Bombers to Bizerte (Winter 1942-3)
Background: USAAF B-17s of the XII Bomber Command flying from Algiers,
escorted by long range P-38s, struck Axis airfields, ports, supply dumps and
troop concentrations in the Bizerte-Tunis area. While the attacks were usually
successful, Axis aircraft could sometimes create a nasty surprise for the inexperienced
bombers and their escorts.
Mission Orders:
Maximize damage to targets (airfields and seaports) in hexes 10 and 12.
|
Mission Aircraft:
|
18x B-17E Flying Fortress
8x P-38F-15 Lightning
|
|
Interceptors:
|
4x Focke-Wulf FW-190A-3
4x Messerschmitt Bf109G-2
4x Macchia MC-200CB
4x Macchia MC-202B
|
OMT Set-Up:
| Friendly border: |
6 |
Enemy border: |
7 |
| Friendly bases: |
OMT circle 2, 5 |
Interceptor bases: |
10,12 |
| Allied Mdm AA: |
2, 5, 16 (Brit 8th Army) |
Axis Mdm AA: |
7 |
| Allied Hvy AA: |
2 |
Axis Hvy AA: |
10,12 |
| Targets: |
10 - Bizerte
12 - Tunis |
Axis EW Radar: |
10, 12 |
Special Rules:
- USAAF B-17s start at home base. P-38s may start at any USAAF base.
- Axis start at either base, no more than eight to a base.
- Prior to play, the USAAF chooses to bomb either Axis target in hexes 10
or 12. Do not reveal the target to the Axis player until the bombs are actually
dropped.
- B-17s gain 1 VP per 2 bombs dropped. Bombing altitude is 22,000 feet.
- Luftwaffe aircraft may rearm and refuel twice.
- P-38s must either join the bomber formation as a close escort or fly in
the same square and no more than one altitude level higher until the first
air-to-air combat has occurred.
- Damaged B-17s that do not land at home base are not immediately available
for future operations and score an additional 3 VPs per plane for the Axis
player.
- Only the US home base and both German bases are all-weather.
- Aircrew training: USAAF/Italians average, Luftwaffe/RAF = good. The Italians
are flying the Mc202s and Mc200s, the Luftwaffe is flying the Me-109s and
Fw-190s.
Additional Rules:
- National levels of Training:
Luftwaffe
RAF
|
Good |
USAAF
Regia Aeronautica |
Average. |
- The B-17Es carry 8x M64 500 lb bombs.
Variations:
- 1943 Raids: For raids inSpring 1943, replace the B-17Es with B-17Fs;
replace the P-38Fs with P-38Gs.
Encounter Tables for Northwest Africa (42-43)
You cannot ecounter fighters with the top of the box " enroute "
of the OMT; ignore this result.
Friendly/Hostile Fighter Encounters
| D10 |
Allied |
Axis |
| 1,2,3 |
Spitfire Vb |
Bf109G-2 |
| 4,5 |
P-38F-15 Lightning |
FW190A-3 |
| 6,7 |
P-39D Airacobra |
MC.202B |
| 8,9 |
P-40F |
MC.200CB |
| 10 |
RAF Beaufighter VIF |
Me210A-1 |
| default |
P-38F-15 |
Bf109G-2 |
No Axis fighter encounters are allowed beyond (lower than) square 8 and no
US fighter encounters beyond (higher than) square 9 (unless if P-38s are rolled).
Friendly/Hostile Non-Fighter Encounters
| D10 |
Allied |
D10 |
Axis |
| 1,2 |
9 loaded B-26B in MH band |
1,2 |
9 loaded Ju-87D-1 in LO band |
| 3,4 |
9 loaded RAF Baltimore III in ML band |
3,4 |
3 unloaded Ju-87D-1 returning from a mission in VL band |
| 5 |
1 unloaded B-26B straggler in LO band |
5 |
2 loaded Hs-129B-2 in VL band |
| 6,7,8 |
3 unloaded B-17F in HI band |
6,7 |
9 loaded Ju-88A bombers in ML band |
| 9 |
1 F-4 recon in VH band |
8,9 |
1 unarmed Ju-88A in HI band on reconnaissance |
| 10 |
1 F-4 recon in VL band |
10 |
1 unarmed Me-210B-1in VL band on reconnaissance |
| default |
USAAF B-17E |
default |
Ju-88A bomber |
ADC Availability
- The Me-109G-2, Fw-190A-3, Spitfire Vb and Ju-88A bomber were published in
Achtung Spitfire!.
- The B-26B and B-17F were published in Over the
Reich.
- The MC-202 and P-39D were published in "Airpower" #52.
- The P-40F was published in "Airpower" #54.
- The MC-200 was published in "Airpower" #46.
- The B-17E, P-38F/G
(including the F-4 reconnaissance variant), Me-210,
Ju-87D-1 and Baltimore
III can all be found at Uncle
Ted's. Use the default aircraft if the ADCs called for are unavailable.