Last updated 6th August 2009
"Taking into consideration the standard of enemy tactics and our own technical facilities in the last year of the war, it was probably right not to prefer one method of nightfighting, but to employ different methods and combine them according to the situation. In doing this, the main rule of conduct was; pursuit nightfighting against closely bundled bomber streams, "Himmelbett" nightfighting against loose formations or single aircraft, and target area nightfighting in case of surprise attacks and against Mosquitos."
- Generalleutnant Josef "Beppo" Schmid
NIGHTFIGHTER is a game of air warfare in the night skies of World War II.
The game requires two participants: a player and umpire.
The game details the development of night fighting tactics over Britain, the Reich and the Pacific. Using a brand-new 'blind' play system, an umpire controls the attacking forces and moderates the defending player, who must find, fix and destroy the incoming bombers.
Nightfighter will recreate the tactics of night fighting, from the 'cat's eye' fighting of the London night blitz to the Mosquito intruder operations at the end of the war. Scenarios include Freya AN interception in the Dunaja dark fighting zones, Himmelbett zones, the introduction of AI radar, Wilde Sau and Zahme Sau tactics. The evolution of electronic systems and countermeasures is modelled, including the use of 'Airborne Cigar', 'Window' and 'Serrate'.
There is a huge variety of aircraft in the game, from early Do217s and Ju88 fighters, to advanced fighters such as the He219. Rarities such as the Ta154, Me262B-1a and the Japanese J1N1 Gekko will be included. Schräge Music ('Jazz Music') oblique gun systems are modelled. The Allies get 'cat's eye' Hurricanes, Blenheims with AI Mk IV radar, Beaufighters with Serrate and various marks of Mosquito, including the NF.30 with the advanced AI Mk X radar. Pacific operations will see F4U-2s and P-61A 'Black Widow' fighters engaging Japanese bomber threats.
Each aircraft unit in the game represents a single aircraft. Each hex on the map is roughly 1 mile across and each game turn is approximately a minute of real time. The map represents the width of the bomber stream and displays dark fighting areas, searchlight zones and searchlight beacons. Play times for the game are in the region of 30 to 90 minutes.
ILLUSTRATION: Nightfighter player's map.
ILLUSTRATION: Detail of Nightfighter player's map, showing detail of the enviroment status boxes.
The final game contents will comprise:
Rule book, 28 pages
Scenario book, 16 pages
One 1/2" counter sheet
One 5/8" counter sheet
One 11 x 17" umpire's map
One 22 x 17" player's map
One 11 x 34" playaid/umpire's screen
Four 6-sided dice
Nightfighter is to be published by GMT Games and can preordered HERE. It is designed by Lee Brimmicombe-Wood.
Update 6th August 2009
Nightfighter is designed to be able to be played with Bomber Command . Both games can be played as stand-alone titles. However Bomber Command playthroughs can be used to generate scenarios resolved by playing Nightfighter.
All questions and enquiries should be directed to the designer Lee Brimmicombe-Wood at: leebwood at googlemail dot com (Note that this address has been modified to protect against web spiders and other malware.)
Nightfighter copyright © Lee Brimmicombe-Wood, 2006-2009. All rights reserved.