THE NORWEGIAN CAMPAIGN, (APRIL - MAY 1940) ============================================ (NB: Requires Rise of the Luftwaffe and Eighth Air Force) In early 1940 Hitler become convinced of the need to invade Norway, partly as a counter to possible British moves in the area and partly to secure supplies of Swedish iron ore. In April the Germans launched a largely successful combined sea and airborne operation against Oslo and the major towns, in spite of the presence of the Royal Navy which had, co-incidentally, planned its own action against coastal shipping. Norwegian resistance, courageously led by King Haakon, was not sufficient to prevent the Germans with their powerful air support from quickly occupying the south of the country. However, in the north, troops from a British/French/Polish expeditionary force captured Narvik. They were supported by RAF Gladiators and Hurricanes ferried in by the carrier HMS Glorious and operated, at one point, from a frozen lake. But, outnumbered and without support, these aircraft were soon destroyed. The Allied operations were not well planned and after some initial sucesses the troops were withdrawn when the Germans launched their attack against France and the Low Countries in May. Campaign Sequence of Play ------------------------- * Draw Action Card to Determine Target * Each Player Secretly Selects, then Declares One Option * Conduct Mission * Determine Victory Points * Determine Air Group Performance at the end of 4 Missions Mission Targets --------------- Action Card April May Ace Pilot & Half Loop 10 3 Barrel Roll 6 5 In My Sights(1B) 4 10 In My Sights(2B) 11 7 In My Sights(3B) 2 1 Maneuvering 8 9 Out Of The Sun & Full Throttle 3 5 Scissors 5 11 Tight Turn 1 2 Vertical Roll 7 1 Missions Details (mission duration: 9/8 - except as noted) ---------------- #1 Cruiser, 4 Swordfish I #2 Supply Depot, 2 Wellington III #3 Patrol, 1 Sunderland I (mission duration: 6/5) #4 Airfield, 2 He111H, 2 Bf110C #5 Cruiser, 4 Ju88A #6 Supply Depot, 2 Do17, 2 He111H #7 Bridge, 2 Ju87B #8 Air Transport, 3 Ju52 (mission duration: 5/2) #9 Ground Troops, 2 Ju87B #10 Destroyer, 2 Ju88A #11 Frieghter, 2 Bf110C April Options ------------- Germans Allies 1:Bf109E 1:Secondary Target, Gladiator II 2:Experienced Air Crews, Bf110C 2:No Retreat, Gladiator II 3:Blitzkrieg, Bf110C 3:Gladiator II 4:Flak Guns, Bf110C 4:Small Arms May Options ----------- Germans Allies 1:Bf110C, Fighter Sweep - Bf109E 1:New Tactics, Hurricane I 2:Experienced Air Crews, Bf109E 2:No Retreat, Gladiator II 3:Blitzkrieg, Bf110C 3:Gladiator II 4:Flak Guns, Bf110C 4:Home-Bound Ambush - Hurricane I Air Group Performance --------------------- German VP - Allied VP = Net VP Net VP German Allied 66 or More Extraordinary Dismal 56 to 65 Outstanding Miserable 46 to 55 Good Poor 36 to 45 Historical Historical 26 to 35 Poor Good 16 to 25 Miserable Outstanding 15 or Less Dismal Extraordinay