PragueCon:B17 Schweinfurt Raid
B17 Schweinfurt Raid: (To note the Game B17's were all F's but the models were a mix of F's and G's).
I wanted to try out a simplified gunnery template for a 'Box' of 6 B17's and my thanks to all who played this game at PragueCon.
The template: (An A4 sheet which allows me to control all firing arcs and damage for 6 B17's)
There are 3 more circles below these 3 but you get the idea (I hope) each circle is a B17.
Each gun arc is represented by a sequence of letters.
FA = Front A firing
F1A/A or F2A/A = Front Starboard side or Front Port side A short/A long. (either or position, not both)
PW = Port Waist Gunner
RW = Starboard Waist Gunner (typo should be SW on template)
D = Dorsal
T = Tail
Ball and Top are self explanatory and a smaller separate round template.
The 3 zones marked are (inner to outer) Low/Level/High.
P = Pilot
CP = CoPilot
Not seen on each side are marked rectangles for each plane 1 to 44 for damage, PO 12 PI 12, SO 12, SI 12 (port and starbord engines, inner (I) and outer (O) with 1 or 2 hits). A pen was used to mark this damage.
Each aircraft had a template with the same lines but each line marked in the correct O'Clock position 1 to 12.
How to use it. Measure from nearest B17 to enemy look on template and with a little practice the amount of damage chits is quickly worked out. (Andrea found out just how deadly flying through the 'Box' (twice) was).
The other template was a flack template. Each German pilot was given a flack template to use.
Any 1 template could be placed anywhere on the playing surface.
A template was in play until the first Allied aircraft flew over the template and off the template again.
Only 1 template per player in play at any 1 time. Once used it was gone not to be used again.
The Germans had 6 and I think they played at least 3 perhaps 4.
Note: Any aircraft, Allied or German,flying over or on a template took damage as long as they were on the template, until the first aircraft flew off it.
The template was printed on clear acetate.
The Game:
The Allies:
Alexsandr flying a P51
Michal flying a Spitfire Mk IX
Pavel flying a Spitfire Mk IX
The Germans:
(Pavel)
Steve flying a FW190
Lucas flying a FW190
(Steve)
(Lucas)
Andrea flying a FW190
Zdenek flying a FW190
Martin1 flying a ME262
Martin2 flying a ME262
The 'Box'
The 6 B17's start in the corner, allied fighters deploy next within 1 ruler of B17's, then the German fighters at least 2 rulers from any Allied fighter or bomber.
martin 1 and Martin 2 use the 262's superior speed to close in, supported by Andrea and Zdenek in 190's for a deadly frontal attack. Where are the fighter support for the B17's? Spitfires tangle with 190's but no sign of the P51. Meanwhile the lead bomber Green 1 is on fire!
You can just make out the O'Clock template on the bombers bases. and the peg stand in the distance is Alexsandr and his P51.
A close up of Green 1.
Zdenek is smoking the 262's have blasted through the box and Andrea is turning in the box. Spitfires and 190's still on the far side in their own private battle. Second flack template is down on the table. (Young Martin was doing sterling work pulling C chits which were mainly zero's for damage on the bombers).
Green 1 succumbs to damage.
Here's Alexsandr to save the day. 7th cavalry in the nick of time.
262's and 190's turn to hit the rear of the box. Bombers were at a fixed level unless they lost 2 engines. They would then drop bombs and head for home. Fighters could climb and dive 1, 262's could climb and dive 2.
Zdenek back in the fray.
Alexsandr flys through the formation to take on the 262's.
The bombers make their final turn to run in on the target city. Flak template already out. Martin picking the chits.....come on Martin more zero's. But the admage is mounting on the survivors. and a second B17 is on fire.
It was around this time that Zdenek and Andre went down to the massed fire from the 'Box'.
Green 2 has the lead, the bombardiers are now flying the fortesses. The enemy are closing in.........Martin2 streaks into the formation on fire. Disaster Green 2 succumbs to canon fire, flak and heads earthward.
Martin2 turns...he fires....Blue 1 takes...wait for it...wait for it.....45 damage from 1 round of firing from 1 ME262.
Daniel (Dan Sam) called time and we finished the moves firing.
The Butchers Bill:
Alexsandr flying a P51: RTB
Michal flying a Spitfire Mk IX: RTB 1 respawn
Pavel flying a Spitfire Mk IX: RTB
Steve flying a FW190: RTB 1 respawn
Lucas flying a FW190: RTB 1 respawn
Andrea flying a FW190: Shot down twice (ouch) (won Bullseye Award for the most flying through the 'Box' shot downs)
Zdenek flying a FW190: RTB 1 respawn (won Wooden Spoon Award for 1st player shot down)
Martin1 flying a ME262: RTB
Martin2 flying a ME262: RTB (won Deadly Aim Award for shooting down the B17 in 1 move)
B17's
Green 1: Shot down.
Green 2: 42 damage on fire.
Green 3: Shot down.
Blue 1: Shot down by Martin2.
Blue 2: 26 damage. Starboard Waist Gunner KIA.
Blue 3: 37 damage. Port Waist Gunner WIA.
Summary:
1. Template worked but doesn't need 3 zones, 1 will suffice it's easy to work out damage. Will amend.
2. Set up worked well. Speeded game up.
3. Flak worked very well but may reduce to 1 flak template/2 German players.
3. Bombers moved at slow speed due to bomb load. Worked well.
4. Next try out...Lancasters.
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Originally Posted by clipper1801
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