Bag the Hun Scenario - Sussu Over Suursaari

Here's another potential scenario for the Continuation War article, this time aimed at a larger, multi section game with plenty of roles for a multiplayer game. It's also really interesting as it includes some tactical restrictions for the Soviets, who otherwise outnumber the Finns (from P-39 Hawk Aces of World War Two - Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 86 ) :

Suursaari was taken by Finnish troops on the 28th March 1942, with LLv 32 providing top cover. Soviet aircraft were conspicuous by their absence until the victorious soldiers commenced their occupation parade late in the day. Prepared for Soviet retaliation, 12 Hawk 75s were providing top cover over the island when 29 Soviet fighter were spotted approaching in three formations. 

In the 20-minute combat that ensued, the Finnish pilots claimed no fewer than 15 fighters shot down without loss. 1Lt Nurminen (in CU-571) downed an I-16 and an I-153 to become the second all-Hawk 75 ace, as he recounted in his combat report:

‘Whilst I was leading a flight of six Curtiss fighters in protection of Suursaari, I received a message from Seivästö. I led my flight west of Lavansaari, at which point I was informed by radio that formations of eight and eleven unknown aircraft had been detected at a height of 3000 m west of Suursaari. 

My formation also climbed to 3000 m, which took us above the clouds. It was at this point that I saw two formations of aircraft, consisting of both I-153s and I-16s, at about 2000 m. ‘I carried out an attack on an I-16, getting in three good bursts from close range from the side and behind. The aircraft shed fragments and went down out of control. 

Moments later I fired at three I-153s from behind, one of which began to drop away trailing smoke. I could not follow it down, however, because the sky was full of I-153s. The Russians had no will for fighting, instead wanting to head for St Petersburg and Harjavalta. 

I did not observe the Russians firing their machine guns, preferring instead to fire their rocket projectiles. The I-16 is an inferior opponent compared with the I-153. The Chaikas did not attempt to turn vigorously when under attack, instead resorting to a climbing turn to port or starboard and then heading straight for St Petersburg, obviously extremely low on fuel!’

The Baltic Fleet journal reported the action as follows; 

‘At 0840 hrs, 12 I-153s from 71 IAP, led by Capt Pyotr Biskup, and six I-16s from 11 IAP had just finished strafing enemy troops when 15 Messerschmitts and eight Fokkers attacked from an altitude of 1000 metres. 

Sgt Vasiliy Fyodorov, who fought alone with eight Fokkers, had to make a forced landing near Lavansaari after running out of fuel. The aircraft flipped on its back, but the pilot was not injured. Observation points at Seiskari and Lavansaari reported three Fokkers and a PZL.24 down.'