AOC Tutela Cordis

1940. The evacuation from Dunkirk is complete and the Battle of France is over; now it's time for the Battle of Britain. The Dowding System, a ground-breaking Integrated Air Defence System combines RDF and Observer Corps early warning systems with a sophisticated command and control structure. At its heart, closest to the enemy is 11 Group, RAF. Its motto? Tutela Cordis, 'Guardianship of the Heart'. Become the AOC - Air Officer Commanding - of 11 Group and live up to its motto. Defend the heart of Great Britain and win the Battle of Britain. The Dowding System A faithful recreation of the Uxbridge Bunker lets you control the battle with the same tools, information and options available to Keith Park during the battle. A deep simulation of the Dowding System means every report may be late or uncertain, and you must rely on the plotting table, the tote boards and daily reports. Ever outnumbered your pilots will need multiple sorties each day, creating stress and wear on the pilots and their machines alike. Yet you must balance squadron readiness, so that you can scramble at a moment's notice, against the inevitable tolls of pilot fatigue. The Tote Boards perform their historical role here, providing that 'at a glance' status of every squadron in the Group. They go further, an interactive command system, letting you issue instructions intuitively. Information Uncertainty Enemy formations detected over France. Are they hostile? Will they attack? Where? RDF can't tell you this. Only as they pass over friendly shipping and the Observer Corps on the coast will raid sizes and intent start to take shape. Scramble too soon and your pilots will be out of fuel before the enemy arrives; too late and they'll reach their targets. Use the sector clock and plotting table to understand how old your information is, decide whether you can trust it. Modelled on the real clocks used during the Battle, the colour segments support that instant understanding needed to make high risk decisions. Pressures of Command The game doesn't let you fly, or fight. You're stuck in the bunker, hostage to the skills and capabilities of your pilots. You have all the command tools available, including delegating to your sector commanders should you choose. Let them manage squadron readiness while you focus on the broader battle. Hand off full control to one or more of them while you deal with the inter-Group rivalries and pressure from above. 10 Group and 12 Group are under AI command; do you allow Big Wing tactics or risk losing their collaboration and support. Avoid upsetting the Air Chief Marshal and political leadership or you may not stay in post to see the end of the battle. Daily reports will give you a succinct summary of the battle's progress, how the men under your command are doing, and also a contrast to the real Battle of Britain. Historical Authenticity The game models real RAF stations, real squadrons, actual historical weather and a raid schedule which recognises the different phases of the battle and models the shifting emphasis, raid size and targets of the Luftwaffe as summer progresses. The aircraft of the battle have type specific fuel capacity and use, ammunition constraints and even climb rates. Combat and mechanical losses match historical levels and aircraft repair is modelled both on-station and via return to the factory. Pilots are not real (we're not rewriting personal histories) but each of your pilots is individually tracked. Protect your experienced leaders; the simulation recognises their contribution to personal and squadron success. Resupply is based on RAF pilot training rates and the dispersed factory network so capably run by Lord Beaverbrook; the raw materials are there, it's whether you can successfully deploy them. Although if the raids get through, factories can be damaged and new airframes and parts may run short. Explore the 'What-Ifs The game ships with a faithful recreation of the Battle of Britain but the whole campaign can be modded. What if the Germans don't switch away from attacking airfields? What if the Germans somehow bring the Me 262 into service four years early? Can the RAF win without the Spitfire? The game lets you make the changes you want to see, and lets you play or even just simulate a whole campaign. You can even swap out the map, change the targets and create a total overhaul - we look forward to playing your new campaigns! Win more than the battle The challenge isn't just to win; it's to be there to see it. Every scramble, every combat risks your pilots, their aircraft, their squadrons and the airfields they use. Attrition mounts, and not every bomber can be shot down. Can you keep 11 Group an effective fighting force and deny the Third Reich its ambitions. Will this be your finest hour.