OK, work has completed for the week and I had a chance to re-read the aircraft rules. Unfortunately I have more questions than before. Perhaps I am being a bit too focused on this, but I really like the concept and addition to the aircraft rules. I keep seeing low level bombing run pictures of the explosions behind the plane as it flies by at tree-top level on it bombing run.
That's basically the idea. First off, we're working up some clarifications for that section that will hopefully help. Second, let me start by laying out how this is intended to work, the below narrative is supported by the current Chapter E rules and what we have in section 10. Perhaps not as clear as it could be, the intent is there. We're working on that.
Assuming he is not affected by any AA fire beforehand, when the American player makes a "Bomb Release dr", he is determining the hex where bombs will begin to fall (this represents the bombardier lining up the aircraft and getting it into position). If at any time prior to any actual bomb attack being made in the first initial bombing hex to be attacked, the American player is free to cancel his Bombing Run. Also, any Evade result rom AA fire will also cause the cancellation of the Bomb Run. This represents taking evasive action to avoid ground fire and circle around for another try in another Player turn. The aircraft is not subject to any further AA fire for the remainder of that player turn and the GA aircraft will retain its bomb load. Once any bomb attack has been made in his Bombing Run, the American player must continue and complete the Bombing Run as declared. If the aircraft is eliminated during the Bombing Run, any still remaining bomb attacks in that Bombing Run are cancelled and the aircraft is removed from play. If the aircraft is damaged or forced to evade during the Bombing Run (once bomb attacks have begun), it must complete that Bombing Run, but is then Recalled and removed from play for the duration of the scenario/CG Day.
First, There is definitely a disconnect between section 10.1 and the first example. The 3rd sentence of 10.1 - "This target hex cannot be the initial hex in the strafing run,…" and 4th sentence of the example - "The American player declares that hex R20 is the intended bomb target hex…" (which in the example is the initial hex in the strafing run) are in conflict.
Agree. The examples make sense only if the A-20 were conducting just a bombing run (i.e., not strafing, in addition). If the A-20 were doing both MG strafing and a bomb run, in order to declare R20 as the initial bombing hex, the A-20 could start no closer than M17, with the initial strafing hex being Q19 and the initial bombing hex being R20. Since the initial bombing hex could be any of the 4 hexes of the strafing run (except the first), it is conceivable that you could select the last hex of the 4 hex strafing run to be the initial bombing hex. The bomb release dr could push that out one hex further, so it is conceivable that in the case of the B-25, for example, that it would remain on its run for up to 7 hexes.
With that said, the following is a potential example of how a bombing run may work. I use the pictures from the examples as a reference. Assume for the initial example there is no Light AA around.
The A-20 passes a sighting check and the aircraft is placed in N18 with the strafing/bombing run to be hexes R20-S20-T21-U21. The initial bombing hex is declared as S20 (per 10.2 this occurs now, not when the aircraft is moved to a new hex as in E7.42). The Bomb Release dr is made and the outcome is that the bombing begins in the intended target hex. The strafing/bombing run begins.
Correct. While the initiation of a strafing/bombing run is linked since it is being conducted by a single aircraft, the application of strafing and bombing are independent of each other.
From N18, hex R20 is attacked with MGs.
Correct. What needs to be noted at this point is if AA Fire has caused the aircraft to Evade, it would have broken off its attack before any bombing attacks were made and would not have been flipped over to its non-bomb side. The American player could also have voluntarily called off the attack at this point. If the aircraft had been Damaged at this point, it would have broken off the attack and been Recalled.
The A-20 is moved to O18, and attacks S20 with MGs. It then attacks S20 with bombs making the appropriate TH rolls. (Per E7.42 it can attack with both, but must use the MGs first if they are used)
Correct. At this point the aircraft is committed to its run. So any AA fire that causes Evade or Damage is ignored. Only an Elimination result will stop any further attacks. If a Damage result does occur, after it completes its attacks, it will be Recalled as normal.
The A-20 is moved to P19, and attacks T21 with bombs (again making TH rolls). It can not attack with MGs due to E7.42 as I read "normally" in the parenthetical in the example "(all aircraft machineguns may engage ground targets along their flight path normally)" to mean as per E7.42.
Almost. It can continue to attack with MGs in addition to bombs, and as per E7.42 would conduct the MG attack first.
The A-20 (though the A-10 you originally noted would be VERY cool in 1944) is done with the attacking, however, it is moved to Q19, R20 and S20 for potential Light AA fire. (per E7.511, it must move to the last hex attacked).
It could continue to strafe until it reaches its initial strafing target hex (R20). It would continue to bomb until the end of it's bomb run. The end of the strafing run and the end of the bombing run may or may not correspond.
The above example try's to follow E7 with the addition of the multi-hex bombing capability the only addition.
Which is the intent.
Now, the final two sentences of 10.2 add some confusion. "Prior to reaching the "final" bomb target hex, if the aircraft is forced to take Evasive action or is damaged, the strafing/bomb run is cancelled for that player turn. Otherwise, the strafing run will continue until the bombs are dropped (unless the aircraft is Damaged and/or Eliminated)."
We are working clarifying this sentence specifically, along with other parts of that paragraph.
They could seem to imply that the bomb drop does not occur until you reach the final bomb target hex, instead of using the FB bombing rules which attack from a 4 hex range. If this is the case, my first example would be changed to the following:
From N18, hex R20 is attacked with MGs.
The A-20 is moved to O18, and attacks S20 with MGs.
The A-20 is moved to P19, and attacks T21 with MGs.
The A-20 is moved to R20, and attacks U21 with MGs
The A-20 is moved to S20 (final bomb target hex) and rolls TH on the bombs.
The A-20 is moved to T21 and rolls TH on the bombs.
The A-20 is done with the attacking.
I will let you guys ponder your concept and how you clarify the situation. For me the critical part is about where you actually are when the bombs attack (or are released) to understand the options and consequences of Light AA fire on the attack.
The intent is to adhere as much as possible to Chapter E, Section 7, so this last assumption is not the intent.
