"I don't understand the interest in TOD at all."
That's one of the great things about the plans for AH and that is you don't have to. If it does not interest you there will still be the fantastical, free-for-all main arena environment where the only resemblence to WWII aircombat is to be found in the skins of the "aircraft" being used.
IMO AH's TOD will appeal to those who have a deeper interest ("passion" would probably be a better word) for WWII aircombat, WWII aircraft and the pilots who fought and died.
Being a pilot, I'm lead to believe, in the "TOD" would be a form of role playing for many as it would allow them to immerse themselves as a pilot in 1944 for example. The environment hopefully (if the current AH inflight awacs radar and "never miss" icons are retained them imo forget it) intended to replicate and provide players with an authentic WWII atmosphere to "fight" in. However instead of against predictable artificial intelligence, like the 90's box games such as "Aces over the xxxx" and "Secret Weapons of the Luftwobbles" AH's TOD will pit you against other players in WWII combat flying wonderfully modelled WWII aircraft