Here is a proposal to simplify the air return rules.

Currently, air units are returned at different times during the game turn depending upon the mission they are flying. Not only is this confusing and somewhat complicated to keep track of, but it presents problems.

For instance, suppose the Germans conduct an airborne assault against Maleme airfield on Crete during the May I 1941 game turn. There are two cases to consider: the airfield is defended or it's not. If the airbase is not defended, the airborne units take the airfield during the mission resolution step, and Ju 52 transports carrying reinforcing regiments of the 5th Mtn XX may land at the airfield.

However, if the airfield is defended (even by a point of position AA), the 5th may not land there! The Ju 52's can land only at a friendly airbase during the air unit return step, which occurs before the combat phase. Paradoxically, air units flying ground support for the paras are allowed to land at the end of the combat phase, even at Maleme if the paratroopers take it during combat.

My proposal is to have one air return step for ALL friendly air units during their portion of the game turn, including those flying defensive air support and harassment missions. I propose that the air return step be moved in the sequence of play from where it is currently to the end of the combat phase.

Not only will this proposal simplify the existing air rules, it will eliminate many of the anomalous and unhistorical situations that regularly occur during play, including the abuse of defensive air support and harassment missions to avoid reprisal by enemy air attacks. By adopting the reasonable and oft-proposed mechanic (see Ben Knight, et. al.) of placing markers representing these missions in their target hexes, all friendly air units will be returned and accounted for at the end of each player turn.