Down in Flames: Arab-Israeli War 1948-'49
Down in Flames: Arab-Israeli War 1948-'49 Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Historical Overview
The state of Israel declared its independence on 15 May 1948 and was immediately attacked by its Arab neighbors: Egypt, Syria, the TransJordan (modern Jordan), Iraq, and Lebanon. After three weeks of intense fighting the Arabs held much of southern and eastern Israel.
In early June a United Nations-brokered truce went into effect. Fighting resumed on 11 July 1948. Ten days later, another cease-fire was arranged, although sporadic battles occurred over the next three months.
Open warfare began again in October, 1948. The Israelis were able to hold back the Arabs and even penetrated into Egypt. The British government protested the invasion and Israel withdrew. Between February and July 1949 Israel concluded armistices with all the Arab states, earning its right to exist and gaining a considerable amount of territory in the bargain.
Options
The sheet lists the options for each campaign period, one list per side. Each option is numbered; the Israeli and Arab entries are the options for that side.
Summer 1948 Options
| # | Israeli | Arab |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blitzkrieg, S.199 | Spitfire IX |
| 2 | Fighter-Bombers, S.199 | Blitzkrieg, Spitfire IX |
| 3 | Deceptive Course | Mistaken Identity (Spitfire IX) |
| 4 | British Intervention (RAF Spitfire XIV or HH'A S.199) | Flak Guns |
Fall 1948 Options
| # | Israeli | Arab |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S.199, Spitfire IX | Spitfire V, Spitfire IX |
| 2 | Spitfire IX | Fighter-Bombers, Spitfire IX |
| 3 | Blitzkrieg, Spitfire IX | Blitzkrieg, Spitfire V |
| 4 | Vital target, S.199 | Spitfire IX |
| 5 | Flak Guns | Flak Guns |
Winter 1948-49 Options
| # | Israeli | Arab |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | P-51D, Spitfire IX | Spitfire V, Spitfire IX |
| 2 | Spitfire IX, S.199 | Spitfire V, Spitfire IX |
| 3 | Blitzkrieg, Spitfire IX | Spitfire IX |
| 4 | Fighter-Bombers, P-51D | Fighter-Bombers, Spitfire V |
| 5 | S.199 | British Overflight (RAF Spitfire XIV or REAF Spitfire IX) |
| 6 | Small Arms | Flak Guns |
Mission Types
All missions are 8 turns target-bound and 7 turns home-bound except #s 6, 14, 15, and 16, which are 9 target-bound and 8 home-bound.
A dash in the Altitude column means no altitude is printed for that mission.
| Mission # and Target | Aircraft | Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Supply Depot (Israeli) | 2x Dakota, 2x Spit IX (REAF) | Low |
| 2. Supply Depot (Arab) | 2x Harvard, 2x Auster (HH'A) | - |
| 3. Supply Depot (Israeli) | 2x Spit IX, 2x Lysander (REAF) | - |
| 4. Supply Depot (Arab) | 2x S.199, 2x Harvard (HH'A) | - |
| 5. Freighter (Israeli) | 2x Spit IX, 2x Lysander (REAF) | - |
| 6. Freighter (Arab) | 2x Auster, 2x Harvard (HH'A) | - |
| 7. Ground Forces (Israeli) | 2x Spit IX, 2x Lysander (REAF) | - |
| 8. Ground Forces (Arab) | 2x Auster, 2x Harvard (HH'A) |
HH'A = Israeli Air Force; REAF = Royal Egyptian Air Force; SAF = Syrian Air Force; RAF = Royal Air Force (Great Britain).
Mission Targets
| Target Card | Summer 1948 | Fall 1948 | Winter 1948-49 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ace Pilot & Half Loop | 11 | 1 | 19 |
| Barrel Roll | 8 | 4 | 7 |
| In My Sights (1B) | 9 | 2 | 3 |
| In My Sights (2B) | 2 | 15 | 8 |
| In My Sights (3B) | 4 | 19 | 10 |
| Maneuvering | 1 | 7 | 2 |
| Out of the Sun |
Air Group Performance
The sheet is headed "Israeli VP - Arab VP = net VP." Subtract the Arab VP total from the Israeli VP total to get the net VP, then look up the net VP to find each side's performance.
| Israeli | Net VP | Arab |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding | 36 or More | Appalling |
| Excellent | 35 to 21 | Dismal |
| Good | 20 to 6 | Bad |
| Historical | 5 to -10 | Historical |
| Bad | -11 to -25 | Good |
| Dismal | -26 to -40 | Excellent |
| Appalling | -41 or Less | Outstanding |
Map
The module map shows Israel, Egypt, the TransJordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the Mediterranean Sea, the Negev Desert, the Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee and the Gulf of Aqaba. Its legend shows a star-marked National Capital (Jerusalem), City (for example Haifa), and International Boundary. The map scale is 50 km / 50 Miles. The map carries no numbered targets; mission targets are given by the Target Card table above.