Quick answer
Set up the Ju 87 Stuka Ace Theater Companion Book by selecting a historical theater (Poland, France, Mediterranean, or Eastern Front), picking your mission and loadout, then following the dive-bombing sequence while accounting for enemy fighter speed.
Why the Theater Companion Book Matters
The Ju 87 Stuka Ace Theater Companion Book adds four full campaigns covering the Stuka's operational history from 1939 to 1945. Unlike the core rule book, this companion focuses on theater-specific missions, terrain, and objectives, letting you replay the Stuka's evolution from feared dive-bomber to vulnerable target.
The book assumes you already own the Ju 87 Stuka Ace core rules. It does not repeat basic flight or combat mechanics, so keep the core rule book handy for reference.
Trade-Offs You Should Know
The companion book is not a standalone expansion. You need the Ju 87 Stuka Ace core rule book to use the missions. Also, the scenarios are designed for solo or cooperative play against an automated enemy; there is no head-to-head mode.
If you prefer competitive play or want to use Stukas in a larger Lock 'n Load Tactical setting (like the Pacific theater), you may need additional conversion rules not included here.
Step-by-step: Using the Theater Companion Book
- Choose your theater and mission: Open the companion book and pick one of the four theaters: Poland 1939, France 1940, Mediterranean 1941, or Eastern Front 1943–45. Each theater contains several linked missions. Read the historical briefing and special rules for that theater before setting up the map. Common mistake: jumping into a later mission without reading the theater-specific rules, which often change victory conditions or add unique terrain effects.
- Select your loadout and Stuka variant: Each mission specifies which Ju 87 variant (e.g., B-1, D-3) and bomb load (SC 250, SC 500, or cluster munitions) you can use. Check the loadout table in the companion book—some missions restrict options based on historical availability. Write down your chosen load on a scrap sheet before starting. Checkpoint: if the mission allows multiple loadouts, choose the one that matches your target type (e.g., SC 500 for armored columns, cluster for soft targets).
- Set up the map and enemy forces: Use the map layout diagram in the companion book. Place terrain tiles, waypoints, and enemy units (AAA, fighters, or ground targets) as shown. The book uses a point-based system for enemy placement; adjust difficulty by adding or removing points if desired. Common mistake: forgetting to place AAA zones before the mission starts—they affect your dive angle and altitude choices.
- Fly the mission using the dive-bombing sequence: Follow the core rule book's flight sequence: approach at altitude, identify target, enter dive (triggering the siren effect), release bombs at the correct altitude, then pull up. The companion book adds theater-specific events (e.g., dust clouds in the Mediterranean, winter conditions on the Eastern Front). Checkpoint: the siren is not just flavor—in early missions it can cause enemy units to panic, giving you a bonus to hit. In later missions, it alerts faster fighters, so consider diving without the siren if the mission allows.
- Assess damage and proceed to the next mission: After each mission, record your Stuka's damage status and any experience points earned. The companion book includes a campaign log sheet—use it to track upgrades, repairs, and pilot skills across the theater. Some missions have branching paths based on your success or failure. Common mistake: skipping the campaign log. Without it, you lose continuity and may miss special rewards for completing a full theater.
Product facts
-
Ju 87 Stuka Ace Theater (Companion) Book: Dive Bombing for the Luftwaffe, 1939 to 1945. The siren was the point. A Ju 87 in a dive announced itself before it released anything, and for two years that was enough to break a column on the road. Then the fighters got faster, and the Stuka kept flying anyway. This historical note directly affects gameplay: early missions (Poland, France) let you exploit the terror factor, while later Eastern Front missions require careful escort management because enemy fighters are faster.
Ju 87 Stuka Ace Theater (Companion) Book
