The all new Karelia map is pretty amazing (check screenshots from this thread:
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,309469.0.html) and to commemorate the map and also the ongoing Eighth Annual Finnish Aces High Spring Meeting this weekend we are organizing an historical event tonight in the SEA 1 arena.
Everybody are welcome to join the event and we hope to see lots and lots of people there tonight! If you can't make it tonight, then stay tuned for next event on tomorrow evening.
Summary
What - A historical snapshot event
Where - Special Event Arena 1 (SEA1)
When - Today Mar 25th, 3PM EST and 22PM Finnish local time
Please come to the arena about 30-15 minutes early to have time to get organized.
Check out the event description from below and see you in the Karelian skies tonight!
STURMOVIKS
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Soviet offensive in June/July 1944 was a tough period for the Finnish armed forces, also for the Air Force. On 9th June 1944 there were only twenty airworthy Bf 109 G-2 and G-6 planes - the enemy flew often in 100-plane formations.
It was enough light for flying for 24 hours per day up to mid-July, so fighter pilots of Finnish Squadrons often made 19-hour days.
Then as the Soviet offensive progressed, Germany again began to supply war material and even sent a Luftwaffe strike force to assist Finnish Air Force: Germany needed Finland as an ally.
ATTACK TO LAPPEENRANTA
On the the 2nd of July 1944 at 20:00 35 Russian Pe-2’s of the 34. GBAB dive-bombed the Lappeenranta Air base, followed by a strafing attack by 40 Il-2’s of the 872. ShAP and covered by dozens of escort Yak-9 fighters of the 14. GIAP.
Finnish radio intelligence had found out about the objective and the time, then they found that the raid had been delayed by 24 hours. All eleven refuelled Bf 109 G-2 and G-6 fighters of the Lentolaivue 24 (Squadron 24) in Lappeenranta had been scrambled just in time to meet the enemy in air.
Ltn. Kyosti Karhila’s flight took off to intercept them en route to the east of Viipuri, because that was Russians usual route. But this time the enemy came west of Viipuri and without resistance to Lappeenranta.
Lentolaivue 34, based at Taipalsaari a dozen km to the north-west, was asked to help, and eight Bf 109 G-6's took off at 20:10, led by Ltn. Paavo Myllylä.
W/O Urho Lehtovaara, one of the Squadron 34 pilots, chased the bombers with his MT-448 and managed to shoot down three Pe-2's in succession. The attackers lost eleven Il-2's, four Pe-2's and one escorting Yak-9. Two Bf 109's were destroyed on the ground and one more battle damaged at landing.
Luftwaffe Task Force Kuhlmey was based in Immola, and they had been warned about the coming raid, but the Germans refused to believe Finnish intelligence information.
They suffered heavy losses: the enemy bounced Focke-Wulfs at takeoff. Also the 70 German planes (Ju-87 Stukas and FW 190 A-6 Jabos) were placed at the edges of the airfield, the Russians had no problems in hitting them.
Arena:
SEA
Country Percentages:
Allied –70%
Axis – 30%
Allies:
Units:
14. GIAP: LA-5FN – 20%
872. ShAP: IL-2 Type 3 – 40%
34. GBAB: Boston III (as Pe-2) with formations - 40%
Orders:
LA-5FN’s are to take off from A2 (Suulajarvi) and escort bombers to the target.
IL-2’s are to take off from A53 (Rompotti).
Boston III’s are to take off from A57 (Jappila).
Units are to take off from their home bases and attack designated targets at A44 . See the map below for specific targets at the airfield.
Restrictions:
Fighters must carry 100% fuel. Bombers must carry 75% fuel.
Axis:
Units:
Lentolaivue 24: Bf 109 G-2 – 20%
Lentolaivue 24: Bf 109 G-6 - 40%
Lentolaivue 34: Bf-109 G-6 – 40%
Orders:
Lentolaivue 24 are to take off from A44 and may CAP over their home base. Finnish pilots may send out scouts to intercept early any incoming aircraft between A44 and Viipuri City.
Lentolaivue 34 from A43 (Taipalsaari) is waiting in the tower and they can roll after enemy is sighted in the A44’s radar circle.
Restrictions:
Bf 109’s may not carry any bombs or drop tanks and must carry 75% fuel. Bf 109 G-2’s may not carry wing gondolas but Bf 109 G-6’s can carry them if needed.
Victory Conditions:
Fighters - 10 points
IL2 Type 3 – 20 points
Boston III – 20 points
Objects on field:
Aircraft Bunker Hangars - 20 points (22 total)
Vehicle Hangar - 20 points (1 total)
Ammo bunker – 5 points (3 total)
Fuel tanks – 5 points (4 total)
Acks – 2 points (11 total)
Double Barracks - 4 points (5 total)
Wooden Radar Tower - 10 points (1 total)
Arena Settings
1. Terrain – Karelia
2. Icon Range - Short 2k
3. Radar – Tower based radar Range 15,840 about 3 miles
4. Fighter and Bomber Warning Range – 15,840 about 3 miles
5. Visibility - 12 miles
6. Wind – None
7. External view for bombers (F3) - On
8. Friendly Collisions - Off
9. Enemy Collisions - On
10. Kill Shooter - Off
11. Fuel 1.0
12. Ack .5
13. Starting Time – 25th March 2011 15:00 US Eastern / 22:00 Finnish time / 20:00 CET
Designer Notes
None
CM Notes
Downed Allied pilots may gun for the Boston III’s and IL-2’s.
Design By
Ismo ”Kanttori” Homanen
