A Wing and a Prayer

Experience Fun and Strategy with A Wing and a Prayer

In mid-1942, the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) arrived in Britain equipped with B-17 Heavy Bombers. The B-17 was nicknamed the “Flying Fortress” because of its heavy defensive armament. The USAAF Commanders adopted the strategy of taking on the Luftwaffe head-on, in larger and larger air raids flying over Western Europe. The USAAF bombed the German war machine.

A Wing and a Prayer is a game designed by Erik von Rossing where you, the player, assume the role of a Commander of a Squadron of B-17 “Flying Fortresses” stationed in England during World War II. Your Goal is to manage your squadron aircraft and complete a campaign consisting of a series of Daylight Bombing Missions against strategic Axis targets. To complete your mission, it’s going to take a wing and a prayer.

A Wing and a Prayer places you in command of a World War II bomber crew facing long odds, limited resources, and hard decisions. Every mission tests planning, crew coordination, and nerve. Each sortie tells a story driven by risk, damage, and survival.

A Wing and a Prayer is a tabletop war game focused on tension, crew management, and historical atmosphere. Play centers on mission execution rather than abstract scoring.

Game Features

• Crew-based play where each crew member matters to mission success
• Mission-driven scenarios with escalating risk as flights progress
• Clear procedures for damage, stress, and crew loss
• Fast resolution that keeps turns moving
• Strong solo play support with minimal upkeep
• Historical focus on the air war challenges faced by bomber crews

Why Choose A Wing and a Prayer

• You experience command pressure similar to historical bomber missions
• You manage people rather than counters alone
• You face meaningful choices every turn with lasting effects
• You finish sessions with a complete mission narrative
• You gain replay value through varied outcomes and crew survival paths
• You add a focused air war title to a World War II game collection

A Wing and a Prayer rewards careful planning and steady decision-making. Each mission asks whether the crew returns home or pays the price in the sky.

Daylight Bombing Mission over Germany 

“As we approached the target, the enormous field of flak ahead was unbelievable. And frightening!  Our thoughts were ‘Good God! How can anything live through that?’ We all knew how accurate the flak was over Germany. The German gunners had intense radar control…. Boom, Boom, Wham! The heavy crashing noise came from below us. Before we could worry about it, the radio crackled, target ahead, prepare for bombing run”.

- Unknown B-17 Crew Member.