Interceptor Ace: Volume 2 by compassgames

Volume2:Last Daysofthe Luftwaffe, 1944-45

RULESOFPLAY

[1.0]INTRODUCTION................................................................................3 [2.0]HOWTOPLAYTHEGAME ...............................................................4 [3.0]GAMEEQUIPMENT ..........................................................................4 [3.1]AIRCRAFTDISPLAYMATS..........................................................4 [3.2]BOMBERANDFIGHTERTARGETCHARTS...............................4 [3.3]PILOTANDCREWSTATUSCHART............................................5 [3.4]THEPLAYINGPIECES.................................................................5 [3.4.1]HOWTOREADTHEMARKERS..........................................5 [3.4.2]GAMEMARKERS.................................................................5 [3.4.3]GAMECARDS ......................................................................6 [3.5]CHARTSANDTABLES.................................................................6 [3.6]THESORTIELOGSHEET ...........................................................6 [3.7]GAMESCALE...............................................................................6 [3.8]PARTSINVENTORY.....................................................................6 [4.0]GAMESETUP....................................................................................6 [4.1]BASEASSIGNMENT ....................................................................6 [4.2]STARTDATE.................................................................................6 [4.3]PREPARESORTIELOGSHEET..................................................6 [4.4]AIRCRAFTDISPLAYMATSETUP................................................7 [4.5]AMMUNITION................................................................................7 [4.6]BASING.........................................................................................7 [4.6.1]CHANGINGBASES............................................................12 [4.6.2]BASEZONES .....................................................................12 [4.6.3]TARGETZONES.................................................................12 [4.6.4]CHANGINGAIRCRAFT ......................................................12 [5.0]HOWTOWINTHEGAME...............................................................13 [5.1]ENDINGTHEGAME...................................................................13 [5.2]DETERMININGVICTORY ..........................................................13 [6.0]SEQUENCEOFPLAY

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...................................20 [7.4.2]POSTCOMBAT...................................................................20 [7.4.3]AIRCRAFTLOSSDUETOBATTLEDAMAGE...................20 [7.4.4]LANDINGPROCEDURE ....................................................21 [7.4.5]FORCEDLANDING ............................................................21 [7.4.6]ROUGHANDCRASHLANDINGS......................................21 [7.4.7]CREWINJURY....................................................................21 [7.4.8]INJURYDURATIONANDEFFECTS ..................................21 [7.5]WEATHEREFFECTS .................................................................21 [7.6]PARACHUTINGTOSAFETY......................................................21 [7.7]CREWSKILLS ............................................................................21 [7.8]AWARDS.....................................................................................22 [7.8.1]THEWOUNDBADGE.........................................................22 [7.8.2]THEIRONCROSS2NDCLASS.........................................22 [7.8.3]THEIRONCROSS1STCLASS .........................................22 [7.8.4]THEEHRENPOKAL(HonorGoblet)...................................22 [7.8.5]THEOPERATIONALFLIGHTCLASP(Frontflugspange) ...22 [7.8.6]THEGERMANCROSSINGOLD.......................................22 [7.8.7]THEKNIGHT’SCROSS......................................................22 [7.8.8]“ACE”STATUS....................................................................23 [7.9]PROMOTIONS............................................................................23 [7.9.1]OFFICERRANKS ...............................................................23 [7.9.2]NCORANKS.......................................................................24 [7.9.3]PROMOTIONMECHANICS................................................24 [7.10]RANDOMEVENTS...................................................................24 [7.11]ROCKETANDJETFIGHTEROPERATIONS...........................24 [7.12]EXTENDEDEXAMPLEOFPLAY.............................................24 [8.0]PRESTIGELEVEL&PRESTIGE.....................................................26 [8.1]PRESTIGEPOINTS....................................................................26 [8.2]PRESTIGELEVEL......................................................................26 [9.0]REASSIGNMENTTOANEWERAIRCRAFT...................................26 [9.1]AIRCRAFTSERIES.....................................................................26 [9.2]UPGRADING...............................................................................26 [9.3]SWITCHINGBETWEENAIRCRAFTFAMILIES.........................27 [9.4]SWITCHINGDUETOINJURY....................................................27 [9.5]SWITCHINGDUETOAIRCRAFTLOSS....................................27 [9.6]NEWCREWMEMBERS.............................................................27 [9.7]PRESTIGEPOINTWAIVER .......................................................27 [10.0]OPTIONALRULES ........................................................................27 [10.1]MULTIPLAYER..........................................................................27 [10.2]COOPERATIVEPLAY...............................................................27 [10.3]COMPETITIVEPLAY................................................................28 [10.4]HISTORICALJETACES...........................................................28 [10.5]PILOTFATIGUE........................................................................30 Copyright©2021 CompassGames, LLC Interceptor Ace1944-45 2 InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

[7.2.2]STARTINGORIENTATION..................................................18 [7.2.3]WINGMANABILITIESANDUSE

[7.3]DISENGAGING...........................................................................19 [7.3.1]ENEMYDISENGAGEMENT...............................................19 [7.3.2]MUTUALDISENGAGEMENT

[7.3.3]FRIENDLYDISENGAGEMENT ..........................................19 [7.4]AIRCRAFTDAMAGE..................................................................19 [7.4.1]DAMAGETOFIGHTERAIRCRAFT

[10.6]VARIABLEENEMYFIGHTERPILOTQUALITY.......................30

[10.6.1]AlliedfighterPILOTskills...................................................31

[10.6.2]AlliedACES .......................................................................31

[10.7]ADVANCEDCOMBATAGAINSTBOMBERS ...........................32

[10.8]OPTIONALADVANCEDMANEUVERS....................................33

[10.9]ALLIEDFIGHTERSAMMOPOINTS.........................................33

[10.10]OPTIONALINTERCEPTORMGAMMO.................................33

[10.11]TRANSFERREDFROMTHEEASTERNFRONT...................33

[10.12]GERMANGREENPILOTS.....................................................34

[10.13]COMBININGGAMES..............................................................34

[10.14]OPTIONALRANKS.................................................................34

[10.15]GAMEMODES........................................................................34

[10.15.1]CAREER .........................................................................35

[10.15.2]TOUROFDUTY..............................................................35

[10.15.3]HISTORICALMISSIONS ................................................36

[10.15.4]CUSTOMPILOTS...........................................................36

[10.16]OPERATIONBODENPLATTE ................................................36

[10.17]AIRCRAFTLOSSPENALTY...................................................37

[11.0]AIRCRAFTOFINTERCEPTORACE1944-45...............................37

[11.1]Bf109 ........................................................................................37

[11.1.1]Bf109G-6 ..........................................................................37

[11.1.2]Bf109G-6/R2.....................................................................38

[11.1.3]Bf109G-6/R6.....................................................................38

[11.1.4]Bf109G-6/U2.....................................................................38

[11.1.5]Bf109G-6/U4.....................................................................38

[11.1.6]Bf109G-6/AS.....................................................................38

[11.1.7]Bf109G-6/U3.....................................................................38

[11.1.8]Bf109G-6(late).................................................................38

[11.1.9]Bf109G-14 ........................................................................38

[11.1.10]Bf109G-10 ......................................................................38

[11.1.11]Bf109K-4.........................................................................39

[11.2]FW190(andTa152H) ..............................................................39

[11.2.1]FW190A-6.........................................................................39

[11.2.2]FW190A-7.........................................................................39

[11.2.3]FW190A-8.........................................................................39

[11.2.4]FW190D-9LangnassenDora...........................................39

[11.2.5]Ta152H-1..........................................................................40

[11.3]Bf110G-2/R3Zerstörer .............................................................40

[11.4]Me410A-1/U2............................................................................40

[11.5]Ju88C-6a..................................................................................40

[11.6]Do335A-1Pfeil..........................................................................40

[11.7]Me262A-1Schwalbe.................................................................41

[11.8]He162A-2Volksjäger................................................................41

[11.9]Go229A-0 .................................................................................41

[11.10]ME163B-1...............................................................................41

[11.10.1]FlyingtheMe163B-1.......................................................42

[12.0]DESIGNER’SNOTES....................................................................42

[13.0]BIBLIOGRAPHY.............................................................................42

[14.0]HISTORICALBACKDROP.............................................................43

INTERCEPTORACE1943-44ERRATAANDCLARIFICATIONS............46

GAMECREDITS......................................................................................47

ThestrategicbombingofGermanybytheUnitedKingdomandthe UnitedStatesofAmericagaverisetoanewchapterintotalwarduring WorldWar2.Atnight,theBritishbroughttheforeshadowingoftheend oftheThirdReichwiththe“1,000planeraid.”Astrategyof“roundthe clock”bombingwasconceived,wherenightoperationsbytheBritish wouldbefollowedupbydayoperationsbytheAmericans.During1943, theAmericanbomberforcebuiltupgradually,withnofighterescortto beginwith,andeventuallyturnedinto1,000planeraidsoftheirown, withmassivefighterescort.TheairbattleoverGermanynowragedfor theverylifeoftheregimeitself.

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 isa solitaire,tacticallevelgameplacingyouincommandofaGerman interceptoraircraftduringthelastyearoftheSecondWorldWar.Your missionistodestroyasmanyenemybombersandfighteraircraftas possible,whileadvancingyourcrewqualityandincreasingyourpersonal rankandawards—allwhilerememberingyouhavetomakeithome amidstdiminishingoddsofsurvivalasthewaradvances.Astime progressesandplayersrackupkills,theymayusetheexperiencegained toimprovetheiroddsofsuccessbypurchasingskills.Astheirprestige increases,theymayrequesttransfertootherbasesinanattempttoget “closertotheaction”,requestanewertypeofinterceptororeventobe transferredtoajetorrocketfighterunitandbecomeoneofthefewelite pilotswhoflewthem.Awardsandacestatushelptonarratetheplayer’s ultimategoal-tosurvivethewarandbecomeoneofthetopbomberkilleracesofthewar.

Playerswillfinditextremelychallengingtosurviveanentiretourfrom March1944toMay1945,atwhichtimethegameends.Youmaychoose tostartthisgameinMarch1944andplayituntilMay1945,startingwith oneoftheaircraftavailabletotheLuftwaffeatthestartofthegameor,if youown InterceptorAce:DaylightAirDefenseOverGermany,1943-44, youcancombinebothgamesandcontinueyourcareerfromwhere InterceptorAce1943-44 endsuntiltheendofthewar.Ineithercase,will yousurvivethewarandbecomeanInterceptorAce?

Therulesarenumberedandpresentedinsetsofmajorsections,each sectiondividedintonumerousmajorandsecondarycases.Therules cross-referenceotherrulesusing(parentheses),soforexampleyouwill see,“younormallycannotavoidcombatwiththeescorts(exception: 7.1.10)”meaningcase7.1.10isrelatedtothisrule.Therulesofthisgame havebeenarrangedbothforeaseofcomprehensiononfirstreadingand foreaseofreferencelater.

IFYOUARENEWTOORUNFAMILIARWITHHISTORICAL GAMES,DON’TPANIC!FirstlookatanyoftheAircraftDisplayMats, theCombatMat,andtheplayingpieces,thengivetherulesaquickread through.Pleasedon’ttrytomemorizethem.Followthesetupinstructions forplayandthenreadSection2.0thatdescribesthegeneralcourseof play.Section4.0providestheframeworktohelpyougetstarted.As questionsarisesimplyreferbacktotherules.Afterafewminutesofplay, youwillfindyourselfbecomingfamiliarwiththegamemechanics.

Onlinegamesupportisavailable.Thereareseveraloptionstochoose from:

[1.0]INTRODUCTION

CompassGames, LLC Interceptor Ace1944-45 3

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

VisitusontheWeb: https://compassgames.com (CompassGameshomepage)

Contactusbyemail: sales@compassgames.com

Wealsorecommendyouvisittheofficialgamediscussiontopicon ConsimWorldforgamesupport,toreadafteractionreports,andtoshare yourplayexperiencewithothers.Youwillfind InterceptorAce game topicbyvisitingtalk.consimworld.comandnavigatingtotheWestern Frontindividualgamediscussionarea.

Generalcustomerserviceandgamepartssupportareprovidedby CompassGames(see3.8)

Throughouttherulesyouwillseenumerousindentedsectionssuchasthis one.Thesesectionsarefilledwithexamples,clarifications,playhints, designnotesandotherassortedwisdominordertohelpeaseyoualong.

[2.0]HOWTOPLAYTHEGAME

OBJECTOFTHEGAME

Theobjectofthegameistoconductcombatsortiesasthepilotofan interceptoraircraftandtoshootdownasmanyenemybombersand fightersaspossible.Thesuccessofeachsortieisreflectedbythetotal numberofaircraftdownedoranyspecialmissioncompleted,whichcan resultinpromotionandadvancement—culminatinginreceivingthe highlycovetedKnight’sCross.Youwillfacerelentlessrisksaseach sortiebecomesmorehazardousduetothepassageoftimeandthenew, andmoreadvancedenemyaircraftyouwillbeengaging.Theultimate successyouachieverestsconsiderablyonthedecisionsyoumakewhile conductingcombatsortiesduringthecourseofyourcareer.

Overallvictorylevelisdeterminedattheendofthegamebasedontotal pointsachievedbydowningbombersandfighters(whichcanalsobe determinedposthumouslyifyouarekilledinaction).

ThekeygamecomponentsusedtofacilitateplayarethevariousAircraft DisplayMatstotrackthestatusofyouraircraftwithtracksforyour sortiesbasedonwhereyouarestationed,theBomberTargetMat,the FighterTargetMattoresolvefighterorescortencounters,andtheSortie LogSheettotracktheactivityandsuccessofeach.ThevariousPlayer AidCardsareusedtoresolvegamefunctions.

GENERALOVERVIEW

Ingeneral,playrevolvesaroundconductingnumeroussortie assignments,resolveanycombatencounters,andsafelyreturntobase. Uponcompletionofeachsortie,youassessthesuccessachievedby consultingyourSortieLogSheet,whichmayresultinapromotion/award foryourself.Betweensortiesyoumaychecktoseeifyouhavebecome eligibletoflyamoreadvancedtypeofaircraft.Youmayalsoneedtime torecuperatefromanypersonalinjurybeforebeingabletoconductyour nextsortieormayhavetositoutasortiewhileyouraircraftisrepaired.

CONDUCTINGSORTIES

YourAircraftDisplayMatshowstheoverallstatusofyouraircraftasyou flycombatsorties.Whenconductingsorties,youraircraftprogresses throughEnduranceboxesonthemissiontrack,checkingforpossible encounterseachtime,includingthepossibilityofarandomevent.

Typically,encountersinvolveinterceptinganenemyraidcomposedof bombersandtheirfighterescort,orfighterencounters.Foreach encounteryoudecidetoengageincombatorattempttoavoidit.Youwill alsorecordallaircraftyouengageduringcombatontheSortieLogSheet, notingwhetheryoudamagedordestroyedthem.

Asyouconductcombat,youwillinflictandreceivedamage.Attheend ofacombat,youmustdecidewhethertocontinueonyoursortieorhead backtobase.

Damageofanykindisseriouswhenyouconsiderthefragilenatureof youraircraft,andshouldinfluenceyourdecisiononwhenitistimeto abortyoursortie.

RETURNTOBASE

Onceyoucompleteyoursortiebyreturningtobase,youwillpossibly receiveawardsordecorations,andchecktoseeifamoreadvancedtype ofaircraftisavailable.Convalescenceduetowoundsreceivedmaydelay yournextflight.Timeneededtorepairyouraircraftmaydelayyournext mission,ifenoughdamagewasdone,oritmayevenbescrapped,andyou willreceiveanewaircraft.

ENDGAME

OnceallsortieassignmentshavebeencarriedoutthroughMay1945,the gameends.Also,shouldyoubekilledinactionthegameimmediately ends.Whetheryousurviveuntilyourfinalsortieornot(attheendofMay 1945)tallyyourtotalnumberofpointsandthetotalnumberofaerial victoriesagainstfightersandbomberstodetermineyourlevelofvictory achieved.Typically,torecordanentirecareer,youwillwanttonoteall aircraftshotdown,yourfinalrank,andanyawardsachieved.Ofcourse, ifyouhavebeenkilled,anyaccoladesandresultsarerecognized posthumously.

[3.0]GAMEEQUIPMENT [3.1]AIRCRAFTDISPLAYMATS

The20AircraftDisplayMats(40differentaircraft)providedcorrespond toeachaircrafttypeavailabletotheplayer.Thismathelpstrackthestatus ofyouraircraftandsystems,includingavailableweaponsand ammunitionatyourdisposal.SelecttheappropriateAircraftDisplayMat correspondingtotheaircrafttypeyouhaveselectedforplay.Thismatis thecenterpiecewhenconductinggameplayandcarryingoutsorties.The useofthismatisexplainedintheappropriaterulessection.

[3.2]BOMBERANDFIGHTERTARGETCHARTS

TheBomberTargetMat[B10]andenemyFighterTargetMat[B11]are usedtoresolvecombatagainstenemyaircraftandaretypicallysetbeside yourAircraftDisplayMatduringplay.Theuseofthesematsisexplained intheappropriaterulessection.

[3.3]PILOTANDCREWSTATUSCHART

ThePilotandCrewStatusChart[A2]isusedtotrackpoints,victories, skills,awards,fatigue,andyourpilot’scurrentPrestigeLevel,whichis usedtodeterminewhichaircraftyoucanupgradeto.

Medals&Awards:

Manyvariousawardsmaybebestowedonyoubasedonyourcareer success.Althoughmainlyforhistoricalinterest,themajorgameimpact isthatmostofthemraiseyourPrestigeLevel,animportantgame mechanicthatallowsyoutoflymoreadvancedaircraftastheybecome available.Someprovideminorgameadvantagesaswell.

CrewandWingmanSkills:

Asyougainexperience,anotherkeygamemechanicisthe improvementofyourpilot,wingman,andcrew(ifyouhaveoneofthe aircraftequippedwithareargunner)bythepurchaseofskills.These skillshaveadirectimpactonyourcombatcapabilitiesandsurvival.If youcombine InterceptorAce1943-44 with InterceptorAce1944-45 youmaychoosetostartthegameinMarch1943with1Experience Point,grantedforhavinggraduatedfromFlightSchool.Ifyouchoose tostartastandardgameof InterceptorAce1944-45,youbeginthegame inMarch1944,andyourpilotbeginswith0ExperiencePoints,dueto thelessernumberofflyinghoursatFlightSchoolinlate1943-1944 (unlessyouchoosetobeginthegamewiththeoptionalrule10.11–TransferredfromtheEasternFront).Differentskillshavedifferentcosts topurchase.

[3.4]THEPLAYINGPIECES

Thereare342playingpiecesononeandahalfdie-cutsheetsincluded with InterceptorAce.Theseplayingpiecesarereferredtoasmarkers(or counters)andareplacedoneithertheAircraftDisplayMattotrackstatus ofyourplaneandcreworononeoftheTargetMats.Markersare providedforindividualaircraft,crewmembers,ammorounds,random events,andthestatusofcrewandsystems.

[3.4.1]HOWTOREADTHEMARKERS

InterceptorAce countermixprovidesmarkerstotrackthestatusofyour aircraftandforresolvingengagements.Thesemarkersmayinclude information,suchasdie-rollmodifiers,tofacilitateplay.Anexplanation ofeachmarkertypeisexplainedbelow.

[3.4.2]GAMEMARKERS

Aircraft:

Thevariousaircraftmarkerscorrespondtothetypeyouhaveselectedand isplacedontheAircraftDisplayMattotrackprogressofyourassigned sortie.Eachoftheaircraftmarkerslistsitscorrespondingtypeandstart date.

Yellowband indicatesaircraft availableatthe startofthegame)

OfficerRank:

FriendlyEnemy

EightOfficerRankmarkers(fourpairs,leftandright)areprovidedto trackyourpromotionlevelasapilotifyouhavechosentobeanofficer.

Atthistimeofthewar,theGermanLuftwaffewascaughtinavicious cycle.Theincreasedferocityoftheairwarmeantmorelossesaswell asabasicneedformoreaircraftandpilots.Morelossesmeantmore pilotsneeded.This,inturn,meantmorehastily-trainedpilotswhocould nothandletheiraircraftand,consequently,heavierpilotlosses.

RandomEvents:

WhilemostRandomEventsareresolvedimmediately,somecanbe usedlaterduringplayandthesemarkersshouldbeplacedonthe AircraftDisplayMatuntilused.

Armaments:

Ammomarkersrepresenttypicallycannonammunitioncarriedinyour weapons,andaretwo-sidedshowingeither“1”or“2”ammopoints.

Non-commissionedOfficerRank:

EightNCORankmarkers(fourpairs,leftandright)areprovidedtotrack yourpromotionlevelasapilotifyouhavechosentobeanNCO.

Damage: Damagemarkersareprovidedtotrackdamagetowings,thetail,the airframeandanypossibledamagetoenginesandothersystems.These markersareonlyplacedonyourAircraftDisplayMatwhendamage occurs.Theyhavean“INOP”sideforsystemsthatareknockedout (specifically,enginesandweapons.)

CrewStatus: CrewstatusmarkersareprovidedtotrackseverityofinjuryorKIA results.

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MapMarkers: MarkersareprovidedfortheOperationsMap(ifused)torepresentyour currentlyassignedbasezone,yourspecificairfield,andyourassigned unit.

[3.4.3]GAMECARDS

3.4.3.1TheCombatCardDeck Thereare60combatcardsinthegame.Thedeckisusedforoffensive fire,defensivefire,wingmansupport,combatmaneuvering,etc.This deckshouldbeshuffledatthestartofeverymonth,orasneeded.

Damageby firepower

Defensiveactionor wingmanaction

Bomber/reargunner defensive fire

[3.5]CHARTSANDTABLES

Seven2-sidedandone1-sidedPlayerAidCardsareprovidedtofacilitate gameplayandresolvegamefunctions.Theuseofthesechartsand displaysareexplainedintheappropriaterulessection.Specificchartsand tablesarereferencedbytheirIDin[squarebrackets].

Whenadierollisrequired,eachtablespecifiesthedierollcombination necessary,whichinsomecasesmayincludeeachdierepresentinga differentplacevalue.Insuchinstances,useacoloreddietodistinguish placevalues.Forexample,ontheFighterDamageChart[B6]forarollof “1d6+1d6,”thefirstd6representsthetens’placevalueandthesecondd6 theones’placevalue.Thismeanstheresultofarollof3+4isa“34”and nota“7.”

[3.6]THESORTIELOGSHEET

The2-pageSortieLogSheetisusedtorecordinformationforeachgame sessionanddamagedordownedaircraft.Feelfreetophotocopyorprint thesesheetsasneeded.YoucancombinetheLogSheetsofbothgames (InterceptorAce1943-44 and InterceptorAce1944-45)tocompleteyour careerfromMarch1943toMay1945.

[3.7]GAMESCALE

Eachsortieisconductedinaday,with(typically)8sortiesflownper month.Markersrepresentindividualaircraft,specificcrewmembers,and ammunition.

[3.8]PARTSINVENTORY

Acompletegameof InterceptorAceVolume2:LastDaysofthe Luftwaffe,1944-45 includesthefollowingcomponents:

•1.5Countersheetsof9/16"unit-counters(342counters)

•1Rulebook

•72-sidedPlayerAidCards

•11-sidedPlayerAidCard

•1AirOperationsDisplayMat11"x17"

•40AircraftDisplayMats(double-sided,20total)

•60CombatCards

•1Sortielogsheet

•1twenty-sided,2ten-sided,and2sex-sideddice.

Noteongameterminology:Thereare3typesofaircraftcommonly referredtoas“fighters”inthegame.However,inthegame,slightly differenttermsareusedtospecifytheside,androle,thesefightersplay. AGermanfighteriscalledan“Interceptor.”AnAlliedfighterdefending bombersisan“Escort”whilefightersonsweepsaresimply“Fighters.” Finally,theterm“FighterCombat”referstoInterceptorshavingcombat witheitherFightersorEscorts.

[4.0]GAMESETUP GENERALRULE

Gamesetupconsistsofselectingyourstartingunit,rollingforaircraft typeifapplicable,preparingyourSortieLogSheet,andplacingthe correspondingAircraftDisplayMatinfrontofyouforinitialmarker placementpriortoconductingyourfirstsortie.Youshouldalsohavethe BomberTargetMat[B10]setnearby,asitwillbereferencedwhen resolvingengagementsagainstenemybombers.Nearbyshouldalsobe theFighterTargetMat[B11]asenemyfightersorescortsmayalsobe engaged.TheOperationsMapshouldbeplacedwiththeCombatCard Deckshuffledonit.

[4.1]BASEASSIGNMENT

Playbeginsbyrolling1d20ontheStartingUnitsandBasesChart[R1]. Ifmorethanoneunitisavailablefortheresult,randomlydetermineyour startingunit.Thenroll1d6toselectoneoftheaircrafttypescurrently availableforyourunit,ifapplicable.Alternately,youmaychoosethe unit,locationandstartingdateifyoudesire.Gameplayconsistsofbeing thepilotofasingleaircraft(andcontrollingawingmanlaterinthegame). Controloflargerformationsissimulatedabstractlybytheuseofcertain abilities(see7.9.1and7.9.2).

[4.2]STARTDATE

[4.2.1] Whenplaying InterceptorAce1944-45 yourfirstsortiewillbein March1944.Ifyouchoosetocombine InterceptorAce1944-45 with InterceptorAce1943-44,yourfirstsortiewillbeinMarch1943andyour pilotcareerwillcontinueoninMarch1944whenyoufinish Interceptor Ace1943-44 attheendofFebruary1944.Alternately,youcanchooseto startatanytime.RefertotheStartingUnitsandBasesChart[R1].

[4.2.2] Youmaychooseanewertypeofaircrafttoflywhenitbecomes available,butonlyifyouhaveasufficientPrestigeLevelthatallowsyou toflyit.Aplayer’sPrestigeLevelincreaseswithawardsandpromotions. Somestartingrollswillrequireyoutowaivethisrequirementforyour firstaircraft,forexample,ifyoustartwiththeBf109G-6/AS(which requiresaPrestigeLevelof2).

[4.3]PREPARESORTIELOGSHEET

[4.3.1] Prepareanarrativeofyourflyingcareerbyrecordingthe followinginformationintheheaderoftheSortieLogSheet:

Aircraft:thisistheaircraftmodelyouhavechosentofly.Youmayname youraircraftafteryourlovedone.

Bf109G-6“Christl”, flownbyMaj.Gerhard Barkhorn,thesecond mostsuccessfulfighter pilotofalltimewith301 victories.Barkhorn joinedJV44inMarch 1945byGalland’s request. Bundesarchiv

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

⊳ ⊳ ⊳

Name:thisisthenameyouchooseforyourpilot,oranactualpilot’sname ifusinganoptionalHistoricalJetAce.

Note:thepilot’snamehasnoimpactongameplayotherthanbuildinga narrativearoundyourcareertoenhanceyourgamesessionorafteractionreports.Optional:seeHistoricalJetAces.

[4.3.2] TheSortieLogSheetisusedtocaptureinformationabouteach sortie,includingwhichaircraftyouhaveencounteredand/ordowned,any woundsreceived,andexperiencegained.

[4.3.3] EachmonthontheSortieLogSheetnormallyconsistsof8 sorties.FromJanuary1945toMay1945,only4missionsareflowneach monthduetofuelshortages.

HistoricalNote:Fromthesecondhalfof1944untiltheendofthewar, thebombingeffortofthe8th AirForcefocusedmainly(althoughnot exclusively)onGermanoilrefineries.Thisprovedtobeaverysuccessful strategy,andby1945,despiteanincreasedfighterproductionoutput,fuel shortagespreventedsignificantLuftwaffeoperations,withmanyfighters groundedbecauseoflackoffuel.

[4.4]AIRCRAFTDISPLAYMATSETUP

[4.4.1] PlaceinfrontofyoutheAircraftDisplayMatthatcorrespondsto thetypeofaircraftyouhaveselected(seeexample).Youwillbe referencingthisdisplaycontinuouslywhileconductingsortiestorecord thestatusofyourplane.

[4.4.2] PlacethefollowingmarkersonyourAircraftDisplayMat:

1.PlacetheAircraftmarkerforyourtypeofaircraftintheHangarbox. ThismarkerismovedalongtheEndurancetracktoshowyourcurrent location.

2.PlacetheWingmanmarkerinthe“Present”box.

3.Placetheappropriatebasezone,basemarker,andunitmarkersonyour AircraftDisplayMat.

4.PlacetheappropriateAmmunitionmarkersinthearmamentssection ofyourDisplayMat[4.5].Ifyouraircraft,forexample,has6ammo listed,thatwouldbe3markersonthe“2”side,not6markers.

5.Asopposedto InterceptorAce1943-44,in InterceptorAce1944-45 yourpilotstartsthegamewith0Experiencepointsifanofficer,or1 ExperiencepointifanNCO(exception:10.11Transferredfromthe EasternFront).IfyourpilotisanNCO,youmayspendyourexperience point.PlacethepurchasedskilloneithertheAircraftDisplayMatoron thePilotandCrewStatusChart[A2]asappropriate.

ExampleofaFW190A-8AircraftDisplayMatwithmarkersplacedfor thestartofthegame.Inthisexample,theplayerhasrolleda“2”tostart thegame.ThismeanshewillbeflyingforJG2.Astherearethreeunits available,hedecidesthatarollof1-2willputhiminI/JG2,arollof3-4 inII/JG2,andarollof5-6inIII/JG2.Herollsa“1”,sohejoinsI/JG2. Nowherollsforhisstartingaircraft.Herollsa“6”,andhereceivesa Focke-WulfFW190A-8ashisstartingaircraft.Thisplacedhimin Beaumont-le-Roger,intheFrenchBaseZone.Hehasplacedhis ammunitionandwingmancountersontheunitmat,andhisaircraftinthe hangarbox.Heisnowreadytostarthisfirstinterception.Hismissionwill usethe“FrenchBases”track.

[4.5]AMMUNITION

Commentary:WorldWar2aircraftnormallyhadafairlylimited ammunitionloadforcannons(weaponslargerthanroughly14mm)but typicallycarriedaverylargeloadformachineguns(sometimesasmuch as1,000rounds).Accordingly,thebasicgamedoesnottrackmachinegun ammo,justcannonammo.Thisiswhysomeweaponshavethe “unlimited”notation,meaningduringthecourseofasinglesortie,they wouldprobablynoteverfireallofit,andsoingameterms,itisunlimited (exception:10.10OptionalInterceptorMGAmmo).

Procedure:

1.ConsulttheinitialAmmunitionLoadinformationnexttoeachweapon onyouraircraft.

2.Selectatotalnumberofammunitionmarkersthataddsuptothe ammunitionpointscarried.Forexample,ifthisnumberis“4”thenit means2markerswillbeplacedonthe“2”ammoside.Placethese markersnexttotheappropriateweapon(s).

[4.6]BASING

Playerswillbebasedatoneof36basesthroughoutthegame.

AStaffelofFW190sparkedonaforward airfield.

HistoricalNote:Thereweremanymoreairfieldsusedthanarelisted,and someGruppenhadtheirStaffelndistributedtootherfieldsthanthelisted one.Thefieldslistedalsorepresenttheseother,unlistedfieldsinthearea. Themainthingthatmatters(forfuelconsumption)iswhatzoneyouare flyingfrom.

AB-24Liberator duringabombrun overanoilrefineryin Ploesti.

STARTINGUNITSANDBASESCHARTR1

Roll 1d20 Unit Badge AircraftAvailable Roll1d6 InitialBase(Zone) Date Transfer Notes 1 I/JG1“Oesau” 1-4:FW190A-6 5-6:FW190A-7 Wiesbaden(Frankfurt) 3/44 Husum(Bremen)8/44 FW190A-8/R2 Parchim(Berlin)2/45 He162A-2 II/JG1“Oesau” FW190A-8 Rheine(Münster) 3/44 Parchim(Berlin)4/45 He162A-2 III/JG1“Oesau” Bf109G-6 Volkel(Dutch) 3/44 Rheine(Münster)8/44 Bf109G-14 Bf109G-10in10/44 Bf109K-4in1/45 2 I/JG2“Richthofen” 1-4:FW190A-6 5-6:FW190A-7 Beaumont-leRoger(France) 3/44 Husum(Bremen)8/44 FW190A-8 II/JG2“Richthofen” 1-5:Bf109G-6 6:Bf109G-6/R2 Poix-Nord(France) 3/44 Frankfurt(Frankf.)8/44 FW190A-8 III/JG2“Richthofen” 1-4:FW190A-6 5-6:FW190A-7 Vannes(France) 3/44 Königsberg(Frankf.) 8/44-FW190A-8 3 11.(Höhen)/JG2 “Richthofen”¹ 1-4:Bf109G-6/U2 5-6:Bf109G-6/AS Beaumont-leRoger(France) 3/44 Husum(Bremen)8/44 FW190A-8 Specialhigh-altitude unitattachedtoI/JG2 4 I/JG3“Udet” 1-5:Bf109G-6 6:Bf109G-6/U4 Mönchen-Gladbach(Ruhr) 3/44 Wunstorf(Bremen)7/44 Bf109G-6(late) Bf109K-4in12/44 II/JG3“Udet” 1-3:Bf109G-6 4-6:Bf109G-6/R6 Volkel(Dutch) 3/44 FrankfurtBases(any) 8/44-Bf109G-14(any) Bf109G-10in10/44 Bf109K-4in12/44 III/JG3“Udet” 1-4:Bf109G-6 5-6:Bf109G-6/R2 Handorf(Münster) 3/44 BerlinBases(any)1/45 Bf109K-4 5 I/JG11 FW190A-6/R6 Husum(Bremen) 3/44 M.-Gladbach(Ruhr) 8/44-FW190A-8/R6 Unitspecializedin usingtheWfr.Gr.21 II/JG11 Bf109G-6/R2 Jever(Bremen) 3/44 Wunstorf(Bremen) 10/44-Bf109G-14/R2 Unitspecializedin usingtheWfr.Gr.21 III/JG11 1-4:FW190A-6 5-6:FW190A-6/R6 Oldenburg(Bremen) 3/44 FW190D-9(late)in 1/45 6 I/JG26“Schlageter” 1-4:FW190A-6 5-6:FW190A-7 Woensdrecht(Dutch) 3/44 Krefeld(Ruhr)8/44 FW190D-9in9/44 FW190D-9(late)1/45 II/JG26“Schlageter” 1-4:FW190A-6 5-6:FW190A-7 Tille(France) 3/44 Kirchhellen(Ruhr)8/44 FW190D-9(late)in 11/44 III/JG26“Schlageter” 1-4:Bf109G-6 5-6:Bf109G-6/R6 Schiphol(Dutch) 3/44 M.-Gladbach(Ruhr) 8/44 Bf109K-4in10/44 FW190D-9in11/44 7 11.(Höhen)/JG26 “Schlageter”¹ Bf109G-6/AS Schiphol(Dutch) 3/44 M.-Gladbach(Ruhr) 8/44 Specialhigh-alt.unit attachedtoIII/JG26 8 II/JG27“Afrika” 1-4:Bf109G-6 5-6:Bf109G-6/R6 Wiesbaden(Frankfurt) 3/44 Bf109G-10in10/44 Bf109K-4in1/45 9 II/JG51“Mölders” Bf109G-6 Neubiberg(Munich) 3/44 10 II/JG53“Pik As” 1-3:Bf109G-6 4-6:Bf109G-6/R6 Frankfurt(Frankfurt) 3/44 Bf109G-14in7/44 Bf109K-4in10/44 11 III/JG54“Grünherz” Bf109G-6 Schwerin-Gorries(Bremen) 3/44 FW190A-8in7/44 FW190D-9in9/44 12 I/JG300 1-4:Bf109G-6 5-6:Bf109G-6/R6 Bonn(Ruhr) 3/44 II/JG300 1-4:Bf109G-6/R6 5-6:Bf109G-6/R2 Oldenburg(Bremen) 3/44 13 II(Sturm)/JG300 1-3:FW190A-7/R2 4-6:FW190A-8/R7 Rheine(Münster) 3/44 Frankfurt(Frankf.)6/44 FW190A-8/R8 Special Sturm Gruppe 14 I/JG301 1-5:Bf109G-6 6:Bf109G-6/R2 Neubiberg(Munich) 3/44 FW190A-8/R2in8/44 Ta152H-1in1/45 II/JG301 1-4:Bf109G-6 5-6:Bf109G-6/R6 Stade(Bremen) 3/44 Brandenburg-Briest (Berlin)9/44 FW190A-8in10/44 FW190D-9in2/45 InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

1 Thespecialhigh-altitudeStaffeln11.(Höhen)/JG2and11.(Höhen)/JG26wereformedin1942withpressurizedBf109G-1sequippedwithGM-1 boost.11.(H)/JG2wasattachedtoI/JG2andin9/43itwasredesignated4./JG2.11.(H)/JG26wasattachedtoIII/JG26andin10/43itofficially becamepartofIII/JG26.Theyareleftinthegametodenotetheirhigh-altitudespecialduty.

2 Heavy-fighterunits(Bf110,Me410,Ju88)wereeitherdisbandedorconvertedtosingle-enginefighterunitsbyAutumn1944.Youmaychooseto converttoasingle-enginefighterasdirectedbytheStartingUnitsandBasesChart[R1](youdon’tneedtospendPrestigePoints)oryoucanretainyour heavy-fighterifyouwish(anddare).

3 IfyouareassignedtoII/ZG76,youcanflytheBf110G-2/R3w.Wf.Gr.21atNeubiberg(Munichbases)or,asanoptionalstart,flytheMe410A-1/U2 atHildesheim(Bremenbases).

4 KommandoNowotnywasformedfromErprobungskommando(EKdo)262(thetestunitoftheMe262A),andIII/ZG26.Ledby258-killaceMaj. WalterNowotny,theunithadtoestablishthetacticsofthenewjetfighterandtoovercometheinitialteethingproblemsoftheMe262.WhenMaj. NowotnydiedinNovember1944,theunitwasrenamedIII/JG7.AlthoughJG7beganreceivingtheirMe262sinNovember-December1944,thegame letsyouusetheMe262fromJuly1944,assumingyourunitisstillpartofEKdo262andlaterKommandoNowotny,andisoperatingthejetfighterin verylimitednumbers.YoumayflyonlyfourmissionspermonthfromJuly1944toSeptember1944.Youmayflyeightmissionspermonthnormally fromOctober1944(see11.7).

5 AfterbeingdismissedasGeneralderJagdfliegerforcriticizingHermanGöringandLuftwaffepolicies,Gen.AdolfGallandwasallowedtoformanew fighterunitequippedwithMe262s.ExpertenfromallunitsamongtheLuftwaffejoinedJagdverband44(JV44),whichsoonwasknownasthe SquadronofExperts.ReassignmenttoJV44requiresbeingaKnight’sCrossholder.

6 Erprobungsgruppe(EGR)335wasthetestunitoftheDo335.ItperformedtestflightsofDo335A-0prototypesfromSeptember1944.Althoughthe standardA-1versionwasintroducedinJanuary1945,ifyouareassignedtoEGR335youmayflytheDo335from9/44.AssumeyouareinanA-0 prototype.Youmayflyonlyfourmissionspermonthduetothesmallnumberofprototypes(see11.6).

7 IfyoutransfertoEGR229,duetotheverylimitednumberofGo229prototypes,ifyouyourGo229A-0islostitissubstitutedwithaHe162A-2. YoumayupgradetotheGo229A-0againifdesiredbyspendingPrestigePoints(see11.9).

Copyright©2021 CompassGames, LLC Interceptor Ace1944-45 9 15 I/ZG12 Ju88C-6a St.Trond(France) 3/44 Salzwedel(Bremen) 7/44 FW190A-8/R2in8/44 RedesignatedII/JG4 16 I/ZG262 “HorstWessel” Me410A-1/U2 Fassberg(Bremen) 3/44 Königsberg(Frankfurt) 5/44 FW190A-8/R2in8/44 RedesignatedI/JG6 II/ZG262 “HorstWessel” Me410A-1/U2 Wunstorf(Bremen) 3/44 Königsberg(Frankfurt) 5/44 FW190A-8/R2in8/44 RedesignatedII/JG6 III/ZG262 “HorstWessel” Me410A-1/U2 Wunstorf(Bremen) 3/44 Lechfeld(Munich)7/44 Me262A-1ain8/44 Redesig.Kdo.Nowotny 17 I/ZG762 Bf110G-2/R3 Ansbach(Frankfurt) 3/44 Bf109G-14in7/44 RedesignatedI/JG76 II/ZG762 Bf110G-2/R3 w.Wf.Gr.21 Neubiberg(Munich) 3/44 Me410A-1/U2in7/44 II/ZG76(opt.start)2,3 Me410A-1/U2 Hildesheim(Bremen) 3/44 18 I/JG7“Nowotny”4 Me262A-1a Königsberg(Frankfurt) 8/44 Brandenburg-Briest (Berlin)1/45 II/JG7“Nowotny”4 Me262A-1a Königsberg(Frankfurt) 8/44 Brandenburg-Briest (Berlin)2/45 III/JG7“Nowotny”4 Me262A-1a Lechfeld(Munich) 8/44 Brandenburg-Briest (Berlin)12/44 Formedfrom KommandoNowotny 19 I/JG400 Me163B-1 Venlo(Dutch) 7/44 Brandis(Berlin)8/44 Firstrocket-fighterunit oftheworld III/JG400 Me163B-1 Brandis(Berlin) 7/44 II/JG400 Me163B-1 Brandis(Berlin) 11/44 JV445 Me262A-1a Brandenburg-Briest(Berlin) 1/45 Neubiberg(Munich) 3/44-Me262A-1b KnownastheExperten Squadron EKdo162 He162A-2 Parchim(Berlin) 1/45 TestunitoftheHe162 20 EGR3356 Do335A-1 Oranienburg(Berlin) 9/44 TestunitoftheDo335 EGR2297 Go229A-0 Ingolstadt(Munich) 4/45 TestunitoftheGo229

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

AVAILABLEAIRCRAFTFAMILYANDTYPECHARTR2

RANGEOFAMERICANESCORT FIGHTERS

P-47Thunderbolt

A1:Initialrange-May1943

A2:Maxrangeoninternalfuel-Jun.1943

A3:1x75Gal.bellytank-Jul.1943

A4:1x108Gal.bellytank-Aug.1943

A5:1x150Gal.bellytank-Feb.1944

A6:2x108Gal.wingtanks-Feb.1944

P-38Ligthning

B1:2x75Gal.Tanks-Nov.1943

B2:2x108Gal.Tanks-Feb.1944

P-51Mustang

C1:Maxrangeoninternalfuel-Dec.1943

C2:2x75Gal.wingtanks-Mar.1944

C3:2x108Gal.wingtanks-Mar.1944

Interceptor Ace1944-45 10

Family Type 3/44 4/44 5/44 6/44 7/44 8/44 9/44 10/44 11/44 12/44 1/45 2/45 3/45 4/45 Bf109 Bf109G-6 � � � � 1-5 1-3 1-2 1 1 1 - - -Bf109G-14 - - - - 1-2 1-3 1-5 � � � 1-4 1-4 1-2 1 Bf109G-10 - - - - - - - 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-5 1-4 1-3 Bf109K-4 - - - - - - - 1 1-2 1-2 1-3 1-5 � � FW190 FW190A-6 � 1-2 1 - - - - - - - - - -FW190A-7 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-2 1-2 1 1 - - - - - -FW190A-8 1-3 1-5 � � � � � 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-3 1-3 1-2 FW190D-9 - - - - - - 1 1-2 1-2 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-4 1-4 Ta152H-1 - - - - - - - - - - 1 1 1-2 1-2 Bf110 Bf110G-2 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1 1 - - -Me410 Me410A-1 1-3 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-2 1 - - -Ju88 Ju88C-6 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1 1 1 - - - - -Do335 Do335A-1 - - - - - - - - - - 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-3 Me163 Me163B-1 - - - - 1 1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-3 1-3 1-2 1-2 1 Me262 Me262A-1 - - - - - 1 1 1-2 1-2 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 He162 He162A-2 - - - - - - - - - - 1 1-3 1-4 � Go229 Go229A-0 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1-2 InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

Interceptor Ace1944-45 11

FamilyType 3/44 4/44 5/44 6/44 7/44 8/44 9/44 10/44 11/44 12/44 1/45 2/45 3/45 4/45+ Bf109G-6 � � � � � - - - - - - - -Bf109G-6/R2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1 - - - - - - - -Bf109G-6/R6 1-4 1-5 1-5 1-5 1-4 - - - - - - - -Bf109G-6/U2 1 1 1 - - - - - - - - - -Bf109G-6/U4 1 1 1 1 1 - - - - - - - -Bf109G-6/AS 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1 1 1 - - - - -Bf109G-6/U3 - 1 1-2 1-3 1-3 1-2 1 1 1 1 - - -Bf109G-6/U3/R2 - 1 1-2 1-2 1 1 1 1 1 1 - - -Bf109G-/U3/R6 - 1 1-2 1-3 1-3 1-2 1 1 1 1 - - -Bf109G-6(late) - - 1-2 1-4 1-5 � � � � � - - -Bf109G-14 - - - - � � � � � � � � � � Bf109G-14/R2 - - - - 1 1-2 1-2 1-2 1 1 1 1 1 1 Bf109G-14/R6 - - - - 1-2 1-5 1-5 1-5 1-5 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 Bf109G-14/AS - - - - 1 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 Bf109G-14/U4 - - - - 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Bf109G-10 - - - - - - - � � � � � � � Bf109G-10/U4 - - - - - - - 1 1 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 Bf109K-4 - - - - - - - � � � � � � � FW190A-6 � � � - - - - - - - - - -FW190A-6/R6 1-2 1-2 1-2 - - - - - - - - - -FW190A-7 � � � � � � � - - - - - -FW190A-7/R2 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 - - - - - -FW190A-8 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � FW190A-8/R2 1-2 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 FW190A-8/R6 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 FW190A-8/R7 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 FW190A-8/R8 1 1-2 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 FW190D-9 - - - - - - � � � � - - -FW190D-9(late) - - - - - - - - 1-2 1-5 � � � � Ta152H-1 - - - - - - - - - - � � � � Bf110G-2/R3 � � � � � � � � � � - - -Bf110G-2/R3Wfr.Gr.21 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 - - -Me410A-1/U2 � � � � � � � � � � - - -Ju88C-6a � � � � � � � � - - - - -Do335A-1 - - - - - - - - - - � � � � Me163B-1 - - - - � � � � � � � � � � Me262A-1a - - - - � � � � � � � � � � Me262A-1b - - - - - - - - - - - - 1-3 1-3 He162A-2 - - - - - - - - - - � � � � Go229A-0 - - - - - - - - - - - - - � InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

CompassGames, LLC

AVAILABLEAIRCRAFTSUB-TYPECHARTR3

[4.6.1]CHANGINGBASES

Youmaychangeyourunitassignmentbyspending2PrestigePointsand losingonesortieintime.Placean“R”for“reassignment”insteadofa targetcityontheSortieLogSheet.Ifyouspendthe2PrestigePointsto changeunits,a“free”aircraftupgradeisincludedifyouhavetochange toadifferentaircraftfamily.Theupgradeaircraftmustbeavailableatthe timeofthechange.Thiscoststwoadditionallostsortiesasyou familiarizeyourselfwiththenewaircraft.

TheStartingUnitsandBasesChart[R1]hasinformationaboutunit transfersandaircraftupgrades.IftheStartingUnitsandBasesChart directsyoutochangetoanotherbaseatacertaindate,thisbasechangeis free(itdoesn’tcostyouanyPrestigePoints),althoughyoustillloseone sortieforthetransfer.Insomecases,chartR1alsohasinformationabout aircraftupgrades.Inthiscaseyoumaychoosetoretainyourcurrent aircraftorupgradetothetypedepictedonchartR1forfree(itdoesn’t costyouanyPrestigePoints).Youstilllosetwosortiesifyouchangeto anotheraircraftfamily.

YouneedtobeaKnight’sCrossholderifyouwanttochangetoJV44.

[4.6.2]BASEZONES

Inordertostreamlineplay,allbasesareclusteredintogeographical groups(Zones).Theyareincludedbynameforhistoricalpurposes, however,forgamepurposes,anybaseinthesamegroupisconsidered identical.TheseBasegroupsallowfortheproperamountofenduranceto beburnedoffwheninterceptingincomingraids,asshownontheAircraft DisplayMats.Theunitassignmentsarealsoincludedforhistorical purposes,buthavenorealimpactongameplayotherthanfornarrative purposes.

BaseZones:

DUTCHBASES–Schiphol,Venlo,Volkel,Woensdrecht.

BREMENBASES–Fassberg,Hildesheim,Husum,Jever,Salzwedel, Schwerin-Gorries,Stade,Wunstorf,Oldenburg.

FRENCHBASES–Beaumont-le-Roger,Poix-Nord,St.Trond,Tille, Vannes.

RUHRBASES–Bonn,Krefeld,Kirchhellen,Mönchen-Gladbach.

MUNICHBASES–Ingolstadt,Lechfeld,Neubiberg.

MÜNSTERBASES–Handorf,Rheine.

FRANKFURTBASES–Ansbach,Frankfurt,Königsberg,Wiesbaden.

BERLINBASES–Brandenburg-Briest,Brandis,Oranienburg,Parchim.

[4.6.3]TARGETZONES

Justastheinterceptorbasesareclusteredgeographicallytostreamline play,soarethebombingtargets.TheRaidChart[A1]liststheactual targetname,followedbythegeographicaltargetzonetowhichitbelongs inparentheses.Whatmattersforgamepurposesisknowingwhattarget zonethatthetargetispartof.Thatwilldeterminehowmuchendurance theinterceptorhaswhenitattemptstointercepttheraid,orifitcaneven intercepttheraidatall.

HistoricalNote:sometargetsarenotveryclosegeographicallyin real lifetotheirtargetzone;butforgamepurposestheyare“closeenough” togettheproperfuelconsumption.OneexampleisLeipzig,whichis consideredpartoftheBerlintargetzone.It’snotallthatclosetoBerlin inreallife,butforgamepurposes,itgivesthecorrectfuelresult.

Example:AplayerrollsforanincomingraidinMarch1944.Herollsa “11”ontheRaidChart[A1],whichindicatesthetargetcityis Brunswick,intheRuhrtargetzone.OnhisAircraftDisplayMat,after takeoff,hewouldmovehisplanealongtheEnduranceTrackuntil reachingthe“Ruhr”endurancebox,whereeverthatmightbe,depending onwhatbasehetakesofffromsinceBrunswickispartoftheRuhrtarget zone.

Itispossible,whenflyingsomeaircraft(liketheBf109,forexample), thatthetargetzoneis“greyedout.”Thismeansitisbeyondyourfuel consumptionrangeandthatraidcannotbeintercepted.Ifthathappens, simplymoveaheadinthegametothenextsortie.

Example:YouareflyingaBf109G-6.YourBaseisPoix-Nord,inthe FrenchZone.ItisthefirstmissionofJune1944.Thetargetfortodayis theBöhlenOilplantinBerlin.Thistargetistoofarawayforyouto intercept.Althoughthebombersbombtheirtarget,youdonotgeta “sortie”credit(forexperiencepurposes).Youmoveaheadinthegameto thesecondmissionofJune1944.

Note:Fueltrackingis“painless”insomuchthatitoccursasafunction ofwhereyoustartversuswheretheraidisheaded,asshownonthe AircraftDisplayMats.

Note:DuetospacelimitationsontheAircraftDisplayMats,some aircraftshowtheFrenchBasesendurancetrack,whileothersshowthe BerlinBasesendurancetrack.EachAircraftDisplayMatshowsthe baseswherethatparticularaircrafttypicallyoperatedfrom.For example,theBf109G-6AircraftDisplayMatshowstheFrenchBases endurancetrack,whiletheBf109K-4showstheBerlinBasesendurance trackinstead,astheFrenchbaseswerenolongeravailableforthe LuftwaffewhentheK-4enteredservice.Nevertheless,theremaybecases whereyoumayflyanaircraftforalongperiodoftimeandchangeyour basetoaBaseZonenotrepresentedinyourAircraftDisplayMat.In thosecases,usetheFuelEnduranceTrackChart[F1]totrackfuel.

DesignNote:Duetonewcalculationswithregardstoaircraftfuel consumptionanddistancefrombasestoobjectives,someFuelTrack boxesintheAircraftDisplayMatshavechangedwithrespectto InterceptorAce1943-44.Whencombining InterceptorAce1943-44 and InterceptorAce1944-45,usetheFuelEnduranceTrackChart[F1]to trackfuelforaircraftincludedinInterceptorAce1943-44.

[4.6.4]CHANGINGAIRCRAFT

Youmaychangeyouraircraftattheendofeachsortietoanewertypeor sub-typeifoneisavailable.ConsulttheAvailableAircraftFamilyand TypeChart[R2]andtheAvailableAircraftSub-typeChart[R3]attheend ofeachturn.Youarenotrequiredtoupgradeaircraft.

Theprocessforchangingaircraftdiffersfromtheonefollowedin InterceptorAce1943-44.Forveteranplayersof InterceptorAce,please readthefollowingrulescarefully.

Therearetenmainfamiliesofaircraft:

•Bf109

•FW190

•Bf110

•Me410

•Ju88

•Do335

•Me163

•Me262

•He162

•Go229

Eachfamilymayhaveseveralmaintypes,andeachtypemayhaveinturn severalsub-types.

Example:IntheBf109family,therearefourtypes:Bf109G-6,Bf109G14,Bf109G-10andBf109K-4.TheBf109G-14typehasfivesub-types: baseBf109G-14,Bf109G-14/R2,Bf109G-14/R6,Bf109G-14/AS,and Bf109G-14/U4.IntheBf109K-4type,onlythebaseBf109K-4sub-type isavailable.

Insomemonths,onlyoneaircrafttypeisavailable,whileinothermonths severalaircrafttypesinsideafamilyareavailable.

Example:InMarch1944,onlytheBf109G-6typeisavailablefortheBf 109family.InAugust1944,twotypesareavailablefortheBf109family: TheBf109G-6,andtheBf109G-14.

Whenchangingaircraft,followthesesteps:

1.OntheAvailableAircraftFamilyandTypeChart[R2]choosewhich aircrafttypeyouwanttofly.Roll1d6.Iftheresultisinsidetherange listed,youreceivetheaircrafttype.Ifyourpretendedaircrafttypehasa “check”symbol(�),youreceivethetypeautomatically.Ifyouwantto upgradetoanewsub-typeoftheaircrafttypeyouarecurrentlyflying, youdon’tneedtorollontheAvailableAircraftFamilyandTypeChart [R2].Godirectlytothenextstep.

2.OntheAvailableAircraftSub-typeChart[R3],choosewhichaircraft sub-typeyouwanttofly.Roll1d6.Ifyourrollisintherangelisted,you receivetheaircraftsub-type.

Ifyouwanttoupgradetoanewsub-typeoftheaircrafttypeyouare currentlyflyingandyoufailtoupgrade,orifyoufailtoreceiveanew aircrafttype,youretainyourcurrentaircraft.

Ifyouhavesuccessfullychangedyouraircrafttoanewtype,butyoufail toreceivethepretendedsub-type,youautomaticallyreceivethebase aircraftofthenewtype.Thebaseaircraftistheonewiththecheck symbol(�)ontheAvailableAircraftSub-typeChart[R3].

Example:ItisSeptember1944.YouarecurrentlyflyingaFW190A-8/R2. YouwanttoupgradetotheFW190A-8/R8.Youroll1d6directlyonthe AvailableAircraftSub-typeChart[R3].Yourolla5andyoufail.You retainyourFW190A-8/R2.

Example:ItisJuly1944.YouareflyingaBf109G-6/R6.Youwantto upgradetotheBf109G-14/R6.Youfirstroll1d6ontheAvailableAircraft FamilyandTypeChart[R2]tocheckifyoureceivetheBf109G-14type oftheBf109family.Yourolla2andyousuccessfullyupgradetotheBf 109G-14type.TocheckifyoureceivetheBf109G-14/R6sub-type,now youroll1d6ontheAvailableAircraftSub-typeChart[R3].Yourolla3 andyoufail,soyoureceivethebaseBf109G-14.

Example:ItisAugust1944.YouareflyingaBf110G-2/R3.Youwantto upgradetotheMe262A-1type.Youroll1d6ontheAvailableAircraft FamilyandTypeChart[R2]tocheckifyoureceivetheMe262A-1type oftheMe262family.Yourolla6andyoufail.YouretainyourBf110G2/R3.

Insomecases,youcanautomaticallychangeyouraircraftuponreaching certaindates.

Example:ItisJuly1944.YouareflyingabaseBf109G-6.InAugust1944 youmaychangeyourbaseBf109G-6toaBf109G-6(late),astheBf 109G-6(late)hasa“check”(�)symbolpresent.Youdon’tneedtoroll ontheAvailableAircraftSub-typeChart[R3],thisupgradeisautomatic.

Itcostsyou1PrestigePointtoupgradetoadifferentaircraftinthesame generalfamily(FW190,Bf109,Bf110,etc.),and2PrestigePointsto upgradetoanaircraftinadifferentgeneralfamily.Notethatyoupaythe requiredPrestigePointsforupgradingwhetheryoureceiveyour pretendedaircraftornot.

Rememberthatyoumayupgradeyouraircraftonlyifyouhavethe requiredPrestigeLevel.

[5.0]HOWTOWINTHEGAME GENERALRULE

Afullgameconsistsofcompletingnumerouscombatsortiesuptoand throughMay1945.Thegamemayendearlyifyouarekilledinaction.

Whiletheresultsofeachsortiemayresultinpromotionandawards, overallvictorylevelisdeterminedattheendofplaybasedonthenumber ofpointsachieved.

[5.1]ENDINGTHEGAME

[5.1.1] ThegameendsuponcompletionofyourfinalsortieinMay

1945—nosortiesareconductedafterMay1945(exception:Knight’s CrossHoldersTourofDuty,10.15.2).

[5.1.2] Ifitisdeterminedaftercalculatingmissedsortiesduetoinjuries thatyournextsortiewouldcommenceafterMay1945,thegameends.

[5.1.3] Thegameimmediatelyends,regardlessofdate,shouldyoube killedinactionorcaptured.

[5.1.4] Oncethegamehasended,youcandeterminevictory.

[5.2]DETERMININGVICTORY

[5.2.1] Iwouldassumemostplayerswillmerelyenjoytoppingtheir previousperformanceswhenplayingthegame.However,forthosewho wishageneralhistorical“yardstick”fortheirefforts,Iofferthesevictory conditions.

By1943itwas widelyrecognizedin theLuftwaffethat victoriesonthe WesternFrontwere hardertoachieve thanontheEastern Front,andthat destroyingafourenginedbomberin formationwas extremelydifficult,soearlyin1944theLuftwaffepointsystemforfighter decorationswasintroduced,andAdolfGalland,theInspectorofFighters oftheLuftwaffe,setitupatGöring’sorder.Itmadebombersinformation countmorethanbombersoutofformationorfighters.

TheGermanssetagreatstorebytheabilityofafighterpilottoseparate individualAlliedfour-enginedbombersfromtheboxformationsinwhich theyflew.Thus,aLuftwaffepilotcouldnotwinpointsfordamagingan Alliedbomberunlessheseparateditfromthebox.Thesystemrecognized thefactthatachievinga“Herrausschuss”(separation)ofabomberwasa moredifficulttaskthanthe“EntgültigeVernichtung”(finaldestruction)of adamagedstraggler.

Thepointsystemhadnothingtodowiththetotalnumberofvictories(and claims),onlywithawardingdecorationsandpromotionsthroughproven abilityandworth.ManypeoplethinktheLuftwaffeawardedmultiplekills formulti-enginedaircraftandevenfordamagingthem.Thisistotally false!

KillsarestillusedforAcedetermination.

Fighter 1point N/A N/A

Four-engined bomber 3points 2points 1point

[5.2.2] FighterDestruction.Afighterdestructionresultisachievedany timeyouachieveafighterkillinanycircumstance.Afighterdestruction isworth1point.

[5.2.3] BomberDestruction.Abomberdestructionisachievedbyaninformationbomberkill.Abomberdestructionisworth3points.Youmay achievean“outofformation”resultjustbeforedowningabomber(for example,byahitusingR4MorWfr.Gr.21rockets,bydamaging4 enginesofabomber,etc.)Inthiscase,youstillachieveabomber destructionresult(3points).

[5.2.4] Separation.Youachieveaseparationifyouachieveanyofthe followingresultsonabomber:

•2ormoreenginesdestroyed,or…

•1enginedestroyedandtwoothersdamaged,or…

•4enginesdamaged(orworse).

Destruction Separation FinalDestruction (Straggler)

Targettype

–RulesofPlay

Oberlt. Alfred Grislawskiwith hisBf109G6/R6 “White10” afterachieving his112th victory overaB-17Fin September 1943.

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45

Whenoneoftheaboveresultsisachieved,thebomberisconsideredto beoutofformationforsubsequentpasses.Ifthebomberisnotdestroyed, theplayergains2pointsforachievinga“separation”forvictory purposes.Ifthebomberisdestroyed(eitherinthesamepassorina subsequentpass),theplayergains3pointsforthebomberdestruction.

Notethatan“outofformation”resultduetoarockethitisnotconsidered aseparation(see7.1.14and7.1.15).

[5.2.5] FinalDestruction.Youachieveafinaldestructionifyouachieve abomberkillonastraggler.Youencounterastragglerbyrollingan11on theInterceptionChart[B1]andthenanadditional1on1d6,orwiththe OldDogability(7.9.2).Apply4randomenginehitstothestraggler beforestartingthecombat.

[5.2.6] Victoryconditionsaredeterminedbythefinalscoreachievedby yourpilot.

DEFEAT:0-18points

YouareadisgracetotheLuftwaffe,yourfamily,andyourself.Youhave contributedtothefinaldefeatofGermany.

DRAW:19-35points

Youhavefulfilledyourobligationstothenation,andyouareanace. Bookandmovieoffersafterthewarareprobablynotinthecards, however.

MARGINALVICTORY:36-70points

Youhaveenjoyedsuccessasafighterpilot.Youareoneoftheacesofthe Luftwaffe,andyouhavegainedtherespectofyourfellowpilots.Youare verypopularintheGeschwaderannualmeetingsafterthewar.

SUBSTANTIALVICTORY:71-105points

YouareoneoftheLuftwaffe’stopaces,andhavegainedtherespectof yourpeers,yourunit,yourcommanders,andyourenemies.Youareoften mentionedinbooksanddocumentaries.YourcontributiontotheGerman wareffortisfullyrecognized.

DECISIVEVICTORY:106+points

YouarethescourgeoftheskiesandtheprideoftheentireLuftwaffe. YourlegendaryexploitsplaceyouatthetopoftheLuftwaffeeliteand youarementionedprominentlyinhistorybooksasthe“BlackDeath”of theWesternFront.Yourpeersareamazedatyoursteelnervesandflying skill.Youwriteyourmemoriesandbecomeoneofthefoundersofthe newlycreatedBundesluftwaffeafterthewar.

[5.2.7] PilotDeath.Shouldyoubekilledinactionyoustill (posthumously)determineyourvictorylevel.

[6.0]SEQUENCEOFPLAY GENERALRULE

InterceptorAce adherestoadiscretesequenceofplayforconducting combatsorties.Atitsmostabstractlevel,thesequencerevolvesaround conductingsortiesandreturningtobase.Whiletherearenodiscretely numbered“gameturns”aswithotherturn-basedsystems,gameplayis brokendownintomonthlyincrementsoftime,asreflectedbytheSortie LogSheet.Eachmonthhasanumberofraidswhichoccurandcanbe intercepted.Normallythisiseight,howeverfromJanuary1945,onlyfour sortiesareflowneachmonthduetofuelshortages.

Thefollowinggameplayoutlinebeginsonceanaircrafthasbeenselected andthecorrespondingAircraftDisplayMathasallmarkersplaced(4.0, GameSetup).

[6.1]GAMEPLAYOUTLINE

Gameplayisconductedperthebelowsequenceandisrepeateduntilthe gameends(5.1,EndingtheGame),atwhichtimevictorycanbe determined(5.2,DeterminingVictory).Thepreciseactivitiesperformed asoutlinedbelowarecoveredintheappropriaterulessections.

1.ObtainincomingraidinformationbycheckingontheRaidChart[A1] -themonth/yearversus2d6roll.WritethisontheSortieLogSheetand placetheRaidTargetmarkeronthecorrespondingEnduranceBox(this willbeyourRaidTargetEnduranceBox).Rollforweather(Weather Chart[B9]).Applya+1drm(dierollmodifier)ontheWeatherChart[B9] inNovember1944andJanuary1945,anda+2drminDecember1944.

2.MovefromtheHangarBoxtotheTakeoffEnduranceBoxandrollon theAircraftTargetandAlliedFighterAttackChart[A3]tocheckifyour baseisattackedbystrafingAlliedfighter-bombers.IftheresultisF/B Attack,fightercombatbegins,andyoustartthecombatDisadvantaged. Applya-1drmtotheF/BAttackrollifthecurrentraidtargetisA/F (Airfields).CheckthetypeofAlliedFighterontheAircraftTargetand AlliedFighterAttackChart[A3].Youmayattempttoendcombatby rollingontheEscapeChart[R4]asper7.1.10,applyinga+1drm.

Note:Ifthe8th AirForceistargetingairfields,theprobabilityofyour basebeingattackedbyfighter-bombersincreases,that’sthereasonofthe -1drmtotheF/BAttackroll.The+1drmtotheendcombatrollisdueto beingcaughtlowonspeedandaltitudeaftertakingoff.

3.MovefromtheTakeoffEnduranceBoxtothenextEnduranceBoxand rollontheAircraftTargetandAlliedFighterAttackChart[A3]tocheck ifyourflighthasbeenbouncedbyAlliedfightersinafightersweep. RepeatforeveryEnduranceBoxentereduntilyoureachtheRaidTarget EnduranceBox.IftheresultisEncounter,fightercombatbegins,andyou startthecombatHeadon.CheckthetypeofAlliedFighterontheAircraft TargetandAlliedFighterAttackChart[A3].Applya+1drmwhen checkingtheFighterSweepEncounterifflyingajetfighter.Youmay attempttoendcombatforthisenduranceboxbyrollingontheEscape Chart[R4]asper7.1.10.

Note:JetandrocketfightersweremuchfasterthantheAlliedpistonenginedfighters.ItwasverydifficultforthemtocatchtheGermanjet interceptorsenroutetothebomberformation.

4.IntheRaidTargetEndurancebox,andeachremainingEnduranceBox thereafter(exceptforthe“greyed-out”enduranceboxes,ifany),rollto interceptontheInterceptionChart[B1].Conductcombatifinterception occurs.Repeatuntiltheaircrafthasgonethroughallenduranceboxesor hasfinallyinterceptedtheraid,orwishestoreturntobase.Sinceitisday, youwillprobably(butnotnecessarily)interceptaraidrightaway.Itis possibleyouwillencounteranAlliedfightersweepinsteadormightroll arandomeventandnotmakecontactimmediately.Duetoaircraft damage,wounds,oranyotherreason,youmayabortatanytimeand immediatelyland.YouareNOTrequiredtotravelthrougheach EnduranceBoxuntillanding.Additionally,“greyed-out”endurance boxes(forsomeaircrafttypes)arebeyondyourlimitsoffuelendurance andarenotenteredorused,otherthantoinformyouifaraidtargetis beyondyourrangeandcannotbeintercepted.

5.IntheLandingbox,rolltolandtheaircraft,applyinganyapplicable drms(dierollmodifiers).IfyouareflyingaJetorRocketaircraft,roll againontheAircraftTargetandAlliedFighterAttackChart[A3]tocheck ifyourbaseisattackedbymaraudingAlliedfighter-bombers.Iftheresult isF/BAttack,fightercombatbegins,andyoustartthecombat Disadvantaged.Applya-1drm(dierollmodifier)totheF/BAttackroll ifthecurrentraidtargetisA/F(Airfields).CheckthetypeofAllied FighterontheAircraftTargetandAlliedFighterAttackChart[A3].You mayattempttoendcombatbyrollingontheEscapeChart[R4]asper 7.1.10,applyinga+1drm.

6.Obtainawards,PrestigePoints,andExperiencePoints.Checkthe AvailableAircraftFamilyandTypeChart[R2]andtheAvailableAircraft Sub-typeChart[R3]foravailableaircraftupgrades.SpendPrestigeand ExperiencePointsifdesired.

Ifyouareflyingacombinedcareerof InterceptorAce1943-44 and InterceptorAce1944-45,usetheSequenceofPlayof InterceptorAce 1943-44 untiltheendofFebruary1944andtheSequenceofPlayof InterceptorAce1944-45 fromMarch1944on.

Interceptor Ace1944-45 14

7.RepeatprocessonthenextsortielineontheSortieLogSheetuntilthe lastsortieofMay1945,oruntilshotdownandkilled.

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

[7.1]GENERALPROCEDURES

[7.1.1]GENERAL

CombatisresolvedforeachEnduranceboxinwhichafighter-bomber attack,afightersweep,oraninterceptionoccurs,eitheragainsttheraid itself,oragainstescorts,andtheplayerdecidesnottoavoidcombat.Each combatmaybecomposedofseveral“Passes”andeachPassofseveral rounds.Apilotdoesnothavetochaseadamagedbomber,forexample.

[7.1.2]INTERCEPTION

Aftertakingoff,movethrougheachEndurancebox,checkingifyouare attackedeitherbymaraudingfighter-bombersorbysweepingfighters untilreachingtheRaidTargetEnduranceboxontheEndurancetrack.

RollfortypeofAlliedfightersontheAircraftTargetandAlliedFighter AttackChart[A3]ifanencounteroccurs.WhenreachingtheRaidTarget Enduranceboxrollforinterception.Ifthereisnointerceptionrolledfor aparticularenduranceboxontheInterceptionChart[B1],thennothing occurs.Aresultof“USFighterEncounter”or“SpitfireEncounter”may alsooccur,whichmeansyouengageagroupofSpitfiresorUSfighters.

RollfortypeofUSfighterontheAircraftTargetandAlliedFighter AttackChart[A3].Ifthatoccurs,conductcombatagainstthem,andif stillflyingafterwards,moveyourinterceptoroneenduranceboxaheadon thetrackandrollagainontheInterceptionChart[B1].Ifaninterception occurs,rollontheAircraftTargetandAlliedFighterAttackChart[A3]to determinethetypeofbomber.Writethetypeoftargetonthenextopen spaceontheSortieLogSheet(B-17,B24.)Theremaybealsoarollfor typeofescorts,ifmorethanoneispossible.Therearefivedifferent orientationsbetweentheinterceptor,bomber,andescorts.

first,hewillstartdisadvantagedagainstescortswhenfightercombat begins,eveniftheinterceptionrollinitiallywas“headon”,“advantaged”, or“outofthesun”.

TAILED Thisisnotastartingorientation,however,itoccursduring fightercombat.Theenemyisfacingyourtail.Thekeydisadvantageto beingtailedisthatthefiringaircraftautomaticallyinflictsonebonus “Tail”hitifanyhitsarescoredatall.

TAILING Thisisnotastartingorientation,however,itoccursduring fightercombat.Youarefacingtheenemyaircraft’stail.Thekey advantagetotailingisthatyouraircraftautomaticallyinflictsonebonus “Tail”hitifanyhitsarescoredatall.

OUTOFTHESUN Whenthisoccurs,youmaystartatmediumrange againstabomberanditdoesnotreturnfirethefirstround.Ifyouchoose toengageescortsfirst(ifpresent)youwillstartadvantaged,fire,andthey donotgettoflipadefensivecardthefirstround.Essentiallythisisa“free shot”withnoopportunityforreactionpriortotheinitiativephase (7.2.2.7).

Whenusingyourwingmanagainstbombers(only)fromOutoftheSunat mediumrange,ignoreanydamageresultonyourwingmanwhenrolling ontheWingmanAttackonBomberChart[W1].

[7.1.3]STARTCOMBAT

Tobegincombat,theplayermustfirstdecideifheisattackingthe bombersoranyescorts(ifpresent).Ifstartingdisadvantagedandthereare escortspresent,hemaynotchoosetointerceptthebombers–hemust conductfightercombat(exception:GruppeLeaderability[7.9.1]).Inthe basicgame,aplayermustfireallunjammedforwardweaponstogetherif heusesthem;hecannotusejustsomeofhisforwardgunsorcannons (exception:optionalinterceptorweaponselection[10.10.1]).Theplayer mustalsochooseapointofaimifengagingabomber:PortWing, StarboardWing,orAirframe.Thisisdoneeveniftheplayerdoesnothave theaimskill–itisusedtodeterminedamageifa“GP”(GroupDamage) resultoccursonthecombatcard.Fighters,escorts,andinterceptorsare consideredtoalwaysusetheAirframeasthepointofaimduringfighter combat.Aplayermaychangehisaimpointinbetweenroundsofapass; forexample,hecanstartwiththeportwingatlongrange,butdecideto switchtotheairframeatmediumrange,etc.

[7.1.4]BOMBS

ORIENTATIONSFORCOMBAT:

HEADON Nospecialeffectsagainstbombers.Escortswillstartwith thatorientationiftheinterceptorbeginswithfightercombatinsteadof goingafterthebombersfirst,andenemyfightersonafighterencounter willusuallystartwiththisorientation.

Inthebasicbombercombat,headonisageneraltermusedtodenote thereisnospecialadvantagewhenfightingabomber.Itdoesnot necessarilymeantheattackisheadon,asinfightercombat.Itcould meanaheadon,aflankorrearattack.

ADVANTAGED Ifadvantagedagainstabomber,theplayershootsfirst onthelongrangeroundofthepassandapplyanyresultsobtained,then thebomberreturnsfire.Ifadvantagedagainsttheescort,thatwillbethe orientationtheinterceptorbeginswithagainsttheescortiftheplayer beginswithfightercombat.

DISADVANTAGED Ifdisadvantaged,thatistheorientationtheplayer willbeinrelationtotheescortsoncefightercombatbegins. Disadvantagedhasnoeffectinrelationtobombercombat–itonly mattersifescortsarepresent.Ifthereareescortsandtheplayerrolls “disadvantaged”ontheinterceptionchart,hemayNOTattackthe bombers.Hemustgodirectlytofightercombatandstartdisadvantaged. Iftherearenoescorts,“disadvantaged”hasnorealmeaning.Theplayer simplyattacksthebombersifhechoosesasifhehadrolled“headon”.

Disadvantagedisalsotheorientationtheinterceptorstartsatwhen fightingescortsiftheplayerchoosestoattackthebombersfirst.Thisis veryimportant:ifthereareescorts,andtheplayergoesafterbombers

Ifabomberisattackedinthe1stor2ndEndurancebox,notcountingthe Takeoffbox,itisconsideredtostillbeloadedwithbombsasnotedbythe smallbombsymbolontheEndurancetracksoftheAircraftDisplay Mats.Thesemaydetonatewithabombbayhit;checktheAircraft DamageListingsChart[B4].Iftheydetonatewhentheinterceptorisat closerange,hemaytakedamage.Ona2d6“2”or“12”theinterceptor takes1d6randomairframedamagehitsinthatcase.

[7.1.5]FLAK

Ifabomberisattackedinthe3rd(orlater)Endurancebox,notcounting theTakeoffbox,itisconsideredtohavealreadydroppeditsbombs. Althoughyounowcannotdestroythebomberbydetonatingitsbombs,it maypossiblyhavetakenflakdamagefromthetargetarea.Roll1d6for eachbomberyou attackinthe3rdor laterendurancebox andsubtract3.This willbethenumberof randomhitsthe bomberwillhave takenfromflak(from zeroto3,maximum.)

Rollthesehitsas randomAirframehits ontheBomberand GroupDamageChart[B3]andapplythembeforebeginning yourattack.NoticetheAircraftDisplayMatsonlyshowtheflak“icon”in the3rdEndurancebox,butthepossibleflakdamageisrolledthenorin anylaterboxifyouinterceptabomberinalaterbox.Onlybomberstake flakdamage–itdoesnotaffectfighters,escorts,orinterceptors.

[7.0]COMBAT

FriendlyAircraft

HeadOn Advantaged Disadvantaged Tailing Tailed

EnemyAircraft

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

AB-17Gflies throughFlak overatarget in1944. Courtesyof theNational Museumofthe UnitedStates AirForce.

HistoricalNote:Thisissomewhatofanabstraction,asfighters, interceptors,andescortsdidandcouldtakeflakdamage. Duetocoordinationbetweentheflakandfriendlyaircraft,itwas uncommonenough(especiallyagainstinterceptors)ingametermstonot botherwithitandkeepgameplaysimpler.

[7.1.6]COMBATPASSES

Eachsequenceofbombercombatiscalleda“Pass.”Each“Pass”ismade upofupto3rounds(possibly4ifaninterceptorisequippedwithWfr.Gr. 21or R4Mrockets).Flipacardfromthedeck.Thisistheinterceptor’s attackcardforthefirstround.Followtheinstructionsonthecardasfar asdamageinflicted.Usethecolumnthatcorrespondstoyourcurrent firepower(FPonthecards).Firepower(FP)isdeterminedbyaddingall firingweapons’BOLDnumberstogether.Excessfirepowerdoesnot count–soanaircraftthathas9FPtotalwouldusethe“8”column.The leftmostcolumn,“6-“means“6orless.”Aircraftwith1to6FPwould usethatcolumn.

TheAttackDeckResultsChart[B2]explainstheresultsderivedfrom yourFPonthecombatcard.Theserangefromanumberofrandomhits, a“GroupDamage”result,andpossibleoutrightaircraftdestructionwith a“DE”result.Theappropriateamountofrandomhitsarethenrolledon Chart[B3]againstbombersandonChart[B6]againstinterceptors, fighters,andescorts.

Weaponsmayjamaspartoffiring–thecardtextwillindicateifthishas happened.Ifthisoccurs,youshoulddeterminewhichweaponhas jammed(iffiringmorethanone,thisisdeterminedrandomly)and subtractthatweaponsFP(firepower)numberfromyourtotalfirepower. Theadjustedfirepowernumberwillthenbeusedtodeterminethenumber ofhitsyouinflict.Ifyouraircrafthasan“MGFF”weaponsystemandit hasbeenselectedtojam,treatthejamas“noeffect.”

HistoricalNote:Benchtestswereconductedwithmanythousandsof roundsfiredwiththeMGFFwithoutasinglestoppage.Theballistics wereslightlyinferiortotheMG15120mm,buttherewascertainly nothingwrongwithitsreliability.

Flipasecondcard-thisisthedefensivefirecardfromthebomber.The onlyinformationthatmattersonthebomber’scardisthe“DEFENSIVE FIRE:X”(whereXisanintegerofrandomhitstoyourinterceptor.)As theinterceptorisfasterthanthebomber,therangedecreasesbyoneeach roundofcombat(longrangebecomesmediumrange,mediumbecomes close).Theplayermaychoosetobreakoffandendthepassatanytime, butafterfiringonceatcloserange,theinterceptormustbreakoffafter firingandisautomaticallyengagedbytheescort,ifpresent.Exception: youarenotengagedbytheescortsifyousuccessfullyavoidcombatusing theEscapeChart[R4](see7.1.10)orusingtheGruppeLeaderability (see7.9.1).Iftherearenoescorts,youmaywheelaroundandtrytomake asecondpassagainstthesameoradifferentbomber,ormayendthe combat.Allcombatissimultaneous,unlesstheplayerwasadvantaged againstthebomberorattacked“outofthesun”.Inthosecases,youfire firstduringthefirstroundofthefirstpass.Inaddition,aplayerwiththe “Reflexes”skillmayusethatskilloncepersortietofirefirstinaround. Itcanbeanyround,notjustthefirstround.

[7.1.7]RANGEEFFECTSONBOMBERCOMBAT

Atlongrange,interceptors,B-24sandB-17soutofformationgenerate onelessrandomhit(-1hit).Atmediumrange,therearenochanges.At closerange,theyproduceoneextrarandomhit(+1).B-17sinformation producenochangesatlongrange,anextrahit(+1)atmediumrange,and twoextrahits(+2)atcloserange.Thefollowingchartsummarizesrange effectsonbombercombat,asshownontheBomberTargetChart[B10].

rockets,whichwouldbreakuptheformationsandallowedforeasier attacksbytheinterceptors.

HistoricalNote:TheB-24Liberatorwasamoremoderndesignthanthe B-17FlyingFortress,featuringhighlyefficientlong-chordwingsthat allowedtheLiberatoralongerrange,highertopspeedandheavierbomb loadthantheB-17.Nevertheless,theB-24wasmorevulnerable,a tougheraircrafttoflythantheFortress,hadpoorlow-speed characteristicsandwasdifficulttoflyinformation.Thesereasonsmade theB-24’scombatboxestobefarlesseffectivedefensivelythanthe combatboxesofB-17s.

Inaddition,ifaB-17hastwoormoreenginesdestroyed,or1destroyed andtwoothersdamaged,or4enginesdamaged(orworse),itis consideredtobeoutofformationforsubsequentpasses.Ifnotdestroyed, theplayergains2pointsforachievinga“separation”forvictorypurposes (see5.2.4).

Note:Therearenorangeeffectsoninterceptorvs.fighterandinterceptor vs.escortcombat.AllmodelsofBf109,Me163,andHe162,duetotheir (relatively)smallsize,andtoadegree,theiragility,receiveanadditional -1randomhitfromBomberdefensivefireatlongrangeonlyasnotedon Chart[B10].

[7.1.8]GUNNERDAMAGEEFFECTSONBOMBER COMBAT

Unlikethereargunnerofsomeoftheinterceptors(Bf110,Me410,Ju 88)whereseverityofthewoundisrolled,randomhitsonbombergunners createanabstractedresult.Eachgunnerhitonabomberistrackedwitha numericalmarker(1,2,3,etc.)whichisplacedontheBomberTargetMat [B10].Foreachgunnerhit,defensivefireisreducedbyonerandomhit. Itispossible,althoughuncommon,thatsomanygunnershadbeen woundedthatthebomber’sdefensivefireisreducedtozerohits.

Acrewinjuryresultonabombermayresultinawoundtoapilot,copilot, oragunner.Inthatcase,severityofthewoundwouldberolled,except forthegunner.Agunnercrewinjurymerelyincreasesthegunnerhit markerby“1”.

[7.1.9]BREAKINGOFF

Aftereachpassofcombat,theplayermustdecidewhethertoattackagain ortobreakoff.Forallroundsofcombatinapassfiringissimultaneous (exception:theinterceptorfiresfirstatlongrangeifadvantagedagainst thebomber,iftheplayeruseshis“reflexes”skill,orifattacking“outof thesun”[7.1.2]).

[7.1.10]COMBATAGAINSTTHEESCORT

Iftheplayerchoosestobreakofftheattack,thebombergetsawaywith whateverdamageithas(itmayyetcrashenroutehome,see7.4.3).The bombercombatisended,andnowfightercombatbeginswiththeescort (ifanyarepresent).Notethattheinterceptormayonlyattemptasecond passonadamagedbomberifthereisnoescortoriftheplayerhasthe GruppeLeaderability(7.9.1).Ifanescortispresent,combatbeginswith itattheendofthefirstpassagainstthebomber.Exception:Me163B-1 (see11.10.1).

Aninterceptorthatdoesnotwishtoengagetheescortafterapassona bombermayattempttoendcombatforthisenduranceboxbyrolling1d6 ontheEscapeChart[R4].Iftheinterceptorisapiston-enginedfighter(or anMe163B-1outoffuel),itsucceedsonaresultof1-2,andcombat ends.Onaresultof3-6,combatwithescortsoccursnormally.Ifthe interceptorisajetfighter,itescapesonaresultof1-4.Onaresultof5-6 combatagainstescortsbeginsnormally.

B-17bombersarealwaysconsideredtobeinformation(the“combat box”oftheB-17,whichprovidedmutualdefensivefire,wasconsidered especiallydeadly)unlesstheyhavebeenattackedbyWfr.Gr.21orR4M

Successrepresentsescapingfurtheractionforwhateverreason,beit duckingintosomeclouds,orjustdivingawayfromtheescortsbefore theycouldreact,orjustslippingawayduetoinattentionorgettinglostto thevisionoftheescorts.

Interceptor/Escort/Fighter Interceptor B-24/B-17Outof Formation B-17InFormation Close +1Hit +2Hits Medium Nochange +1Hit Long -1Hit Nochange Copyright©2021 CompassGames, LLC Interceptor Ace1944-45 16 InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

Iftheinterceptorendscombatinthismanner,theplayercannotreengage thebombersinthisendurancebox.Theinterceptorwilladvanceone enduranceboxandthentheplayerwilldecidetoattemptinterception againorland.

NotethatEACHfiringweaponexpendstwopointsofammo,ifpossible. Anyextrahitsreceivedarerandomhitstotheaimedarea.Theextrahits fromanextendedburstonlyoccurifatleast1hitisachievednormally fromthefiringcard.Weaponjamsfromextendedburst,unlikefromcard play,occurafterfiring,unlessa“12”isrolledandnofiringoccurs.

Thedownsidetofiringanextendedburst,besidespossiblegunjams,is thebomber’sreturnfireisincreasedby1randomhittemporarilythat round,astheinterceptorisflyingstraightwhileextendinghisfiring.

[7.1.14]WERFER-GRANATE21ROCKETS(Wfr.Gr.21)

1 Applya+1drmwhentryingtoavoidcombatagainstescort/fightersifit isanF/BAttack.

2 TheMe163Bisconsideredasapiston-enginedfighterifoutoffuel.

[7.1.11]SECONDPASSES

Iftherearenoescortsandtheplayerdecidestomakeanotherpassagainst adamagedbomber(oranewone,ifthefirstonewasdestroyed)the interceptorisassumedtowheelaroundtogetintoafiringpositionagain, andstartstheprocedureagainfromlongrange.Subsequentcombats againstbombersarealwaysconductedinaheadonstatus(meaning,the playernolongerhasadvantagedstatusiftheinterceptorhaditthefirst pass).Theplayermayonlydothisiftherearenoescorts.Ifthebombers areescorted,hemustbeginfightercombatafterhisfirstpassatabomber unlessheattemptstoendcombatrollingontheEscapeChart[R4]asper 7.1.10orhehastheGruppeLeaderability(7.9.1).

[7.1.12]ROUNDSOFCOMBATINAPASS

Afterthefirstroundoffiringinapass,allsubsequentattackroundsagain requiretheflippingoftwonewcards,oneforyourattack,andoneforthe bomber’sdefensivefire.AllcombatinsubsequentroundsofapassIS simultaneous,regardlessiftheinterceptorstartedadvantagedornot.

Example:Yourinterceptorattacks.Youwereadvantagedagainstthe bomber,soyouattackfirst.Theattackcausesahittothebomber’s gunners.Becausethishappenedfirst,thebomber’sreturnfireisreduced by1randomhit.Thesecondroundoccursatmedium,andalthoughyou startedadvantaged,firingisnowsimultaneous.

Example:Yourinterceptorattacksheadonagainstabomber.Youhita gunneratlongrange.However,thebomber’sdefensivefireisnotreduced bythisuntilthenextround,becausecombatissimultaneousatlong rangeinthiscase.

[7.1.13]EXTENDEDBURST

Apilotmayriskfiringanextendedburstfromhisforwardweapons(only) inordertoachievemorehitsusingtheExtendedBurstChart[C3]. Althoughthis(usually)resultsinmoredamagetothebomber,itmayalso resultinajammedweaponorweapons.Ifapilotwishestoattemptthis, hemusthave2ammopointsremaininginatleastoneofhisforward weapons,andmustbeatmediumorlongrange.Noticethatifhisonly firingweapons(duetojammingorammodepletion)areonesthathavean unlimitedammosupplyhemaynotemployextendedburst.Preparefor combatnormallybychoosinganaimpoint,thenroll2d6beforepulling acombatcard:

TheserocketsweremountedunderseveralversionsofGerman interceptorsasamethodto“breakup”thetightcombatboxesoftheB17s,whichreducedtheirmasseddefensivefirepower.Theycouldbefired outsidetheB-17s’defensivefirerange,andalthoughtheyweren’tterribly accurate,theydidn’thavetobe,witha30meterburstradius.

Inthegame,theyarefiredfirst, BEFORE thelongrangeroundofthe pass,andthebomberscannotreturnfire.Roll2d6andconsulttheAircraft DisplayMat;iftheyhit,theyinflict1-2randomhitsonabomber; furthermore,allB-17sthisenduranceboxare“outofformation”forthe restofthecombat(thisisnotconsidereda“Separation”,see5.2.4).They mayalsobeusedagainstB-24bombers,buthavenoeffectotherthanthe 1-2randomhits(astheircombatboxeswerenotquiteaslethalastheB-17 boxesanyway).Theyareuselessagainstfightersorescorts.Iftheygeta “Miss”resulttheB-17bombersareNOToutofformation.

TheWfr.Gr.21rocketsandtubesaddedalotofdrag.Aircraftequipped withthemhavelessspeedthancomparableaircraftwithoutthem.In addition,agileaircraftequippedwithWfr.Gr.21rocketsarenot consideredagile.Anaircraft’sspeedincreasesby“1”aftertheyhavebeen firedandagileaircraftregaintheiragilitycondition(thelaunchingtubes couldbejettisoned,restoringtheaircrafttoa“clean”state).However,if damagedbeforetheycanbefired,theycannotbeusedorjettisoned.If encounteringenemyfightersorescortsandstillundamaged,theymaybe jettisonedatthestartofcombatwithoutpenaltyforthespeedincreaseand agilityregain.

Single-enginefighters,suchastheBf109andtheFW190,couldcarry onlytwoWfr.Gr.21rockets,butthetwin-engineBf110couldcarryfour Wfr.Gr.21rockets.Ifyou areflyingaBf110G-2/R3 withWfr.Gr.21rockets, rocketammois2andyou canfiretwicefromthe Wfr.Gr.21rangebox.

[7.1.15]R4MROCKETS

Theserocketsweremountedonsmallwoodenracksunderthewingsof theMe262.Theycouldbefiredat1000m,outsidetheB-17s’defensive firerange,andastheserocketshadasimilartrajectoryastheMK108 30mmcannon’srounds,thestandardRevi16Bgunsightcouldbeutilized.

Inthegame,theyarefiredfirst, BEFORE thelong-rangeroundofthe pass,andthebomberscannotreturnfire.Roll2d6andconsulttheAircraft DisplayMat;iftheyhit,theyinflict1-2randomhitsonabomber; furthermore,allB-17sinthisenduranceboxare“outofformation”forthe restofthecombat.TheymayalsobeusedagainstB-24bombers,buthave noeffectotherthanthe1-2randomhits(astheircombatboxeswerenot quiteaslethalastheB-17boxesanyway).Theyareuselessagainst fightersorescorts.Iftheygeta“Miss”resulttheB-17bombersareNOT outofformation.

AnMe262A-1bequippedwithR4Mrocketshasitsspeeddecreasedby 1.TheMe262A-1b’sspeedisincreasedby1afterfiringtheR4Mrockets. AWfr.Gr.21resultontheFighterDamageChart[B6]resultsinthe damageoftheR4Mrockets.Ifdamagedbeforetheycanbefired,they cannotbeusedorjettisoned.Ifencounteringenemyfightersorescortsand stillundamaged,theymaybejettisonedatthestartofcombatwithout penaltyforthespeedincrease.

ABf109G-6/R2equipped withWfr.Gr.21rocket launchers.

Roll Result 2 TargetDE(expend2ammo) 3 +4hits(expend2ammo,then1weaponsystemjams) 4 +3hits(expend2ammo) 5 +2hits(expend2ammo) 6 +2hits(expend2ammo,then1weaponsystemjams) 7 +1hit(expend2ammo) 8 +1hit(expend2ammo,thenallfwdweaponsjam) 9 +1hit(expend2ammo) 10 +2hits(expend2ammo) 11 +1hit(expend2ammo) 12 Allweaponsjambeforeanydamageisdone EscapeChartR4 Interceptortype Roll Result Piston-engined ¹ 1-2 Safeescape 3-6 Combat JetorRocket ¹² 1-4 Safeescape 5-6 Combat Copyright©2021 CompassGames, LLC Interceptor Ace1944-45 17 InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

[7.1.16]AMMUNITIONUSE

Eachweaponexpends1pointofammoeachtimeitfires(exception: extendedburst,7.1.13).Someweapons(typically,themachineguns) havethe“unlimited”notationforammunition,todenotetheirammois nottracked.Thisisbecausethoseweaponshavemoreammunitionthan wouldnormallybefiredinthecourseofasortie.Alliedfightersdon’t trackammunitionfiredinthebasicgameeither(exception:see10.9 AlliedFightersAmmoPointsand10.10OptionalInterceptorMG Ammo).Inanycase,youarenotrequiredtofireatlongormediumrange againstabomber(inordertoconserveammo,forexample).Thebomber, however,alwaysfiresatyouateachrangeifpossible.

[7.2]COMBATWITHESCORTSORFIGHTERS (FIGHTERCOMBAT)

[7.2.1]COMBATPROCEDUREAGAINSTESCORTSOR FIGHTERS

Itispossibletoencounterafightersweep–thiscanbeeitherAmerican orBritish.RollontheAircraftTargetandAlliedFighterAttackChart [A3]todeterminethetypeoffighterencountered.Usethefirstcolumn forAmericanfightersandthesecondcolumnforBritishfighters.This simplifiesmattersforcombat,asnobombersareinvolved.

Unlikein InterceptorAce1943-44,in InterceptorAce1944-45 all bomberformationshaveescortfighters.Aplayer’sinterceptormayattack bombersfirst,ortheescortfirst.Iffightingescortsfirst,theescortwill beginfightercombatwithyourinterceptorwiththeorientationlistedin theinterceptionroll.Thiswillbeeitheradvantaged,disadvantaged,head on,oroutofthesun.

However,iftheinterceptionrollwasdisadvantaged,youmaynotattack thebombersfirst–youmustengagetheescort.Itisyourchoice,however, toengagethebombersfirst,ifthestartingorientationfromthe interceptionrollwasheadon,advantagedoroutofthesun.Noticeyou normallycannotavoidcombatwiththeescorts(exceptions:7.1.10,7.9.1) –you’lleitherfightthemfirst,orafterattackingthebombers.

[7.2.2]STARTINGORIENTATION

Placeyouraircraftandtheappropriateenemyfighter/escortonthe FighterTargetMat(B11.)Thereare5orientationspossible:

1. Headon (aircraftfacingeachother)

2. Advantaged (theenemyaircraftisturned90degreestotheside)

3. Disadvantaged (youraircraftisturned90degreestotheside)

4. Tailing (oneaircraftiscompletelyturnedbackwardsinrelationtothe otheraircraft)

5. OutoftheSun (youraircraftstartsAdvantaged,getstoshoot,andthe enemyaircraftdoesnotgettoflipadefensivecard.)

Rememberthatfightercombatbeginswiththeplayerat“disadvantaged” ifyouchoosetoattackbombersfirst,regardlessoftheinitialorientation thatwasrolled.

[7.2.2.1]COMBATNOWBEGINS Iffacingtheenemyaircraft(either youareheadon,advantaged,ortailing)youmayshootyourforward weaponsbyusingtheappropriatefirepowercolumnatthetopofthe combatcardyouflip.Theenemyaircraftwillfirebackiffacingyou,if not,hewillusethedefensivesectionofthecardheflips.Fightercombat isconsideredtobeatmediumrange,insomuchtherearenorangeeffects oncombatbetweenInterceptorsandfighters/escorts.

[7.2.2.2] Ifyouarehead-on,youmayalsochoosetonotfireand godefensiveimmediately,byeitherusingthedefensivesectionofyour combatcard,orbycallingonyourwingmanforassistanceandusingthat text.Asanotheroption,youmaychooseastandardmaneuverinlieuofa carddraw.Theseare:

- TightTurn.Improvepositionbyone(orbytwo,ifagile).

- BarrelRoll.Avoid2hits.

[7.2.2.3] Ifyouaredisadvantaged(i.e.,theenemyfighter/escortis advantagedagainstyou)orifyouarebeingtailed,youhavethreeoptions:

1.Youmaychoosetogodefensivebyusingthedefenseoptionofthenext cardyouflip.

2.Youmaycallonyourwingmantoassistyouandusethattextfromthe flippedcard.Youcannotdoboth,andyoumustchooseonebefore flippingthecard.Yourwingmancannotassistyouifheisnotpresent, damaged,oryourradiohasbeenknockedout,andifthatisthecase,you canonlyusethedefenseoptionofthecombatcardwhiledisadvantaged ortailed.

3.Thethirdoptionistouseoneofthetwo“standardmaneuvers”inlieu ofacarddraw.

[7.2.2.4] Ifyouaredisadvantagedorbeingtailedandhaveareargunner, youmayalsoflipasecondcardtoshootatthesametimeyouflipafirst cardforyourdefense.Reargunnersusethe“defensivefire”sectionofthe flippedcardtoshootatthefighter/escortthatistailingyou(justlikewhen bombersshootdefensivefire).

[7.2.2.5]Anaircraftthatisbeingtailedwillsufferabonus“Tail”hitifany hitsarescoredatall.Thiswouldbepreventedbyadefensivecardthat preventsalldamage,oracombinationofskillsand/oradefensivecard thatreducestheamountofincominghitstozero.

[7.2.2.6] Aftershootingormakingyourdefensivechoiceandflipping bothcards,youapplytheresultssimultaneously.Itispossibletheenemy fighter/escortmaydomassivedamagethatgetscompletelynegatedby yourdefensivecard,orviceversa.Moretypically,hitdamageisreduced, andsometimesyourorientationimprovesbyoneortwopositions.Itis possiblethatadefensivemovewillendtheencounter.

[7.2.2.7] Afterbothcardshavebeenflippedandresultsapplied,thetwo aircraftrollforinitiativeontheInitiativeChart[B12]asthefinalaction ofthecombatround.Thisrollwilladjusttheorientationoftheplanesto eachother.Eachorientationimprovementisa90degree“shift”in relationtotheotherplane.Forexample,ifyouarebeingtailed,andyour initiativerollsaysto“gain2positions”youwouldnowbeheadtohead withtheenemyfighter/escort.Ifyouaredisadvantagedandyougain2 positions,youwouldnowbeadvantagedagainsttheenemyfighter/escort (youmovetoheadon,andhisplanemovessideways).Youcannot improvetobetterthantailingtheenemy.Theenemycannotimproveto betterthantailingyou.

[7.2.2.8] Jetfighters(Me262,He162,Go229)loseonepositionbefore rollingforinitiativeontheInitiativeChart[B12].

[7.2.2.9] “Agile”aircraft(Bf109,Me163,Spitfire,andP-51)add“2”to theirendofturninitiativeroll,aslongastheyhavenotsufferedengineor controlsdamage.Theyalsogainimprovementbytwopositions,notone, whenconductingatightturn(eitherbycarddraw,orifselectedasa standardmaneuver)aslongastheyhavenotsufferedengineorcontrols damage.

[7.2.2.10] Younowconductthenextroundofcombatwiththisnew orientation,andcontinueuntiloneaircraftisshotdown,orsuccessfully endsthecombatbygettingaway.Aftershootingdown(ordrivingoff)an escortorfighter,youmaychoosetoengageanotherone,startingatahead onorientation,oryoumayendtheencounteraltogether.Interceptorsmay notengagebombersintheenduranceboxaftertheyhaveconducted fightercombat.Ifstilldesiringtoengagebombersafterfightercombat, youmustadvanceoneenduranceboxandrollagainforinterceptionon theInterceptionChart[B1].Ifthisplacesyouinthelandingboxorina greyedoutbox,yourinterceptorislowonfuelandmustlandinstead.

FIGHTERCOMBATEXAMPLE:

AFW190A-8/R7isengagedbyaP-47D,startingat“headon”.Onthe B11chart,bothaircraftareplacedfacingeachother.Theplayerdoesn’t wanttotakea“12”attackwithoutdoingsomething,sohestartsbygoing defensive.Heflipscard#19fortheP-47’sattackandnoteshewillbe taking3randomhits.Hethenflipshisdefensivecardwhichis#23.The defensivetextstateshehasperformedaChandellemaneuver,avoiding alldamage,andhasimprovedhispositionbyone.ThismeanstheP-47D

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

isturnedsideways,astheplayerisnowadvantagedagainsthim.Toend thefirstround,theplayerrollsforinitiative.TheP-47hasaspeedof21, andtheFw190A-8/R7hasaspeedof19.Tothistheplayeradds1forhis MW-50boost,sinceitisnotinoperative(yet),givingtheP-47aone-point advantageininitiativebeforethedicearerolled.Hethenrollstwodice, oneforhisplane,onefortheP-47D.Hisrollswere“2”(his)and“4” (theP-47D).TheP-47D’snetinitiativeis+3(4+1versus2)whichisa3 pointdifference,gainingtheP-47animprovementinposition.Therefore, endingthefirstround,theplanesarebacktoheadonstatus.Thesecond roundofcombatbegins,andtheprocessisrepeated.

[7.2.3]WINGMANABILITIESANDUSE

Yourwingman’sjobistoprotectyouduringcombat.However,attimes hewillbebusytryingtostayalivehimself,asthenumericaloddswere againsttheGermansatthisstageofthewar.Thewingmaninthegameis somewhatabstracted–hefliesanotionalaircraftwhosedamageyou don’tspecificallytrack.Hecan,however,earnskillsandbecomeanace. Itisimportanttorealizethatbyusingyourwingman,youarenotgetting tousethedefensivetextonacard–youeitherusedefensivetext,oryou callonyourwingmantoassistyou.Youdonotgettodobothinthesame combatround.Thefollowingrulesgovernhisabilitiesanduse.

[7.2.3.1]WINGMANATTACKSONBOMBERS Youmayorderyour wingmantoattackabomberatthesametimeyoubeginyourattackby usingtheWingmanAttackonBomberChart[W1].Resolvethisafter yourattack.Normally,thiswouldbedoneonsortieswherethereareno escortstoworryabout,asloss/damagetoyourwingmanhasnegative consequencesincombatversusescorts.Thisattackiscompletely voluntary–youarenotrequiredtobuildupyourwingman’skills.Your wingmancannotattackifheisdamaged.Wingmanattacksagainst bombersaremodifiedbyrangeinthesamefashionasaninterceptor(see 7.1.7)–ifawingmanachieves4randomhits,hedoes5atcloserangeand 3atlongrange.Youarenotrequiredtohavehimattackatlongrange–youcanwaittohavehimattackwhencloser,ifdesired,withoutpenalty orreturnfire(asthebomberorboxispresumedtobefocusedonyou). Thewingmanisalwaysconsideredtobeatthesamerangethatyouare fromthebomber.

Whenusingyourwingmanagainstbombers(only)fromOutoftheSun atmediumrange,ignoreanydamageresultonyourwingmanwhen rollingontheWingmanAttackonBomberChart[W1].

[7.2.3.2]WINGMANATTACKSONFIGHTERS/ESCORTS You mayorderyourwingmantoassistyou(assumingyourradioisfunctional, andheisnotdamagedormissing).Onsomecards,thewingmanwilldo nothing(heisconsideredbusywithhisownproblems).Onsomecards, itstatesthewingmanwillattackwithacertainfirepowerlisted.Forthis attack,thewingmanflipsanothercombatcard,andmayusehisskillsto modifytheresult(aim,expert,etc.)Mostimportantly,theenemyfighter/ escortdoesnotdrawadefensivecard,asheisbusywithyourmain aircraft.Itispossibleforyourwingmantoshootdownanenemyfighter/ escortthisway,inwhichcase,youautomaticallyareconsidered disengaged.Adamagedwingmancannotattackorassistyou,which impliesyoumaynotwishhimtoriskdamagebyattackingbombers earlierintheengagement.

[7.2.3.3]EXPERIENCE Yourwingmanstartswith0ExperiencePoints, andgainsexperienceatthesamerateyoudo.Hemaybuymostskills(see skilllisting).Hemayalsoearnawards,butdoesnottrackPrestige,ashe isalwaysassumedtobeflyingthesameaircraftyouare,oraverysimilar model.

Note:usingyourwingmancanbea“crapshoot”beforehegainsany skills,astherearealotofcardsthatresultinnohelptoyou.However, oncehebecomesanexpert(andcandrawasecondcardincombatifyou don’tlikethefirstone),usinghiminsteadofdefensivetextbecomesa muchbetteroption.

[7.3]DISENGAGING

Theremaybetimes(ifallforwardweaponsareknockedout,for example)whenyouwillwanttodisengage.Youmayonlychoosetodo thisasyouractioninsteadoffiring(youmustbetailingoradvantaged againsttheenemyfighter/escort).

[7.3]DISENGAGING

Theremaybetimes(ifallforwardweaponsareknockedout,forexample) whenyouwillwanttodisengage.Youmayonlychoosetodothisasyour actioninsteadoffiring(youmustbetailingoradvantagedagainstthe enemyfighter/escort).

Ifyouaretailingtheenemyaircraft,disengagementisautomatic,andthe encounterends.Ifyouareadvantagedandyouareflyingapiston-engined fighter,disengagingsucceedsona1d6resultof1-4,andfailsona5-6.If youareflyingarocketorjetfighter,yousuccessfullydisengageonaroll of1-5,andfailona6.Ifyoufailtodisengage,theenemyaircraftgains oneposition,thenthatroundofcombatendsandyourollforinitiative normallyandcontinuecombat.AMe163B-1outoffuelisconsidered piston-enginedfordisengagementpurposes.

[7.3.1]ENEMYDISENGAGEMENT

DisengagementChartR5

Anenemyfighter/escortwillattempttodisengageifoneormoreofthe followingcircumstancesoccur:

•Thepilotiswounded(LWorSW).

•Allforwardweaponsareknockedoutoroutofammo(10.11).

•Theenemyfighterhasleakingfueltanks.

•Theoxygensystemisknockedout.

Thisactionoccursinsteadoffiring.Iftailingyou,itsucceeds,andthe combatisended.Ifadvantagedagainstyou,itsucceedsona1d61-4,and failsona5-6.Ifitfails,yougainoneposition,andcombatcontinues.If heishead-on,disadvantagedortailed,hewillcontinuetopulldefensive cardsuntilinapositiontotrytodisengage.

[7.3.2]MUTUALDISENGAGEMENT

Ifbothyouandtheenemyfighter/escortareforcedtodisengage(for example,bothfightershaveleakingfueltanks),disengagementis automatic(i.e.,thereisnoneedtorollfordisengagement).

[7.3.3]FRIENDLYDISENGAGEMENT

Ifyouareattackingabomberyoucandisengageatanytimebeforefiring wouldoccur(Long,MediumorCloserange).Rememberthatyoumay thenhavetofaceescorts(ifpresent)unlessyoutrytoescapetheir attention(see7.1.10).

Disengagementattemptismandatoryifanyofthefollowing circumstancesoccur:

•Yourinterceptorhasleakingfueltanks.

•Youroxygensystemisknockedout.

•YoureceiveaSeriousWound(SW).

•Yourinterceptorisoutoffuel(Me163B-1only,see11.10).

[7.4]AIRCRAFTDAMAGE

Ifanaircraftmeetsitsdamagethresholdfortheairframe,eitherwing, controlsurfaces,orhasallenginesknockedout,itisconsideredshot down.Afireinthefueltanksalsoresultsinalostaircraft,asallcrewbail out.Anexplosioninthefueltanksiscatastrophicandalsoresultsinthe lossoftheaircraftandallcrewareKIA.Anexplosioninthebombbay alsodestroysabomber.

Interceptorscantakedamagefrombombersthatexplodefromabomb bayhit(ifthebombsarestillonboardandan“7”orhigherisrolledfor

Fightertype Roll Result Friendly Piston-engined 1-4 Disengagement 5-6 Combatcontinues JetorRocket 1-5 Disengagement 6 Combatcontinues EnemyFighter 1-4 Disengagement 5-6 Combatcontinues InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

explosion)IFtheinterceptorisatcloserangewhenthisoccurs.Ona2d6 “2”or“12”theinterceptortakes1d6randomdamageinthatcase.

Aseconddamageresultagainstasystemalreadyknockedoutistreated as“noeffect”instead.Youcanonlyknockouttheoxygensystemonce, forexample.However,mostsystems(Engines,Wing,Airframe, Controls,etc.)requiremultipledamageresultstodestroy.

A“DE”resultonthecardmeanstheaircraftisimmediatelydestroyed. Sucharesultencompassessuchthingsasenginefailure,theentiretail sectionbeingshotoff,orawingbeingsawnoff.Whenatargetis destroyed,circleitontheSortieLogsheet.A“DE”resultisnotnegated byadefensivemoveorcardthatreducesrandomhits–onlybycardsthat say“avoidalldamage.”

parachutefromaplanedestroyedbyanexplodingfueltank.YouareKIA inthatcaseandthegameends).

Apilot(andgunner,ifpresent)mayattempttoparachuteifaplaneisshot down.Evenifnotshotdown,theGermanpilotmaydecidetobailoutof hisaircraftattheendofanyroundofcombat.Normally,thiswouldbeif youareseverelywoundedandtheplaneisshotupenoughyouare doubtfulyouwouldsurvivethenextroundofcombat.Thischoiceends combat.RollforeachcrewtoparachuteonchartB8.

Noteondamage:TheFuG25aIFFwasanelectronic“Identification FriendorFoe”systemtoassistgroundFlakcrewsinidentifyingfriendly aircraft.Itseffectisnotmodeledinthebasicgame,asthereisnofriendly Flakfiretocontendwith(exception:optionalruleOperationBodenplatte [10.16]).Thissystemisincludedmainlyasanothersystemtoget damagedwhich,thankfully,doesn’timpactonsurvival.Ifdamaged,treat as“noeffect”asitisnotpresentontheAircraftDisplayMats.

[7.4.2]POSTCOMBAT

Aplayermayaborthissortieaftercombatifhedesiresduetodamage. SimplymoveyouraircraftmarkerdirectlytotheLandingboxandrollfor landing.

Leakingfueltanksandoxygensystemdamageforceanaircrafttoabort attheendofapassagainstabomber.Infightercombat,theymustattempt todisengageuntilsuccessfulorshotdown(see7.3.3).

[7.4.1]DAMAGETOFIGHTERAIRCRAFT

Germaninterceptorscanreceivedamagefromthecarddeckfrombomber defensivefireorfromafighterorescort.Groupeddamage(a“GP” result),ifitoccurs,comesfromtheBomberandGroupDamageChart [B3].Allgroupeddamagetofighteraircraftusesthe“Airframe”column, andthegunnerresultisignored(iftheaircraftisanMe410,Ju88orBf 110,itisignored).AllotherdamageisrolledrandomlyontheFighter DamageChart[B6].Ifaplayerreceivesafueltankhit,androllsan explosion,thegameends(noparachutingattemptallowedinthatcase).

Duetothelarge,heavyradialenginesintheP-47andFw190series,those aircraftignorethefirstenginehittheytake.Placeadamagedmarkeron the“EngineArmor”statusboxtoindicateithas“absorbed”thatfirst enginedamage.Subsequentenginehitsactuallydamagetheengine. Additionally,theyonlysuffer“1”speedlossfromthefirsthitofengine damage.Atthesecondhit,theyget-2speed.

TheFW190D-9(bothearlyandlatemodels)andtheTa152H-1, althoughequippedwithinlineengines,alsoignorethefirstenginehit theytake,astheywereequippedwithanarmoredringjustinfrontoftheir annularradiators.Placeadamagedmarkeronthe“EngineArmor”status boxtoindicateithas“absorbed”thatfirstenginedamage.Subsequent enginehitsactuallydamagetheengine.

Disregardthewords“Port”and“Starboard”ontheFighterDamageChart [B6]regardingenginehitswhentakingdamagetoasingle-engine aircraft.Theyareallsimplyenginehitsinthatcase.InthecaseoftheDo 335,ifittakesdamagetothe“portengine”thisisactuallyappliedtothe forwardengine.Anydamagetothe“starboardengine”isappliedtothe rearengine.

ThevariouseffectsofdamagearelistedontheAircraftDamageListings Chart[B4]andshouldbeappliedimmediatelytoaircraft.

Enginedamagedoesnotprecludeanaircraftfromfinishingacombat-it onlyhampersorprecludesfurtherinterceptionsthatsortie.Adamaged enginereducesspeedby“2”(exception:firstdamagetoaradialengine). Ifoneengineofatwin-enginedaircraftisknockedout,speedisreduced by“4.”Thishasseriousimplicationsfortheinitiativerollattheendof eachcombatround.Intherarecaseyouraircraft’sspeedislowerthan thatofthebombers(forexample,aBf110G-2/R3withoneengineout andtheotherdamaged),youcannotinterceptthebomberformation.Of course,iftheengine(orbothenginesforatwin-enginedaircraft)are knockedout,theinterceptormustimmediatelyglideandmakean emergencylanding(LandingChart[B7]).Alternately,thecrewcanbail outbyrollingontheParachuteChart[B8].

Ifaplayer’splaneisdestroyed,rolltobailout.(Exception:youcannot

Damagecannotberepairedwhileairborne.Afterlanding,repairsonthe Germaninterceptoraremadebythefollowing:

•1-3systemsdamaged:Repairedbynextsortie.

•4-5systemsdamaged:Loseonesortieforrepairs.

•6+systemsdamaged:Aircraftiswrittenoff,receivenewaircraft. Loseonesortiewaitingfornewaircraft.

Notethatanaircraftmayhavemorehitsthansystemsdamaged.For example,anaircraftwith2airframehitsonlyhas1systemdamaged:the airframe.Portwingandstarboardwingareconsidereddifferentsystems.

Jammedweaponsandcrewinjuriesdonotcountasdamagedsystemsfor thepurposesofrepair.(Exception:seeNCOscroungingability[7.9.2]). Damagedweapons(rolledonchartB6)DOcountasdamagedsystems (allweaponscountasonlyonesystem).

Example:YourMe262A-1ahasthefollowingdamageafterlanding: FuG16radio,Oxygen,Jumo004BPortEngineinoperative(2hits),and 2StarboardWinghits.Thetotalnumberofhitsis6,buttheMe262has only4systemsdamaged.Youloseonesortieforrepairs.

[7.4.3]AIRCRAFTLOSSDUETOBATTLEDAMAGE

ItispossiblethatanenemyaircraftwillnotmakeitbacktoEngland,even ifyoudidnotinflictenoughdamagetoshootitdownbeforeyouhadto breakoffcombatforwhateverreason.Usethefollowingformula:

Roll1d10.Onaresultof1orless,adamagedaircraftwillcrashbefore reachinghome.Adda-1drmforeachofthefollowing:

•EachengineOUT(notdamaged).

•Leakingfueltanks.

•KIA/SWpilot.

•KIA/SWcopilot.

•Anysystemthatis1pointshortofaircraftdestruction.

Example:AB-17bomberhas1enginedamaged,twoknockedout,and3 hitsontheportwing.Sincetheportwingcanonlytake4hits,thatwould addone,andtheknocked-outenginesadd1each.Thedamagedengine doesnothaveaneffect.ThedamagedB-17appliesa-3drmwhen checkingifitcrashesenroutehome.

Youreceivecreditforsuchakill(bomberorfighter/escortcrashing enroutehome)ONLYifthiswasspottedbysomeone-ona1d6rollof “1-2”youreceivecreditforthiskill(exception:thereisaRandomEvent whichgivesyoucreditwithoutadieroll).

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

Agroundcrewman inspectsthedamaged tailofaBf109aftera combatsortie.

[7.4.4]LANDINGPROCEDURE

Landingcanbeahazardousprocedureiftheplaneisdamagedorthepilot iswounded.TotalupallmodifiersandrollontheLandingChart[B7], thenapplytheresults,ifany.

[7.4.5]FORCEDLANDING

Itmayhappenthataninterceptorisforceddownafteracombat(for example,ifoneorsometimesbothenginesarehitandknockedout)or hassufferedleakingfueltanks.Insuchacasetheaircraftwouldnotmake itbacktobase.Theplayerhastwooptionsatthispoint:

1.Bailingout.RollforeachcrewontheParachuteChart[B8].

2.Makingaforceddeadsticklandinginanemergencyfieldorroad somewhereat+1drm.Iftheplayerchoosestodothis(perhapstotryand saveaninjuredcrewman’slife)hemusttotaluphislandingmodifiersand rollontheLandingChart[B7].Evenifhelandssuccessfully,hewillmiss thenextsortieashetravelsbacktohisnormalbase.

[7.4.6]ROUGHANDCRASHLANDINGS

Apoorenoughrollonthelandingchartmayresultinaroughlanding (eachcrewmemberreceivesalightwound,andaircraftislostfor1sortie forrepairs)orinacrashlanding(eachcrewmemberreceivesawoundrollforseverity.Theaircraftiswrittenoffasdestroyed).Atthefar extremeofthelandingchart(aroll16+)theaircraftisdestroyedwhile landingandallthecrewarekilled.

[7.4.7]CREWINJURY

Theinterceptornormallyhasjustapilot,butsomemodelsinthegame haveareargunner.Eachcrewman’sinjuriesmayresultinlosttimeor replacement.

ArollthatcallsforaninjurytotheBordschütze(reargunner)whenone isnotpresentistreatedas“noeffect.”

Threeresultsmayhappenfromcrewinjury:LightWound(LW),Serious Wound(SW),andKilledinAction(KIA).

[7.4.8]INJURYDURATIONANDEFFECTS

LW: Miss1sortie.Thelandingrollreceivesa+1drm.Theparachuteroll receivesa+2drm.Theinitiativerollreceivesa-1drm.Apply-1random hitwhenfiring.Ifthisisanyothercrewmanthanthepilot,usea temporarycrewmanasareplacement.Heisconsideredtonothaveany skills.

SW: Thelandingrollreceivesa+2drm.Afterlanding,roll2d6onthe SeriousWoundResolutionChart(C2)todeterminethenumberofsorties missedbythatcrewman.IftheSWoccurstothepilot,youmust immediatelyattempttobreakoffcombatattheconclusionofthecurrent firingpassagainstabomber, orfightercombat.Theparachuteroll receivesa+3drm.Theinitiativerollreceivesa-2drm.Apply-2random hitswhenfiring.Noskillsmaybeused.Ifthisisanyothercrewmanthan thepilot,useatemporarycrewmanasareplacement.Heisconsideredto nothaveanyskills.Itispossiblethatthereplacementcrewmanmay advanceinskillsenoughthatyouwouldnotwantyouroldcrewman back,onceheisreleasedfromthehospital.Youarenotrequiredtogetthe oldcrewmanback,butyoumayifyouwantto.Itisyourchoice.

KIA: Ifthisisthereargunner,simplyreplacewithanewcrewmanfor thenextmission.Thereplacementhasnoskillsorpoints.Ifthepilotis KIA,thegameendsatthatpoint.

TheAircraftDamageListingsChart[B4]containsasummaryofallthe effectsofinjuries.

[7.5]WEATHEREFFECTS

TheweatherforeachsortieisrolledontheWeatherChart[B9].The weatherwasobviouslygoodenoughfortheAmericanstomountaraid, butthelargedistancesinvolvedmeanstheweatheratyourlandingfield maybeworse,orhaschangedfortheworse,andmaybedifferentat combataltitudesaswell.

Applya+1drmontheWeatherChart[B9]ifinNovember1944or January1945.

Applya+2drmontheWeatherChart[B9]ifinDecember1944.

Theweatheraffectsthelandingrollnegativelywithanyotherresultthan “good”weather.Applytheappropriatemodifier(+1or+2)ifthelanding weatherisanythingotherthan“good”.

Note:Thepresenceorabsenceofclouds,whichcouldhaveothereffects oncombat,aremainlyabstractedviathedifferingresultsofthecombat cards.Someplayersmayfeelthissimplifiesweathereffectsquiteabit–theyarecorrect.Withonly8orlessmainforceraidsamonth,weare assumingthatonthedaychosenfortheraid,theoverallweatherisatleast goodenoughtomounttheraid,andthereforegoodenoughtointercept(as happenedhistorically).Thelandingmodifierstakeintoaccountlocalized stormsoveryourlandingfieldthatmayhavesprungup.

[7.6]PARACHUTINGTOSAFETY

AttimesyouwillbeshotdownbyabomberoranAlliedescort/fighter. Insuchcases,thecrewisallowedtoattempttoparachutetosafety.Roll foreachcrewmemberontheParachuteChart[B8].Atthispoint, assumingyousurvivetheparachuteroll,youwilllosethenextsortie whileyoureceiveanewaircraftandgetbacktobase.Theonlything thatwouldprecludeaparachuteattemptisafueltankexplosion.A playermaystillparachutefroma“DE”resultfromacardapplyinga+1 drmontheParachuteChart[B8].

[7.7]CREWSKILLS

Thevariouscrewmembersmayincreaseinskillduringthecourseofthe game.Forevery4sortiesflown(regardlessofkills)eachcrewmangains anExperiencepoint,whichhemayspendto“buy”skills.Sortiesthatare skippedduetoinjury,planerepair,raidoutofrange,orotherreasons,do notcounttowardsgainingexperiencepoints.Theskillscostdifferent amountsofexperiencepointstopurchase.TheSkillEffectsListingChart [B5]givesasummaryofalltheskillsandcosts,withthefullexplanation herebelowintherules.

Ifyouchoosetocombine InterceptorAce1943-44 with InterceptorAce 1944-45,youstartthegameinMarch1943,yourpilotstartsthegame with1ExperiencePoint(ifanofficer)or2ExperiencePoints(ifanNCO), grantedforhavinggraduatedfromFlightSchool,andfortheNCO,for generalexperiencefrom(typically)longerservicepriortoflightschool.

Ifyouplayastandardgameof InterceptorAce1944-45,youstartthe gameinMarch1944,yourpilotstartsthegamewith0ExperiencePoints (ifanofficer)or1ExperiencePoint(ifanNCO),duetothelessernumber offlyinghoursatFlightSchool.

Theskillsconfervariousbenefitsduringgameplay,aslistedbelow.The costtobuyeachskillislistedaftertheskillnameinparentheses.

SKILLS:

GUNNERY(5) -[Allcrew] Thisskillgivestheplayeranextrarandom hitwhenfiring,IFanyhitswerescorednormallywhenfiringforward guns(forareargunner,whenfiringrearguns).Thisappliestoboth bomberandescort/fightercombat.

Forthewingman,thisgiveshim-1tothedicerollinwingmancombat versusbombers.

AIM(6) -[Pilot/Wingmanonly] Thisskillgivesaplayertheabilityto applyoneautomatic“bonus”hitofthepickedtypewhichwasaimedat. PlayersmayaimataWing(PortorStarboard)orAirframe.Thisskillonly appliestoforwardattacksagainstbombers.The“Aim”skillshouldnotbe confusedwiththeprocedurebywhichaplayer“aims”ataparticulararea ofthetargetbomber.Thatprocedurealwayshappens.

Forthewingman,thisgiveshim-1tothedicerollinwingmancombat versusbombers(cumulativewithGunnery–withbothskillshewould receive-2)

PRECISION(3) -[Pilotonly] Thepilotissparingandaccuratewithhis

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

bursts,somuchso,thatwhenhefiresandflipsanodd-numberedcard,he doesnotexpendanammocounter.Thisskillisnotactivewhenaplayer usesextendedburst.

SIXTHSENSE(4) -[Pilotonly] Thepilothasdevelopedanuncanny senseofimpendingdanger.Oncepersortie,any“DE”resultonacombat cardagainsthimisinsteadconvertedto2randomhits.

EXPERT(3) -[Pilot/Wingmanonly]Apilotmaybecomean“expert”in hiscurrentseriesofaircraft:Bf109,FW190,etc.Thisskillallowsthe playertoredrawonecombatcardpersortie,ifhedesirestodoso.He mustusetheresultsand/oreventsofthenewcard,evenifitdoesless damage.Thisskillappliestoallaircraftintheseriesforwhichis purchased.

LEADERSHIP(3) -[Pilotonly] Thepilot’sothercrewmenand wingmangainexperienceattherateof1per3missions,insteadof1per 4.

A.C.M.(4) -[Pilotonly] AirCombatManeuveringallowsaplayerto receiveonelessrandomhitwhenreceivingdefensivefirefrombombers orwhenattackedbyafighterorescort.Note:unlikein InterceptorAce 1943-44,A.C.M.DoesNOTgivea+1drmontheInitiativeChart[B12].

S.A.(2) -[Pilot/Gunner] EachSituationalAwarenessskillincrewgives a“+1”totheInitiativeRoll(cumulative).

REFLEXES(1) -[Pilotonly] Thisskillallowsapilottoeithergainone positionaftertheinitiativerollofaroundofcombat,ortofirefirstina round.Itmaybeusedoncepersortie.Firingfirstagainstafighter/escort meansthatanyhitavoidancedoesNOToccuriftheotheraircraftflipsa defensivecard.Anyorientationimprovement(fromatightturn,for example)stilloccurs.

NAVIGATION(1) -[Pilotonly] Thisskillnegatesthe“Raidnot Located”resultintheInterceptionChart[B1],andconvertsthatresult into“Advantaged”.Italsoconvertsoneofthe“Disadvantaged”resultson theInterceptionChart[B1]into“HeadOn”(seechart,note3).

LANDING(1) -[Pilotonly] Thisskillallowsa“-1”modifiertothe LandingChart[B7].

PARACHUTE(1) -[Allcrew] Thisskillallowsa“-1”modifiertothe ParachuteChart[B8].

WEAPONSMAINTENANCE(2) -[Gunneronly] Thisskillallowsthe playertoignorethefirst(only)“JammedWeapon”resultfromeither extendedburstoracombatcardoncepersortie.

[7.8]AWARDS

Thevariousawardsinthegamearerepresentativeofthemajorawards giventoLuftwaffefighterpilots.EachawardconfersonePrestigePoint toaplayer(andalsoraiseshisPrestigeLevelbyone),whichhemay spendathisconveniencetoupgradeaircraftorobtainatransfertoanew unit.There arealsoeventswhichconferPrestigePointstoplayers,listed belowtheawards.

[7.8.1]THEWOUNDBADGE

Thisawardwasgivenin3classes,Black,Silver,andGold.Toreceivethe WoundBadgeinBlack,theplayer’spilotmusthavebeeninjuredduring combat(orinparachutingfromastrickenaircraft,orduringalanding). KeeptrackofasecondwoundbyflippingtheWoundBadgeinBlackto the“2”side.Uponreceivingathirdwound,theplayerisawardedthe WoundBadgeinSilver,placedonthe“3”side.Tracka4thwoundby flippingtheWoundBadgeinSilvercountertothe“4”side.Finally,upon receivinga5thwound,theplayerreceivestheWoundBadgeinGold.No furthertrackingisrequiredatthatpoint.Notethatthewoundbadgeonly givesaplayerasinglePrestigePoint,NOTforeachclassofbadgeor eachwound.

[7.8.2]THEIRONCROSS2NDCLASS

TheEisernesKreuz2(orEK2)isawardedafterobtaining1point.It confers1PrestigePoint.

[7.8.3]THEIRONCROSS1STCLASS

TheEisernesKreuz1(orEK1)isawardedafterobtaining3points.It confers1PrestigePoint.

HistoricalNote:Duringthetimeframeofthegame,theEK2andEK1 wereawardedonapointssystem,1pointrequiredfortheEK2,3points fortheEK1,butonehadtohavetheEK2beforereceivingtheEK1.Asa singleenginefighterwasworth1point,a“separation”2points,a stragglerbomber1point,anda4-enginedbomberinformationwas worth3points,playerswillreceivethemaspointsareawarded,firstthe EK2andsecondtheEK1.

[7.8.4]THEEHRENPOKAL(HonorGoblet)

Thiswasnotauniformaward;ratherasilvercupgiventopilotswhohad proventhemselveswithanaerialvictory.However,by1943thishad changedtopilotswhohadtheIronCrossFirstClass,butnotenough victoriestohaveearnedtheGermanCrossinGoldortheKnight’sCross. Inthegameitisawardedafter10points(andatleast1kill).Itconfers1 PrestigePoint.

[7.8.5]THEOPERATIONALFLIGHTCLASP (Frontflugspange)

Thisclaspwasgivenin3classes:Bronze(after20flights);Silver(after 60flights)andGold(after100flights).Onlythefirstclaspconfersa PrestigePointtoaplayer.

GameNote:TheOperationalFlightClaspinGoldisnotobtainable withintheframeofthegame,asthereareonlytheoretically96flights,but isincludedforhistoricalinterestandinthecasetheplayerisflyinga combinedcareerof InterceptorAce1943-44 and InterceptorAce194445

[7.8.6]THEGERMANCROSSINGOLD

Thisawardwassometimesderogatorilyreferredtoas“Hitler’sFried Egg”duetoitssizeandgaudydesign.Itisawardedautomaticallyafter 20pointsandconfersaPrestigePoint.

[7.8.7]THEKNIGHT’SCROSS

AdolfGalland andGünther Lützow,two topacesof theLufwaffe, wearingthe Knight’s Cross.

Thishighlycoveted award(theKnight’s Cross)wasgivento successfulfighter pilots.Althoughin realitytheawardcame atmanydifferentkill totals,forthisperiodof thewarthefollowing formulawillbeused: At 30points,theplayerrollstoreceivetheKnight’sCross,withsuccess ona1d6rollof“1”.Eachsucceedingpointgivesa“-1”modifierandthe playerrollsagaineachtimeattheendofamissioninwhichanewpoint (orpoints)areachieved.

[7.8.7.1] ToreceivetheOakleavestotheKnight’sCross,theplayeragain beginstocheckat 40points,withsuccessona1d6rollof“1”.Each succeedingpointgivesa“-1”modifierandtheplayerrollsagaineach timeattheendofamissioninwhichanewpoint(orpoints)areachieved.

[7.8.7.2] ToreceivetheOakleavesandSwordstotheKnight’sCross, playersrepeatthesameprocedureat 60points

[7.8.7.3] ToreceivetheOakleaves,Swords,andDiamondstothe Knight’sCross,playersareautomaticallyawardedituponreaching 100 points.

[7.8.7.4] EachleveloftheKnight’sCrossconfersaPrestigePointtoa player.

[7.8.7.5] EachsubsequentawardoftheKnight’sCross(Oakleaves, Swords,andDiamonds)involvesalossofasortieasyoutraveltoBerlin toreceiveitfromHitlerhimself.

HistoricalNote:ThereweremanyawardsoftheKnight’sCross,andalso theOakleaves,butveryfewSwordsandDiamonds.Itwillbeextremely

difficulttoachieveintheone-yeartimeframeofthegame,unlessstarting withanhistoricaljetaceorcombiningboth InterceptorAce1943-44 and InterceptorAce1944-45

[7.8.8]“ACE”STATUS

Aplayerisconsideredanaceafterachieving5ormorekills.Upon reaching“Ace”status(remember:5KILLS,notpoints)aplayerreceives aPrestigePoint.Wingmenandpilotsreceivea+1ontheInitiativeChart [B12]iftheyarean“Ace.”Thereisnospecialbenefittoareargunner makingace,intherareeventthismightoccur.

UponreachingAcestatus,apilotisnolongerconsideredGreenifusing optionalruleGermanGreenPilots(10.12).

[7.9]PROMOTIONS

Playersmaychoosetoadvanceuponeoftwopromotiontracks:aseither anofficerorasanon-commissionedofficer(NCO.)

Unlike InterceptorAce1943-44,whereOfficerPilotsstartedwith1 ExperiencePoint,OfficerPilotsstart InterceptorAce1944-45 with0 Experience.Unlikesomebrancheswherehigher-rankingofficersfound themselvesremovedfromthefighting,intheLuftwaffeapilotwasstilla pilot,althoughtheymightendupcommandingunitsatvariouslevels.

EachpromotionconfersaPrestigePointtoaplayer.

NCOPilotsstartasUnteroffiziers.NCOpromotions,unlikeofficer promotions,doNOTconferaPrestigePointtoaplayer.However,NCO Pilotsdostartwith1ExperiencePointsinstead.Thisdoesmakeitalittle moredifficultfortheNCOPilotstounlockthehighestvalueaircraftfor use,althoughthisissomewhatoffsetbytheextrastartingExperience Pointandabilities.

MostOfficerandNCOabilitiesrequiretheuseofFatiguePoints.Ifyou usetheseabilities,optionalrulePilotFatigue(10.5)isinuse.

[7.9.1]OFFICERRANKS

Theofficerranksare:

OBERLEUTNANT (FIRSTLIEUTENANT)

Thisistheplayer’snormalandlowestpossibleofficerstartingrank.You areaSchwarmleader(aformationof4aircraft,formedby2Rottesof2 aircrafteach).AsanOberleutnant,youhavethefollowingabilities.You mayuseonly one abilitypersortie.

RotteLeader: YoumayorderyourWingmantoattackfirstanytime duringyourpassagainstabomber.

Thisordercostsyou1FatiguePoint.Ifyourwingmanisequippedwith rockets,hemayfirehis rocketsinsteadofmakinga Wingmanattack.Makea Rocketattack(Wfr.Gr.21or R4M)attheRocketRange boxandapplyresults,then youmaystartyourattack normally.

SchwarmLeader: YoumayorderthesecondRotteofyourSchwarmto attackfirstagainstabomber.

Thisordercanonlybegivenwhileatlongrangeandcostsyou1Fatigue Point.MakeaWingmanattackatlongrange(thisrepresentstheother Rotteattack).IftheattackresultsinWingmanDamagedorWingman ShotDown,thisattackcostsyou1extraFatiguePoint.Thisattackis modifiedbyrangeinthesamefashionasaninterceptor(see7.1.7).After theotherRotteattacks,youcontinuecombatnormally(yourWingmanis notaffectedbytheotherRotteattackresult).

IfyourSchwarmisequippedwithrockets,theotherRottemayfiretheir rocketsinsteadofmakingaWingmanattack.MakeaRocketattack (Wfr.Gr.21orR4M)attheRocketRangeboxandapplyresults,thenyou maystartyourattacknormally.

ADEresultobtainedbytheRotteAttackistreatedas6randomhits (airframe)instead.

HAUPTMANN(CAPTAIN)

PromotiontoHauptmannallowstheplayeraone-timereassignmenttoa newunitfor“free”-noPrestigePointcost.Noticethisisvoluntary;the playerisnotrequiredtopickanewassignment.Ineithercase,youarea givencommandofaStaffel(asaStaffelkapitän)inyourunit(roughly12 aircraft).AsaHauptmann,youhavetheRotteLeaderandSchwarm Leaderabilities.Inaddition,youhavetheStaffelLeaderability.Youmay useonly one abilitypersortie.

StaffelLeader: YoumayorderaSchwarmofyourStaffeltomakean attackagainstabomber.

Thisordercanonlybegivenwhileatlongrangeandcostsyou1Fatigue Point.MakeaWingmanattackatlongrange(thisrepresentstheother Schwarmattack).AftertheotherSchwarmattack,youmayorderyour WingmantoattackFIRSTanytimeduringyourpass(yourWingmanis notaffectedbytheotherSchwarmattackresult).

IfyourStaffelisequippedwithrockets,theotherSchwarmand/oryour WingmanmayfiretheirrocketsinsteadofmakingaWingmanattack. MakeaRocketattack(Wfr.Gr.21orR4M)attheRocketRangeboxand applyresults.

ADEresultobtainedbytheSchwarmattackistreatedas6randomhits (airframe)instead.EachWingmanDamagedorWingmanShotDown resultduringtheattack(eitherbytheotherSchwarmorbyyour Wingman)costsyou1extraFatiguePoint.

Example:YouareaHauptmannandyouareattackingabomber formation.AsaStaffelLeader,youorderaSchwarmofyourStaffelto makeanattack.Thisordercostsyou1FatiguePoint.TheotherSchwarm attacksbymakingaWingmanattackatlongrange.Theresultisa4on table[W1],whichresultsin6randomhits(airframe)insteadoftheDE result,andWingmandamaged.Thisattackcostsyou1extraFatigue PointfortheWingmandamagedresult.Younowattackthedamaged bomberatlongrange,butyoudon’tobtainakill.Inthemediumrange box,youorderyourwingmantoattackthebomberbeforeyoudo.Your wingmanobtainsa6,whichresultsin4randomhits(airframe)and WingmanDamaged.Thebombertakes4randomhits(airframe),butstill flies.Thisattackcostsyou1extraFatiguePointfortheWingman Damagedresult,foratotalof3FatiguePoints.Nowitisyourtimeto finishthecrippledbomberatmediumrange.

MAJOR(MAJOR)

PromotiontoMajorallowstheplayeranotherone-timereassignmenttoa newunitorbasefor“free.”Noticethisisvoluntary;theplayerisnot requiredtopickanewassignment.Ineithercase,youareagiven commandofaGruppe(asaKommandeur)inyourunit(roughly36-48 aircraft).AsaMajor,youhaveallthepreviousabilitiesplustheGruppe Leaderability.Youmayuseonly one abilitypersortie.

GruppeLeader:YouorderaStaffelofyourGruppetoattacktheescorts.

IftheencounterontheInterceptionChart[B1]isDisadvantagedandthere areescorts,youmayapplya-1drmontheEscapeChart[R4]before combatbeginstryingtoavoidtheescorts(see7.1.10).Ifsuccessful,you successfullyavoidcombatagainsttheescortsandyoumayattackthe bombersfirst.Afterattackingthebombers,youstartcombatagainst escortsdisadvantaged.

IftheencounterontheInterceptionChart[B1]isHeadonorOutofthe Sun,afterattackingabomber,youmayapplya-1drmontheEscape Chart[R4]whentryingtoavoidcombatagainsttheescorts(7.1.10).If yousuccessfullyescape,youmaymakeasecondpassagainstthe bombersinthesameendurancebox,thenyoustartcombatagainstescorts disadvantaged.

Thisordercostsyou2FatiguePoints.

OBERSTLEUTNANT(LIEUTENANTCOLONEL)

PromotiontoOberstleutnantallowstheplayeranotherone-time reassignmenttoanewunitorbasefor“free.”Noticethisisvoluntary;the playerisnotrequiredtopickanewassignment.Ineithercase,youare

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

Amenacing RotteofBf 109s.

givencommandofanentireGeschwader(asaKommodore).Asan Oberstleutnant,youhaveallthepreviousabilitiesplustheGeschwader Leaderability.Youmayuseonly one abilitypersortie.

GeschwaderLeader: YouorderacoordinatedGeschwaderattack. Treatthebomberformationashavingnoescortsinthecurrentendurance box.Thisordercostsyou3FatiguePoints.

[7.9.2]NCORANKS

TheNCOranksare:

UNTEROFFIZIER(SERGEANT)

ThisistheloweststartingNCOrank.AsanUnteroffizier,youhavethe followingabilities.Youmayuseupto TWO abilitiespersortie(you cannotusethesameabilitytwice).

AsanUnteroffizier,youhavetheRotteLeaderability(thesameas detailedabove)andtheLimitedScroungingability.

LimitedScrounging: Ifyouraircrafthad4-5systemsdamagedfroma mission,thedamageisrepairedintimeforthenextsortieona1d6rollof 4-6(thismodifiesthenormalrepairrules,see7.4.2).

UNTERFELDWEBEL(STAFFSERGEANT)

ThisrankallowstheplayertheRotteLeaderabilityandtheScrounging ability.Youmayuseupto TWO abilitiespersortie(youcannotusethe sameabilitytwice).

Scrounging: Ifyouraircrafthad4-5systemsdamagedfromamission, thedamageisrepairedintimeforthenextsortieautomatically.Ifyour aircrafthad6+systemsdamagedfromamission,youreceiveanew aircraftforthenextsortieona1d6rollof4-6.

FELDWEBEL(TECHNICALSERGEANT)

ThisrankallowsallthepreviousabilitiesplustheWorkingtheSystem andtheNightOwlabilities.Youmayuseupto TWO abilitiespersortie (youcannotusethesameabilitytwice).

WorkingtheSystem: Ifyourpilotlosesawingmanorcrewman,he “worksthesystem”togetanewwingman/crewmanwhocomeswith4 experiencepoints.

NightOwl: Yousneakofffromyourbasetoanearbyvillageandenjoya nightattheKneipe(abaroranightpub).YoureduceyourFatigueby1 point.Thisabilitycanonlybeusedoncepermonth(orabi-monthly periodfromJanuary1945on).

OBERFELDWEBEL(MASTERSERGEANT)

ThisrankallowstheallthepreviousabilitiesplustheOldDogability. Youmayuseupto TWO abilitiespersortie(youcannotusethesame abilitytwice).

OldDog: Youhavedevelopedauniqueabilityofknowingwheretofind stragglers.Oncepersortie,iftheencounterontheInterceptionChart[B1] isHeadonorAdvantaged,youmaychoosetofollowastragglerwithno escortsinsteadofattackingthemainbomberformation.Thestraggleris consideredoutofformationand has4randomenginehits.This abilitycostsyou1FatiguePoint.

AllAmericanIII,aB-17Fseverely damagedafteramid-aircollisionwitha Bf109,returnshomeafterabombing run.

CourtesyoftheNationalMuseumofthe UnitedStatesAirForce

[7.9.3]PROMOTIONMECHANICS

Thefirstpromotionattemptismadeafterthe4thmonthofservice(after thelastsortieofJune1944).Thesecondattemptismadeafterthe8th monthofservice(afterthelastsortieofOctober1944).Thefinal promotionattemptismadeattheendofthe12th monthofservice(after thelastsortieofFebruary1945).

Promotiontothenexthigherrankoccursonasuccessful1d6rollof1-4, withthefollowingmodifiers:

-2 ForpossessingtheKnight’sCross(eachpromotionattempt.)

-1 per10kills(notpoints)duringtheperiod.

-1 perawardoftheIronCross1stClass,EhrenpokalortheGermanCross inGoldduringtheperiod.

Aplayermayhavemultiplemodifiersdependingonhowtheperiodwent.

[7.10]RANDOMEVENTS

Thefirsttimea“12”isrolled,persortie,ontheInterceptionChart[B1], aRandomEventoccurs.ThisreplacestheFighterencounterthatislisted there(shouldyourollasecond“12”laterinthesortie,theFighter encounterwouldhappenatthatpoint).YouthenrollontheRandom EventsChart[C1].Theresultsofthe2d6rollonchart[C1]rangefrom verygoodtoverybad.Somewillgiveaplayeramarkerthatmaybeused atafuturepointinthegame(eyewitnesscorroboration,etc.)Placethis markerontheaircraftmat.Otherrandomeventswillneedtobeprocessed perthetextoftheevent(youmaybeattacked,etc.)Afterprocessingthe randomevent,moveforwardoneenduranceboxandcontinueyoursortie.

[7.11]ROCKETANDJETFIGHTEROPERATIONS

WorldWarTwosawtheintroductionofrocketandjetfighters,suchasthe Me163B-1andtheMe262A-1.Theseaircraft,althoughmuchsuperior toAlliedpiston-enginedfighters,hadnonethelesssomedrawbacksand, additionally,wereproducedinverylimitednumbers,soinpracticalterms theycouldnotmakeasignificantimpactontheoutcomeoftheaerialwar.

JetfighterswerenotmeanttofightAlliedescorts.Theyweredesignedas bomberinterceptors,sotheywerenotasmaneuverableaspiston-engined fighters.Instead,theyreliedonspeedtosurvive.Whenfightingagainst Alliedescorts/fighters,Germanjets(nottherocket-poweredMe163B-1, see11.10)loseonepositionaftercombatandbeforerollingforinitiative. Becauseofthepotential threatofGermanrocket andjetinterceptors,Allied fightersmountedconstant patrolsoverknownrocket andjetbasesinorderto shootdowntheseaircraft whentakingoffor landing,whentheywere morevulnerable.Ifyouareflyingarocketorjetfighter,youmustrollin theLandingBox,beforelanding,ontheAircraftTargetandAllied FighterAttackTable[A3]tocheckifyourbaseisattackedbymarauding Alliedfighter-bombers.IftheresultisF/BAttack,fightercombatbegins, andyoustartthecombatDisadvantaged.CheckthetypeofAlliedFighter ontheAircraftTargetandAlliedFighterAttackTable[A3].

[7.12]EXTENDEDEXAMPLEOFPLAY

Thisguncameraphoto wastakenbya P-51Mustangas itopenedfireon anMe262that hadjustslipped intoanexcellent attackposition behindanother P-51.

ExtendedExampleofplayusingthebasicrulesofcombat(and optionalrulePilotFatigue[10.5]):

ItisthesecondhalfofJuly1944:OberleutnantAugustMann–Atthis pointheadoubleacewith10Kills(3P-47D,1SpitfireXIV,1P-38J,4 B-17sand1B-24),withatotalof20points,andhasbeenawardedthe IronCrossFirstandSecondClass,theWoundBadge(1)andthe Ehrenpokal.Hehasflown20missionsgivinghim5ExperiencePoints(1 XPperevery4missions).

HehasusedhisaccumulatedXPtopurchaseAirCombatManeuvering (ACM)for4pointsandReflexesfor1point,leavinghimwithzero ExperiencePointsatthemoment.

HeisflyingaMesserschmittBf109G-14/U4(andhasthePrestigetodo so)ashemeetstherequirementofalevel2Prestigetoflythistype.His prestigehascomefromthefollowing:EK1andEK2,WoundBadge,he isanAceandtheEhrenpokalaward.HehasacurrentPrestigeLevelof 5.

CompassGames, LLC Interceptor Ace1944-45 24

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

Oblt.MannisbasedatPoix-Nord,France,withII/JG2“Richthofen”.His startingbasedierollwasa2on1D20,andthenrandomlypickedII/JG2 withadierollof4on1d6.

Oblt.Mannhasaccumulated14FatiguePointssofar,whichmeanshe appliesa+1drmtoalllandingandparachuterolls.

ThereisaraidcominginonFrenchAirfields(A/F)(adicerollof5onthe 2d6July44RaidChart[A1]),theweatherisgood(dicerollof4onthe 2d6WeatherChart[B9]).AcheckoftheAircraftTargetandAllied FighterAttackChart[A3]revealsthattheraidiscomposedofB-17Gs withP-47DEscort(dierollof5on1d10onBomberanddierollof1on 1d10onFighter).

Theaircraftmarkerontheaircraftmatismovedfromthehangartothe take-offbox.AnewcheckismadeontheAircraftTargetandAllied FighterAttackChart[A3]toseeifthereisaF/BattackonPoix-Nord.A dierollon1d6of4,witha-1modifierbecausethetargetisA/F,results inanetresultof3,sothereisnoF/Battack.Theaircraftisthenmoved totheFranceendurancebox.ThereisnoneedtocheckforAlliedfighter sweeps,astheFranceenduranceboxistheRaidTargetendurancebox, sowedirectlyrollforinterception.Asthisboxhasthebombsymbolon theBf109chart,theB-17shavenotdroppedtheirbombsyetandareon theirwaytothetarget.Thismeansthatthereisapossibilityanybomber hitinthebombbaywillcauseadetonation.

InterceptionRoll –LookattheInterceptionChart[B1]androll2d6.A dicerollof11.WeareupsunandwillattacktheformationOutofthe Sun.Werollanadditional1d6tocheckifthebomberisastraggler.The resultisa3(youneeda1tofindastraggler),soweattackthebomber formation.Thisgivesusadistinctadvantage.Wehavetomakeacritical decision.AsthebomberisinformationandisescortedbyP-47s,dowe divethroughtheP-47sandgostraightforthebomber,ordowegoafter theescortsfirst?Averydifficultchoicetomake,butdutycalls.Wewill attackthebomberfirst,thenrisktheescortsafterwegetapassatthe bomber.

OutofthesundieresultrollgivesustheopportunitytoattackaB-17 startingatmediumrangeandfirefirst.AsanOberleutnant,wehaveto makeanothercriticaldecision:orderourwingmantoattackfirst(atthe costof1FatiguePoint),orderaRotteattack(atthecostof1FatiguePoint andlosingtheoutofthesunpositionandstarttheattackatlongrange), ormakeanormalattackandtakeadvantageoftheoutofthesunresult. Aswewillfaceescortsaftertheattackonthebomber,weopttoholdour wingman(sohecanwatchourback)andweorderaRotteattackusing theSchwarmLeaderability,increasingourFatigueby1point,which nowstandsat15,losingtheoutofthesunpositionandstartingcombatat longrange.

TheotherRotteattacksusingtheWingmanAttackonBomberChart [W1].Werolla7ona2d6andthebombertakes3random(airframe)hits (theRotteattackisalwaysatlongrange)andaresultofWingman Damaged,whichaddsanextraFatiguePointtoourFatiguelevel(fora totalof16FatiguePoints).Werollthreetimes1d10ontheBomberand GroupDamageChart[B3],andweobtainan“airframe”hit(roll2),a “controls”hit(roll5),anda“noeffect”(roll7).Wemarkdamageonthe bombermat[B10].RememberthattheWingmanDamagedresultofthis attackdoesnotaffectourwingman.

Nowitisourtimetoattack.GiventherearestillbombsonboardtheB-17 wewillaimattheairframe(youhavetodesignatewhichpartoftheB-17 youwillattack(portwing,starboardwingorairframe).Timetodrawa cardsoweplaceouraircraftatlongrangeonthebombermatanddraw card#29,crossreferenceour8Firepower(youcannotbeselectivein whichgunsfireinthebasicgame,itmustbeallofthem),andtheresult isaDE–Wehaveshotthebomberdownwithalethalburst.Thebomber firesback,sincewelosttheoutofthesunpositionwhenweorderedthe Rotteattack,andcombatisconsideredsimultaneous.Thebomberdraws card#8,whichstateswetakeonehit.SinceweareflyingaBf109,which isasmalltargetatlongrange,wetakenodamage.Wealsonoteammo expenditure.

Nowwearerequiredtoengagetheescorts,butfirstwewillinstigatethe “bugout”ruleandtrytogetawayasper7.1.10.Weroll1d6andgeta6, whichmeanswehavetoengagetheP-47s.

WeplaceouraircraftcountersidewaysontheFighterCombatChart [B11]todenotethatwearedisadvantaged,withtheP-47counterfacing us,becauseweattackedthebomberfirst.Wearenowfacedwith3 choices.

1.Wecanperformastandardmaneuver,eitheratightturn,whichgives us2positionchanges(sincetheBf109isanagileaircraft)oraBarrelRoll whichreducesourhitsby2.Thedisadvantageofthisisthe12FPtheP-47 willgettohitusbeforeourturntakeseffectorifwebarrelroll,wewill have2lesshits,butstillbedisadvantaged.

2.WecandrawaCombatCard,declaringuseofthedefensivetext,and hopeit’sagoodone.

3.WecandrawaCombatCardandcallourwingmantohelpusgetoutof thefixwefindourselvesin(thisoptionbecomesbetteroncethewingman isexperienceenoughtohaveboughtsomeskills).

WeopttopullthetightturnanduseourACMskilltoreducethehitsby1 andhopetheP-47getspoordicethrows.

ROUND1OFCOMBATVS.ESCORTS

P-47drawsCard#4=5hits–notgood.-1forACMsoanetof4hits.

ThehitsaredeterminedontheFighterDamageChart[B6].Hit#11d6+ 1d6=12PortWing.Hit#2=33Airframe.Hit#3=55Airframe.Hit#4 =25PortEngine(defaultstoanenginehit,aswearesingle-engined). Thishitreducesspeedby2.Ourtightturntakeseffectafterwehavebeen poundedbytheP-47,andweimprovepositionby2.Wehavereversedthe situationandnowareadvantaged.Itisnowtheinitiativephase,soour advantagemaybeshortlived.Butatthemoment,wearefacingtheP-47 counter,anditisturnedsideways.

Itisnowtheendofthecombatround,andthelastthingthathappens beforethenextroundischeckingInitiative.TheInitiativeChart[B12]is checkedand1d6isrolledforeachaircraft.Speedandothermodifiersare addedorsubtractedtogiveafinalresult.So,Player–DR3+18(speed2duetodamagedengine)+2Agileaircraft+1Acepilot+1MW50= totalof25.EnemyP-47–DR5+21speed=26.Thenetdifferentialis1 infavoroftheP-47D,andcheckingonthechartthereisnochangein position;wegettoattack.

ROUND2OFCOMBATVS.ESCORTS

Weareadvantagedandattackwith8FP;theP-47willgodefensive. Wedrawcard#38with8FPresultsin3hits.TheP-47drawscard#28–ACuban8andavoids1hitandimprovespositionby2.2hitsontheP-47 areresolvedasfollows:Hit#1DR25Enginehit(armorabsorbsthehit), Hit#2DR34Tailhit.Wehavebeenunabletoinflictcriticaldamageand theP-47hasbeenabletoturnthetables.

Initiativeattheendofround:Werolla1ona1d6so1+18speed+2 Agile+1Acepilot+1MW50=23.P-47rollsa6on1d6soit’s6+21= 27.Thisisadifferentialof4.Thisimproveshispositionby1,soheisnow tailingus.TimetousetheReflexesskill,whichcanbeusedonceper sortie.Thiswillchangeourpositionbacktodisadvantaged.Thisisbetter thantakingafreetailhitwhentheP-47shootsagain(whentailingand youshoot,yougeta“bonus”additionaltailhitontopofanyotherhits).

ROUND3OFCOMBATVS.ESCORTS

Idecidetousethewingmanoption.Iwillusethewingmantextofthecard Idraw.P-47drawscard#49,5hits(12FP)-1hitformyACMskill=4 hits.Wedrawcard#39andcheckthewingmansection–heattackstheP47with24FP!TheresultsoftheP-47hitsare:Hit#1DR12PortWing. Hit#213StarboardWing.Hit#343RearGuns(noeffectasthesystem isnotpresent).Hit#461ForwardCannon(ourMK108cannonisnow inoperative,leavingusonlywiththeMG131machineguns).Wehave nowtakenquiteabitofdamage.

Thewingmanattackswithhis24FP(fromthecardtext)anddrawsCard #59–aDEresult,theP-47disintegratesunderthefullforceoftheattack. Timetogohome.

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

Asnotedpreviously,theweatherisgoodandweroll2d6forourlanding rollandgeta9modifiedby+1forthedamagedengineanda+2forthe FatigueLevelof16,andsothefinalresultisa12–welandsafely,butby anarrowmargin.

POSTMISSION

Wechalkupabomberkill,thewingmanchalksupanescortkill,andwe loseasortietorepairtheBf109,thathas5systemsdamaged.Oneis addedtothenumberofsortiescompleted.Wealsoadd1FatiguePointfor thesortieflown,whichrisesourFatigueLevelto17.Thesortielostfor repairswillcauseourFatigueLeveltodecreaseby1point.Forournext missionwewillstartatFatigueLevel16.

[8.0]PRESTIGELEVEL&PRESTIGE

Newpilotsdidnotreceive,asageneralrule,thelatestandmostadvanced aircrafttofly,nottomentionthe“oneofakind”experimental configurations.Theseweregenerallydistributedfirsttothe“ace”pilots whohadproventhemselves.Torepresentthis,InterceptorAceusesthe conceptof“PrestigePoints”andanoverall“PrestigeLevel.”Asa player’sPrestigeLevelincreases,newerandmoreadvancedtypesof aircraftwillbeavailableforuse.PrestigePointscanbeusedtoupgrade toneweraircraft,togetreassignedtoanewunit/base,ortorequesta skilledreplacementcrewmanifneeded.

[8.1]PRESTIGEPOINTS

Everytimeaplayerreceivesanawardofanytype(orafollow-onaward, suchastheOakleavestotheKnight’sCross,etc.),hereceivesaPrestige Point.KeeptrackofyourcurrenttotalofpointsonthePilotandCrew StatusChart[A2].YoualsoreceiveaPrestigePointforachievingyour 5thkill(youhavebecomean“Ace”atthattime)andforeachpromotion. PrestigePointsmaybespentonthefollowingitems:

A:1Point:Upgradetoaneweraircraftinthesamefamily(Bf109, FW190,Bf110,Me262,etc.)

B:2Points:Upgradetoaneweraircraftinadifferentaircraftfamily.

C:2Points:Reassignmenttoanewunit(lose1sortiewhiletransferring.)

D:1Point:Whenreceivingareplacementcrewman,hearriveswithtwo experiencepoints(unspent)untilFebruary1944ifcombining Interceptor Ace1943-44 and InterceptorAce1944-45,orwithoneexperiencepoint (unspent)fromMarch1944.

E:1Point:Receiveanewaircraftinthesamefamilysoastonotlosea sortieduetorepairs.

YoucanonlyupgradetoanaircraftifyourcurrentPrestigeLevelishigh enoughtoallowyoutoflyit(see8.2below).

[8.2]PRESTIGELEVEL

Aplayer’sPrestigeLevelstartsatzero.Everytimeaplayerreceivesa PrestigePoint,hisPrestigeLevelincreasesbyone.Itneverdecreases. UnlikePrestigePoints,whichcanbesavedandspentasdesired,the PrestigeLevelisyouroverallPrestigewithintheLuftwaffeandisusedto “unlock”moreadvancedaircraft,whichcanthenbepurchasedwith PrestigePoints.YourPrestigeLevelcanonlyincreaseasthegame progresses-itneverdecreasesevenifyouspendallyourPrestigePoints. OnceyourPrestigeLevelreaches“7”itnolongerneedstobetracked, thatisthehighestlevelneededtoflyanyaircraft.Prestigepoints, however,canstillbeearned(andspent)evenifyouarecurrentlyatlevel 7Prestige.

PilotswhohaveaPrestigeLevelof“7”arenolongerrequiredtorollon theAircraftAvailabilityChartforavailablereplacementaircraft.Youare allowedtochooseanythatiscurrentlylistedasavailable.

Example:AplayerhasshotdownaP-47DandaB-17inhisFw190A-6. ThismeanshisPrestigeLeveliscurrently“2”(onebecausehereceived

theIronCrossSecondClass,andthenonemoreforreceivingtheIron CrossFirstClass).HewantstoupgradetotheFw190A-8/R8.Despitethe facthecanaffordtoupgradebyspendingaPrestigePoint,hecannot,as itrequiresaPrestigeLevelof“3”tobeabletoupgradetoit.He COULD,however,spendaPrestigePointtoupgradetotheFw190A8/R2ifherolled1-3ontheAvailableAircraftSub-TypeChart[R3].

[9.0]REASSIGNMENTTOANEWER AIRCRAFT

Aplayermaybereassignedtoanewermodelaircraftundercertain circumstances.

[9.1]AIRCRAFTSERIES

Thereare10“families,”orgeneralaircraftseries,inthegame.Basically, thesegroupsofaircraftareallmadebythesamemanufacturer.Itiseasier toupgradetoanaircraftinthesamegeneralfamilyasyourcurrent aircraft,thanitistoupgradetoacompletelydifferentaircraft,asyouare alreadygenerallyexperiencedwithcockpitlayout,flyingcharacteristics, etc.

The10familiesare:

•Bf109(18aircraft)

•FW190(12aircraft)

•Bf110(2aircraft)

•Me410(1aircraft)

•Ju88(1aircraft)

•Do335(1aircraft)

•Me163(1aircraft)

•Me262(2aircraft)

•He162(1aircraft)

•Go229(1aircraft)

[9.2]UPGRADING

Eachaircraft family mayhaveseveral types and,eachtype,inturn,may haveseveral sub-types.Iftheplayerdesiresanewermodelofaircraft,he shouldrollontheAvailableAircraftFamilyandTypeChart[R2]andon theAvailableAircraftSub-typeChart[R3].Insomemonths,onlyone aircrafttypeisavailable,whileinothermonthsseveralaircrafttypes insideafamilyareavailable.Whenchangingaircraft,youmaywantto changetoasub-typeinsideamaintype(forexample,youmaywantto upgradetotheBf109G-6/ASifyouareflyingabaseBf109G-6ofthe G-6type),oryoumaywanttofirstchangetheaircrafttypebeforetrying toflyoneofitssub-types.

Tochangetoanaircraftsub-typeinsideanaircraftfamily,expend1 Prestigepointand:

•Ifyouwanttoflyasub-typeofanothertype(forexample,asubtypeoftheBf109G-14whileflyingaG-6type)firstroll1d6on theAvailableAircraftFamilyandTypeChart[R2].Checkthe monthandthepretendedtype.Ifyourrolliswithintherange listed,youareupgradedtothenewertype.Ifthepretendedtype hasachecksymbol(�)youautomaticallyupgradetothenewtype.

•Onceyouaregivenatype,orinthecaseyoudon’twanttochange typeandonlywanttoupgradetoanothersub-typeinsideatype, choosethemodelyouwanttoflyandrollontheAvailableAircraft Sub-typeChart[R3].Ifyourrollisintherangelisted,youreceive theaircraftsub-type.Afterchangingofaircrafttype,ifyoufailto receivethepretendedsub-type,youautomaticallyreceivethebase aircraftofthenewtype.Ifyoufailtoreceiveanewsub-typeinside yourcurrentaircrafttype,youmaintainyourcurrentaircraft.

Thebaseaircraftofanaircrafttypeistheonethathasachecksymboland nodie-rollrangeintheAvailableAircraftSub-typeChart[R3].

Example:InMarch1944,onlytheG-6typeisavailablefortheBf109 family.InAugust1944,twoaircrafttypesfortheBf109familyare available:theG-6,andtheG-14.

Example:ItisJuly1944.YouareflyingaBf109G-6/R6.Youwantto upgradetotheBf109G-14/R6.YouhavetoupgradetotheG-14typefirst ifyouwanttoflytheG-14/R6.Youexpend1Prestigepointandyouroll 1d6ontheAvailableAircraftFamilyandTypeChart[R2]tocheckifyou successfullyupgradetotheG-14type.Nowyoucheckifyouobtainthe pretendedBf109G-14/R6sub-type.Youroll1d6ontheAvailableAircraft Sub-typeChart[R3].Yourolla3andyoufail,soyoureceiveabaseBf 109G-14(theonethathasthe“check”() symbol).

Example:ItisSeptember1944.YouarecurrentlyflyingaFW190A-8/R2. YouwanttoupgradetotheFW190A-8/R8sub-type.Youexpend1 Prestigepointandyouroll1d6directlyontheAvailableAircraftSub-type Chart[R3],asyouarenotchangingfamilyandtype.Yourolla5andyou fail.YouretainyourFW190A-8/R2(inthiscaseyouarenotgiventhe baseFW190A-8).

Example:YouareflyingabaseBf109G-6.ThebaseaircraftoftheG-6 typeinMarch1944istheBf109G-6sub-type.ThebaseaircraftoftheBf 109G-6typeinSeptember1944istheBf109G-6(late).

Insomecases,thebaseaircraftofatypechangeswhenreachingcertain dates.Ifyouwanttoupgradetothenewbaseaircraftyouonlyhaveto spend1PrestigePointandtheupgradeisautomatic.

Example:InAugust1944youarestillflyingabaseBf109G-6sub-type. YoumayupgradetotheBf109G-6(late)sub-typeonlybyspending1 PrestigePoint.ThereisnoneedtorollontheAvailableAircraftcharts, astheBf109G-6(late)isthenewbasesub-typeoftheG-6type(ithasthe “check”(�) symbol).

[9.3]SWITCHINGBETWEENAIRCRAFT FAMILIES

Tochangetoanaircraftofadifferentaircraftfamily,expend2Prestige pointsand:

•Decidewhichaircraftsub-typeinsideatypeofadifferentfamily youwanttofly.Roll1d6ontheAvailableAircraftFamilyandType Chart[R2] andcheckifyourresultisinsidetherangelistedofyour pretendedtype.Ifyoufail,youretainyourcurrentaircraft.

•Ifyousuccessfullychangetothenewfamilyandtype,roll1d6on theAvailableAircraftSub-typeChart[R3]andcheckifyour receiveit.Ifyourrollisintherangelisted,youreceivetheaircraft sub-typechosen.Ifyoufail,youreceivethebaseaircraftofthe aircrafttypegiven.

Example:ItisSeptember1944.YouarecurrentlyflyingaBf109G14/U4.YouwanttoupgradetotheFW190A-8/R8,whichispartofthe FW190family,A-8type.Youfirstexpend2Prestigepoints.Nowyou checktheAvailableAircraftFamilyandTypeChart[R2].TheA-8typein theFW190familyhasacheck()symbol,soyoudon’tneedtoroll,you automaticallyupgradetotheFW190A-8type.AsyouwanttoflytheFW 190A-8/R8,yourollonthecorrespondingaircraftsub-typepartofthe AvailableAircraftSub-typeChart[R3].Yourolla3(whichisinsidethe 1-4rangelistedfortheA-8/R8),soyoureceiveabrandnewFW190A8/R8.Hadyoufailedtheroll,youwouldhavereceivedabaseFW190A-8 sub-type.

Whenswitchingtoanewaircraftfamily,yourpilotlosestwosorties whilefamiliarizinghimselfwiththenewaircraft,andmayflyagainon thethirdsortieaftertransfer.Heretainshisnormalcrew(andmay possiblyloseacrewman).Ifyouchangetoa2-seateraircraftandnow requireagunner,thegunnerstartsthegamewithnoexperiencepoints.If youhavetheNCOFeldwebelrankorsuperior,youcan‘acquire’agunner with4ExperiencePointswiththeWorkingtheSystemability-see7.9.2.

[9.4]SWITCHINGDUETOINJURY

Ifseriouslywounded,theplayerisautomaticallygivenanewplanefor “free”(andpossiblyanewcrewmanwhostartswithnospecialabilities, however,see7.9.2)ofthesamefamilywhichhestartedon.Hemay chooseanysub-typeofaircraftthatiscurrentlyavailableatthattimein thesamefamilyhewaspreviouslyflying,andgoesbackonflightduty

thenextturnafterreleasefromthehospital.IfhehasPrestigePointsto spend,hemayexpendonepercrewmantogetthemreassignedbacktohis planeuponhisrelease.Otherwise,theyareassumedtocontinueflying withadifferentpilotwhichhappenedduringthehospitalstay,andhegets anewcrew.Hemustchooseanaircraftheiscapableofflying,fromthe standpointofPrestigeLevel.

[9.5]SWITCHINGDUETOAIRCRAFTLOSS

Aplayerwhocrash-landshisplaneorisshotdown(andpresumably survives)mayreceiveanewplaneofhiscurrentaircrafttypewithout havingtospendanyPrestigePoints,assuminghisPrestigeLevelis enoughtoflythenewaircraft(althougharollmuststillbemadeonthe AvailableAircraftSub-typeChart[R3]).Forexample,aplayerinaBf 109-G6(late)isshotdowninSeptemberof1944.Hecouldreceivea Bf109G-6/U3/R6ifsuccessfullyrolledontheAvailableAircraftSub-type Chart[R3]withoutspendingPrestigePoints.Ifyoufailtoreceivethenew aircraft,youretainyourcurrentaircraft.

[9.6]NEWCREWMEMBERS

Itmaybepossiblethatanaircraftupgradewill“add”anewcrewmember -therearenormally1butsometimes2crewontheinterceptorsinthe game.Newcrewmembersarrivewithnospecialabilities(exception:see 7.9.2).Thesameappliestoreplacementcrewforcasualties.Itisalso possiblethatanewplanewillhaveonelesscrewman-inthatcase,the oldcrewmanislosttothepilot.

[9.7]PRESTIGEPOINTWAIVER

InsomecaseswhenrollingontheStartingUnitsandBasesChart[R1],a pilotmayfindhimselfinaunitflyinganaircraftthathasaPrestigeLevel requirementhigherthanzero.Therequirementwouldbewaivedinthat caseforthatparticularmodelofaircraftandanysame-model replacementsifhelosesit.

Example:Youstartanewcareerof InterceptorAce1944-45 inMarch 1944.Youroll1d20ontheStartingUnitsandBasesChart[R1]andthe resultisa13,soyouareassignedtoII(Sturm)/JG300.Younowroll1d6 tocheckwhichaircraftyouaregiven,andyourolla5,soyoureceivea FW190A-8/R7.AlthoughtheA-8/R7needsaPrestigeLevelof2,youcan flyitwithyourcurrentPrestigeLevelof0.

[10.0]OPTIONALRULES

[10.1]MULTIPLAYER

DespitethefactInterceptorAceisdesignedasasolitairegame,itcanbe playedcooperativelyorcompetitivelybytwoormoreplayers.

[10.2]COOPERATIVEPLAY

Twoplayerscan flyinthesameunitandassisteachotherininterceptions. Tosimulatethiscooperationinbombercombat,assignoneofthetwo interceptorsastheleader.Hisinterceptionrollsapplytobothplayerseach endurancebox.Iftheleaderrollsafightersweep,bothplayershavea fightersweep(withthesameorientation).Iftheleaderrollsabomber interception,bothplayershaveabomberinterception(withthesame orientation).IftheleaderhasWfr.Gr.21rockets,hisattackwillbreakup thebomberformationforhimselfandtheotherplayerifsuccessful.Other thanthat,theywillattackbombersseparately.

Fightercombatisalittletrickier,insomuchaseachplayerwillbefighting againsttheirownescortorfightertarget.However,ifoneplayerhasshot downhisopponent,hemayassisthisteammatebymaneuveringagainst histeammate’sopponent.Eachroundthishappens,itwillimprovehis teammate’spositionby1,occurringduringtheinitiativeroll.However,at theendofeachroundthishappens,theassistingplayermustrolladie.On a1ora2,hewillfindhimselfstartinganewcombatinadisadvantaged statusagainstafreshAlliedfighterorescort.

[10.3]COMPETITIVEPLAY

Twoplayerscan flyinthesameordifferentunits,andcompeteforthe bestscore.Whenitcomestimeforreturn firefromthebombers,the opposingplayercanflipthecard.Ifanescortorfighterencounteroccurs, theopposingplayerdecidestouseadefensiveorwingmanassistsection ofcardswhenplayingdefensivelyandalsorollsforinitiative.

[10.4]HISTORICALJETACES

InordertoaddwhatamountstoHistoricalScenariosinthegame,below youhaveinformationabouteightofthemostimportant“JetAces”ofthe Luftwaffe.

Eachpilotincludesabriefbiography,theunitsinwhichhefoughtinthe contextofthegame,hiscombatrecords,specialinstructionsforitsuse, anda“snapshot”ofeachpilot’sstatusatthestartof InterceptorAce194445 (somepilotsstarttheircareerslaterinthegame,seedetails).Simply adjustthePilotandCrewStatussheettoreflectthestartingsituation.You arenowreadytoflywiththatAce.

[10.4.1] Units.TheAcepilotinformationliststheunit(s)thatthepilothad servedinthetimeframeofthegame.Alternately,withlesshistorical accuracy,youmaychooseaunitatrandom.Startwithanyaircraft availableatthatunit,however,priorityshouldbetoanaircraftthepilot isan“expert”with.

[10.4.2] StartingSkills.Eachpilotliststhespecialabilitiesofthat particularAce.EveryAcestartswiththe“Expert”skillinatleastone familyofaircraft,suchasBf109,FW190,etc.

[10.4.3] HistoricalAceVictory.SomeoftheAceslistedwerealreadynear theirkilltotals;somehadalongwaytogototheirfinalscore.Regardless ofstartingkills,youhavetheopportunitytoflywiththatAcefromMarch 1944(orthehistoricalstartingdateofthatAce,whentransferredtothe WesternFront)untiltheendofthewar.Youshouldconsideryourcareer adefeatifyoudonotMATCHorEXCEEDthepilot’shistoricaltotal.

MajorHeinrich“Pritzl”Bär

The8th topscoreroftheLuftwaffe,Bärserved duringallthewaronallfronts.Hisoutspokenness frequentlylandedhimintroublewithGöring, whichledtoacareerfullofupsanddowns. AssignedtoI/JG51attheoutbreakofthewar,his firstvictorywasachievedon25September1939. HebecameanAceduringtheBattleofBritainand whenhisunitwastransferredtotheEasternFront, heachieved96furthervictories.InJune1942he wasmovedtotheMediterraneanTheaterwith I/JG77,whereheshotdown65Alliedaircraft.In NorthAfrica,Bärhadamentalandphysicalbreakdownandinmid-1943 hewastransferredtoFrance"forcowardicebeforetheenemy".Buthis combatskillswerehardtooverlookandhenceBärwastransferredto II/JG1on21January1944asanordinarypilot.ByMarchhewas rehabilitatedfromdemotionandgivencommandofII/JG1.InMay1944 hewasappointedasKommodoreofJG1,andinJuneofJG3.Byyear’s end,hisscorestoodat205victories.Hewasthentransferredtocommand thejetfightertrainingunitIII/EJG2,equippedwithMe262s.On23April 1945hejoinedGalland’sJV44,andeventuallyledtheeliteunitafter Gallandwasinjured.Heendedthewarasthesecondmostsuccessfuljet ace,with16victories,andasarecognized Viermot killer,with21heavy bombersunderhisbelt.

Born:25May1913

Died:28April1957

Units:II/JG1(March1944,FW190A-7),JG3(June1944,Bf109G-6/ U3),EJG2(February1945,Me262A-1a),JV44(April1945,Me262A1b)

CombatMissions:1000+

Kills:220(124WesternFront,21 Viermot,16jetkills) Awards:Knight’sCrosswithOakLeaves,andSwords

StartingRank:Major

StartingAwards:AlluptoKCw.O+S

Expert:Bf109,FW190

StartingKills:191

StartingSkills:Parachute,A.C.M.,Aim

PrestigePoints:3

PrestigeLevel:7

MajorGeorg-Peter“Schorsch”Eder

EderbeganhisflyingcareerwiththeLuftwaffe postedtoII/JG51onDecember1940,justafter theBattleofBritain.Hisunitparticipatedin OperationBarbarossa,whereEderbecameanAce withhisBf109F-2.InAugust1941hecollided withaJu52ontheground,andsufferedserious wounds,whichmaintainedhimawayfromtheair untilNovember1942,whenhewaspostedto III/JG2ontheChannelFront.FlyingFW190s, andfacingincreasingnumbersofheavybombers, Eder,togetherwithEgonMayer, GruppenkommandeurofIII/JG2,developedthehead-onattackasthe mosteffectivetacticagainsttheB-17sandB-24s.Helaterbecame Staffelkapitänof12./JG2,equippedwithBf109Gs.Hehadtobailoutof hisBf109G-6inNovember1943andwasagainseriouslywounded.Eder joinedII/JG1inFebruary1944asGruppenkommandeurafterrecovery, andinSeptemberhetookcommandofII/JG26.WhenKommando Nowotnywasformed,Ederwasgivencommandof3.Staffelandbegan flyingtheMe262.TheunitwaseventuallyrenamedIII/JG7in NovemberandEderkeptflyingtheMe262untiltheendofthewar, becomingajetacewith12kills,andthetop Viermot killerofthe Luftwaffe,with36heavybombersshotdown.

Born:8March1921

Died:11March1986

Units:II/JG1(March1944,FW190A-7),II/JG26(August1944,FW 190A-8),KommandoNowotny(October1944,Me262A-1a),III/JG7 (November1944,Me262A-1a)

CombatMissions:572

Kills:78(68WesternFront,36 Viermot,12jetkills)

Awards:Knight’sCrosswithOakLeaves

StartingRank:Major

StartingAwards:AlluptoGC.

Expert:Bf109,FW190

StartingKills:33

StartingSkills:Aim(cannotpurchaseLanding)

PrestigePoints:4

PrestigeLevel:7

MajorErichRudorffer

ErichRudorffer,the7th highestscorerofthe Luftwaffe,wasanotherofthehandfulofpilots whofoughtduringtheentirewar.Firstpostedto I/JG2,hebecameAceintheBattleofFranceand againintheBattleofBritain.AftertheBattleof Britain,hefoughtontheChannelFrontand convertedtotheFW190in1942.InNovember 1942hisunitwastransferredtoSicily,wherehe downednumerousAlliedfightersandhisfirstB17.Withalready74kills,hewasgivencommand ofIV/JG54andtransferredtotheEasternFront,wherehewouldscore 138additionalvictories(13oftheminoneday).IntheWinterof1944, RudorfferwascalledbacktoGermany,wherehetrainedontheMe262. InFebruary1945hewasgivencommandofI/JG7.Rudorfferendedthe warwith222victories:136ontheEasternFront,26inthe Mediterranean,and60ontheWesternFront,ofwhich10were Viermots and12withtheMe262.

Born:1November1917

Died:8April2016

Units:I/JG7(February1945,Me262A-1a)

CombatMissions:1000+

Kills:222(60WesternFront,10 Viermot,12jetkills)

Awards:Knight’sCrosswithOakLeaves,andSwords

StartingRank:Major

StartingAwards:AlluptoKCw.O

Expert:Bf109,FW190

StartingKills:210

StartingSkills:Parachute,S.A.,Precision

PrestigePoints:5

PrestigeLevel:7

LeutnantKarl“Quax”Schnörrer

KarlSchnörrerearnedhisnickname“Quax” (afterapopularaccident-pronecartooncharacter ofthetime)bycrashinghisBf109threetimes duringflightschool.HearrivedontheEastern Frontinthesummerof1941asanUnteroffizier toI/JG54,wherehemetWalterNowotny. SchnörrereventuallybecameNowotny’s wingmanin1942andestablishedaclose friendshipwithhim.Althoughnotahighscorer, henonethelessearnedareputationastheperfect wingman,neverlookingtoscorehimself,butto protectandcoverhisflightleader.Inthisway,hewaskeyinthemeteoric careerofhisfriend.On14October1943hehadtobailoutofhisFW190 atonly50moverthegroundafterscoringhis35th kill(anIl-2Sturmovik attackingNowotny).Hebrokebothlegsandspentsevenmonthsin hospital.WhenherecoveredinJune1944,hewaspromotedtoLeutnant andtransferredtoEKdo262,thetestunitoftheMe262.InSeptember, theunitwasrenamedKommandoNowotny,ashisfriendWalter Nowotnywasdesignatedhiscommander,andtheymetagain.Afterhis tragicdeath,KdoNowotnybecameIII/JG7,whereSchnörrerserved untiltheendofthewar,scoringallofhis11WesternFrontvictorieswith thejetfighter.

Born:22March1919

Died:25September1979

Units:EKdo262(June1944,Me262A-1a),KommandoNowotny (September1944,Me262A-1a),JG7(November1944,Me262A-1a)

CombatMissions:536

Kills:46(11WesternFront,9 Viermot,11jetkills)

Awards:Knight’sCross

StartingRank:Leutnant

StartingAwards:AlluptoGC

Expert:FW190,Me262

StartingKills:35

StartingSkills:Leadership,Reflexes(cannotpurchaseLanding)

PrestigePoints:1

PrestigeLevel:7

MajorTheodorWeissenberger

TheodorWeissenbergerbeganhisflyingcareer inAugust1941in1.(Z)/JG77ontheArctic Front,flyingtheBf110Zerstörer.InFebruary 1942hisunitwasrenamed10.(Z)/JG5.Heflew numerousescortmissionsprotectingJu87 StukasandJu88sinthezoneofMurmansk, Finland,eventuallybecomingaZerstöreraceby achieving23victoriesasaBf110pilot.Hewas promotedtoLeutnantinJuly1942and convertedtotheBf109inSeptember1942, claimingtwofightersonhisfirstmissionwiththeagile109.Heremained ontheArcticFrontuntilMay1944,scoring175EasternFrontvictories. InJune1944hewaspromotedtoHauptmannandJG5wastransferredto France,wherehesoonbeganscoringagainsttheWesternAllies.After claiming25Alliedaircraft,WeissenbergerwasgivencommandofI/JG7 inNovember1944.PromotedtoMajorinJanuary1945,hereplaced

JohannesSteinhoffascommanderofJG7,achieving8killswiththeMe 262.

Born:21December1914

Died:11June1950

Units:I/JG5(June1944,Bf109G-6/U2),I/JG7(November1944,Me 262A-1a)

CombatMissions:375

Kills:208(33WesternFront,7 Viermot,8jetkills)

Awards:Knight’sCrosswithOakLeaves

StartingRank:Hauptmann

StartingAwards:AlluptoKCw.O

Expert:Bf110,Bf109, StartingKills:175

StartingSkills:A.C.M.,Landing,Gunnery

PrestigePoints:3

PrestigeLevel:7

GeneralAdolf“Dolfo”Galland

GeneralAdolfGallandisamongthemostwellknownfighterpilotsofWW2.Hebeganhiscombat careerinSpain,withtheCondorLegion,flyingHe 51singroundattackmissions.GallandbeganWW2 asaHauptmannflyingtheHs123groundattack aircraft.AfterthePolandcampaign,Galland requestedatransfertoaBf109fighterunit,alleging medicalproblems.Hisrequestwasaccepted,andhe wastransferredtoJG27.DuringtheBattleofFrance Gallandscored12victories,andhewasgiven commandofIII/JG26justbeforetheBattleof Britain.On1August1940hewasawardedtheKnight’sCrossforhis17th victory.On22AugusthewasappointedGeschwaderkommodoreofJG 26.On23SeptemberhewasthethirdrecipientoftheWehrmachtto receivetheOakLeavestohisKnight’sCrossforhis40th victory.Afterthe BattleofBritain,hisJG26,alongwithJG2,remainedintheChannel Front,receivingthefirstexamplesofthenewBf109F.WiththeBritish nowontheattack,Gallandcontinuedtoscorekillsagainstthem.ByJuly 1941,Galland’stotalwasat70andon18Augusthesurpassedthe80 mark,therecordofWWIaceManfredVonRichthofen.JG26,alongwith JG2,convertedtothenewFW190intheAutumnof1941,although GallandretainedhisBf109(hehadtwospecialupgunnedBf109Fs,one withtwo13mmMG131sreplacingtheMG17s,andanotherwithintegral 20mmMGFFcannonsinthewings).On18November1941heclaimed his96th victory,atwhichtimehewaspromotedtoGeneralandnamed GeneralderJagdflieger.Inhisnewpost,hewasastrongproponentofthe dayfighterforceandthedefenseofGermany.Hispositionbroughthim intoconflictwithGöringonseveraloccasions.On17January1945,a groupofthebestfighterpilotsoftheLuftwaffetookpartinwhatwas knownasthe“FighterPilotsRevolt”.GöringsuspectedGallandhad instigatedtheunrestandhewasrelievedofcommand.Hitlerhimself intervenedandletGallandtoformhisownMe262unit,JV44,knownas theSquadronofExperts.Hescored7killswiththeMe262beforebeing woundedbyaP-47flownbyJamesFinnegan.Heendedthewarwith104 victories,allontheWesternFront.

Born:12March1912

Died:9February1996

Units:JV44(February1945,Me262A-1a)

CombatMissions:705

Kills:104(104WesternFront,5 Viermot,7jetkills)

Awards:Knight’sCrosswithOakLeaves,Swords,andDiamonds

StartingRank:General

StartingAwards:AlluptoKCw.O+S+D

Expert:Bf109,Me262

StartingKills:97

StartingSkills:Leadership,Reflexes,S.A.,Gunnery

PrestigePoints:7

PrestigeLevel:7

Interceptor Ace1944-45 InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

CompassGames, LLC

OberstJohannes“Macky”Steinhoff

Steinhoff’scombatexperiencebeganin1939.He achieved4victoriesbeforetransferredtoJG52, whereheremaineduntilMarch1943,reachingthe 155mark,mostofthemontheEasternFront.He wasthenappointedasGeschwaderkommodoreof JG77,operatingintheMediterranean.On28July 1944hereceivedtheKnight’sCrosswithOak LeavesandSwordsandinOctoberhewasposted toKommandoNowotny.InDecember1944,as Oberst,hetookcommandofJG7.Aftertheheavy lossessufferedduringOperationBodenplatte,Steinhoffandotherfighter leadersfellintodisfavorfollowingtheso-called“FighterPilotsRevolt” againstwhatwasperceivedastheincompetenceofLuftwaffehigh commandandHermannGöringinparticular. Afterabriefperiodspentin internalexile,SteinhoffwasabletojoinJagdverband44,ledbyhisclose friendandconfidantAdolfGallandinearly1945.Steinhoffinitiallyacted asadefactorecruitingofficer,persuadinganumberofveteranLuftwaffe acestojointheunit.AftersufferinganaccidentwithhisMe262while takingoff,hewasseverelyburned.Heendedthewarwith176victories, 152ontheEasternFront,12ontheMediterraneanFront,and12onthe WesternFront,6ofthemwiththeMe262.

Born:15September1913

Died:21February1994

Units:KommandoNowotny(October1944,Me262A-1a),Stab./JG7 (November1944,Me262A-1a),JV44(April1945,Me262A-1b)

CombatMissions:993

Kills:176(12WesternFront,2 Viermot,6jetkills)

Awards:Knight’sCrosswithOakLeaves,andSwords

StartingRank:Oberstleutnant

StartingAwards:AlluptoKCw.O+S

Expert:Bf109

StartingKills:170

StartingSkills:A.C.M,S.A.,Landing(cannotpurchaseParachute)

PrestigePoints:7

PrestigeLevel:7

MajorWolfgangSpäte

SpätejoinedJG54in1941.Hebecameanaceonthe EasternFront,reaching72victoriesbyApril1942. Atthistime,justafterreceivingtheOakLeavesto hisKnight’sCross,hewasorderedtosetupatopsecretunitinGermany: Erprobungskommando16, theunitresponsibleoftest-flyingthenewand revolutionaryrocket-fighterMe163Komet.Healso wasabletotestflytheMe262inthemeantime, becomingoneofthebesttestpilotsoftheworld. BeforegoingbacktoJG54,Spätewasallowedtofly thefirstcombatsortieoftheMe163B-1on14May1944pilotinga completelyred-paintedKomet.AfterabriefperiodwithJG54againon theEasternFront,SpätewentbacktotheMe163programinSeptember 1944,whenhewaspostedtoI/JG400,thefirstrocketfighterunitofthe world.Inthelastweeksofthewar,SpäteflewmissionswithMe262sat JG7,becomingajetace.

Born:8September1911

Died:30April1997

Units:EKdo16(May1944,Me163B-1),I/JG400(September1944,Me 163B-1),JG7(March1944,Me262A-1b)

CombatMissions:350

Kills:99(5jetkills)

Awards:Knight’sCrosswithOakLeaves

StartingRank:Hauptmann

StartingAwards:AlluptoKCw.O

Expert:Bf109,FW190,Me163

StartingKills:72

StartingSkills:Landing,Reflexes

PrestigePoints:5

PrestigeLevel:7

[10.5]PILOTFATIGUE

Obviously,runningnonstopoperationsandwatchingcomradesand friendsfallingwilleventuallytakeatollonapilot’sjudgment,flying capabilities,andattention.Pilotfatigueincludesthestressofcommand andcontinuouscombatinadditiontothephysicalfatigue.Thefollowing optionalrulessimulatethiseffectonthepilots.

FATIGUELEVEL

Pilotfatiguelevelstartsatzero.Eachsortieflowncausesthepilottogain oneFatiguePoint.UseofcertainabilitiescausesthepilottogainFatigue Points(see7.9.1and7.9.2).EachsortieNOTflown(foranyreason–the raidisoutofyourfuelrange,youareswitchingaircraft,etc.)removes1 FatiguePoint.RecordyourfatigueontheSortieLogSheet.

FatigueeffectsoccuratthemomenttheFatiguePointisgained.

Example:apilotwith9FatiguePoints(whichaddsa+1tothe parachutedieroll)usestheRotteLeaderabilityduringamissionand ordershiswingmantoattackfirstduringapassagainstabomber.He gains1FatiguePoint,whichisappliedimmediately.Thiscauseshis Fatigueleveltogofrom9to10,sohenowaddsa+1totheparachute rollanda+1tothelandingroll.Afterlanding,hegains1FatiguePoint forthesortieflown.HisFatiguelevelisnow11.

FATIGUEEFFECTS

Thefollowingeffectsoccuratdifferentfatiguelevels:

FatigueEffectsChartR6

0-4Fatigue Noeffect

5-9Fatigue Add+1toparachutedierolls

10-14Fatigue Add+1toparachuteand+1tolandingrolls

15-19Fatigue Add+2toparachute,+1tolanding,and-1to initiativedierolls

20+Fatigue Add+2toparachute,+2tolanding,and-1to initiativerolls

Nobetterplacetorestafter monthsofnon-stopcombat missionsthanonthewheelofaBf 109.

ANNUALLEAVE

Apilotmaytakeleave(themilitarytermforvacationtime)foraweek (twosorties).Hemaydothisonceduringthegame.Whenhereturns,his fatiguelevelissetatzero.

[10.6]VARIABLEENEMYFIGHTERPILOT QUALITY

Forthoseofyouwhowanttoencountervariablyskilledenemyfighter/ escortpilots,usethefollowingrules.

Roll2d10whenencounteringAlliedfighter-bombers,fightersweepsor escortsonthecorrespondingPilotQualityChart([R7]forAmerican pilots,[R8]forBritishpilots).Thefirstd10representsthetens’place valueandthesecondd10theones’placevalue.Thismeanstheresultof arollof7+5isa75.Treataresultof00asa100.

•Greenpilotsdo1lessrandomhit.

•Trainedpilotsarethedefault.

•Veteranpilotsdo1extrarandomhit(onlyifanyhitsarescored).

•Acepilotsdo1extrarandomhit(onlyifanyhitsarescored)and alsoreceive+1ontheinitiativeroll.

Ifanenemypilotgetsaskill,roll1d10todeterminetheAlliedFighter PilotSkill(10.6.1).Iftheenemypilotgetstwoskills,rolltwiceandadd skills.Rerollifaskillisrepeated.

AMERICANPILOTQUALITYCHARTR7

[10.6.1]AlliedfighterPILOTskills

Gunnery ThisskillgivestheAlliedpilotanextrarandomhitwhenfiring IFanyhitswerescorednormallywhenfiringforwardguns.Thisextrahit isinadditiontotheextrarandomhitgainedbyveteranandacepilots.

Example:ItisJuly1944.Afterbombercombat,youhavetofightagainst theescorts.Youroll2d10ontheAmericanPilotQualityChart[R7],1944 latecolumn.Yourolla79,soyouencounteraVeteranpilotwith1skill. Youroll1d10tocheckhisskillandtheresultis1.TheAlliedveteranpilot hastheGunnerySkill.Whenhefiresatyou,heapplies+2randomhitsif anyhitsarescored(+1forveteranpilotand+1forgunneryskill).

A.C.M. AirCombatManeuvering allowstheAlliedpilottoreceiveone lessrandomhitwhenattackedbyan interceptor.

S.A. SituationalAwarenessskillgivesa “+1”totheInitiativeRoll.

REFLEXES

ThisskillallowsanAlliedpilottoeithergainoneposition aftertheinitiativerollofaroundofcombat,ortofirefirstinaround.It maybeusedoncepersortie.Firingfirstagainstafightermeansthatany hitavoidancedoesNOToccurifyouraircraftflipsadefensivecard.Any orientationimprovement(fromatightturn,forexample)stilloccurs. Theplayerwilldeterminethemostadvantageoususeofthisskillforthe Alliedpilot.

SIXTHSENSE TheAlliedpilothasdevelopedanuncannysenseof impendingdanger.Thefirst“DE”resultonacombatcardagainsthimis insteadconvertedto2randomhits.

[10.6.2]AlliedACES

Ifyouwanttoaddanevendeeperhistoricalflavorto InterceptorAce 1944-45,wheneveryouencounteranAllied“Ace”intheAmerican/ BritishPilotQualityCharts[R7]and[R8],thereisapossibilitythatheis oneoftherenownedacesoftheUSAAFortheRAF.Nowyouhavethe chancetotestyourflyingskillsagainstoneofthemandseewhoendsup beingthevictor.

IfyouencounteranAce,roll1d10.Onarollof6+,theencounteredAce isanamedace.Adda+1drmperskilloftheaceencounteredonthePilot QualityChart.Rollagaintochecktheaceyouencounter,ifnecessary. Eachaircrafttypedetailsthedierolled(1d6or1d10)andtheacesyou mayencounter.

P-47DThunderboltAces(1d10)

Francis“Gabby”Gabreski(1-2)

Victories:28

Aircraft:P-47D

Unit:56th FG“Wolfpack”

Skills:A.C.M.,Gunnery,S.A.

RobertJohnson(3-4)

Victories:27

Aircraft:P-47D“PenrodandSam”

Unit:56th FG“Wolfpack”

Skills:Gunnery,Reflexes

DavidSchilling(5-6)

Victories:22½

Aircraft:P-47D“HairlessJoe”

Unit:56th FG“Wolfpack”

Skills:S.A.,Reflexes

FredChristensen(7-8)

Victories:21½

Aircraft:P-47D“RozzieGeth”

Unit:56th FG“Wolfpack”

Skills:Reflexes,SixthSense

Hubert“Hub”Zemke(9-0)

Victories:17¾

Aircraft:P-47D“MoyTovarich”

Unit:56th FG“Wolfpack”

Skills:S.A.,SixthSense

Roll Result 1-2 Gunnery 3-4 A.C.M. 5-6 S.A. 7-8 Reflexes 9-0 SixthSense

AlliedFighterSkillsChart

1943early 1943late 1944early 1944late 1945 Green 01-08 01-06 01-06 01-03 01-03 Trained 09-70 07-61 07-61 04-56 04-56 Veteran 71-78 62-75 62-75 57-72 57-72 Veteran1Skill 79-86 76-83 76-83 73-78 73-78 Ace 87-95 84-92 84-92 79-83 79-83 Ace1Skill 96-97 93-97 93-97 84-89 84-89 Ace2Skills 98-100 98-100 98-100 90-95 90-95 Ace3Skills - - - 96-100 96-100

1943early 1943late 1944early 1944late 1945 Green 01-08 01-08 01-08 01-06 01-06 Trained 09-70 09-70 09-70 07-61 07-61 Veteran 71-78 71-78 71-78 62-75 62-75 Veteran1Skill 79-86 79-86 79-86 76-83 76-83 Ace 87-95 87-95 87-95 84-92 84-92 Ace1Skill 96-97 96-97 96-97 93-97 93-97 Ace2Skills 98-100 98-100 98-100 98-100 98-100 Ace3Skills - - - - -

BRITISHPILOTQUALITYCHARTR8

ABf109pilotbails outofhisaircraft overGermany.

P-51MustangAces(1d6)

GeorgePreddy(1)

Victories:26.83

Aircraft:P-51D“CripesA’Mighty”

Unit:352nd FG“BlueNosers”

Skills:A.C.M,S.A.,Reflexes

JohnMeyer(2)

Victories:24

Aircraft:P-51D“Petie3rd”

Unit:352nd FG“BlueNosers”

Skills:S.A.,Reflexes

DonGentile(3)

Victories:21.83

Aircraft:P-51B/C“Shangri-La”

Unit:4th FG“DebdenEagles”

Skills:A.C.M.,S.A.

Leonard“Kit”Carson(4)

Victories:18½

Aircraft:P-51D“NookyBooky”

Unit:357th FG“YoxfordBoys”

Skills:A.C.M.,Gunnery

Clarence“Bud”Anderson(5)

Victories:16½

Aircraft:P-51D“OldCrow”

Unit:357th FG“YoxfordBoys”

Skills:SixthSense,A.C.M.

Charles“Chuck”Yeager(6)

Victories:11½

Aircraft:P-51D“GlamorousGlenn”

Unit:357th FG“YoxfordBoys”

Skills:Reflexes,Gunnery

P-38LightningAces(1d6)

James“Slick”Morris(1-2)

Victories:71/3

Aircraft:P-38J“MyDad”

Unit:20th FG“LocoBusters”

Skills:Gunnery

Lindol“Lindy”Graham(3-4)

Victories:5½

Aircraft:P-38J“Susie”

Unit:20th FG“LocoBusters”

Skills:S.A.

Victories:5

Aircraft:P-38J

Unit:55th FG

Skills:Reflexes

SpitfireIX/XIV

James“Johnnie”Johnson

Victories:38

Aircraft:SpitfireIX(March44-January45),SpitfireXIV (February45-May45)

Unit:RCAF127th Wing

Skills:Reflexes,Gunnery,A.C.M.

[10.7]ADVANCEDCOMBATAGAINSTBOMBERS

Playersmaywishtousetheadvancedcombatsystemagainstbombers insteadofthemorestreamlinedstandardcombat,whichimpliesmaking manymoredecisions,butatthecostofincreasingthedifficultyofthe game.

Inthesamefashionasfightercombat,advancedcombatagainstbombers takeintoaccountfacingasacriticalaspect.Inaddition,dependingonthe typeofencounter,altitudecanalsobeanimportantfactor.

AdvancedCombatusesthePositionChart[P1]forbombercombat,one foreachtypeofbomber.UsethecorrespondingPositionChartdepending onthetypeofbomber(B-17F,B-17G,B-24).B-17s(anytype)outof formation(andstragglers)usetheB-17OutofFormationPositionChart. B-24bombersusethesamePositionChart,eitherinformation,outof formationorastraggler.

InthePositionChartthereare10approachtracks,eachnumbered1to10. Approachtracks1to8havethreerangeboxes:Long,Medium,and Close.Inaddition,approachtrack8hasanadditionalrangebox correspondingtotherocketrangebox.Eachrangehas,inturn,three altitudeboxes:High,Level,andLow(exception:therocketrangebox onlyhasLevelaltitude).Approachtracks9and10correspondtoVertical ClimbandVerticalDiveattacks,respectively,andonlyhaveonerange box.Eachboxhasinformationaboutmodifierswhenfiring,expressedas apositiveornegativenumberofrandom(Rd)hits.Thesemodifiersare differentiatedforbombers(notedasBmbr)andfighters(notedasFghtr). Applythecorrespondingmodifierwhenfiring.Inthosecaseswherea modifierhasaspecifiedhitlocation(forexample+1Gunr),applythe specifiedresultautomaticallyinadditiontoothermodifiersifanyhitsare scored.

Whenusingadvancedcombat,followthesesteps:

1 AfterdeterminingthetypeofencounterontheInterceptionChart[B1] (Disadvantaged,Headon,AdvantagedorOutoftheSun),choosethe orientationofyourattack(evenifmakingaVerticalClimb/Diveattack): front,flank(starboard),flank(port),ortail.Roll1d6todeterminethe exactorientationandtheapproachtrackused:

Frontorientation: approachtrack1(1-2),approachtrack2(3-4), approachtrack3(5-6).IfyouraircraftistheJu88C-6a,youcannotattack fromapproachtrack1.

Flank(starboard)orientation: approachtrack2(1-2),approachtrack4 (3-4),approachtrack6(5-6).

Flank(port)orientation: approachtrack3(1-2),approachtrack5(3-4), approachtrack7(5-6).

Tailorientation: approachtrack6(1-2),approachtrack7(3-4), approachtrack8(5-6).

Notethatsomeapproachtracksareusedindifferentorientations.

Ifyouarecarryingrockets(Wfr.Gr.21orR4M),youautomaticallystart theencounterintheRocketRangeboxatLevelaltitude.Ignoreany Disadvantaged(incasetherearenoescorts),AdvantagedorOutofthe Sunresults.

Gerald“Jerry”Brown(5-6)

Afterdeterminingtheapproachtrack,placeyouraircraftintheLong Rangeboxoftheappropriatetrack(exception:VerticalClimb/Dive attackorOutoftheSunattack).IftheencounterisDisadvantagedand therearenoescorts,youstartatLowaltitude.IftheencounterisHeadon, roll1d6.Onarollof1-3,youstartatLevelaltitude.Onarollof4-6,you startatLowaltitude.IftheencounterisAdvantaged,youstartatHigh altitudeandyoushootfirst. Exception:IfyouareflyinganMe163B-1, youmaychoosetostartatHighaltitudeormakeaVerticalDiveattack, nomattertheencountertype.

IftheencounterisOutoftheSun,youmaychoosetostarteitherinthe VerticalDiveboxorintheMediumRange(High)boxofthechosen approachtrack.IftheVerticalDiveboxischosen,onlyoneroundof firingisexecuted,thebomberdoesnotreturnfire,andafterfiringthepass isover.IfaMediumRange(High)boxischosen,thebomberdoesnot returnfireintheMediumRange(High)box,thentheencountercontinues normallyattheCloseRange(High)box.

IftheencounterisDisadvantaged(noescorts),thereisachanceyoumay makeaVerticalClimbattack.Roll1d10.Iftheresultisa9,placeyour aircraftintheVerticalClimbbox.Onlyoneroundoffiringisexecuted, andthebombermayreturnfire(with+2randomhits).Afterfiring,the passisover.

YoumaymakeonlyoneVerticalClimb/Diveattackagainstabomberin apass.

3. Ifyouareunsatisfiedwithyourapproachtrackoraltitude,youmay adjustyourpositiontoanyadjacentapproachtrack,andyouraltitudeby onelevel(LowcangotoLevel,HighcangotoLevel,andLevelcango eitherway).

AdjustingcanonlybedoneatLongrangebeforecombatbegins. Adjustingpositionisdoneatthecostofreceiving1randomhit.Adjusting altitudeisdoneatthecostofreceiving1randomhitifclimbing,andat nocostifdiving.Eachrandomhitisassumedtocomefromlongrange firefromsomewhereinthecombatbox,orevenadifferentnearbybox. IfthebomberisaStraggler,adjustingisfree(norandomhit(s)taken).

Notethattheplayermaydobothadjustments(positionandaltitude)if desired,orjustone,butmustapplyallpenaltiesthatapply.

Example:ItisJune1944.YouareassignedtoIII/JG2,stationedat Vannes(FranceZone),andyouareflyingaFW190A-8/R2.Yourollon theRaidChart[A1]andyouobtaina7.TheobjectiveisaV-Weaponsite inFrance.Youtakeoff,withoutencounteringAlliedfighterbombers,and youreachtheinterceptionpointintheFranceendurancebox.Yourolla 4ontheInterceptionChart[B1]andtheencounterisHeadon.The bomberraidiscomposedofB-17Gs,asrolledontheAircraftTarget Chart[A3].YouchoosetoattackthebombersfromtheFront,hopingto receivelessdefensivefirethanapproachingfromtheTail(althoughatthe costofinflictinglessdamagetothebomberinturn).Nowyouroll1d6to determinetheexactapproachtrack.Yourolla2,andyoustartthe encounterintheLongRangeboxofapproachtrack1.Nowyouroll1d6 todeterminealtitude,astheencounterwasHeadon.Yourolla3,soyou startatLevelaltitude.Nowitistimetodecideifyouarehappywiththis approachtrackandaltitudeorwanttoadjusttoanadjacentapproach trackand/oronealtitudelevel.Youchoosetoadjustyourpositionto approachtrack2,asyouwanttoaimatthestarboardwingandtake advantageofthatextraEngine(starboard)hitatCloserangewhenusing approachtrack2atLevelaltitude.Adjustingpositionimpliesreceiving1 randomhit.Youroll2d6ontheFighterDamageChart[B6]andyouroll a33.YoumarkanairframehitinyourAircraftDisplayMat.Youcould choosetoclimbtoHighordivetoLowaltitude,butyouarehappywith youraltitude,soyoustayatLevelaltitude.Combatagainstthebomber nowbegins.

[10.8]OPTIONALADVANCEDMANEUVERS

Thestandardmaneuvers(barrelroll,tightturn)areallavailableto startingplayersandhaveunlimitedusageduringasortie.Playersmay wishtotry“AdvancedManeuvers”,whichareasetofadditionalskills notincludedinthebasicgame.Theseskillsareboughtjustlikeany otherandallowtheplayerto“learn”advancedmaneuverswhichcanbe usedoncepersortie.Theseare:

AdvancedManeuver1:CubanEight(Avoid1hit,improvebyx1).It costs1experiencepoint.

AdvancedManeuver2:Chandelle(Avoid3hits,improvex1).Itcosts3 experiencepoints.

AdvancedManeuver3:Immelmann(Avoidalldamage,improvex2).It costs3experiencepoints.

AdvancedManeuver4:Split-S(Avoid1hitandencounterends).Itcosts 4experiencepoints.

Eachadvancedmaneuvermaybeusedoncepersortie,assumingthe playerhasboughttheskill.Advancedmaneuversmustbelearnedin order:Maneuver1mustbelearnedfirstbeforetheplayercanlearn Maneuver2,etc.

[10.9]ALLIEDFIGHTERSAMMOPOINTS

Inthebasicgame,Alliedescorts/fightersdon’thaveammotobetracked (7.1.16).Thisdesigndecisionwasmadeforsimplicity’ssake,asmostof thetimeitreallywon’tmatter.However,thatbeingsaid,onceinawhile therearedogfightsthatarereallylong.Atthecostofextratrackingand time,youmayusetheoptionalAmmoPointsdepictedontheFighter TargetChart[B11]forincreasedrealism.

[10.10]OPTIONALINTERCEPTORMGAMMO

JustasAlliedfighterammopoints,inthebasicgameyourInterceptoris consideredtohaveunlimitedMGammo(7.1.16).Ifyouwanttoaddmore realismtothegame(and,again,moretrackingandtime)youcanusethe OptionalAmmoPointsfortheMGsofyourinterceptorsdepictedonthe correspondingAircraftDisplayMats.

[10.10.1]OPTIONALINTERCEPTORWEAPON

SELECTION

AsanoptionalruleforAmmoexpenditure,insteadoffiringallyour forwardweaponseachtimeyoufireatabomberorfighter,youmay select,atthebeginningofapassagainstabomberoraroundofcombat againstafighter,whichweaponsystemstofire.ExpendAmmoPointsof theselectedweaponsonly.Youmustfireallselectedweaponsduringthe passorroundofcombat.Youmaychangeyourselectionatthebeginning ofthenextpassorroundofcombat.

Whenusingthisrule,rememberthatyoucannotuseextendedburstsif selectingonlyMGs(7.1.13),andbesuretoapplyanyjamresultsonthe selectedweaponsonly.

[10.11]TRANSFERREDFROMTHEEASTERN FRONT

InterceptorAce1944-45 canbeaverydifficultgame attimes.Forthoseofyou whowanttostartyour careerwithanexperienced pilot,considerthatyouhave beenrecentlytransferred fromtheEasternFrontto theWesternFrontin “DefendoftheReich” duties.

Experience:Roll1d6.TheresultisthetotalunspentExperiencePoints yourpilotstartswith.YourpilotcomeswiththeExpertskill(chooseBf 109orFW190beforerollingontheStartingUnitsandBasesChart[R1]).

Victories:Roll1d20.TheresultisthetotalnumberofEasternFront victoriesofyourpilot.Ifyourpilothas5ormorevictories,heis consideredan“Ace”.

Awards:Ifyourpilothas0-2victories,yourpilothasnoawards.Ifyour pilothas3-7victories,hehastheEK2.Ifyourpilothas8ormore victories,hehastheEK2andtheEK1.

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

PrestigePoints:Yourpilotcomeswith0PrestigePoints.Allhavebeen spentinthetransfer!

PrestigeLevel:YourpilotstartswithaPrestigeLevelof1ifheisnotan Ace,andaPrestigeLevelof2ifanAce.

VictoryPoints:Eachofyourpilot’svictoriescountsas1pointfor victorypurposes.Startyourvictorypointcountfromthere.

HistoricalNote:AstheUSAAF’sbombingcampaigngotintohighgear during1944,theLuftwaffewasforcedtotransfermoreandmorefighter unitsbacktoGermany.

[10.12]GERMANGREENPILOTS

ThepresenceofmoreandmoreAmericanfightersdowningthe Luftwaffe'sbestfighterpilotshadbegunaviciouscircle.Inordertomeet frontlinerequirements,trainingtimewascut.Shortertraininghours meantpoorerpilotquality,whichinturnincreasedthelikelihoodofa pilotbeingkilledinaction.TheoffensiveagainstAxisoilproductionwas alsoforcingafurthercutintrainingtime,makingthingsevenworse.

Ifyouwanttoaddanextralevelofdifficulty(andrealism)tothegame, whenyou(oryourwingman)startyourcareerasanewLuftwaffepilotin March1944youstartasaGreenpilot.Youaresubjecttothefollowing limitations:

•Youdo1lessrandomhit(pilotandwingman).

•YoumaynotuseanyCubanEight,Chandelle,ImmelmannorSplitSresultwhenusingdefensivecombatcards.Treateachofthese resultsasaTightTurnorBarrelRoll,player’schoice(pilotonly).

•Youmaynotpurchaseany“AdvancedManeuvers”skill(pilotonly).

•Youapply+1drmtolandingrolls(pilotonly).

Youbecomeatrainedpilot(andyoustopbeingsubjecttoGreenpilot penalties)afterflyingfivecombatmissionsorbybecominganAce(5 kills,see7.8.8),whatevercomesfirst.

HistoricalNote:DuringWW2,butmoresofortheLuftwaffeatthistime ofthewar,therewasahighprobabilityofbeingshotdowninyourfirst fivemissionsasafighterpilot.Itwaswidelyrecognizedthatexperience greatlyincreasedtheoddsofsurvival,andafterthosefirstfivemissions, chancesofsurvivalincreasedgreatly.

[10.13]COMBININGGAMES

Althoughalongtheserulestherearealotofhintsandtipsforcombining InterceptorAce1943-44 with InterceptorAce1944-45,hereyouhave somegeneralrulestocontinueyourcareerasanInterceptorpilotfrom March1943untilMay1945,combiningbothgames:

YourpilotstartsthegameinMarch1943.FollowtherulesforBase Assignmentof InterceptorAce1943-44.Ifyouwanttochangetoanew baseatanypointduringthegame,youcanchoosefromthecombined mixofbasesofboth InterceptorAce1943-44 and InterceptorAce194445

IfyourpilotisanOfficer,hestartsthegamewith1ExperiencePoint.If yourpilotisanNCO,hestartsthegamewith2ExperiencePoints.Asan optionalstart,yourpilotcanbetransferredfromtheEasternFront (10.11).

ExperiencePoints,PrestigePoints,PrestigeLevel,victories,andawards arecarriedoverfrom InterceptorAce1943-44 to InterceptorAce1944-45 inMarch1944.Keeptrackfromthebeginningofthegameofvictory pointsachievedfollowingtherulesforDeterminingVictory(5.2)from InterceptorAce1944-45

FromMarch1943toFebruary1944,usethesequenceofplayandcharts from InterceptorAce1943-44.FromMarch1944toMay1945,usethe sequenceofplayandchartsfrom InterceptorAce1944-45.Alternately, youmayuseandcombinechartsfrombothgamesasyouseefit.

Ifyouwanttoupgradetoanaircraftof InterceptorAce1944-45 thatwas availablechronologicallyduringthetimeperiodof InterceptorAce194344 (seeAircraftDisplayMatsfordetails),butisnotincludedinthat game,youmaydoso.

UsetheFuelEnduranceTrackChart[F1]totrackfuelforaircraft includedinInterceptorAce1943-44.

Decorationsandpromotionsfollowtherulesof InterceptorAce1943-44 fromMarch1943toFebruary1944,andtherulesof InterceptorAce 1944-45 fromthenon.

Usethefollowingaircraftof InterceptorAce1944-45 insteadoftheones includedin InterceptorAce1943-44:

•Bf109G-6insteadoftheBf109G-620mm.

•Bf109G-6/U4insteadoftheBf109G-630mm.

•Bf109G-6/R2andG-6/R6insteadoftheonesincludedin InterceptorAce1943-44

•FW190A-6insteadoftheoneincludedin InterceptorAce1943-44

•FW190A-7insteadoftheoneincludedin InterceptorAce1943-44.

•FW190A-7/R2insteadoftheoneincludedin InterceptorAce194344

Notethatthenewversionsoftheseaircraftincludedin InterceptorAce 1944-45 arelackingtheMW-50boost.

Inaddition,usethefollowingmodificationstotheaircraftof Interceptor Ace1943-44:

•Bf109G-1/R6:notAgile.

•Bf109G-6/R4:notAgile,Speed19,noMW-50.Considerthissubtypeasalimitedavailabilityaircraft(a“oneofakind”).Ifyoulose thisaircraft,youwillnotgetanotheroneduringthegame.Replace itwithaBf109G-6/R6.

•FW190A-7/R6:speed19ifloaded,speed20afterfiringor jettisoningrockets.

•FW190A-4toA-7(allvariants):noMW-50.

UseVariableEnemyFighterPilotQuality(10.6)from InterceptorAce 1944-45 ifusingtheserules.

Fordeterminingvictory,usethepointsystemof InterceptorAce1944-45 andapplythefollowingconditions:

DEFEAT:0-36points.

DRAW:37-70points.

MARGINALVICTORY:71-140points. SUBSTANTIALVICTORY:141-210points. DECISIVEVICTORY:211+points.

Youmayusetheoptionalrulesfrom InterceptorAce1944-45 whenflying missionsinthetimeframeof InterceptorAce1943-44.

[10.14]OPTIONALRANKS

Althoughitisdifficulttoobtainthehighestrankswhenflyingastandard gameof InterceptorAce1944-45,ifplayersusecustompilots(10.15.4) orcombinethisgamewith InterceptorAce1943-44,theremaybecases whereyoumaypromotetohigherranksthantheavailableinthestandard game.Inthosecases,usethefollowingrules:

•WhenflyingasanNCO,ifyoupromotefromOberfeldwebel,you promotetoLeutnant(SecondLieutenant),startinganofficercareer.

•ALeutnantisconsideredthesameasanOberleutnantforallgame purposes.ALeutnantpromotestoOberleutnant.

•AnOberstleutnantpromotestoOberst.AnOberstisconsideredthe sameasanOberstleutnantforallgamepurposes.

•AnOberstpromotestoGeneralmajor.Whenpromotingto Generalmajorroll1d6.Onarollof1-4,youarepostedtoa LuftwaffeHeadquartersasastaffofficerandyourflyingcareerends.

[10.15]GAMEMODES

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45,canbea verylonggameifcompletedtotheend(upto96combatmissions),more soifcombinedwith InterceptorAce1943-44 (upto188combat

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

missions).Ifyouwanttotrythegameindifferent(andshorter)game modes,hereyouhavesomesuggestionstoenjoyamorevaried experience.

[10.15.1]CAREER

Thisisthe“default”modeofthegame,aspresentedintherules.Incareer modeyoufollowtheprogressionofapilotfromMarch1944(orMarch 1943,ifcombiningthegamewith InterceptorAce1943-44)untiltheend ofthewar.

[10.15.2]TOUROFDUTY

TheTourofDuty(ToD)gamemodeisverysimilartothecareermode, butthegameislimitedto20missions,whichgivestheplayeran opportunitytotastethegameatitsfull,butwithouttheneedofinvesting allthetimeneededforacompletecareer.Notethatthe20missionsmust actuallybeflown(theymaytakefrom2monthsandahalftoseveral monthsifyoumisssortiesforwhateverreason:awards,injuries,etc.)

InToursofDuty,yourpilotislimitedtoasingleaircraftfamily.Although youcannotchangetoanotheraircraftfamily,youmayupgradeyour aircrafttoanewersub-type.Youmaynotchangebasesunlessstatedin theTourofDuty’sSpecialRules.Althoughtheultimateobjectiveofthe TourofDutyistosurvive20missions,victoryconditionsarestatedin eachToDsoyoucancheckyouroverallperformance.

HereyouhavesomeToursofDutyreadytobeflown.Noticethatsome ToD,sneed InterceptorAce1943-44.Withabitofresearch,youcan makeyourownToursofDutywithlittleeffort.

TheAbbevilleBoys

JG26“Schlageter”wasoneoftheonlytwoGeschwadern(alongwithJG 2“Richthofen”)thatwereleftinFrancetodefendtheChannelafterthe BattleofBritain.ThisGeschwaderbecameoneofthebestunitsofthe entireLuftwaffeandsoonAlliedpilotscametorespectit.Anyyellow nosed190everseenoverFrancewasimmediatelyreportedasbeing flownbythe“AbbevilleBoys”,astheyweresoonknownbythe Americans.

StartingDate:March1943

Aircraft:FW190A-5

Unit:II/JG26“Schlageter”

Base:Vitry-en-Artois(FrenchBases)

Rank:Oberleutnant

UnspentExperiencePoints:2

InitialSkills:ExpertinFW190.

InitialPrestigeLevel:2

InitialAwards:EK2,EK1

VictoryConditions:12bombervictoriesand8fightervictories

SpecialRules:Requires InterceptorAce1943-44

ArmoredKnights

Inthesummerof1944, Sturmgruppe unitswerecreatedtodealwiththe Americanheavybombers.Theseunitswereequippedwiththeheavily armedandarmoredFW190A-8/R8andtacticsconsistedofattackingthe bombersfrombehindatverycloserange.Althoughtheyenjoyedinitial successesindowningbombers,theyalsosufferedheavylossesdueto Alliedescorts,astheheavy190wasaneasypreysforthem.

StartingDate:June1944

Aircraft:FW190A8/R8

Unit:II(Sturm)/JG300

Base:Rheine(MünsterBases)

Rank:Oberleutnant

UnspentExperiencePoints:0

InitialSkills:Aim

InitialPrestigeLevel:3

InitialAwards:None

VictoryConditions:15bombervictories

TheEscorts

AlthoughtheheavilyarmedandarmoredFW190A-8/R8wasthebest anti-bomberfighteroftheLuftwaffe,itwasextremelyvulnerabletothe ever-presentAmericanescorts.Newtacticswererequired,andwiththe adventoftheBf109G-10,thefastestoftheentireGseries,some“special escort”unitswereformedtoprotectthe190s.Theirmission:todealwith theAlliedfightersandallowthe190stoattackthebombersunmolested.

StartingDate:October1944

Aircraft:Bf109G-10

Unit:III/JG1“Oesau”

Base:Rheine(MünsterBases)

Rank:Oberleutnant

UnspentExperiencePoints:1

InitialSkills:S.A.

InitialPrestigeLevel:2

InitialAwards:EK2,EK1,Ehrenpokal

VictoryConditions:24fightervictories

FlyingPeas

ThemostuniquefightertoflycombatmissionsinWorldWarIIwas, probably,theMe163Komet.JG400,stationedinBrandisA/Ftoprotect theoilproductionfacilitiesnearLeipzig,wastheonlyunitthatoperated therocketfighter.AlthoughtheperformanceoftheKometwas outstanding,itwasextremelydifficulttooperateand,bywar’send,only 9confirmedairvictorieswerecreditedtoJG400,for14Kometslostfrom allcauses(mainlyaccidents).

StartingDate:July1944

Aircraft:Me163B-1

Unit:III/JG400

Base:Brandis(BerlinBases)

Rank:Hauptmann

UnspentExperiencePoints:2

InitialSkills:Aim

InitialPrestigeLevel:5

InitialAwards:EK2,EK1,Ehrenpokal,OperationalFlightClasp(Bronze, Silver)

VictoryConditions:12bombervictories

Knight’sCrossHolders

AfterbeingdismissedasGeneralderJagdfliegerforcriticizingHerman GöringandtheLuftwaffepolicies,Gen.AdolfGallandformedanew fighterunitequippedwithMe262s:Jagdverband44.Expertenfromall unitsamongtheLuftwaffejoinedJV44,whichsoonwasknownasthe Experten’sSquadron.Someofthebestpilots(alreadyaceswithhundreds ofvictories)oftheLuftwaffealsobecameJetaceswithJV44,like HeinrichBär,JohannesSteinhoff,orAdolfGallandhimself.

StartingDate:January1945

Aircraft:Me262A-1a

Unit:JV44

Base:Brandenburg-Briest(BerlinBases)

Rank:Major UnspentExperiencePoints:3

InitialSkills:SixthSense,Reflexes,Precision

InitialPrestigeLevel:7

InitialAwards:EK2,EK1,Ehrenpokal,OperationalFlightClasp(Bronze, Silver,Gold),GermanCrossinGold,KC

VictoryConditions:24bombervictories

SpecialRules:MayupgradetotheMe262A-1binMarch1945.Assume thewargoesonwhenyoureachtheendofMay1945,andcontinueflying missionsuntilyourToDiscompleted.UsetheMarch-May45boxofthe RaidChart[A1]andtheAircraftTargetandAlliedFighterAttackChart [A3]todeterminemissiontargetsandobjectives.

[10.15.3]HISTORICALMISSIONS

HistoricalMissionsaredesignedtofamiliarizeplayerswiththebasic routinesof InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,194445 withinahistoricalcontextthatprovidesflavorandinstantaction,but withouttheburdenofkeepingalltherecordsofacareer.

InHistoricalMissionsyouflyjustonepre-setmissioninwhichall conditionsarehistoricallybased.Justjumpintoyourcockpitandflyfast andhigh.AsToursofDuty,youcaneasilycreateyourownhistorical missionswithalittleresearch.

DefendOranienburgA/F

OnApril10,1945,aforceof1300heavybomberstargetedairfields thoughttobejetbases.ApproximatelyfiftyMe262srosetointerceptthe bombers.Usingtacticsthatinvolvedanattackbyoneortwoaircraft, mostlyaimedatstragglersorouterelementsoftheformation,thejetshad theirmostsuccessfuldayagainsttheEighthAirForce’sheavies.Butthis wasnotwithoutcosttotheLuftwaffe:twentyMe262swereclaimedas destroyedonthisday.

Date:April10,1945

Aircraft:Me262A-1b

Unit:JV44

Base:Brandenburg-Briest(BerlinBases).

RaidTarget:OranienburgA/F(BerlinZone).

Enemy:B-17GformationwithP-51Descort.

SpecialRules:NoF/BAttacksonTakeOffbox.Firstencounterisa stragglerintheBerlinendurancebox.NoR4Mattacksmaybemade againstthestraggler.Ifthebomberisshotdown,youinterceptthemain bomberformationinthesameenduranceboxHeadon.

InterceptRaidonSchweinfurt

OnAugust17,1943,the8th AirForcetargetedtheballbearingsplantof Schweinfurt,whichaccountedformorethanfiftypercentofGermany’s production.ThismissionwasaimedatseriouslyhampertheGerman industrialeffortandprovethattheheavilyarmedB-17scouldsurvive withoutescorts.Duringthemission,theB-17sranagauntletofenemy fighters,exactingaheavytoll.Attheendofthedaythe8th AirForcehad lost60B-17sand600crewmen,andtheLuftwaffeproveditselfitwasa forcenottobeunderestimated.

Date:August17,1943

Aircraft:Bf109G-6/R6

Unit:II/JG27

Base:Wiesbaden(FrankfurtBases).

RaidTarget:SchweinfurtBallBearingsPlant(FrankfurtZone).

Enemy:B-17Fformation.Noescorts.

SpecialRules:Afterrunningoutofammo,youcanlandatyourhome airfield,rearmandrefuel,andinterceptthebomberformationonitsway hometoEnglandifyouraircrafthas3systemshitorless.Forthesecond mission,consideryouraircrafthasbeenrepaired,thebomberformation isintheMunichendurancebox,andthatanyadvantagedoroutofthesun interceptionresultontheInterceptionChart[B1]isastraggler.

FirstRaidonBerlin

OnMarch6,1944,the8th AirForcelauncheditsfirstsuccessfullargescalemissiontoBerlin.Acontingentof730B-17sandB-24sattacked Berlin’sindustrialareas.Over800fightersaccompaniedthebombers.In theensuingaerialbattles,the8th AirForcelost69bombersand11 fighters;theLuftwaffelost81aircraft.Thebattleforairsupremacywas costlyforthe8th,butwhenHermanGöringsawfighterescortsover Berlin,heknewwar’sendwasonlyamatteroftime.

Date:March6,1944

Aircraft:FW190A-8/R6

Unit:II/JG1

Base:Rheine(MünsterBases).

RaidTarget:ErknerBallBearingsPlantinBerlin(BerlinZone).

Enemy:Rollonchart[A3]normally.EscortsareP-51BsorP-38Js (discardanyP-47Dresultonchart[A3]whenrollingforescorts).

SpecialRules:Don’trollonchart[A3]forF/Battacksandfighter sweeps.ThefirstinterceptionresultisHeadon.

ScramblefromParchim

InearlyFebruary,1945,theveteranI/JG1wasorderedtoturnovertheir FW190stoIIGruppeandproceedtoParchimforconversiontotheHe 162A-2.AfternineweeksatParchim,trainingwasnearlycomplete,but lackoffuelandsparepartsforcedI/JG1tositimmobileuntiltheywere forcedtosurrenderonMay8,1945.Inthishypotheticalmission,youare preparingfortake-offfromParchimtocompleteyourtrainingwhena squadronofP-47smakesasurpriseattackonyourairfield.

Date:April15,1945

Aircraft:He162A-2

Unit:I/JG1

Base:Parchim(BerlinBases).

RaidTarget:ParchimA/F(BerlinZone).

Enemy:P-47Dfighter-bombers. SpecialRules:YoustartcombatDisadvantagedagainstP-47DfighterbombersontheTakeOffbox.Aftercombat,movetothenextendurance boxandrollontheInterceptionChart[B1]todeterminethestarting orientationagainstP-47Ds.Disregardany“Raidnotlocated”or“Spitfire encounter”result.Roll1d6.Onaresultof1-2,considertheintercepted P-47Disloadedandapplya-1drmtohisInitiativeroll.Aftercombatis overintheBerlinendurancebox,landatyourhomeairfield,applyinga +1drmontheLandingChart[B7]fordamageontherunway.

[10.15.4]CUSTOMPILOTS

Asanoptionalrule,youmaycreateapilotsoyoucanflyhistorical missionsandtoursofduty.DisregardanyinformationgiveninToDsand historicalmissionsaboutrank,experience,skills,orprestige.Yourpilot startswith0points,noexperience,skills,awardsorprestige,andwiththe lowestrank(eitherofficerorNCO).Keeptrackofhisexperience, prestige,skills,rank,kills,points,andawards.Youmayusethispilotin differentmissionsandToDsretaininghisgainedcombatexperience.If youwant,onceyourpilothasgainedenoughexperience,youmayuse himinacareer.YoumayuseOptionalRanks(10.14).

[10.16]OPERATIONBODENPLATTE

Toaddmorerealism,adeeperhistoricalflavor,andanaddeddifficultyto thegame,thefirstmissioninJanuary1945isnotrolledontheRaidChart [A1].Instead,thismissionisconsideredautomaticallyastrikemissionas partofOperationBodenplatte.

IfyouareflyingaBf109(anytype,notbasedinMunichBases),aFW 190(anytype),oranMe262,yourunithasbeenchosentotakepartin OperationBodenplatte.IfyouarestillflyingaBf110,anMe410,oraJu 88,besidesbeingaverybrave(andlucky)pilot,youarealsoaparticipant oftheoperation(althoughthesetypesdidn’tparticipateinthemission historically,astheywerealreadywithdrawnfromdaylightcombat operationsbythisdate).

UsetheOperationBodenplattefuelendurancetrackoftheFuel EnduranceTrackChart[F1]toruntheoperation.

MoveyouraircraftfromtheHangarBoxtotheTakeoffEnduranceBox thatcorrespondstoyourBaseZone.Inthismissionyouarenotsubjectto Alliedfighter-bombersattacksnorAlliedfightersweeps,soyoudon’t needtorollontheAircraftTargetandAlliedFighterAttackChart[A3]. MovefromtheTakeoffEnduranceBoxtotheRuhrZoneEndurancebox. IntheRuhrEnduranceBox,youmaybeattackedbyfriendlyFlakfire(as denotedbytheFlaksymbol).Roll1d6andsubtract3.Thiswillbethe numberofrandomhitsyouraircrafthavetakenfromfriendlyFlak(from 0to3,maximum).CheckdamageontheFighterDamageChart[B6].

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

ABf109Gloaded witha250kg bombwarmsup itsenginebefore astrikemission.

MoveyouraircrafttotheDutchA/FObjectiveAreaEnduranceBox.Roll againforfriendlyFlakfire(asithastheFlaksymbol).Adda+1drmto theFlakattackrollifyouhavetakenanFuG25IFFhit.Afterthefriendly Flakattack,yourbombingrunstarts,asdenotedbythebombsymbol.

Youraircraftisloadedwitha250kgbomb.Roll1d20andcheckthe BombingResultsChart[R9]todeterminethedamagedonetotheairfield.

BombingResultsChartR9

Adda+2drmifmakingastrafeattacksimultaneouslybyspending1 ammopointofALLforwardweaponswhenreleasingthebomb.

Afterthebombrun,youencounterAlliedfighterstakingoff.Youstarta fighterencounterAdvantaged.Roll1d10.Onaresultof1-2,theAllied fighterisaSpitfireIX.Onaresultof3-4,theAlliedfighterisaSpitfire XIV.Onaresultof5-7,theAlliedfighterisaP-47D.Onaresultof8-0, theAlliedfighterisaP-51D.Afterthefirstfighterencounter,youkeep encounteringAlliedfightersofthesametypeintheDutchA/FObjective AreaEnduranceBoxuntilyousuccessfullyescape(7.1.10)usingthe EscapeChart[R4].Additionalencountersarealwaysheadon.

Note:DisengagingonlyendscombatwiththeactualAlliedfighter. DisengagingdoesnotpreventfurtherencounterswithAlliedfightersin theDutchA/FObjectiveAreaEnduranceBoxuntilyousuccessfully escapeusingtheEscapeChart[R4].

OnceyouhavesuccessfullyescapedfromAlliedfighters,youmayland atyourairfield(nofurtherfriendlyFlakattacks).

IfyouareforcedtoemergencylandorparachuteintheDutchA/F ObjectiveAreaEnduranceBox,youareconsideredcaptured.Thewaris overforyouandyouenjoythecomfortsofAlliedinstallationsuntil releasedinMay45.

HistoricalNote:BythelateSummerof1944,theLuftwaffeseemed impotentinstoppingtheUSAAFheavybomberformations.Althoughit couldoccasionallyinflictheavycasualtiesontheAllies,lackof experiencedcrewsandfuelhamperedLuftwaffeoperations.Adolf Galland,GeneralInspectorofFighters,decidedtoconservehisforcesto launchanoperationcodenamed“TheBigBlow”.Hethoughtthatifhe couldsend1,500-2,000fightersagainsttheUSAAFbomberraids,they coulddestroy500bombersandstopcoldtheAmericanbomberoffensive. ButHitlerhadotherplans.On16December1944helaunchedOperation WachtAmRhein,thesurpriseattackoftheWehrmachtthroughthe Ardennesforest.Tosupporttheoperation,theLuftwaffesingle-engine fighterunits,socarefullyconservedbyGalland,wereorderedtobomball AlliedfighterbasesintheLowCountriestogainairsuperiorityduring theoperation.Butduetobadweather,OperationBodenplatte,asitwas known,couldnotbelauncheduntil1January1945.Theoperation achievedtotalsurprise,somuchsothatmanyGermanpilotswereshot downbyfriendlyFlak.InsomeairfieldsmanyAlliedaircraftwere destroyedontheground,buttherewasAlliedreaction,andSpitfires, MustangsandThunderboltsmanagedtogetintoactionanddestroyabout 100oftheattackers.Intheend,theLuftwaffelost143pilotskilledor missing,70werecapturedand21wounded,including3 Geschwaderkommodore,5Gruppenkommandeure,and14 Staffelkapitäne,allexperiencedleaderswhoselostwasirreplaceable.As Gallandfeared,OperationBodenplatteresultedinashort-termsuccess butalong-termfailure,leavingtheLuftwaffeunabletomountaneffective defenseofGermany.

[10.17]AIRCRAFTLOSSPENALTY

Eachtimeyouloseyouraircraft(aircraftwrittenoffduetodamage,bail out,crashlanding,etc.),youlose1victorypoint(VP).

[11.0]AIRCRAFTOFINTERCEPTORACE 1944-45

[11.1]Bf109

[11.1.1]Bf109G-6

WhiletheGermanLuftwaffeoperatedmanydifferentaircraftduring WorldWarII,noneweremoreprominentthantheMesserschmittBf109 fighter.Atechnologicalmarvelwhenitfirstflewin1935,theBf109 servedonallfrontsthroughtheentirewarandwasproducedingreat quantityevenasitwasbecomingincreasinglyobsolescentrelativeto Alliedfighters.

Adirectfollow-ontotheBf109Fseries,the"Gustav",asitcametobe knowntheGseries,wasfittedwiththepowerfulDB605Aengine,rated at1,475hp,andinitialdeliveriesbeganinearly1942. Bythistime,theBf 109wasclearlypastitsprime,buttheLuftwaffehadlaggedinintroducing newfighters,andtherewereneverenoughFW190stogoaround,while developmentofadvancedjetfighterswasdelayedfortechnicaland bureaucraticreasons.UpratingtheBf109helpedplugthegapforawhile.

TheGseries,whichcouldacceptavarietyoffieldkitsfromthe beginning,becamethetrueworkhorseoftheLuftwaffe’sDayFighter Units,andwithover10,000unitsbeingproduced,itwasthemost producedseriesoftheBf109family,beingtheG-6themostproduced versionoftheGseries.ProductionoftheG-6startedinearly1943,and althoughimprovedtypeswereintroduced,therewereG-6sstillflyingat theendofthewar.Duetoitslongoperationallife,theG-6werebuiltin severalsub-versionsandmodifications,withdifferentarmament configurationsandengines.

ABf109G-6taking off.Thebulgesof theMG131sonthe cowlingandofthe enlargedtyreson theupperwings areclearlyseenin thismachine, earningtheG-6the name“TheBump” byitspilots.

Roll Result Pointsawarded 1-5 Miss:yourbombscatters. 0 6-15 Hit:oneAlliedaircraftdamagedontheground andminordamagetoA/Finstallations. 1 16-19 Direct:oneAlliedaircraftdestroyedonthe groundandmoderatedamagetoA/F installations. 2 20+ Vital:twoAlliedaircraftdestroyedonthe groundandseveredamagetoA/Finstallations. 3 BattlePlanfor Operation Bodenplatte detailingfighter unitsinvolved, startingbases, andtargetareas. Copyright©2021 CompassGames, LLC Interceptor Ace1944-45 37 InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

ThebasicBf109G-6wasequippedwiththeDB605Aengine,one 20mmMG151cannonfiringthroughthepropellerhub,andapairof 13mmMG131machineguns,replacingthe7,92mmMG17machine gunsofearliertypes.Thisrequiredtheinstallationoftwobulgesonthe uppercowlingtocovertheMG131breeches.FromtheG-3varianton, theBf109alsoequippedlargermainwheels,withabulgeaddedtothe topofthewingstoaccommodatetheincreasedtires.Thisresultedinthe aircraftdubbed“TheBump”byitspilots.

TheBf109G-6of InterceptorAce1944-45 differslightlyfromtheone of InterceptorAce1943-44.Initially,theBf109G-6hadnoMW-50 installation.ThisupdatedversiondepictstheMW50-lackingG-6.

Availablefromthestart.

[11.1.2]Bf109G-6/R2

Pulk-zerstörerversionoftheG-6. EquippedwithapairofWfr.Gr.21 rocketsunderthewings,theywereused tobreakupthetightformationsof Americanheavybombers.Thelaunching tubescausedalotofdragandaircraftso equippedwereeasypreysforescort fightersuntiljettisoned.

[11.1.7]Bf109G-6/U3

Inearly1944,existingBf109G-6s beganreceivingtheDB605AM engine.Thispowerplantwas essentiallyastandardDB605A enginethatcouldusetheMW-50 system,whichallowedincreased boostpressureandbettercooling, andofferedincreasedperformance below20,000ft.TheMW-50 becamestandardinlatervariants.

TheBf109G-6/U3,likethestandardG-6,couldusedifferentfieldkits, suchasthe/R2andthe/R6./U3variantswererelativelyrare.

Ifany/U3variantislost,substitutewiththecorrespondingstandardG-6 variant.Youmaytrytoupgradeagaintothedesired/U3variantifdesired byspendingPrestigePoints.

AvailablefromApril1944.

[11.1.8]Bf109G-6(late)

Availablefromthestart.

[11.1.3]Bf109G-6/R6

Thegunboatversionofthe G-6mountedanextrapair of20mmMG151cannons inunderwinggondolasto dealwiththeAmerican heavybombers.This substantiallyincreasedthe punchofthe109,butatthe costofspeedand maneuverability.

Althoughstillacapableaircraft,theBf109G-6/R6isNOTconsidered Agileingametermsanditsspeedisreducedto19.

Availablefromthestart.

[11.1.4]Bf109G-6/U2

Thishigh-altitudevariantoftheG-6,verysimilartothepressurizedG-5, wasequippedwiththeGM-1boostsystem,thatallowedanincreasein horsepowerataltitude.Thisvariantwasusedbyspecialhigh-altitude Staffeln,althoughitwasreplacedbytheBf109G-6/ASwhenitbecame available.

Availablefromthestart.

[11.1.5]Bf109G-6/U4

Fromthebeginning,theBf109G-6wasclearedforusetheMK108 30mmcannonfiringthroughthepropellerhub,butitsinstallationwas usedverysporadicallyassuppliespermitted.

Iflost,substitutewithastandardG-6.Youmayupgradeagaintothe/U4 ifdesired.

Availablefromthestart.

[11.1.6]Bf109G-6/AS

Inanattempttogetmorepowerataltitude,DaimlerBenzengineers coupledtheenlargedsuperchargeroftheDB603enginewiththeDB 605Aengine,resultinginthenewDB605AS.Thisversionusedmore streamlinedbulgestocoverthesuperchargerandtheMG131breeches, whichbecamestandardinlaterBf109models.AstheBf109G-6/U2,this versionwasusedbyspecialhigh-altitudeStaffeln.

Availablefromthestart.

Duetoitslongoperationallife,theG-6sawanumberofmodifications alongitscareer.ThelateseriesoftheG-6standardizedtheDB605AM enginewiththeMW-50system,alongwiththeErlaHaubeclearcanopy, whichgavepilotsabetterfieldofview,atallwoodentail,andtheFuG 16ZYradio.ThisversionservedasthebaseofthelaterG-14series.

AvailablefromMay1944.

[11.1.9]Bf109G-14

InanattempttorationalizeBf109productionandstandardizeallvariants andmodificationsmadetotheG-6,theBf109G-14wasproduced.Itwas verysimilartothelateG-6seriesanditwasequippedwiththeDB 605AMenginewithMW-50boost,offering1,800hpattake-off,cowlmounted13mmMG131machineguns,engine-mounted20mmMG151 cannon,ErlaHaubeclearcanopy,FuG16ZYradio,andthetallwooden tail,amongotherminorchanges.Althoughinferiorinperformancetothe laterG-10andK-4models,theG-14wasuseduntiltheendofthewar.

AstheG-6,theG-14couldbefittedwiththe/R2and/R6fieldkitsand couldmounttheDB605ASMengineandtheMK108cannoninthe/AS and/U4variants,respectively.The/U4conversionwasrare.Iflost, substitutewithastandardG-14.Youmayupgradeagaintothe/U4if desiredbyspendingPrestigePoints.

AvailablefromJuly1944.

[11.1.10]Bf109G-10

Althoughnotnumericallynext,theG-10wasproducedaftertheG-14, incorporatingmanyofitsfeatures.ItwasequippedwiththepowerfulDB 605Dengine,whichcouldprovide2,000hpattake-off,andusedthe streamlinedcowlingbulgesoftheBf109G-6/ASandG-14/AS.Asa result,theG-10wasthefastestversionoftheentireGseries.Itcould mounttheMG151ortheMK108nosecannon.

Atthistimeofthewar,theBf109G-10wasprimarilyusedagainst Alliedfighters,servingasescortoftheheavilyarmedandarmored,but vulnerable,FW190“Sturmbock”variant,whichwasthemainasset againsttheAmericanheavybombers.

AvailablefromOctober1944.

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

ABf109G-10withstreamlined cowlingbulges. CourtesyoftheNational MuseumoftheUnitedStates AirForce

[11.1.11]Bf109K-4

TheK-4wasanotherattempttostreamlineBf109production.It incorporatedalltherefinementsoftheG-14andG-10intoonemodeland standardizedtheDB605DengineandtheMK108cannonfiringthrough thepropellerhub.Itintroduced,atlast,fullyretractabletailwheeland mainwheelswellcovers,whichmadetheK-4thefastestoftheentireBf 109family,withatopspeedof452mphataltitude.TheBf109,which representedasnoothertheriseanddeclineoftheLuftwaffe,wasoneof theveryfewaircraftthatsoldieredonduringtheentirewar,fromthevery beginningtothelastend,andalthoughoutclassedbynewerfightertypes, itwasstillacapablemachinewhenthewarended.Atrulyremarkable design.

AvailablefromOctober1944.

[11.2]FW190(andTa152H)

[11.2.1]FW190A-6

TheFocke-WulfFW190wasknownasoneofthebestfightersduringthe SecondWorldWar.CreatedanddevelopedundersupervisionofProf. KurtTank,theFW190A,dubbed“Würger”(Shrike),wasatidy, muscular,sturdy,andaggressive-lookingaircraftthatsetnewstandards thatthecontendershadtorisetofromitsintroductionin1941.Produced inarunofmorethan20,000copiesofallversions,theFW190wasan importantfactordeterminingthepowerandefficiencyoftheLuftwaffe.

Althoughintroducedin1941asanairsuperiorityaircraft,theFW190A servedthroughseveralversionsandvariants,notonlyinair-to-air combat,butalsoasafighter-bomberandaclose-supportaircraft.Aswith manyaircraftthatevolvethroughlongseriesofvariants,theFW190 sufferedanundesiredweightescalationduetotheuseofincreased equipmentandweapons.Anewstrengthenedwing,capableofaccepting avarietyoffieldkits,wasdesigned.ThenewFW190A-6,whichfeatured thisnewwing,wentintoproductioninJune1943,andstandardizedfour wing-mounted20mmMG151cannons,replacingtheouterMG-FF cannonsofearlierversions,whileretainingthepairofcowl-mountedMG 17s.

TheFW190A-6couldacceptavarietyofRüstsätze(fieldkits).The/R6, oneofthemostcommonintheWesternFront,wasthePulk-Zerstörer versionoftheA-6,equippedwithapairofWfr.Gr.21rocketsunderthe wings.

Availablefromthestart.

[11.2.2]FW190A-7

InNovember1943,theFW190A-7wasputintoproduction.Essentially anA-6,itsmainimprovementwasthe installationofapairofcowl-mounted13mm MG131machinegunsinplaceoftheearlier 7.92mmMG-17stoincreaseitsalready formidablefirepower,whichneededanew bulgedfuselagepanelinfrontofthe windscreen.Anewgunsightwasalso provided,theRevi16B.

Only80machinesoftheA-7variantwereproduced,mostlyofthem being/R2conversionsmountingapairofMK10830mmcannons replacingtheouterMG15120mmcannonsinthewings,makingita deadlybomberkiller.

Availablefromthestart.

[11.2.3]FW190A-8

Themostheavilyproduced variantoftheentireFW190 familywastheA-8.From theA-4varianton,the BMW801D-2enginecould accepttheMW-50boost system.Nevertheless,this systemwasseldomused, andneverwasastandard equipment.TheA-8wasthe

firstversionthatfinallystandardizedtheMW-50,whichnecessitatedthe installationofanadditionaltankbehindthepilot’sseattoholdtheMW-50 mixture,althoughinsomecasesitcouldbeusedasanadditionalfueltank forextendedrange.TheA-8alsostandardizedthearmamentoftheA-7 variant,whichconsistedofapairofcowl-mountedMG13113mm machineguns,andfourMG15120mmcannonsinthewings.TheFW 190A-8wasalsoequippedwiththeETC501bombrackandcouldaccept awidevarietyoffieldkitsfromthebeginning.

TocopewiththeincreasingthreatofAmericanheavybombers,anumber ofspecificfieldkitsweredevelopedforthistask.Themostinteresting were:

FW190A-8/R2: TheoutboardMG15120mmcannonswerereplacedby apairof30mmMK108cannonstoincreasethepunchoftheFW190 againsttheAmerican“heavies”,inthesamefashionastheA-7/R2.

FW190A-8/R6: Pulk-zerstörerversionoftheA-8,withapairofWfr.Gr. 21rocketsmountedunderthewings.

FW190A-8/R7: ArmoredversionoftheA-8withbetterprotectionfrom bomberdefensivefire.Itfeaturedincreasedenginearmor,armored cockpitandarmoredwindscreenandcanopy.

FW190A-8/R8: Acombinationofthe/R2and/R7fieldkits.Knownas the“Sturmbock”,thisvariantwasanexcellentbomberkiller,butdueto itsincreasedweightitwasveryvulnerabletoAlliedescorts,sospecialBf 109shadtoescorttheseheavilyequippedFW190sinturn.

/R7and/R8variantsadda+1drmwhenrollingforcrewinjury,resulting inpilotinjuryonarollof2-6,and“noeffect”onarollof7-12.

Availablefromthestart.

[11.2.4]FW190D-9LangnassenDora

AlthoughtheBMW801D-2wasaverypowerfulengine,its performanceataltitudewaslacking,makingtheFW190Aapoorhighaltitudefighter.Inanattempttosolvethisproblem,KurtTankexplored severalsolutions.Oneofthemwastheuseofaninlineengine,the JunkersJumo213A,whichprovidedenoughpowerataltitudeina slightlymodifiedFW190airframetomakethe190abetterhigh-altitude aircraft.InstallationoftheJumoenginerequiredarearfuselage extensiontocompensateforthenewlongnose,whichwasstretchedto fitthenewpowerplant.Armamentwasreducedtothecowl-mounted MG131sandapairofMG151sinthewingroots.Thenewaircraftwas knownastheDora-9or“Langnassen” (long-nosed)Dora.Production beganinlateJune1944andthenewDora-9beganarrivingatfront-line unitsinearlySeptember.

ThefirstdeliveriesoftheFW190D-9lackedtheMW-50installation,but fromNovember1944,theMW-50boostbecamestandard,alongwitha bulgedcanopyforbettervisibility.AlthoughconsideredbyKurtTankjust aninterimsolutionuntiltheTa 152wasready,theDora-9 actuallybecameoneofthe bestmass-producedaircraftof thewar,provingtobean extremelydangerousopponent fortheNorthAmericanP-51D andthelatemodelsofthe Spitfire.

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

AlthoughtheDorahadaninlineengine,theannularradiatorwas protectedbyanarmoredring,asintheAseries.TheFW190D-9ignores thefirstenginehitittakes.Placeadamagedmarkeronthe“Engine Armor”statusboxtoindicateithas“absorbed”thatfirstenginedamage.

AvailablefromSeptember1944(initialseries)andfromNovember1944 (lateseries).

[11.2.5]Ta152H-1

TheTa152H-1(namegiven afterKurtTankin recognitiontohis contributiontotheGerman wareffort)wastheultimate high-altitudeinterceptor devisedbyTankforthe Focke-Wulfcompany.It featuredtheJumo213Eengine,longspanwings,MW-50andGM-1 boostsystems,andanarmamentconsistingofone30mmMK108cannon firingthroughthepropellerhubandapairof20mmMG151cannonsin thewingroots.Itwasamongthefastestpiston-engineaircraftofWW2 (permissiongiventotheDo335)anditsperformanceataltitudewas excellent.

Asitwasthecasewithmanylate-warGermanplanes,theTa152H-1was anexampleof“toolittle,toolate”,andalthoughasuperbaircraft, Germanycouldnolongerputitintotheairbecauseoflackoffueland trainedpilots.

InthesamefashionasintheDora,theannularradiatorofTa152H-1was protectedbyanarmoredring.TheTa152H-1ignoresthefirstenginehit ittakes.Placeadamagedmarkeronthe“EngineArmor”statusboxto indicateithas“absorbed”thatfirstenginedamage.

ConsidertheTa152H-1aspartoftheFW190family.

AvailablefromJanuary1945.

[11.3]Bf110G-2/R3Zerstörer

IfthereweretwoaircraftthatepitomizedthepoweroftheLuftwaffe duringtheearlycampaignsofWW2,thoseweretheJunkersJu87 “Stuka”andtheBf110“Zerstörer”.

TheBf110wastheanswertotheconceptofKampfzerstörer(BattleDestroyer),whichcaughttheimaginationofHermanGöring,whoissued thespecificationsofafightercapableofpenetratingdeepintoenemy territory;escortingbomberformations;interceptingenemybombers;and carryingoutbombingandstrikemissions.Althoughthe110wasused withsuccessinPoland,Norway,andFrance,intheBattleofBritainit showeditsweaknessesandsufferedhighcasualtiesduetoitslackof maneuverabilityagainsttheagileBritishsingle-enginefighters.The plannedsubstituteofthe110,theMe210,provedtobeafailure,sothe Bf110continuedinproductionwiththeGmodel,poweredbyapairof 1,475hpDaimler-BenzDB605Bengines.

TheGmodel,duetoitsincreasedpower,wasveryversatileandwas successfullyusedasanightfighter,fighter-bomber,andinterceptor.The G-2/R3versionsubstitutedtheoriginalfour7.9mmMG17machineguns withtwo30mmMK108cannons,andthetwoMGFFswithapairof 20mmMG-151cannons.WhenequippedwiththeWfr.Gr.21rockets,it provedtobeanexcellentbomberkillerwhenitmettheheavybomber formationswithoutescort,butitwasnomatchagainsttheAmerican fighters,whichsoonswepttheBf110unitsfromthesky.Bytheendof Autumnof1944,alldaylightBf110unitshadconvertedtosingle-engine fighters.Thus,endedthecheckeredcareerofoneofthemostenigmatic fightersofWorldWarII.

TheBf110G-2/R3equippedwith Wfr.Gr.21rocketscanfiretwice fromtheWfr.Gr.21rangebox.

Availablefromthestart.

[11.4]Me410A-1/U2

TheMe410A“Hornisse”(Hornet)was adevelopmentoftheflawedMe210, theintended(andfailed)replacement oftheBf110.Poweredbyapairof powerfulDB603enginesratedat 1,750hp,itcouldreach388mphand carryaheavypayload,aswellas numerousweaponconfigurations, beingthe/U2variant,equippedwithtwoextra20mmMG-151cannons, thepreferredbyitscrews.

AlthoughtheMe410metsuccessagainstunescortedbombersin1943, itwasnomatchindogfightsagainsttheever-presentAlliedfighters,and inearly1944,Me410units(ZG26andZG76)werenearlydestroyed byswarmsofP-51sandP-47sflyingaheadofthebomberformations. Frommid-1944,Me410unitsweretakenfromDefenseoftheReich duties,flyinginreconnaissancemissionsonly.

Availablefromthestart.

[11.5]Ju88C-6a

Introducedinearly1942,theJu 88C-6awasthedaylightheavyfightervariantoftheJu88A-4 bomber.Itfeaturedapairof1,400 hpJunkersJumo211Jengines, andatypicalarmamentconsisting ofthree7.9mmMG-17machine guns,andthree20mmMG-FF/M cannons,onemountedinthenose andtwointheventralgondola.

WhileusedwithsuccessontheEasternFrontandintheanti-shipping andnight-fighterroles,theJu88C-6aprovedtobeveryvulnerableto Americanescorts.

TheJu88C-6acannotmakeattacksfromapproachtrack1ormake verticalclimborverticaldiveattacksagainstbombersifusingthe advancedcombatrulesagainstbombers(10.7).Itmaynotuseadvanced maneuvers(10.8).

Availablefromthestart.

[11.6]Do335A-1Pfeil

TheDornierDo335“Pfeil”(Arrow)wasatwin-enginedheavyfighter builtbytheDorniercompany.Duetoitsuniquepush-pullconfiguration, whichofferedalowerdragcomparedtoothertwin-enginedfighters,the Pfeil’sperformancewasoutstanding,reaching474mphataltitude, makingitoneofthefastestpiston-enginedaircraftofWW2.

TheDo335AwaspoweredbytwoDB603Eenginesanditsarmament consistedofoneMK10330mmcannonwith70roundsfiringthroughthe propellerhub,andtwocowl-mountedMG15120mmcannonswith200 roundspergun.Haditgoneintoproductionearlier,thePfeilcouldhave beenaseriousthreattotheAmericanbombers,butonlyahandfulof fightershadbeencompletedbythewar’send.

WhenaDo335takesdamagetothe“portengine”thisactuallyisapplied totheforwardengine.Anydamagetothe“starboardengine”isapplied totherearengine.

IfyouchoosetoflytheDo335AwithEGR335startingin 9/44,youmayflyonlyfour missionspermonthduetothe smallnumberofprototypes available.

AvailablefromJanuary1945.

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

[11.7]Me262A-1Schwalbe

Thefirstoperationaljetfightertoseecombatintheworld,theMe262A, knownasthe“Schwalbe”(Swallow),wastrulyawonderweaponandan aircraftthatcouldhavechangedthecourseoftheAirWaroverEurope. But,asitwasthecasewithmanyotherGermanlate-warprojects,delays inproduction(Hitlerwantedittobeafastbomber!)causedittoenterthe wartoolateandinveryfewnumberstomakeanimpact.

ItfeaturedtwoJunkersJumo004B axial-flowturbojetengines,allroundvisioncanopy,tricycle landinggear,sweptwings,and fourMK10830mmcannons mountedinthenose.Ithadatop speedof540mph,100mphfaster thantheP-51DMustang,makingit almostimmunetoescortfighters, butitwasextremelyvulnerable whentakingofforlanding, somethingthatAlliedfighterpilotsquicklyfoundout.ManyMe262 wereshotdownwhenattackedbymaraudingAmericanfighter-bombers.

Duringthelastmonthsofthewar,AdolfGallandformedasquadronof experts,Jagdverband44(JV44),whichultimatelyachievedanumberof victoriesagainstAmericanbombers.Manyofthesekillswereachieved withthenewR4M55-millimeterfolding-finair-to-airrockets.AnMe 262Acouldcarryatotalof24suchweaponsonwoodenracks,oneunder eachwing,andiffiredintoabomberformation,therocketscouldhavea devastatingeffectonanythingtheyhit.Me262sconfiguredtocarrythe R4MsweregiventhedesignationMe262A-1b(insomesources,this designationisgiventoMe262prototypeswithBMW003jetengines).

Althoughitdidn’tchangethecourseofthewar,therevolutionarydesign oftheMe262servedasthebaseformanypost-warjetaircraft,including thefamousF-86 Sabre andtheMiG-15 Fagot,thatsawcombatoverthe skiesofKorea.

TheMe262A-1issubjecttoRocketandJetFighterOperations(7.11). Duetothesmallnumberofaircraftavailableduringthefirstmonthsof operations,ifyouflytheMe262fromJuly1944toSeptember1944,you mayonlyflyfourmissionspermonth.Youmayflyeightmissionsper monthnormallyfromOctober1944.

AvailablefromJuly1944.

[11.8]He162A-2Volksjäger

TheHeinkelHe162A-2“Volksjäger”(People’sFighter),alsoknownas Salamander,wasasingle-enginejetfighterfieldedbytheLuftwaffein WorldWarTwoastheanswertotwoconsiderableproblemsthe Luftwaffefacedin1944:theneedofafastinterceptorthatcouldbeeasily produced,andtheneedofmorefighterpilots.

TheHe162Awentfromthedrawingboardtotheairinjust90days.To answerthefirstproblemoftherequirement,theHeinkelteamchosethe BMW003jetengine,thatofferedalowerthrustthantheJunkersJumo 004B,butwasnotcurrentlyindemand,andmadetheaircraftmostlyof non-strategicmaterials,suchaswood.Inaddition,itssmallairframe couldbeassembledbynon-skilledlabor,makingitveryeasytoproduce. Toanswerthesecondproblem,theHeinkelplanewasdesignedtobevery easytofly,soevengliderorstudentpilotscouldbeabletoflythe Volksjäger incombat. Thiswouldrisethe numberofavailablepilots considerably.

Originallyequippedwith twoMK10830mm cannons(A-1version), therecoilandvibrations ofthesearmsprovedtobe toomuchforthelightHe 162,sotwo20mmMG 151cannonswere

wereinstalledintheirplace(finalA-2version).

InJanuary1945,Erprobungskommando162wasformedtoevaluatethe new Volksjäger,andinFebruary,I/JG1beganreceivingthenewjet fighter.Thisunitwasabletoflysomecombatmissionswiththisaircraft duringthelastmonthsofthewar,achievingsomevictories.

TheHe162A-2issubjecttoRocketandJetFighterOperations(7.11). Duetoitssmallsize,bombersapplya-1randomhitatlongrangewhen firingattheHe162A-2.

AvailablefromJanuary1945.

In1943,ReichsmarschallHermann Göringissuedarequestfordesign proposalstoproduceabomberthat wascapableofcarryinga1,000 kilograms(2,200lb)loadover1,000 kilometers(620mi)at1,000 kilometersperhour(620mph);thesocalled"3×1000project".

TheHortenbrothersconcludedthattheonlysolutiontoachievethese requirementswasaflyingwingpoweredbyjetengines.Afteraddingtwo 30mmcannonstotheaircraft,makingitafighter-bomber,thefirst prototypetookofffromOranienburgon2February1945.Itspilot reportedthattheplanehadverygoodhandlingcharacteristics.Inanother testflight,theGo229simulatedadogfightagainstanMe262, outperformingtheMesserschmittaircraft.

Whenthewarended,onlyoneprototype,servingasthebaseforthefuture Go229A-0,hadbeenbuilt.IfyourGo229A-0islost,substitutewithaHe 162A-2.YoumaytrytoupgradeagaintotheGo229A-0ifdesiredby spendingPrestigePoints.

TheGo229A-0issubjecttoRocketandJetFighterOperations(7.11). AvailablefromApril1945.

[11.10]ME163B-1

ThetinyMesserschmittMe163B-1“Komet”wasthefirst(andonly) operationalrocketfighterthatsawserviceintheworldandhadsome characteristicsthatmadeituniqueandradical.

TheMe163Bhadatopspeedof596mphandaclimbrateof16,000ft/ min,whichmadeitpracticallyimmunetoescortfighters.But,onthe otherside,ithadanextremelyshortrange.TheKomethadfuelforeight minutesofpoweredflightonly,whichlimitedinagreatdealitscombat value.Inaddition,itstwopropellants(C-StoffandT-Stoff)were extremelydangerousand,ifmixedoutsidetheengine,theycouldcause afatalexplosion.

Inservice,theMe163B-1 wasdifficulttouseagainst bombers.Whenaraidwas detected,Kometpilotstook offandclimbedtoheight usingthephenomenalthrust ofitsrocketengine.Then theymadeoneortwopasses againsttheheavybombers, butbecauseofitstremendous speed,theclosingspeedto thetargetwassohighthat pilotsonlyhadaverysmall amountoftimetoaimandfiretheirguns,thusrequiringexcellent marksmanship.Afterthat,fuelwasout,andthepilothadtoglidetohis homebaseusingtheexcellentglidingcharacteristicsoftheaircraft. Landinghadtobeextremelycareful,asanyroughlandingwouldcause afatalexplosioniftheremaininggasesofthepropellantsweremixed. BeingaKometpilotwasoverlyexciting.

[11.9]Go229A-0

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

AlliedfighterformationscounteredtheKometinseveralways;itsshort endurancewassoonnoted,andonceinaglide,theKometwashighly vulnerabletoanyescortfighter.BrandiswasquicklyidentifiedasJG 400'shomeairfieldandstrafingattackscurtailedoperations.

[11.10.1]FlyingtheMe163B-1

TheMe163B-1issubjecttoRocketandJetFighterOperations(7.11), butduetoitsmaneuverability,theMe163B-1doesnotloseoneposition aftercombatandbeforerollingforinitiative.ItissubjecttoAlliedF/B attacks,nonetheless.

TheMe163B-1hasafuellimitof1endurancebox.

Duetoitssmallsize,bombersapplya-1randomhitatlongrangewhen firingattheKomet.

TheMe163B-1pilotmaychoosetomakeasecondpassagainstbombers withouthavingtobegincombatagainstescortsafterhisfirstpass.

TheMe163B-1hasthefollowingcombatlimits: •2passesagainstbombersor, •1passagainstbombersand3roundsofcombatagainstfightersor, •6roundsofcombatagainstfighters.

Afterreachingitscombatlimit,theKometisoutoffuelandmust disengage.Outoffueldisengagementsucceedsona1d61-4,andfailson a5-6(thisisanexceptiontorocketfighterdisengagementin[7.3]).

OncetheKomethasreacheditsendurancelimit,reduceitsspeedby2 aftereachroundofcombat.Whenreachingaspeedof16,theKometno longerreducesitsspeed.

Whenlanding,alwaysapply+1emergencylandingand+1engineout landingmodifiers.

Ifthelandingskidisdamaged,applya+2modifierwhenlanding.

Ifthefueltankishit,applya+2modifierwhenlanding.

Ifusingtheadvancedcombatrulesagainstbombers(10.7),theMe163B maychooseeithertostarttheencounteratHighaltitudeormakea verticaldiveattack,regardlessofencountertype.

AvailablefromJuly1944.

[12.0]DESIGNERSNOTES

Afterplayingmanygamesof InterceptorAce1943-44,Ihadthefeeling thatsomethingwasmissinginmyplayingexperience.In InterceptorAce 1943-44,GregorySmithwiselyfocusedontheperiodwhenthe LuftwaffehadachanceagainstthemightyEighthAirForceandstatedon severaloccasionsthatthelastyearofwarwouldnotbeanyfun,but neverthelessIalwaysfeltthattrickysparkinmymindpushingmeto continuemycareerasaLuftwaffepilotuntiltheendofthewar,nomatter theodds,andhavetheopportunityofflyinglate-warvariantsoftheBf 109andFW190.Butaboveall,Iwantedtoflythefuturisticand captivatingGermanjetsandcheckifIcouldsurvivetheslaughter.

So,asmanywargamersdo,Ibegantoadaptandhome-modifythegame soitcouldfitmyneeds.Iextensivelyresearcheddatafrommanydifferent sourcestocreatemyownAircraftDisplayMats.Icheckedallthe missionsflownbytheEighthAirForcefromMarch1944toMay1945(a trulyeducationaltask),whichhelpedmecreateacompletelynewRaid Chart.IrevisedtheFuelEnduranceTrackchart,asIfeltsometimesit gavesomestrangeresults.Ireworkedtheadvancedcombatagainst bomberssoinitialorientationwasamajorfactorwhenfirstattackinga bomber.Ilearnedhowtoworkwithdifferentdesignandgraphicseditor programssoIcouldcreatemyownmaterials.Andfinally,whatitbegan asalightmodificationofthegameforpersonaluseendedupinamajor overhaulofit,andIfeltthattheresultofthiseffortshouldbeshared.So, IcontactedGregSmithandpresentedwhatIhadsofar.Tomysurprise, GregthoughtthatthegamehadpotentialandputmeincontactwithJohn Kranz.Theresultofthoseconversationsisinfrontofyou.

Butonethingistomodifyagameforpersonaluse,andavastlydifferent oneistopublishafunandplayablecommercialgame.Icouldnolonger offeramerecopyoftheoriginal,becauseifIdid,whatwouldbethe attraction?IfeltIhadtomakesomethingsimilar(andmostimportantly, compatible)to InterceptorAce1943-44,butwithenoughdifferencesand flavortobeworththepurchase.Asaresult, InterceptorAce,Volume2: LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 isamorebrutalexperiencethan InterceptorAce1943-44,asAlliedfightersofferaconstantthreattothe player,asithappenedhistorically.Theycanevenattackyourhomebase! Fatigue,whichrepresentsnotonlythephysicalexhaustionofcontinuous flying,butalsocombatstressandtheburdenofcommand,gains importance,andnewabilitiesmakeextensiveuseofit.Flyingpistonenginedfightersisverydifferentthanflyingjets,anditshows.Andthe Komet…TheKometisanoverlyexcitinganddangerousexperience, onlyforthebrave.Butthemostimportantthingofallisthatthese changesandadditionsmakethat,whereasdecisionsin InterceptorAce 1943-44 weremorecenteredontheexpenditureofexperiencepoints,in InterceptorAce1944-45 youhavetomakedecisionsinawiderrangeof areastostayaliveandwin.AsapilotoftheagileBf109,theperiod betweenMarch1944andJuly1944iswhenyourplaneismostoutclassed byAlliedfighters.DoyouupgradetoarareMW-50modelearly,risking losingthosepreciousPrestigePoints,ordoyouwaituntilnew,more modern(andeasiertoobtain)variantsareavailable?Asapilotofthe dreaded190,doyoukeepyourearlymodel,ordoyouupgradetoa heavierbutslower Sturmbock version?Doyoukeepyourslowerbut alwaysavailablepiston-enginedfighter,waitinguntilmorecapablelate modelsappear,ordoyouupgradetotheadvanced,butlimitedandmore threatenedjets?Doyoumakeuseofyourspecialabilitiestodestroy enemybombersandgainmorepointsatthecostofincreasingyour fatiguelevel,ordoyouletthatdamagedbombergotomaintainfatigue atanacceptablelevelandlosethosepoints?Doyoutrytoescapefrom escorts,ordoyouriskfightingthemtoachieveonemorevictoryatthe costofbeingshotdowninturn?Doyoubuysurvivalskills,whichwill letyouliveonemoreday,oroffensiveskills,whichwillhelpyouearn morepoints?Andthencomes1January1945,andyouhavetobomb AlliedbasesinBelgiumandTheNetherlands,andyourFuG25IFFis out!

Whatyouhaveinyourhandsistheresultofmanyhoursofplaying, reading,researching,anddesigning.Agamethatistruetotheoriginal, incorporatingalltheknownerrataandmanyoftheimprovementsthat GregSmithhasmadeovertime,butthatisnotamerecopyofitonly offeringnewaircraft.Thisgameisanew,dangerous,historically accurate,andexpandedexperiencethatcanbeplayedonitsown,butthat isfullycompatiblewith InterceptorAce1943-44 andthatoffersitsmost whencombinedtogetherwithit.Ihopethatyouenjoythisgameasmuch asIhaveenjoyedcreatingit.

[13.0]BIBLIOGRAPHY

Beaman,J.R.(1983). MesserschmittBf109inAction,Part2.Squadron SignalPublications.ISBN9780897471381.

Bowman,M.W.(2013). TheUSEighthAirForceinEurope.Volume2: BlackThursdayBloodandOil.Pen&Sword.ISBN9781848847477.

Bownman,M.W.(2014). TheMightyEighthatWar:USAAF8thAir ForceBombersVersustheLuftwaffe1943–1945.Pen&Sword.ISBN 9781473822771.

Bowman,M.W.(2007). P-51MustangvsFW190.Europe1943-45. OspreyPublishing.ISBN9781846031892.

Caldwell,D.(2013). JG26TopGunsoftheLuftwaffe.Pen&Swords Books.ISBN9781848327467.

Campbell,J.L.(1975). Focke-WulfFW190inAction.SquadronSignal Publications.ISBN9780897470186.

Campbell,J.L.(1986). MesserschmittBf110ZerstörerinAction SquadronSignalPublications.ISBN9780897470292.

Carter,K.C.,andMueller,R.(1991). U.S.ArmyAirForcesinWorldWar II.CombatChronology.1941-45.CenterforAirForceHistory.

42 InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

Davis,L.(1981). P-51MustanginAction.SquadronSignalPublications. ISBN9780897471145.

Davis,L.(1985). P-47ThunderboltinAction.SquadronSignal Publications.ISBN9780897471619.

Davis,L.(1990). P-38LightninginAction.SquadronSignal Publications.ISBN9780897472555.

Filley,B.(1990). JunkersJu88inAction,Part2.SquadronSignal Publications.ISBN9780897472586.

Forsyth,R.(2019). Me262vsP-51Mustang.Europe1944-45.Osprey Publishing.ISBN9781472829559.

Freeman,R.A.(1981). MightyEighthwardiary.Jane’s.ISBN 9780531037355.

Galland,A.(1978). Thefirstandthelast:TheriseandfalloftheGerman fighterforces,1938-1945.BantamBooks.9780553117097.

Gunston,B.(1980). AnillustratedguidetoGerman,Italianand JapanesefightersofWorldWarII.SalamanderBooks.ISBN 9780668050937.

Gunston,B.(1981). AnIllustratedGuidetoAlliedFightersofWorldWar II.SalamanderBooks.ISBN9780861010813.

Hannig,N.(2009). LuftwaffeFighterAce:FromtheEasternFronttothe DefenseoftheHomeland.StackpoleBooks.ISBN9780811735933.

Heaton,C.(2018). TheGermanAcesSpeak:WorldWarIIThroughthe EyesofFouroftheLuftwaffe'sMostImportantCommanders.Zenith Press.ISBN9780760361511.

Maurer,M.(Editor).(1983). AirForceCombatUnitsofWorldWarII OfficeofAirForceHistory.ISBN0912799021.

Maurer,M.(Editor).(1982). CombatSquadronsoftheAirForceWorld WarII.OfficeofAirForceHistory.

Miller,D.L.(2007). MastersoftheAir:America'sBomberBoysWho FoughttheAirWarAgainstNaziGermany.Simon&Schuster.ISBN 9780743235457.

Price,A.(1995). LateMarkSpitfireAces1942-45.OspreyPublishing. ISBN9781855325753.

Prien,J.,andRodeike,P.(1992). MesserschmittBf109F,G,andK series:Anillustratedstudy.SchifferMilitaryHistory.ISBN 9780887404245.

Punka,G.(1994). MesserschmittMe210/410inAction.SquadronSignal Publications.ISBN9780897473200.

Rigole,J.(2002). ThestrategicbombingcampaignagainstGermany duringWorldWarII.LSUMaster’sTheses.

Scutts,J.(1980). SpitfireinAction.SquadronSignalPublications.ISBN 978.0897470926.

Weal,J.(1996). Focke-WulfFW190AcesoftheWesternFront.Osprey Publishing.ISBN9781855325951.

Weal,J.(1999). Bf109F/G/KAcesoftheWesternFront.Osprey Publishing.ISBN9781855329058.

Weal,J.(1999). MesserschmittBf110ZerstörerAcesofWorldWar2 OspreyPublishing.ISBN9781855327535.

Weal,J.(2006). Bf109DefenceoftheReichAces.OspreyPublishing. ISBN9781841768793.

Weal,J.(2011). FW190DefenceoftheReichAces.OspreyPublishing. ISBN9781846034824.

Zaloga,S.J.(2011). OperationPointblank1944.DefeatingtheLuftwaffe OspreyPublishing.ISBN9781849083850.

[14.0]HISTORICALBACKDROP

IntheSummerof1940,BritainstoodaloneagainstGermany,andthe RAFwasabletodefeattheLuftwaffeintheBattleofBritain.Thiswasthe firstGermansetbackofthewar.TheBritishwantedtoshowthatthey werestillinthefightandtheysentaseriesofraids againstBerlinfirst,andotherGermanmilitarytargets later.ButalthoughtheseraidsraisedtheBritish morale,theywerenotenoughtoachieveany importantmilitaryresult.Recognizingthis,Churchill approvedtobuilduptheBomberCommand,which soonbeganbombingGermancitiesatnightthanksto theleadershipofAirChiefMarshallArthur“Bomber” Harris.ButHarrisknewthathecouldn’twinthewar alone.Heneededassistance.

OnDecember7,1941,theUnitedStatesofAmerica enteredthewaraftertheinfamousattackonPearl HarborbytheJapanese.Onlytwomonthslater,in February1942,BrigadierGeneralIraC.Eakerarrived inLondonwiththetaskofprocuringsiteswhichcould beusedasU.S.bomberbasesfortheEighthAirForce. HarrisandEakersoonsetthestrategytofollow:the BritishwouldbombGermany’scitiesatnightusing areabombing,whiletheAmericanswouldbomb militarytargetsindaylightoperationsusingprecision bombingwiththeaidofanamazinginstrument:the Nordenbombsight.Fordoingthis,theEighthAirForce wouldusetheBoeingB-17FlyingFortress,armedwithten.50caliber machineguns.

OnAugust17,1942,theEighthmadeitsfirstdaylightbombingover occupiedEurope.OnlytwelveB-17sparticipatedinthismission.Bythe fallof1942,theEighthAirForcewasbrimmingwithconfidence.Butthe U.S.bombershadnotmetthefullpoweroftheLuftwaffeyet.

FromNovember1941,AdolfGallland,anaceoftheBattleofBritainand theChannelFrontwith96victories,wasnamedas Generalder Jagdlfieger (GeneralofFighters).Hesoonrealizedthetruethreatofthe Americanbombersandbuiltupthefighterarmbyimplementingan advancedtrainingprograminwhichnewpilotsweregivenoperational experiencebyactivefighterunitsandbyincreasingfighterproduction from250amonthto1,000amonthbymid-1943.

Bythattime,theLuftwaffereliedontwoexcellentfighters:Thesleekand agile,butshort-ranged,MesserschmittBf109G,andthepowerfuland advancedFocke-WulfFW190A,which,nonetheless,hadproblemsat highaltitude.ButtheLuftwaffewasnotstandingstill,andnumerous programswerebeingdeveloped.OneofthemwastheMe262jetfighter, withthefirstprototypeflyingin1941.Anotheronewastherevolutionary Me163Komet,atinyfighterpoweredbyaWaltherrocketengine.

Meanwhile,inJanuary1943,ChurchilltriedtoconvincePresident FranklinRoosevelttojointheRAFinnightbombing.GeneralEaker,who thoughtthatprecisionbombingwasthebeststrategy,wenttoLondonto meetwithChurchillwithoneargument:TobombtheGermansaroundthe clocksotheycouldpreventtheGermandefensesfromgettinganyrest. Twodaysafterthemeeting,theEighthAirForcelauncheditsfirst bombingmissionoverGermany.

GeneralGallandaskedformorefighterstofortifyfighterdefensesinthe West,buthissuperiorsdidnotseetheAlliedattacksasaloomingthreat, sotheEighthmetonlyamoderateresistanceduringthefirsthalfof1943, whichgavetheAmericangeneralsafalsesensationofsecurity.They believedthatbomberswouldsurvivewithoutfighterescort.TheP-47 Thunderbolt,withanincredibledurability,couldonlyreachtheGerman borders,whiletheP-38Lightning,whichhadtherangetoescorttheB17sdeepintoGermany,hadmanyteethingproblemsinthecoldskiesover Europe,curtailingitscombateffectiveness.

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

SirArthur“Bomber”Harris Gen.IraC.Eaker

OnMay22,1943,WillyMesserschmittinvitedGeneralGallandtotestflytheMe262.Aftertheflight,Gallandwassoimpressedwiththe262 thatheimmediatelyreportedErhardMilch,AirInspectorofthe Luftwaffe,thatthenewaircraftwasfaraheadofanythingtheLuftwaffe ortheAllieshad,andaskedfor immediatetestingandproduction. GöringandMilch,whorarely agreedonanything,wentalong withhim.ButHitlerdecidedthat theMe262wasnotapriority,and itsdevelopmentwasdelayed.

InNovember1943,HitlersawtheMe262forthefirsttime.Hewas enthusiasticwiththenewaircraftandhadideasofhisownforthe262. Heaskedifthejetplanecouldcarrybombssoitcouldbeusedasa schnell (fast)bomber.Althoughtechnicallypossible,thiswouldimply thestrengtheningoftheairframe,whichwouldreducespeedandrange, andthedevelopmentandinstallationofanewbombingsight.TheMe 262wasdelayedagain.Ontheotherhand,theMe163wasbeing developedwithoutinterference,andbytheendof1943agroupof30 pilotswasselectedtobegintrainingontheKomet.

Bytheendofthefirsthalfof1943,theEighthfoundthattheLuftwaffe’s resistancewasslowlystiffening.ButitwasthebombingofHamburgby boththeRAFandtheEighthAirForceduringOperationGomorrah,from July24toAugust2,1943,thatfinallymadeGöringdecidetobuildupthe fighterarmattheexpenseofthebombers,sotheLuftwaffewouldfight offtheU.S.andBritishbombersandregainairsuperiorityoverGermany.

EighthAirForce’splanners,inthemeantime,hadestimatedthataraidon Schweinfurt,homeofmorethatfifty-twopercentoftheballbearings productionofGermany,wouldseriouslyhampertheGermanwareffort. On17August1943,aforceof376B-17sheadedforSchweinfurtand Regensburg,homeoftheMesserschmittaircraftfactory.OncetheP-47s headedforEngland,aforceofmorethan300Bf109sandFW190s, alongwithsomeBf110sandotherfighters,attackedthebombers.Atthe endoftheday,60B-17sand600crewmenwerelost.TheLuftwaffelost 36aircraft,withanother12writtenoff.

PhotoreconnaissanceshowedthattheRegensburgplanthadbeen destroyed,buttheSchweinfurtfactorieswerebeingrepaired,sothe EighthAirForcelaunchedanothermissionagainsttheballbearings factoriesonOctober14.291bombersand200escortfightersattacked Schweinfurtagain,andonceagain60bomberswerelosttoGerman fighters.TheLuftwaffestillruledtheskiesoverGermany.Butthecostof thesedisastrousraidsacceleratedtheintroductionofoneofthebest fightersofWWII:TheP-51Mustang.

InDecember1943,GeneralEakerwastransferredtoheadtheFifteenth AirForceintheMediterranean.ChurchillmetwithhimandtoldEaker thathisround-the-clockbombingstrategywasachievingtheresultshe predicted.HissubstitutewasLieutenantGeneralJamesDoolittle,the herooftheB-25carrierraidagainstTokyoin1942.Doolittleknewthat OperationOverlord,theplannedinvasionofFrance, couldnotbecarriedoutwithoutwipingoutthe Luftwaffe’sfighters,sohedecidedtoactmore aggressivelywithhisownfighters.Insteadof stickingtothebombers,theywouldgoonthe offensiveandhuntdownGermanfightersintheairor ontheground,inthesamefashionastheGermans didsosuccessfullyinthe“freiejagd”(freehunt) missionsduringtheBattleofBritain.

From20to25February1944,1,000-bomberraidsweredirectedagainst aircraftfactoriesandairfieldsinFranceandGermanyinanattemptto luretheLuftwaffeintoadecisivebattlewhereitcouldbedamagedso badlythattheAllieswouldachieveairsuperiority.KnownastheBig Week,theoperationwassuccessfulinseverelywoundtheLuftwaffe,but forAdolfGallandasignofhopeamidsttherubblewasfoundat Augsburg,wherealltheMe262prototypeswerefoundundamaged.

FromMarchtoMay1944,theU.S.andBritishbombersattackedroads, bridgesandraillinesinFranceandtheLowCountriesinastrategy knownastheTransportationPlan,whichwasaimedatsofteningupand hamperGermantroopandsupplymovementsintheNormandyarea.At thesametime,theEighthwouldalsoattackoilcentersandother industrialtargets.Theattackonoilrefineriesprovedtobeahighly successfulstrategy.GallandrealizedthatiftheGermansyntheticoil plantsweredestroyed,Germanywouldbeoutoffuel,andoutofthewar.

TheTransportationPlanachieveddevastatingresults.ByJune1944,the Frenchtransportationsystemwasashambleand,inaddition,nearlyone hundredairfieldsandhundredsoffightersonthegroundhadbeen destroyedinbombingandstrafingattacks.TheOilCampaigncontinued, andtheGermansyntheticplantsandrefinerieswereattackedrepeatedly. ByJune6,theLuftwaffeinFrancewasinastateofutterchaos.

Hitlerfinallyrecognizedthatwithoutoil,Germanywouldbedefeated, andorderedthatonlyfightersbeproduced.Takingadvantageofthis, Gallanddevisedaplancalled“TheBigBlow”.Hethoughtthatifhe couldassemblealargeforceoffightersagainsta1,000planeraid,they couldshootdown400to500bombers,damagingtheEighthAirForce materiallyandpsychologically,andparalyzingdaylightraids,although probablyonlytemporary.Gallandbegantoassembleandconservea reserveoffighterssohecouldlaunchhisBigBlowinNovember.

Meanwhile,theMe163begancombatoperationsinAugust.Itprovedto beasdangeroustothepilotswhoflewitasitwastothebombers.Capable of596mph,itcouldattackthebombersunmolested.Butitsrangewas extremelyshort,andpilotshadtoglidetotheirbasesafterfuelwasout. Inaddition,thetwopropellantsitcarriedwereverydangerousifmixed togetheroutsidetheengine.Landingwasmadeonalandingskidandany roughlandingcouldresultinafatalexplosion.

Inmid-November,thefirstP-51BMustangsbeganarrivinginEngland, andonDecember11,theymadetheirfirstescortmission.TheMustang wassuperiortoeithertheBf109andtheFW190,withmodelBhaving atopspeedof440mph,andhadtherangetoescorttheB-17sandB-24s deepintoGermanyandback.ThefatewassealedfortheLuftwaffe.

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

AMe262prototypein1943.Notethetail wheelinsteadofthenosewheelofthe productionaircraft. Gen.JamesH.Doolittle Me163Kometprototypein nearfinalcombatconfiguration

AnotheraircraftthatwasbeingdevelopedwastheDornierDo335 Pfeil (Arrow),atwin-enginefighterinapush-pullconfigurationthatmadethe Pfeiloneofthefastestprop-drivenaircraftofWWII.Although promising,itsproductionswasdelayedtimeaftertime.Oneprojectthat GallandopposedwastheHe162 Volksjäger (People’sfighter).Equipped withasingleBMW003jetengineandmadeofnon-strategicmaterials, thisfighterwasverysimpletoproduceanditwasthoughttobeflownby ill-trainedpilotsandevengliderstudents.Göringbelievedthatthousands oftheseaircraftcouldbethrownagainsttheAmericanbombers.But Gallandfeltthatthisplaneonlykeptresourcesawayfromthemuchmore advancedandcapableMe262.

Tohissurprise,GallandwasorderedtoestablishthefirstMe262unitin October.MajorWalterNowotny,a250-victoryace,wasappointedtolead thenewjetunit,knownas KommandoNowotny.Histaskwasto overcometheinitialproblemsoftheMe262and tosetthenewtacticsrequiredtorunjetoperations.

AlthoughtheMe262wasplaguedwithengine problems,inonlyamonthofoperationsthejetunit wasabletoshootdowntwenty-twoheavy bombers,causingadeepimpactonbothbomber crewsandEighthAirForce’sGenerals.The Americans,fearingtheMe262couldgive Germanytheupperhandintheairagain, constantlyharassedthetwoknownMe262bases, andinNovemberMajorNowotnywasshotdown byAmericanfighters.AfterNowotny’sdeath, GallandcreatedJagdgeschwader7fromthecore ofKommandoNowotny.

Bymid-November,GallandreportedGöringthathewasreadytolaunch theBigBlow,buttohissurprise,Hitlercanceledthisoperationand launchedasurpriseattackthroughtheArdennesforestonDecember16, orderingallfighterunitstoattackAlliedfighterbasesinTheNetherlands andBelgiuminwhatwasknownasOperationBodenplatte.Duetobad weather,BodenplattewasdelayeduntilJanuary1,1945.Morethan900 Bf109sandFW190sattackedAlliedairfieldsbysurprise,destroying228 aircraftonthegroundanddamaging146more.Butthecostforthe Luftwaffewasenormous:234pilotslost,manyofthemexperienced leaderswhoselostwasirreplaceable.TheLuftwaffeceasedtobean effectivefightingforce.

Thenewsoftheformationofthisnewunit,theJagdverband44,spread throughtheLuftwaffeandmanypilotsreportedtoGallandwithout permissionortransferorders.Amongthesepilotsweresomeofthe greatestacesoftheLuftwaffe:MajorGerhardBarkhorn(301victories), OberstleutnantHeinzBär(221victories),OberstJohannesSteinhoff(176 victories),orHauptmannWalterKrupinski(197victories).JV44became operationalinMarch1945.ButthefateoftheThirdReichwassealed.On April26,1945,GallandwasattackedbyaP-47andforcedtocrash-land. Thewarwasoverforhim.

AfterBodenplatte,GallandwasdismissedfromhispositionasGeneral ofFightersbyGöringandnumerousLuftwaffefighter Kommodoren demandedanaudiencewithHitler,buttheymetwithGöringinstead. GöringexplodedagainstthefighterpilotsandorderedGallandtoleave BerlinunderarrestinwhatwasknownastheFighterPilot’sRevolt. Luckily,Hitlerintervened.HecouldnotreinstateGalland,buthelethim formhisownjetfighterunitandchoosehisownpilots.

AlthoughstrategicbombingfailedtoreduceGermanwarproduction,the combinedbomberoffensiveoftheUSAAFbydayandtheRAFbynight, whichprovedtobetoomuchfortheLuftwaffe,thebombingofoiltargets, andtheintroductionoftheP-51Mustangeffectivelycontributedtothe defeatoftheLuftwaffeandtheThirdReich.

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 –RulesofPlay

Whenthewarended,Germanywastotallyinruins. MajorWalterNowotny ABf109pilotcapturedbyU.S.Forcesaftercrash-landing duringOperationBodenplatte.Pilotlosseswereirreplaceable fortheLuftwaffe. TheLuftwaffehadtoworkoutasolutiontodealwiththe dreadedCombatBox.

INTERCEPTORACEDAYLIGHTAIRDEFENSEOVER GERMANY,1943-44OFFICIALERRATAAND CLARIFICATIONS

Althoughyoucanplay InterceptorAceDaylightAirDefenseOver Germany,1943-44 usingtheupdatedrulesfrom InterceptorAceVolume 2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 ifdesired,inwhichnumerous clarificationsandadditionshavebeenincluded,inordertohaveour gamesascompleteaspossibleweincludethefollowingerrataand clarificationsforthatgamesoyoucanplayitasoriginallyintendedbyits creator.

Inaddition,replacementcountershavebeenincludedinthecountersheet of Interceptor AceVolume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 soyou cancompleteyourcopyof InterceptorAce1943-44.

7.1.7 (addition):

IfaB-17hastwoormoreenginesdestroyed,or1destroyedandtwo othersdamaged,or4enginesdamaged(orworse)itisconsideredtobe outofformationforsubsequentpasses.

7.1.16 (addition):

Youarenotrequiredtofireatlongormediumrangeagainstabomber(in ordertoconserveammo,forexample).Thebomber,however,alwaysfire atyouateachrangeifpossible.

7.2.2.1 (addition):

TheBK5andtheBK3,7weaponsmountedintheBf110andMe410 aircraftarenotusedanddonotaddtheirfirepowerratingstotheFPtotal whenshootingagainstenemyfightersorescorts,astheyarerelatively slowfiringanditwouldbeextremelydifficulttoobtainahitwiththem againstsmallaircraft.

7.2.2.9 (clarification): Anytimeyoure-engageabomberformation,itisnotnecessarytorollto determinethetypeofbomber.Theywillbethesametypeasyou previouslyengagedthissortie.

7.2.3.1 (addition): Wingmanmayattackwithyouifyouarecoming“OutoftheSun”against abomber.Sincethereisnoreturnfire,youwouldignoreanydamage resultstoyourwingmanonChart[W1].

7.3.1 (addition): Thelastsentenceshouldinclude head-to-head

7.9.2 (addition): Feldwebelrankretainstheautomatic“scrounging”abilityofthe Unterfeldwebelrank,inadditiontothe“workingthesystem”ability.

10.6 (addition):

Duetothedesigner’slateadditionofthisoptionalrule,nocounterswere originallycreatedforthe4optionalskills.Seethestickersheetifyou wishtocreatethem.Inanycase,replacementcountersareprovidedin InterceptorAceVolume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45

Chart[A3] (correction): ThereshouldnotbeanasteriskontheAugust43box.Anasterisk indicatestheYB-40maybepossible.NoYB-40sarepossiblethatmonth. TheyareonlypossibleJuneandJuly.

Chart[B11] (optional): PlayerswillnoticeAlliedfightershavenoammunitionrestrictions. Mainlythisisforsimplicity'ssake,andreallydoesn’tmattermostofthe time.However,considerthisoptionalruleofammoloadsforAllied fighters:

P-38

Cannon:4rounds

MG:5rounds

P-47

MG:5rounds(both)

P-51

MG:5rounds

MG:3rounds(outerMgsinthewingshadlessammunition)

Spitfire Cannon:3rounds MG:4rounds

Chart[C3] (correction): ThischartistheOptionalversion.TheExtendedBurstChartsontheOps Mapandintherulesarethestandardchartsforuse.Note:[C3]isthe “kinderandgentler”extendedburstchart,meaninglessofachanceto jam.Considerusingitasahandicap.

Countersheet (omission):

Thereshouldbeacounterforthe“Leadership”skill.Seethestickersheet. Inanycase,areplacementcounterisprovidedin InterceptorAceVolume 2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45

Countersheet (omission):

Itispossiblethataplayercouldhave,atsomepoint,purchasedthe “Gunnery”skillforhimself,hiswingman,ANDhisreargunnerinplanes soequipped.Seethestickersheetifyouwishtocreatethe3rdGunnery skillcounter. Inanycase,areplacementcounterisprovidedin InterceptorAceVolume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45

Logsheet (correction): TheremindernoteliststhattheMe410A-1/U2isavailableinNov43.This shouldbetheMe410A-2/U4.Theaircraftmats,ChartR1,andtherules areallcorrect.

AircraftMats (explanation): PlayersmaynotethereisnodifferencebetweentheFW190A-4andA-5 aircraftmats.Thisisbecause,althoughinreallifethereweresomeminor structuralandotherchanges,ingameterms,theaircraftarethesame.Both havebeenincludedforhistoricalreasons.

InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45

GAMECREDITS

GameDesign

FernandoSolaRamos

SeriesDesign

GregoryM.Smith

GraphicArtist

FernandoSolaRamos

PackageDesign

FernandoSolaRamos

ProjectDirector

JohnKranz

RulesLayout

FernandoSolaRamos

RulesProofing

FernandoSolaRamos,GregoryM.Smith,KenDingley

Playtesters

FernandoSolaRamos,DanielSolaPastor,MartinÅkerlund

Producedby

BillThomasforCompassGames,LLC.

Acknowledgements

ThankstoGregSmithforallhisgeneroussupportfromthebeginning. Workingwithhimhasbeenreallyeasyandarealpleasure.Notenough wordstoexpressmygratitude.I’dliketothankalsoJohnKranz.Hehas trustedmewithoutanyquestion.Iwillneverforgetthatunconditional support.Finally,I’dliketothankKenDingleyforhishelpandpatience withmecreatingallthematerialsforthisgame.Ihavelearnedalot thankstoallofyou.Iwillneverforgetthisexperience.

Thisgameisdedicatedtoallthepeopleof TheSWOTLGroup (especially KeithHeitmann,AnthonyShimizu,and,ofcourse,Greg“Sturmer” Smith),abunchofcomputerandair-simenthusiaststhatworkedvery hardand,mostimportantly,forfreeforallthegamingcommunityto expandandenhanceLawrenceHolland’sSecretWeaponsofthe Luftwaffe duringthoseearlydaysoftheInternet.Theirworkhasbeenmy inspiration.

CHARTSINDEX(PLAYAIDS)

C2SeriousWoundResolution

C3ExtendedBurstChart

F1FuelEnduranceTrackChart

OperationsMap

P1PositionChart(B-17F)

P1PositionChart(B-17G)

P1PositionChart(B-17OutofFormation)

P1PositionChart(B-24)

W1WingmanAttackonBomber

RULES INDEX

“Ace”Status[7.8.8] 23

AdvancedCombatAgainstBombers[10.7] .........................................................32

Advantaged[7.1.2]................................................................................................15 Aim[7.7] ...............................................................................................................21

AirCombatManeuvering(A.C.M)[7.7]..............................................................22

AircraftDamage[7.4] ...........................................................................................19

AircraftDisplayMats[3.1] .....................................................................................4

AircraftDisplayMatSetup[4.4].............................................................................7

AircraftLossDuetoBattleDamage[7.4.3] .........................................................20

AircraftLossPenalty[10.17] ................................................................................37

AIRCRAFTOFINTERCEPTORACE[11.0]................................................37

AircraftSeries[9.1]...............................................................................................26

AlliedAces[10.6.2]...............................................................................................31

AlliedFightersAmmoPoints[10.9] .....................................................................33

AlliedFighterPILOTSkills[10.6.1] ....................................................................31

Ammunition[4.5] ..................................................................................................7

AmmunitionUse [7.1.16]..................................................................................18 Awards[7.8] ..........................................................................................................22

Copyright©2021 CompassGames, LLC Interceptor Ace1944-45 47 CHARTSINDEX(RULES) R1StartingUnitsandBasesChart...........................................................8 R2AvailableAircraftFamilyandTypeChart.......................................10 R3AvailableAircraftSub-typeChart .....................................................11 R4EscapeChart ....................................................................................17 R5DisengagementChart.......................................................................19 R6FatigueEffectsChart ........................................................................30 R7AmericanPilotQualityChart ..........................................................31 R8BritishPilotQualityChart ...............................................................31 R9BombingResultsChart ....................................................................37

A1RaidChart A2PilotandCrewStatus A3AircraftTargetandAlliedFighterAttackChart B1Interception B2AttackDeckResults B3BomberandGroupDamage B4AircraftDamageListings B5SkillsEffectsListings B6FigherDamageChart B7LandingChart B8ParachuteChart B9WeatherChart B10BomberTargetChart B11aFighterTargetChart B11bFighterTargetChart C1RandomEventsChart

BaseAssignment[4.1] ............................................................................................6 –RulesofPlay

BaseZones[4.6.2]....................................................12

Basing[4.6].................................................................7

Bf109[11.1].............................................................37

Bf109G-6[11.1.1]..................................................37

Bf109G-6/AS[11.1.6]............................................38

Bf109G-6(late)[11.1.8] ........................................38

Bf109G-6/R2[11.1.2] ............................................38

Bf109G-6/R6[11.1.3] ............................................38

Bf109G-6/U2[11.1.4]............................................38

Bf109G-6/U3[11.1.7]............................................38

Bf109G-6/U4[11.1.55]..........................................38

Bf109G-10[11.1.10]..............................................38

Bf109G-14[11.1.9]................................................38

Bf109K-4[11.1.11]................................................39

Bf110G-2/R3Zerstörer[11.3] ...............................40

BIBLIOGRAPHY[13.0]........................................42

BomberandFighterTargetCharts[3.2] ....................4

Bombs [7.1.4] ..........................................................15

BreakingOff [7.1.9] ................................................16

Career[10.15.1] .......................................................35

Chandelle[10.8] .......................................................33

ChangingAircraft[4.6.4] .........................................12

ChangingBases[4.6.1] ............................................12

ChartsandTables[3.5]...............................................6

COMBAT[7.0]........................................................15

CombatAgainsttheEscort[7.1.10] .........................16

CombatPasses[7.1.6] ..............................................16

CombatProcedureAgainstEscortsorFighters[7.2.1] ...................................................................................18

CombatwithEscortsorFighters(FighterCombat) [7.2]...........................................................................18

CombiningGames[10.13] .......................................34

CompetitivePlay[10.3]............................................28

CooperativePlay[10.2]............................................27

CrewInjury[7.4.7]....................................................21

CrewSkills[7.7].......................................................21

CubanEight[10.8] ...................................................33

CustomPilots[10.15.4].............................................36

DamagetoFighterAircraft[7.4.1]...........................20

DESIGNER’SNOTES[12.0] ................................42

DeterminingVictory[5.2] ........................................13

Disadvantaged[7.1.2] ..............................................15

Disengaging[7.3] .....................................................19

Do335A-1Pfeil[11.6] ............................................40

Ehrenpokal(The)(HonorGoblet)[7.8.4]................22

EndingtheGame[5.1] .............................................13

EnemyDisengagement[7.3.1].................................19

Expert[7.7]...............................................................22

ExtendedBurst[7.1.13] ...........................................17

ExtendedExampleofPlay[7.12].............................24

FatigueEffects[10.5] ...............................................30

FatigueLefel[10.5]..................................................30

Feldwebel[7.9.2]......................................................24

Flak[7.1.5] ...............................................................15

FlyingtheMe163B-1[11.10.1]...............................42

ForcedLanding[7.4.5].............................................21

FriendlyDisengagement[7.3.3]...............................19

FW190(andTa152H)[11.2] ..................................39

FW190A-6[11.2.1] .................................................39

FW190A-7[11.2.2] .................................................39

FW190A-8[11.2.3] .................................................39

FW190D-9LangnassenDora[11.2.4] ....................39

GameCards[3.4.3].....................................................6

GAME CREDITS ..................................................45

GAME EQUIPMENT[3.0] .....................................4

GameMarkers[3.4.2] ................................................5

GameModes[10.15]................................................34

GamePlayOutline[6.1]...........................................14

GameScale[3.7] ........................................................6

GAMESETUP[4.0] .................................................6

General(Combat)[7.1.1] .........................................15

Generalmajor[10.14] ...............................................34

GeneralProcedures(Combat)[7.1] .........................15

GermanCrossinGold(The)[7.8.6] ........................22

GermanGreenPilots[10.12]...................................34

Go229A-0[11.9]......................................................41

GunnerDamageEffectsonBomberCombat[7.1.8] 16

Gunnery[7.7] ...........................................................21

Hauptmann[7.9.1]....................................................23

He162A-2Volksjäger[11.8]....................................41 HeadOn[7.1.2]........................................................15

HISTORICALBACKDROP[14.0] ......................43

HistoricalJetAces[10.4] .........................................28

HistoricalMissions[10.15.3]...................................36

HOWTOPLAYTHEGAME[2.0]........................4

HowtoReadtheMarkers[3.4.1]...............................5

HOWTOWINTHEGAME[5.0] ........................13

Immelmann[10.8]....................................................33

InjuryDurationandEffects[7.4.8] ..........................21

Interception[7.1.2] ...................................................15

INTRODUCTION[1.0] ...........................................3

IronCross1stClass(The)[7.8.3] ............................22

IronCross2ndClass(The)[7.8.2]...........................22 Ju88C-6a[11.5]...................................................... 40 Knight’sCross(The)[7.8.7].....................................22 Landing[7.7] ............................................................22 LandingProcedure[7.4.4] .......................................21 Leadership[7.7]........................................................22 Leutnant[10.14] .......................................................34 Major[7.9.1].............................................................23 Me163B-1[11.10] ...................................................41 Me262A-1Schwalbe[11.7] ....................................41 Me410A-1/U2[11.4]................................................40 Multiplayer[10.1] ....................................................27 MutualDisengagement[7.3.2].................................19 Navigation[7.7]....................................................... 22 NCORanks[7.9.2]...................................................24 NewCrewMembers[9.6]........................................27 Oberfeldwebel[7.9.2].............................................. 24 Oberleutnant[7.9.1].................................................

RULES INDEX(cont.)

23 Oberst[10.14].......................................................... 34 Oberstleutnant[7.9.1].............................................. 23 OfficerRanks[7.9.1] ................................................23 OperationBodenplatte[10.16].................................36 OperationalFlightClasp(The)[7.8.5].....................22 OptionalAdvancedManeuvers[10.8] ....................33 OptionalInterceptorMGAmmo[10.10] .................33 OptionalRanks[10.14] ............................................34 OPTIONALRULES[10.0] ...................................27 OutoftheSun[7.1.2].............................................. 15 Parachute[7.7]......................................................... 22 ParachutingtoSafety[7.6]...................................... 21 PartsInventory[3.8] ..................................................6 PilotandCrewStatusChart[3.3].............................. 5 PilotFatigue[10.5].................................................. 30 PlayingPieces(The)[3.4]......................................... 5 PostCombat[7.4.2] .................................................20 Precision[7.7].......................................................... 21 PrepareSortieLogSheet[4.3]...................................6 PrestigeLevel[8.2]...................................................26 PRESTIGELEVEL&PRESTIGE[8.0] ............26 PrestigePoints[8.1]..................................................26 PrestigePointWaiver[9.7] ......................................27 PromotionMechanics[7.9.3]...................................24 Promotions[7.9]...................................................... 23 R4MRockets[7.1.15] ..............................................17 RandomEvents[7.10] .............................................20 RangeEffectsonBomberCombat[7.1.7] ...............16 REASSIGNMENTTOANEWERAIRCRAFT [9.0]............................................................................26 Reflexes[7.7]........................................................... 22 RocketandJetFighterOperations[7.11] ................24 RoughandCrashLandings[7.4.6] ..........................21 RoundsofCombatinaPass[7.1.12].......................17 SecondPasses[7.1.11].............................................17 SEQUENCEOFPLAY[6.0] .................................14 SituationalAwareness(S.A.)[7.7].......................... 22 SixthSense[7.7]...................................................... 21 SortieLogSheet(The)[3.6]......................................6 Split-S[10.8]............................................................ 33 StartDate[4.2] ...........................................................6 StartCombat[7.1.3] .................................................15 StartingOrientation[7.2.2] ......................................18 SwitchingBetweenAircraftFamilies[9.3]..............27 SwitchingDuetoAircraftLoss[9.5]...................... 27 SwitchingDuetoInjury[9.4].................................. 27 Ta152H-1[11.2.5]................................................... 40 Tailed[7.1.2]............................................................ 15 Tailing[7.1.2].......................................................... 15 TargetZones[4.6.3]..................................................12 TourofDuty[10.15.2] .............................................35 TransferredFromtheEasternFront[10.11] ............33 Unterfeldwebel[7.9.2]............................................. 24 Unteroffizier[7.9.2]................................................. 24 Upgrading[9.2]........................................................ 26 VariableEnemyFighterPilotQuality[10.6] ...........30 WeaponsMaintenance[7.7].................................... 22 WeatherEffects[7.5]................................................21 Werfer-Granate21Rockets(Wfr.Gr.21)[7.1.14] ...17 WingmanAbilitiesandUse[7.2.3]..........................19 WoundBadge(The)[7.8.1] .....................................22 InterceptorAce,Volume2:LastDaysoftheLuftwaffe,1944-45 ©2021CompassGames,LLC.

Interceptor Ace: Volume 2

Volume2:Last Daysofthe Luftwaffe, 1944-45

RULESOFPLAY

TABLEOFCONTENTS

[2.0]HOWTOPLAYTHEGAME

OBJECTOFTHEGAME

GENERALOVERVIEW

CONDUCTINGSORTIES

RETURNTOBASE

ENDGAME

[3.0]GAMEEQUIPMENT [3.1]AIRCRAFTDISPLAYMATS

[3.2]BOMBERANDFIGHTERTARGETCHARTS

[3.3]PILOTANDCREWSTATUSCHART

[3.4]THEPLAYINGPIECES

[3.4.1]HOWTOREADTHEMARKERS

[3.4.2]GAMEMARKERS

[3.4.3]GAMECARDS

[3.5]CHARTSANDTABLES

[3.6]THESORTIELOGSHEET

[3.7]GAMESCALE

[3.8]PARTSINVENTORY

[4.0]GAMESETUP GENERALRULE

[4.1]BASEASSIGNMENT

[4.2]STARTDATE

[4.3]PREPARESORTIELOGSHEET

[4.4]AIRCRAFTDISPLAYMATSETUP

[4.5]AMMUNITION

[4.6]BASING

STARTINGUNITSANDBASESCHARTR1

AVAILABLEAIRCRAFTFAMILYANDTYPECHARTR2

[4.6.1]CHANGINGBASES

[4.6.2]BASEZONES

[4.6.3]TARGETZONES

[4.6.4]CHANGINGAIRCRAFT

[5.0]HOWTOWINTHEGAME GENERALRULE

[5.2]DETERMININGVICTORY

[6.0]SEQUENCEOFPLAY GENERALRULE

[6.1]GAMEPLAYOUTLINE

[7.1]GENERALPROCEDURES

[7.1.2]INTERCEPTION

[7.1.4]BOMBS

[7.1.6]COMBATPASSES

[7.1.7]RANGEEFFECTSONBOMBERCOMBAT

[7.1.8]GUNNERDAMAGEEFFECTSONBOMBER COMBAT

[7.1.9]BREAKINGOFF

[7.1.10]COMBATAGAINSTTHEESCORT

[7.1.11]SECONDPASSES

[7.1.12]ROUNDSOFCOMBATINAPASS

[7.1.13]EXTENDEDBURST

[7.1.15]R4MROCKETS

[7.2]COMBATWITHESCORTSORFIGHTERS (FIGHTERCOMBAT)

[7.2.1]COMBATPROCEDUREAGAINSTESCORTSOR FIGHTERS

[7.2.2]STARTINGORIENTATION

FIGHTERCOMBATEXAMPLE:

[7.3]DISENGAGING

[7.3]DISENGAGING

[7.3.1]ENEMYDISENGAGEMENT

[7.4]AIRCRAFTDAMAGE

[7.4.2]POSTCOMBAT

[7.4.1]DAMAGETOFIGHTERAIRCRAFT

[7.4.3]AIRCRAFTLOSSDUETOBATTLEDAMAGE

[7.4.5]FORCEDLANDING

[7.4.6]ROUGHANDCRASHLANDINGS

[7.4.7]CREWINJURY

[7.4.8]INJURYDURATIONANDEFFECTS

[7.5]WEATHEREFFECTS

[7.6]PARACHUTINGTOSAFETY

[7.7]CREWSKILLS

[7.8]AWARDS

[7.8.1]THEWOUNDBADGE

[7.8.5]THEOPERATIONALFLIGHTCLASP (Frontflugspange)

[7.8.6]THEGERMANCROSSINGOLD

[7.8.8]“ACE”STATUS

[7.9]PROMOTIONS

[7.9.1]OFFICERRANKS

HAUPTMANN(CAPTAIN)

OBERSTLEUTNANT(LIEUTENANTCOLONEL)

[7.9.2]NCORANKS

[7.9.3]PROMOTIONMECHANICS

[7.10]RANDOMEVENTS