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Thread: September 1939: Actions in the Air

  1. #1

    Default September 1939: Actions in the Air

    Well, this is probably the first AAR in the Drome depicting factual or possible aerial encounters that might have taken place in the skies over Poland in September 1939.


    Yesterday I called my Flight members to recreate the fights using my finally finished (although still lacking pilot figurines) PZL P11c and I-16 Rata fighters along with repainted into early war schemes Nexus Bf 109E,
    PZLs were the upgunned B/A version,while BF109s were degraded to E1, also B/A version, that might have participated in the war of 1939 (in fact even D versions were used then).


    Altitude rules (no flying higher option) were used. In both games the rivals started at altitude 3 on the opposite mat edges.


    We played two games:
    I. Two PZLs against two Bf 109s (historical),
    II. Two PZLs against two I-16 Rata (a„what if” scenario, but very possible after September 17 when Soviets allied with Hitler crossed Polish eastern border)


    In the first game, Sławek and his son Filip took the PZLs, eager to fly the planes they had never flied before.



    Darek and me took the Bf 109s.

    The combatants:






    The game quickly broke into two separate duels, Darek took on the youngster who was flying quite nervously and took some beating at the start.
    I get on Sławek's PZL and right in the first exchange from the close distance I hit him hard with 7 points and engine damage (I realized that seeing him playing slow speed cards ever after...). My Bf took only 1 damage point.



    Darek's Bf is making a head on pass against the brave Polish fighter.


    After an immelmann I am taking on the other PZL.


    Playing with a much slower plane and altitude rules was a real challenge for Filip, but he did his best, truly.


    Just a nice shot


    That was meant to be the climax of the battle. Although in a perfect continuous shooting position, having the PZL in my gunsight I missed badly (Filip showed me two 0 counters!). Darek also evade the bullets.



    A moment later two Polish planes, both having climb counters, collided badly. Filip's plane went down, so we had only Sławek to fight against.


    He decided not to flee from the battle (well, he is Polish!), but his fate was sealed...


    Darek quickly took him down.


    The Outcome:

    Two Polish planes destroyed. Darek scored one kill.


    My Bf got some damage, but brought it safely to the airfield. But look at Darek's damage...


    End of part one. To be continued...
    Last edited by Nightbomber; 04-05-2014 at 14:03.
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  2. #2

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    Great AAR Andrzej!

  3. #3

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    Nice Job. Planes looked Great too

  4. #4

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    Now that is really something new and refreshing Andy. I look forward to more of this action in the future.
    Rob
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  5. #5

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    I like historical re-fights, even though they be a bit one sided. The young lad did very well and for a better turn of chits it might have looked a lot different.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  6. #6

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    Great early war duel, Andrzej!

    Beautiful models and brave pilots.
    Voilŕ le soleil d'Austerlitz!

  7. #7

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    Very nice models and a great report, bring on the next!

  8. #8

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    It's always good to see non-often-seen-models on gaming table. Great AAR!

  9. #9

    Default September 17th, 1939: "Don't fight the Bolsheviks"

    When Soviet forces allied with Nazi Germany entered eastern Poland, the "September Campaign", as we here name it, was lost.
    Very strange to many was the HQ order "Don't fight the Bolsheviks". However, the border fights broke out and some of the invading units were successfully beaten.
    There is no official record of aerial fights of the period, however they were possible.

    In the second Friday Night game we tried to simulate an encounter between two Polish PZL P11c and two Soviet I-16s.
    This time Darek and me took the role of Polish defenders, while Sławek and his son took the I-16s.


    Here we see the Soviet Red Falcon leader...


    ...and his wingman...


    Darek (white 6) took on the Soviet wingman, Filip.


    I turned toward the Leader and the first burst of my machine gun fire caused an explosion of the Soviet plane! Unfortunately his bullets were placed well as well. I am wounded for the rest of the game... Sławek leaves the battle to reenter the fight two turns after.


    Meanwhile Darek and Filip passed each other...


    I am coming to help fight the lone Soviet fighter...


    But Darek soon sent him down to earth without my little help.


    Now we both dance with the returned leader, but the edge we got gives him little chance to win the encounter...




    I get on his tail...


    After getting some damage Sławek, the Soviet leader decides to flee from the battle and we do not pursue him. The battle ends with decisive Polish victory.

    Two kills, 1 me, 1 Darek. No losses.

    Could have been a better weekend start?
    The winners:
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  10. #10

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    Go Poland. Thank you for another good read.

  11. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by Skafloc View Post
    I like historical re-fights, even though they be a bit one sided.
    Eh -- for lopsided fights, adjust the "victory conditions". For ex.: The PZLs started with 22 HP total; the -109s, 32; the Germans have a 1.5 (OK, 1.45...) to 1 advantage. Afterward, the PZLs had 0, but the -109s were down to 21; so the actual score is 22 to 11 -- 2:1 for the Germans. Subtract the starting 1.5, and the Germans come out with a mere 0.5 advantage -- "another such victory, and we are undone".

  12. #12

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    Great looking planes! I feel it sheds some light on an overlooked (by myself) front and leaves me wanting to look into it some more. Looks like fun, and good AAR.

  13. #13

    Thumbs up

    I really like the idea of Historical Games & am looking forward to the Pacific Campaign because of this.

    Well played Andy & great photos!.

  14. #14

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    Great games Andrej. Fantastic looking aircraft I'm tempted to bring forward a planned excursion into Finland. Alas it will have to wait as the Pacific needs finishing of first. To many theater areas too many darned aircraft that I want.

    Neil
    See you on the Dark Side......

  15. #15

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    Yet another exceptional confrontation Andy, and what a resounding result for the Polish side, two downed and one driven off.
    As I said in my last post it is great to see these unusual encounters for a change.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  16. #16

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    Thank you very much for the comments, chaps. It was a very interesting insight into factual, historical or possible aerial battles. Every player could have felt the technological superiority of the German fighters in the first game, leading to frustration on the Polish side, while the second game took place on rather even terms.

    After this quick example I tend to share one contemporary historian's opinion, that it is not true Polish army was not prepared for the coming war in 1939. Prepared it was, but looking East- not Westwards.
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  17. #17

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    Looks like some sweet action there! And those planes are beautifull...

  18. #18

  19. #19

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    Great report Andrzej. You have really nice miniatures!

  20. #20

  21. #21

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    Quote Originally Posted by Thunderbolt View Post
    Great report Andrzej. You have really nice miniatures!
    Bf 109 are Nexus repaints, P-11c and Rata are Shapeways. More of them are in the October works.
    4 PZL P-24 are on the way from Shapeways printers for "1939: What if" scenarios
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  22. #22

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    Quote Originally Posted by Nightbomber View Post
    P-11c and Rata are Shapeways.
    I'm considering expanding my collection with some P-11c planes. Which one you recommend, Rata or Shapeways?



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