NIGHTFIGHTER COMMAND

“Baby Blitz”

An add on for the Nightfighter Command rules flying a DeHavilland Mosquito MkVII during
the Luftwaffe’s “Unternehmen Steinbock” (Operation Capricorn) attacks on Britain January
to May 1944.

You can choose to serve with either 219 Squadron using the Middle Wallop map (although
historically they were based at Colerne rather than Middle Wallop) or with 410 Squadron
based at West Malling.

Your first mission is on 1st January + 1D6. Attacks were sporadic so roll 1D6 for the
number of days between each mission.

The Luftwaffe has developed FuG “Neptun” tail warning radar and has their own version of
“Window” radar blanketing called “Düppel”. Both of these are included in the revised
tables.

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Improvements to RAF AI sets were ongoing so after your fifth “Baby Blitz” confirmed
victory roll 1D10 + number of kills for a set upgrade from the MkVIII to the MkX after each
sortie until upgrade obtained.

There was no need to reload the guns and canons on a Mosquito. This skill has been
removed for the Mosquito. In the event of a jam roll 2D6:

Result Effect
2 1 machine gun out of action – no noticeable effect
3,4,5 Damage rolls -1 from this point until return to base
6,7,8 Damage rolls -2 from this point until return to base
9,10,11 Damage rolls -3 from this point until return to base
12 All guns and cannons jammed and out of action

The following three rules and tables have amendments.

3.5 Roll your combined AI Skill and Flying Skill versus the Enemy Evade Skill to come
onto the correct height and bearing.

For each level of altitude above or below the enemy the task is +1 harder
For each level of bearing left or right of the enemy the task is +1 harder
If using a MkX AI set task is +1 Easier

4.1 AI Interception

Once you have successfully vectored into long range on the target circle, roll your AI Skill
(assuming your set is working) versus the Evade Skill of your target.

If your Crew has a Serious Wound then the task is +1 Task Harder.
If you have previously detected AND spotted the enemy bomber + 1 Task Easier
If you are using a MkX AI set +1 Task Easier

5.1 Spotting
The Navigator sits next to the Pilot and can undertake a Spotting roll which is in addition to
the Pilot’s Spotting roll. 1 pair of Ross night vision glasses per aircraft were employed by
the RAF to improve target identification choose whether they are in use by the pilot or
Navigator before rolling your Spotting Skill.

Once at Close Range roll your Spotting Skill versus Evade Skill of the target to correctly
identify the target (Nightfighter crews were under strict orders to obtain visual identification
before attacking targets to prevent shooting down friendly aircraft). Apply the following
modifiers to your Spotting Skill:

If fired upon in this or previous round +3 Task Easier

Enemy on fire +5 Task Easier
Full Moon +3 Task Easier
Three Quarters or Half Moon +2 Task Easier
New Moon +2 Task Harder
Clear weather +3 Task Easier

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 If using Ross glasses +1 Task Easier
Light Rain +1 Task Harder
Heavy Rain +2 Task Harder
Light Snow +1 Task Harder
Snow +3 Task Harder
Storm +3 Task Harder
No Cloud Cover +/- 0 Task Harder
5/10ths cloud +1 Task Harder
10/10ths cloud (unless in an area with search +3 Task Harder
lights see below*)
Searchlight and 10/10ths cloud* +5 Task Easier
Searchlights +3 Task Easier

*It was easier to see another aircraft against 10/10ths cloud if the cloud was lit up.

6.1 Open Fire

If your Spotting Skill succeeds you may open fire on your target. First you must choose
how many seconds of ammo you wish to burn (1-4 seconds worth).
Then roll your Attack Skill versus the target’s Evade Skill with the following Task
modifiers:

+4 Task Harder Head on attack from 12 o’clock

+2 Task Harder Deflection shot from 3 or 9 o’clock
+2 Task Easier Attack from 6 o’clock (not used for enemy
bombers)
+1 Task Easier 3 second burst
+2 Task Easier 4 second burst
+1 Task Harder 1 second burst
+1 Task Harder If bomber has Neptun tail warning fitted

You will need playsheets for the Fw190, Me109 and Me410. You can use the existing Ju88
and He111 playsheets for the Ju188 and He177. Luftwaffe cards and the Mosquito
Operational Display sheet complete what you will need to play the Baby Blitz extension to
Nightfighter Command.

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