Corsair Leader

Corsair Leader

10/29/05

By Dan Verssen

Registering this Game

• Getting Started

We have made these rules freely available through our website because we feel that by showing people the rules, our audience will see what a cool game we have made, and will want to start playing.

Corsair Leader places you in command of aircraft operating in the Pacific during WWII. During the game you get to fly missions in different historical campaigns. Your responsibility is to successfully lead your men through a series of missions against hostile targets in the area, keeping your pilot’s stress under control, and achieving victory in the Pacific!

Here are the basic steps you need to do to get started. Each is covered in much more detail in their respective web pages. Go to our website's "Order" page and purchase the game using PayPal's secure online service. Install the game using the registration code that is immediately emailed to you. Connect to Vassal's online room, chat with the other players, and start up a game.

As squadron commander you will be given missions and targets to destroy. You will be given an intelligence briefing before each mission, which is designed to give you sufficient information about the target and the positions of potential enemy threats to your mission. Based on this information it will be up to you to choose the pilots that will fly the mission and to arm their aircraft. The success of each mission will affect the enemy’s ability to respond to future missions, so strategic as well as tactical mission planning and execution is very important.

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In Corsair Leader you won’t have to worry about actually flying your aircraft. You and the pilots of your squadron are assumed to be professionals with all the training and skills you need to do your jobs. Instead, your challenge is to successfully lead your squadron through each mission. You’ll need to successfully choose the best weapons to use against the target and defenses, how to divide your forces between air to air and air to ground attacks, and if any special weapons will be needed for the mission. If you’re good enough, you’ll be able to consistently accomplish your mission and bring all of your aircraft home.

To enter your registration code, double-click on the Vassal icon now on your computer.

The following rules govern the play of Corsair Leader. They are presented in an order that is roughly according to the Sequence of Play. It is a good idea to read all of the rules before playing the game.

You will see the game screen appear. Go to: File -> Edit Preferences -> Registration Enter the Username and Registration code contained in your registration email.

• Play Formats These rules include information for both the PDF download and Vassal formats of the game. Some of the graphics shown in the rules might look different due to the differences between the two formats.

• Vassal Information This section only applies to the Vassal format of the game.

Demo and Full Game

Game Tutorial

Some Vassal games come as a Demo/Full combo and others as two separate games. If you download and purchase the Full game, enter your registration information to unlock the game.

Included in the game is a quick tutorial. This tutorial will give you a very basic overview of the game. To open the tutorial, go to the Help pull down menu and select "Tutorial". Information will then appear in the Chat area. The first instruction will direct you to hit 1

the "Step Forward" button. Continue hitting this button to move through the tutorial.

Above is a sample of the the main control buttons that activate various game windows. Each game will have its own unique set of buttons.

In some games, the play area is larger than the area displayed on your screen. Use your scroll bars to move around the play area to follow the action.

Starting-Up a Game Here is our standard instruction sheet for creating and joining Vassal games…

Above is a sample empty weapons selection window for the Aircraft. To load your Aircraft drag and drop the counters from this window to the Aircraft you wish to arm. All game components come with built-in right-click menus to maximize functionality. Here are a couple examples. Each game will offer different right-click commands to best match the game’s subject matter and game functions...

Adjusting the Screen Between the map and the Chat area is a thick gray line. You can hold your curser over that line and drag the line up or down to change the size of the Chat area. In fact, all thick gray lines can be adjusted in this way.

Vassal Commands The Vassal module contains a rich set of right-click commands built into the game pieces. Right-click on the game’s cards and counters to discover how you can adjust the values and markers that are built into them. Here are some samples from the Vassal game...

Here is a sample main display from a game.

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Counters

• Game Components

Aircraft Leader uses many different types of counters. Sample counters and explanations of their values are contained in this section.

Here are the game components and a brief description of how each is used in the game.

Target Display Sheet You use the Target Display to organize tactical air-to-air and airto-ground combat. Aircraft: Each Aircraft counter features the name of its Pilot. Throughout these rules “Aircraft” is used to refer to any of the aircraft under your command. In this game you have 4 types of Aircraft that you can command: F4U Corsairs, SBD Dauntlesses, B2 Mitchells, and B-17 FlyIng Fortresses.

A turn track is included to record the four turns the Aircraft get to spend over target during each mission.

Air to Ground Weapons: These have more than one “to hit” number. These numbers indicate what you need to roll to score 1, 2, or even 3 hits on the target. The Weight Points (WP) used to carry each munition are listed on the counter.

Help Sheet This sheet has all the reference charts and general information needed to play the game.

High Quality Air to Ground Weapons: You can also use High Quality Air to Ground weapons. These counters are noted with a red check mark and will have superior “to hit” numbers. These weapons are used to represent munitions that have been selected, inspected, and adjusted for maximum reliability. High Quality weapons cost more Ordnance points than their normal counter parts. Stress: Used to record the amount of Stress suffered by a Pilot. Pilots suffer Stress when they fly missions based on the range to the target. Pilots can also suffer Stress when they are attacked by Bandits and Sites.

Base Sheet You will find a brief sequence of play, as well as areas on the sheet to organize your cards.

Enemy Sites: Their attack numbers are on top. The number in the white circle is applied to all Aircraft attacks against the Site. Enemy Bandits: Very Similar to Sites, except they can move. If a Bandit is not in the same Area as an Aircraft, it will move one area toward the nearest Aircraft.

Player Log After you select your squadron pilots and campaign you record this information on the Player Log. After each mission you record the target and mission results on the Player Log. The information recorded on the Player Log is used to determine pilot promotion, Ordnance Points expenditures, target status, and campaign outcome. This sheet should be photocopied.

Target Damage: Used to note damage scored against the Target. Sites and Bandits are removed from the map when they suffer a single hit, so Damage markers are not required for them. Campaign Sheet counters: Place the “Recon” counter on the Recon track, the Infra counter on the Infra track, the Radar counter on the Radar track, and the Intel counter on the Intel track. Tactics: The Tactics counters are used to record the tactical special orders you give to your aircraft when they are attacking a target.

An electronic Microsoft Word template is included with the Vassal game so you can fill out your Log on screen. 3

Pilot/Aircraft Cards

Campaign Map Sheet

Each Aircraft is flown by a pilot or crew. Each Pilot/Aircraft card represents the pilot/crew and aircraft. The upper portion of the card contains Experience, Cool, Promotion, and Combat information for the pilot. Each card has two sides that show different experience levels for the pilot. The pilot experience level may change during a campaign if the Promotion number for the pilot is reached. The Cool number is used to reduce the Stress Points for the pilot. The Combat information is used to determine when the pilot can attack and shows the modifiers used for air to air and air to ground attacks. The number of Stress Points a pilot has determines which Combat information is used.

The game includes Campaign Map sheets that indicate the geographical area where your battles are taking place. The map sheet has information used to conduct a campaign. Target locations are shown on the map sheet as numbers. The location number corresponds to a Target Card associated with the Campaign Map sheet. In the Vassal format, you can right-click on the Target numbers to note that it has been destroyed. You can also right-click on the Day, Ordnance, and Victory Point counters to adjust their values.

The area where the weapon counters are carried by the Aircraft is located on the bottom part of the card.

Campaigns

Some Aircraft card might have notations for weapons that are not included in this game. Such weapons will be added in later expansions.

This section of the Campaign Map sheet lists the different Campaign Types, the number of missions in each Campaign Type, the Victory Levels, and the Ordnance Points available for the Campaign Type.

Target Cards Each target card is associated with a specific Campaign Map sheet. When you start a campaign, separate the Target Cards for that campaign from the other target cards, shuffle the cards and place them on the Target Card Deck section of the Mission Display.

The Campaign Type selected determines the number of missions that will be flown during a campaign and the Victory Conditions for the campaign. There are three Campaign Types on a Campaign Map sheet, each of which is explained below: “Short” This represents a short series of attacks. This is the easiest and shortest campaign type. However, it is still challenging even for experienced players.

These cards detail the target of your mission and its defenses. The Target Card for a mission is placed in the center of the Tactical Overview on the Mission Display.

“Medium” This represents a moderate number of missions. “Long” This represents an extended number of missions.

Target cards also list the Weight Point penalty and base pilot Stress incurred by the mission.

When starting a campaign you get to will choose the Campaign Type and use the information associated with that type.

Event Cards Shuffle this deck at the start of each mission. Each of these cards has three sections.

Campaign Tracks The Campaign Tracks are used to track damage inflicted on the enemy nation by your squadron. There are four different Campaign Tracks on each map sheet, each track affects a different aspect of a mission. The current levels on each track are shown by placing the appropriate counter on the track to the left of the current level, so that you can easily read the level and the arrow on the counter is pointing at the number. The movement of the tracking counters is based on the results of a mission. Each track and its effects are explained below:

During the Target-Bound Event step, draw an Event card and look at the upper section. This shows mission events that occur on the way to the target. During the Over-Target Event step, draw an Event card and look at the center section. This shows mission events that occur at the target. During the Home-Bound Event step, draw an Event card and look at the bottom section. This shows mission events that occur on the way back to base.

Recon (Reconnaissance) This track represents the enemy nation’s ability to limit reconnaissance efforts by your aircraft. As the enemy’s abilities are damaged, it opens up more target possibilities for your squadron 4

Pilot cards selection example: Captain Marrs has a Skilled side and a Veteran side. If you would like the chance to promote Marrs during the game, be sure to select his Skilled card as part of your initial Pilot selection.

by increasing the number of Target Cards drawn when determining the target for a mission. Infra (Infrastructure) This track represents the enemy nation’s ability to maintain and repair its infrastructure (transportation, supplies, power, etc.). As the enemy’s infrastructure is damaged, the number of hits required to destroy a target is reduced. A target will always have at least 1 hit.

Write the name, promotion number, and Cool number of each Pilot on the Mission Log.

Set-Up Place the Mission Display on a flat surface in front of you with the Campaign Map sheet and Base display placed near-by. Shuffle the Target and Event decks and place them in the appropriate section of the Mission Display. On the Campaign Map sheet, place the Intel, Radar, Infra, and Recon information counters in the Start box of the Campaign Track with the same name. Place the container with the Site and Bandit counters near the Campaign Map sheet.

Intel (Intelligence) This track represents the enemy nation’s ability to determine which targets your aircraft may attack and to position defenses in the area. As the enemy’s intelligence abilities are damaged, the number of Sites available to defend a target is reduced. Radar (Early Warning) This track represents the enemy nation’s ability to detect, track, and intercept air attacks launched against it. As the enemy’s abilities are damaged, the number of bandits available to defend a target is reduced.

• Sequence of Play Pre-Flight

The Die

Draw Target Card(s) Determine Sites Present Assign Pilots and Arm Aircraft

Whenever a die roll is called for in the game, roll the ten-sided die (d10). This will generate random numbers from 1 to 10. Treat all rolls of “0” as “10”.

Target-Bound Flight Draw Target-Bound Event Card Place Aircraft on Tactical Overview Draw Site Adjustment Event Card Determine Bandits Present

• Setting-Up a Campaign Choose one of the campaign sheets. Place the sheet to one side of the Mission Display.

Over-Target Resolution (4 Times)

Choose the type of campaign you will fly for this map sheet. There are three campaign types (Skirmish, Conflict, and War) which specify the number of missions that you will fly in the campaign.

Advance Turn counter Jettison Decision / Remove Tactics counters Fast Pilots Attack Sites and Bandits Attack One Aircraft may attempt Suppression Aircraft under attack may use Evasion Slow Pilots Attack Aircraft can Move Bandits Move

The campaign type also determines the number of Ordnance Points that are available and the number of Victory Points you need to score to win the campaign. Each Campaign has its own unique list of available weapons. This is a per counter cost.

Home-Bound Flight

Each Campaign Map sheet has specific Target Cards associated with it. All the Target Cards for the selected campaign are separated from the other Target Cards shuffled and placed on the Target Card Deck section of the Mission Display. The Campaign sheet might note the removal of some Bandits and Sites that are not used. Remove these counters from the campaign.

Draw Home-Bound Event Card Roll for SAR results (if needed)

Debriefing Record Mission Outcome, Victory Points, Gain Ordnance Points for the Mission, and adjust Campaign Map sheet Tracks Add Target Card stress to Pilots Pilot stress recovery (all Pilots) Record Pilot Experience and Stress

Write the Campaign Map sheet name and campaign Type selected at the top of the Mission Log for this campaign.

Selecting Squadron Pilots At the start of the campaign select 12 Pilot cards that will be used in the campaign. Select the following pilot experience levels for the squadron: 1 Veteran, 2 Skilled, 6 Average, 2 Green, and 1 Newbie. Note that each pilot card is double-sided. Each side shows the Pilot’s stats at different levels of experience. If you want to promote a Pilot during the game, be sure and select the Pilot’s less experienced side. 5

• Pre-Flight

• Mission Preparation

Mission Briefing

You must now decide which Pilots to send out in order to accomplish the mission. The importance of the target will help determine what Pilots you send on the mission. Your Pilots will suffer stress as a result of the mission, therefore, you must take into account the current stress levels of your Pilots when assigning them to a mission.

Refer to the Recon Track on the Campaign Map sheet to determine the number of Target Cards drawn for this mission. The number shown to the right of the counter (where the arrow is pointing) is the number of cards the player draws. Examine each of the Target Cards and select one as the target of the mission and place it in the Target Area (the center) of the Tactical Overview on the Mission Display. Return the other Target Cards to the Target Card Deck, shuffle the deck and place it back on the Mission Display.

Each target card indicates the maximum number of Aircraft that can participate in a mission. This number is shown below the overhead view of the Aircraft in the lower center part of the Target Card. You may send fewer Aircraft on a mission, but you may never send more than the listed number.

Ordnance Points

Select the Pilot cards you want to fly the mission and place their cards near the Mission Display so they can be armed. Pilots that are Unfit may not be assigned to a mission.

Each Campaign Map sheet specifies the number of Ordnance Points that are available for the Campaign Type. Ordnance Points are used to purchase weapons. The weapons are purchased during the Arm Aircraft portion of the

You can also choose to not fly any mission for the Day and allow your pilots to rest. However, this still counts as one of your campaign Days.

Sequence of Play.

Arm Aircraft

Ordnance Points Example: The player selects the Solomons Late 1942 Campaign Map sheet and the Skirmish Campaign Type, which consists of 3 missions. The total Ordnance Points available for the campaign is 30.

You now allocate various weapons to each of the Aircraft you’ve selected for this mission. The specific ordnance you choose will depend on the combat role you expect each Aircraft to perform during the mission. The number and types of weapons your planes can carry are limited in three ways: Weight Limit, Counter mix, Ordnance Points

Determine and Place Sites There may be different types of guns on the ground in each of the four Areas. There different gun types are collectively referred to as Sites.

Munitions Choose your weapons from the list that is detailed below:

Check the Target Card to determine the number of Sites in each Area. At the bottom left corner of each target card there are numbers noting the number of Sites in each of the four Areas. The current level on the Intel Track of the Campaign Map sheet is then used to adjust the number of Sites in the Target Area. The number used to adjust the Target Area Sites is shown to the right of the counter (where the arrow is pointing).

Air to Ground Weapons (AtG weapons) 250#: The 250 pound bomb is a small bomb that will inflict little damage. However, it only uses 1 Weight Point and 1 Ordnance point.

500#: The 500 pound bomb is a good all around weapon that will inflict moderate damage. It uses 2 Weight Points and 2 Ordnance Points.

For each Area randomly draw the appropriate number of Site counters from the opaque container.

1000#: The 1000 pound bomb can cause a lot of damage but it uses 4 Weight Points. It also use 3 Ordnance points.

Place the counters, with their Site side up, in the Area for which they were selected. These represent the reported ground-based defenses that are defending the target.

High Quality Weapons: These munitions have been specially selected by your ground crews and put into the best shape possible for the mission. These weapons have better than normal attack numbers but do cost extra Ordnance points.

Some Areas may contain zero Sites.

Machineguns and Cannons: In addition to the weapons you assign, each Aircraft is equipped with either machine guns or cannons. For game purposes, these will be referred to as 6

“Guns”. Each Aircraft is different in how it can use its Guns. Some Aircraft can use them for air combat, others for attacking ground combat, and some Aircraft can use them for both. This is noted on each Aircraft’s card.

• Target-Bound Flight This represents the time from when the Aircraft take off from your base until they reach the Target’s location.

In Air-to-Ground combat, Guns may be used to “strafe” Targets and Sites in the same area as the Aircraft.

Determine Target-Bound Events

In Air-to-Air combat, Guns may be used to attack Bandits in the same area as the Aircraft.

Your flight to the target may not be uneventful. Draw the top-most Event Card and resolve the Ingress event.

Purchasing Weapons

Event Site and Bandit attacks can be Evaded, but not Suppressed.

While arming your Aircraft, you must spend Ordnance points for each counter loaded on to an Aircraft.

Aborting a Mission After the target-bound event is resolved, you may decide to abort none, some or all of the Aircraft on the mission. This allows you to send damaged Aircraft back to base without having to face a target’s defenses or abort the entire mission if it cannot succeed.

Once you purchase a weapon, you may place it on an Aircraft. The Ordnance Points used to purchase weapons are spent, even if the weapon is not expended during the mission.

Aircraft that do not abort must go through the Over-Target resolution and Home-Bound events.

Initial Aircraft Placement

Load your weapons carefully, at the end of the mission, any unused munition counters are discarded and are not returned to your Ordnance points.

Place your Aircraft in the PreApproach Area. If the PreApproach Area does not contain any Sites, you can also place your Aircraft in the Approach Area.

Weight Point Limit Each Aircraft is limited to the Weight Points listed on its card. The maximum number of weight points that an Aircraft can carry is reduced by the target’s location on the Campaign Map sheet (these weight points are assumed to be used to carry extra fuel). Each weapon has a certain amount of weight points associated with it. The weight points for a weapon are shown on the counter for that weapon. The weapon counters provided do limit selection. You may not use more of a given type of counter than the actual number of that counter provided in the game.

Determine Site Adjustment There is a chance that the target defenses will not be as you were told. To determine any Site changes, draw the top-most Event Card and resolve the Target event.

Once you select the weapon counters, place them on the appropriate Pilot/Aircraft Cards. Mission Preparation Example: This example mission takes place in the Early Solomons Campaign. The target of the mission is #9, the Freighter. The mission is to be flown by 3 Aircraft.

Determine and Place Bandits The Target Card shows the amount of fighter cover found over the target. But the exact quantity and type of fighters present is not known until you reach the Target.

After looking at the target, I decide to have one dedicated Air-to-Air Aircraft (Major Anderson), one Aircraft loaded for anti-Site work (1st Lt. Wallace), and one Aircraft loaded to take out the Freighter (Lemon Dropper).

Check the Target Card to determine the number of Bandits in each Area. At the bottom left corner of each target card there are numbers noting the number of Bandits in each of the four Areas. The current level on the Radar Track of the Campaign Map sheet is then used to adjust the number of Bandits in the Target Area. The number used to adjust the Target Area Bandits is shown to the right of the counter (where the arrow is pointing).

The Freighter has a -1 Weight Point penalty, so the F4Us can carry 3 Weight Points and the SBD 4. I select the following munitions... Anderson’s load-out: None Wallace’s load-out: 250# x2, 250# High Quality x1 Lemon Dropper’s load-out: 500# x2 This costs me a total of 8 Ordnance points.

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OR Attack any one Site in its same Area with Guns. OR Attack any one Bandit in its same Area with Guns.

For each Area randomly draw the appropriate number of Bandit counters from the opaque container. Place the counters, with their Bandit side up, in the Area for which they were selected.

When an Aircraft is ready to attack, specify the target of the attack and the munitions to be expended, or if the attack will be made with Cannon. Resolve the attack as described in the appropriate section below.

After all Bandit counters have been selected review the counters, if the counter reads “No Bandit” remove it from the Mission Display and return it to the opaque container. The remaining counters represent the fighter cover available to defend the target.

Tactic Counters When your Aircraft are Over Target you can fine tune their actions with Tactics counters. These counters cannot be used during the Target-Bound and Home-Bound stages of a mission. Each pilot can only have ONE Tactic counter at a time placed on his card. There are three types of counters:

• Over-Target Resolution

Offensive/Defensive

The Over-Target Resolution phase is divided into four identical turns. During each turn, movement and combat may take place on the Mission Display.

When your pilot is about to attack, you can place an Offensive counter on his card to gain +2 with all your attack die rolls. If the pilot is attacked while the counter is still on his card, the enemy gets to add +3 to its rolls (the +3 is added to both enemy rolls if the pilot decides to use Evasion).

Use the “Turn Marker” counter to keep track of the current turn. The Turn marker begins each mission in the “Pre Over Target” square of the Tactical Display.

When your is declared the target of an attack, you can place a Defensive counter on his card to subtract 1 from all enemy die rolls as long as the counter is on his card. While the counter is on his card, your pilot must subtract 2 from all his attack rolls, including Suppression.

Jettison Decision / Remove Tactic Counters Any Aircraft may now “jettison” (release) any and all munitions carried. These munitions are lost and do not attack enemy units. This is usually done by Aircraft carrying air to ground munitions to avoid negative air combat penalties.

Suppress When your pilot, or one of your other pilots in the same Area is being attacked, you can place a Suppression counter on the pilot to attempt to Suppress the enemy attack.

During this step you also remove any Tactic counters that were placed on your Aircraft during the previous turn Over Target this mission.

Rush/Wait You can place Rush counter on one or more of your Slow pilots during the Fast pilot attack step to allow them to act. When they do so, their attack rolls are at -2.

Aircraft Attack Sequence During the appropriate portion of a turn, Aircraft can expend munitions to attack the Target, Sites, or Bandits. The Speed of each Pilot, based on the number of stress points a Pilot has, is used to determine when an Aircraft attacks.

Also during the Fast pilot step you can place Wait counters on one or more of your Fast pilots. Those pilots do not act during the Fast step, but wait until the Slow Pilot step to attack. When they do so, they add 2 to their attack rolls.

Pilots with a Speed rating of Fast attack before Sites and Bandits attack.

Aircraft Air to Air Attacks

Pilots with a Speed rating of Slow attack after Sites and Bandits attack.

When you attack a Bandit with Guns you may score a hit on the Bandit. Roll a d10 and look at the “Hit” number on the Aircraft card. If the modified die roll is equal to or greater than the number a hit is scored on the Bandit.

Each Aircraft attacks individually and may only attack one target. Resolve the attack for the Aircraft before starting an attack with another aircraft.

Modifiers Add the current Pilot AtA modifier to the die roll. The current AtA modifier is based on the number of stress points the Pilot has.

Attack Restrictions An Aircraft is limited to which enemy units it may attack based on its current position and weapons load. In any given turn an Aircraft may:

Use the following table to determine a modifier applied based on the Air-to-Ground munition weight points carried by the attacking Aircraft.

Attack the Target Card with any and all Air-to-Ground weapon counters if it is in the Target Area. OR Attack the Target Card with Guns, if it is in the Target Area. OR Attack any one Site in its same Area with any and all Air-toGround weapon counters..

AtG Weight Points 1 or less 2 or 3 4

AtA Penalty -0 -1 -2

Each Bandit has a modifier in a white circle on the lower part of 8

scores 2 Hits, doubled to 4 Hits, then the Battleship’s Heavy Armor takes affect and reduces the Hits by 1, down to 3.

the counter. Apply this modifier to all attack die rolls against it.

Air Combat Results

Damage to Sites

If a hit is achieved, the targeted Bandit is destroyed and removed from the Mission Display. Place the Bandit counter back in the opaque container with the other defense counters.

If one or more hits are achieved, the targeted Site is destroyed and removed from the Mission Display. Place the Site counter back in the opaque container with all the defense counters.

Air to Air Combat Example: Major Anderson is in the Approach Area with an A6M2 Zero that is -1 to be attacked. Anderson’s base chance to hit with Guns is 6 or higher. He has +1 AtA skill, and I decide to make him Offensive for another +2. This means he needs to roll a 3 or higher to shoot down the Zero, but the Zero is -1 to be attacked, so Anderson must roll a 4 or higher. He rolls a 7 and the Zero is shot down and removed from the mission. Hopefully Anderson will not come under attack as he is now in a vulnerable position!

Air to Ground Site Attack Example: Major Anderson is in the same Area as a Light Machine Gun (LMG) and a Heavy Machine Gun (HMG). He can only attack one of them and decides on the LMG. He decides to drop two 250# bombs on it. The bombs need an 8 to hit and he gets +1 for his skill and +2 for the modifier on the LMG counter. He needs to roll 5 or higher on each die. His first roll is a 9 and destroys it. The second bomb is wasted.

Damage to the Target

Bomber Air to Air Attacks

For each hit scored, place one or more explosion counters in the Target Area on the Mission Display.

Bomber cards and counters are marked with a “B” in a black square. Bombers cannot attack in air combat, they can only react when attacked.

A Target is destroyed if the total number of hits is equal to or greater than the number listed on the Target Card modified by the current Campaign Track’s Infra level. A Target cannot have its Hits reduced below 1 by the Infra track.

When a Bomber survives an air combat attack, it can then shoot back at the aircraft that just attacked it. It can do this each time it is attacked. A Bomber can only perform Suppressing fire itself, not another aircraft.

Air to Ground Target Attack Example: Green Giant is flying a Mission against Target #14, the Supply Depot. The Supply Depot has a -2 Weight Point penalty, so the B-17 is loaded with 13 Weight Points as follows: 500# x2, 500# High Quality x2, 1000# x1. The last Weight Point is not used. This load costs 13 Ordnance points. The bombs are dropped “Offensively” in that order with rolls of: 3, 9, 5, 8, 7. Green Giant has a -3 AtG skill and +3 to bomb Large targets, so these two modifiers cancel out. So the rolls become: 5, 11, 7, 10, 9 and score a total of 7 Hits, not quite enough to destroy the target.

If a Bomber is targeted for attack, and the attack is Suppressed, the Bomber can still shoot at the attacker.

Aircraft Air to Ground Attacks When you expend air to ground weapons or attack the Target or a Site you may score one or more hits on the target of the attack. Roll a d10 for each weapon used and look at the “Hit” number(s) on the weapon. If the modified die roll is equal to the first number and less than the second number, one hit is scored. If the modified die roll is equal to the second number and less than the third number, two hits are scored. If the modified die roll is equal to or greater than the third number, three hits are scored. Remove each expended weapon counter from the Aircraft, even if they were not needed. Note: Not all weapon counters have multiple Hit numbers.

Spill Over Damage Damage never spills over to effect another ground installation. This means that overkill against a Site cannot be carried over to affect another Site or the Target. Likewise, overkill hits scored against the Target will not effect Sites.

Site and Bandit Attack Sequence After Fast Aircraft attack, the surviving Sites and Bandits can attack the Aircraft in their Areas.

If you are strafing the target or a Site with Guns, you may score a hit on the Target or Site. Roll a d10 for the Guns. If the modified die roll is equal to or greater than 10 one hit is scored on the Target or Site.

Each Site or Bandits attacks individually and may only attack one target. Resolve the attack for the Site or Bandit before starting an attack with another Site or Bandit.

Modifiers Add the current Pilot AtG modifier to the die roll. The current AtG modifier is based on the number of stress points the Pilot has.

Target Determination An attacking Site or Bandit will automatically target the closest Aircraft. If more than one Aircraft is closest, randomly determine which one is attacked.

Some Sites have a modifier in a white circle on the lower part of the counter. Apply this modifier to all attacks against it.

Aircraft Reactions

Extra Damage Abilities

After the target for a Site or Bandit attack is determined, the player may have his aircraft react to the attack. There are two possible reactions for the player’s aircraft; Suppression and Evasion, which are explained below.

Some aircraft, like the SBDs get a x2 Hit multiplier when they score hits against Naval targets with their munition counters. Note, they do not get a bonus when using their Guns. Apply the multiplier before taking into account Target modifiers.

Suppression Any one Aircraft (including the one under attack) may perform one Suppression Attack on the Site or Bandit as normal. Specify a

Example: An SBD drops a 500# bomb on a Battleship and rolls a 10. The bomb 9

during the Home-Bound stage.

Gun attack, or the weapon counter(s) to be expended. If the attack results indicate that one or more hits are inflicted, the Site or Bandit attack is canceled. However, the Site or Bandit does not suffer damage from the Suppression attack.

Early Disengagement

Evasion

If you have Aircraft in the Withdraw Area, you can move them off the Display as a movement. This will remove them from the OverTarget part of the mission.

The Aircraft that is the target of an attack may choose to go Evasive to reduce the chances of being hit. When an aircraft goes Evasive, place 1 Stress on its Pilot card. When rolling for the attack, roll 2 dice, and use the lower roll.

Such Aircraft then perform no actions until the Over-Target step is completed for the other Aircraft, then all the Aircraft proceed to the Home-Bound step together.

Attack Resolution

Bandit Movement

After the player reacts to the attack, if the Site or Bandit is Suppressed, it cannot attack, resolve attacks for any other Sites or Bandits. If the Site or Bandit is not suppressed resolve the attack as follows:

Bandits move after the player’s Aircraft move. Each Bandit may move one area but is not required to move. Use the following rules to determine if and where a Bandit moves: If there are one or more Aircraft in the Bandit’s Area, it does not move.

Roll a d10 for the Site/Bandit and look at the “Hit” numbers on the Site/Bandit. If the modified die roll is less than the first number, there is no effect on player’s aircraft. If the modified die roll is equal to the first number and less than the second number, 1 Stress Point is added to the target pilot’s current stress level. If the modified die roll is equal to the second number and less than the third number, the target aircraft is damaged. For damaged aircraft, remove all weapon counters and give the pilot 2 Stress Points for finishing the mission in a damaged aircraft. If an aircraft is Damaged a second time it is Destroyed. If the modified die roll is equal to or greater than the third number, the target aircraft is destroyed. Destroyed aircraft are removed from the game; a SAR (Search And Rescue) check is made for each destroyed aircraft during the Home-Bound Flight phase.

If no Aircraft are in the Bandit’s Area, move the Bandit one area closer to the closest Aircraft. If more than one Aircraft is the closest, randomly determine which Aircraft the Bandit moves towards.

• Home-Bound Flight Before the start of the Home-Bound section, remove any Tactic counters remaining on your Aircraft.

Determine Home-Bound Events

Site Attack Example: There is an Infantry and 20mm Site in an Area. Also in the Area are Anderson and Wallace. I can resolve the attacks in any order and I choose to resolve the Infantry attack first. I first roll a die to determine which pilot is attacked, 1-5 for Anderson, 6-10 for Wallace, and the roll is a 4, so Anderson is attacked. Wallace attempts to Suppress the attack with a Gun attack, he needs to roll a 10, and rolls a 7, failing. A Suppression counter is placed on his card. Anderson chooses to go Evasive and a Stress point is added to his card. The Infantry now attacks and must roll two dice because of the Evasion and rolls a 2 and 8. The 2 is used and has no effect. A die is then rolled for the 20mm Site and it rolls a 3, so it will attack Anderson also. Wallace cannot Suppress and Anderson chooses not to,but he will go Evasive again and another Stress point is added to his card. The 20mm rolls a 5 and 9. The 5 is used and inflicts one more Stress on Anderson.

Your flight back to your base may not be uneventful. Draw the top-most Event Card and resolve the Egress event.

Determine Search and Rescue Results After resolving any Home-Bound events, check the Search and Rescue (SAR) results for each Aircraft that was shot down while Over Target or by Target-Bound or Home-Bound events. This is done by rolling a die, modifying the result and comparing it to the table below. Roll one die for each Pilot shot-down. Before rolling the die, you can discard AtG counters from your surviving Aircraft to modify your die roll. Modified Die Roll Result:

Bandit Attack Example: Once again Anderson and Wallace are in a jam. This time there is an A6M5 in their Area. The Zero randomly selects Wallace as the target. Anderson attempts to Suppress on a 6 or higher. But, the Zero is -1 to be hit and Anderson has a +1 AtA skill, which cancel each other. Anderson rolls a 4 and fails. A Suppress counter is place don Anderson. Wallace goes Evasive and gains 1 Stress. The Zero rolls an 7 and 10, so the 7 is used, which Damages Wallace. Wallace must discard any munition counters on his aircraft and gains 2 more Stress. If he is Damaged again, he will be shot down.

>9

Quick Recovery: The Pilot adds 3 Stress Points to its current total.

6 to 8

Recovered Under Fire: The Pilot adds 5 Stress Points to its current total.