Burning Blue

Beginning with the fighting above the Channel convoys and ending with the assault on London and the fighter-bomber offensive, The Burning Blue simulates battles between German air power and the British air defence system. It recreates the tense minute-by-minute 'plotting board' battles between RAF fighter controllers and the Luftwaffe air raids.

As the RAF player order fighter squadrons to scramble as the enemy raids form up on radar. As your pilots gain precious height, breaking through the low layers of cloud, vector them to intercept raids or order them to patrol vital targets. Despatch Hurricanes to surprise the enemy bombers from out of the sun while Spitfires tangle with the Luftwaffe escort fighters. Then get your squadons home double-quick to rearm and refuel before the next wave arrives.

As the Luftwaffe player you craft your attack plans to peel apart the Tommy defences. Order fighter close escorts and top cover to protect your bomber gruppen while you send a geschwader of Me109s to sweep the sky ahead of your massed formations. As your escort fighters swoop down on 'vics' of desperately climbing Spitfires, Stukas dive past balloon barrages to plant bombs on the docksides below. Meanwhile, an elite staffel of Dornier bombers slips in under the radar to bomb a vital sector airfield, running into a fusilade of light Ack-Ack fire.

Based on original archive research and with the help of pilot veterans of the Battle of Britain, The Burning Blue models this famous conflict in unprecedented detail. Playable and exciting, the game provides new insights into this turning point of World War Two.

COMPONENTS

• 684 full-color die-cut counters
• One 22"x34" full-color mapsheet
• 40-page Rule Book
• 48-page Scenario Book
• 2 11x17 Hostile Raid Displays
• 1 11x17 Royal Air Force Squadron Tote Board
• 2 Player Aid Cards
• Logsheet Booklet
• 2 6-sided dice