n August 1940 the Royal Air Force attacked targets British: in Germany, in retaliation for bombs that had fallen Elements of No. 10,11 and 12 Group on London. The move enraged Hitler, who ordered a squadrons. •Spitfire I, Hurricane I, massive bombardment to be unleashed against London by way Ramming attacks (TB phase only) of reprisal. The new phase in the battle of Britain opened on 7 • Hurricane I (HB phase only) September, when several hundred bombers attacked the dock Late arrival (HB phase only) areas to the east of the city, causing severe damage and several large fires. In the week that followed there were three further Mission 4. Factory Target daylight attacks on the capital. For the fifth action in the series, to (Target-Bound 8 • Home-Bound 7) Port of London dockyards take place on Sunday 15 September, the Luftwaffe planned to deliver two separate attacks on the city, both with a strong escort German: of fighters, with a further two attacks against targets on the Elements of Kampfgeschwader 53, 2, south coast. The resultant action would mark the climax of the and 56 Battle of Britain. •(4)He111's, (2)Do17s, Vital target • Bf109E (Galland) Fighter sweep In ascending order of importance, thi German: vs. raids play as follows: Elements of Kampfgeschwader 55 Hurricane I element • (4) He111 's, Deceptive course •Bf109E (TB phase only) Mission 1. Factory Target •Bf109E(HB phase only) (Target-Bound 9 • Home-Bound 8) British: Supermarine aircraft works Elements of No. 152 Squadron British: at Southampton • Spitfire I (TB phase only) Massed elements of No. 10, 11 and 12 Group squadrons. German: • Spitfire I (Bader), Hurricane I, Elements of Erprobungsgruppe 210 Mission 3. Railyard Target Hurricane I (TB phase only) •Bf109E, Bf110C, Flak guns (Target-Bound 8 • Home-Bound 7) Clouds over target (both elements carrying bombs ) Battersea railway network in London • Hurricane I, Hurricane I (HB phase only) British: German: Elements of No. 607 Squadron Elements of Kampfgeschwader 76 and Special Rules • Hurricane I (HB phase only) Lehrgeschwader 2 1. Medium bombers can only bomb at • (4) Do17's, Tight Formations medium level. •Bf109E(TB phase only) Mission 2. Supply Depot • Bf109E with bombs (Bomb phase 2. Fighter bombers can only bomb at Target only) low level, and thus may not strafe. (Target-Bound 8 • Home-Bound 7) 3. The Ramming attack option can only be used against a bomber. 4. Very High and Very Low levels are not in play. 5. No skilled pilots are available except for those designated. 6. Pilots may only discard cards from their hand when enemy planes are currently in play. Optional Rules 1. No fighter plane (except those carrying bombs ) may voluntarily firing and tailing at the end. Games fair. I hope you find it so. begin a phase at low level. could drag on for ages and were usually to the last man. This time Let me explain the reasoning 2. When first deciding initiative, consuming process seemed com- behind some of the special rules. if one side has any fighter planes pletely at odds with what I had read Those restricting medium and fighter at a higher level than another, the about the fast, furious, indeed often bombers to specific height levels were higher side may opt to re-flip the very brief and inconclusive nature of introduced for historical accuracy, as initiative counter. If they elect to the air war. Moreover, many games was a rule forcing ramming attacks do so, they must then accept the found it extremely difficult to only to take place against bombers. subsequent decision. represent the three dimensional I also didn't think it appropriate for aspect of the combat. Often it the Very High and Very Low levels to Aftermath required the laborious notation of be in play at this stage of the war. In the course of the hard-fought specific height levels. Equally often However, the other rule change in series of actions on 15 September one dimension was simply ignored, this section I devised to remedy what 1940, the Luftwaffe lost a total of 56 leading to the notorious "gliding I have often felt is a very unbalancing fighters and bombers. RAF Fighter ducks" analogy. The advent of GMT's factor in most scenarios - the random Command lost 29 aircraft. At the time The Rise of the Luftwaffe changed skilled pilot draw. When Galland the defenders claimed the destruction all that. suddenly appears in a Bfl09, Allied of 185 German planes, the largest of players always get a little paler. What many huge overclaims that were Here in a simple format was the before appeared as a well balanced made during the Battle of Britain. solution. A card game that evoked dogfight, can turn into a probable Because of this exaggeration, 15 the speed of decision required by whitewash, just through a bit of luck. September has come to be commemo- fighter pilots, combined with an Of course, whilst luck is always a rated as Battle of Britain Day. In fact elementary but effective method of factor in war, I feel for quality of play that date did mark the decisive point distinguishing height, whilst still and fine tuning of victory conditions in the Battle, though for a different representing the various capabilities it should in this instance be negated. reason. The strength of Fighter of different aircraft. The design notes Command's reaction during the two of the game explain perfectly the As for the optional rules, I aimed actions around London convinced concepts I am trying to get across, so I these towards both improving Hitler that the Luftwaffe could not shall not repeat them here. Suffice to realism, and combatting gamesman- gain air superiority before the say, here was a combat simulation I ship. All fighter pilots knew that weather broke that autumn. On 17 felt it would be a joy to contribute to altitude - starting higher than the September he ordered that Operation in some way. I hope my campaign- enemy - was of prime importance in Sealion, the planned invasion of Battle of Britain Day - does so. If it determining victory. Quite literally, southern England, be postponed goes down well I may try turning my he who possessed it possessed the "indefinitely". The ships and barges hand again to scenario design. initiative. I don't think this is assembled for the enterprise at ports adequately reflected in the game, along the Channel coast began to slip Most of the research revolved around hence my ammendment whereby the away to resume their normal tasks. one book - Battle of Britain Day by player with the highest fighters at With each week that passed the threat Alfred Price. In it he provides a fully start can re-flip the initiative counter of invasion lessened, never to return. detailed account of the days activi- if they wish. Also I have banned the Although it was chosen for the wrong ties, and I reccomend it as a valuable all too familiar practice of starting reason, the date commemorated by resource. Other books I used for Low during a dog fight in order to the British public for the deliverance reference were more general, and frustrate a superior enemy with a two of the nation was the correct one. about the Battle of Britain as a whole. level altitude difference. Pilots The specific missions, formations, simply didn't do that. Lastly, I have Campaign Designer's Notes pilots and planes all conform as abolished the possible loophole that It was the Down in Flames series of closely as playability allows to the allowed planes to freely re-jig their games that finally inspired me to events of the day. The first two hand of cards during a lax part of the apply my creative talents to scenario missions are relatively very quick, game in order to get a better mix. design. Before that time, though and are usually inconclusive. This is Sorry folks! The scenario really always an enthusiast of the WWII air intended. They mainly serve to speaks for itself, so all I'll say theatre, I had never found a game satisfy historical integrity, but do lead for now is: Enjoy! that accurately recreated for me, in an up nicely to the meat of the campaign enjoyable fashion, that hectic melee in during the attacks on London. the sky that was dog-fighting. Most Balancing the whole package was naturally the hardest part, and it is board and table top games relied on a mind numbingly complex routine of only after rigourous playtesting (many thanks to my friend and mapping out maneuvers in advance, regular opponent, Aosaf Afzal, for plotting them simultaneously and helping with that) that I announce it then working out opportunities for .