Matrix Games Forums

This beta addresses the issues with excessive losses during night fighter interception in BTR.

1. NF interceptors no longer fly in pairs, they will split into individual NF's like the earlier versions.
2. Enemy aircraft detection is slightly less effective.

If you are playing PBEM, make sure both players have the beta installed. The beta will not overwrite your PBEM handles.

Please report back your findings under this thread.

Small update after the 1st night raid following the Hotfix. c. 750 bombers against Emden, Oldenburg and Wilhelmshaven. 28 bombers losses. NF's still attacking in pairs though which I thought the above says they wouldn't be?

Speedysteve wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2026 5:00 pm Small update after the 1st night raid following the Hotfix. c. 750 bombers against Emden, Oldenburg and Wilhelmshaven. 28 bombers losses. NF's still attacking in pairs though which I thought the above says they wouldn't be?

Untitled.jpg

Does the "About" tab indicate 1.06.102 beta is the current version?

simovitch wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2026 5:26 pm

Speedysteve wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2026 5:00 pm Small update after the 1st night raid following the Hotfix. c. 750 bombers against Emden, Oldenburg and Wilhelmshaven. 28 bombers losses. NF's still attacking in pairs though which I thought the above says they wouldn't be?

Untitled.jpg

Does the "About" tab indicate 1.06.102 beta is the current version?

Yup

News flash people. It wasn't uncommon for the NJG to attack in pairs. One would attract the attention of the gunners and the other would hit the bomber. Now maybe the game is excessive in that regard, but it is not historically inaccurate.

New update. 855 bomber raid on Hannover. 10 bomber losses

warshipbuilder wrote: Fri Aug 07, 2026 1:30 am News flash people. It wasn't uncommon for the NJG to attack in pairs. One would attract the attention of the gunners and the other would hit the bomber. Now maybe the game is excessive in that regard, but it is not historically inaccurate.

I'm not involved in development or testing of the game anymore so I can't comment on behind the scenes decisions other than I assume the tweak to limit from pairs to singular is to restrict BC losses rather than it not being historically accurate that the NF's flew in pairs

I found a night action originally intercepted with version
1.06.96 Beta on the night of 6 Sep 1943. BC flew 944 Sorties lost 9 a/c. loss rate of 1.0%. Historical BC loss rate of 4.08% for Sep 1943
I loaded the same save for version
1.06.101 got a result of within 2% of historical BC losses rate for that month. BC (1053 sorties) lost 44 a/c (4.2%) on that replayed night raid.
I loaded the same save for version
1.06.102 beta against the same raid, BC lost 19 a/c (19/1053 =1.8%), ie 44% of historical average for that month.
The 1.06.101 is closer to historical.
The raid numbers seem historical enough, but the loss rate inflicted on BC is not.

I really appreciate the input from everyone, especially the old-timers. My own preference stays with 1.06.101 but it's good to have a choice for the players who feel otherwise.

Just remember that things will start to get very difficult for the NJG in 1944 when piperjack and airborne cigar starts getting fitted onto BC aircraft.

warshipbuilder wrote: Fri Aug 07, 2026 1:30 am News flash people. It wasn't uncommon for the NJG to attack in pairs. One would attract the attention of the gunners and the other would hit the bomber. Now maybe the game is excessive in that regard, but it is not historically inaccurate.

Never heard of this. Can you name some books to read more about this ?

ISTR the Himmelbet system could only direct one fighter at a time?

The Martin Middlebrook and Martin Bowman books on the Battle of Berlin.
are good starting points. There are two other books on the same subject, but I can't remember the authors at the moment. I read all four in a row. It's interesting the different prespectives you get. The squadron combat reports also make for fascinating reading.

Latest update sample for 1.06.02. Turn 19. 4 bomber stream attack on Cologne and suburbs. Decoy further north. 41 bombers lost out of 964

4% loss rate is fair and reasonable.

Speedysteve wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2026 5:32 pm Latest update sample for 1.06.02. Turn 19. 4 bomber stream attack on Cologne and suburbs. Decoy further north. 41 bombers lost out of 964

Is the date 17 Sep 1943 plus 19 days (ie 1943 Campaign) pre FuG 220? or some other scenario ?

warshipbuilder wrote: Wed Aug 12, 2026 7:34 pm 4% loss rate is fair and reasonable.

I know. I’m just reporting the data and results. Not saying it’s good or bad

CHAINSAW1958 wrote: Thu Aug 13, 2026 8:45 am

Speedysteve wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2026 5:32 pm Latest update sample for 1.06.02. Turn 19. 4 bomber stream attack on Cologne and suburbs. Decoy further north. 41 bombers lost out of 964

Is the date 17 Sep 1943 plus 19 days (ie 1943 Campaign) pre FuG 220? or some other scenario ?

Yes 43 campaign start

Gday Simovitch, I have been playing under the new beta and have noticed fewer BC losses than the last beta and a bit more than the previous. However I have noticed that when 3-4 raids go in that the early one is hit hard and the later raids can sneak in an only get hit on the way home. The overall number is OK but 1 raid can easily get 10-20% losses. However, and this is a game killer, all raids by 4E bombers are resulting in almost 100% unavailability, so instead od 2-3 raids with lowering morale then resting, I cannot follow up for at least a week, maybe longer. This has only happened since the last beta.

Please provide a saved game and I will take a look.

I hope that works??