Carl_Brisgamer
04-01-2013, 08:15
As a contribution to this week's 'Saturday Night Dogfight' I am submitting an aerial engagement between German and Russian volunteer airmen in the skies over a divided Spain.
Battle of Guadalajara
By March 1937 the Spanish Civil War had been raging for five months and seen thousands die on both sides as the Nationalist forces under General Francisco Franco attempted to wrest control of the country from the Second Spanish Republic. Germany and Italy had sent considerable forces to support the Nationalist cause, and the Soviets had likewise contributed aircraft, tanks, guns and volunteers to defend International Socialism in the form of the Popular Front government.
83818
On March 8 the Nationalist forces led by the Italian Corpo Truppe Volontarie launched an offensive to encircle the Spanish capital Madrid. Despite initial success the Italians failed to exploit their breakthrough, instead pausing to rest in the outer Madrid suburb of Brihuega. The Republicans threw the XI and XII International Brigades into the battle, including the German Thälmann Battalion, the French Commune de Paris Battalion and the Italian Giuseppe Garibaldi Battalion. The International Brigades formed an effective defensive line before throwing the Italian Fascist forces back. On March 12 1937 the Republicans launched a counter attack from Madrid spearheaded by Soviet supplied T-26 and BT-5 tanks along the Zaragoza road. Another force was to cross the Tajuña River to attack Brihuega. The attack was preceded by an aerial assault by Tupolev SB-2 bombers escorted by Polikarpov fighters crewed by Soviet volunteers. With the Italian Aviazione Legionaria airfield at Soria reduced to a muddy field, the only air assets available to the Nationalists were a few of the new Messerschmitt Bf109B-1 monoplane fighters flown by the Legion Kondor.
83831
After days of poor weather the skies over Madrid are clear enough to allow air operations. Two Polikarpov I-16 Typ 6 'Moscas' of Escuadrilla Osadchiy piloted by Russian volunteers Alexei Alexandrovich Denisov (CM-225) and Nikolay Sergeyevich Artemyev (CM-226) patrol the front at along the Tajuña River as Republican forces launch a counter attack towards Brihuega.
83832
At the same time a pair of the new Messerschmitt Bf 109B-1 'Bertas' flying from the Legion Kondor airfield at Almorox also patrol the Tajuna River north west of Briheuga. Piloted by Oberleutnant Herwig Knüppel (6-111) and Unteroffizier Willi Gödecke (6-112) of Staffel 4, Jagdgruppe 88 (4.J/88), the 'Bertas' are providing air cover for the hard-pressed Italian Corpo Truppe Volontarie.
83830
With a shout of 'Horrido!' by Oberleutnant Knüppel the Bertas attack the Moscas, who also make a high speed pass at the Messerschmitts. The Russians shoot at Unteroffizier Gödecke's 109 doing superficial damage. In return the Germans concentrate on Nikolay Artemyev's aircraft, their MG17's punching holes in his I-16.
83829
The battling pilots flash past each other at 400 kph.........
83828
........until Oberleutnant Knüppel pulls back hard on the stick executing an Immelmann and firing another snap burst at Artemyev's fighter. The move surprises Gödecke, who can't immediately follow his Rottenführer.
83826
Knüppel flies past the Russians as they pull up and over, too fast for them to get a shot at his Messerschmitt.........
83827
............whilst Unteroffizier Gödecke also rolls out of the top of his Immelmann and heads back into the fight.
83825
Gödecke and Artemyev exchange fire, with Denisov just out of range. Oberleutnant Knüppel throttles back ready to split S back onto the tails of the two I-16's.
83824
The Russians again reverse heading back towards Knüppel's Berta, expecting his wingman to overshoot and present a perfect target. Gödecke has guessed his opponents' manouvers and throttles back coming in just behind Artemyev. Too close to get a clear shot at the nearest I-16, Gödecke fires a long burst at Denisov's machine. Knüppel also fires at Denisov, his 7,9mm rounds hitting an oil line leaving the Polikarpov trailing smoke.
83823
For the third time Knüppel and the Russians make a high speed pass. Knüppel executes another Immelmann coming back around into formation with his 'Katzmarek'. Four MG17's chatter, sending a hail of fire into Denisov's smoking machine.
83822
Unteroffizier Gödecke's burst finishes off the Republican fighter, sending it down still spewing smoke. Alexei Alexandrovich Denisov escapes his stricken machine by parachute but comes down on the western bank of the Tajuna River, still held by Nationalist forces. Behind enemy lines, Denisov's problems are far from over.
83821
Knüppel and Gödecke throttle back to stay behind the second 'Mosca', as Nikolay Sergeyevich Artemyev tries to evade the Legion Kondor Messerschmitts. Gödecke gets the stubby little Polikarpov fighter in his sights, putting another burst into the badly damaged machine.
83820
Knüppel can't get a bead on the Russian, but Gödecke's last burst finishes the 'Mosca' which spins down out of control. Like Comrade Denisov, Nikolay Sergeyevich Artemyev bails out on the wrong side of the lines.
83819
A jubilant Willi Gödecke has but a moment to celebrate his second 'Luftsiege' when Oberleutnant Knüppel calls out a warning. Glancing over his shoulder Gödecke sees two large aircraft approaching from the east - Republican bombers! Despite both their 'Bertas' having sustained damage, their aircraft remain flight-worthy. The German Jadgflieger begin a wide climbing turn to attack the enemy aircraft.
83834
To be continued............
Battle of Guadalajara
By March 1937 the Spanish Civil War had been raging for five months and seen thousands die on both sides as the Nationalist forces under General Francisco Franco attempted to wrest control of the country from the Second Spanish Republic. Germany and Italy had sent considerable forces to support the Nationalist cause, and the Soviets had likewise contributed aircraft, tanks, guns and volunteers to defend International Socialism in the form of the Popular Front government.
83818
On March 8 the Nationalist forces led by the Italian Corpo Truppe Volontarie launched an offensive to encircle the Spanish capital Madrid. Despite initial success the Italians failed to exploit their breakthrough, instead pausing to rest in the outer Madrid suburb of Brihuega. The Republicans threw the XI and XII International Brigades into the battle, including the German Thälmann Battalion, the French Commune de Paris Battalion and the Italian Giuseppe Garibaldi Battalion. The International Brigades formed an effective defensive line before throwing the Italian Fascist forces back. On March 12 1937 the Republicans launched a counter attack from Madrid spearheaded by Soviet supplied T-26 and BT-5 tanks along the Zaragoza road. Another force was to cross the Tajuña River to attack Brihuega. The attack was preceded by an aerial assault by Tupolev SB-2 bombers escorted by Polikarpov fighters crewed by Soviet volunteers. With the Italian Aviazione Legionaria airfield at Soria reduced to a muddy field, the only air assets available to the Nationalists were a few of the new Messerschmitt Bf109B-1 monoplane fighters flown by the Legion Kondor.
83831
After days of poor weather the skies over Madrid are clear enough to allow air operations. Two Polikarpov I-16 Typ 6 'Moscas' of Escuadrilla Osadchiy piloted by Russian volunteers Alexei Alexandrovich Denisov (CM-225) and Nikolay Sergeyevich Artemyev (CM-226) patrol the front at along the Tajuña River as Republican forces launch a counter attack towards Brihuega.
83832
At the same time a pair of the new Messerschmitt Bf 109B-1 'Bertas' flying from the Legion Kondor airfield at Almorox also patrol the Tajuna River north west of Briheuga. Piloted by Oberleutnant Herwig Knüppel (6-111) and Unteroffizier Willi Gödecke (6-112) of Staffel 4, Jagdgruppe 88 (4.J/88), the 'Bertas' are providing air cover for the hard-pressed Italian Corpo Truppe Volontarie.
83830
With a shout of 'Horrido!' by Oberleutnant Knüppel the Bertas attack the Moscas, who also make a high speed pass at the Messerschmitts. The Russians shoot at Unteroffizier Gödecke's 109 doing superficial damage. In return the Germans concentrate on Nikolay Artemyev's aircraft, their MG17's punching holes in his I-16.
83829
The battling pilots flash past each other at 400 kph.........
83828
........until Oberleutnant Knüppel pulls back hard on the stick executing an Immelmann and firing another snap burst at Artemyev's fighter. The move surprises Gödecke, who can't immediately follow his Rottenführer.
83826
Knüppel flies past the Russians as they pull up and over, too fast for them to get a shot at his Messerschmitt.........
83827
............whilst Unteroffizier Gödecke also rolls out of the top of his Immelmann and heads back into the fight.
83825
Gödecke and Artemyev exchange fire, with Denisov just out of range. Oberleutnant Knüppel throttles back ready to split S back onto the tails of the two I-16's.
83824
The Russians again reverse heading back towards Knüppel's Berta, expecting his wingman to overshoot and present a perfect target. Gödecke has guessed his opponents' manouvers and throttles back coming in just behind Artemyev. Too close to get a clear shot at the nearest I-16, Gödecke fires a long burst at Denisov's machine. Knüppel also fires at Denisov, his 7,9mm rounds hitting an oil line leaving the Polikarpov trailing smoke.
83823
For the third time Knüppel and the Russians make a high speed pass. Knüppel executes another Immelmann coming back around into formation with his 'Katzmarek'. Four MG17's chatter, sending a hail of fire into Denisov's smoking machine.
83822
Unteroffizier Gödecke's burst finishes off the Republican fighter, sending it down still spewing smoke. Alexei Alexandrovich Denisov escapes his stricken machine by parachute but comes down on the western bank of the Tajuna River, still held by Nationalist forces. Behind enemy lines, Denisov's problems are far from over.
83821
Knüppel and Gödecke throttle back to stay behind the second 'Mosca', as Nikolay Sergeyevich Artemyev tries to evade the Legion Kondor Messerschmitts. Gödecke gets the stubby little Polikarpov fighter in his sights, putting another burst into the badly damaged machine.
83820
Knüppel can't get a bead on the Russian, but Gödecke's last burst finishes the 'Mosca' which spins down out of control. Like Comrade Denisov, Nikolay Sergeyevich Artemyev bails out on the wrong side of the lines.
83819
A jubilant Willi Gödecke has but a moment to celebrate his second 'Luftsiege' when Oberleutnant Knüppel calls out a warning. Glancing over his shoulder Gödecke sees two large aircraft approaching from the east - Republican bombers! Despite both their 'Bertas' having sustained damage, their aircraft remain flight-worthy. The German Jadgflieger begin a wide climbing turn to attack the enemy aircraft.
83834
To be continued............