Over on the Blood Red Skies Facebook Group we are running a community campaign based around the Battle of Britain. The idea is that we play our scenarios based on events of 80 years ago. The campaign will continue if there is enough interest until the end of September. At the moment we are on Phase 1 – Kanalkampf. If anyone wants to join in the campaign rules are below.
80<sup>th</sup> Anniversary Battle of Britain Campaign
Battle of Britain global campaign for the Blood Red Skied Ready Room
To take part each player requires one BRS squadron (six models plus associated Trait cards), plus at least one opponent. At least one copy of the BRS \ Airstrike Rules is also required.
Players should be split into two sides, RAF & Luftwaffe, as evenly as possible. If players wish to join later in the campaign they bring a new Squadron \ Staffeln – it is assumed they’re transferring in from another sector.
RAF can choose from any available during the Battle – ie Spitfire II, Hurricane or Defiants, Luftwaffe Me109E and Me110C. If you have a burning desire to use Gladiators etc feel free. Use the Heavy Fighter rule for 110s.
Getting started.
Build a Squadron. This should consist of six fighters. Pilot skills at the start are 1x 5, 1 x 4, 3 x 3, 1 x 2. The Ace is the Squadron leader and may choose 1 Ace skill. You need to be able to identify each pilot in some way so give them names. Give your Squadron a name. If we have multiple Squadrons with the same name \ number I will allocate them Flight designations or similar to differentiate.
Me110 and Hurricane Squadrons can upgrade 1 PS3 to PS4 to represent their elite status and experience.
Campaign Phase 1 KanalKampf
All phase 1 battles will take place over the Channel. Missions should be either Dogfight, Fighter Sweep, Bounced, or Priority Target. Either agree or dice for the mission. Neither side may choose Numbers or Home Advantage. No equipment cards are carried.
Theatre \ Doctrine cards.
Each Player may choose from the following Theatre and Doctrine cards. They may choose one of each plus one weather card.
Doctrines
RAF Defensive Tactics, Wall of Lead, Outnumbered,
Luftwaffe
Dive Away, High Altitude Performance, Seasoned Pilots.
Use the Theatre card and weather selections from page 45 of Airstrike for NW Europe 1939-40.
Priority Target Mission amendments
Set up the table as for the Priority target mission over the sea. The RAF are always the defenders. The target is a Small Freighter. If there are more than one players a side add another target for each extra player. Only bombers may carry air to ground ordnance (no torpedoes). Bomber crews are PS2 except Ju87s which are PS3. Bombers have the Coordinated Fire card.
Campaign Rules
Pilot survival.
Being shot down over the Channel in 1940 was very bad. Pilots that are shot down survive to return to their Squadron on a D6 roll of 5+. Luftwaffe may add +1 to this roll to represent their superior Air Sea Rescue capability. RAF pilots shot down over a convoy may add +1 to this roll.
Replacements
At the end of each mission any lost pilots are replaced. The first two replacements after each mission are PS3, all others are PS2.
Pilot Progression.
Keep a track of pilot kills. Any pilot that scores a kill or is shot down and survives should make test using raw Pilot Skill. If they pass they have learned from the experience and gain 1 skill level up to a maximum of PS4. Pilots with 5 kills are prompted to Ace status and may choose an Ace Skill. In theory this can happen to anyone not just PS4s. Pilots who achieve 10 kills gain a second Ace skill.
Battle Reports
After each battle please report the results on The Ready Room (or this forum), with as much detail as you like and pics if you got them – as long as you report scores, who won etc – tag them with the topic BoB80 Campaign when you do so. I will collate and try and manage the overall results.
Chocks Away!
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