First Meetings: May 1939

by Mitchell Schwartz

Background: The Nomonhan Incident grew out of a brush between Japanese and Soviet troops on the Mongolian/Manchurian border in mid-May. By late May, both side had begun to back up their border units with reinforcements and a few squadrons of aircraft. By 24-May-39, the first Chutai of the 11th Sentai of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF) met elements of the Soviet Air Force's 22nd IAP (Fighter Regiment).

Map: Blue Sky

Aircraft: Soviet Air Force = 9x I-16 Type ?
IJAAF = 6x Ki.27

Set Up: Place the Soviet fighters in two lines in echelon in 1820, 1919, 1719, 2019, 2118, 1816, 1915, 2015, 2114. All are headed East, altitude 11.0, Speed 4.0. The fighters are in a fixed formation, organized as one formation. Start the Ki.27s in 2 vics centered in hexes 1909 and 1807, heading East, altitude 12.5, speed 5.5.

Game Length: 30 game turns

Additional Rules: Pilot Quality: Russian pilots: R (leader), R, R, G, R, R, G, R, G. Japanese: R, R, G, R, R, G

Aftermath: The Japanese claimed to have shot all 9 I-16s down.

Return to Nomonhan Campaign.