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:

  1. USAAF B-17s start at home base. P-38s may start at any USAAF base.
  2. Axis start at either base, no more than eight to a base.
  3. 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.
  4. B-17s gain 1 VP per 2 bombs dropped. Bombing altitude is 22,000 feet.
  5. Luftwaffe aircraft may rearm and refuel twice.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Only the US home base and both German bases are all-weather.
  9. 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:

  1. National levels of Training:
    Luftwaffe
    RAF
    Good
    USAAF
    Regia Aeronautica
    Average.

  2. The B-17Es carry 8x M64 500 lb bombs.

Variations:

 

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

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