DEFENCE OF THE REICH - SCENARIOS ================================ A. Scenario Types -------------- There are only 3 basic scenario types; escorted raid, unescorted raid and fighter sweep. To generate different scenarios players can vary the types of aircraft involved (refer to the historical notes for information on those types available at the time of the scenario). Note also that the number of heavy bombers represented by each model is reduced to 3 before May '43 to show the effects of the smaller formations. Different types of bombers and fighters may be used in the same scenario but fighters should be in pairs of the same type and all the bombers in a 3-4 aircraft formation should be of the same type. The numbers of aircraft on each side may also be changed. I believe the scenarios are fairly well balanced as they stand but some of the fighters are more or less effective than others and players may feel their numbers should be adjusted to compensate. 1. Escorted Raid ------------- USAAF : 2 formations each of 3-4 heavy bombers (B-17 or B-24) plus 2 escort fighters (P-51, P-47, P-38 or Spitfire) Luftwaffe: 4 fighters (FW190, Me109, Me110, Me410 or Me262) 2. Unescorted Raid --------------- USAAF : 2 formations each of 3-4 heavy bombers (B-17 or B-24) Luftwaffe: 2 fighters (FW190, Me109, Me110, Me410 or Me262) 3. Fighter Sweep ------------- Allied : 2 or 4 fighters (P-51, P-47, P-38, Spitfire, Typhoon or Tempest) Luftwaffe: 2 or 4 fighters (FW190, Me109, Me110, Me410 or Me262) Note: Me262 & Me110 ----- The Me262 is a very powerful aircraft and each one should be counted as 2 fighters when selecting forces. The Me110 is effective against bombers but is severely disadvantaged in air-to-air combat with other fighters. B. Example Scenarios ----------------- 1. "First Mission" --------------- October 1942. The Eighth AF first mission in NW Europe. The target is the Keigsmarine U-boat base at Rouan, France. USAAF : 2 formations each of 3 B-17F heavy bombers plus 2 Spitfire IX Luftwaffe: 2 FW190A3 plus 2 Me109G2 2. "Big Week" ---------- February 1944. The Eighth AF first 1,000 bomber raid. As part of "Big Week", an attempt to destroy German aircraft production. Leipzig, Germany. USAAF : 2 formations each of 4 B-24D heavy bombers Luftwaffe: 2 Me109G6 3. "Bodenplatte" ------------- January 1945. The Germans launch Operation Bodenplatte at dawn on New Years Day 1945. Luftwaffe fighter-bombers were to knock out large numbers of Allied aircraft on the ground. Eindhoven, Holland. USAAF : 2 Spitfire XIV plus 2 Typhoon IB Luftwaffe: 2 FW190A8 plus 2 Me109G10 4. Over Lech --------- March 1945. German airfields operating the new jets were frequently attacked by Allied fighters. The jets were very vulnerable during take-off and landing and were often protected by other Luftwaffe units. Lech, Germany. USAAF : 2 P-51D plus 2 P-47D Luftwaffe: 2 Me109K plus 1 Me262A C. Schweinfurt Triple-game ----------------------- This is a set of 3 linked scenarios depicting part of the Schweinfurt/Regenburg raid of 17th August 1943. 1. Schweinfurt I ------------- This is the initial, escorted leg of the mission as the bombers fly through Belgium and northern Germany. USAAF : 2 formations each of 4 B-17F heavy bombers plus 2 P-47C Luftwaffe: 3-4 fighters (select from FW190A3, Me109G6, Me109G6R6 or Me110G) (12 points) 2. Schweinfurt II -------------- As the bombers fly deeper into Germany the escorts reach the end of their range and are forced to turn back. The bombers must fly on unescorted to the target. USAAF : Surviving bombers from game I plus 1 replacement B-17F Luftwaffe: 2-3 fighters (select from FW190A3, Me109G2, Me109G6, Me410 or Me110G) (7 points) 3. Schweinfurt III --------------- This is the final leg. The returning bombers are met by Spitfires and escorted home. USAAF : Surviving bombers from game II plus 1 replacement B-17F plus 2 Spitfire IX Luftwaffe: 2-3 fighters (select from FW190A3, Me109G2, Me109G6, Me109G6R6 or Me110G) (6 points) 4. Luftwaffe Fighter Selection --------------------------- Luftwaffe fighters may be selected either by the players using the points schedule below or randomly by die roll (D6) on the tables provided. Game I Game II Game III Type Pts Roll Roll Roll ---- --- ---- ---- ---- FW190A3 4 1,2 1 1,2 Me109G2 2 3 2,3 3,4 Me109G6 3 4 4 - Me109G6R6 3 5 - - Me110G 2 - 5 5 Me110G + Wgr21 3 6 - - Me410 3 - - 6 Me410 + Wgr21 4 - 6 - 5. Replacement Heavy Bombers ------------------------- One replacement B-17 is provided at the start of game II and game III. This may be used to replace any previously destroyed bomber. The total number of B-17s must not exceed 8. 6. Bombing and Flak ---------------- After Game II each bomber takes flak and bombs the target. Roll 2D6-3 for each bomber and draw the number of RED chits indicated. After this any remaining aircraft bomb the target. The USAAF player scores 2 points for each bomber with less than 10 RED chits which is still in formation. All others reaching the target score 1 point each. D. Historical Notes ---------------- These notes are intended to help players devise scenarios for DEFENCE OF THE REICH. Date Events ---- ------ August '42 First USAAF 8th Air Force raids on North West Europe. Short-range targets only, using small formations of early B-17F and B-24D (each model represents a formation of 3 bombers not 4). Raids unescorted or with RAF Spitfire IXs. Luftwaffe aircraft limited to FW109A3/4 and Me109G1/2. April '43 USAAF introduce P-47C with small external fuel tanks. Luftwaffe begin using some night fighters (Me110G) against daylight raids. May '43 USAAF introduce bigger, tighter formations (each model represents a formation of 4 bombers). Luftwaffe introduce Me109G6 and G6/R6 (with additional cannon). July '43 P-47 gets larger external fuel tanks. P-38 introduced into Europe. Wgr21 rockets introduced on some Luftwaffe fighters. August '43 Combined Schweinfurt/Regensburg raid. September '43 Emden is raided with fighter cover throughout the mission. October '43 Second Schweinfurt raid. February '44 USAAF introduce P-51B and late model B-17G and B-24H/J. Continuous fighter escort over northern German now possible. March '44 USAAF fighter strength (groups): 7 x P-47, 3 x P-38 and 3 x P-51. May '44 Luftwaffe introduce Me410 (some with BK5 cannon). July '44 USAAF introduce P-51D and P-47D. Continuous fighter escort to Berlin now possible. Luftwaffe introduce FW190A8/R8 "Sturmbock", Me109G10 and Sturmgruppe tactics but good pilots and fuel are in short supply. September '44 Luftwaffe introduce Me109G14 and FW190D. November '44 Luftwaffe introduce Me109K. February '45 Luftwaffe introduce Me262A (some with R4M rockets). Ian Clarence (22/03/02)