VDP E-Game #6

[hdrestr]

Ok, I'd like to get things going on the game, and after some clarification on the rules for this scenario it looks like will give the allies a "turn 0" move, after which we'll see if the Germans fighters can surprise them. I'll send out the e-mail with the setup tonight around 10pm-ish. I'll check e-mail and this thread before I do, so if you have some input on this starting setup, please let me know.

-herm

[AP]

Herm,
I am still a bit confused as to how you determined that the Allies got the surprise. They are at a lower altitude than the Germans, so the roll for surprise should go to the Germans. Flights at a lower altitude dont get the 'jump'. This roll comes from the 'hun in the sun' tatic where fighters attacked with the sun at their back so they would not be seen...so how did you come to the conclusion that the Allies have a surprise roll?

If the 'surprise' is in regards to the Balloon, all three players on the Allied side would have to roll a '1' on a 1d6 which would mean they get one turn of surprise on the balloon w/o AA firing. This is not rolled until they attack the balloon though and does not regard to the movement sequence of all players.

[kevan]

If I understood the email correctly, the "surprise" was part of the scenario description?

[AP]

OK after re-reading the scenario I think I understand what 'surprise' means. Usually in Balloon Scenarios the defending AC are placed in between the attackers and their target so that they may have the chance to thwart the attack. In this scenario, the Allies have already 'gotten behind' the defense and have the balloon in between themselves and the Germans, and are already below them, hence the surprise. So turn one we all roll normal for initiative, and the Allies get to decide if they want to immediately dive for the balloon or pull up for a fight. There is no 'surprise' as we know it normally where one side gets to do a turn of movement and shooting before the other... does this make sense??

[hdrestr]

Ok, just sent out the game start logfile. Andy, your suggestion made some sense, and reading the scenario again was giving me a headache so I rolled turn order traditionally.

Also, I havn't heard from George or Dan. Please let me know about your pilot info.

-herm

[hdrestr]

George,

I'm wondering if you are getting the game files/updates for e-game 6. I havn't heard from you concerning Pilot info, and our game awaits your move.

Please advise,

-herm

PS: I've sent a copy to your e-mail. perhaps I have the wrong address. Send me a msg through this forum if you need my email address.

[bergovoy]

I just did my move for turn 1

Thanks
George

[southernskies]

To clarify for next time there is a balloon mission, here is how "surprise" works.

Game setup and start is as normal.

On the turn that either the balloon is attacked or the defending batteries fire, the ballon starts to winch down. Ground guns don't fire unless they have a legitimate target (as per ground fire rules); therefore if the enemy stay at least 2500' away from the balloon, it (and the guns) will just sit there.

If the ground guns open fire and the balloon was not attacked, then it starts to be winched down.

If the balloon is attacked, and the ground guns have *not* fired during the game, then all aircraft attacking the balloon roll 1 die. If all the dice come up with a "1", then only the machine guns fire in defence of the balloon that turn. (eg: If only one aircraft attacks the balloon, and the guns have not fired, the pilot rolls 1 die; on a "1" he is only attacked by the machine guns) (eg2: if 3 aircraft attack the balloon with a legitimate "3rd man in", then they roll 3 dice and if all of them roll "1", then only the MGs will fire).
In all other circumstances, attackers will have to weather the fire of both the MGs and AA (plus ground troops of course).

This can be irrelevant if the defending aircraft attack from within 200' or 400' (as usual), as the ground fire rules for targetting still apply, and may prevent the ground defences from doing their job.

[southernskies]

I've redone the log of the game so far, as Dan's move wasn't shown in George's log file.

George is 2nd man in on the balloon.

[mcd]

I emailed my move for turn 1

Mark

[southernskies]

Move done; ready for jamming and shooting.

[hdrestr]

Ok, the resolution phase is up. I've sent e-mail to each of you with hits fired/hits taken, as well as the obvious things - like the balloon exploding in eveyone's face (except Marks). I've also sent out an email to the group with the updated gameboard.

Should we start with turn 2 then? I'll send out a turn 2 file tonight, at around 10:00pm central time (US) with turn order and what not. Please post here, or send me an e-mail if there are any issues you see.

Brendan - the rules you discussed are what I used when dealing with the balloon and its associated gun.

[hdrestr]

Turn 2 is on.

Turn order is: Brendan, George, Dan, Andy, Mark, Kevan.

Good luck!!

[hdrestr]

Ok, my noobness is showing !

I didn't take any AA shots because I thought the geometry of the situation would prevent them from contributing. I'm sure the central powers would want to have this redone, and the allies wouldn't mind letting it go.

I'm inclined to just move on with the game - a lesson learned for me to remember in the next game I get to mod. However, ultimately this is the group's game and I want to hear what you think.

I'll make a final call tomorrow morning at around 9:30AM. Please send me your comments anytime before then - either through e-mail or by post here.

Thank you all for your patience with me!

-herm

[hdrestr]

OK, the game has been updated. The AA fired and Kevan was hit by one of the gun's shots. Thanks again for putting up with me!

-herm