Can the attacker initiate combat from the C/D bands?
I know combat can be initiated by the defender whilst the attacker is in the C/D bands, but I can't see a ruling that allows the attacker to do the same. If this is the case, how can, as an example, a formation of FW190s successfully position themselves for a head-on attack against a formation of B-17s, when the set up distance is only between 7-15 hexes. With closure speeds taken into account, this short setup distance doesn't seem conducive to any fine tuning/adjustments when it comes to maneuvering after the heavies have moved.
Per the textual rules, NO.
It does seem odd that the defenders can initiate combat from bands C or D, but not the attacker. I agree a House Rule is necessary, especially from the front arcs.
The simplest solution (house rule) is to allow the Attacker to initiate combat from any Band, regardless of arc. The defender still gets to change geometry if from bands C or D.
Wild Bill
BoB GM
(https://groups.io/g/FW-Ref-Central/message/2986) 16/04/2016
The way I designed it.
Defenders can accept combat with the attackers in any range band so long as the attackers have been spotted, and so long as the defenders have aircraft that can counter attack the attacking force (i.e. escorts).
This is not always the case, so defenders are limited in their responses.
To provide time for the defenders to try and SEE an approaching enemy force in time, the attackers must maneuver until they are in the B band or less before attacking.
Given the freedom in combat scale set up. And the freedom of movement on the TMG for attackers, it is a simple matter for them to always attack from the B band in the front arc.
You won't need much fine tuning if you set up well (with a reduced speed for head ons) and the enemy scatters are small in number.
If the attackers were to be allowed to declare combat at any time from any band, why even have a Tactical scale?
If head ons are your only concern, then house rule to allow a combat declaration from 12 line, C band as well, but not much else. As Hobo said, head ons are difficult to judge due to rapid closing. That was part of my modeling thought in crafting the TMG rules.
JD
(https://groups.io/g/FW-Ref-Central/message/2987) 17/04/2016