Michael’s fired his first load on England, and time for more ~

Michael Eckenfels, 17 April 2018

WAR DIARY ENTRY 2

RAID DAY 2: AUGUST 12, 1940

The successful bombings of yesterday are tempered with the large number of airframe and pilot losses. As I mentioned in yesterday’s operations diary, we can absorb it…for now.

Indications from Berlin are they are happy with the bombing results but the Fuhrer is not at all happy with the aircraft and pilot losses.

For today, seven viable targets for today’s raids. Only one of them is in LF2’s area of operations, though, which will limit my choices

MINOR RAIDS – all LF3

• WORTH (Radar Net)

MAJOR RAIDS – all LF2

• KENLEY (Airfield)
• TANGMERE (Airfield)
• HORNCHURCH (Airfield) x2
• BIGGIN HILL (Airfield)
• BEACHY HEAD (Radar Net)

I definitely want to have a go at the Radar Net at Worth, since it’s the only target that LF2 can commit to this game turn. As for LF3, Airfields are my priority; my job is to reduce the RAF to nothing, but the Beachy Head radar target is tempting, too. Berlin really wants us to take on Hornchurch again, as you can see.

Michael’s Jerries drop a load on England ~

Michael Eckenfels, 10 April 2018

WAR DIARY ENTRY 1

RAID DAY 1: AUGUST 11, 1940

Unlike previous days, where our new airfields in the Low Countries and France were almost every one socked in with poor weather, the day before shone bright and early. The code word went out – Alder – and August 11 was set for the kick-off of this massive campaign, one that every person in the world would be watching.

No pressure.

The day itself dawned clear and bright; almost all the wetness had dried off the previous day so today proved to be an excellent one for operations against England. It took a few days to get acclimated, receive reports, and get plugged in to the network that is the Luftwaffe here in Western Europe, but the staff is good and made this transition much easier.

As I’m not bothering with Night Raids (I don’t think it has much of a significant impact on the campaign in return for more rules and tracking), we’ll skip those bits in the game.

Michael’s got England in his sights ~

Michael Eckenfels, 3 April 2018

Introduction

This AAR covers the game RAF: The Battle of Britain 1940 (2009). It is a most excellent solitaire game with bodacious amounts of fun, given that there are three games in one in the box – a solo game where you play the beleaguered RAF, a solo game where you play the Luftwaffe, and a two-player game as well. GrogHeads just reviewed the newest version of the game, and I did a review of this game a few years back for GrogHeads here.  I was also a fan of the original RAF game that was put out back in 1986. That last one was one of my staples growing up; it was fast, challenging, and always kept you on the edge of your seat.

This AAR is full-length and yes, before you even ask, it is complete. I’ve been working on it for a few weeks now, wanting to ensure it gets done one way or another before I even try to post it to the site.

I’ve also included a bit of padding/narrative to try to tell a (non-historical) story as I am wont to do on occasion. I hope you will find it entertaining and not a distraction. Though, honestly, it was a bit hard to write considering the viewpoint – I’m playing this from the perspective of the Germans, and as such, it means I have to ingrain myself in as the leader of the Luftwaffe. Or, the sub-leader. You see, in my alternate history, here, Goering choked to death on a goat meatball sandwich, and “I” take over on the eve of the Battle of Britain.