Rookie Questions

[Currahee]

Hey guys,  I got WITE and am playing my first game against AI.  Two questions- what's the deal with the campaign scenario, "alternate combat values"?  Which side does it favor in combat values?  Is this the one everyone is playing?

Second, I'm playing Axis, and the Russians bomb me mercilessly each turn, but my fighters never seem to intercept....what's up here?  I'm at June of 43, but still have plenty of fighters, they just don't do anything.  They're in range, and my air doctrine intercept is set to 100.  They're set for day ops.  They sometimes escort when I bomb, but they won't intercept Russian bombers, or recon flights.

Thanks!

Currahee