I've been mulling over ideas for a Wings at War Winter War set of rules lately, based on various elements of the existing rules but designed specifically for this conflict. Here are my initial thoughts:
Table layout would be the usual 6' x 4' divided down the centreline as the front line of the Karelian Front, but with a 40cm wide area of sea on the western end to represent the Gulf of Finland.
Terrain placement would include scattered areas of forest at height level one, using the system in MiG Alley for hills.
Tactical targets would be deployed on both sides of the frontline by both players representing bunkers, trenches, infantry and tanks.
Strategic targets would be deployed on the Finnish side closer to the Finnish baseline representing villages, ammo dumps, railway lines etc. These would be the targets for Soviet bombing raids.
The Finnish would deploy in flights of two aircraft and the Soviets in threes.
The Finns would have more ace pilots and the Soviets more green pilots.
There would be restrictions on the number of specific Finnish aircraft that arrived late or were in limited numbers.
The Soviets would gain VP's for hitting strategic targets with bombers and tactical targets with fighter bombers, They will also get to sow mines in the Finnish half of the sea area. They may get points for shooting down fighters.
The Finns would gain VP's for shooting down bombers, hitting tactical targets with bombers and fighter bombers and for shooting down fighters.
Both sides will also be able to gain VP's for reconnaissance and artillery spotting as in Duel of Aces.
There may also be rules for Taran ramming attacks and air to air rockets for the Soviets.
.... definitely a work in progress.
I don’t know anything about the Winter War. However Ive played a lot of games that don’t give you a flavour for the theatre so im making these comments in that vein.
ReplyDeleteId think about the bulk of the table being Russian not divided down the centreline as the front line of the Karelian Front, but with a 40cm wide area of sea on the western end to represent the Gulf of Finland. The Russian Airforce does not seem to have been very effective but did have air superiority because of their massive numbers
Terrain placement. Id probably think about placing an advanced Finnish fighter strip on a frozen lake with no AA and very hard to spot.
Tactical targets would be deployed on both sides of the frontline by both players representing bunkers, trenches, infantry and tanks. The Finns seemed adept at concealment so I would probably make only bunkers targets for the Soviets.
Strategic targets would be deployed on the Finnish side closer to the Finnish baseline representing villages, and railway lines id drop the ammo dump. Soviet Bombers need to bomb the target and get back off table to gain VP
The Finns would have more ace pilots and the Soviets more green pilots. Id make all Russian bomber crew green
There would be restrictions on the number of specific Finnish aircraft that arrived late or were in limited numbers. Id use the airstrip only for reinforcements with one takeoff a turn
Id even think about a SISU rule for determined Finns getting damaged aircraft back to base get VP, or sticking with an aircraft with a shotdown result making it back to the airstrip