You’re right that this rule is ambigious in this rule book. But to me the intention of the game makers is very clear. That shows not from this rule book, but from all rule books after this version. For example in the rule book from 1943 2nd, They state specifically that all strategic bombing raids take place first. This resolves any argument about who pays the IPC’s to the bank, the attacker or the defender! Since they solved this in the next rule book, i think it is quite obvious what they intended and tried to correct.
Fighter Question
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I recently got A&AR, and I’ve enjoyed it so far. I know that anti-air guns and other planes can defend against air attacks, but is that it? Can any naval or land units attack fighters/bombers?
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Welcome!
Yes. Unless the rules specifically state otherwise, any unit type can hit any other unit type.
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Thank you, and so submarines can’t attack planes right?
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Correct, submarines can not fire back at planes but can be hit by them.
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Also, I had a question about submarines. When your submarines fire in the opening fire step, can they fire in the regular battle if they weren’t destroyed?
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No. Subs only fire in the Opening Fire step, which happens in each combat round.