use pencil and paper to keep track of it, or use the marker provided (place it on the dam’s Status Record Track).

16 Enemy Coast Ahead Results explained -- Nightfighter Sighted…

Vanish: No attack. If a Nightfighter Nearby marker is in play at this dam, remove it.

Nearby: There is no attack, but the sighting has been confirmed. Place a Nightfighter Clarification -- Nearby: No matter how many Nearby marker on the Target Map (or the dam’s Status Record Track) to indicate that a times you get a “Nearby” result, you need only one Nearby marker as a reminder. This Nightfighter is nearby. It remains in play at that dam until a subsequent check results in result represents one or more nightfighters “vanish” or “attack”. sighted nearby. The fog of war in this situation (low altitude at night scanning the sky above Attack: The Nightfighter is no longer “nearby”, it attacks! Select one Lancaster in the Cir- for mid and high altitude aircraft), precludes cling Near Box to be destroyed (remove it). All other Lancasters in the Circling Near Box divulging more information than a generic and vague result such as this. scatter (see below). All Lancasters in the Circling Far box also scatter. Lancasters waiting to enter the Target Map may remain where they are or join those scattering from the Circling Far Box (if this is Scenario 1-5, the attack ends the scenario). If the attack result happens during Scenarios 6-10, the Alert Level will increase at the end of the Flight Turn (during the Clean Up Phase [see 6.6.1]). Remove the Nightfighter Nearby marker (if any).

Scatter -- Target Map: Aircraft in the Circling Near Box immediately move to the Flight Map as independent aircraft (place them in the dam’s Flight Zone; if this happens during Scenarios 1-5, they Return to Base (resolve their fate at the end of the game; this is the same as placing them in the RTB Box). Scattered aircraft in the Circling Far Box also immediately transfer to the Flight Zone, but they do so together as a single wave. Place the Wave marker on its Formation Compromised side.

Procedure – Nightfighter Attacks? – Flight Map: There are three Nightfighter types: Example -- Nightfighter Attacks? - Flight Me109, Me110, and Ju88, each corresponding to a column of the table at the bottom of the Map: You revealed a Me110 during the Re- player aid card [A6]. Locate the appropriate type that matches the nightfighter depicted solve Hazards Phase and when you performed Step 1 of the Nightfighter Check you on the Hazard marker. Roll two dice and add the numbers together. If the sum falls in the determined that indeed a Nightfighter was range of the numbers in the column, the Nightfighter attacks, in which case the affected sighted. So now you locate the number range Lancaster is immediately destroyed, and the Alert Level will increase by 1 (it increases under the Me110 icon at the bottom of the during the Clean Up Phase of the Flight Turn). If that destroyed Lancaster is in a wave, the Nightfighter Attacks? table to note that the range is 4-6. You roll a pair of dice, say a 3 wave scatters (see below). Return the Hazard marker to the cup. and a 6, adding to 9, which falls outside the number range. The Me110 “vanishes.” Had Scatter – Resolve Hazards Phase: If the scatter result happens during the Resolve Haz- you rolled a 3 and a 1 instead, it would have ards Phase of a Flight Turn, the wave becomes Formation Compromised. If already Forma- attacked, immediately destroying one Lan- tion Compromised, ALL aircraft in the wave are now independent aircraft. caster and scattering the others in the wave. 4.4.4 Detonation Result Perform this only if you have an Upkeep marker on the “Damage” end of the dam’s Status A14 Record Track that has yet to be revealed. However, you may perform this now ONLY if you have an aircraft in the Circling Near Box (because somebody has to be there to see it).

Procedure – Detonation Result: Turn the Upkeep marker over to reveal its damage side, and roll a die. There are two numbers printed on the marker, an even number and an odd

odd number. If the die roll is even, apply the even number, and if the number rolled is odd, even apply the odd number. The number applied is the damage inflicted on the dam. If the evens result applied, orient the Upkeep marker so its even number is right side up; if odd, orient the marker so that the odd number is right side up. damage needed to breach Deferring Results: If you do not have at least one Lancaster in the Circling Near Box, DO NOT resolve the detonation result now. Place the Upkeep marker on the Damage end of the dam’s Status Record Track (but do not flip it over to reveal the damage, yet), and resolve the detonation result in the next Status Phase in which you have a Lancaster in the Circling Near Box of this dam. If that never happens, resolve it when the game is over (resolve the damage when you conduct Morning Reconnaissance [5.2]). More than one Upkeep marker may be revealed in the same phase. Example -- Dam Breach: At “Full,” the Möhne Dam requires 6 damage Dam Breach: If the accumulated damage inflicted on a dam equals or exceeds its dam- points to breach, but at “Rising” age capacity, a breach has occurred. Flip the Water Level marker over as a reminder. The it requires 12 damage points. In damage capacity of each dam varies depending upon the Water Level (in Scenarios 1-9 all this example, 7 points of damage has been accumulated. With the dams are Full). Water Level at “Full,” the dam is breached.

Dambuster Raid 17 4.4.5 Very Light Flare Check Conclude the Status Phase by determining if one or more Very Light Flare markers must be removed from the Attack Turn Track (if none are on the track, skip this step).

Example -- Very Light Flare Check: It is Procedure -- Remove Very Light Marker? Roll a die for each marker. If the modi- Turn 7 and you check for a flare fired on fied number rolled is ‘0’ (zero) or less, remove the marker. Modify the number rolled by Turn 3. You roll a die and subtract 4 (because it’s been 4 turns since it was fired). subtracting the number of turns since the marker was placed on the Attack Turn Track. Let’s say you rolled a 2 -- the marker must be removed. 4.4.6 Ending the Attack Turn At the end of the Status Phase, or if the Status Phase was skipped, advance the Attack Turn marker to the next turn space, and commence the next Run Phase [4.1].

Ending Attack Turn 8: Unless instructed otherwise, if playing Scenarios 1-5 and this concludes Attack Turn 8, reset the Attack Turn marker at Attack Turn 1 and continue; but before you start the next Run Phase make a Visibility Check. If playing Scenarios 6-10, see rule 7.9. 5.0 ENDING THE GAME The scenario-specific rules in the Scenario Book establish when the game ends. When the conditions have been satisfied to end the game, you must resolve the fate of returning aircraft [5.1]. You may also have to perform Morning Reconnaissance [5.2]. To interpret the game’s outcome, see the scenario’s “Debriefing Chart” in the Scenario Book.

E1 5.1 RETURN TO BASE Check aircraft in Return to Base (RTB) Boxes to determine if they reach Scampton safely. Each aircraft must be checked separately and completely before checking the next aircraft; do not check waves as a whole. If playing Scenarios 1-5, check all aircraft that were not destroyed, unless the scenario rules instruct otherwise.

Example -- RTB: A damaged bomber in the Procedure -- RTB: Select an aircraft and roll two dice. Modify the sum of the numbers Weser Flight Zone’s RTB Box has an Elite rolled by the modifiers listed on the player aid [E1 and listed below]. Consult the RTB Crewman as an attachment. Its aircrew is Table on the player aid card to determine the result. Veteran but it has a Faulty Merlin attachment as well. Taken altogether, the modifiers aggregate to -2. You roll a pair of dice, let’s say Modifiers… it’s a 7 (subtract the modifiers), for a result +1 if Veteran aircrew; of 5 -- “Lost.” You roll again, applying exactly -1 if Green aircrew; the same modifiers, but refer to the Lost table. Let’s say you roll a 10, subtract the modifiers, +1 if Elite Crewman is attached (any crewman regardless of benefit, even if benefit has for a final result of 8 -- “Returns Damaged.” been used); Since the Lancaster is already damaged, you make one final roll: a 5 -- the Lancaster sur- -1 if Lancaster is damaged; vives the return journey. -1 if Faulty Merlin is attached; -1 if Compass Card marker is attached (apply this modifier only if Upkeep is attached [7.7.3d];

Lost? +2 if RTB Box is in English Coast or North Sea Zone; The fate of several bombers remained un- -1 if RTB Box is in Ruhr zone; known to Bomber Command for years, -2 if RTB Box is in Weser zone; and it was the painstaking work of many -1 if Alert Level is Alarm (apply this modifier only to bombers in hostile zones); historians and amateur enthusiasts, both +1 if the Recon Levels of all hostile Flight Zones add to 7 or more (Scenario 10 only). in Britain and on the Continent, to figure out exactly what happened to them all. In order to simulate this aspect of the fog of 5.1.1 RTB Results explained... war, the game may deliberately leave the player in the dark. Returns Safely: The aircraft returns to Scampton (remove it from play).

E2 Lost: The aircraft does not return (yet). Roll dice again and apply the same modifiers, but apply the results from the LOST TABLE [player aid E2].

5.1.2 Lost Results explained...

M.I.A.: The bomber is destroyed.

Returns Safely: The aircraft returns to Scampton (remove from play).

18 Enemy Coast Ahead Returns Damaged: The aircraft returns to Scampton, but is damaged [2.1.1]. If already damaged, roll a die to see if it returns safely: 1-4 = it does not return (it is destroyed); 5-6 = returns safely (still damaged).

Attacks Target? If playing Scenarios 1-5, or if the Lancaster does not carry Upkeep, the bomber returns to Scampton. If playing Scenarios 6-10 and the Lancaster carries Upkeep, this result means that the crew veered off the intended course but eventually found a dam to attack, or, it made its way back to Britain. Your choice: either the result is “Returns Morning Recon? Assessing damage was difficult at night, Safely” (as described above), or, you play up to 8 Attack Turns at a dam of your choice necessitating several circuits around the (target automatically acquired, uncoordinated entry). When the attack is concluded, place dam. The results were ultimately verified the Lancaster in the Flight Zone’s RTB Box and resolve its Return to Base again [as per 5.1]. the next morning by reconnaissance aircraft. 5.2 MORNING RECONNAISSANCE Example -- Morning Recon: let’s You must conduct a post-game recon check, as follows: roll one die for each successfully E3 say there are two Upkeep mark- detonated Upkeep marker [“success” as per 4.2.13, step 3]. If the result is a 1, subtract 1 ers on Eder Dam’s Status Record damage point. If the result is 2-5 there is no effect. If the result is a 6, add 1 to the Up- Track, a 3 and a 4 (i.e., 3 points of damage keep marker’s damage. Thus, it is possible that a breached dam may not actually have been and 4 points of damage, adding to a total of 7 points of damage which means Eder Dam breached, and one badly damaged may actually have been breached. was breached). During Morning Recon you roll a die for each marker. If you roll a pair Upkeep Not Revealed?: If an Upkeep marker is on the damage end of the Status Record of 1’s, you would subtract one point of dam- Track but has yet to be revealed, flip it and roll a die to determine the damage it inflicts on age from each marker, reducing the dam’s total damage to 5, which would mean your the dam [as per 4.4.4]. Do this BEFORE performing Morning Recon. aircrews were mistaken when they reported that the structure had been breached. If you 5.3 OUTCOMES [Scenario Book] roll only a single 1, you would subtract only After resolving each Lancaster’s return and after performing Morning Recon, use the De- one point of damage, adjusting the total dam- briefing Chart in the Scenario Book to interpret the outcome. Each scenario has its own age to 6 -- the breach is confirmed. chart. Read the chart from left to right, “moving” with your eye from column to column, Outcomes selecting appropriate rows until you determine the result in the rightmost column. Gener- The Debriefing Charts for Scenarios 1-8 ally, the higher your result is located on the page (that is, the higher the row), the more suc- must be read in context. For example, cessful the mission. Many outcomes will also require you to roll a die or dice, especially to when reading Scenario 2’s chart, the out- resolve the fate of aircrew downed over hostile territory, in which case you roll only once, comes assume that the Möhne Dam was already breached. not once for each Lancaster. PART 2 – Flight This part of the game adds the flight from 617 Squadron’s base at Scampton to the dams in Germany. All the rules learned in Part 1 are used here, in addition to the following new rules. This will allow you to play Scenarios 6-9. 6.0 FLIGHT MAP Use the Flight Map to move waves and independent aircraft from their base at Scampton to the target dams. England Flight Zone 6.0.1 Flight Zones The map is organized into six zones: England, English Coast, North Sea, Dutch Coast, and two zones in Germany: Ruhr and Weser. The Dutch Coast and the two Germany zones are hostile zones. Waves and individual aircraft will move from one zone to the next during the Move Phase. Hazard markers and the occasional Very Light Flare marker will also be placed in zones.

No Limit: There is no limit to the number of aircraft, waves or markers that may occupy a zone, and no marker, wave or aircraft may occupy more than one zone at a time.

6.1 FLIGHT TURN TRACK The Flight Turn Track is printed on the mapsheet next to the Flight Map. Each Flight Turn represents approximately one hour of flight time. Some turns are “-1 Visibility” and “-2 Visibility” turns, indicating modifiers that affect Visibility Checks during the Attack Turn [4.4.1]. Visibility during Turn 9 is automatically “Fog” (do not bother rolling on the Vis- visibility ibility table during Turn 9). modifier

6.1.1 Turn 10 -- Game Over Historically, the raid was complete by this time; all surviving aircrews had managed to return to Scampton by then. But just in case your crews are still striving to complete their mission this late, or should we say, early, the following rule applies:

Dambuster Raid 19 The game may not continue beyond Flight Turn 9. All surviving bombers must move immediately to the Return to Base Box in their Flight Zone. Then, resolve their fate on the RTB table [5.1], conduct Morning Recon [5.2], and then check the scenario’s outcome on the Debriefing Chart [5.3]. 6.2 MISSING BOX Each Flight Zone has a Missing Box (except the England Zone). Evasive Action [4.2.4] or a failed Navigation Check [7.4] may require you to designate an independent aircraft as missing, which means you must place it in its Flight Zone’s Missing Box. During the Move Phase, a Lancaster in the Missing Box must remain there. You may only move an aircraft out of this box during the Navigation Check Phase, and only as the result of a successful Navigation Check [7.4]. For the purpose of placing, evading and resolving hazards, an aircraft in a Missing Box is still considered to be in the Flight Zone. Fuel? Some players may find the absence of a fuel rule troubling, but the parameters of 6.2.1 Wave marker in the Missing Box this simulation obviate the need for such Ordinarily Wave markers should not be placed in the Missing Box (because only inde- a rule or set of rules. The Move rules [7.3], pendent aircraft belong there), but you may be tempted to place a Wave marker there as a RTB rule [5.1], and the tight relationship placeholder to reduce clutter. This is allowed, but even if you place a Wave marker in the between Flight Zone and Flight Turn are Missing Box, treat each of its Lancasters as flying independently (this is particularly impor- those parameters. tant during the Place Hazards Phase of the Flight Turn [7.5]). 6.3 RETURN TO BASE (RTB) BOX Each zone has a Return to Base Box (the English Coast and the North Sea Zones share the same RTB Box). When a Lancaster on the Flight Map returns to base, place it in the RTB Box in its Flight Zone. Once in the RTB Box, a Lancaster remains there until the end of the game, at which time its fate is resolved [rule 5.1, player aid E1]. Unlike the Missing Box, Lancasters in a Return to Base Box are NOT affected by Hazard markers in that Flight Zone, nor do they trigger Hazard marker placement. (As far as Hazard markers are concerned, Lancasters in RTB Boxes are invisible). To reduce clutter, you are welcome to use a Wave marker as a placeholder for aircraft in the RTB Box. 6.4 TARGET ACQUISITION BOX Both Germany Flight Zones have Target Acquisition Boxes, each box representing the location of a target dam. The Ennepe, Bever, Henne, Sorpe, and Möhne Dam Target Acquisi- tion Boxes are in the Ruhr zone, while Eder, Diemel and Lister Dams are in the Weser zone. denotes the dam’s Flight These boxes connect the Flight Map to the Target Maps. A Lancaster transfers from the Zone Flight Map to the Target Map via the Target Acquisition Box, and vice versa, during the Target Map Phase of a Flight Turn [7.9], but only after successfully “acquiring” the dam during the Target Acquisition Phase [7.8].

Example -- Primary Target: AJ-A 6.4.1 Primary Targets may be assigned Sorpe Dam as its A “primary target” is the dam that a Lancaster is ordered to attack. All Lancasters carrying Primary Target. While Sorpe is its primary target, no other dam may Upkeep MUST have a Primary Target. A Lancaster may be assigned only ONE Primary be AJ-A’s Primary Target. AJ-W may also be Target at a time. More than one bomber may share the same Primary Target. assigned Sorpe Dam as its Primary Target. Scenario instructions will indicate the targets for each aircraft. Designate the Primary Tar- get with pencil and paper (use the Player Log), or use the Primary Target markers (place each in the appropriate Target Acquisition Box on the dam’s Status Record Track, or in the appropriate space on a Wave Holding Box). Because all Lancasters in a wave must share the same Primary Target [6.7.3], the target markers are identified by wave. (In many scenarios, Primary Target designation is easily remembered without the aid of a note or marker.) 6.4.2 Secondary Targets Each bomber MAY have one Secondary Target (the dam it is ordered to attack after its Pri- a mary Target has been breached). A Lancaster’s Secondary Target, if it has one, may not be the same as the Primary Target. Only one Secondary Target is permitted for each Lancaster. More than one bomber may share the same Secondary Target.

Scenario instructions will indicate the Secondary Targets (if any). Designate the Secondary Target in the same way you designate the Primary Target (i.e., with paper and pencil or the target markers provided).

20 Enemy Coast Ahead 6.4.3 Target of Last Resort The squadron as a whole shares the same Target of Last Resort, designated by placing the marker in a Target Acquisition Box. Scenario instructions indicate the Target of Last Target or Targets? Resort for the squadron. If a Lancaster does not have a Primary Target, the Target of Last The Lancasters of 617 Squad- Resort automatically becomes its Primary Target. If the Target of Last Resort is breached, ron launched with more than you must immediately designate another dam as the Target of Last Resort. one “target of last resort” designated, but here we simplify these targets into a single target designation. If 6.4.4 Changing the Target breached, automatically designating a There are only two ways to change a Primary Target: Wireless Telegraphy or visual confir- new Target of Last Resort is merely equiv- mation that the Primary Target has breached. A Secondary Target may only be changed via alent to aircrews over Germany selecting Wireless Telegraphy. another dam previously designated by Bomber Command. You are welcome to use pencil and paper to individualize the Wireless Telegraphy: See 7.2.1 [player aid F2]. If the transmission is “received”, any un- Target of Last Resort, assigning one or breached dam may be designated a Lancaster’s new Primary or Secondary Target. more Lancaster’s their own targets. Visual Confirmation: During an Attack Turn, a Lancaster achieves visual confirmation if it occupies the Circling Near Box of a breached dam. During a Flight Turn, a Lancaster does so merely by acquiring the breached dam [see Target Acquisition Phase, 7.8]. Visual confirmation that a Primary Target has breached automatically “upgrades” a Lancaster’s Secondary Target -- it becomes the new Primary Target. If the Lancaster does not have a Secondary Target, then the Target of Last Resort automatically becomes the new Primary Target. 6.5 RECON TRACKS Hostile zones (Dutch Coast, Ruhr & Weser) have reconnaissance tracks. At set up you will place a Recon Level marker in each track. The Recon Level will not change during the game (in Scenarios 6-9). The Recon Level is important during the Evade Hazards Phase [7.6], and when your Lancasters attempt to locate a dam [Target Acquisition Phase, see 7.8].

Scenario 10 -- Recon Tracks: The Recon Level starts at 0 (zero), and may increase during the Planning Turn [10.5]. Also, the back of the Recon Level marker with its cryptic symbols and numbers is only used in Scenario 10 [explained in 12.0]. 6.6 ALERT TRACK The Alert Track is located between the North Sea and Dutch Coast zones. Use it to keep track of the current state of German alertness in hostile zones. The Alert Level applies to all hostile zones and dams, but has no effect on the North Sea, English Coast and England Flight Zones (exception if at Level 4 Alarm: see modifiers for RTB Check [5.1]).

In Scenarios 1-5 the Alert Level does not change. In Scenarios 6-10 it can increase.

6.6.1 Increasing the Alert Level The Alert Level influences the number of Increase the Alert Level by 1 when… hazards encountered in hostile zones, as well - a dam is breached, as the likelihood of encountering Nightfight- - a Nightfighter Check results in an Attack [4.4.3]. ers.

One Level Maximum: The Alert Level may only be increased once each Flight Turn. It Example -- Alert Level Increase: Let’s say may only be increased during the end of the Flight Turn, and it may only be increased by you breached two dams and were attacked a total of 1 Level each turn. Use the red side of the Alert Level marker as a reminder that by a Nightfighter during Turn 5 (an eventful turn!). At the end of Flight Turn 5 you will an increase is pending. increase the Alert Level by 1, not by 3. 6.6.2 Decreasing the Alert Level Example -- “Pending”: The Alert Level can never decrease. The only exception is during Scenario 9 or 10 when During the Resolve Hazards Phase one of you launch a follow-up raid [see the Scenario Book]. your Lancasters is destroyed by a Nightfighter. A Nightfighter at- 6.7 Waves on the Flight Map tack demands an increase in the Alert Level, Each wave represents two or more Lancasters flying together in close coordination, sharing but the increase can only happen at the end the same dam as their Primary Target. of the Flight Turn. So, you flip the Alert Level marker to its red side as a reminder for later. 6.7.1 Size Limit: Two or More There is no upper limit to the number of aircraft that may be part of a wave, and the exact number of aircraft in a wave may change during the game. If only one (or fewer) aircraft is in a wave, automatically “dissolve” the wave. The Wave marker may be reused when a new © 2014 GMT Games, LLC

Dambuster Raid 21 wave is formed [7.1 or 7.9.7]. Six Wave markers are included in the game but if you need more, represent waves on the mapsheet by their Wave Leader and make a note of the wave’s composition with pencil and paper. 6.7.2 Formation Compromised The front of a Wave marker is its “good order” side (it is the default condition). The back of the Wave marker is its Formation Compromised side, indicating that aircrews are not flying in close proximity to each other. A wave can become compromised during the Naviga- tion Check Phase [7.4] and the Resolve Hazards Phase [7.7] of a Flight Turn, or as the result of a Nightfighter attack that scatters the aircraft during an Attack Turn [4.4.3]. A wave may be restored to good order during the Coordination Phase of a Flight Turn [7.1.3] or when transferring back to the Flight Map at the end of an attack [7.9.7]. 6.7.3 Waves and Targets Each Lancaster in a wave must share the same Primary Target. If a Lancaster’s Primary Tar- get changes, it may not remain in the wave unless all aircraft in the wave have their Primary Targets changed too (and, to the same dam). Primary Targets may be changed in two ways [explained in 6.4.4]. Also, if a Lancaster in a wave has a Secondary Target, all Lancasters in that wave must share that same Secondary Target. 6.7.4 Changing a Wave’s Composition While on the Flight Map, independent aircraft may not join a wave except by successfully completing a Coordination attempt [7.1.4]. Independent aircraft may combine to form a new wave during the Coordination Phase [7.1.5]. Aircraft may split off from a wave only as a result of a failed Navigation Check [7.4], by designating a new Primary Target during the Wireless Phase [7.2.2], or by performing Evasive Action when resolving Flak [4.2.4]. A Delayed Sortie hazard may force a Lancaster to split off from a wave too [7.7.3f]. You may form waves freely when Lancasters transfer from a Target Map to the Flight Map [7.9.7]. 6.7.5 Wave Leader One Lancaster in a wave must be designated “Wave Leader”. Note the designation with pencil and paper, or use the Wave Leader marker provided (use it as an attachment). If the Wave Leader is destroyed or exits the wave, it remains the de jure leader but you must tem- porarily and immediately assign a new de facto Wave Leader from amongst those remaining in the wave. If and when the de jure leader rejoins the wave, it resumes its former role as Wave Leader. [For Wave Leader without Upkeep, see 7.3 “No Upkeep”.]

7.0 SEQUENCE OF PLAY – FLIGHT TURN Each Flight Turn is played in phases, and the phases must be played in this sequence:

7.1 COORDINATION PHASE By passing Coordination Checks during this phase [7.1.1], you may improve the organiza- tion of your waves. Three types of actions are possible: a. Coordinate Wave – Do this to flip a Formation Compromised wave to its good order side [7.1.3]; b. Join Wave – Do this to add an independent aircraft to a wave [7.1.4]; c. Create Wave – Do this to create a new wave [7.1.5].

These actions are voluntary (in fact, you may skip this phase entirely), but if you choose to attempt one or more actions, consider the following:

Zone by zone: Resolve all actions in one Flight Zone before resolving those in another.

Any order is okay: Actions within a Flight Zone may be performed in any order, but must be performed one at a time.

RTB & Missing Boxes excluded: Aircraft selected to attempt these actions may not be in RTB or Missing Boxes.

22 Enemy Coast Ahead “Broken Radio” and “No VHF” excluded: A Lancaster with a Broken Radio attachment [7.7.3c] may not perform actions during this phase. One Lancaster in a wave with this attachment prohibits the entire wave from attempting actions. In Scenario 10, if you did not install VHF radio sets during the Modifications Phase of the Planning Turn [10.4], you may not perform actions during this phase [see 11.6]. 7.1.1 Coordination Check The success of a coordination action is determined by performing a Coordination Check.

Procedure – Coordination Check: Choose an action (Coordinate Wave, Join Wave, F1 Create Wave), select a wave and/or independent aircraft, and roll two dice. Add the numbers rolled, and compare the modified sum to the WORST aircrew’s Navigation Skill [7.1.2]. If the modified sum of the two dice is equal to or higher than the Navigation Skill of the worst quality aircrew, the action succeeds [see 7.1.3 – 7.1.5 for effects]. If it fails, there is no effect.

Modifiers… Flares? Veteran Leader: Add 1 if the Wave Leader is a Veteran aircrew (this is applicable only On the Flight Map the Very Light Flare marker repre- when a Wave Leader is involved); sents flares as well as tactics intended to attract the at- Very Light Flare: Add 1 if you choose to fire a Very Light Flare. tention of other Lancasters (increased radio chatter for example, or deviations in Firing a Very Light Flare: You may elect to have one of the aircraft fire a Very Light course -- you are welcome to Flare now – place a Very Light Flare marker on it. If a wave is involved, place it on the Wave imagine what you like). This marker. Regardless of the number of Very Light Flare markers, you only add +1 for this may attract the attention of modifier. The Very Light Flare marker remains attached to the aircraft or wave until the the Luftwaffe as well. beginning of the Resolve Hazards Phase, when it is removed [7.7].

7.1.2 Worst Quality Aircrew defined Green is worse than Seasoned, and Seasoned is worse than Veteran. In determining which Clarification -- Worst Aircrew: When at- aircrew is the worst, consider only those involved in the action. tempting a Coordinate Wave action, consider all the Lancasters in the wave. If one happens to have a Green aircrew attached, use its 7.1.3 Coordinate Wave Navigation Skill. If attempting a Create Wave You may attempt a Coordination Check to flip a Formation Compromised wave to its good action, consider the aircrew of the two Lan- order side. A wave may attempt this action only once each Coordination Phase. casters attempting to form a new wave. Or, if performing a Join Wave action, consider the independent Lancaster’s aircrew as well as all Effect -- Coordinate Wave: Flip the Wave marker to its good order side. If the action of the Lancasters in the wave it is attempting fails, the wave remains Formation Compromised. to join. 7.1.4 Join Wave An independent aircraft may attempt a Coordination Check to join a wave. It may attempt this only once per phase, no matter how many waves are in its Flight Zone. Regardless of success or failure, the wave MAY also make a Coordinate Wave attempt this phase [7.1.3], either before or after the Join Wave attempt is resolved.

Requirement: The independent aircraft must share the same Primary Target as the wave it is trying to join (and Secondary Target, if any), and it must be in the same Flight Zone [6.7.3].

Effect -- Join Wave: If the attempt succeeds, the Lancaster is no longer an independent aircraft, it now is part of the wave. If the independent aircraft had a Very Light Flare marker attached, transfer it to the Wave marker (it remains attached until the start of the Resolve Hazards Phase [7.7]). If the attempt fails, the Lancaster remains independent. 7.1.5 Create wave Two independent aircraft in the same Flight Zone may attempt a single Coordination Check to form a new wave (you roll once, not twice). Both must share the same Primary Target (and Secondary, if any). Neither bomber may attempt a Join Wave action this phase.

Effect -- Create Wave: If the attempt succeeds, the Lancasters are now flying in a wave. Remove them to a convenient spot on your gaming table (or Wave Holding Box) and place a new Wave marker in their Flight Zone (on its good order side). Designate one of the Lan-

Dambuster Raid 23 casters as Wave Leader, and place the corresponding Primary Target marker in the appropriate Target Acquisition Box. If one or both of the independent aircraft had a Very Light Flare marker attached, transfer it to the Wave marker (it remains attached until the start of the Resolve Hazards Phase [7.7]). If the attempt fails, the Lancasters remain independent. 7.2 WIRELESS PHASE During this phase you may attempt to change the Primary and/or Secondary Target of your Lancasters. You do this by performing one or more Wireless Telegraphy actions.

This action is voluntary (in fact, you may skip this phase entirely), but if you choose to attempt one or more Wireless Telegraphy actions, consider the following:

Any Lancaster: You may select an independent aircraft or a Lancaster within a wave as the “recipient” of this action. If you select a Lancaster within a wave, and the transmission is “received”, assigning it a new target will immediately remove it from the wave [it immediately becomes an independent aircraft; see 7.2.2].

Wave Leader: If you select a Wave Leader and the transmission is “received”, it allows you to designate a new target for the ENTIRE wave. By attempting to transmit to the Wave Leader on behalf of the entire wave you forgo your right to attempt this action individually for each Lancaster within the wave [see “Once only” below].

Example -- Once Only: If you Once only: You may select each recipient only once each phase. select AJ-A for a Wireless Teleg- raphy action on Turn 3, you may not select it again for this action Broken Radio excluded: You may not perform this action for an aircraft attached with until Turn 4. If it is in a wave, you a Broken Radio marker. If this is attached to an aircraft in a wave, its Lancaster is excluded may not use the Wave Leader to from the wireless attempt. alter the target of the wave as a whole after already attempting Upkeep is mandatory: You may only select a Lancaster carrying Upkeep. The only ex- the action with AJ-A individually. ception is a Wave Leader. Elite Wireless Operator: If the Lancaster selected has this Elite Crewman marker at- Example -- Broken Radio ex- tached, roll three dice instead of two when you perform the Wireless Telegraphy action. cluded: You successfully per- Then choose two of the dice and ignore the third. A Wave Leader may use this ability if an formed a Wireless Telegraphy Elite Wireless Operator is attached to any Lancaster in its wave (unless the elite operator is action and changed the Primary Target of a wave from Eder Dam attached to a Lancaster that also has a Broken Radio attachment). to Ennepe Dam, but one of the four Lancasters in the wave has 7.2.1 Wireless Telegraphy Action a broken radio attachment. That Lancaster can’t adopt Ennepe as its Primary Target but the other F2 Procedure -- Wireless Telegraphy: Select an aircraft or Wave Leader, and roll two dice. three can, and so it immediately Add the numbers of each die to find their sum, and refer to the Wireless Telegraphy table splits off and flies independently for the result. The table is located on the player aid [F2]. as it continues on its way to Eder Dam. Explanation of results...

Received: This is a successful result. You are free to designate any dam as the new Primary or Secondary Target (you may change one or both).

Garbled: Immediately try again; roll two dice but add +1 to the sum. This is cumulative (that is, if you get this result the next roll, add +2 to the third roll).

Misinterpreted: Roll another die (if attempting to change the target of a wave via the Wave Leader, roll separately for each Lancaster in the wave). Apply the result corresponding to the number rolled, as follows:

1 -- the Lancaster is ordered to Return to Base (immediately move it into the RTB Box);

2-3 -- the new Primary Target is the dam with the lowest Recon Level (if a tie for lowest, break the tie by choosing one of them); if already breached, Target of Last Resort instead;

4-5 -- the new Primary Target is the dam with the highest Recon Level (if a tie

24 Enemy Coast Ahead for highest, break the tie by choosing one of them); if already breached, Target of Last Resort instead;

6 -- the new Primary Target is the Target of Last Resort.

A “misinterpreted” result is permanent. You are prohibited from selecting this Lancaster as a recipient during subsequent turns (if this was the Wave Leader, this prohibition extends to all Lancasters in the wave). Use the Misinterpreted marker as a reminder.

Not Received: A new target is not assigned; you may try again next turn. 7.2.2 Splitting a Wave If you successfully assign a new Primary Target to a Lancaster in a wave, the Lancaster may not remain in that wave (all aircraft in a wave must share the same Primary Target [as per 6.7.3]). It immediately becomes an independent aircraft (place the Lancaster in the Flight Zone). If you succeed in doing this for two or more Lancasters in the same Wireless Phase, forcing each to leave the same wave, you may immediately group them into a new wave.

New Wave: To instantly form this new wave, two conditions must be satisfied: first, the Lancasters must have begun the phase in the same wave, and second, their new Primary Target (and Secondary Targets, if any), must be identical. When you form a new wave in this manner, immediately designate one of the Lancasters as the Wave Leader. If the wave they are splitting off from was Formation Compromised, this new wave begins life Forma- tion Compromised as well. 7.3 MOVE PHASE Each aircraft with an Upkeep marker must move to an adjacent Flight Zone towards its F3 Primary Target (that is, towards a Flight Zone containing the Target Acquisition Box of its Primary Target). If already in the Flight Zone with its Primary Target’s Acquisition Box, the aircraft remains in that zone and does not move (it will attempt to locate the dam during the Target Acquisition Phase [7.8]).

Exceptions…

RTB Box: An aircraft in an RTB Box does not move. It remains in the box until the end of the game [see 5.1]. RTB allowed Missing Box: An aircraft in the Missing Box does not move. It must attempt to leave the box during the Navigation Check Phase [7.4].

Damaged Lancaster, Faulty Merlin, Broken Radio, No Aldis Lights: A damaged aircraft, or an aircraft attached with a Faulty Merlin, No Aldis Lights or Broken Radio Hazard marker, MAY move into the RTB Box instead of towards the Primary Target, at the player’s discretion. It may not do this if in the Missing Box or RTB Box.

Delayed Sortie: An aircraft with a Delayed Sortie hazard may not move this turn (not even into the RTB Box). If in a wave, it breaks out of the wave and flies independently Delayed Sortie? (while the wave moves). Remove the Delayed Sortie marker at the end of the Move Phase AJ-T took off late. In fact, (remove it from play, do not put it back in the cup). McCarthy and his crew were supposed to fly a different Flight Turn 7 or later: Starting on Flight Turn 7, you MAY move an independent aircraft Lancaster, but engine trouble just before take-off sent them scrambling into AJ-T or wave towards the Target of Last Resort instead of its Primary Target, or to the RTB Box. at the last minute. A scaled-down and You may not split a wave to do this, it must remain together regardless of where you move hurried flight check delayed the bomber it (you may only voluntarily split a wave during the Wireless Phase [7.2.2]). long enough that it failed to catch up with the rest of the wave. No Upkeep: A Lancaster not carrying an Upkeep marker MUST move into its Flight Zone’s RTB Box. It may leave a wave to do this. However, even when unburdened by Up- keep, a Wave Leader may accompany its wave towards its Lancasters’ Primary Target (at the player’s discretian) [6.7.5]. If the Wave Leader is knocked out of its wave and it does not carry Upkeep, he may continue moving towards that Primary Target or into the RTB Box instead.

Dambuster Raid 25 7.3.1 No Primary Target? Every Lancaster carrying Upkeep must have a Primary Target [6.4.3].

7.4 NAVIGATION CHECK PHASE During this phase you must determine if your aircraft are flying on course and in good order. To do this, make a Navigation Check for each independent aircraft and wave, excluding those in the RTB Box.

Clarification -- Once only: The “Once only” Consider the following as you make your Navigation Checks: clause applies only to this phase, not to the turn, which means a Lancaster may be re- Zone by zone: Perform all checks in one Flight Zone before doing so in another zone. quired to make a Navigation Check multiple times in the same turn (in the Navigation Once only: Check each Lancaster or wave only once this phase. If an aircraft is knocked Check Phase, the Resolve Hazards Phase, and the Target Acquisition Phase). Regardless of out of a wave as a result of a Navigation Check, do not check it again as an independent air- when the check is made, the procedure is the craft. Likewise, if an independent aircraft fails its Navigation Check, do not check it again same as described in 7.4.1. after it moves into the Missing Box.

Example -- Navigation Check: Let’s F4 7.4.1 Navigation Check Procedure say a Wave Leader has a Seasoned Select a wave or independent aircraft and roll two dice. Compare the modified sum of the aircrew. In Scenario 9, the Navigation Train- ing Level of Seasoned aircrews is 3, which numbers rolled to the aircrew’s Navigation Skill. If checking a wave, use the Wave Leader’s means the Navigation Skill is 7. Thus, rolling aircrew. If the modified sum is equal to or greater than the aircrew’s Navigation Skill, the two dice, their sum must be 7 or higher in wave or independent aircraft passes the check (the result is “success”). If less than the Navi- order to pass the check. A Map Error marker gation Skill, the result is “failure.” attached to the Lancaster, or attached to ANY Lancaster in the wave, subtracts 1 from the sum. So, let’s say you roll a 10, and subtract Modifiers… 1 for the Map Error marker, modifying the sum to a 9, and thus the Navigation Check is Map Error and Compass Card: Subtract 1 for EACH Map Error and Compass Card passed successfully. marker attached to the aircraft. However, for the Compass Card, apply this modifier only if Upkeep is attached (the Compass Card should be attached to the Upkeep marker, not to the Lancaster, which means that if the Lancaster does not carry Upkeep it can’t have the SEASONED training Compass Card attached). level marker Elite Navigator: Add 1 if an Elite Crewman with a +1 Navigation Skill is attached.

Navigation Skill in this example is 7 Searchlights: Subtract 1 for EACH Searchlights marker (Note: this applies only to Navi- gation Checks that take place during the Resolve Hazards Phase, triggered by a Search- lights hazard [7.7.3n]).

No Moon -- Scenario 10 only: Subtract 1 if you launched the Raid on Planning Turns 2 or 4.

Explanation of Results – Navigation Check...

SUCCESS: There is no effect, unless you are checking a Lancaster in the Missing Box. If that is the case, move the Lancaster out of the Missing Box and into the Flight Zone (it is now an independent aircraft in that Flight Zone).

FAILURE: The effect varies, depending on the state of the aircraft or wave being checked:

Failure -- Independent aircraft: Place the aircraft in the Flight Zone’s Missing Box. If already in the Missing Box, roll again and check the results on the Lost table [E2], applying only Lost table modifiers [see 5.1.2].

Failure -- Wave: Flip the Wave marker to its Formation Compromised side. If already compromised, it remains compromised and one aircraft in the wave must immediately break out of the wave and fly independently (choose the Lancaster, or if you prefer, select randomly). Place it in the same Flight Zone as the wave. If you select the Wave Leader, you must immediately designate a new de facto Wave Leader until it returns to the wave (if ever) [6.7.5].

26 Enemy Coast Ahead 7.5 PLACE HAZARDS PHASE During this phase you must place Hazard markers in each zone occupied by your Lancast- F5 English Coast, ers. North Sea 7.5.1 Hazard Marker Colors yellow There are three types of Hazard markers, each distinguished by color. The colors correspond to Flight Zones. Dutch Coast, Ruhr When placing Hazard markers, use only the appropriate type for that zone (for example, in light blue the North Sea Zone, you must place yellow Hazard markers). Before the game starts, group the markers according to color, and put each group in an opaque container. Weser 7.5.2 Hazardous Flight Zones dark blue Hazard markers are only placed in Flight Zones containing your Lancasters (waves and/or Example -- Place Hazards: A wave is in the independent aircraft). Aircraft in Missing Boxes are considered to be in a Flight Zone, but Dutch Coast Flight Zone. You must place hazards in that zone. An independent air- those in Return to Base Boxes are not. (“Hazardous” is not the same as “hostile” [7.5.3].) craft is in the Missing Box of the Ruhr zone, so you must also place hazards in that zone 7.5.3 Procedure -- Drawing Hazard Markers too. There is an aircraft in the Return to Base Select a Flight Zone containing aircraft, and then draw Hazard markers from the appropri- Box of the North Sea Zone, but aircraft in RTB Boxes do not trigger hazards, so you ate cup one at a time and put them into that Flight Zone. Do not peek at the identity side of will NOT place Hazard markers in that zone. the marker (i.e., the black side). Draw all hazards for one zone before drawing for another zone.

How Many? The number of markers to be drawn is determined as follows (this is also Flight Planning indicated in each zone on the Flight Map): Some Hazard markers reveal their identity, others do not. Some Flak Hazards Friendly Flight Zones: are completely concealed while others tell you they are flak but not their Flak Level. England: none. Flight planning was a matter of avoiding English Coast: 1 Hazard marker (yellow). as much danger as possible, and yet sur- North Sea: 2 Hazard markers (yellow). prises happened. Gibson noted that his flight flew over an unexpected concentra- tion of flak just outside a Luftwaffe aero- Hostile Flight Zones: drome that had not yet been marked on Dutch Coast: 3 Hazard markers plus an additional number of Hazard markers (light blue). his combat charts. Ruhr: 2 Hazard markers plus an additional number of Hazard markers (light blue). Weser: 2 Hazard markers plus an additional number of Hazard markers (dark blue).

Additional Hazards: The number of additional Hazard markers to be placed in a hostile Example -- Additional Hazards: Two waves zone is determined as follows: and one independent aircraft are in the + 1 Hazard marker for each wave and independent aircraft in the zone (including the Miss- Dutch Coast Flight Zone. One of the waves has a Very Light Flare marker on it. The ing Box, but excluding the RTB Box); Alert Level is 2. Thus, you will draw 3 Hazard + ? Hazard markers equal to the Alert Level; markers for the zone, 1 marker for each wave, + 1 Hazard marker for each Very Light Flare marker in the zone. 1 for the independent aircraft, 2 markers for the Alert Level, and 1 marker for the Very 7.5.4 Assigning Hazards Light Flare – a total of 9 Hazard markers. After placing Hazard markers in a Flight Zone, each marker must now be assigned to a wave or independent aircraft in that zone (this includes aircraft in the Missing Box, but not those in the RTB Box). You may look at the front of the markers as you assign them, but do not peek at their black sides.

Distribute Evenly: Distribute them as evenly as possible within the zone. No wave or in- Example -- Distribute Evenly: If you have dependent aircraft may have more than one Hazard marker assigned to it than any other one wave and one independent aircraft in a zone with five Hazard markers, stack 3 on wave or independent aircraft. one and 2 on the other. 7.6 EVADE HAZARDS PHASE During this phase you may remove newly assigned Hazard markers from hostile Flight F6 Zones. Do not do this for yellow Hazard markers; that is, for those placed in the English Coast or the North Sea Zones (hazards in those zones may not be evaded). Example -- Evade: The Recon Level is 2 and you have three independent aircraft in the Flight Zone, each with 2 newly assigned 7.6.1 Procedure – Evade Hazards Hazard markers on them. You may remove Select a Flight Zone in which you have a Recon Level of 1 or more, and remove a number of 1 Hazard marker from two of the aircraft, or, Hazard markers equal to the Recon Level in that zone. Place evaded Hazard markers back you may remove 2 Hazard markers from one in the opaque cup; they may be drawn again in a subsequent turn. of the aircraft.

Dambuster Raid 27 If you are allowed to remove 2 or more markers in a zone, you may remove some or all of them from the same wave or aircraft. 7.6.2 Special Evasions In addition to the Recon Level, there are two other circumstances that allow you to remove newly assigned Hazard markers from hostile zones (yellow markers may not be evaded).

Weave & Jink: Elite Crewman markers with the Weave & Jink ability allow you to evade a Hazard marker. You may use the Weave & Jink ability to evade one Hazard marker assigned to that Elite Crewman’s Lancaster, or evade a Hazard marker assigned to its wave. In either case, if you choose to use the Weave & Jink ability, remove the Hazard marker and place it back in the opaque cup (do not peek at the black side), and then flip the Elite Crewman marker over as a reminder that its special ability has been used (it may only be used once per game).

Clarification -- Nightfighter & Flak Evasion: Nightfighter and Flak: If you assigned a Flak hazard to a wave or independent aircraft, Evading hazards only happens during the you automatically evade all known Nightfighter hazards assigned to that same independent Evade Hazards Phase, so if in the Resolve Hazards Phase a Nightfighter is revealed, it aircraft or wave. Remove the Nightfighter marker(s) and put it/them back in the opaque may not be removed even if Flak is also at- cup. Do not peek at the black-side of the Hazard markers, use only the front or color-side tacking the same wave or independent air- of the markers to determine if it is Flak or a Nightfighter. craft. F7 7.7 RESOLVE HAZARDS PHASE During this phase remove Very Light Flare markers from the Flight Map and then reveal and apply the effects of all newly assigned Hazard markers. Do this one Flight Zone at a time, resolving all newly assigned Hazard markers in that zone before resolving them in Resolve Hazards Timing? another zone. Think of hazards as a sequence of events rather than a sudden intersection of ca- 7.7.1 Procedure – Resolve Hazards lamities. Either the Nightfighter attacks Within a Flight Zone, resolve Hazard markers one wave or independent aircraft at a time, first, followed by the Flak, or vice versa. following this sequence of steps: Perhaps the Nightfighter pilot spotted the bursts from the Flak and then targeted the Lancasters after it passed through the flak Step 1 – Select Lancaster or Wave zone. Maybe the Lancaster pilot deliber- Select one independent aircraft or a wave in the Flight Zone. ately veered into a zone of known flak in order to shake loose the Nightfighter. Step 2 – Distribute Hazards in Waves (Skip this step if you selected an independent aircraft in Step 1; Step 2 only applies to waves). You must now distribute newly assigned Hazard markers within the wave by plac- Example -- Distribute Evenly: Three newly ing them on specific aircraft. assigned Hazard markers are stacked on a Wave marker in the Dutch Coast Flight Distribute Evenly: If there are multiple Hazard markers on the wave, you must distribute Zone. There are two aircraft in the wave. You may not place all 3 Hazard markers on one of them as evenly as possible amongst the aircraft in that wave. You may not place a second the aircraft, you must place 2 on one aircraft Hazard marker on an aircraft unless all the aircraft in the wave already have one (ignore and the third on the other. hazards attached in a previous turn).

Immediately attach these hazards: Step 3 – Three Max. No Lancaster may have more than 3 unrevealed Hazard markers assigned to it. Return the excess to the cup. p Step 4 – Reveal Hazards Flip over all newly assigned Hazard markers. If there is more than 1 Hazard marker on an aircraft, flip them all over. If several aircraft in a wave have markers, flip them all over at the same time.

Step 5 – Attach Immediately Some Hazard markers must be attached to their assigned aircraft [as per 2.1.3]. Once revealed, they are IMMEDIATELY attached, and no other action is necessary to resolve these hazards.

Immediate attachment applies to the following hazards:

Yellow – Broken Radio, Compass Card, Delayed Sortie, Faulty Controls, Faulty Merlin, Faulty Release, Map Error, No Aldis Lights, Unfit Aircrew.

28 Enemy Coast Ahead Light & Dark Blue – Map Error. Hazardous Balloons? Step 6 – Apply Effects The cables mooring barrage balloons could severely dam- Hazards not attached to their assigned Lancasters will have an immediate effect that must age and destroy aircraft. The be resolved during this phase. Apply the effects of each Hazard marker one at a time, in any Balloons marker in the Close order you like. Except for Searchlights and possibly Flak [critical hit, in 4.2.4] and Night- Zone represents such a cable fighters [scatter, in 4.4.3], effects are restricted to the aircraft the hazard is assigned to. If a (or cables) positioned such that Hazard marker is not supposed to be attached to a Lancaster, place it back in the cup after to avoid it the Lancaster would have to alter its approach in a you apply its effects (exception: Searchlights – this hazard influences Flak and Nightfighter significant way. Balloons en- hazards, so return it to the cup only at the end of the phase [see 7.7.3n]). countered in a Flight Zone must also be avoided, but the Destroyed by a hazard: When a Lancaster is destroyed by the effects of a Hazard mark- consequences to trajectory and speed would hardly be mea- er, that Hazard marker and all pending Hazard markers are returned to the opaque cup surable at that scale. (“pending” refers to those Hazard markers whose effects have yet to be resolved). The only exception is Searchlights. If it is revealed in a wave, it remains in effect until the end of the phase, even if the Lancaster it was assigned to was destroyed. Birds? During training, low-flying 7.7.2 Veteran Save Lancasters struck birds, and The effects of some hazards may be avoided by a “veteran save” (eligible hazards have the F7 on rare occasions damaged the letter “V” printed on them). Such a save is possible only if the Lancaster has a Veteran aircraft. Although this is a mi- aircrew attached, or if it has an Elite Pilot attached. If such an attachment is present, roll a nor threat, and bats may seem even less likely, this hazard is die to determine if the Lancaster is spared the effect. If you roll a 6, the Lancaster is saved, also intended as a catch-all -- but if you roll 1-5 the hazard’s effect must be applied. “Save” usually means the effect is nul- you are welcome to imagine lified, but there are exceptions, as indicated in the description for each hazard [7.7.3; also any sudden problem aboard indicated on the player aid F7]. the Lancaster. 7.7.3 Hazard Effects The effect of each type of Hazard marker is described in alphabetical order below (you may Clarification -- No Hazard: You also refer to the Resolve Hazards list provided on the player aid card [F7]). A Lancaster resolve this hazard by putting may be affected by multiple Hazard markers. Unless attachment is noted, once their effects it back in the cup. The crew ef- ficiently handled the mechanical are resolved, place Hazard markers back in their respective cups. problem in flight. a. Balloons – To resolve the effect of this hazard, roll a die: if EVEN, the Lancaster is damaged [see 2.1.1]. If ODD, the Lancaster is destroyed.

Veteran Save? -- Balloons: If saved [7.7.2], the Lancaster is neither damaged nor de- Compass Card stroyed. The mine altered the mag- netic compass reading on b. Birds/Bats – Roll a die: if you roll a 1, the aircraft is damaged [2.1.1]. If you roll a 2 or the Lancaster, and therefore higher there is no effect. required special calibrations that were recorded on a card. This hazard represents faulty Veteran Save? -- Birds/Bats: If saved [7.7.2], the Lancaster is not damaged. calibrations, or a hasty take- off without the card. This is c. Broken Radio – Attach the marker to the aircraft. Henceforth, you may not select it what happened to AJ-T; its for a Wireless Telegraphy action [7.2], nor a Coordination action [7.1], and its movement aircrew had to abandon its assigned Lancaster when it is limited during the Circling Phase of an Attack Turn [See 4.3] developed a coolant leak in one of its engines, but the d. Compass Card – Attach the marker to the Upkeep marker (not to the Lancaster it- replacement bomber had self). This hazard marker will function as an adverse modifier when you make Navigation just arrived and was not U Checks [F4] and RTB Checks [E1]. Remove the hazard marker when Upkeep is no longer equipped with a compass deviation card. In other words, attached to the Lancaster. 1 the crew flew without a reli- able compass. e. Crash – To determine the effect, roll a die. If the result is ODD, the aircraft is destroyed. If EVEN, it loses its ordnance (remove the Upkeep marker from the aircraft, and from the ‘V’ denotes Veteran Save game, but do not peek at the damage side). The Lancaster is also damaged [2.1.1]. Crash Veteran Save? -- Crash: If saved [7.7.2], and the result was “damaged,” the Lancaster is 617 Squadron flew at an al- still damaged but Upkeep remains attached (of course, if the bomber is already damaged, it titude of 100 feet or less. is now destroyed and the ordnance is lost anyway). If the result was “destroyed,” the result Lancasters struck the crest of instead reverts to “damaged” and now there is a chance to keep the ordnance: Roll another waves, dunes, tree tops, utili- die to make a second Veteran Save attempt, and if it succeeds, Upkeep remains attached to ty poles and clipped a steeple. the Lancaster.

Dambuster Raid 29 f. Delayed Sortie – Attach the marker to the Lancaster. It takes effect next turn during the Move Phase. The Lancaster may not move (nor may it change altitude, if playing the optional rule [14.0]). At the end of the Move Phase, remove the Delayed Sortie marker. If in the Missing Box this hazard has no effect (because Lancasters in the Missing Box may not move). When the marker is removed, remove it from play (do not put it back in the cup to be drawn again).

A2 A3 g. Faulty Controls – Attach the Hazard marker permanently to the aircraft. Hence- forth, the affected aircraft suffers-1 a chit draw modifier during the Approach Sequence of A10 A11 the Attack Turn (either Speed or Altitude, as indicated on the Hazard marker [A2 or A3]). It does NOT apply to the Release Sequence [A10 & A11].

Merlin? h. Faulty Merlin – Attach the Hazard marker permanently to the aircraft. One of its Lancaster III bombers were engines is feathered or inoperative. At your discretion you may place this aircraft in the powered by four Rolls- Return to Base Box in its Flight Zone during the Move Phase of any Flight Turn. This Royce Merlin-28 engines, marker will also adversely modify the Lancaster’s Return to Base Check at the end of the designed and manufactured game [E1]. in Britain, although by 1943 the majority were built by Packard Motors in the Unit- i. Faulty Release – Attach the Hazard marker permanently to the aircraft. Henceforth, ed States. the affected aircraft suffers a-1 die roll modifier when it releases Upkeep [4.2.13, step 3]. j. Flak – The Lancaster is attacked from the ground by anti-aircraft fire. Use the same Flak Level procedure described in the Attack Rules [4.2.4]. The number on the Flak marker is the Flak Level. A4 Flak & Searchlights: If a Searchlights marker is also assigned to the Lancaster, or to an- Maps other Lancaster in the same wave, roll three dice instead of two. Navigators used paper maps rolled on a cylinder, or folded, and unfolded them Evasive Action (EA): If hit by Flak, the Lancaster may attempt to nullify the hit by tak- during flight. AJ-G made a ing Evasive Action. Move the Lancaster to the Missing Box in its Flight Zone, and make ten degree wrong turn at the the Evasive Action Check [4.2.4]. Unresolved Hazard markers assigned to it accompany Rhine, due to a handwrit- the Lancaster to the Missing Box and are resolved there normally (a Searchlights hazard ing error on the part of the navigator. marker may thus be “moved” out of a wave by EA). Once in the Missing Box, a Lancaster may not perform another Evasive Action attempt (thus, only one Flak hazard assigned to a Lancaster may be evaded by EA).

k. Map Error – Attach the Hazard marker to the aircraft. Henceforth it will adversely affect Navigation Checks by subtracting 1 from the sum of the dice [7.4.1]. More than one Map Error marker may be attached to the same Lancaster, and their effects are cumulative. (A Map Error marker affects Navigation Checks for the wave as a whole.)

A6 l. Nightfighter – Perform a Nightfighter Check [explained in Part One of the rules: 4.4.3].

m. No Aldis Lights – Attach the Hazard marker permanently to the aircraft. During the Move Phase, the Lancaster may move into the RTB Box [7.3]. During the Approach Clarification -- Searchlights Haz- & Release Sequence of an Attack Turn, you may not draw Altitude chits for this Lancaster ard: You make only one Navi- gation Check regardless of the [A3 & A10]. This hazard has no effect at Sorpe and Bever Dams. number of Searchlights markers on the independent aircraft or in n. Searchlights –The independent aircraft that the Hazard marker is assigned to must the wave. Even if two bombers in immediately make a Navigation Check [see 7.4]. If the aircraft is in a wave, the Wave Lead- the same wave have Searchlights markers, only make one check er makes a Navigation Check for the wave as a whole. Each Searchlights marker serves as a for the wave as a whole. F4 -1 dice roll modifier for the Navigation Check (the effect of Searchlights markers and Map Error markers are cumulative). Example -- Searchlights: Let’s say you placed two Hazard markers on a Lancaster. When Effect on Flak & Nightfighter Checks: Searchlights influence Flak and Nightfighter you reveal them you learn that one is Flak procedures, and this effect accrues to all Lancasters in the wave. and the other is a Searchlights marker. Let’s say you elect to resolve the Flak first, and the Coned (locking on): If the Navigation Check forces you to exit a Lancaster from a For- result is that the Lancaster is destroyed. The mation Compromised wave, Hazard markers assigned to that Lancaster accompany it Flak marker goes back in the cup but the Searchlights marker remains in play until when it exits the wave. This means that if a Searchlights marker has been assigned to a the end of the phase, affecting all of the Lan- Lancaster, and you select it to exit a Formation Compromised wave due to a failed Naviga- casters remaining in the wave. tion Check [player aid F4], the Searchlights marker exits with it. © 2014 GMT Games, LLC

30 Enemy Coast Ahead o. Unfit Aircrew – Attach the Hazard marker to the aircraft. Henceforth, the aircrew’s Example -- Unfit Aircrew: If a Vet- Training Levels are reduced by 3 (it can’t be reduced below zero). eran aircrew’s Navigation Train- ing Level is 5, and it gets stuck with the Unfit Aircrew marker, 7.8 TARGET ACQUISITION PHASE henceforth its Navigation Training Level is 2. During this phase, you may attempt to locate target dams. The same deduction applies to the other two training categories. Who and When? A wave or independent aircraft that occupies a Flight Zone containing its Primary Target, MUST move into the Target Acquisition Box corresponding to that Unfit? target. Move such aircraft or wave(s) into the Flight Zone’s Target Acquisition Box (aircraft Eager to fly on this important mission, the fatigued/sick/exhausted men of in Missing Boxes and RTB Boxes are prohibited from doing this). this aircrew should have stood down. Primary Target only: An aircraft may only enter a Target Acquisition Box corresponding to its Primary Target [6.4.1]. On Flight Turn 7 or later, however, you may instead move a Lancaster or wave into the Target Acquisition Box of Last Resort [7.3]. You may not split a wave to do this. The Target Acquisition Box must be in the aircraft’s Flight Zone.

Roll Dice: After entering a Target Acquisition Box, your aircraft or wave must pass a Tar- get Acquisition Check [7.8.1]. 7.8.1 Procedure -- Target Acquisition Check (TAC) Select a wave or independent aircraft in a Target Acquisition Box, and add the Recon Level F8 in its Flight Zone to the Recon Level of the dam. Locate the sum on the table [printed on the player aid F8]. Each column of that table corresponds to a sum of the two Recon Levels. Example -- Target Acquisition Check -- Re- con Levels: If attempting to find Sorpe Dam you would add Sorpe’s Recon Level to the The table has two rows. The default condition is the “Moon Period,” so in most cases use Recon Level of the Ruhr Flight Zone. Let’s that row, but if playing Scenario 10, choose the bottom row if you launched the raid at the say Sorpe’s Recon Level was 1, and Ruhr’s Re- end of Planning Turn 2 or 4 (during the “No Moon” period). con Level was 3, the sum would be 4, so you would use the column corresponding to ‘4’. Cross-index the row with the column to find an acquisition number, and roll two dice. If the sum of the numbers rolled equals or is higher than that number, the attempt SUC- CEEDS. If lower, it fails. There are no modifiers. TAC -- Results Explained...

SUCCESS: The wave or independent aircraft remains in the Target Acquisition Box (you will transfer it to the Target Map during the Target Map Phase [7.9]).

FAIL: The wave or independent aircraft must either return to the Flight Zone or immediately make a “Persistent Attempt” (player’s choice). 7.8.2 Persistent Attempt If a Target Acquisition Check fails, the wave or independent aircraft may make a Persistent Example -- Persistent Attempt: You just Attempt to find the dam. To do so, make a Navigation Check [7.4.1]. If successful, the Tar- rolled dice and looked up the result of the Target Acquisition Check to find your Lan- get Acquisition Check is a SUCCESS [as per 7.8.1], but if it fails, the aircraft or wave returns caster unable to locate the dam. So, you de- to the Flight Zone where it immediately suffers the consequences of its failed Navigation cide to make it do a persistent attempt. You Check [as per 7.4]. note the aircrew type (Seasoned) and its corresponding Navigation Training Level on the Mission Planning Blotter (Level 3), 7.9 TARGET MAP PHASE which means the Nav Skill is 7. It Skip this phase unless you have at least one independent aircraft or wave in a Target Ac- F9 has a Map Error attached so that’s a quisition Box. negative modifier (-1). You roll two dice, a 3 and a 2, adds to 5 which Aircraft currently in Target Acquisition Boxes must transfer to their respective Target falls short even before subtracting the modifier. The persistent attempt Maps and attack the corresponding dam. If more than one Target Acquisition Box is oc- failed and since this is an indepen- cupied, perform attacks one dam at a time, in any order [7.9.9]. dent aircraft it must move into the Missing Box. Unable to find the dam 7.9.1 Already breached? the pilot veered across the dark land- In the unlikely event that the dam has already been breached, the aircraft in that dam’s scape chasing a hunch, only to wind up...who knows where? Target Acquisition Box does not transfer to the Target Map. Instead, it automatically adopts its Secondary Target as its Primary Target via “visual confirmation” [6.4.4]. If no Second- ary Target, it immediately adopts its Target of Last Resort as its Primary Target. Move the wave or independent aircraft back into the Flight Zone (it may not acquire another dam this turn).

Dambuster Raid 31 Example -- Transfer: If a wave is in the Lister 7.9.2 Transferring Aircraft to the Target Map Dam Target Acquisition Box, you will transfer it to the Möhne Target Map. There are eight dams but only three Target Maps. The appropriate map to use is indicated on the Target Maps themselves.

Coordinated or Uncoordinated Entry? Lancasters in a good order wave transfer to the Target Map in a “Coordinated Entry”, while those in a Formation Compromised wave or flying independently do so in an “Uncoordinated Entry”. 7.9.3 Coordinated Entry For each Lancaster transferring to the Target Map, roll one die. If the number rolled is EVEN, place it in the Circling Near Box. If ODD, place it in the Circling Far Box. Do not roll for the Wave Leader, place it in the Circling Near Box.

Example -- Uncoordinated Entry [7.9.4]: a 7.9.4 Uncoordinated Entry Formation Compromised wave passed its For each Lancaster transferring to the Target Map, roll one die. The number rolled is the Target Acquisition Check, and now, during the Target Map Phase, you are transferring Attack Turn that the Lancaster arrives on. For each Map Error and Compass Card hazard the Lancasters in that wave to the Target attached to the Lancaster (or attached to its Upkeep, in the case of the Compass Card), add Map. You notice that one of the bombers has 1 to the number rolled. Before rolling, you may choose to fire a Very Light Flare (place the two Map Error markers attached, and you marker on the Turn 1 space of the Attack Turn Track now), and firing this flare allows you are also anxious to release ordnance quickly given that the Alert Level is already a little to subtract 1 from the die roll (if the modified die roll is 0, treat as 1 except the Lancaster high. So, you decide to fire Very Light Flares starts Circling Near). Only one Very Light Flare marker may be “fired” (and thus placed to help guide the Lancasters to the target. You on the Attack Turn Track) at this time, but it applies to all Lancasters transferring to this thus place a Very Light Flare marker on the Target Map. [For removal of the Very Light Flare marker, see 4.4.5]. :00 space of the Attack Turn Track, and then roll a die for each Lancaster to determine its turn of arrival. Firing the Very Lights allows Delayed Entry: If the aircraft arrives on Attack Turn 1, place it in the Circling Far Box on you to subtract 1 from the die roll. You select the Target Map. If the aircraft arrives on Attack Turn 2 or later, place it in the correspond- a Lancaster and roll a die, let’s say you roll a ing space on the Attack Turn Track. When you move the Attack Turn marker into a space 3, which would mean that bomber arrives on on the Attack Turn Track containing a Lancaster, immediately move the Lancaster into the Attack Turn 3, but because of the flare it arrives on Turn 2 instead. Thus, you place the Circling Far Box on the Target Map. Lancaster on the Turn 2 box on the Attack Turn Track and will shift it to the Circling Far 7.9.5 Dam Attack Set Up Box at the start of the Run Phase of Attack Before you conduct the first Attack Turn, you must set up the Target Map by performing Turn 2. When you check the Lancaster with these tasks, as follows: two Map Error markers, you add 2 for the markers but subtract 1 for the Very Lights. Let’s say you roll a 6, which means that after Attack Turn Track: Place the Attack Turn marker in the Turn 1 space (the :00 turn). If adding and subtracting the modifiers, that this is an uncoordinated entry and there are no Lancasters arriving on Attack Turn 1, skip Lancaster arrives on Attack Turn 7. forward to the first turn when Lancasters will arrive. Example -- Delayed Entry: If none of your Lancasters arrive on Attack Turn 1, but two Visibility Check: Roll 2 dice to determine the visibility at this dam [4.4.1, player aid A1]. of them arrive on Attack Turn 4, place the At- tack Turn marker on the Attack Turn 4 space (Scenario 10 only [see 12.0]). and place the two Lancasters in the Circling Surprise? Far Box. Balloons? (Scenario 10 only; or when conducting a follow-up raid, as per Scenario 9’s outcome.) If the dam’s Balloons Level is 1, flip the Balloons marker over to reveal its loca- Balloons tion, the Close Zone of the Approach, or the Climb Box (this is printed on the back of the Balloons marker). If the Balloons Level is 2 or higher, place a second Balloons marker in the other space. For example, if the first marker is in the Close Zone, place the second marker in the Climb Box. Only 2 Balloons markers may be on the same Target Map simultaneously. 7.9.6 Attacking the Dam After setting up the Target Map, follow the sequence of play for Attack Turns described in Part One of the rules [4.0]. The attack continues until it “ends.”

Ending the Attack: The attack continues until there are no more Lancasters on the Target Map or the dam is breached (exception: see Widening the Breach). If the dam is not yet breached and you still have Lancasters with an Upkeep marker on the Target Map by the end of Attack Turn 8, leave them there and resume the next Flight Turn (the attack has not ended). Recommence the attack at that dam during the next Target Map Phase, beginning again at Attack Turn 1 by making a Visibility Check [4.4.1]. Lancasters on Target Maps do not trigger hazards and are not affected by hazards (they are effectively “invisible” during the Place Hazards, Evade Hazards and the Resolve Hazards phases), and are exempt from Navigation Checks [7.4].

32 Enemy Coast Ahead Widening the Breach: If the dam is breached you may continue the attack in order to re- Clarification -- Abort: Abort does not change lease more Upkeep markers against the dam. Only one additional SUCCESFUL release is target designations. You will have an opportunity to change Primary Target designation permitted against each breached dam. during the next Wireless Phase. If you do not change the aborting Lancasters’ Primary Tar- Abort: If playing Scenario 9 or 10, you may choose to stop the attack at a dam before it get designation it will attempt to acquire and “ends.” You may do so only if a Lancaster was destroyed during the attack at that dam (that attack the same dam again, and you won’t is, during the current Target Map Phase of the Flight Turn). If you choose to abort, transfer be able to abort until another Lancaster has been downed. the Lancasters back to the Flight Map during the Circling Phase [as per 7.9.7]. The Lancast- ers’ target designations (Primary & Secondary) remain unchanged. Example -- Abort: You are playing Scenario 10 and you neglected to install VHF radio Abort -- Broken Radio/No VHF: A Lancaster with a Broken Radio attachment may not sets into the Lancasters. It is Attack Turn 3. You would like to abort because one of your abort. If playing Scenario 10 and the Radio modifications was not completed, you may bombers was destroyed by Flak and you abort only by rolling a die -- if EVEN a Lancaster may abort, if ODD it may not. You may doubt the others will fare much better. You roll only once per Target Map Phase (but may do so during any Circling Phase of an Attack roll a die for each of your four remaining Turn), and you must roll individually for each Lancaster. Lancasters at this dam still carrying Upkeep. Two of the rolls came up EVEN but the other two were ODD. Thus, two of your Lancast- 7.9.7 Transferring back to the Flight Map ers transfer to the Flight Map while the other When the attack ends [as per 7.9.6], immediately transfer all Lancasters to the Flight Map two remain. Since you attempted to abort in as independent aircraft or in waves (this includes Lancasters still waiting on the Attack attack Turn 4, you must wait until the next Turn Track due to an uncoordinated entry). Flight Turn to attempt an abort again, which means your two remaining Lancasters are going to remain either Circling Near or Far, Waves: You are free to organize transferring Lancasters into waves during this transfer, in or make runs against the dam, until the end any manner you like, as long as all Lancasters in a wave share the same Primary Target (and of Attack Turn 8. Secondary Target, if any) [see 6.7.3]. Waves transfer to the Flight Map in good order (i.e., Example -- Transfer to Flight Map [7.9.7]: they are not Formation Compromised). Exception: Scatter as a result of a Nightfighter After resolving an attack on a dam, the play- attack [4.4.3]. er transfers four aircraft to the Flight Zone. They all share the same Primary Target so Wave Leader: You must appoint a Wave Leader for each wave. The chosen Wave Leader he chooses to place all four in a single wave. He places the Wave marker on its good order must have been a Wave Leader prior to this phase, and if you have more leaders than waves, side. So now he must appoint one of them as you are free to choose any eligible leader. Even if a Wave Leader does not carry Upkeep, Wave Leader. Two of the four had been Wave it must remain a Wave Leader if possible (that is, if there is an eligible wave to lead). If no Leaders prior to the attack, so one of them Wave Leaders are available (i.e., none were Wave Leaders before), any Lancaster may be must be appointed the new Wave Leader. appointed leader. Now, the other one is no longer a Wave Lead- er (and if it does not carry Upkeep it must RTB). Had none of the four been Wave Lead- No Upkeep: Lancasters not carrying Upkeep move directly to the RTB Box in their Flight ers before (perhaps the leaders had been shot Zone. Wave Leader is exempt: if currently the leader of a wave, it must remain in the wave. down), you would have to choose one of the four to be the new Wave Leader. 7.9.8 Dam Breached? If the dam was breached, aircraft transferring back to the Flight Map from the dam’s Target Map automatically adopt their Secondary Target as their new Primary Target (via Visual Confirmation [6.4.4]). Only aircraft transferring from the breached dam may do this. If no Secondary Target has been designated, the Lancasters adopt the Target of Last Resort as their Primary Target [6.4.4]. 7.9.9 Simultaneity of Multiple Dam Attacks If you acquired two or more dams in the same Target Acquisition Phase, you must conduct all of the attacks before the Target Map Phase may end. Conduct them one by one, but consider each to be happening simultaneously. Example -- Reduce Activity Level (Clean If you need the same Target Map to conduct two or more attacks (for example, attacks at Up [7.10]): The Flight Turn ends with Ennepe and Lister), and one does not end even after playing Attack Turn 8, momentarily Eder and Ennepe Dams at Activity Level 2 and Sorpe Dam at Activity Level 8. set the aircraft of the first attack aside in order to clear the Target Map for the next attack. Sorpe may not be reduced but either of the other two may be reduced to Activity 7.10 CLEAN UP Level 1. At the conclusion of the Target Map Phase, advance the Flight Turn marker to the next hour turn and if necessary, adjust the Alert Level marker on the Alert Track [see 6.6.1]. You may also reduce the Activity Level at one dam by 1, but you may not choose the dam with the highest Activity Level (or tied for highest). If the game has not ended, play the next Flight Turn.

Game Over? If all your aircraft are either destroyed or are in RTB Boxes the game ends E1 E2 E3 and you must resolve the fate of all returning aircraft [5.1], and then perform Morning Re- connaissance [5.2]. If this concludes Turn 9, move all aircraft into their Flight Zone’s RTB

Dambuster Raid 33 Box and resolve their fate [as per 5.1]; the game is over. PART 3 – Training & Planning This final part of the rules covers the preparation leading to the night of the raid, used only when playing Scenario 10, the campaign game. All the rules learned in Parts 1 and 2 are used here, in addition to the following new rules. Example -- Mission Blotter’s Record Track: 8.0 MISSION PLANNING BLOTTER You may use the track to keep a running ac- The Planning Segment requires you to use the entirety of the Mission Planning Blotter count of your Resource Points (RP) (there are two Resource markers for this, one for the on the far left of the mapsheet. It is graphically organized from top to bottom to handle tens digit and the other for the one’s). In this the five phases of each Planning Turn; each section is devoted to one of those phases. The example you have 12 RP. bottom of the Mission Planning Blotter presents the five steps of the Flight Prep Sequence used only when you choose to conclude the last Planning Turn and launch the raid [11.0].

Record Track: At the top is an all-purpose Record Track. Use it at your discretion to record a variety of game functions, or you are welcome to keep a running tally with pencil and paper. The set up instructions for Scenario 10 assume you will make full use of this Record Track.

P2 9.0 GROUNDCREW Groundcrew markers represent the personnel and equipment in 617 Squadron operating and maintaining Scampton and its Lancasters. 9.1 Dedicating Groundcrew Several actions during the Planning Turn require you to “dedicate” a Groundcrew marker, or are augmented by dedicating one or more of them. Only groundcrew in play may be dedicated. You bring groundcrew into play by requisitioning them [10.1]. When dedicating, keep these considerations in mind:

Once only: Once dedicated, a Groundcrew marker may not be dedicated again for the rest of the turn, unless transferred [9.2].

One or more: When the opportunity arises to dedicate groundcrew, you may dedicate one or more Groundcrew markers.

Dedication lasts 1 turn: Dedication only lasts to the end of the current Planning Turn. At the end of a Planning Turn, all dedicated groundcrew are “freed up,” eligible to be dedicated again in the next turn or during Flight Preparation [11.0].

Example -- Transferring Groundcrew: Let’s 9.2 Transferring Groundcrew say you dedicate a Groundcrew marker to complete Cockpit modifications, and then You may dedicate a Groundcrew marker even if it has already been dedicated. This is called after resolving the attempt, you transfer it to “transferring.” complete Radio modifications. Before rolling dice to resolve the Radio modifications 9.2.1 Procedure – Transferring Groundcrew attempt you flip the marker over and use the To transfer a Groundcrew marker, flip it to its Fatigued side, and move the marker to the Erk points on the Fatigue side. new dedication space on the Mission Planning Blotter. You may only transfer a Ground- crew marker that is not already Fatigued. A Groundcrew marker may be dedicated and then transferred in the same phase. 9.3 Fatigue Fatigue happens when you choose to transfer a Groundcrew marker [9.2], or when you order “Double Time” [10.1.4 & 10.4.3]. Once Fatigued, a Groundcrew marker may never be restored to its non-Fatigued side. Fatigue is immediate and permanent. 9.4 Armorer This marker represents “Doc” Watson, an important officer directing groundcrew at Scampton, and it must be added to the pool of Elite Crewmen at the start of Scenario 10. When this marker is drawn, it immediately goes into play. You may use its special ability only during a Planning Turn, as follows: whenever a Groundcrew marker must be flipped to its Fatigued side, you may instead flip this Armorer marker, thus sparing the groundcrew of being Fatigued. You may do this once per game. It may only prevent fatigue, it may not un-Fatigue an already Fatigued groundcrew. This Elite Crewman marker has no effect during Flight and Attack Turns (do not attach it to a Lancaster).

34 Enemy Coast Ahead 10.0 SEQUENCE OF PLAY – PLANNING TURN The Planning Segment precedes the first Flight Turn of the game, and may last up to four Squadron X Planning Turns, each approximating two weeks of historical time. You are welcome to “As far as aircrews are concerned, I want conclude the Planning Segment at the end of any turn, although the Planning Segment the best – you choose them….Each automatically ends at the end of the fourth turn. squadron will be forced to cough up men to build up your unit to strength.” - Air Vice Marshal Cochrane, 5 Group, Regardless of when you end the Planning Segment, you must conduct the Flight Prepara- to Wing Commander Gibson, Squadron X tion Sequence before beginning the first Flight Turn [11.0]. Flight Preparation happens only once, not at the end of each Planning Turn, only at the moment you declare the Plan- In March 1943 Gibson was given the ning Segment concluded (or at the end of the fourth Planning Turn). nearest thing a wing commander gets to a free hand. He had his pick of pilots and was assigned experienced crews, but Each Planning Turn consists of five phases: the Requisitions Phase, Security Phase, initially he was understaffed (he dearly Training Phase, Modifications Phase, and Reconnaissance Phase. You must play them in missed typists and typewriters). Training order (there is no phase marker; if you really need one, use the Flight Turn’s Phase marker). commenced immediately, even before the squadron received its formal designation 10.0.1 Resource Points -- 617. In order to represent the staff, budgetary resources and materiel available to 617 Squadron, The new squadron and its most secret the game uses the abstraction of “resource points.” You begin the game with 60 Resource target was Bomber Command’s priority Points (RP), and on Turn 2 you automatically receive an additional 60 RP. If you wish, you project for several weeks (which is why may also request more RP [see 10.1.5]. RP are spent during the Planning Turn, and any you can freely request additional RP). There are practical limits, of course, im- RP leftover at the end of the turn are saved for use next turn. RP have no effect once the posed by what can be done in the time Planning Segment is concluded. available and with assets at hand.

RP Limit: There is no limit to the RP you may accumulate. Use the back of the tens RP marker to record RP in excess of 100, or just keep track with pencil and paper.

10.1 REQUISITIONS PHASE During this phase you may requisition assets, and request additional RP [10.1.5]. 10.1.1 Requisition Assets You may spend RP to requisition the following assets (you may requisition them in any P1 order during this phase): - aircraft - aircrew (Turn 1 only) - groundcrew - Upkeep

Cost: RP costs are indicated on each marker (lower right-hand corner of the marker), and RP cost indicated on the Mission Planning Blotter. You must deduct the RP cost immediately (for example, if you requisition ten Seasoned aircrew, which cost 2 RP each, you must deduct 20 RP from your total). You may not purchase more assets than you can pay for.

Countermix Limit: You may not requisition more assets than are available in the game. For example, there are 24 Upkeep markers, so, you may requisition a total of 24 of them.

“In Play”: Place requisitions on the Requisitions section of the Mission Planning Blotter, or set them aside in a convenient place on your gaming table. Once requisitioned, an asset is considered to be “in play.” 10.1.2 Requisitioning Groundcrew You may requisition as many Groundcrew markers as you can pay for, and you may immediately use them in the phase that you requisition them. 10.1.3 Requisitioning Aircrew Aircrew may only be requisitioned on Planning Turn 1. There are three types of crews, Green, Seasoned, and Veteran. It costs more assets to requisition a Veteran aircrew than a Green aircrew. You are not obligated to requisition all three types.

Elite Crewmen: Place all Elite Crewman markers into an opaque cup (including the Ar- morer, Jinx, and Spy). For every SIX aircrews you requisition, randomly draw one Elite Crewman marker from the cup.

Dambuster Raid 35 only way to bring Elite Crewmen into play. The requisitioning of bombers represents the modifications made before they ar- 10.1.4 Requisitioning Machines (bombers and mines) rived at Scampton. The most dramatic off- site modification was the removal of the You may requisition Lancasters and Upkeep markers any turn (1 RP each), but you may do top gun-turret. so only by dedicating groundcrew:

Handle Limit Handle Limit: You may requisition a number of aircraft and Upkeep markers equal to the Handle Limit of dedicated Groundcrew markers. The Handle Limit is printed on each Example -- Handle Limit: Groundcrew marker. If you have a Groundcrew marker with a Handle Limit Double Time: After dedicating a Groundcrew marker during this phase, you may re- of 7, and another with a Handle Limit of 8, and both dedicate the same Groundcrew marker by flipping it to its Fatigued side, effectively using it are dedicated to requisitions twice in the same phase (it may not already be Fatigued). Thus, you get the benefit of both this Planning Turn, you its normal Handle Limit and its Fatigued Handle Limit. may requisition a total of 15 Lancasters or 15 Upkeep, or a combination of Lancasters and Upkeep markers: When you requisition an Upkeep marker, draw it randomly from a Upkeep up to 15 RP. cup and do not peek at the “damaged” side of the marker. Set it aside, you will attach it to a bomber during the Flight Preparation Sequence [11.5]. Diabolical Machine? While aboard the Lancaster the bouncing bomb was hooked to a motor. Upkeep spun Lancaster markers: When you requisition a Lancaster marker, set it aside. Keep it face- just before release, its RPM controlled by a up (it is undamaged). You will assign attachments to it later (during the Flight Preparation valve and rev meter stripped from a mo- Sequence [11.5]). torcycle, handled by the wireless operator. This back spin made the mine hug the dam 10.1.5 Request Additional Resource Points upon impact, then sink to its detonation depth. Just one of several innovations con- You are welcome to request additional RP one or more times during this phase. You may do cocted by Barnes Wallis and 617 Squadron. so at any time during the phase. Success of each request is automatic, but the exact number of RP garnered must be determined by a die roll. You must roll for each request you make.

Example -- Request Additional Procedure -- Request Additional RP: Roll a die, if the result is an EVEN number, you RP: Let’s say you request ad- are granted 30 more points, if ODD, 20 more points. Adjust your total RP amount imme- ditional resources. You roll a diately (either use the Record Track or pencil and paper). die, the number rolled is a 2, it’s EVEN so you immediately receive 30 RP. You must also slide the Resource Security Risk: Record the number of times you have requested additional resources on Request marker by 1 space to the right on the the Record Track (use the RP Request marker, or jot the number of requests down on Mission Blotter’s record track. paper). You will use this number during the Security Risk Check in Step 4 of Flight Prep [11.4.2, player aid P9].

P3 10.2 SECURITY PHASE During this phase you may elect to take actions that will improve the security of Scampton Hush Hush and the impending mission. “When the other boys ask you what you’re doing, just tell them to mind their own 10.2.1 Procedure -- Security Actions business, because of all things in this game, Each Security Phase you may first flip over one already played Security marker, and then, security is the greatest factor.” you may play one new Security marker. -Wing Commander Guy Gibson to 617 Squadron, March 1943, These actions are voluntary, and you may skip this phase if you prefer. as quoted in Enemy Coast Ahead. RP cost: Some actions require RP expenditure, as indicated below (also noted on the marker itself and the player aid [P3]). RP costs must be paid immediately.

Security Risk Level: These actions influence the Security Risk Level, and will take effect during the Security Risk Check that happens during the Briefing step of the Flight Prepara- tion sequence [11.4]. You are welcome to keep a running tally before then, but the effect of some actions will not be known right away (until you actually perform the Security Risk Check [player aid P9]).

10.2.2 Security markers explained...

“Extra Police” represents the Extra Police: Place the marker on the “Extra Police” space on the Mission Planning Blot- beefing up of R.A.F. Service ter. This requires an expenditure of 5 RP. During the Security Risk Check, shift the Security Police at the airbase. 5 Risk Level marker two spaces to the left.

36 Enemy Coast Ahead Transfer the Barmaid: You may only take this action if Extra Police is already in play. To Here we take liberties with the flip that marker to the Transfer the Barmaid side you must pay 5 RP. Doing so will allow rumor that the local “barmaid” you to shift the Security Risk Level marker one space to the left (this is in addition to the was transferred for security shift for Extra Police). If the Spy is in play when you Transfer the Barmaid, remove the Spy reasons. (See W.J. Lawrence, (it is removed from the game; do not put it back in the cup). No. 5 Bomber Group, R.A.F., Faber & Faber Ltd., 1951.) Transfer 57 Squadron: Place the marker on the Transfer 57 Sqdn space on the Mission Planning Blotter. To take this action, you must pay 15 RP and remove one Groundcrew Transfer? 617 Squadron shared Scamp- marker (it may be Fatigued). Once removed, the Groundcrew marker may not be requisi- 15 ton with 57 Squadron, and tioned again. If 57 Squadron is transferred, during the Security Risk Check [11.4.2], roll a the two remained at Scampton die and shift the Security Risk Level marker the number of spaces indicated on the chart throughout April and May, printed on the player aid card [P9]. 1943. You, however, have the power to transfer 57 Squadron. Quarantine: You take this action by flipping over the Transfer 57 Sqdn marker to its quarantine side. Thus, you may only take this action if you already transferred 57 Squadron to another base during a previous turn. Once quarantined, you may no longer request additional resources [10.1.5], nor may you requisition more Groundcrew markers. If the Spy is in play when you quarantine Scampton, remove the Spy (do not put it back in the cup). If quarantined, during the Security Risk Check [11.4.2], roll a die and shift the Security Tirpitz? Risk Level marker the number of spaces indicated on the chart printed on the player aid The Tirpitz was the sister-ship to the mighty German battle- card [P9]. ship Bismark. A terror to con- voys supplying Great Britain, it These shifts are in addition to shifts for transferring 57 Squadron. was a high priority target, and the low-altitude training con- Effect on Wallis Bonus: If you quarantine Scampton, the effects of the Wallis Bonus are ducted by 617 Squadron over lakes and reservoirs in Britain nullified (ignore all Wallis Bonus effects [10.3.3]). led many in 617 Squadron to believe that the object of their Tirpitz Rumor: Place the marker on the Tirpitz Rumor space on the Mission Planning secret mission was to sink the Blotter. During the Security Risk Check, shift the Security Risk Level marker one space to Tirpitz. “Ruse” represents the possibility that assets of one the left [11.4.2, player aid P9]. kind or another have been diverted to make the rumor Tirpitz Ruse: You may only take this action if the Tirpitz Rumor marker is already in substantial. Phony orders are play. To flip that marker to the Tirpitz ruse side you must pay 5 RP. During the Security written, dispatched, and “acci- Risk Check (during Flight Preparation [11.4.2]), roll a die and shift the Security Risk Level 5 dentally” lost, for example. marker to the left as indicated by the player aid [P9] (this is in addition to the shift for the Tirpitz Rumor). 10.2.3 Spy This marker is added to the pool of Elite Crewman markers at the start of the game. If you draw this marker, thus bringing it into play, place it in the Security section of the Flight Spy? This marker represents the infil- Prep area of the Mission Planning Blotter. If still in play during Flight Preparation, do tration of a spy in 617 Squadron not attach the Spy marker to a Lancaster. Although it does not fly with 617 Squadron, it or in the Ministry of Aircraft will have an adverse effect on the Security Risk Level (it will shift the Security Risk Level Production. The RAF was in fact infiltrat- marker to the right during the Security Risk Check of Flight Prep) [11.4.2, player aid P9]. ed at least once during the war, by Alex- ander Preucil. He was a Czech pilot who flew for the RAF in 1940. In September Removing the Spy: If the Spy is already in play, playing either Transfer the Barmaid or he and a Polish pilot flew Hurricanes near the Quarantine action during the Security Phase will remove the Spy. The Spy must already the English Channel, sparring in a train- be in play to be removed. Once removed, it may not enter play again (do not put it back ing flight, during which Preucil took the in the cup). opportunity to dive suddenly out of sight and beneath radar. He then flew across to occupied Belgium, and there, delivered the Security Liability: If the Spy is in play during the Briefing step of Flight Preparation, its fighter to the Gestapo. The RAF listed him presence shifts the Security Risk Level marker a number of spaces RIGHT equal to a die as Missing in Action and it was not until roll [11.4.2, player aid P9]. the twenty-first century that his role as a spy was discovered. P4 10.3 TRAINING PHASE You MUST train your aircrews. This is mandatory, but it does not cost Resource Points. There are three categories of training to choose from: Navigation, Altitude & Speed, and Bomb-Aiming & Release. Each category has its own record track on the Mission Planning Blotter. You must select two categories each Training Phase, and perform Training for each. Clarification [10.3.1] -- “each aircrew type at Scampton”: If you only have two aircrew types in play (for example, Veteran and Sea- 10.3.1 Training Procedure soned), roll only twice, once for each type. If To conduct Training, select a training category (for example, Navigation), and then roll you requisitioned only one type of aircrew, a die for each aircrew type at Scampton (“type” refers to Green, Seasoned, and Veteran). roll only once.

Dambuster Raid 37 Example -- Training [10.3.1]: On Turn 1 the Cross reference the number rolled with the aircrew type on the Training table printed on player dedicates a groundcrew and decides the Mission Planning Blotter, and find the result. to train his crews in Navigation, and Alti- tude & Speed. He chooses to do Navigation first and rolls dice, one at a time: first, a 4, In some cases the number rolled will be modified (see below). Apply the modified result and thus a Green crew’s Navigation Training to the selected training category. In some cases there will be more than one result (apply Level increases by 1 (he shifts the marker one them all). space to the right). The player then rolls a 2, increasing Seasoned crews’ Training Level by 0 (a zero means it does not increase), Modifiers… and then rolls another 4, thus increasing a Veteran crews’ Training Level by 2. He rolls Not Enough Aircraft? If aircrews outnumber Lancasters by 2 to 1 at the moment you three more dice for Altitude & Speed train- roll the training die, modify the training die roll by subtracting 1. Do not count damaged ing: First he rolls a 6 for Green aircrew, which raises the training level by 1 but it also means or crashed bombers. he must select a Lancaster to flip over (it is damaged). He rolls another 6 for Seasoned No Groundcrew? If you do not dedicate a Groundcrew marker to Training, subtract 1. aircrew and increases the Seasoned aircrew In order to avoid this deduction, you need only dedicate a single Groundcrew marker for training level by 2, and again must damage the entire phase, not one per Training action. Dedicating more than one Groundcrew to another Lancaster. This time, however, he is also awarded an Elite Crewman and so Training has no beneficial effect. draws one randomly from the cup. He rolls a third die, a 1, allowing him to increase Vet- Recon? If the Recon Level in each of the three hostile zones on the Flight Map is at level 1 eran training level by 1, and again damaging or higher, add 1 to all Navigation training die rolls. a Lancaster. But he also garnered a “rested” result, and so flips the Veteran Training Level marker over to show its rested side. Aldis Lights? If you have completed the Altimeter modifications [10.4.4], add 1 to all Altitude & Speed training die rolls. Example -- Not Enough Aircraft modifier: You have 20 aircrews but only 10 bombers, Dann Bombsight? If you have completed the Cockpit modifications [10.4.4], add 1 to all you must subtract 1 from each training die roll. Another example: let’s say you have 20 Bomb-Aiming & Release training die rolls. aircrews and 15 bombers, but 5 of them are damaged, so they don’t count. The ratio is 20 10.3.2 Training Results explained... to 10, or 2 to 1. Subtract 1 from the die roll. # – Increase Training Level. The number indicates the increase in levels of that training category (zero means the level does not increase). If a level is gained, adjust the appropriate Example -- Rested: Let’s say the Seasoned training marker on the corresponding training track. aircrews’ Training Level marker is already on its Rested side. You roll a 2, but you choose to re-roll, so you flip the marker to its non- R – Rested. Flip the Training Level marker to its Rested side (if already on its Rested Rested side and re-roll. But your luck is truly side, ignore the R result). EFFECT: in a subsequent Training action (same category, same horrendous and you roll a 1. You don’t im- aircrew type), you may elect to flip this marker back to its un-rested side, thereby grant- prove a training level but you do get to flip the marker back over to its Rested side (being yourself an instant training re-roll. If you choose to make this re-roll, the new number cause the result was “R”). rolled overrides the first number. Choose any one bomber in play and flip it to its Damaged side [2.1.1]. You Example -- Crash! You roll for Green aircrew d – Damaged. training and the result is ‘c’. You remove one may only select an undamaged bomber, and if you do not have an undamaged bomber in Lancaster and roll another die. It comes up play, ignore the “d” result (the crew was flying a Wellington or an unmodified Lancaster). even so your crew survives and you get to draw a new Elite Crewman marker from the c – Crash! Select an undamaged bomber in play, and remove it from the game (it may cup. not be requisitioned again). Then, roll a die: if the roll is EVEN, draw an Elite Crewman marker, but if ODD, remove 1 Aircrew marker of the appropriate type (the crew was killed Wallis Bonus? or seriously injured). This represents a feedback loop for the engineer, Barnes Wallis. Upkeep’s design If you do not have an undamaged bomber to remove, eliminate the aircrew but no bomber benefits from the extensive testing your squadron has done during training. The is destroyed. shift of the Security Risk Level marker represents the vulnerability of allowing c/d -- Crash or Damaged? Roll another die: if EVEN the result is Damaged. If ODD, information to flow back and forth be- it is Crash! tween Scampton and the Ministry. E – Elite Crewman. Draw one Elite Crewman marker randomly and place it with your Example -- Wallis Bonus [10.3.3]: requisitions. Let’s say the Altitude & Speed training level of Green aircrew is 1, Seasoned is at 2 and Veteran is 10.3.3 Wallis Bonus – Altitude & Speed Training at 5. They add to 8, which means Keep note of the combined levels of Altitude & Speed training of all three types of aircrews. that the player does not receive the Wal- If their sum is 12 or higher, you earn the Wallis Bonus. lis Bonus. But if Green aircrew was at level 3, Seasoned at 4 and Veteran at 5, the levels would add to 12, thus granting the Wallis Bo- Effect – Wallis Bonus: When checking the result of a detonation during the Status Phase nus. of an Attack Turn [play aid, A14], do not roll a die to check for evens and odds in the usu-

38 Enemy Coast Ahead al manner [4.4.4]. Instead, automatically use the highest number on the Upkeep marker. Training Also, during the Security Risk Check conducted in Step 4 of the Flight Preparation Se- quence [11.4.2], shift the Security Risk Level marker 1 space to the right. “Now there’s a lot of urgency in this, because you haven’t got long to train. Train- ing will be the important thing, so get go- Quarantine: If you choose to quarantine Scampton [as per 10.2.2, “Quarantine”], all Wallis ing right away.” Bonus effects are ignored (Quarantine nullifies the effects). - Air Vice Marshal Cochrane to Gibson 617 Squadron flew 2,000 hours training 10.3.4 Extra Training for this mission, dropping 2,500 practice You may order Extra Training at the end of the Training Phase. You may do this only once bombs in British lakes and reservoirs. each turn. Extra Training allows you to perform a third Training action (you may choose any category, even one selected previously this phase). It also allows you to gain a new Elite Crewman marker.

Procedure – Extra Training: Spend 5 RP, randomly draw one Elite Crewman marker Example -- Extra Training: On from the cup, and then select a training category. Roll a die for each aircrew type and apply Turn 1, after normal training in results [as per 10.3.1]. You must keep track of the number of times you order Extra Train- Navigation and Altitude & Speed, a player decides to order Extra ing during the game, either on a piece of paper or by using the Extra Training marker on Training. He deducts 5 RP from the Record Track (it will influence the Security Risk Level [11.4]). his total, and selects Bomb Aim- ing & Release as his category (he could have selected any category). 10.4 MODIFICATIONS PHASE He rolls three dice, one for each During this phase you may attempt to modify your Lancasters [10.4.1], and repair Lan- P5 aircrew type, applies the results, casters damaged during Training [10.4.5]. There are three types of modifications: Radio, and then draws an Elite Crew- Altimeter, and Cockpit. You are permitted to make one attempt per type each turn. At- man marker. He also remembers tempts are voluntary. Modifications affect ALL Lancasters, while Repairs affect only -tar to slide the Extra Training marker geted Lancasters. one space to the right (or he just makes a note with pencil and paper). 10.4.1 Procedure – Modifications Attempt For each modification attempt, select one of the three modification types (Radio, Altim- Example -- Modifications Attempt: You select eter, or Cockpit), and dedicate at least one Groundcrew marker. Place the marker in the Radio modifications and dedicate a Ground- appropriate space on the Mission Planning Blotter. You may spend RP to improve your crew marker with 4 Erk Points. You roll four dice. If you dedicate a second Groundcrew chances of success. Then, roll the dice, and determine if the attempt succeeds. Count the marker, you add a number of dice equal to number of ‘6’s rolled: if attempting Radio modifications, you succeed if you roll a ‘6’; if at- its Erk Points value. If you spend 10 RP, you tempting Altimeter or Cockpit modifications, you succeed if you roll two ‘6’s. roll an additional ten dice. Only four dice are included with the game, so you need to roll them mul- How many dice? The number of dice you roll is determined by two things: the Erk Points tiple times or scavenge your dedicated to the attempt, one die per point, and the RP spent on the attempt, one die per other games for more dice. RP. You may dedicate more than one Groundcrew marker and spend any amount of RP in order to increase the number of dice you may roll. Erk Points Keep the following in mind:

One attempt per modifications type: You are permitted one attempt for each modifi- 4 Erk pts = cations type each turn; you can’t make two attempts to complete the same type in the same turn. However, see “Double Time & Modifications” [10.4.3].

Groundcrew is mandatory: You MUST dedicate at least one Groundcrew marker to Example -- Groundcrew is mandatory: If you EACH attempt. wish to make two attempts, one for Altimeter and one for Cockpit, you must dedicate at least one Groundcrew marker for each. Spending RP is optional: You need not spend RP, but if you do, you must spend them before rolling dice.

No maximum limit: You may dedicate as many Groundcrew markers as you have available, and spend as many RP as you can afford.

10.4.2 Modifications Attempt Results explained...

SUCCESS: If you rolled two or more ‘6’s, the attempt succeeds (for Radio modifications, you need only roll one ‘6’ to succeed). Place the appropriate marker on the modifications Box as a reminder that the modifications have been completed, or make a note on paper (or just remember that the modifications are complete).

FAILURE: If you did not roll any ‘6’s, the attempt fails (but see Double Time [10.4.3].

Dambuster Raid 39 IN PROGRESS: If attempting Altimeter or Cockpit modifications and you only roll one ‘6’, the attempt fails, but the next time you make the attempt you only need to roll one ‘6’ to succeed. In other words, the previous roll counts (the ‘6’ is saved for later). You can mark the modifications space on the Mission Planning Blotter with the Aldis Lights or Dann Bombsight marker as a reminder, “In Progress” side up.

Example -- Double Time: Let’s say you dedi- 10.4.3 Double Time & Modifications cated a Groundcrew marker with an Erk If you do not like the result of the modifications attempt, you may immediately flip over Points value of 5, and spent 5 RP, to make a Radio modifications attempt. After rolling the dedicated Groundcrew marker(s) and roll dice equal to its Fatigued Erk Points value the ten dice you failed to roll a ‘6’, so you im- (the groundcrew must not already be Fatigued to do this). If you dedicated more than one mediately flip over the Groundcrew marker Groundcrew marker, you may flip over one, some or all. You may not spend RP to increase to its Fatigued side. Its Fatigued Erk Points the number of dice rolled this second time, but you may transfer groundcrew to do this. value is 4, allowing you to roll four dice. You Double Time may only be performed once for each type each turn. do so immediately, hoping for a ‘6’. 10.4.4 Effects of Completed Modifications explained...

Altimeter: Modifications? From now on, when you conduct Altitude & Speed training, you enjoy a training modifier The Lancasters were modified in a number of ways before of +1 to each die roll [see 10.3.1]. Also, your Lancasters are now equipped with pairs of they reached Scampton, but in Aldis Lights, allowing you to draw Altitude chits during the Approach & Release Sequence cooperation with groundcrew, of an Attack Turn [A3 & A10]. (Not completing this modification means you may NOT the “Erks” of 617 Squadron, draw Altitude chits during the Attack Turn -- except at Sorpe or Bever Dams where Aldis the aircrews devised a num- Lamps have no effect [4.2.3].) Place the Aldis Lights marker on the modifications space on ber of additional alterations designed to accomplish the the Mission Planning Blotter as a reminder. unprecedented challenge of flying on the deck across Ger- Cockpit: many and smashing the dams. From now on, when you conduct a Bomb-Aiming & Release training attempt, you enjoy a Modifications Phase actions simulate those modifications. modifier of+1 to each die roll [see 10.3.1]. Also, this modification allows you to apply the Radio modifications refers to release modifier (printed on the Bomb Aiming & Release training track) when you make the installation of Very High Release Checks during the Release Sequence of the Attack Turn [A12] (Not completing Frequency radio sets that allow this modification means you may NOT apply that modifier during release [4.2.13 step 3]). crews to communicate to each Place the Dann Bombsight marker on the modifications space on the Mission Planning other at close range during flight (they were standard issue Blotter as a reminder that you completed this modification. in Spitfires and Hurricanes, but not in bombers). Improve- Radio: ments to Cockpits represents a All Lancasters are now equipped with VHF radio sets. Place the VHF marker on the modi- number of mechanical adjust- ments during training, such as fications space on the Mission Planning Blotter as a reminder. tinted glass to simulate night flying, and the makeshift Dann There is no immediate benefit to completing this modification (being equipped with VHF bombsight specially devised radio sets is the default condition assumed by the game design). Rather, NOT completing to use the dam’s sluice towers it imposes restrictions on 617 Squadron, as follows: to help the bomb-aimer judge release distance. Altimeter modifications represents solv- Coordination Check – no VHF: You are prohibited from performing Coordination ing the problem of judging actions (skip the Coordination Phase). altitude more precisely than a conventional altimeter was capable of measuring, especially Wireless Action – no VHF: You may only perform Wireless actions for each Lancaster at extremely low altitude. individually, even when in a wave.

Attack Order – no VHF: You must organize the Lancasters in waves, and each must have an “Attack Order.” [Explained in 11.6] Repair cost: 1 Erk & 1RP: 10.4.5 Repairs To repair damaged aircraft, you must dedicate at least one Groundcrew marker (place it in the Repair Lancasters Box on the Mission Planning Blotter). Once a groundcrew has been dedicated, you may spend 1 RP to repair each damaged bomber, up to the number of Erk Points supplied by dedicated groundcrew. Success is automatic, no dice are rolled. Crashed Example -- Repairs: let’s say 4 Lancasters bombers may not be repaired. have been damaged by training. You place a Groundcrew marker with 4 Erk Points in Clarification: Cockpit, Radio, Altimeter modifications and repairs require individual the Repair Lancasters Box, and then spend 4 RP, thus allowing you to repair the bombers groundcrew dedication. For example, to perform repairs and attempt Radio modifications, (you flip the four Lancaster markers to their you would need to dedicate two Groundcrew markers, or dedicate one and transfer it. undamaged side).

40 Enemy Coast Ahead 10.5 RECON PHASE During this phase you may spend RP to order reconnaissance of hostile Flight Zones and/ P7 or dams. You do not dedicate groundcrew to recon. Recon is voluntary, not mandatory. 10.5.1 Flight Zone Recon If you order reconnaissance of a hostile zone, record the order by spending 5 RP and in- Example -- Flight Zone Recon [10.5.1]: You crease that zone’s Recon Level by 1 on the Flight Map. “Hostile zones” are those with Re- decide to do Recon in the Ruhr so you spend 5RP and increase the Recon Level in the con Tracks in them (they are the Dutch Coast, Ruhr, and Weser Flight Zones). Increasing Ruhr Flight Zone by 1. the Recon Level is automatic, no die roll is necessary.

Flight Recon Limit: Although you may Recon more than one Flight Zone each turn, you may not increase the Recon Level in any zone more than 1 level per turn, and the maximum Recon Level of any Flight Zone is 3.

10.5.2 Dam Recon If you order the reconnaissance of a dam, record the order by spending 1 RP and increase P8 Example -- Dam Recon [10.5.2]: the Recon Level by 1 on the dam’s Status Record Track. Then, refer to the Dam Recon table The player elects to perform a re- [P8] and roll a die for each category (Flak, Searchlights and Balloons) and Water Level. If connaissance of Eder Dam. He pays the 1 RP cost and immediately increases the this is the second time a recon has been ordered on a dam, the result is interpreted differ- dam’s Recon Level by 1. He then rolls a die ently [see 10.5.3 – Repeated Dam Reconnaissance]. to check the Flak Level. Let’s say he rolls a ‘1’, consults the Dam Recon table, and notes Dam Recon Limit: You may recon each dam only once per turn. If you recon a dam dur- that the result is a ‘4’. He then places a Flak marker on the 4 space of Eder Dam’s Status ing the Recon Phase, you may recon it again during Flight Preparation [11.4.1]. However, Record Track, indicating that the dam’s Flak no dam may be the subject of more than four recon actions during the game (thus, the Level is 4. He rolls a second die to check the maximum Recon Level of each dam is 4). presence of Searchlights, and rolls a ‘5’. Ac- cording to the Dam Recon table, a ‘5’ means The effect of dam reconnaissance is as follows: the Searchlights Level is zero. Next, he rolls a die to check the presence of Balloons, and the die roll is a ‘2’, which means the Balloons Defense Levels: Roll one die for each defense category, one category at a time (Flak, Level is 1. He randomly draws a Balloons Searchlights, and Balloons). Cross-reference the number rolled with the defense category marker from a cup and places it on the 1 on the Dam Recon table [player aid P8], and locate the Defense Level. To record the De- space of Eder Dam’s Status Record Track (he is careful not to peek at the back of the mark- fense Level, place the appropriate Defense Level marker on the corresponding space on er). Finally, he checks the dam’s Water Level the dam’s Status Record Track. (If the Defense Level is 0 (zero), there is no need to place a by rolling a die. The number rolled is a ‘3’. It marker on the track). is Planning Turn 1, so he modifies the Water Level die roll by +1, for a modified die roll of Balloons: When the Balloons Level is 1 or more, you must randomly draw a Balloons 4. The reservoir’s Water Level is “High.” marker to place on the dam’s Status Record Track. Do not peek at the back of the marker, it will be revealed only when a Lancaster enters the Target Map [see Surprise 12.0].

Water Level: Roll one die and add the Planning Turn number. Locate the sum on the Dam Recon table to find the Water Level (Rising, High, or Full). Place the Water Level marker on the corresponding space on the dam’s Status Record Track. 10.5.3 Repeated Dam Reconnaissance If you perform reconnaissance on a dam that was previously the subject of a recon action Example -- Repeated Dam Recon [10.5.3]: (that is, the Recon Level is already 1 or higher), the procedure is the same, but the results Let’s say the Recon Level is 1 and the Flak Level is 3 but the other two defense catego- are treated differently, as follows: ries are 0 (zero). You perform Recon and start by shifting the Recon Level marker to Lower Defense Levels: Do not change the current Defense Level UNLESS the recon at- the 2 space on the dam’s Status Record Track. tempt indicates a lower level. If the new result is equal to or higher than the current level, Then you roll a die to check the Flak Level -- you roll a 6 -- which means the new Flak the level remains unchanged. Level is 0 (zero). And so you shift the Flak marker to the zero space on the track (or just Raise Water Level: Do not change the current Water Level UNLESS the recon attempt remove it). You don’t bother checking Bal- would raise that level. loons or Searchlights because they’re already at level 0, so you roll another die to check the Water Level. You roll a 3, adding the Plan- 11.0 FLIGHT PREPARATION ning Turn (it is turn 3), so the modified result Flight Prep is triggered automatically after the Recon Phase of Planning Turn 4. At the is 6, which means the Water Level is “Full.” conclusion of a previous Recon Phase, however, you MAY choose to “pull the trigger” You shift the Water Level marker on the track and launch the raid sooner. Once triggered, flip the Planning Turn marker to its “Raid to the Full space. Launched” side, indicating that the Planning Segment is over and the first Flight Turn is about to begin. Before that first turn commences, however, you must conduct the five steps of the Flight Preparation Sequence. These five steps will reveal the collateral effects of training, as well as give you an opportunity to organize your aircraft and crews for the flight to © 2014 GMT Games, LLC

Dambuster Raid 41 the targets. It will also give you one last opportunity to recon the dams. Flight Prep & Groundcrew “Yes,” [Gibson said,] “we will want maxi- Groundcrew during Flight Prep: All groundcrew in play may be dedicated during mum serviceability. From now on your ground crews will have to work twenty- Flight Preparation, regardless of their dedication during the last Planning Turn. Each four hours a day, I’m afraid, to do it, but Groundcrew marker may be transferred, and may do Double Time. tell’ em it will be worth it in the end. And you Doc. – stop chewing gum – you will Double Time -- Flight Prep: After completing Steps 1 and/or 2, you may nullify the result have to get your mines organized by the 12th because we will want to drop these of the check and re-roll. To do so, flip one dedicated Groundcrew marker to its Fatigue side on a final practice.” and recalculate the modifers. You may do this only once for Step 1 and once for Step 2. “It will be a bit of a job, sir,” put in Doc. “They haven’t all arrived yet; that is, the Perform the steps of Flight Preparation in this order [refer to the Mission Planning Blotter modified ones, and they take twenty-four on the mapsheet]: hours to prepare. You know how short of armourers we are, and my boys have been sweating blood as it is.” 11.1 Aircraft Check (Step 1 of Flight Prep) You must check to see if your aircraft are in flying condition. - Gibson, Enemy Coast Ahead

Example -- Aircraft Check [11.1]: It is Step 1 Procedure -- Aircraft Check: First, you may dedicate groundcrew. Then, roll two dice of Flight Prep and you roll a pair of dice. They and add the numbers rolled. Modify the sum (see below), and refer to the result indicated come up a 2 and a 3, adding to 5. You dedi- on the table printed at the bottom of the Mission Planning Blotter. cated a Groundcrew marker before rolling which allows you to add 2 to the sum, for a modified total of 7. You look up the result on Modifiers… the table printed in the Flight Prep section of +2 for each dedicated non-Fatigued Groundcrew marker; the Blotter, and it tells you that two Lancast- +1 for each dedicated Fatigued Groundcrew marker. ers are grounded and that one extra Hazard -1 if the Spy is in play. marker must be drawn in the English Coast Flight Zone on Flight Turn 1. If you choose to skip Flight Turn 1 and start on turn 2 instead, Results -- Aircraft Check explained... you can avoid the extra Hazard marker (your The Aircraft Check table printed in the Flight Prep section of the Mission Planning Blot- groundcrew are understaffed and could use a ter indicates the number of aircraft that are “grounded”. If you must ground one or more little extra time just to make sure all of your bombers, select that number of in-play and undamaged aircraft and set them aside. They Lancasters are in tip-top shape). Not liking the result, you decide to order double time, may not be used during Flight and Attack Turns. (If the scenario outcome indicates that a so you flip over the Groundcrew marker and follow-up raid has been ordered, you may use any grounded Lancasters for the follow-up roll dice again -- a 2 and a 5 -- and add the raid. That is, they become “un-grounded” for the follow-up raid.) modifier (+1 for fatigued Groundcrew). The modified sum is 8, which is rather frustrating because the result is the same -- two ground- Increased Hazards: If the result forced you to ground one or more Lancasters, you must ed Lancasters and an extra Hazard marker. also add one or two Hazard markers during the Place Hazards Phase in the English Coast Zone of the Flight Map, as indicated by the Aircraft Check table. These additional Hazard markers apply only to Flight Turn 1 of the game. You may avoid these extra Hazard markers by choosing to launch on Flight Turn 2 or later [see 11.5.1 Staggered Launch]. 11.2 Ordnance Check (Step 2 of Flight Prep) Aircraft & Ordnance Check You must check to see if all of your Upkeep have been installed in bombers. “There was testing of aircraft and checking of instruments; there were tractors driving round the aerodrome carrying Procedure -- Ordnance Check: First, you may dedicate groundcrew. Then, roll two dice the mines which were to be fitted to our and add the numbers rolled. Modify the sum (see below), and refer to the result indicated aircraft. There was Doc Watson rushing on the table printed at the bottom of the Mission Planning Blotter. round on his motor-bike looking wor- ried. There was the engineer staff putting finishing touches to the aircraft which Modifiers… had been damaged; a new turret here, a (The modifiers are identical to those explained above in Step 1.) repaired fin there. They finished the last one at five that afternoon.” Results -- Ordnance Check explained... - Gibson, Enemy Coast Ahead If the result indicates that one or more Upkeep markers are “grounded,” you must randomly select that number of Upkeep markers and set them aside (do not peek at their Damage side). Select only markers that are in play. The Upkeep markers that are set aside may not be attached to Lancasters in Step 5. (If the scenario outcome indicates that a follow-up raid has been ordered, grounded Upkeep markers become “un-grounded”; that is, they will be available for attachment in the follow-up raid, if there is one.)

11.3 Aircrew Check (Step 3 of Flight Prep) Some of your aircrews may not be fit for flight.

Procedure -- Aircrew Check: Roll two dice, and note the modified sum on the Aircrew Check table printed in the Flight Prep section of the Mission Planning Blotter.

42 Enemy Coast Ahead Modifiers… -1 for each turn that you ordered Extra Training. +1 for each Aircrew Training Level marker on its Rested side (i.e., “Rested” is face-up). Briefing Results -- Aircrew Check explained... “It was a great moment when the public- address system on the station said, ‘All The Aircrew Check table indicates how many Aircrew markers may not fly. You must set crews of No. 617 Squadron report to the aside a number of Aircrew markers equal to that number, and may choose any aircrew type briefing room immediately’.” in play (Green, Seasoned, or Veteran). Those set aside may not be attached to Lancasters in “…on May 16th, reconnaissance aircraft Step 5 (but they will be available for the follow-up raid if there is one). reported that the defenses on the dam had remained unchanged and that the 11.4 Briefing (Step 4 of Flight Prep) water level was just right for the attack.” Perform Final Dam Reconnaissance [11.4.1] and then make a Security Risk Check [11.4.2]. -- Gibson, Enemy Coast Ahead 11.4.1 Final Dam Reconnaissance You MAY perform a recon action at each dam. If a dam is at Recon Level 4 already, you may not perform recon there. Also, you may not perform recon in a Flight Zone.

Use the same procedure as described in the Recon Phase of the Planning Segment [10.5.2 & 10.5.3].

11.4.2 Security Risk Check P9 Place the Security Risk Level marker on the 0 (zero) space of the Mission Planning Blotter’s Example -- Security Risk Check: Record Track, and then use it to determine the Surprise Modifier and the Alert Level. Do The player decides to launch on Planning Turn 3, so shifts the Se- this by first shifting the marker a number of spaces to the RIGHT, and then to the LEFT, as curity Risk Level marker 3 spaces indicated on the player aid [P9] [also explained in 10.2.1]. to the right. He requested additional RP once, shifting the marker 1 space Determine the Surprise Modifier and Alert Level: Use the chart [at the bottom of more to the right. He ordered extra training P9] to note the Surprise Modifier and Alert Level. The Surprise Modifier is used in the twice and has three groundcrew at Scampton (none are Fatigued), and so shifts the marker Target Map Phase when you conduct a Surprise Check [12.1.2]. 5 more spaces to the right. Two Flight Zones and two dams are at Recon Level 3 or higher, 11.5 Sortie (Step 5 of Flight Prep) which requires 4 more spaces to the right for Assign attachments: Place requisitioned Upkeep, Aircrew and Elite Crewman markers the Security Risk marker. It is now in the 13 on aircraft. Do not use damaged or grounded Lancasters, grounded Upkeep or aircrew. space of the Record Track. Only one of each type of attachment may be attached to an aircraft (that is, 1 Upkeep, 1 He ordered Extra Police and spread the Tir- Aircrew, and 1 Elite Crewman marker). Exception: the Jinx may be an extra Elite Crewman pitz Rumor, and together that allows him to marker attached to a Lancaster [13.0]. Each Lancaster MUST have one Upkeep attached, shift the marker 3 spaces to the left. and one aircrew attached, but it need not have an Elite Crewman marker attached. If you The Security Risk Level marker finishes on have more aircraft than aircrew or Upkeep, set the excess aside (no aircraft may enter the the 10 space of the Record Track, so the Secu- Flight Map without an aircrew and Upkeep). Those that are set aside may be used for the rity Risk Level is “High,” the Surprise Modi- follow-up raid, if one is launched (as per the scenario’s outcome [Scenario Book, p.42]). fier is -3, and the Alert Level starts at 1. You may set aside (or ground) more assets than forced to by Steps 1-3 of Flight Prep.

Waves: Organize aircraft into waves [2.5 & 6.7], or leave one, some or all as independent aircraft. Place waves and independent aircraft in the England zone on the Flight Map [within sortie limits, see 11.5.1].

Target Assignments: Assign Primary Targets to all Lancasters in play that are not set aside or grounded. You may assign Secondary Targets as well, but this is not mandatory.

Target of Last Resort: Assign a dam as the squadron’s Target of Last Resort. It may be any dam not already designated as a Primary or Secondary Target (unless all eight dams have been designated as a target already, in which case you may choose any dam as the Target of Last Resort). Designating a Target of Last Resort is mandatory. 11.5.1 Sortie Limits The number of aircraft that may be placed in the England zone in a single Flight Turn is Example -- Sortie Limit: limited by the number of Sortie Points available. Each Groundcrew marker in play contrib- If you have 4 Groundcrew markers in play, and all are utes 4 or 5 Sortie Points, unless Fatigued (in which case it has 3 Sortie Points). Regardless Fatigued, you may place 12 of previous dedication during Flight Prep, each Groundcrew marker contributes Sortie aircraft (and their attach- Points. ments) in the England zone. The rest may launch in a Staggered Launch: If you do not have enough Sortie points to sortie all of your aircraft subsequent Flight Turn. in the same Flight Turn, the remainder may be placed in the England zone at the start of a

Dambuster Raid 43 subsequent Flight Turn, within sortie limits. Indeed, you are welcome to deliberately delay placement in the England zone by holding some or all Lancasters back. Lancasters held back must still be assigned Primary Targets before you begin the first Flight Turn, and you must schedule the Flight Turn when they will be placed in the England zone.

TURN 11.5.2 Launch the Raid Set the Flight Turn marker on the Turn 1 space of the Flight Turn Track. Skip the first Co- ordination Phase and proceed directly to the Move Phase of the Flight Turn.

If no Lancasters sortie on Flight Turn 1, place the Flight Turn marker on the first turn in which Lancasters sortie. 11.6 ATTACK ORDER – NO VHF If you did not complete Radio modifications [10.4.4], you must organize the Lancasters into “Attack Order”. This means that all aircraft must be organized in waves, none may be placed in the England zone as an independent aircraft. If a Lancaster becomes an independent aircraft during the Flight Turn, it must attempt to join its wave whenever it can as it continues on to its Primary Target [7.1.4]. Each wave must have its own Attack Order.

Clumsy? 11.6.1 Linear If you launch the raid without VHF ra- Attack Order is linear. The “line” starts with the Lancaster you designate to be first, and dio sets installed in your Lancasters, you continues to the “last” bomber. The Wave Leader is considered to be “in front” of the first will come to appreciate just how tacti- Lancaster in this scheme. You are welcome to keep track of this order in any convenient cally graceful 617 Squadron was while equipped with those sets. manner (for instance, by arranging the Lancaster markers on your gaming table in a line, or noting the order with paper and pencil).

No Upkeep: Once a Lancaster no longer carries Upkeep, it leaves Attack Order and must enter the RTB Box at its earliest opportunity.

Example -- Attack Order: If the second and 11.6.2 Attack Turn in Attack Order (no VHF) the fourth Lancasters are in the Circling Near Lancasters carrying Upkeep must move to the Circling Near Box as soon as possible (i.e., Box and the first Lancaster is in the Circling Far Box, having been delayed by an Unco- at their first opportunity), and remain in the Circling Near Box until entering the Ap- ordinated Entry, the second Lancaster must proach. Lancasters in the Circling Near Box must strictly follow Attack Order during the enter the Approach. Run Phase of the Attack Turn. The “first” Lancaster must be the first to enter the Approach (assuming it remained with the wave en route and is capable of entering the Approach at this time), followed by the second Lancaster, and so on. If a Lancaster is knocked out of the wave, destroyed, no longer carries Upkeep, or for any other reason is not present in the Example -- Wave Leader’s privi- Circling Near Box during the Run Phase, skip over its place in the Attack Order. lege: The first Lancaster and the second Lancaster are in the Cir- cling Near Box, along with the Wave Leader’s Privilege: The Wave Leader may precede the first Lancaster (i.e., it may Wave Leader. The player may “cut in line” ahead of the first Lancaster), or it may enter the Approach instead of the next place either the first Lancaster Lancaster in the Attack Order, at the player’s discretion. In fact, the leader may insert itself or the Wave Leader into the Ap- into the order at any time. Also, the leader is the only Lancaster that may enter the Ap- proach. proach as an escort (but it may not do so if carrying Upkeep [as per 4.1.2]). Example -- Attack Order Devia- 11.6.3 Very Lights – Attack Order Deviation tion: To move a Lancaster to the You may deviate from the Attack Order. You may do so only if the Wave Leader is in the Circling Far Box, the Wave Lead- er fires a Very Light Flare. You Circling Near Box and it fires a Very Light Flare. Doing so means placing a Very Light Flare place the Very Light Flare marker marker on the current turn space of the Attack Turn Track. in the current turn space of the Attack Turn Track. The Wave Leader may fire a Very Light Flare more than once each Attack Turn, during the Run or the Circling Phases, but only one Very Light Flare marker may occupy a single space on the Turn Track (if one has already been fired, Very Lights may be fired again, just don’t place another marker on top of the one already there). Firing Very Light Flares allows you to do the following [this is in addition to 4.3.1 and the effects of Very Lights explained Example -- Multiple Attack Orders [11.6.4]: in 4.2.1]: If the first and third waves arrive at Eder Dam in the same Flight Turn, and thus oper- Run Phase: If fired during the Run Phase, you may place any Lancaster in the Approach, ate on the same Target Map at the same time, ignoring Attack Order (the Lancaster must already be in the Circling Near Box). the Lancasters of the third wave must wait for all Lancasters of the first wave in the Circling Near Box to make their runs and release ord- Circling Phase: If fired during the Circling Phase, you may move Lancasters freely be- nance before they are permitted to enter the tween the two Circling Boxes. Lancasters moved to the Circling Far Box in this manner Approach. may not move to the Circling Near Box again until another Very Light Flare is fired in a

44 Enemy Coast Ahead subsequent turn. Likewise, a Lancaster that would move into the Circling Near Box may be “held” in the Circling Far Box. Once held, it may only move to the Circling Near Box if a Immediate Adjustment? Very Light Flare is fired again. Keep track of this by any means you like (such as orienting This rule makes sure that dams with little the Lancaster markers a certain direction, or pencil and paper). or no Recon can have defenses and increasing water levels. 11.6.4 Multiple Attack Orders If Lancasters from two or more waves occupy the same Target Map, use the wave ID numbers to determine which wave’s Attack Order goes first (for example, the Attack Order of the first wave takes precedence over the Attack Order of the second wave). Two Wave Leaders may enter the Approach as escorts in the same Run Phase. 12.0 SURPRISE CHECK When playing Scenario 10, this rule must be added to the Target Map Phase of the Flight P10 Turn. It is triggered when a dam is successfully acquired by a Lancaster for the first time (it is never performed more than once for any dam). Do not use this rule when playing a follow-up raid. water level modifier surprise numbers [12.1.1] [12.1.2] 12.1 Procedure – Surprise Check First, determine if “immediate adjustment” is necessary: If the Recon Level is 0 (zero) Example -- Water Level Reduced check [12.1.1]: The raid was launched on Plan- or 1, check the Water Level by performing Dam Recon; if the Recon Level is 0 (zero) also ning Turn 3, so the player wants to roll a check Flak, Searchlights and Balloons Levels. Adjust the levels as indicated on the Dam ‘3’ or higher. The Water Level modifier on Recon table [10.5.2 or 10.5.3, player aid P8]. However, do NOT increase the Recon Level the back of the Recon marker is +2, so that and no RP is spent (this ends “immediate adjustment”). will be added to the die roll. Let’s say the player rolls a ‘1’. He adds +2 because of the modifier, resulting in a 3, which equals the Then, regardless of the Recon Level, flip over the Recon Level marker on the dam’s Status Planning Turn. The Water Level at the dam Record Track. Once flipped, make two Surprise Checks: one to determine if the Water remains unchanged. Had the modifier been Level has been reduced [12.1.1], and the other to see if the Germans have improved the +1 instead, the Water Level would have been dam’s defenses [12.1.2]. reduced to Rising. 12.1.1 Water Level Reduced? (Perform this check only if the dam’s Water Level is Full; if it is not Full, skip it and proceed to 12.1.2.) Roll a die and modify the number rolled by adding the Water Level modifier printed on the back of the Recon Level marker. If the sum of the number rolled and the modifier is equal to or greater than the Planning Turn, there is no change to the Water Level, but if less, reduce the dam’s Water Level to “Rising” (the Germans recognized the danger and opened the sluice gates). 12.1.2 Surprise? Locate the appropriate Surprise number on the back of the Recon Level marker. To deter- Example -- Surprise [12.1.2]: If the Recon mine which of the three numbers is appropriate, match the icon on the marker with the Level at Ennepe is 2 and the circle icon is in the 2-space of the dam’s Status Record Track, icon on the dam’s Status Record Track, and use the icon in the Recon Level marker’s space. use the number on the back of the Recon Level marker corresponding to the circle Roll equal or higher: Roll two dice, and subtract the Surprise modifier [as determined (rather than the diamond or the blank). In during Briefing, 11.4.2, player aid P9]. If the modified sum of the dice is equal to or higher this example the Surprise number is 2, be- than the Surprise number, there is no surprise and the defenses have not been improved. cause that’s the number on the back of the Recon Level marker superimposed over If the result is lower than the Surprise number, the Germans have improved the dam’s de- the circle icon. You roll two dice, and let’s fenses, thus “surprising” your aircrews. say the sum of the numbers rolled is 4. The modified sum is 1 (after subtract- SURPRISE IMPROVEMENT -- Increased Defense Levels: If surprised, de- ing the Surprise modifier [11.4.2]), P6 the result is less than the Surprise termine what the improvements are by rolling one die for each defense category (Flak, number, which means the Germans Searchlights, and Balloons). Look-up the result on the Surprise Improvement table (locat- have improved the defenses. So ed on the player aid card [P6]). The numerical result is the increase in levels of that defense now you must determine the improvements category (a defense category may not exceed 4; ignore any excess). The asterisk means that by rolling three dice, one after the next: The there is a Nightfighter nearby at that dam (place a Nightfighter Nearby marker on the dam’s first die comes up a 6, and the result on the Surprise Improvement table [P6] is zero, so Status Record Track or the Target Acquisition Box on the Flight Map as a reminder; if you no improvement in Flak. The next die (for get an asterisk again, there is no additional effect). The Nightfighter Nearby marker will Searchlights) is a 3: the table indicates that influence Nightfighter Checks at this dam, but is not permanent. It can “Vanish” as a result the Searchlights Level is increased by 1. And of a Nightfighter Check [4.4.3, player aid A6]. for Balloons you roll a ‘1’, which garners a +2 result, so you randomly draw a Balloons marker and place it in the 2-space of the dam’s Status Record Track (it was at Level 0 prior to this).

Dambuster Raid 45 13.0 JINX P4 Jinx? When playing Scenario 10, add the Jinx marker to the pool of Elite Crewman markers Wing Commander Gibson’s (i.e., put it in the cup with the rest of the markers so it can be drawn randomly during the dog “Nigger” was run over the day 617 squadron was prepar- Planning Turn). If you are unfortunate enough to draw it during the Planning Turn, set it ing to attack the dams. Fearing it would be aside on your gaming table with the other Elite Crewman markers (it only affects play dur- interpreted as bad luck, Gibson kept news ing Flight and Attack Turns). During the Flight Preparation sequence [11.5], attach it to a of the mascot’s death from his men. Draw- Lancaster. You may attach it to one that already has an Elite Crewman marker. Attaching ing this marker represents news of Nig- the Jinx is mandatory. ger’s demise spreading through Scampton. We realize the name of the dog is offensive. 13.1 Jinx Remains in Play (transfer) It is unpleasant to read, to say aloud and to If the Lancaster it is attached to is destroyed or enters the RTB or Missing Box, the Jinx hear spoken, but this is a historical simula- marker must immediately transfer to another Lancaster in play (i.e., one that is not de- tion and that was the dog’s name. stroyed or is not in a RTB or Missing Box). If there are no other eligible Lancasters in play, remove the Jinx (this is the only way to get rid of the Jinx marker). 13.2 Jinxed Effects The Jinx marker only affects the Lancaster it is attached to. When flying in a wave, it does NOT affect the wave as a whole.

The effects of the Jinx are as follows: Example -- Jinxed Dice: A jinxed Lancaster 13.2.1 Jinxed Dice is in the Approach and must perform an Ap- proach Vector Check. You roll two dice in- When you must roll one die, roll two instead and keep the worst one. When you must roll stead of one and keep the lower of the two two or more dice, there is no jinxed effect. “Worst one” means the die that will do more rolls. harm to a Lancaster, or the one you as the player would rather not be saddled with. Another example: That same Lancaster is attacked by Flak. It has Aldis Lights on so you 13.2.2 Jinxed Hazards roll three dice. You are rolling more than a During the Place Hazards Phase, place an additional Hazard marker on the independent single die so the Jinx has no effect. aircraft with the Jinx marker attached. If in a wave, place the extra Hazard marker directly on the Jinxed Lancaster. Ignore the even distribution rule [7.5.4] and the three hazard limit [7.7.1 step 3]. 13.2.3 Jinxed Approach Chit When the jinxed Lancaster enters the Approach, roll a die: if the number rolled is EVEN, mix the Jinx marker in with the Speed chits; if ODD, mix it in with the Altitude chits. Dur- ing the Approach Sequence, if you draw the Jinx as one of the chits, it is equivalent to the “erratic” chit (+0 Chits). If the Lancaster pulls-up, return the Jinx marker to the Lancaster. release release 13.2.4 Jinxed Release Chit +0 +0 M M When the jinxed Lancaster enters the Release Box, keep the Jinx marker mixed in with erratic erratic the Altitude or Speed chits. If you draw the Jinx as one of the chits, it is equivalent to the “erratic” chit (+0 Release modifier). When the Lancaster leaves the Release Box, return the Jinx marker to the Lancaster. 14.0 Optional Rule -- High Altitude Enemy Coast Ahead is designed with the assumption that Lancasters fly at low altitude. To help you explore what a high-altitude raid might have looked like, at least during the flight to the targets, you are welcome to apply this optional rule set. Just keep in mind that when using this rule, the default altitude is “low,” and “high” means all altitudes that are not low. 14.1 Moving at High Altitude On the Flight Map, an independent aircraft or wave may fly at high altitude. All Lancasters in a wave must fly at the same altitude, high or low. To indicate that an independent aircraft or wave is at high altitude, make a note on paper, orient the Wave and aircraft markers in a particular direction, or use some other convenient mnemonic. Two High Altitude markers are provided in the countersheet for this purpose as well. 14.1.1 Changing Altitude During the Move Phase, in addition to moving, a wave or independent aircraft MAY change altitude. A Lancaster or wave at high altitude MUST change to low when in the Flight Zone of its Primary Target. Altitude may not be changed in the Missing Box.

46 Enemy Coast Ahead 14.2 Navigation Check Roll three dice when you make a Navigation Check for a high altitude wave or aircraft, and + keep the most favorable two dice. 14.3 Hazards at High Altitude High altitude aircraft have two effects on the drawing of hazards: they increase the number of markers drawn [14.3.2] and they potentially increase the Alert Level [14.3.1]. Also, high altitude aircraft may not evade hazards [14.3.3] but some hazards have no effect on high altitude Lancasters [14.3.4]. 14.3.1 Increasing the Alert Level During the Place Hazards Phase, if you have at least one Lancaster at high altitude in the North Sea Flight Zone, put two Nightfighter Nearby markers (or any other two markers) in the cup of yellow Hazard markers. Remove the Nightfighter Nearby markers from the cup if you no longer have a high altitude aircraft in that zone. Also, if you have at least one Clarification -- Increasing the Alert Level Lancaster at high altitude in the Dutch Coast or Ruhr Flight Zone, place two Nightfighter [14.3.1]: If you draw hazards for a wave or independent aircraft in the English Coast Nearby markers in the cup containing light blue Hazard markers (for Dutch Coast and Flight Zone, and draw the Nightfighter Ruhr Flight Zones). Once you no longer have an aircraft at high altitude in either zone, Nearby marker, it DOES trigger an increase remove the two markers from the cup. in the Alert Level. Rule 14.3.1 does not apply to the Weser Flight Zone. Drawing a Nightfighter Nearby marker: If you draw a Nightfighter Nearby marker instead of a Hazard marker, flip the Alert Level marker to its red “increase pending” side (and during the Clean-Up Phase, increase the Alert Level by 1). Drawing the Nightfighter Near- by marker does not trigger a Nightfighter Check, but it does count as a hazard -- immediately replace it with another randomly drawn marker from the cup (it must be a Hazard marker, not another Nightfighter Nearby marker), and place the hazard normally [7.5.4].

The Alert Level may increase only once a turn [6.6.1], so drawing the Nightfighter Nearby marker more than once a turn has no additional effect. Flak at High Altitude One of the perks of flying low was avoiding anti-aircraft fire from large 14.3.2 Extra Hazards caliber Flak guns. On the other hand, In Hostile Flight zones, each high altitude independent aircraft and wave triggers an extra flying high lessened the threat from Hazard marker during the Place Hazards Phase. The extra marker must be assigned to that low caliber guns. For simplicity sake, this optional rule set draws a mathe- independent aircraft or wave (it is allowed to violate the even distribution rule [7.5.4] [7.7.1 matically clumsy line between the two step 2] and the three max. rule [7.7.1 step 3]). and calls it a day. 14.3.3 Evade Hazards Prohibited High altitude independent aircraft and waves may not evade [7.6]. 14.3.4 Resolving Hazards at High Altitude Some hazards in hostile Flight Zones are treated differently when revealed on independent aircraft and waves at high altitude. “No effect” means that the Lancaster is not affected by the hazard (you resolve the hazard by putting the marker back in the cup).

Balloons: No effect.

Crash: No effect.

Delayed Sortie: The effect of this hazard remains unchanged, but a Lancaster may not change altitude while this hazard is attached.

Nightfighter: Perform Step 1 but skip Step 2 of the Nightfighter Check; the Nightfighter automatically attacks. The Lancaster is destroyed and the Wave scatters [4.4.3]. VC = Victoria Cross 14.4 Target Acquisition Prohibited DSO = Distinguished Service Order An independent aircraft or wave at High Altitude may take no action during the Target DFC = Distinguished Flying Cross DFM = Distinguished Flying Medal Acquisition Phase of the Flight Turn. CGM = Conspicuous Gallantry Medal Bar = repeated award 14.5 Target Map at High Altitude Lancasters may not fly at High Altitude on the Target Map. All Lancasters on the Target RCAF = Royal Canadian Air Force Map are automatically considered to be at low altitude. In other words, this optional rule RAAF = Royal Australian Air Force RNZAF = Royal New Zealand A.F. set [14.0] has no effect on the Target Map.