Biplanes Over the Dneister - March, 1939

Background: In November, 1938, the Vienna Judgement created the independent states of Slovakia and Ruthenia out of Czechoslovakia. Ruthenia was the eastern third of Czechoslovakia. "Slovakia" was the central third. The Protectorate of Bohemia-Moravia was under direct German control. Some territory was carved off of these nations and was granted to Poland, Hungary, the Soviet Union, and Germany. The division of Czechoslovakia would officially occur on 19-Mar-39.

On 22-Mar-39, dissatisfied with their territorial awards from the Vienna Judgement, Hungary invaded Slovkia, seeking to occupy areas with ethnic Magyar populations extending in a corridor through Slovakia and Ruthenia to Poland. Hungary's ground forces were supported by their Air Force. Slovakia mustered its under-manned units still trying to re-organize to counter, generating a few encounters.

OK, I confess - I was thrilled to find a use for the B-534 ADC I devised years ago.
- Uncle Ted

Act I: A Bad Start

Background: Föhadnagy (Lt) Aladár Negró's 2. Section of the 1/1. vadászszázad was patrolling the area over Szobránc, Hungary (Sobrance, Slovakia two days earlier). At 07:40 hrs, three Slovakian Avia B.534s from Slovakian 49th Letka suddenly appeared The Avias were loaded with bombs to use against Hungarian troops and vehicles. In the ensuing brief aerial combat Negró shot down Porucík (Lt) Ján Prhácek (commanding officer of the 49th Letka) west of Sobrance. Prhácek was killed. A second was shot down, but the pilot survived. The third Avia was claimed, but the pilot landed safely.

Map: Ground Map

Game Length: 20 turns

Setup

Neutral, head to head start with a base altitude of 9000 ft. Use TMG set up rules to determine altitude difference

Additional Rules

1. Pilots: Either use the presets listed in a or roll based on the national standards in b:
   1. Presets:
      • Hungarians: Reg, Reg, Reg
      • Slovakians: Reg, Reg, Green
   2. National Training Standards:
      • Hungarians: Average
      • Slovakians: Limited
      Roll for skill levels and additional characteristics as desired. Do not roll for aces.
2. The Avia B.534s are Loaded with bombs 6x20 kg bombs.

Special Rules

1. The Hungarians earn ˝ VP for severe damage for each B.534 that drops its bombs (and will never get to try to bombs the Hungarian mechanized forces).
2. The Slovakians can roll to replace a B.534 with a Bk.534 on a roll of 9+ on a D10. Stop after 1 Bk.534 is rolled.

ADCs

The Fiat CR.32 and the Avia B-534 are both available from Uncle Ted's..

Sources

Fiat CR.32 in the Hungarian Air Force
Hungarian Annexation of East Slovakia

Have a question, comment, or complaint? Let me hear about it.

Act II: Interception

Background:: At 1500 hrs on the third day of the Hungarian invasion, the Honved's 1/1. vadászázad scrambled 3 sections of CR.32s that flew of in a V of Vs. The CR.32s reached the cloud-base at about 6200 feet and then flew into fog. In a hole in the clouds, the rear two sections saw 3 B.534s of the SVZ's 45th Letka escorting 3 Letov Š.328s off to port. The 1. Section did not notice the enemy and were swallowed by the fog. The Avias tried to jump Negró's 2. Section but opened fire too soon, outside the range of their machine-guns. The Cr.32s turned the tables.

The Letovs, from 12th Letka, on their way to bomb Hungarian troops at Sobrance, were deserted by their escort and offered a tempting target. Palkó's 3. Section made a shallow dive to accelerate, then climbed behind the Letovs.

Map: Blue Sky

Game Length: 20 turns

Set Up

The combat area is in an opening in a cloud bank. There is a cloud layer between 6.6 and 6.2. There is a cloud bank at extending 1001-1050, from 6.6 to 7.9 alt.

• Set up the 2. Section (CR.32 1, 2, and 3) in 2931, 2832, 3032, heading W, speed 3.5, altitude 7.0, level bank in level flight.
• Set up the 3. Section (CR.32 4, 5, and 6) in 3332, 3233, 3433, heading W, speed 3.5, altitude 7.0, level bank in level flight.
• Set up the Letovs in 1831, 1730, 1631, heading W, speed 2.5, altitude 7.3, level bank in level flight.
• Set up 3 B.534s in 2134, 2136, 1935, heading NNW, speed 4.0, altitude 7.0, upright Left bank in level flight

Additional Rules

1. National Training Standards:
   • Hungarians: Average
   • Slovakians: Limited
   Roll for skill levels and additional characteristics as desired. Do not roll for aces.
2. The Letovs are Loaded with bombs
3. The Avias have fired 1 ammo each.
4. Only the lead aircraft of each flight have a radio.
5. All flights begin the combat in fixed formation.

Special Rules:

1. The Letovs fly straight until one is damaged by enemy fire.
2. The Slovakians can roll to replace a B.534 with a Bk.534 on a roll of 9+ on a D10. Stop after 1 Bk.534 is rolled.
3. Cloud bank. The Cloud bank referred to in the set up is effectively a wall of cloud marking off one edge of the combat area. Aircraft heading south into the cloud bank find themselves in cloud as if they had dived into it.
4. Victory Conditions:
   • Slovakians score points for bombers that escape with their bomb load intact.
   • Hungarians score severe damage points for bombers that jettison their bombs and escape.
   • Both sides score normal combat victories.

ADCs

The Fiat CR.32, the Avia B.534, and the Letov Š.328 are available from Uncle Ted's.

History

2. Section shot down 2 Avias; 3. Section shot down 2 Letovs, and two of the Avias. While chasing the Avias, they contacted another vic of Avias from the 45th Letka, and shot one of them down as well. Added other losses, this was not a good day for the SVZ either.

Sources

Fiat CR.32 in the Hungarian Air Force

Have a question, comment, or complaint? Let me hear about it.