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 TARGET FOR TODAY - Bombers Over the Reich 1942 -1945 (Legion Wargames)
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 [F] CSW Forum  / Boardgaming  / *INDIVIDUAL GAMES AND GAME SERIES Discussion  / Era: World War II (INDIVIDUAL GAME)  / Western Front  / TARGET FOR TODAY - Bombers Over the Reich 1942 -1945 (Legion Wargames)

[gyrene251]gyrene251 - 05:16pm Oct 11, 2011 EST

NOTE: Errata posted here: http://www.stevenkdixon.com/TFT_errata.htm

TARGET FOR TODAY is a makeover of B-17 Queen of the Skies, originally started by by Shawn Rife and myself. Shawn had to drop out of the project and Bob Best took over in his stead. We will be incorporating some items from B-29 Superfortess, as well as some new items.

1. The following aircraft models are represented: B-17F, B-17G, B-24D, B-24J and YB-40. A player can fly either with the 8th or 15th Air Force, or both if one is so inclined, from 1942 to 1945.

2. Detail will be expanded a bit, to include more when it comes to injuries and fighter damage. These will be optional rules.

3. The following German planes will be represented: Me-109, Me-110, Ju-88, Me-210, Me-410, Me-163, Me-262, He-162, Ta-152, and Fw-190.

4. It will be a solitaire game, and squadron/group play will be included.

6. The target lists for both 8th and 15th Air Force have been greatly expanded. In fact it's as complete as one can get, listing all primary targets known to have been hit during the war. It's huge.

I have contacted numerous individuals concerning their variants to B-17QOTS, seeking permission to incorporate a few of them into the game. I am glad to say all have given a thumbs up. We are aware that this design is a game where the players themselves have contributed through their passion for the original. In a sense it is truly collaborative effort.

We've been working on this for quite some time and with our jobs (and furloughs), my other gaming projects and other responsibilities, it's been a slow process. We thank you for your patience.

The game will be published by Legion Wargames.

Sincerely,

Bob Best and Steve Dixon

Attachment:

TFT_crew_B24J_print.pdf




Older Items Oldest Items Outline (older msg: 207)

Randy Lein - Dec 31, 2016 2:10 pm (#208 Total: 525)  

 
[Lein, Randy]
Legionnaires,

I have some excellent news to share on this the last day of 2016, well besides the fact that running a one man wargame publishing company did not kill me. I have just mailed off a complete production mock up of Target For Today to both Steve Dixon, and the company manufacturing the game in Michigan. That means the release of the game is a mere 2-3 months out depending on their production schedule and shipping to me so I can ship to you.

Here is a photo of the game components, and in case you missed the earlier post the 11" x 17" battle board, where the attacking fighters are placed, will be mounted so no paper map for this one.

Steve, I even shrink wrapped your copy so you can get the full experience.



Randy Lein - LEGION WARGAMES


TFT_detail

Hans Korting - Jan 3, 2017 8:00 am (#209 Total: 525)  

 
[Korting, Hans]
WOW!!!

That looks just amazing.

:ooh:

gyrene251 - Jan 7, 2017 4:04 pm (#210 Total: 525)  

[gyrene251]
TFT Extras

With the impending release of TFT in a few months, I have begun uploading extra bomber cards to my website. These are group specific. The bomber card is placed in the middle of the combat board and represents your plane for the mission.

The game includes 5 bomber cards but are not group specific. As I find good top down views more will be added over time.

Four are available now, others will be posted when time permits. Here is the link: http://www.stevenkdixon.com/extras.htm -- once you get to the page, look at the bottom of the left column. When setting up to print them, they are 3.5 ins. x 5 ins.

Enjoy.

Attachments:

TFT_bomber_card_447.jpg (1073 KB) (121 Downloads)


Christopher Schall - Jan 7, 2017 11:32 pm (#211 Total: 525)  

[Schall, Christopher]
Is there a strategic map for flight to and from the target? I do see a zone worksheet in the back.

gyrene251 - Jan 16, 2017 6:32 pm (#212 Total: 525)  

[gyrene251]
Strategic Map

Chris -- no strategic map. We use a zone track similar to B-29 Superfortress. The zone worksheet is used as you move from zone to zone as there are new steps and modifiers to keep track of unlike B17QOTS.

gyrene251 - Jan 16, 2017 6:42 pm (#213 Total: 525)  

[gyrene251]
TF: Mission to Lille

This play by play was originally posted on Board Game Geek:

Target for Today is an updated version of the Avalon Hill classic, B-17 Queen of the Skies (B17QOTS). The game allows the player to fly either with the 8th or 15th Air Force, using the B-17F, B-17G, YB-40, B-24D or B-24J at any time between August 1942 and April 1945.

To help the player become familiar with the game and its mechanics, it is suggested the player fly several single missions. Once comfortable with the system, you can take on a campaign.

When flying a single mission, you can fly a mission from any of the six available campaigns. For the purpose of this example, I will fly a mission from Campaign 1. I will be using the B-17F. By referring to Table 2-1 in the Gazetteer, and looking at the line for Campaign 1, the player can only fly with the B-17F. If I were to play the campaign, I would have to survive 25 missions.

I will be using the standard game rules. No optional rules will be used. Before the mission begins there are a few steps to be taken. First, find an area large enough to accommodate the game. Locate the B-17F Crew Placement Sheet and the Combat Board and place them side by side. Each is approximately 11 ins. X 17 ins. Place your crew counters in the designated spaces on the Crew Placement Sheet, as well as the five fire extinguishers on the fire extinguisher box. On the Mission Log Sheet for the B-17F, give your plane a name (mine is "Small Feet"), note your base – in this case England -- and name your crewmen. It’s also on this sheet that you will track your ammo usage as well as the damage your aircraft takes from flak or fighters and the results of your bomb run.

On the Composite Mission Record Sheet, write your bomber’s name and crewmen in the designated spaces. The sheet is used to track the career of your bomber. On the Mission Results Log, fill in the same information.

Place the remaining counters and well as the German fighters within arms’ reach. You may need them during the course of the game. Place the large B-17F bomber card in the center of the combat board.

My fighter escort is determined by rolling on Table 2-13 in the Table Book. I roll 1D10 and cross reference the result on the 2-5 Zones line. I roll a 6, getting a fair result. My Escort will be fair for Zones 2,3 and 4. Note the results on the Zone Worksheet.

Now I must determine my target. Since I am flying a mission from Campaign 1, I roll 2d10 on Table 2-2 in the gazetteer. I roll a 36 – industrial facilities near Lille are my target. I now find Lille in the 8th Air Force target listing and find the target is in Zone 4. I place the primary target marker on Zone 4 of the movement track and place the 8th AF B17 marker on Zone 1 – which is the base. I note the target on my Mission Log Sheet, Composite Mission Record and Mission Results Log.

On the Zone worksheet, I note the Zone dice roll modifiers for each zone, in this case for Zone 2: -2/W; Zone 3: -1/B; and Zone 4: -1/F. The negative numbers are dice roll modifiers when determining German Fighter Resistance and the letter is the location. In this case, water (W), Belgium (B) and France (F).

Now I determine where in the formation I will be located. On Table 2-10A in the Table Book, I roll 1D6. I get a 2 and that places me in the high cell. I next roll on Table 210B to determine my bomber number. I roll 2D6 under the High Cell column and get an 8. I am bomber number 10.

If you look on the Crew Placement Sheet you will see a diagram of the group formation. This allows you to see where you are within the group. Note: This formation was not used during the early days of the 8th Air Force. Optional Rules are provided if you wish to use them.

I am now ready to take off.

Part 2: Cleared for Take Off

The first step is to check for weather. My mission occurs in August, so no modifiers. I roll 1D10 on Table 3-1 in the Tables Book. I roll a three, which is good weather over the base. I now roll on Table 3-2, Take Off. There are no modifiers. My roll of 1D10 is a 2. Since the weather is good, it does not affect my takeoff so my bomber takes to the air and moves to Zone 2. Had the weather been poor, a collision on takeoff involving two aircraft in my cell would have forced me to take over my cell – I would become the cell leader.

I move my B-17 counter on the Zone Track to the Zone Two Space. So my 10 man crew composed of Chuck Roberts (pilot), Winthrop Sparks (co-pilot), Nash Ianson, (bombardier), Kyle Saylor (navigator), Leroy Siddell, (engineer), Loren Ellery (radio), Merv Sniders (ball turret), Eric Lawson (left waist), Salvatore Munoz (right waist), and Chad Wagner (tail) begin their tour of combat.

Zone Two –

First thing to check is weather upon entering the zone (Table 4-1). It’s 50% cloud cover. Had it been 100% cloud cover, the mission could have been recalled. The player at this time would have to make a decision – abort and go home or press on – with consequences.

I check for any mechanical malfunctions and all is in order. Next is to check for contrails (Table 4-4) – none form. I now check for German Resistance and see if any enemy fighter waves appear. Resistance turns out to be moderate and 2 fighter waves make an appearance. The first wave is only a single FW-190 at 6 high. My little friends are on the ball and drive off the fighter. The second wave is also a single aircraft, a JU-88 at 3 Level. It too is driven off by the Little Friends.

It’s now on to Zone 3.

Zone Three –

The clouds grew thicker entering Zone 3. No mission recall was issued so we pressed on. No malfunctions encountered nor did contrails form.

The Germans threw up four FW-190s, two of them attacking from the front were driven off. One at 9 high and one at 3 low pressed their attacks. The top turret and left waist targeted the plane at 9 high while the right waist and ball turret targeted the 3 low plane. Once guns are assigned, pilot status for Germans is determined. The results of my rolls resulted in average pilots.

The results of my defensive fire were good. The FW190 at 3 Low was damaged and driven off, while my top turret gunner appeared to knock the FW190 at 9H out of the sky.

Our navigator got on the horn and reported we would begin our run to the target very soon.

Zone Four – The Target Zone

The weather broke as we approached the target but visibility by 50% cloud cover slightly obscured the target. There was no mission recall, and no mechanical failures. German fighters were nearly non-existent. One FW-190 fighter rose up to challenge us but it was driven away by our escorts. Then in a huge stroke of luck – no Flak! With nothing to rattle our aim the bombs were released. Much to our disappointment we missed, scoring 0% on the run. We closed our bomb bay doors and began our turn home. When no Flak and enemy fighters greeted us, we all thought we would make it home.

Zone Three – Heading Home

All hell broke loose. The weather cleared up and three waves of enemy fighters attempted to attack us. Luckily our bomber was functioning just fine. The first wave consisted of one JU-88 and was driven off. The second wave saw a lone Me-110 approach us from 6 Low. It too was driven off by our escorts. The third wave consisted of three fighters – all FW-190s approaching us from 3 High, 9 High and 12 High. Our escorts drove off the fighter attacking us from 12 High. The right waist and top turret targeted the FW-190 at 3 High, and the left waist targeted the FW-190 at 9 High. Both planes were piloted by aces. We scored no hits. The fighter at 3 High missed and broke off. The fighter at 9 High struck our plane hard, scoring six hits. The Number 3 engine on the right wing began to runaway due to damage and we couldn’t feather it. So the crew bailed out. All bailed out without a mishap and the 10 crewmen became POWs since Belgium is Axis controlled in 1942.

Thus ends the saga of “Small Feet”.

Randy Lein - Jan 24, 2017 8:36 pm (#214 Total: 525)  

 
[Lein, Randy]
Legionnaires,

A big thank you for the tremendous support you have shown for this game. Today it has reached 700 CPOs reaching a new milestone for Legion Wargames. We still have some time before the game is in the warehouse and ready to ship so let's see just how far we can take this.

Randy Lein - LEGION WARGAMES

gyrene251 - Feb 10, 2017 7:10 pm (#215 Total: 525)  

[gyrene251]
Gaming Extras

In anticipation of the game's release, I have made available custom made bomber cards in group colors. As I find good top down views, I will post them at my site www.stevenkdixon.com

Right now 15 are available. If anyone has a source of color, top down views of 81th and 15th AF bombers (B-17F, B-17G, B-24D, B-24J) please let me know!

Link: http://stevenkdixon.com/extras.htm

Attachments:

TFT_bomber_card_91.jpg (1026 KB) (134 Downloads)


Batman - Mar 7, 2017 7:20 am (#216 Total: 525)  

 
[Batman]
Hmmm...

Will a Lancaster variant be published?

gyrene251 - Mar 10, 2017 9:12 pm (#217 Total: 525)  

[gyrene251]
Re: Hmmm...

Scott,

Seriously thinking about it. I have already sent an email to the RAF History Department asking if a complete target list exists, and if so, can I be sent a copy. Don't know when I will hear back. Right now wrapping up A Forgotten Sideshow, then on to finishing Nordwind, then to begin work on Mosquito Fleet with John Heim.

Joe Osentoski - Mar 12, 2017 3:32 pm (#218 Total: 525)  

 
[Osentoski, Joe]
USAAF & RAF Losses

Scott; From my archives of communications on this topic:

Here is some statistical input. Taken from "Battle Over the Reich, Volume One" by Dr. Alfred Price, pp. 100-101 related to losses.

"From a survey carried out at the close of 1943, we know that out of every 100 US heavy bombers lost, 48 had been in formation immediately before being brought down. Of these, 28 had fallen to fighter attack, 16 to flak, and four to other causes (collision, mechanical failure, etc.). The remaining aircraft had left the formation before being shot down, in 16 cases because of flak damage, 14 due to damage inflicted by fighters and 21 for other reasons. Of these stragglers, 40 were finally dispatched by fighters, five by flak and one after further mechanical failure. In fact, few straggling US bombers survived over Germany unless they were fortunate enough to receive protection from escorting fighters."

It goes on to show why the Lancaster variant in The General and calls for a night version of B-17 is not a valid topic to game. at least if one follows history.

"In the case of night bombers, between 80 and 90 percent flew each mission without ever encountering a defending fighter. Of those that were intercepted by nightfighters about half were shot down. The majority of bombers shot down by nightfighters were taken by surprise, and did not open fire on their assailant. That fact is important: much has been said about the relative ineffectiveness of the rifle caliber .303 inch machine guns fitted to RAF bombers, yet if so many of the gunners failed to detect the attacker before it delivered the death blow, would heavier caliber machine guns have made any difference?"

So there may not be much of a game on the RAF (Lancaster) due to the very different nature of the encounters. I have also seen analysis citing about a 20% survival rate for the bomber if they encountered a night fighter.

Delnore - Mar 14, 2017 3:54 pm (#219 Total: 525)  

 
[Delnore]
Statistics

There's arguably not much of a game in the classic daylight B-17 product, yet we keep playing it and clamor for more! It's just such a compelling narrative generator. It provides a lot of details and a few (actually very few) choices around which you can construct a mind's-eye account of the action.

A while back I asked if the game would match historical loss rates and was told it would not because of the amount of playtesting involved. I guess I understand the reason for that response, but let's keep in mind that the game is an application of a statistical model. That the model is generating too many or too few losses to fighters or flak isn't something that you would have to discover through playtesting. Rather you would ideally design the game around the correct loss rates. Playtesting would just confirm that you have correctly implemented the model.

On the other hand, maybe it is more important to create dramatic stories than to mimic precisely the loss rates experienced historically. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the game's final production and arrival on my doorstep.

Joe Osentoski - Mar 14, 2017 9:52 pm (#220 Total: 525)  

 
[Osentoski, Joe]
Loss Rates and Narrative

You should find that Target for Today matches up with the B-17 Queen of the Skies loss reasons and rates. I'm not so sure back in 1981 that Glen Frank in the On Target Games original, nor Avalon Hill in the remake, was considering losses as much as looking at chances of what was hit where and whether that could cause a loss of ship.

Attached is a different take from the 3000 Plane Raid article from The General, based of course on 3000 playings of the AH remake. Should one play Target for Today 3000 times you should come up with similar results, as the starting point for the Target for Today tables were the original B-17 tables.

I fully agree with the narrative. What I meant about the Lancaster is that historically there was much less of the interaction than the USAAF encountered on daylight raids. The detail, the damage, the results of hits, and the projection aspect of being "on" that plane are the most attractive selling points of game play. Or as you succinctly put it: a "compelling narrative generator."

I have luckily have had the experience of dropping "bombs" (250# concrete replicas) from both a B-17 and B-24 as well as firing blanks on full auto from a waist .50 cal. And operated in flight the ball turret, and manually the dorsal turret, along with some experience with a turret trainer on a gunnery range. It was not a great reach from that real life narrative to considering--and deeply appreciating--what those aircrew did in the great WW2.

The game gives you more action than experienced on every mission, but should be close enough to the overall loss numbers that you don't feel it's stacked against you.

Attachments:

B-17 3000 Losses.pdf (119 KB) (94 Downloads)


Uncle Buster - Mar 16, 2017 12:45 pm (#221 Total: 525)  

[Buster, Uncle]
Any News?

Any updates on status?

Roger Miller - Mar 31, 2017 8:15 pm (#222 Total: 525)  

 
[Miller, Roger]
Its at the printer now. Charging for pre-orders is starting today. Should ship early June.

Randy Lein - Mar 31, 2017 9:51 pm (#223 Total: 525)  

 
[Lein, Randy]










Legionnaires,

Target For Today will be releasing in June and we are now taking CPO payments for this game. Demyansk Shield is also releasing in June and here is your opportunity to purchase both games and save on shipping costs.

This a change in our normal policy of not accepting payments until a game is ready to ship and due to the larger than usual print run of Target For Today, as well as using an outside production company to print/assemble the games.

2017 is shaping up to be the best year ever here at Legion Wargames and it is due in no small part to the support you have shown with your CPOs, purchases, and willingness to recommend our games to your friends.  Thank you!

Randy Lein
Owner - Legion Wargames


To submit your payment follow the link below.  Once there you can add one or both games to your cart and check out via PayPal. Be sure to check out the special prices on other in stock games as well as our EU friendly shipping policy.



If you have any questions please email us at cpo@legionwargames.com

TARGET FOR TODAY
Bomber Over the Reich, 1942-1945
Designer: Steve Dixon & Bob Best

Retail Price $76
CPO Price $55.00
+shipping

 



DEMYANSK SHIELD
The Frozen Fortress, January - May, 1942
Designer: Vance von Borries

Retail Price $62
CPO Price $45.00
+shipping








Randy Lein - LEGION WARGAMES

Randy Lein - Mar 31, 2017 9:54 pm (#224 Total: 525)  

 
[Lein, Randy]
Legionnaires,

I am opening this up here and then I'll be sending out the official emails this weekend. Thank you in advance for your pre-payment on your pre-order.

Randy Lein - LEGION WARGAMES

willy burggraeve - Apr 1, 2017 2:56 am (#225 Total: 525)  

[burggraeve, willy]
Pre orders

Randy I have pre orders for Target for today and B-26 with Udo Grebe (Germany) Willy :smile:

Joe Osentoski - Apr 1, 2017 3:51 pm (#226 Total: 525)  

 
[Osentoski, Joe]
In the Mood

As the game gets closer to publication...some technical information on the Consolidated B-24 Liberator.

Attachments:

Liberator.jpg (167 KB) (127 Downloads)


Christopher Schall - Apr 1, 2017 6:19 pm (#227 Total: 525)  

[Schall, Christopher]
good one, Joe.


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