For what it's worth, I made an error in the set up, as C-47's were only supposed to be enabled from second-line bases. This was mostly to allow for resupply, but also to provide a modest base capture capability. Long goon flights would make base captures more difficult, without completely eliminating the possibility of a German foot-hold in England. Remember that the paratroopers in AH are an abstraction that allows a few to simulate what normally takes a multitude of participants, i.e. ground combat. Personnally, the most helpful arena tool would be the ability to tie possibility of base capture to the number of people in the arena, perhap even to the side ratios. A minimum number of people total in the arena, with a specific ratio between the two sides (or three, depending on the arena set up), would be required, or base capture would be impossible.
By the way, the Battle of Britain was nowhere near as close a thing as generally believed. This is not to say that the RAF's efforts were not heroic...they were. It's just that the popular notion that the RAF was on the ropes until Hitler ordered the switch to terror bombing of English cities is not borne out by historical figures. Fighter Command never commited more then a fraction (a significant fraction, but nowhere near even 50% as I recall) of it's fighter squadrons to the defense of Sourthern England during the BoB. They wisely kept many units in reserve in the North against the expected cross-channel invasion. Those southern fighter squadrons suffered grevious losses, and where definitely feeling the strain, but total RAF fighter strength actually increased over the course of the battle. I've seen the charts on production and overall front-line strength. LW strength on the other hand declined. That's because it was not until late 1942 or early 1943 (again, going from memory) that German figther factories went from single shift to round the clock production.
Bomber Command likewise was husbanded, to be thrown full force at the German invasion barges, beach heads, and assembly points. The RAF's defeat of the LW is all the more incredible when one considers that it did so with much of it's strength held out of the fight. Had the assault on the RAF and Coastal Command continued, rather than being redirected against the English population, it is likely that Germany could have gained control of the air over southern England. However, they would have been in for a nasty experience had they then gone forward with Sea Lion.
Goering's assertions that Fighter Command was down to "it's last 50 Spitfires" was never more than wishful thinking. The fact is that many of the RAF losses reported by LW pilots were not kills. RAF fighter planes reported shot down often managed to make it back to a friendly base or ditched on English soil, be be salvaged. Even when the plane was a write-off, RAF pilots who managed to bail over England were back "in the office" the next day. Again, I don't say this to denegrate the gallant defense of their country by that "so few." Merely to point out that the RAF was in better shape during the battle than popular history indicates.
Sabre
CT Staff
